Comments for July 1

13:19 the superior technology of the Philistines provided them with a military advantage over Israel. Something that Israel seems to have simply accepted. An indication of their complacency now they were in the land promised to Abraham.

13:19 When I was at school I was taught that society progressed through ages – stone age, bronze age, iron age. But here we see two nations adjacent to each other in different “ages”. The Philistines were

certainly in the “iron age” but clearly the children of Israel were not. There were no “smiths” in Israel. This detail highlights that speaking of “ages” grossly over simplifies history and also can impact on dating that uses archaeology.

13:2,15 Notice how Saul’s army diminishes in size! It would appear either that the men were frightened or felt that Saul was not worth supporting – see 10:27

13:19  the superior technology of the Philistines provided them with a military advantage over Israel. Something that Israel seems to have simply accepted. An indication of their complacency now they were in the land promised to Abraham.

13:5-10  So, against Saul’s 3,000 and Jonathan’s 1,000 the Philistines 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen as well as an innumerable number of foot solders. Not surprisingly the children of Israel were afraid and hid and some defected to other territories. But Saul, on the other hand on this occasion, shows confidence.  But sadly he took it upon himself to offer a sacrifice rather than use the priesthood.

13:2-3 Saul starts well, selecting a few from the nation of Israel, implying that he trusted in God. But it was Jonathan that actually gained the victory.

56 v.6,7 - It is hard to believe that those in Jesus' and the Apostles' day who knew their Scriptures really well could not come to terms with the concept of the inclusion of the Gentiles, when so much of this last part of Isaiah emphasises that very point. Here, v.3, 44:5 etc.

56 v.3-5 - The promise to the eunuch is that his inability to father children will no longer bar him from family relationships. In Christ the family of God will be his children. One wonders whether Philip extended his discussion of Isaiah 53 [Acts 8:30-35] to the relevance of this passage to the eunuch.

57:5 - 'under every green tree' catches the aspect of false worship which Yahweh condemned [Deuteronomy 12:2] which was practised by the nations around Israel. [1 Kings 14:23 2 Kings 16:4 17:10]

57 v.15 - It is a great lifetime challenge to us all to learn to be contrite and humble as God would have us be. Humility is gained not by dwelling on its acquisition but by giving reverence to God and his great acts of salvation and dwelling on His greatness which emphasises our own unworthiness, being exercised to wisdom by his chastening hand, and so giving our lives to Him willingly. Psa. 34:18, 51:17, 113:4-6, 138:6.

56:7 The promise that people will be brought is the basis for Jesus' words (John 10:16) and the words of Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Those who are 'brought' enter the temple - and go no more out (Revelation 3:12)

Isa 57

The use of this verse in the New Testament highlights the way in which Isaiah speaks of the presentation of the gospel message and is, in fact, echoing his own words (26:3) 'perfect peace' showing that his 'peace' is only attainable through acceptance of the gospel - the good news.

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS DIE We all ask "Why?" when we hear of good people, believers, whose life is suddenly taken before we consider that their time is up. The mother of four who was killed in a car crash, the enthusiastic young brother with so much potential killed in a tragic accident, a devoted father of three and follower of Christ suddenly taken by cancer. It doesn't seem right. There was so much more for them to do. It makes us all ask why.
But God never makes mistakes. He has planned the day of our birth and the day of death. God knows best. One of the answers may be found in the first two verses of this chapter. "The righteous perish, and no-one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those that walk uprightly enter into peace; They find rest as they lie in death." Those devout, righteous and Godly people are sleeping and resting until that glorious day when Jesus returns to usher them into his kingdom. No longer are they burdened by sin, they can not be disturbed by wicked people, they have completed their time of testing.
May he return for all of us soon.

57:1 The death of the righteous is also mourned in a contemporary prophet (Micah 7:2) - but their removal is a blessing as they are to not see the evil that is to come on the nation.

56:1 When Isaiah speaks of 'Judgement' and 'justice' he is encouraging the people to follow the principles that are laid down that will be manifest in the 'prince of peace' Isa 9:6

57:13 Judah has placed her trust in false idols - but they will not be able to save - so the faithful will inherit the land but the idol worshippers will inherit lies.

 57:14 "stumbling block" Jesus had been so to the Jews, but will not be so then, 1 Cor 1:23  The pride and self righteousness which were the stumbling block will no longer block the way of Israel in acknowledging Christ. They will be truly humbled.

