weekly UR studies of Rev & Acts

[marie glen]

Intro..

A key to the revelation vision is 13:1 - does a literal beastly creature with seven heads rise out of the sea of humanity? I?m highly doubting it. But! Does it have a literal meaning? Does anyone actually believe, no it?s written for entertainment purposes only? Rev.1:3 - Blessed is the reading [anagin?sk? - know certainly, know again, to read] and (blessed is) the hearing [akou? - to hear and listen] (to) the words [logos - reasoning expressed in words, from lego - speaking to a conclusion] the prophecy [proph?teia] and (the) keeping [t?re? - watching over, guarding, observing, keeping intact] what is written [graph?] for the season [kairos - season, opportune time] is near [eggus - near in place or time] ? So, the opportune time is always near, and the images used are not always literal, but their meaning is.

[marie glen]

WeeKly BooK oF Revelation
     a paraphrased study
         ~~  18:9-24  ~~
18:9 - And the KINGS of earth, who committed sexual immorality (were in bed with $ity Babylon) and lived in luxury with her, will weep and mourn when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand afar off, in fear of ?her? torment, saying - Alas! You great city! Mighty city! Babylon! Woe! In a single hour your judgment has come! 11 And the MERCHANTS of the earth weep and lament, for no one buys their cargo anymore, 12 the cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloths, silk and scarlet cloths, all sorts of scented woods, all articles of ivory, of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon, spices, incense, myrrh, frankincense, oil, wine, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and the bodies and souls [psuche - breath, souls] (lives? of) man/anthropos/persons. 14 The delicacies [op?ra - late summer, ripe fruit] for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your luxuries and your splendors are lost to you, not to be found again. 15 The merchants of these wares, who profited from her, will stand afar off, in fear of her torment, weeping and lamenting aloud - 16 Woe, woe, for the Great City that was clothed in the finest linen. In purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold. And with precious stones, and pearls! 17 But in a single hour, all this wealth, has been laid waste (Rev.17:12,16,18). And all pilots, all sailors, all voyaging/traveling, and all who trade, stood afar off 18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning - Oh what city was like this great city!? 19 And they threw dust and ashes on their heads as they wept and lamented - Woe! Woe! The great city! In which were made rich through her costliness, all those having ships to sea. (When the vision was given, big business was done by sea). For, in one hour, has come the desolation. (Rev.17:12,16). 20 Be of good cheer over her, O heaven, saints, apostles and prophets, for God has decided judgment for you against [ek or ex - from, from out of, from the interior outward] (of) her. 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great miller?s stone and threw it into the sea, saying - So will you Babylon the great city be thrown down! With [hormema - a rush, impulse, violence]. And you will be found no more. 22 The sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will not be heard in you any more. Not a craftsman of any sort will be found in you any more, nor the sound of the mill/factory/industry. 23 The light of a lamp will not shine in you any more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth. And by your sorcery [pharmakeia - the use of medicine, drugs or spells, sorcery, enchantment, magic; from pharmakeuo - to administer drugs, drug related sorcery, magical arts (by which)] all nations were deceived. (Including by a false prophecy, which is implied by there being a, quote, false prophet.)
                         ~*~
The vision is told 3 times: 6:1-2 to 11:19; chap.12 w/ Mt.23:39; and 13:1 to 19:11.

[marie glen]

WeekLy BooK oF Acts
   a paraphrased study
       ~~  18:1-16  ~~
1 - After this Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth, 2 where he met a Jew (Hebrew) named Aquila, from Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had demanded all Jews leave Rome. He went to visit them, 3 and ended up staying and working with them, for they were tentmakers like him. 4 And in the synagogue every Sabbath, he tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks. 5 So when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was busy with the word, testifying to the Hebrews that Jesus was the messiah. 6 But then when they angrily resisted, and insulted him, he shook out his garments and said - Your lives be upon your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I?m going to the Gentiles. 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, who lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, head of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with all his household. And many of the Corinthians listening to Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul at night in a vision - Don?t fear. But go on speaking, and don?t be silent, 10 for I?m with you. And no one will attack or harm you, for I have many in this city who are my own. 11 And he stayed a year and a half, teaching the message of God among them.
     12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the leading Jews made a unified attack upon him and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying - This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to what the law says. 14 But when Paul was about to speak in his defense, Gallio said to them - If it were a matter of wrongdoing or of a vicious crime I would have reason to listen to your complaint. 15 But since it?s a matter of disputing about words, names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such matters. 16 And he drove them away from the court.

