How (imo) The Book of Revelation Supports U.R./C.U.

[marie glen]

[This is not about whether we read the bible and, or prophecy as literal, or whether the Book of Revelation is preterist, futurist or historicist . Although my view is pretty much historicist, to put things in contrast. Which historicist is: A view of progressive and continuous fulfillment of prophecy covering the period from Biblical times to the Second Coming.]

This is about how (imo) the Book of Revelation Supports Universal Reconciliation

Acts 3:21 tells us "He (Jesus) must remain in heaven, until the time comes, for all things to be made new, as God announced through his holy prophets of long ago."

The English Standard Version says it this way, "whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things.."

Now the Contemporary English Version says it somewhat misleadingly - "But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago." Because it makes it sound like "all things are made new" occurs at the same time as Jesus' second coming. But we know that isn't true, for we know how 1 Corinthians 15 says,

- 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he (Christ) must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has subjected everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" will be put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who subjects everything unto Christ. 28 When Jesus has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to he who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all."

Now we know that between the return of Jesus and the "all in all" event(?) of all things made new, there is a large (to us) span of time, "for he must reign until he has put all enemies (enmity, hostility) under his feet". (And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. We know, however, the millennium precedes the resurrection of "the rest of the dead".)

The Revelation vision,  chapter 20, John describes (if we reverse the verses) - "6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. (Until a thousand years later.)
So at the very least, there is an age of one thousand years between the return of Jesus - the beginning of His long second advent - and "the end" when the Son "hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power, and has put all enmity under His feet".

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

This also reveals - that in between the conclusion of the millennium/"thousand years", and "the end" - when Jesus hands the kingdom over to the Father, is a time of (continued) "putting everything under His feet" of "destroying all (other) dominion, authority and power". Which, surely, must be (still) "the time for restoring all things." (Acts 3:21)

Therfor, the verse - "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for all things to be made new" (restored) - must refer to the entire second advent of Jesus. For we know not "all things" are made new at His return, for a vast multitude of people are not resurrected and brought back to life until a thousand years later.

There are three major peaks of the second advent - His return, the Judgment, and the "all in all" event.

"They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.  And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call.." Matthew 24:30,31

"On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south." Zechariah 14:4

Isaiah 2 - "2 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains ...all nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And He will judge between nations.. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.."

But, "the rest of the dead do not come to life until the thousand years are ended.."

Revelation 20 - "12 And then I (John) saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.."

..and books were opened.
     ...Another book was opened, which is the book of life.

Luke 10:14 - "..Chorazin and Bethsaida it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.."

The Contemporary English Version says it like this, "on the day of judgment the people of Tyre and Sidon will get off easier than you will!"

Matthew 12:41 and Luke 11:32 - "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here."

Young's Literal Translation says it this way, "Men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for they reformed at the proclamation of Jonah, and lo, a greater than Jonah is here!"

And verse 42, (and Luke 11:31) "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation. And condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here."

Revelation 20 - "12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne
..and books were opened.
     ...Another book was opened, which is the book of life.

The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (I believe this occurs in the heart, not 'publicly'.)

13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades  gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.

14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire...

..15 Anyone whose name was not found enrolled/written in the book of life (found not believing? not reconciled?)
was thrown into the lake of fire."

Revelation 21 - "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth - a new Earth wherein righteousness will dwell! (2Peter3:13) - for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, radiant as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, - Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

It cannot be a question of "if" the names of the dead get written in the Book of life, it's a question of "when" are their names enrolled? We don't really know if it's "each in their own order"(?) upon Judgment 'Day'? Or after - just before the "all in all" event? But it is (obviously?) a process of getting everyone's names registered on that scroll. (And the scroll written on every heart, Hebrews 10:16.)

We know that, because God's Word says so.

Isaiah 45:23 - "By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will confess allegiance."

(Acts 3:21) - He must remain in heaven until the time for restoring all things, as God announced through his holy prophets of long ago...
 

[MusicLover123]

Sort of related to this, but here is a video I started watching regarding that 7000 year plan of God, and a prophesy in the first word of Genesis.

https://youtu.be/8j5gpGTO12Y

They still believe in hell, but just block that out of your head if you hear any mention of it. Check out their other Hebrew word videos if you're interested. Some really interesting meanings so far.

[darryl]

i read it thru UR eyes.....the wicked kings of the Earth enter the NJ.....the Nations can partake of the Tree.....it's the Aionios Gospel= not just for this world/ life  but for the next too and so it goes

[marie glen]

...In Revelation 22 it says "blessed are those washing their robes" - one meaning of the word translated robe/apparel, also can be used to refer to character.. we wash our character in the blood/SPIRIT of the Lord by "the washing of the Word" which is "reasoning expressed in words" - God's reasoning! Of which Jesus completely embodies.. Forever firstborn & and "the" prototype.. :banana:

The city, the New Jerusalem exists now.. because "blessed are those washing their robes/self/character that they have right to the tree of life (Jesus) and can enter the city" - the verse is translated as being future tense but in the original Greek, it does not seem to be strictly future but also present tense - so refers to the churches/the body of Christ throughout the centuries.

Our "day of atonement" of course being "what is called today" (and harden not our hearts! but obey the gospel and enter..) And of ages following this one, it says "God knows how to preserve the unjust (the not yet just!) for correction (kolasis) on day of judgment" (2 Pet.2:9). And "all in the tombs" (graves) "will hear His voice and will come forth" (from the tombs/graves) "..some in the resurrection of life" - at Jesus' return/appearing - "and some in the resurrection of (the) judgment" - for "the rest of the dead rise/come forth after the thousand years (called the millennium).. To be corrected!

Is there even one that God Most High is unable to correct?!

Imperfection can only ever be - tribulation, apocalypse and then death. The dusty grave, the destiny of all untruth, imperfection, sorrow.. and then the 2nd death, that of death itself. :banana:

Hooray for "resurrection"!! Of "all" - each one in their own order - Mt.13:33? - Jesus (1)the firstfruit/first risen, then (2)those that are His at His coming, and then(3) comes the end.. all things under His feet and handed over to the Father, that He (Life/Perfection) may be all, in all." (1 Cor.15:22-28)

"The end" when " the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." (2 Pet.3:12-13)