REFUGE FROM SIN
 
Much of Isaiah 57 is dedicated to the sins of Israel and their idol worship.  God exposes their wickedness as he pronounces the judgement that will come upon them.  We could be mistaken by believing that everyone was partaking in all the wickedness that was going on, and that the whole nation was condemned for their evil, but fortunately we would be wrong.  There is a "But" included in God's words which provides and exception to the rule.  It reads, "But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and posses my holy mountain." (Isa 57:13)
 
Much of the condemnation of Israel could also apply to the people of our own day - and maybe even to ourselves.  They were named as adulterers and prostitutes, mockers, rebels, liars, lustful, sacrificing children for pleasure, doing evil behind locked doors, being false to God, not remembering him, not fearing God and worshipping idols.  It's easy to get caught up in the current trends of the day and end up like this ourselves, but it will only end in destruction.
 
Instead we must make the LORD our refuge.  This means that in every aspect of our lives we must rely on him completely.  Just as a child has total trust and reliance on his parents for protection and in supplying all their needs, so we need to have the same total trust in God ourselves.  It is when we put all our faith in him rather than in our own ways, and when we turn to him instead of pursuing wickedness, that he will reward us as he has promised.

Someone pointed out to me that if the Ethiopian eunuch continued reading on in Isaiah, after he left Philip and the place of his baptism, (Acts 8:30-39), then he would come in just 3 chapters to today’s reading. Isa 56:3-5 speaks expressly about eunuchs who trusted in God.

56:12  The attitude of which Isaiah speaks is that nothing was going to change. A complacent attitude against the background of what Isaiah had said and what had happened to the northern Kingdom. It is the attitude of those who are ignorant of the way that God works. 2Pet 3:3-4

57:16  When Isaiah says God will not ‘contend for ever’ he is echoing the way that God spoke (Gen 6:3) before the flood.

56:1-2 - who are the blessed? Matt 5:3-12; Isa 57:15; Rev 22:14; 16:15

57:14 In saying ‘cast up …’ the prophet is speaking of restoration – a way being prepared for the righteous to walk upon.

56:5 In being given a ‘name’ we see the origin of the idea seen in the New Testament – Acts 1:15, Rev 3:4 – where the brethren are described as a ‘name’.

56:3 Yahweh has always had a plan to include people from all nations to become His chosen ones.  Israel was the chosen nation, but others could be integrated (Isa 11:10; Rom 11:24).

57:5,7 Amongst the pagan nations of the Near East, open sex was part of their worship. So too, was the sacrifice of children.  It has been suggested that drugs might have been part of the mix also.  It is difficult to imagine sober-minded parents callously sacrificing their offspring.

In 56:3-5 we have a blessing on the eunuchs who choose to serve God. God promises them a continuing family line. It is a superb example of how God understands the acutest needs and desires of every minority group; and meets that need. By looking a little further into these verses we see that the key challenge for the eunuch was to keep the Sabbath. This is presumably because he felt an outcast whenever he went to the synagogue or temple amongst those who were considered "clean", who didn't allow him to take an active part in worship. His attention is drawn to the fact that through prayer his sacrifice and worship are always acceptable (56:7).

57:15 The mighty God who is exalted above all is happy to dwell with the ‘humble’. This idea is developed in Isa 66:2 showing the humble are those who ‘tremble’ at the words of Scripture. That is they reverence God’s word.

56:1-8 These verses show acceptance by Yahweh to both Natural Israel (presently) and to Spiritual Israel (in the kingdom).

56:9-12 Contained in these verses is a prophecy against the enemies of Israel.

56:1 For Israel, lasting salvation is through the Messiah, which is Jesus (Acts 4:12).

56:3-5 Eunuchs were not allowed in the congregation of Israel (Deut 23:1).  But, they are welcomed in the household of Jesus (Acts 8:34,36,38,39). Notable Eunuchs, such as Daniel and his companions, will be in the Kingdom (Isa 39:7; Dan 1:6,7).

56:6 Yahweh has gathered His people together at various times in their history. In the end times, Yahweh will bring the remnant of His people to Israel to enjoy the Kingdom (Isa 11:12).

56:9-12 Because of the unacceptable leadership from Kings and priests (the watchmen of v.10), Yahweh vows to punish Israel.  This would come by the hands of Assyria, and later the Romans (beasts of the field v.9).  In the time of the end, Gog and his confederates will attack Israel (Eze 38:16).

57:1,2 The righteous leaders are gone. Unrighteous leaders are now taking Israel on a collision course with Yahweh.  Remember what happened after Joshua and the righteous leaders died (Judg 21:25).  

57:3-9 Here, Israel’s sins are listed. In v.3: Sorcery (See Lev 20:27); spiritual adultery which is idolatry (See Exo 20:3); whoredom is related to idolatry, especially Molech (Lev 20:4,5). In v.4 disrespect and blasphemous talk will bring destruction (Prov 13:3). In v.5 the sexual/religious practises of Ashtaroth (See Judg 2:13); sacrifice of their children to Molech (Lev 18:21). In v.6, the smooth stones are stones which have been shaped into idols. In v.7, sexual/religious practises in high places (See Deut 12:2). In v.8, Household gods hung around the house (See, by contrast, Deut 11:20). In v.9, the king is symbolic of an idol.  The idolaters were always looking for new objects of worship, even from faraway places, thus reaching new highs in spiritual lows.