                        ~*~
     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman?s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).
     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ?churches? in what?s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There?s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ?house? arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.

[marie glen]

WeeKly BooK oF Revelation
       a paraphrased study
              ~  19:1-8  ~
1 - After these things, I (John) heard what sounded like loud voices of a multitude in the heavens saying - Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! 2 For his judgments are true and just. And he has judged the great prostitute [porne] who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and he has avenged upon her the blood of his servants. 3 And a second time they cried out, saying - Hallelujah. And the smoke of her rises up forever. (Because of Rev.21:1-5, a universal regenesis, this rising of the smoke forever, must be in all memories.) 4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. And they cried out - Amen! Hallelujah! 5 And from the throne came a voice saying - Praise our God, all his servants, all who revere him, from the least to the greatest. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters, and like loud peals of thunder shouting - Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him. 8 For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready (made her preparation).
        - - - - - - - - - - - -
WeekLy BooK oF Acts
  a paraphrased study
     ~~ 18:17-28 ~~
1 - And the mob seized Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him there in front of the tribunal. But Gallio (proconsul of Achaia, the name for Greece during Rome?s rule) paid no attention to any of it. 18 After this, Paul stayed many more days, and then took leave of the believers and set sail for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila went with him. (From this point on Priscilla is named first.) At Cenchreae he cut his hair, for he was under a (Judean) vow. 19 When they came to Ephesus, he went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews there.  (As we know, the first Christians were all Jews, then the message went out - to all nations.) 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined, 21 but upon taking leave of them he said - If God wills, I?ll return. And he set sail from Ephesus, while Priscilla and Aquila stayed there. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the believers and then he went down to Antioch of Galatia. 23 After spending some time there, he left and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the followers.
     24 Meanwhile a Jew (Hebrew) named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, knowledgeable and competent in the Scriptures, 25 and he had been instructed in the way of the Lord. He was fervent in spirit, speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. (Which is like a rinse? Before the deeper cleansing process, called correction/kolasis/korrection. Yes I thought of this while washing some dishes. Because I always rinse first.) 26 He was speaking boldly in the synagogue, when Priscilla and Aquila heard him and took him aside explaining to him the way of God more accurately. 27 When he wished to cross to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. And when he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Messiah (Christ in the Greek) is Jesus.

[marie glen]

:hiya:
  ..Been really getting into ny studies lately.. Study as we know is like diggin? for treasure!

