Revelation and Revelation and Human RealityHuman Reality

sktonstad@llu.edusktonstad@llu.eduSession 61Session 61

A-level AmphitheaterA-level AmphitheaterLLUMCLLUMC

April 2, 2011, 10:30-11:30 AMApril 2, 2011, 10:30-11:30 AM

More Than More Than Paradise Regained – 3 Paradise Regained – 3

““The work of redemption will be complete. In the The work of redemption will be complete. In the place where sin abounded, God’s grace much place where sin abounded, God’s grace much more abounds. The earth itself, the very field more abounds. The earth itself, the very field that Satan claimed as his, is to be not only that Satan claimed as his, is to be not only ransomed but exalted. Our little world, under the ransomed but exalted. Our little world, under the curse of sin the one dark blot in His glorious curse of sin the one dark blot in His glorious creation, will be honored above all other worlds creation, will be honored above all other worlds in the universe of God. Here, where the Son of in the universe of God. Here, where the Son of God tabernacled in humanity; where the King of God tabernacled in humanity; where the King of glory lived and suffered and died – glory lived and suffered and died –

More Than More Than Paradise Regained – 4 Paradise Regained – 4

– – here , when He shall make all things new, the here , when He shall make all things new, the tabernacle of God shall be with men, “and He will tabernacle of God shall be with men, “and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.” And throughout ceaseless ages as the God.” And throughout ceaseless ages as the redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they shall redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they shall praise Him for His unspeakable gift, – Immanuel, praise Him for His unspeakable gift, – Immanuel, ““God with usGod with us.”.” -- -- Ellen G, White, Ellen G, White, The Desire of AgesThe Desire of Ages, , 26.26.

Paradise Regained:Paradise Regained:The River of LifeThe River of Life

NRS NRS Revelation 22:1-2 Then the angel Revelation 22:1-2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. are for the healing of the nations.

Wholeness: Wholeness: Ilusions and ActualityIlusions and Actuality

1.1. The vision finds the world in a state of The vision finds the world in a state of need – broken, hurt, and in need of need – broken, hurt, and in need of healing. healing.

2.2. The horizon of wholeness is The horizon of wholeness is eschatological – actualized only in the eschatological – actualized only in the world to come. world to come.

River of Life River of Life in the Old Testamentin the Old Testament

Genesis 2:10 A river flows out of Eden to Genesis 2:10 A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. and becomes four branches.

Zechariah 14:8 On that day living waters Zechariah 14:8 On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea; it shall continue in summer western sea; it shall continue in summer as in winter. as in winter.

Running WaterRunning Water

Ezek 47:1-2 Ezek 47:1-2 Then he brought me back to the Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. water was coming out on the south side.

Deep WatersDeep Waters

Ezek 47:3 Ezek 47:3 Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the waterme through the water; and ; and it was ankle-deepit was ankle-deep. .

Ezek 47:4 Ezek 47:4 Again he measured one thousand, and led Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the measured one thousand, and led me through the water; water; and and it was up to the waistit was up to the waist. .

Ezek 47:5 Ezek 47:5 Again he measured one thousand, and it Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen;risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossedcould not be crossed. .

AbundanceAbundance

NRS NRS Ezekiel 47:6-7 He said to me, "Mortal, Ezekiel 47:6-7 He said to me, "Mortal, have you seen this?" Then he led me have you seen this?" Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and a great many trees on the one side and on the other. on the other.

Healing WatersHealing Waters

NRS NRS Ezekiel 47:8-9 He said to me, "This water Ezekiel 47:8-9 He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the fresh; and everything will live where the river goes.river goes.

AbundanceAbundance

NRS NRS Ezekiel 47:10-11 People will stand Ezekiel 47:10-11 People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. Great Sea.

But its swamps and marshes will not But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. become fresh; they are to be left for salt.

Leaves for HealingLeaves for Healing

NRS NRS Ezekiel 47:12 On the banks, on both Ezekiel 47:12 On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing." and their leaves for healing."

Healing from Healing from the Holy Mountainthe Holy Mountain

““No amount of exegetical finesse or insistence on ‘what the No amount of exegetical finesse or insistence on ‘what the Bible plainly says’ can transform the poetry of this passage Bible plainly says’ can transform the poetry of this passage into a topographically and ecologically realistic account of an into a topographically and ecologically realistic account of an event in time. The richly symbolic language of water healing event in time. The richly symbolic language of water healing and bringing life and fertility to the wounded earth recalls, as and bringing life and fertility to the wounded earth recalls, as we saw earlier, the great water source that fertilized Eden, we saw earlier, the great water source that fertilized Eden, flowing out in four branches around the inhabited world (Gen. flowing out in four branches around the inhabited world (Gen. 2:10-14). The logic of the symbolism requires that the 2:10-14). The logic of the symbolism requires that the headwaters arise on high land, the ‘very high mountain’ to headwaters arise on high land, the ‘very high mountain’ to which Ezekiel was transported (40:2), the ‘holy mountain of which Ezekiel was transported (40:2), the ‘holy mountain of God’ on which, according to the poem on the king of Tyre God’ on which, according to the poem on the king of Tyre (28:14), Eden was located.” Blenkinsopp, Ezekie, 231. (28:14), Eden was located.” Blenkinsopp, Ezekie, 231.