57:12 Yahweh will show the hypocrisy of Israel's idolatry (Psa 97:7).

57:13 Yahweh talks of the salvation of the remnant of His people when they turn to Him (Isa 49:8).

57:14 The stumbling block is Jesus (1Cor 1:23).  The stumbling block will be removed when Israel accepts Jesus as Messiah (Zech 12:10).

57:15 See Psa 34:18.

57:16-19 Although Yahweh will punish His people for their sins, He will also heal them (Isa 48:9).

57:20,21See also Isa 48:22.

Isa 56:7;Matt 21:12-13;Mark 11:17;Luke 19:45-46.

57:1 The righteous being taken away from the evil to come is rather like Gen 5:24 and Heb 11:5 which use similar language to speak of Enoch.

WHERE DOES GOD LIVE?

Where does God live? Straight away there are a couple of answers we could probably give. Firstly, God lives in heaven. Secondly, he is everywhere. There is nowhere we can be where God is not. But possibly the answer we tend to forget or were not taught in our Sunday School days is the answer God reveals through Isaiah. "For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isa 57:15)

In other words, if we are contrite and lowly in spirit, God will live with us. If we have the right spirit or the right attitude, God will become a living, refreshing and powerful part of our lives. The people God wants to live with are not the proud, they are those who feel crushed and depressed because they have sinned and because they are sinners. But once God is in our lives he will revive that crushed and depressed spirit, he will heal, guide, restore and comfort us.

With God in our lives we have a strength that is infinitely stronger than our own. So let us develop that contrite and lowly spirit in ourselves and invite God to live with us.

57:14   The ‘way’ that was to be prepared echoes the requirement in Deut 19:3 where Israel were advised about the cities of refuge and the need to create a ‘way’ to them.  The place of refuge is in Christ. The ‘way’ is of God’s providing through belief and baptism into Jesus. This is what is spoken of here.

57:21 Two sections of Isaiah end with the phrase in this verse. Here and Isa 48:22 and as such they mark sections in the prophecy.

57:4   The “children of transgression” is the basis for Jesus’ words –John 17:12– where he speaks of Judas. Judas embodied all that was wrong with Israel in Isaiah’s day.

56:1-7  The way in which Isaiah speaks of gentiles wanting to be associated with the things of God and being accepted is may be seen having a fulfilment in John 12:20-23

Isa 57:20-21 – The ways of man without God are continually changing, turbulent, like the continuous movements of the sea.  We contrast this with the New Testament reading for today (Rev 21:1).  When the Lord reigns supreme throughout the earth in the Kingdom to come, the movements of the troubled nations (Rev.17:15) with be stilled.  There will be no sea the politics of nationalism will be irrelevant. 

57:20 In describing as the wicked as being like the troubled sea we are taught how God sees nations –as the sea. Hence when Jesus – Luke 21:25 - talks of the sea and waves roaring we can conclude that he is speaking about the nations. Isaiah’s description defines the nations thus

1. Isa 56:1 - the salvation and righteousness were first "made manifest" in the death and resurrection of Jesus centuries after Isaiah spoke. "Keep ye judgment, and do justice" is to choose the things that please the Lord and to join themselves to the Lord, to love his name, and serve him (Isa 56:2-6;Isa 58:13-14); a difference between then and now is we don't keep the Mosaic law and the Sabbath.

2. Isa 56:2 - even the eunuchs and the sons of the stranger/all people/others (i.e. Gentiles) who take hold of the covenant are to be blessed (Isa 56:3-8;Acts 8:30,32-39;Eph 2:9-13;John 10:16;Mal 1:11;Isa 2:2-3;Col 2:11-12); under the law a eunuch "shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord" (Deut 23:1), but here is a promise that looks beyond the end of the law (Matt 19:12) and as we read in Isa 56:7 "Even them I will bring to my holy mountain...for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people".

3. Isa 56:3-5 - V3 "And let not any eunuch complain, 'I am only a dry tree'" (a dry tree has no life, but with baptism in water, even the eunuch who does God's will shall have an everlasting name).

4. Isa 56:6-7 - V7 "my holy mountain...mine house" (Isa 2:1-3 the millennial kingdom of God on earth i.e. the Father's house) is both a spiritual and literal temple in Jerusalem (1Tim 3:15;Luke 19:9-15,27-31;Zech 9:9;Mark 11:15-17;John 2:13-21;Rev 5:10;Rev 21:2-5,10).