WeeKly BooK oF Revelation
      a paraphrased study
            ~  19:9-16 ~
9 - And the angel said to me (John) - Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Mt.25:1-13 - behold a white horse and he riding it, and the armies of heaven following -> going to the wedding/union and *the* millennium/the supper that follows). And the angel said to me - These are the true words of God. 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship, but he said - You must not do that! To God only give your worship! I am but a fellow servant with you and your brethren who hold to the testimony of Jesus. For the testimony of Jesus (we all share) is the spirit of prophecy (of how all shall be! He as King of kings and Lord of lords, the kingdom.) 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and the one sitting on it is called faithful and true, and in righteousness/justice does he judge and do battle. 12 His eyes are like flaming fire. On his head are his many crowns. And he has a name written that only he himself knows. 13 Having been clothed in a robe dipped [bapto] in blood, the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies oF the heaven, were following him on white horses, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sWord (*thy Word is Truth*) with which to strike [patass? - to beat/of the heart, to strike, from pai? - knock, strike, sting, and tupt? - beat, hit, wound] the nations - AND - he will shepherd them (hello? During his second advent, which follows apocalypse). [Poimain? - act as a shepherd] with a (measuring) rod of iron (which rod/measure is unbreakable Truth). He will tread the winepress of the fury of  (2Pet.3:10,13 - elements melting in a fury of fire) the wrath of God the Almighty. (Metaphor/riddle for the inevitable, cause and effect, culmination of the wayward way, of history, of mankind?s doings, a lake of fire, go figure, Rev.6:12-17, described as all its effects first to last->but after the first->Rev.7:1,3. [Verse 13:13 being the first, which pinpointed an oFFice] Rev.16:13-16, Mt.13:30-notice! please, the order. Is.24:20 - The earth will shake to and fro.) 16 And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
                         ~*~
WeekLy BooK oF Acts
   also a paraphrased study
       ~~ 19:1-20 ~~
1 - While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul went through the inland country and came to Ephesus. And there he came across some disciples. 2 He asked them - Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They said - No, we?ve not heard anything about a Holy Spirit. 3 And he asked - What then were you baptized into? They said - Into John's baptism.?m 4 So Paul said - John baptized with the baptism of repentance, and told the people to believe in the one who was coming, that is, Jesus. 5 And upon hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul lay his hands on them (with prayer) the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in unknown tongues and prophesying. 7 There were twelve men in all. 8 Then Paul entered the synagogue, boldly reasoning and persuading about the kingdom of God for about three months. 9 But when some became contentious in their disbelief, speaking abusively of the Way before the gathering, he left off from them and took the disciples with him. And then he reasoned daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all in the region of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
     11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. [Extraordinary - tygx?nō - hit, hit upon, meet, happen, to strike, hit the mark, i.e. spot on, hit the bullseye, therefore opposite to hamartano/hamartia - to miss the mark - (which is translated sin). (What!? What a word riddle. Opposite of missing the mark ..A perfection of God is as healer!)] 12 Even handkerchiefs and aprons Paul had touched were taken to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon theirselves to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over some who had evil spirits, saying - I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims. 14 And seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them - Jesus I know, and I recognize Paul, but who are you? 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped upon them, and overpowered and beat them so they fled out of the house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And awe fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus became even better known. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing their magic arts. 19 And many brought their books together and burned them in the city square. When they counted the value of them, they found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 And so the word of the Lord continued to increase and to prevail mightily.

[marie glen]

              a paraphrased study
19:17-21
17 - Then I saw an angel standing in-the-sun.* (The sun is thermonuclear. First mention of a lake of fire seems to accompany the Armageddon battle [go figure! Rev.16:13-16] in the parable, the gathering of the still tares/wild weeds to a bonfire, Mt.13:30. ️We don?t gather weeds out of our garden and cast them into a never ending pit of fire labeled ?hell?.) And with a loud voice he called to all the birds of midheaven (the high flying predator birds as opposed to the little low flying birds) ?Come. And gather for the great supper of God! 18 To eat the flesh of kings (?he has thrown kings off their thrones? from Mary?s magnificat) the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men (who even ?sold the lives and bodies of persons?? And war profiteers?) the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.? (See verse 17, the sun.) [And Jesus said he ?will draw all? (Jn.12:32) and - ?All those in the tombs/graves will hear God?s voice and will come forth? (from the graves/tombs) ?some into the resurrection of life (into THE millennium). And some into the resurrection of judgment? (Jn.5:28-29) which elsewhere He calls agelasting correction [?kolasin aionion? oR ?eonian correction? Mt.25:46].
    19 And I (John) saw the (many headed geopolitical huge) beast and the kings of the earth, along with their armies. And they were gathered to make war against he who was sitting on the (white) horse and his army [Ps.2]. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet (both institutions) who in its presence/before had done the signs/miracles (modern wonders) by which he deceived those who had received the (lauded as an enhancement?) mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image [eik?n - an image, statue, representation, from e?kō - be like") ? properly, mirror-like representation, referring to what is very close in resemblance, like a high-definition projection]. These two were thrown alive (still, active, at the Lord?s return) into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (See verse 17, the sun.) 21 And the rest were slain by the sWord that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. [?Thy (s)Word is Truth? Jn.17:17.]

