Indeed the Word of God is not given over to human interpretations. God will not allow such to be the case. This indeed about rightly dividing the Word of God. And we must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the Lord's mind and heart! As stated on another thread. We can surely test the spirit and find that many indeed are saved and in love with Christ. That said, it doesn't make their theology, doctrines or teachings perfect! Also again, when we endeavor to interpret God's word to satisfy our itchy ears and unsatisfied spirits we always make presumptions in our understanding that simply don't line up with the whole of scripture. Not speaking of a presumptuous spirit, but speaking of assumptions that are in error! TR hi Geri, the New Jerusalem, the city built by God, is going to be so beautiful. In Revelation 21:1-2, God has made a new heaven and a new earth, the first heaven and first earth are passed away and there is no more sea. Then New Jerusalem descends out of heaven, from God, to earth-the new earth. This is after the millennium, after the great white throne judgement in Revelation 20. God truly is from everlasting (from before the creation of the first heaven and first earth) to everlasting (the eternal state in which He makes a new heaven and new earth and a custom designed city/home to dwell with His people forever.) Revelation 21:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV) In Revelation 21:9-10, still talking about the eternal state, the bride, the Lamb's wife is who dwells in this marvelous city: Revelation 21:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV) In Revelation 22 we see that the throne of God and of the Lamb are in the city, New Jerusalem, and the river of life comes from their throne. In contrast, during the millennium, Jesus is ruling from earthly Jerusalem, the site He rules from is "in the tabernacle of David". In the millennium there will still be a need to seek justice. Isaiah 16:5 - millennium Revelation 22 - eternal state The throne of God and river of life and tree of life are not in earthly Jerusalem in the millennium, they are in New Jerusalem that descends when the new heaven and new earth are created. So why does it say that the nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it?-Rev 21:24-26 These cannot be unsaved kings, because nothing unclean can enter it- Rev 21:27. These must be saved peoples who have been accounted worthy to not only be "kings", but are worthy to enter the city, and this verse hints that there will be nation groupings on the new earth that God creates. But the bride the Lamb's wife is dwelling in the city, not just entering it or visiting it with gifts. During the millennial reign, there is still sun and moon, but in the eternal state where New Jerusalem is brought down, there is no more sun and moon: Isaiah 30:25-26 - at the second advent, millennial reign then established Revelation 21:23 - Eternal state Revelation 22:5 - Eternal state It's going to be wonderful! I don't at all wish to come across as harsh or unreasonable. I do want to guard against nonsensical interpretations. When someone suggests that Jesus' promise to "prepare a place for us" that where He is there we may be also is in actuality a cryptic reference to being kept from the Antichrist during the midst of the Tribulation and go into the wilderness for 42 months, then it's not just a minor disagreement. It's a huge misapplication of a verse which makes perfectly good sense on its own and does not require Revelation 12 to understand it. I believe that what Olaf is proposing is that the Bride of Christ will be under the rule of the Antichrist for 42 months, in an allegorical wilderness, until the real or "Great Tribulation" begins. That does not at all match what is stated in Matthew 24 and must be rejected as a faulty interpretation. It plainly refers to those who are "in Judea" escaping. It is not a poetic way of describing the Bride of Christ. Preach it brother! I do appreciate your dividing of God's word. Thankfully my understanding of God's word must always be sprinkled with much grace! TR :amen: We appreciate your knowledge, David and no worries ... you never come across as being harsh with your teachings in setting the record straight. I learned something new today ... I thought the 5 wise virgins that didn’t run out of oil represented the bride and here they are the guests ... your quote “they belong to the reception party who greet the Bridegroom and the Bride upon their return from having spent seven days in the wedding chamber.”
All Things Made New - the eternal state
21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 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, prepared 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.”
The New Jerusalem
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.”
The River of Life -
22 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
25 There will be on every high mountain
And on every high hill
Rivers and streams of waters,
In the day of the great slaughter,
When the towers fall.
26 Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun,
And the light of the sun will be sevenfold,
As the light of seven days,
In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people
And heals the stroke of their wound.
23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