5. Isa 56:6-8 - V7 will there be looking back animal sacrifices in the millennium?

6. Isa 56:9 - beasts of the field refer to the Gentiles (Jer 12:9;Lev 26:22).

7. Isa 56:9-12 - the beasts of the field (Babylon, Rome, Gogian host)against the blind watchmen of Israel (Jer 50:17;Jer 51:34;Matt 24:27-29;Luke 23:27-31;Eze 38:1-12).

8. Isa 56:10-11 - Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge, they faulted Jesus for doing good on the Sabbath; many of the religious leaders of Isaiah's day were on the wrong side; they were bad shepherds out for their own gain.

1. Isa 57:1-2 - the righteous perish (Heb 11:37-39;2Kin 21:16;2Chron 24:18-19) but they have hope in that they will be resurrected (God is with the dead in sheol Psa 139:8;Isa 26:19;Dan 12:2); sometimes God mercifully has the righteous die so they don't have to see the evil to come.

2. Isa 57:3-5 - the righteous were the abused "sport" of the seed of the adulterer and the whore; Israel under the "guidance" of Jezebel and others would follow the ways the Canaanites and other neighbors doomed to destruction for religious whoredom involving male and female prostitution, and the immolation of children in the arms of Molech.

3. Isa 57:7-9 - forsaking God and making a covenant with idols; V9 (KJV) - "the king(<4428> is the idol Molech)", "hell(<7585> is 'sheol' and refers to the grave)".

4. Isa 57:11 - a lying Israel is afraid of mortal enemies, but does not "fearest<3372>" or turn to God.

5. Isa 57:12 - Israel wasn't righteous and didn't have good works.

6. Isa 57:13 - "companies" could this refer to multitudes of "idols" or trusting in the army of "man"?
 But those who trust in God shall possess the land (Matt 5:5;Rev 5:10), and shall inherit God's holy mountain (Isa 2:1-4).

7. Isa 57:14 - prepare the way and the stumbling block (Isa 40:3;Matt 3:1-3;John 1:23;Rev 2:14;1Cor 1:23).

8. Isa 57:15 - the contrite and humble spirit (Matt 5:3).

9. Isa 57:17-18 - (NIV) "I punished him...I will heal him" (the Word of God speaking to Israel).

10. Isa 57:19 - the true seed of Abraham and Isaac who believe God's promises and keep His commandments (Rom 6:21-22;Gal 5:22-25;Heb 12:11;Heb 13:15-16;Acts 10:36;Gal 3:8,16,26-29) will experience peace and healing.

11. Isa 57:20-21 - but the wicked experience no peace, for they will be destroyed (Psa 145:20).

56:1    The balance between judgment and justice is something we find extremely hard to achieve. We can know what is right (judgment) but how to respond to what is right and wrong (justice) if far harder.  On the one had we might be to condemnatory but on the other hand be too merciful. A way we use to try and resolve this dilemma is to make rules. However this is not the best approach. Rather the decision making process is the circumstance in which we are more likely to grow to be more like Jesus and his Father. So we should not view difficult problems as creating the need for rules. Rather we should see those problems as providing us with opportunities to learn and show the character of our Father.

57:1     Those who are in Christ are “righteous”. Do we care for  them? Or is it of little consequence when unpleasant things happen to our fellow believers?

 Isa 56:3 Dry tree. cp to Psa 104:16 here we see trees full of sap. Saturated the words should be read. see also Psa 92:12  Psa 36:8, Psa 32:4 the lessons are simple, without Gods word we shrivel up and die!

Isa 57:5 besides the fact Israel were warned against the practice of sacrificing children Lev 20:1 children of course were a heritage to Yahweh and a blessing Psa 127:3

Isa 57:20-21. I dont see these words as a punishment as much as a warning for an outcome, and tie in nicely with Isa 56:3 the wicked (ungodly Psa 1:4) will never be satisfied in their fleshly pursuits in fact they will go back and forth like the waves, looking to the world for happiness and peace will be a waste of time and they will simply dry up.. 

57:19 An example of  one who had been “far off” praising God because of the peace shown to him is the leper found returning to Jesus n Luke 17:15

57:1,13 There is a contrast that we should notice here. The “righteous” are delivered but the “sorcerers” are left to their own devices. This contrast is given so that the emphasis, again, is that those who trust God will be delivered.

56:1 “come ye to the waters” is seen in Jesus’ words –Matt 11:28 – where he calls individuals to come to him. He is the source of living water.