20:1-6

1 - Then I (John) saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain. [Abyss - abussos - boundless, bottomless (which makes sense since ?the wages/result of hamartia - missing the mark - is death? (opposite of Life). Is there any depth lower than that? There?s also this. It?s a little humbling! Because if imperfection is an abyss of potential, don?t you think it might be only because of where God places his hand somewhere along the shaft to the abyss as to how low each one of us can go.. Letting some go very low ..despots, and so on and so on.. But if you avoid making an ant farm, but don?t let things run their natural and full course, then what the heck is the point!? Isn?t this an all important contrast? Proving God, Genius that he is, is right about all things.)] 2 And the angel seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 And threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years are ended. After that he must be released for a short while. 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls [psyche - a person's distinct identity, unique personhood, individual personality] - of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and they had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands, and they were alive and reign with Christ for a thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead do not come to life until the thousand years are ended. 6 Blessed and holy are those having a part in this first resurrection, upon such the second death hasn?t power, but they are priests of God and of Christ, and they reign with him for a thousand years. (His long second advent will [surely?] be a longer, wider version of his first so brief one. But with helpers serving, called reigning, for to do His works, surely(?) is to reign..) [Jesus said he ?will draw all? (Jn.12:32) and - ?All those in the tombs/graves will hear God?s voice and will come forth? (from where? From the graves/tombs) ?some into the resurrection of life (into THE millennium). And some into the resurrection of judgment? (Jn.5:28-29) which - elsewhere - He calls agelasting correction (kolasin aionion? oR ?eonian correction? Mt.25:46). No mention of that ancient propaganda of a hell that is a place, and not an inner condition.. or war, etc! Again.. the abyss of potential.. has already been proven by history..]

[marie glen]

20:7-10

7 - And when the thousand years are up (?the? millennium) Satan will be released from his prison 8 and he will go out to deceive the nations that are of the four reaches of earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle! (Hmmm.. does history repeat.. like widening ripples in a pond? The previous being Rev.16:13-16?) Their number is like the sand of the sea, 9 and they marched up over the wide expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them (second mention of a lake of fire, first mention coincided with Jesus? return to begin his long second advent). 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were (two institutions of mankind) and they will be tormented day and night to the ages of the ages. (To great ?day? of judgment, which includes discernment, and surely? closure of all things, tying up of every loose end. For humans, it sounds like resurrection in ?the resurrection of judgment? occurs pretty soon after this Rev.20 lake of fire event.)

Soon will be starting over and start a new thread.. Lord willing.. :Peace2:

[marie glen]

20:11 - 21:3 ~
11 - Then I saw a great white throne and he who was seated upon it. And from his face flees heaven and Earth, and no place/opportunity is found for them. 12 And I (John) saw the dead, the great and the small, standing [hist?mi - to make to stand, placed, set up, established, appointed] before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged (🤔 Jn.5:22 - ?the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.? And  Jn.12:47 - ?And if any one hears my words, and doesn?t believe, I do not judge them. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.? He came [and comes?] not to judge but to save. So who will judge? Logically, what is the most effective judgment and concluding discernment?) according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead in it, and death and hades/sheol/the grave [Eccles.9:5,10] gave up the dead in them, and - each person - was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then (after completion) death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (First being the one that is ?in Adam? so the second one is the death of death, and all its shadow.) 15 [Word for word translation] - And if [ei - if] anyone not was found in the book of life having been written, they were cast into the lake of fire. 21:1 (For) then I saw ?a new heaven and a new earth? [2Pet.3:12-13 - ?the elements melted in a furious heat?] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea (separating).
     2 And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (radiant). 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ?Behold, the tabernacle of God is with mankind, and He will tabernacle with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be among them as their God.?
                         ~*~

📜 🗞️ The revelation vision is told 3 times: 6:1-2 to 11:19; chap.12 w/ Mt.23:39; and 13:1 to 19:11.

