Digging for Spiritual Gems – Dec 30-Jan 5
Revelation 20-22
Re 20:5: In what sense will “the rest of the dead” come to life at the end of the 1,000 years? (It-2 pg 249 par 2)
The rest of the dead” not coming to life “until the thousand years were ended” must be those alive at the end of the thousand years, but before Satan is released from the abyss and brings the decisive test on mankind. By the end of the thousand years, people on earth will have reached human perfection, being in the condition that Adam and Eve were in before they sinned. Now they will really have life in perfection. Those who thereafter pass the test when Satan is released for a short time from the abyss will be able to enjoy that life forever. (Re 20:4-10)
Re 20:14-15: What is “the lake of fire”? (It-2 189-190)
The symbolic quality of the lake of fire is further evident from the context of references to it in the book of Revelation. Death is said to be hurled into this lake of fire. (Re 19:20; 20:14) Death obviously cannot be literally burned since it is a condition or a state. Moreover, the Devil, an invisible spirit creature, is thrown into the lake. Being spirit, he cannot be hurt by literal fire. (Re 20:10; compare Ex 3:2 and Jg 13:20.) Since the lake of fire represents “the second death” and since Revelation 20:14 says that both “death and Hades” are to be cast into it, it is evident that the lake cannot represent the death man has inherited from Adam (Ro 5:12), nor does it refer to Hades (Sheol). It must, therefore, be symbolic of another kind of death, one that is without reversal, for the record nowhere speaks of the “lake” as giving up those in it, as do Adamic death and Hades (Sheol). (Re 20:13) Thus, those not found written in “the book of life,” unrepentant opposers of God’s sovereignty, are hurled into the lake of fire, meaning eternal destruction, or the second death. (Re 20:15)
What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?
Re 20:1-3: Show the power that Jehovah has and can empower angel with tremendous power to be able to dispose of Jehovah’s archenemy Satan and his demons. Satan had much power if one look at Job 1-2 when he controls fire from the heavens and wind to kill. Jesus infuse with power of a archangel is more powerful than all of them.
Re 20:4-6: Jehovah said at Ro 12:19 ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ yet he also has promise a reward to all those who he has chosen too heavenly life to rule with Jesus and to be kings and priests of Jehovah with authority to judge. (Re 22:18; Ps 19:11; 119:165 )
Re 20:12-13: The scrolls must represent God’s further requirements, to live forever, both Armageddon survivors and resurrected ones will have to obey God’s commandments, and whatever new requirements Jehovah might reveal during the thousand years. So, individuals will be judged on the basis of what they do during Judgment Day.
Re 21:1: We can be sure that this does not mean replacing the literal heavens and our planet, with its watery deep. As chapters 19 and 20 showed, wicked people and their rulerships, including the invisible ruler Satan, will be removed. The promise here is of a new system of things involving people on earth. (Ps 104:5, 37:9-20; Ec 1:4; Isa 45:18)
Re 21:6: Jehovah is almighty and all-wise, nothing can stop him from fulfilling his purpose. Our heavenly Father is so certain about the fulfillment of his promised blessings that to him they are already a reality, so Jehovah says: “They have come to pass!”
Re 21:22: Jehovah is “the Almighty,” which means that Jehovah is more powerful than anyone else in the universe. All his wonderful works of creation and dealings with mankind should encourage us to glorify his name and do his will. (Re 4:11)
Re 22:1, 17: The “river of water of life” represents Jehovah’s provisions for recovering obedient humans from sin and death. A measure of this water is available now. May we not only gratefully accept the invitation to come and “take life’s water free” but also eagerly extend it to others.
Re 22:6: Jehovah is reminding us he is the who inspired the writing of the prophets and his word can be trust and is beneficial for teaching, reproving, setting things straight and disciplining in righteousness. Yes Jehovah can lead us to a close relationship with him and the reward of everlasting life. (1Ti 3:16; Jas 4:8)
Re 22:9: Show it is Jehovah we should worship not Jesus, and even Jesus told us at Lu 4:8 “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Ex 34:14; Isa 42:8; Mt 4:10)
Re 22:12-14: Jehovah God emphasizes his eternal sovereignty and the fact that what he first purposes he will at last perform. He is “coming quickly” to execute judgment and will reward those earnestly seeking him. (Heb 11:6) His standards determine who will be rewarded and who will be rejected.
What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?
Re 20:1-3: How do we know that the demons will be abyss during the thousand year reign of Christ? True this verse does not mention the demons yet we see the fact that the wicked spirits had great fear of the abyss as indicates Luke 8:31 show they are aware of this. Also if they are not, they would be left to mislead the nation.
Re 20:4-5: Those who sit on thrones are “the holy ones” that Daniel described as ruling in the Kingdom with the One “like a son of man” at Da 7:13-14, 18. This would include the 12 apostles, to whom Jesus gave the promise: “In the re-creation” at Mt 19:28 and all those who Jehovah chosen after them.
Re 20:6: Image a great crowd for thousand years living in a happy, and joyful, upbuilding theocratic rule in paradise condition, where there is peace, unity, loyalty to Jehovah. Yes Jehovah begin to give all on the earth the opportunity see what paradise earth will be like if they stay faithful to the end.
Re 20:7-9: After Thousand Year Reign the earth will come to resemble the original Eden. Sadly, Satan and his demon will be let loose and we may think Satan can’t mislead anyone because of being perfect. Remember he mislead Adam, Eve and lead astray heavenly angels. May we not be found with those are mislead so we can see the total fulfillment of Ps 37: 9-10.
Re 21:3-4: This is not talking about heaven for it tell us in verse 3 that the “tent of God is with mankind,” and mankind is on earth and flesh and blood cannot inherit heaven. Then it show how wonderful the future will be for mankind when death and pain is no more and Satan system will be gone. (1Co 15:50)
Re 21:8, 22:15: This show that in the new earth idols will still not be accepted by Jehovah, and it is why we now need to learn to walk by faith and not by sight. (1Co 10:14; 2Co 6:17; 1Jo 5:21) An idol is an image, a representation of anything, real or imagined, that people may use in worship. Idolatry is the veneration, love, worship, or adoration of an idol. (Ps 115:4; Ac 17:16)
Re 21:16-17: New Jerusalem is not a literal city because it measurement it’s length and width h is 1380 miles [=1,904,400 sq miles] and the height almost 350 miles into outer space. That why it is call a heavenly New Jerusalem?
Re 22:18-19: Revelation is inspired of God and if one dare change a word of what God himself has spoken and transmitted through the one who is now the reigning King, Jesus Christ would be deserve to lose out in the quest for life and suffer the plagues that must come upon Babylon the Great and upon the whole world.
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