56:4-5 Whilst eunuchs could not father children and so could not perpetuate their name if they would be faithful to God he would be more to them than sons and daughters. This is true of all believers. They forsake the prospect of leaving a posterity to honour their name and replace that with the wonderful joy of being one of God’s children. – 1John 3:1

56:4-7 The Law of Moses prohibited anyone with a blemish from entering the priesthood. Their access to God in the tabernacle and the temple was restricted. Likewise gentiles were restricted in their access to God in the tabernacle and the temple that Solomon built. However this was all to change with the sacrifice of Jesus. He was to create a “house of prayer for all people” (:7) Of course one did not need to go to the temple to pray but clearly access for all was made available through Jesus the Christ. What a joy for faithful individuals whose access had been restricted.

Do we appreciate this access through Christ? We who would have been barred from the temple in the past? Or do we take it all for granted?

57:1-2  When a great dignitary dies there is often great pomp and remembrance. The life of the one who has died is remembered and revered.

On the other hand the faithful servant of God, unknown in the world in which they lived, falls asleep and barely a mention is made of their passing. Only close family sand friend are aware. But and it is a big but. The Creator of the heavens and the earth notices and remembers them.

Would you rather be revered by the world when you die or by the Creator?

56:3 The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8) was both a foreigner and a eunuch. How exciting for him that he may have ventured into Isaiah 56 and seen a vision specific to himself.

57:15 There is a contrast in this verse: 

God:

* is high and elevated

* inhabits eternity

* has a name that is Holy

* has a dwelling in the heights where things are pure

The believer:

* is crushed and dispirited

* is low because of his sinfulness (v16)

* is in need of revival (or else he might perish)

YET God who dwells in the high and holy place also dwells alongside the crushed believer and even knows the very number of hairs on his or her head.

We have a great God both in might and character!

57:1 That the righteous perish with no one being concerned is a similar idea to that found in the contemporary prophet – Mic 7:2. Of course it is not the case that no one cares. God does. No matter how many godless men have no regard for the faithful we can rest assured that our Father cares and will intervene on our behalf. 2Pet 2:9 is a comment on one such occasion.

57:1 When we are told that the righteous are taken away from the wrath to come we should try and think of examples of such individuals in Scripture. The first one I can think of is Lot who was delivered from Sodom before God destroyed it – 2Pet 2:7

22 v.16 - Here Jesus describes himself as a star. Surely this refers, amongst other things, back to Isa.60:3, demonstrating not only that Gentiles would come to visit the infant Jesus led by his star, but also that all Gentiles can come freely to the light of the gospel which is revealed in him. Num.24:17, Matt.2:2-10, Luke 1:78, 2Pet.1:19.

21 v.10 - Jesus was taken up into a high mountain and shown all the kingdoms of the world [Matthew 4:8]. However he resisted the temptation. He, 'for the joy that was set before him' [Hebrews 12:2] resisted the temptation because he could see from this mountain spoken of in Revelation 21:10. Visions of the kingdom are a great antidote to temptations.

ch. 22 - The culmination of the purpose of God. A review of the Old Testament quotations in this chapter shows how many of the strands of the purpose of God are drawn together. Thus it can be seen that any elements of what we call 'first principles' actually relate to the consummation of all things.

And so the temple which Ezekiel saw forms the basis for what John was shown. John is shown that this temple Ezekiel saw forms a pattern of the glorified saints. Truly the 'house of David' which is made up of people.

Drawing together the narrative of the 'fall' and the final words of the Old Testament we have the plan of God set out simply and yet comprehensively.

THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY
These last two chapters of the Bible tell us about the very last things that will happen in the world as we know it. For those of us who believe it will not be the end, but the beginning of a whole new and exciting time, at one with God, sharing a peace that will last throughout eternity. Part of the description is of a bride prepared for her husband, pure and white, ready for the wedding. In the same way we will be entering a new life - no longer distant from our husband not having known him intimately, but joined together in an intimate relationship, sharing a new life just as a bride and her husband do. It is like leaving home for the first time and going to a new and secure life - on an exciting new adventure with the perfect spouse. We cannot imagine what God has in store for us because our minds are so limited now. But what we do know is that he loves us and that the future - this new door of eternity that opens - will be more than we could ever expect and better than we could hope for. Now is your chance to head for eternity because it will be too late to decide at the time.
Out with the old … in with the new!
I'll see you there!

And so all of these wonderful things that God is willing to give to the faithful are based on promises that he made to David - as seen in the quotation from 2 Samuel 7:14. Notice how tie passage in Isaiah 55 continues also to speak of the 'sure mercies of David'.

LIVING WITH GOD

He is the one who created the universe, who holds the key to the unlimited secrets of nature and who can control he earth's most powerful forces with a word from his mouth. He is the artist who paints sunrises, sunsets and rainbows, who hung the stars in the sky and keeps everything running in perfect order. He is also the one who loves us, knows us and all we do, who cares for us, and who wants us to be his. He is the God who wrote us such a fantastic love letter - his word, the Bible, inviting us to share in the glory he will reveal, offering to forgive our sins and giving us the hope of everlasting life.