Jesus? brief first advent perfectly fulfilled the ancient Spring Holy Days, more perfectly than is easily seen. So logically his long second advent will fulfill the Autumn Holy Days, their names and pattern:
  TRUMPETS (of Rev, return at 7th during the concurrent bowls) - 10days/1000yrs - to ?DAY? oF ATONEMENT - 5days/500yrs - to TABERNACLES ? a fiery regenesis, ?All new.. God will now tabernacle with mankind? Rev.21:1-5.

[marie glen]

21:4-9 ~
[A loud voice from the throne continues] - 4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no longer, nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former has passed away.? 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, ?Behold, I am making all new.? [All - pas - every, all]. And he said, ?Write, for these words are trustworthy and true.? 6 And he said to me, ?It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one thirsting, I will give from the spring [p?g? - fountain, spring, well, issue, flow] of the water of life freely. 7 The one who overcomes will inherit all and I will be his God and he will be my son [hyi?s - descendant, ?son? equally refers to female believers?Gal 3:28]. (Do you think God cursed wo-man? Or man? He was prophesying.) 8 But (John) as for the cowardly, the faithless, the having become abominable, and murderers, and the sexually immoral, and sorcerers, idolaters, and the liars, their portion [meros - a part, share, portion, a part due or assigned to one, to appoint one his lot, lot, destiny assigned to one] (Imo, part to play, role) is in the lake [limn? - a lake, from limen - through the idea of nearness of shore, a pond large or small] burning [kai? - to kindle, burn, set fire to, light, in figurative discourse a light, torch showing the way] with fire and sulfur [theion - neuter of theios - divine, in its original sense of flashing, brimstone, sulphur] which is the second death.?
     9 Then came to me one of the seven angels having the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues [pl?g? - a blow, stripe, wound; an affliction, plague] and he said to me, ?Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.?

[marie glen]

Intro..

A key to the revelation vision is 13:1 - does a literal beastly creature with seven heads rise out of the sea of humanity? I?m highly doubting it. But! Does it have a literal meaning? Does anyone actually believe, no it?s written for entertainment purposes only? Rev.1:3 - Blessed is the reading [anagin?sk? - know certainly, know again, to read] and (blessed is) the hearing [akou? - to hear and listen] (to) the words [logos - reasoning expressed in words, from lego - speaking to a conclusion] the prophecy [proph?teia] and (the) keeping [t?re? - watching over, guarding, observing, keeping intact] what is written [graph?] for the season [kairos - season, opportune time] is near [eggus - near in place or time] ? So, the opportune time is always near, and the images used are not always literal, but their meaning is.

Some more ponderings for you Marie!...

The part about 'reading' and 'hearing' (understanding)... All of us sometimes read but don't understand, but 'blessing' comes only when we understand. (From the Greek this is what that passage means to me).

Sea represents maritime law (human law) (law of the sea).
Another beast comes from the land (which is 'common' law or Gods' law) (i.e. 'imitating') God (good).
The messenger from the Owner (God) (with the rainbow on his head) (covenant of God with creation) places one foot on the sea and the land - claiming both.

Amen! ..one angel (messenger).. foot on land and sea. What an image!