Healing of the NationsHealing of the Nations

Revelation 22:2 On either side of the river Revelation 22:2 On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. of the nations.

Paradise Regained: Paradise Regained: Healing of the NationsHealing of the Nations

Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 11:9 They will not hurt or destroy on Isaiah 11:9 They will not hurt or destroy on

all my holy mountain; for the earth will be all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. waters cover the sea.

Healing of the Nations – Healing of the Nations – 1 1

““On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; signal to the peoples; the nationsthe nations [Hebr. [Hebr. goyimgoyim; Gr. ; Gr. ethnēethnē] shall inquire of him, and his ] shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious” (dwelling shall be glorious” (Isa 11:10Isa 11:10). ).

““I am the LORD, I have called you in I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have appointed you as a and kept you; I have appointed you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations covenant to the people, a light to the nations [Hebr. [Hebr. goyimgoyim; Gr. ; Gr. ethnōnethnōn]” (]” (Isa 42:6Isa 42:6). ).

Healing of the Nations – Healing of the Nations – 2 2

““I will give you as a light to the nations [Hebr. I will give you as a light to the nations [Hebr. goyimgoyim; Gr. ; Gr. ethnōnethnōn], that my salvation may ], that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (49:6). reach to the end of the earth” (49:6).

Healing of the Nations – Healing of the Nations – 3 3

““Just as there were many who were Just as there were many who were astonished at him-- so marred was his astonished at him-- so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals-- so he shall his form beyond that of mortals-- so he shall startle many nations [Hebr. startle many nations [Hebr. goyimgoyim; Gr. ; Gr. ethnēethnē]; ]; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate” (Isa 52:14-15). they shall contemplate” (Isa 52:14-15).

Healing of the Nations – 4Healing of the Nations – 4

““Nations [Hebr. Nations [Hebr. goyimgoyim; Gr. ; Gr. ethnēethnē] shall come ] shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isa 60:3; cf. 60:5, 11; 66:12, 19). your dawn” (Isa 60:3; cf. 60:5, 11; 66:12, 19).

Deciphering Deciphering the Figure of Echothe Figure of Echo

1.1. Echoes in real life pick up and amplify only a Echoes in real life pick up and amplify only a small part of a sentence. small part of a sentence.

2.2. Revelation combines an echo from Ezekiel Revelation combines an echo from Ezekiel (‘leaves for healing’) with an echo from Isaiah (‘leaves for healing’) with an echo from Isaiah (‘the nations’). (‘the nations’).

3.3. How will Revelation 22:2 sound if we try to How will Revelation 22:2 sound if we try to echo it today?echo it today?

To See His FaceTo See His Face

NRS NRS Revelation 22:3-4 Nothing accursed Revelation 22:3-4 Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.their foreheads.

Hidden from God’s FaceHidden from God’s Face

NRS NRS Genesis 4:14 Today you have driven Genesis 4:14 Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me." who meets me may kill me."

God’s FaceGod’s Face

NRS NRS Exodus 3:6 He said further, "I am the Exodus 3:6 He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. to look at God.

NRS NRS Exodus 33:20 But," he said, "you Exodus 33:20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.”me and live.”

Face to FaceFace to Face

NRS NRS Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD used to Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. speaks to a friend.

NRS NRS Deuteronomy 34:10 Never since has Deuteronomy 34:10 Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. whom the LORD knew face to face.

Paradise Regained:Paradise Regained:Face to FaceFace to Face

NRS NRS 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully know fully, even as I have been fully known. known.

Revelation 22:4 And they will see his Revelation 22:4 And they will see his face, and his name will be on their face, and his name will be on their foreheads.foreheads.

Making WholeMaking Whole

1.1. There is There is physical healingphysical healing that extends to all that extends to all creation, human, non-human, and the earth. creation, human, non-human, and the earth.

2.2. There is There is spiritual healingspiritual healing; revelation has ; revelation has overtaken misrepresentation. overtaken misrepresentation.

3.3. There is There is ministry of healingministry of healing because the healing because the healing river of life also runs from the lush land of the river of life also runs from the lush land of the future into the arid lands of present reality, giving future into the arid lands of present reality, giving access in some small way to the healing river that access in some small way to the healing river that flows from the throne of God in the here and now flows from the throne of God in the here and now (22:17). (22:17).

No More NightNo More Night

NRS NRS Revelation 22:5 And there will be no Revelation 22:5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. and they will reign forever and ever.

Conversation Conversation with the Authorwith the Author

Centennial Complex, 3rd floorCentennial Complex, 3rd floor

3:00 PM today3:00 PM today