We have such an awesome God and in all that, the best is yet to come. God will dwell with us!

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He will live with us in person! The thought of living with God (or having God live with us) is the ultimate in things to look forward to. May we all be at one with him and there to share in that ultimate experience.

 22:14 "right to the tree of life" The "right " is the authority granted them. The Greek word exousia 1849 denotes both authority and privilege. That which was deprived Adam and Eve (Gen 3:22-24) is now made available to the Elect.

 21:15 The measuring of the city with a reed contrasts with the last measuring of the temple (Rev 11:1). Here it is a time of blessing, in Rev 11:1  it was a time of judgement.

22:2 Whereas here "in the midst of the street" of the city is the provision for healing in Deut 13:16 when a city was taken from Israel's enemies all the spoil was to be laid out in the "midst of the street". What a contrast. The city is now free of all that polluted it and so it is a place of blessing.

The first eight verses of Ch. 21 are a vision beyond the Kingdom period. That time which is described in 1Cor 15:28. Then, vs. 9-27 constitute a new vision of the Kingdom period.

Ch. 22 is the final message. The Lord Jesus confirms at the end of this book, what He stated at the beginning. The message of the Apocalypse is intended only for true believers of Christ, His brethren (1:11; 22:16). Understanding the book depends on what has been written before in scripture.

Daniel was told to seal up his words until the time of the end (Dan 12:4), but now, at the time of the end, everything has been revealed (22:10). Most of the Apocalypse has already been fulfilled through the unfolding of human history since 90 AD. We now await the return of the Lord Jesus to set up the Kingdom.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21:1  The ‘new heaven and new earth’ is also spoken of by Peter – 2Pet 3:13  He styles it ‘wherein dwelleth righteousness.’ The new heavens is not just a bit different from all that has gone before. It is a radical change. We will only be there if we practice righteousness now.

22:4  Having ‘his name in their foreheads’ contrasts with the mark of the beast spoken of in various places in Revelation –  13:16, 14:9, 17:5.

21:7 ‘I will be his God and he will be my son’ is a slight variation of the promise of  2Sam 7:14l inking with Zech 8:8 to speak of the faithful entering into the heavenly Jerusalem.

21:2 The adjective describing Jerusalem does not mean new in respect of age, but it refers to a freshness, changes made to something already there KAINOS (2527). The city is there now, but there has to be changes, as our future king sets up his kingdom.

21:5     The words which are ‘true and faithful’ quotes Isaiah’s description of God – Isa 25:1

Christadelphians have traditionally taken a Historicist view of Revelation: history from the first century to the return of Christ is unfolded throughout the book. That history shows the rise in power of the apostate church and its ultimate destruction at the return of Christ. It is important for the true follower of Christ to understand this history and the impact that the apostate church has had, and can still have, on the life of saints.

Words cannot be added to or subtracted from Revelation (22:18,19). Nor can sugar-coating the facts. In this day and age of political correctness, one is severely discouraged from pointing fingers. In fact, there are laws forbidding people from criticising identifiable groups. And so, what is one to do?

The real choice is whether one should be true to one's beliefs or to accede to popular demand. Many believers have died in the past upholding God's truth while denouncing the false church. A sobering thought as we continue our journey to the Kingdom.

21:24 Israel tried always to be exclusive, barring gentiles from getting close to God. However in this wonderful age to come all nations will have access to God.

21:1 New heaven and a new earth show the new divine order of government. The sea represents unredeemed people and nations.

21:2 The new Jerusalem represents Christ’s bride, the Redeemed.

21:6 The story of the Apocalypse has almost come full circle as Jesus repeats Rev 1:8.

21:8,27 See 1Cor 6:9,10.

21:9 The seventh vial period will occur at the time of Jesus’ return to earth. The judgment will be at that time, and the Redeemed of that dispensation will be chosen. Thus, the new Jerusalem will be first revealed at that time.

21:10 John saw his vision in a similar fashion to Ezekiel's seeing his vision (Eze 40:2).

21:11 This is a reflection of the divine realm as seen in Rev 4:3.  Clear crystal allows pure light (Jesus) to be transmitted.

21:12-17 The description and dimensions of the new Jerusalem are given. The city is a cube which has a height, width, and depth of 12,000 furlongs (1500 miles; 2415 km).  The number twelve represents completeness (in government, in this case).  Any multiple of twelve, like 144, is significant, as we have seen in depicting the Redeemed (144,000).  A cube covers all dimensions, which means that the new Jerusalem covers all the earth.  But, perhaps mathematically this can be shown. The 144 describes the height of one wall of the Redeemed.  But the 144 is really a contraction, by 1000, of 144,000.  If we contract 12,000 furlongs by the same amount, we get 12 furlongs which is 7920 feet.  A sphere which is enclosed by a cube of 12x12x12 furlongs has a diameter of 7920 feet.  If we take a 1foot = 1mile scale, then we have a diameter of 7920 miles, which is the about the average diameter of the earth.