[marie glen]

I quit posting on Acts.. I?m behind on Rev. Will be starting over soon, probably will post, why not? :hiya:

             ~ 21:10-22 ~
10 - And he (an angel) carried me (John) in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its radiance was like a stone most precious, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall of twelve gates, with twelve angels at the gates. And on them were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. (All believers are ?grafted into Israel? Ro.11:17-26.) 13 There were three gates facing east, three facing north, three south and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold with which to measure the city, the gates and the walls. (Side Note - a rod is a measuring stick, the ?iron rod? Jesus will rule the nations with is Truth, which is unbreakable, an unbreakable measure, that breaks all that is not true.) 16 The city was square, long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. [Stadia - a greek measurement, stadium length, the length of a race course,  furlong which is an 8th of a mile - 12,000 stadia, between 1,300 to 1,400 miles?) 17 The angel measured the wall using human and angel measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. 18 The wall was of jasper, the city of pure gold, pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The city had twelve foundations, each made of a precious stone, the first jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were of pearl, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure and clear as glass. 22 I didn?t see in the city, a temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

                        ~ 21:23-22:2 ~
23 - And the city [the New Jerusalem] doesn?t need the sun or the moon, for the glory of God is its radiance, and the lamp of it is the Lamb. 24 And by its light the nations will walk, and the kings of earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will not be shut by day?there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 And never shall anything unclean enter into it, nor what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb's book of life.
     22:1 - Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 And through the middle of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, is the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit, each for its month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing [therapeia] of the nations.

[Ross]

Interesting, for me, that there is the observation about kings and nations.
Israel, again for me, is like a small nation amongst many.
Paul mentioned the Israel of God in Galatians. This appears to be like a picture of the future when those in Christ are that Israel in the heavenly realm, with other nations around them.
Just imagining the future for which we're longing to be a part that Christ prepared for us.

[rosered]

I love hidden names meanings of all the bible  , I do think they help clarify some .   I know that the exchange from Jacob to Israel  was quite an eye opener .
The Hebrew name Yisra?el (יִשְׂרָאֵל) carries profound significance. It is a fusion of two Hebrew words:

Yashar: Meaning ?straight? or ?upright?.
El: Signifying ?God?.
Together, the name Israel conveys the idea of ?one who struggles with God? or ?God contends?   

[Ross]

Also interesting that the second death is not over until the Great White Throne has corrected everyone: THEN the new heaven and earth are brought in to play.

[marie glen]

I?m way behind! So forgetful! I?ve started this years study.

The revelation vision is a piece of the Truth puzzle. It can help reveal what it is God is doing and how. And most importantly why. And of course ?the LORD does nothing unless he tells his people? - very badly paraphrased.

There?s keys needed, that make the vision easy - down to Earth. Taken together with other things, I think what so many call ?the? tribulation (time) is 45 days, with the last ?ten days? escalating to the most critical, tho there?s always tribulation going on.

Last of last year?s study:

22:3-21

        WeeKly BooK oF Revelation
                paraphrased study
                             
3 - And there shall be no more curse nor cursed (accursed) for all [pas - all] curse [katan?thema  - from kat? - according to, down, which intensifies an?thema - a curse ? properly, an oath-curse which "devotes something to destruction" literally, to take it down] shall no longer be. And the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it (the New Jerusalem) and his servants will serve him. [Latreia - from latris - render technical, acceptable service because qualified.] 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (No more ?mystery babble?/all confusion.) 5 And by-night will be no more. They will not need the light of a lamp nor of the sun, for the Lord God will be the light of them, and (so) they will reign [basileu? - exercise dominion] (over creation and well being, not over others, lol) age to age.
     6 ?These words are faithful and true? the angel said, ?and the Lord God of the spirits [pneuma: wind, breath, spirit] of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must come to pass in quickness [tachu - quickly, speedily]?.
     7 ?And behold, I come quickly [tachu]. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.?
     8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said, ?You mustn?t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.?
     10 Then he told me, ?Do not seal up the words of this book of prophecy, for the time is near at hand.11 The ones being unrighteous, let them be unrighteous still. (Until then! And INITIALLY during GWTJ ?day?.) And the ones who are vile, let them be vile still. (Until then! And INITIALLY during GWTJ ?day?.) And those being righteous, let them practice righteousness still, and those who are holy [hagios - the fundamental (core, basic) meaning of hagios is "different" ? thus a temple in the 1st century was hagios - holy, sacred because different from other buildings; different from the world because like the Lord] let them be so still. 12 Behold, I am coming quickly, bringing with me what?s due [misthos - pay for service, literally or figuratively, good or bad] to repay each for what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by its gates. 15 Outside (now, and initially during GWTJ ?day?) are the dogs and sorcerers [pharmakos - poisoner, sorcerer, magician] and the sexually immoral [pornos] and murderers and idolaters [eid?lolatr?s - an image worshiper] and everyone loving and making/doing a lie. 16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things to the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.?
     17 The Spirit and the Bride say, ?Come.? And the one hearing let them say come. And the one thirsting let them come, and the one desiring, let them take the water of life freely. 18 And I testify to everyone hearing the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described. 19 And if anyone should take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in what is described in this (Rev.) book, the share out of the New Jerusalem and out of the tree of life (the healing of the nations). (See vs.3b?) 20 And He who is testifying of these things says, ?Surely I am coming quickly.? Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
                The End.

