New Heaven & New Earth. 21 & 22:1-8 Marvellous vision - God’s plan

consummated - view of life beyond thousand years of Kingdom.

No mortals - no more sea. 22:2 New Jerusalem in contrast to Babylon

the Great. 22:3 God is ‘all in all’ - pleased to dwell with

men. 22:8 Warns of characteristics which will

exclude.

The Bride - The Lamb’s Wife.

Vision returns to Kingdom Age - Holy city perfect during it - completed by harvest at end.

Harvest prepared thro’ mortal nations’ worship at new Temple - House of Prayer on high mountain in Jerusalem.

Symbols used stand for aspects of relationships & interactions between Christ, Saints & mortals.

21:22 City surrounded by high wall - 12 gates Israelitish hope - symbolically shines with glory from Christ - saints have no need of literal Temple .

Spiritual Characters of Kingdom.

22:14 Twelve foundations stand for the apostles shining forth light of truth as gems.

Jewels symbolise individual characters of saints, fear God and reflect His light of truth: “they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels …” ( Mal 3:16)

22:19 Various colours produced as people work together in true love and harmony - fruit of the Spirit.

Entry and Citizenship. 22:15,16 City is foursquare - a cube - same as

Holy of Holies in Tabernacle. Ground area of cube divisible into 144 equal

parts - symbolic number of citizens 144,000. 22:21 Twelve gates, all pearls, always open v25

signifying entry always available - only through the gospel, pearl of great price.

22:27 Entry refused for defilement, working abomination, lying, false teaching - truth essential.

22:23 No need of symbolic sun & moon - political & religious powers - the Redeemed in control.

The Last Vision. 22:1 Beautiful river out of throne of holy city

- symbolism based on literal Temple - river to flow into and heal Dead Sea.

Christ the altar - supplies water of life. 22:2 Tree (Gr ‘stake’) of life reminds

significance of Eden - links to cross of Jesus. Leaves from such ‘stakes’ - Saints having

crucified the flesh - purify social and moral atmosphere of Kingdom, as do natural leaves.

Food for Thought. May approach verses on three levels : facts

of nature now, literal provisions during Kingdom, aspects of bride of Christ.

Could man unaided have written such words?

22:3 Bride - no more curse - sorrow, toil, disease and death swept away for ever.

Experience of unsullied joy - benefits of sealing in the forehead with the Father’s name.

Blessing & Reward. Blessing for those keeping (Gk.tereo)

the sayings of the prophecy. ‘tereo’ = “guard from loss or injury

by keeping the eye upon.” Revelation meant to be understood and

pondered - not sealed up again. 22:11 At Christ’s sudden return - too

late to change. 22:12 Brings his reward with him

Warnings. 22:18,19 Most solemn warning from Jesus

himself not to add or take away from words of the prophecy of Revelation

May add other beliefs or nullify its teachings or take away its power by wrong interpretation or by discouraging others from studying it.

22:20 Lord repeats - will come quickly (suddenly)

Footnote - the Future. (as at March 2004).

How will papacy be “carried by” beast? Developments with pope, & the EU

Constitution ? Watch position of Russia and Turkey & what

nations to be closely in EU ? 10 Nations? Development of Defence capability and NATO. Reconciliation between Rome, Orthodox,

Anglicans, Muslims etc? Development of peace in Israel and turning to

Religion?

Sunrise Over Mount Zion