21:19,20 Twelve stones in the breastplate were symbolic of the twelve tribes (Exo 25:7).  But, here the stones represent the twelve apostles who will govern the twelve tribes (Matt 19:28; Eph 2:20).

21:21 The twelve pearls represent the Redeemed.   Many pearls are found, but high quality pearls are few and far between (Matt 22:14). The Redeemed are the few who were accepted at the judgment. They were the ones who took hold of the pearl of great price (Matt 13:46).

21:22 The brethren of Christ have always been considered the temple of God (1Cor 3:16), but now it is a reality, and the spirit of Yahweh truly dwells in the Redeemed.

21:23,24 The glory of Yahweh shall illuminate the earth and all shall bask in its light (Num 14:21). The sun and moon, which are symbols of political power, will not be needed as divine rule is in power (Rev 19:6).

21:25 The physical temple (the temple of Ezekiel’s vision) will always be open for the mortal population to worship.

21:26 The they refers to the Redeemed.

Chapter 22 will be discussed in the December Reading

New heaven and a new earth

The new heaven and the new earth are introduced in the old testament after the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian invader (Isa 65:16-19, 66:18-22). It is therefore in this context that we should discover what Revelation means by it.

Israel had been carried away by Assyria and scattered throughout its empire. Judah also had largely been conquered except for Jerusalem. This city came through a trial of fire, and through the ministrations and fervent prayers of Isaiah and Hezekiah, were saved from the day of God's judgement (2Chron 32:19-21). This day of salvation brought about a new dawn for the city of Jerusalem, God's people in captivity, and indeed all the Gentile nations who had likewise been under the yoke of Assyria.

Into this new age stepped Hezekiah as God's representative, King and saviour of the people. All nations came to him to bring tribute (2Chron 32:22-23), and whilst visiting Jerusalem looked upon the corpses of those who had dared to defy God's power (Isa 66:22-24) lying outside the city. This new government, and newly saved people, are called by God the new heavens and earth. For them there was no more slavery to Assyria and its false gods, but only the prospect of open worship of the God who had saved them.

So it is with this history in mind that we think of the final fulfilment of this phrase. The new heavens will be a rulership of Jesus and his saints after he has destroyed all armies who come against Jerusalem. The new earth will be a people who are no longer subject to an Assyria-like power who imposes its own morality and economic rule, but are free to worship and serve the true God who saved them. Studying the account in Kings, Chronicles and Isaiah alongside Revelation will reveal to us the pattern of how it will happen again in the last days.

21:12 We build high walls to keep people out. These high walls are to direct people through the valid entrance – the gates. Notice 25 they are always open.

21:9  The angel mentioned here now has a more enjoyable job. Before – Rev 15:1,6,7 – came with judgments. Now he is to show the ‘bride’. The judgments of God will end in a glorious age.

22:13  This is the last of four occasions when Jesus refers to himself as Alpha and Omega. In using Greek letters to signify the beginning and the end we see how the book of Revelation focuses on gentile involvement in the purpose of God. The four occasions are Rev 1:8,11, 21:6, 22:13

Rev 21:2 The vision from this high mountain contrasts with that vision which the flesh presented to Jesus – Luke 4:5 -  and doubtless is the vision which helped Jesus resist the temptation to take the kingdom at that time. Do we have a vision which helps us in our battle against sin?

 Rev 21:8.

22:18  The warning about adding to the words of the prophecy catches God’s warning through Moses – Deut 4:2

Rev 21:1-8 – These verses are a prophecy of the post millennium period. This is the period after the Lord has returned and subdued the nations and is dwelling on the earth. The troubled waters of the sea (nations) are stilled, the old order of the heaven (rulers) and earth (the ruled) have passed away (v.1).  Memories of pain, suffering and death are abolished (v.4) and all things are new (vs.1,5).

Rev 21:9-27 - The remaining verses in this chapter are prophecy about the millennial period. This is the period from the return and intervention of Christ with the saints in world affairs.  The great city described (vs.10-21) is symbolic of the saints gathered together, from all the past ages. This is the city that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob looked for, a city which had foundations whose builder and maker is God. (Heb 11:10).  This city had heavenly origins, because it was prepared by God (Heb 11:16).

This period will conclude with the complete subjection of all nations to the will of God.  What a wonderful prospect the Lord offers to us if we strive to walk now in the light of the Gospel, then our names will be found in the lamb’s book of life (Rev 21:27).

22:20  “surely, I come quickly” echoes the sentiments in Song 8:14 where the bride desires the coming of her groom.

21:19-20        The following foundation stones jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardius, beryl, topaz, amethyst are all found in Exo 28:17-20 which describes the stones of the breastplate. Thus we see that the city spoken of symbolically in Revelation is a place associated, as was the breastplate, with God’s righteous judgements – the place from which the law proceeds. Mic 4:2

22:14     Those who “do his commandments” are those who have “washed their robes in the blood of the lamb” – Rev 7:14

22:3    The echo of the “Tree of life” reminds us that when there will be “no more curse” that whilst the words of Zech 14:11 are being quoted the consequences of Adam and Eve eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil will finally be reversed.

21:24 in speaking of “nations” se see the fulfilment of the promise to Abraham –Gen 12:3

21:6 The phrase “Alpha and Omega” has the potential to link with relevant alphabetical acrostic passages with the phrase in these cases being viewed as shorthand for all the alphabet. One such passage is Proverbs 31:10-31 which speaks of the virtuous woman. In the surrounding passage in Revelation 21 the saints are referred to as a bride twice: “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2); “Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Rev. 21:9). Christ referring to himself as the “Alpha and Omega” in this bridal context shows that he is foreshadowed by the, albeit Hebrew, alphabet against which the virtuous woman, the bride of Christ, is perfectly aligned in Proverbs 31.

21:10 It was from a mountain that Moses saw, in his mind, the whole of the land of promise – Deut 32:1-2. We should in our minds eye, go up mountains to see the glories of the age to come. In so doing we will be encouraged on our journey to the kingdom.

22:7 Whilst John in the Revelation speaks a lot about what is going to happen in the earth after his day the book also contains words of command and encouragement. It is essential, therefore, to recognise and respond to the warning about person life-style contained in the book of rev rather than just focus on trying to understand the way the visions are going to be fulfilled.

Today we completed reading the book of Revelation – and how awesome are many of the verses – some are also inspiring – as are our 2 chapters (Isa 56) in Isaiah, while 1 Samuel 13 is a lesson of faulty faith in the actions of Saul, now made king of Israel.

It is v. Rev 21:7 that it is valuable to have uppermost in our minds, “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” (or daughter)   What is the sense of “conquers”?  Some Bible versions translate this as ‘overcomes.’  We are engaged in spiritual warfare – will the spirit in the world that surrounds us conquer or overcome us!?  Or will we conquer them so that God will welcome us as sons and daughters, genuine brethren and sisters of His Son?

The next verse (8) describes those who fail to conquer!  ” But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral … and all liars, their portion will be … the second death”  We note the inclusion of “all liars”  – how many are genuinely honest today?  How many are ambiguous in what they say – especially politicians?  The experience of utter despair in “the second death” implies that these have experienced the resurrection – but find themselves, perhaps to their surprise, among the “goats” and tares.” 

The final emphasis on God’s particular hatred of all who distort truth – making it in effect – a lie is in v.15 of the final chapter.  In contrast to those who ” have the right to the tree of life” [v.14] ” Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” [v.15] We do not have pagan “idols” but many appear to worship human “idols.” What a true picture of our world is ‘painted’ in these words. 

Finally we note the invitation in v.17 ” …. let the one who hears (reads) say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”  Yes, “without price”!  Eternal life is the gift of God for  “the one who conquers.” 

1.      For more resources on today’s readings visit. https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

21:27 The picture of the “city” being free of anyone who defiles it should cause us to realise that this is exactly how we should be now. We should avoid anything, or anyone, who has the potential to defile us now.

21:6 How fitting that Revelation borrows images from Genesis - the Beginning (Genesis) and the End (Revelation). For example:

  * v1 new heaven and new earth and the sea was no more. Compare Genesis 1:1,2 where God created the heavens and the earth and darkness was upon the face of the deep

  * v4 death and pain shall be no more. Compare the curse of death placed upon Adam and Eve and all of creation accompanied by pain in childbirth

  * v8 Evil will be abolished including murder. Compare the death of Abel and the violent evil that followed in Genesis

  * vv23, 25 No need for the sun and moon to shine any more (also 22:5). Compare Genesis 1:16 where the sun and moon were created to rule over the day and the night.

  * v25 Jerusalem's gates will never be shut and the tree of life will become accessible (22:2). Compare the cherubim barring entry into the garden to obtain access to the tree of life after Adam's sin

  * 22v3 Curse lifted. Compare Genesis 3:17 where the creation is cursed.

22:16  When Jesus speaks of himself as “the root and offspring of David” we see this as the third time that David has been mentioned in the book of Revelation. The other occasions are3:7 and 5:5

22:2 the prospect of reigning forever echoes the promise – Exo 15:18– made about God’ reign as Israel left Egypt.

The establishment of God’s kingdom is as certain as was the overthrow of Egypt and the deliverance of His people from bondage there.