[marie glen]

Also interesting that the second death is not over until the Great White Throne has corrected everyone: THEN the new heaven and earth are brought in to play.

Amen, amen! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[marie glen]

I love hidden names meanings of all the bible  , I do think they help clarify some .   I know that the exchange from Jacob to Israel  was quite an eye opener .
The Hebrew name Yisra?el (יִשְׂרָאֵל) carries profound significance. It is a fusion of two Hebrew words:

Yashar: Meaning ?straight? or ?upright?.
El: Signifying ?God?.
Together, the name Israel conveys the idea of ?one who struggles with God? or ?God contends?   

Amen!  Thank you! :Chinscratch: All believers are grafted into Israel and now part of the commonwealth of Israel.. He is makjng all to stand straight and be upright, in his image!
    So many clues and keys in the words!

[marie glen]

I didn?t see in the city, a temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

I like that.
I don't use carved images (crosses or anything else) or 'temples' built by human hands, or have a designated place to pray... It puts a limit (for us) upon the unlimitable.

  Amen! :thumbsup:

[marie glen]

?Surely the crucible/laver/sieve of correction and purification is life as we presently know it, which will continue during the two ages of the Lord?s long second advent for all who rise not yet a kingdom of priests..
   The 3 mentions of lake of fire are at huge fiery events. The elect are called early so they can serve during the Lord?s long second advent..? Called reigning because, surely(?) to do His works is to reign..

[Ross]

Also interesting that the second death is not over until the Great White Throne has corrected everyone: THEN the new heaven and earth are brought in to play.

It's the lake of fire that enables the 'correcting'.  The 'throne' is for judgement.

In Rev 20:11 onwards; John perceives the great white throne, where judgement is 'made' and anyone not found written in the scroll of life is cast into a lake of fire (for correction).

After the: 'new heaven and earth' are in effect, STILL: the timid, unbelievers, murderers etc... "Have their part in a lake of fire". 

Every knee will bow eventually of course, but I can't relate what you said here with the scriptures if I have understood you correctly.

I may not have mentioned the lake of fire directly, but, for me, that lake is in conjunction with the throne.  The throne points out the errors/sins: the fire purifies.
Interesting as to whether or not the lake of fire continues with the new heaven and earth. All will be saved, but maybe the lake carries on for future generations, or heavenly beings.

[marie glen]

I think surely(?) the crucible/laver/sieve of correction and purification is life as we presently know it (this all important contrast) which will continue during the second stage of the Lord?s long second advent, the judgment, for  all who rise not yet a kingdom of priests..

The 3 mentions of lake of fire are at huge fiery events. I think the elect are called early so they can serve during the Lord?s long second advent. Called reigning because, surely(?) to do His works is to reign.. :gsmile: