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Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

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As we consider Revelation 21, we must bear in mind that all flesh bodies became lifeless at the sounding of the seventh trump, when Jesus Christ returned to set up His kingdom. [See I Corinthians 15:50-52.]

The souls of all, good and bad, entered the Millennium age (1,000 year period) in an incorruptible (spirit) body.

At that time those saints who did not take the "mark of the beast", either by not following the false-christ as the true Christ, or doing his work to win others over for him, will put on their immortal (neveril to die) soul bodies.

Those who were unfaithful in the tribulation, and in ignorance, followed the false-christ will be in mortal (still able to die) celestial bodies. However, by overcoming in the Millennium age, they will pass judgment based upon their works, and will be given immortality (never to die) at the great white throne, when the books are opened. This is where we ended in Revelation 20.15.

Praise to God, for from here on there is only happiness, joy, and the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

At the close of chapter 20, the fire of hell that consumed Satan and all his followers, will no longer exist. Satan and those who followed him will never again return in any form, and there will be a rejuvenated earth. Will it be some far off planet? No, it will be right here. But, It will be perfect.

We see in II Peter 3:10,11 that the existence of this present earth age will be changed with the all physical elements (evil rudiments) done away with, at the "day of our Lord". Then in II Peter 3:12, at the end of the Millennium age, the evil souls are turned to ashes. This is called the "day of God".

II Peter 3:13 "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

This new heaven and new earth is a promise given by God to the earliest prophets, and we have seen throughout the Holy Scriptures that God does keep all his promises.

II Peter 3:14 "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

Revelation 21:2 "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

God allowed John to see in his vision this new city, the New Jerusalem; coming down to earth dressed in all its beauty. Christ made this New Jerusalem just as He would adorn it for His first love, His bride, and that is for you and me, that make up His church. My dear friend, if that doesn't make it all worth any trouble and trial we face on earth, then something's wrong with our thinking.

Revelation 21:3 "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."

The text reads, "the throne" instead of "of heaven", and we know that voice is the voice of God, our Heavenly Father.

"Behold" in the Greek is "idou", and is the imperative "eidon". It is calling attention to a subject other than himself, and that subject is "the tabernacle of God".

Hebrews 9:11 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;"

Hebrews 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

We do not need the blood of sheep and goats anymore, for Jesus Christ is our sacrifice and tabernacle.

Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Hebrews 9:15 "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

We don't serve a dead God, but a living Savior. He is our loving, living God. Here in verse 15 we see it is Jesus Christ that is our go-between, our tabernacle, which allows us humans to approach God. The Almighty Father is saying in verse 21:3 that this tabernacle (Jesus Christ) is going to be with men from here on, eternally. Jesus Christ will be with us, lead us, and we (all those who have accepted him) will be His people.

Not only will we have our Lord Jesus Christ by our side in the new Jerusalem, but the Heavenly Father will be on earth dwelling also. I don't believe it's possible to fully imagine in our minds the splendor of these first three verses.

Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

The new celestial body that each of us will be in, is an incorruptible body, which will never grow old. There is no pain or sorrow felt in that body, for all sin and guilt are blotted out by the blood of Christ. Some may say, "What about our loved ones which lay burning in hell fire?" My fellow Christian, those souls were burned to ashes (they no longer exist), and all thought of them will be blotted even from your memory. It will be as if that loved one had never existed.

All "former things" [Strong's #4413, #4453] in the Greek dictionary says; "protos", best previous, formerly, of root #4453; "poleo", to be busy, to trade, to peddle, to be sold."

We will not be making and selling to earn a living, but tending to the rewards of a joyous life God has for us. The problems we face in this life will not be there. Work and backbiting won't exist. The problems of poor health and the handicap will be gone, and our nourishment will flow from the eternal fountain of God.

Revelation 21:5 "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."

It is the Heavenly Father talking to John here, and He told John to "write". The words are about Our Lord Jesus Christ, His son. This we know for in Revelation 19:11, Jesus Christ is named "true and faithful".

Revelation 21:6 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

What was done? All the wrath of God that was ever to be poured out on the wickedness of man, and Satan, and his fallen workers came as the seventh angel poured out his vile on the earth. See Revelation 16:17. We see here also those words from God, "It is done".

God's plan will be over and completed with all of those children of God that were in disobedience, gone forever. We see God's name, "I am", and the reference to His eternal existence in "Alpha" and "Omega" (Greek), "the beginning and the end". God promises life to all who accept Christ, for that life is given to us only through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, by God our Heavenly Father.

We see this in these three verses, as well as many more: [I John 5:12, Romans 6:10, II Corinthians 13:4) It's well worth your study time to look them up, and claim them for God's promise to you. This is why He deserves our praise. That fountain of living water does flow freely to all who ask. Eternal life has been paid for by Jesus' blood on the cross. Though it is free to you, it cost the highest price in the universe. God's own Son's blood and suffering. As you grow complacent in your salvation, there is not one thing you can do to earn any part of God's gift. Even if your works in the Millennium age allows you to pass over judgment and receive an immortal soul, it is still by Jesus Christ's blood that your immortality has been given to you.

Revelation 21:7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

To inherit means we are to possess a share of the heavenly kingdom; that new and beautiful Jerusalem that has been prepared for those who wait on the true Christ and do not follow the false-christ.

Romans 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together."

Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Once again we see those who will not have an inheritance in the new Jerusalem. They will be destroyed in the hell fire, prior to the coming of the new Jerusalem.

We know that all sins ever committed can be covered by the blood of Christ, except the sin of not allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you, when you are delivered up before the synagogues of Satan, as written in Mark 13:11. That is the unforgivable sin. What is necessary is a repentive heart, and the confession and prayer of repentance.

Revelation 21:9 "And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife."

This is one of the seven angels we read about in Revelation 15:1,6, and 7. They were the angels that poured out the wrath of God upon the earth. John is going to be shown the bride of Christ by him.

John is now taken in the spirit by this angel of the seven viles to visit the new Jerusalem. This was a time in the far distant future (beyond the Millennium age) when we occupy that city of joy.

Revelation 21:10 "And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God."

We know that the "great and high mountain" represents a place where all the saints of God are. These are the heirs of the New Jerusalem. John was there and is telling us what it was like, as we will see this place in person when our eternal home "descends out of heaven from God".

Revelation 21:11 "Having the glory of God; and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;"

This New Jerusalem, the place where John is taken in the spirit, is receiving its light by the heavenly fathers own glory shining forth. This "light" giving forth, as recorded in the Greek text is called "phoster". Used in the term of a "light bearer or giver". It is also used in Genesis 1:14,16.

The light which will light the new Jerusalem will be a clear, pure light and its light will be eternal as God's new city prepared for His saints.

Revelation 21:12 "And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:"

We have a double witness to these great walls of the new Jerusalem, for both John and Ezekiel wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Read Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 48:31-34.

Revelation 21:13 "On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates."

Revelation 21:14 "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the name of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

We see the new Jerusalem will have each gate marked with the names of the twelve tribes of Jacob (Israel). These twelve tribes, we are told, were the "foundation" of the saints of God.

Though many today think "it is the Jew who is the chosen of God", and they think the other ten tribes are somehow lost in a desert to both God and themselves. My Bible tells me they definitely are not.

The minor prophet Hosea in his first 13 chapters issues a warning to Israel that God would divorce one of His wives, the "House of Israel", for their idolatry. Yet He would not divorce the "House of Judah". Then we see in the 14th chapter how Israel repents and God takes Israel back.

How is this possible? Following the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, Isaiah 54 records how not only Israel, but all Gentile peoples have access through Christ's death and resurrection.

In Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel is to prophecy to these "dry dead bones of the House of Israel". As he does, flesh comes upon them, and life comes back into them. Who are they? "The whole House of Israel." [See Ezekiel 37:11.] That nation is the one which Hosea the prophet said God had divorced, and brought back to himself following Christ's death.

In Ezekiel 37:16-19, God told Ezekiel to take two sticks and write on one "Israel" and on the other "Judah". God then tells Ezekiel to put the two sticks together in one hand. This was to represent how God would deal with Israel and Judah (Jews) - - all twelve tribes - - as one.

As we relate to these two separate nations; the ten-tribed "House of Israel" and the two tribes of the "House of Judah" (Jews), we see all the tribes have become the "foundations" of the gates of entry into God's new and holy city, "Holy Jerusalem".

We see also the names of the twelve apostles written upon these foundations. These were the twelve men Jesus personally taught and commissioned to carry the message of the gospel with God's authority. It is upon them, and Paul that Jesus built his church.

Revelation 21:15 "And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof."

Revelation 21:16 "And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."

Revelation 21:17 "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits. According to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."

John is given the dimensions of the four square city of God, the "New Jerusalem". The dimensions are given in units of a reed, furlongs, and cubits. To bring this to units of measurement we can understand, a "reed" is about 3-1/2 of our yards. A "furlong" is approximately 220 yards, and a "cubit" is the length of an arm, about 21-25 inches in length.

When we compare God's "Holy City" to the "holy of holies", we see they were both cubes and proportionate. The "Holy City" a cube of 12,000 furlongs to a side. The "holy of holies" being 20 cubits to a side.

Revelation 21:18 "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass."

The stone "of jasper" is held as the most precious. In Exodus 28:20 we see that it was the stone in the high priest's breastplate as a symbol of purity, like "a crystal". The jasper stone is the most precious of all the gem stones which are used in Revelation 21:19-21, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The jasper in the wall shows the importance our Lord held for His disciples, who were at His side when He walked, taught, died and arose while upon the earth, in the flesh.

Revelation 21:19 "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, and emerald;"

Revelation 21:20 "The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinith; the twelfth, an amethyst."

Revelation 21:21 "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass."

What a city, streets of pure gold! In describing the streets, John could not relate the actual material element, and related it to be similar to pure gold. I feel there will be many surprises of pure splendor in this city which John, or any person in the flesh body could not explain or relate to.

Revelation 21:22 "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."

The temple is a place of worship, and atonement for sin. We see this New Jerusalem will not have a temple. The temple of the Millennium, where Jesus Christ set up His reign for the 1,000 years, is gone. So is sin, tears, sorrow, flesh, death, and all thought of it. There is no need for atonement for all is either blotted out as if it never existed, or burned to hell fire.

The only need for a temple then, is to be a place of worship. We will be walking the streets of the New Jerusalem with our Heavenly Father, and the "Lamb", our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be no need for a temple, and that is why John saw no temple there.

Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

Isaiah 60:19 "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee and everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."

Isaiah 60:20 "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

Revelation 21:24 "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."

Revelation 21:25 "And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there."

Revelation 21:26 "And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it."

All peoples of every ethnic background which were saved in this earth age, or the Millennium shall be in that great city of God. They will all know why they are there, and give our Lord Jesus Christ the praise. All those who do not, simply will not exist; not even the memory of them.

All who are there as citizens of that city, and God's kingdom, are children of the Heavenly Father and joint heirs with Christ Jesus (the Lamb). You will go in and out of that city freely, just as you would now in your own home.

There will be no night or darkness in the New Jerusalem. Will there be a need for rest and recuperation in the eternal life? No. For our bodies will be eternal and incorruptible. These bodies we will have will not see pain or need rest. These bodies are immortal.

The kings and their nations spoken of in verse 24 are the "sheep" nations of His right hand during the Millennium reign recorded in Matthew 25:31-46. Each of these kings and nations will contribute to the glory and honor of God's beautiful "New Jerusalem".

Revelation 21:27 "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."

Why do we know that no sin or defiling thing will be allowed in the eternal city? Because all who followed Satan, and bowed to idolatry have been destroyed prior to the "New Holy City of God" coming down out of heaven. The only persons entering eternity are those whose names are recorded in the "Lamb's Book of Life", who have their sins covered and blotted out by Jesus Christ's shed blood. [See Revelation 20:15.]

Is it worth taking chances in this life, and not paying attention to the warnings given us by Our Lord Jesus Christ?

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

That offer of eternal life is ours for the asking. Our Lord is a God of love, for he knew our weakness and our sins; and our way to Him is by confessing our sins, and asking him for forgiveness in Jesus Name. Jesus name is our only credentials before the throne of God. Is it hard to be saved? No harder than seeking help from a friend. The love and rewards cannot be compared to anything in this life.

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: We are going to stop here in this "Revelation of Jesus Christ" study to review some commentary from chapter 21 in an earlier study we published on the "Revelation of Jesus Christ." I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that did and will take place may prove helpful in our understanding of Jesus' revelation. Also, our introduction #9300 was taken from this earlier study so keep your eyes open for study tips and rules to help simplify your grasp of Jesus' end time revelation.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 21st Chapter of Revelation.

Rev. 21:1
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

The word "first" used here is the Greek word "protos" and is the same word translated "former" in verse 4. So the heaven and earth that pass away in this verse is the one prior to the "new" one which comes into existence "after" the lake of fire, i.e. the present earth age that we are in now, the 2nd earth age. We know from 2 Pet. 3 that there are three heaven and earth ages. It is the same earth but three different "ages" because the earth itself "abideth forever" (Eccles. 1:4). The "world that then was" (Gen 1:2), prior to the foundation of this earth age, was totally destroyed. It perished at the overthrow of Satan. This one will perish at his destruction!

And so the 3rd earth age will be for all eternity. The planet itself will be set back on its proper axis and correct orbital path. The actual seas will be dried up and the water will return to the canopy from whence it came. The earth will once again be the most beautiful paradise in the universe (the wackos have it all wrong for this is the true greenhouse effect). And our Father will call it Home!

Note: We flesh human beings get all excited when the thought crosses our minds that we might not have boating and fishing, or golf courses, or have sex in the next dimension. Just remember that our Father doesn't take anything away that He doesn't replace ten fold. So did you know that the entire universe awaits for the perfection of the Sons of God? Talk about a fishing expedition! See commentary on verse 7.

[2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

There's nothing more beautiful to an husband than his adorned bride!

[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

God promised to dwell with man as part of His everlasting, unbreakable covenant a long time ago. He purposed it even from the beginning, for the desire of His heart is to be with and among His children for ever and ever, world without end. Here is the promised fulfilled in Rev. 21:3, i.e. the tabernacle IS with men, promised by our Father to Israel in Ezekiel 37:

Ezekiel 37:26
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
[27] My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And do you know what? That glorious holy city, the New Jerusalem, from that day forth, from the day it comes down out of heaven throughout all eternity, will be known and recognized as the Headquarters of the Universe, also referred to as "Heaven", for it will bear the name of God Himself, Yahaveh Shamma, which interpreted means "The LORD is there". These are the very last words of the Book of Ezekiel concerning the new city:

Ezekiel 48:35
It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

What will it be like living there with our Father?

Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Can you even begin to imagine such a society? No more pain and suffering, no more disease and war and death and dying, no more pesky telemarketers interrupting your dinner trying to sell you something you don't want or need. Yes, heaven on earth!

All the former things, all the evil spirits, all the wicked people, all corruptible flesh are passed away, GONE! (I believe most telemarketers will eventually repent or change jobs and so will not be part of the second death.)

[5] And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Guess who's talking to John now! "John, you tell My children that they can count on My Words coming to pass exactly as I have spoken them."

So if it sounds too utopian for the skeptic, or it sounds too good to be true, it isn't. In fact the words of man cannot even begin to describe the beauty and wonder, and yes, even the excitement of all that our Father has planned for His children. Man's words cannot describe it because man's mind cannot imagine it. This we know for it also is written and is true and faithful:

1 Cor. 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Now here comes a great opportunity. Would you like to hear God speak to you? He just told John to write His true and faithful words down for you and me. Here's what He has to say to us. He is speaking to us:

Rev. 21:6 And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Here's how the N.E.B. translation has this verse: "Indeed', He said, 'they are already fulfilled. For I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end..."

Our Father tells us if we thirst for Him, (Amos 8:11 ...not a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:), He will provide us with all of the purest water of life that we could ever want.

And if we become DOERS and not just HEARERS, i.e. if we overcome, you won't believe the reward He has in store for us!

[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Living with our Father! Imagine that! Now imagine inheriting ALL things:

Our Father OWNS, lock, stock, and barrel as they say, the Entire Universe. And when He says we will inherit ALL THINGS, that's infinitely more than all the wealth on earth! So if you are an overcomer, next time you're outside at night standing next to someone, you can look up and point to the stars and say "You see this vast universe? My family owns it all!" (Just be very careful who you say that to. Use wisdom and common sense.)

In contrast, just so you can SEE THE DIFFERENCE, here's the inheritance of the wicked:

[8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

But the faithless, and the non-believers, and the disgusting lowlifes, and murderers, and sexual perverts, and drug pushers, and lovers of everything other than that which is holy, and all liars (including unrepentant politicians and attorneys), they shall inherit the Lake of Fire. In other words, all the "wicked" will be consumed away, burned up in the lake of fire, which means they will DIE eternally, gone forever, PERISH.

We spent considerable time on this in the last study, but we must understand that the lake of fire is the second death, the DESTRUCTION of the wicked souls! Remember we read of it in Rev. 20:14 "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." God is going to destroy the souls of the incorrigibly wicked along with everything evil. He can do it, and He will! His words are "true and faithful". Remember once again what Christ said:

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

So you say you understand? You've done well! It is now time for dessert, a special treat from the sweet hidden manna from the Book of Psalms.

Note: You have seen us make reference to the Companion Bible many times in our studies. If ever there was a reason to obtain one it is to have access to the "gems" contained in the original manuscripts that are not brought forth (and therefore hidden) to the ordinary English reader. That which follows, along with all the richness contained in the Massorah, is found within its pages. It is the most comprehensive Bible available to the English reader. The Companion Bible is published by Kregel Publishers and can be ordered from most bookstores.

The 37th Psalm is an "Acrostic" Psalm. An acrostic is where sets of letters taken in order form a word or a special sequence. For instance the word SUN is an acrostic found in the word reStaUraNt, or LOCUST is an acrostic found in the word hoLOCaUST.

In the 37th Psalm each of the 22 quatrains, i.e. sets of four lines, begin with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, except that the 4th, 11th, and 19th letters each have a triplet assigned to them, i.e. only three lines, instead of a quatrain. These three triplet verses occur in perfect order within the 37th Psalm and when taken together, as a separate set, they form an acrostic.

This acrostic will reveal the second death, the ultimate fate of the wicked who sometimes seem have it made with lots of money, big mansions and fancy cars, beautiful babes, etc., all derived from wicked devices like those we just read of in Revelation, i.e. drug pushing, prostitution, extortion, theft and deceptive business practices such as fixed markets and underhanded commodities trading.

The other amazing discovery is that these three verses parallel precisely the three verses we just finished reading in Revelation 21. Here is the acrostic of the 37th Psalm.

Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Be patient, thirst for righteousness, and don't be envious of the wicked who seem to prosper. Here's why:

Psalm 37:20
But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

The wicked shall PERISH, not fry "unconsumed" in Dante's Inferno for ever and ever! You just read it, they shall CONSUME AWAY! It will be like a dripping drop of fat that splatters onto the hot burning coals of fire and is vaporized into smoke! This is the second death and a great analogy of it! SEE it in your Mind's Eye!

Psalm 37:34
Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

So be patient and wait on the LORD and you shall be exalted, receive a crown and a throne, and INHERIT all that our Father has promised to those that keep His way and overcome. I know it boggles the minds of those who love our Father to think that anyone could choose not to follow Him. But the wicked shall not and as verse 34 says "they are cut off" (from all inheritance) and you shall witness their execution in the lake of fire and that will be the end of it!

They are all gone, so let's get on with eternity!

Rev. 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Here comes one those angels from chapter 16 again. Do you think it was the same one who came and talked with John in verse 1 of chapter 17? Perhaps, but it could just as well be one of the other six who gives this magnificent tour. And so the angel told John, who as far I know hasn't taken a lunch break yet, to come and he will show him the beautiful bride, the Lamb's wife.

[10] And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Next we will read about the beauty and splendor of this great city, the holy Jerusalem. And since Almighty God dwells there, guess what? We will be reading about HEAVEN! It's coming here!

We are now in the eternity. The Millennium is over. All that which offends has been consumed away for ever and ever in the lake of fire, to be remembered no more. And our Father has prepared a great and beautiful city which He now brings to earth and places squarely on the spot He picked out to be the headquarters of the universe for all eternity, Jerusalem (read Ezek. 16).

Earlier we saw John being carried away in the spirit by one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues to be given a grand tour of the Eternal City, New Jerusalem.

[10] And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Do you look forward to this great city? Our forefathers did! Yes, they were well aware of the Eternal City and the very vision of it increased their faith. Abraham looked forward to it:

Hebrews 11:10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

And not only Abraham, but Enoch and Noah and all the patriarchs desired that heavenly city.

Hebrews 11:16
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.

And now we are privileged to be given a first hand description of some of the beauty and details of that great city. Of course its number one attribute is that our Father will be there.

Rev. 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

The glory of God is that beautiful multicolored sparkling rainbow, the "shekinah" glory, that surrounds our Father. Do you remember we read of that glory and the jasper, etc. in the 4th chapter when John described God's throne and He that sat on it?

Rev. 4:3
And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

And so it is written that our Father will be with the beautiful new city descending out of heaven.

Rev. 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

We are reading the actual description of the eternal city. Think about it! It is so easy for us to read parts of the Bible such as this as if it was story, and miss the reality of what is written. This is for real. It shall descend from heaven and contain twelve gates, one for each of the 12 Tribes of Israel. And the rest of the nations will be there also as we shall see in verse 24.

[13] On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

All that Revelation tells us is that there will be twelve gates, three on each of the four sides, and they will contain the names of the tribes of Israel. If we want more details all we have to do is read the rest of the Bible, it's all there. Ezekiel, for example, tells us whose name is on which gate:

Ezekiel 48:31-35
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. [32] And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan. [33] And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. [34] At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.

And the name of the entire city for all of eternity is "The LORD is there", Yahveh Shamma.

[35] It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

Let's continue with the description of the city.

Rev. 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

We just read of the 12 Patriarch's names being written on the twelve gates and now the 12 Apostle's names are written on the twelve foundations.

Note: Do you remember in chapter 7 of Revelation that two of the tribes of Israel were left out of the sealing of the 144,000? Well, if you notice carefully in Ezekiel's description of the gates of the city that all 12 original tribes are represented, or shall we say restored. Does it not follow that the 12 Apostles written on the foundations will also be the original twelve, i.e. restored? It is written that Judas repented for that which he had done and was then murdered by the kenites so that he wouldn't expose them. Jesus said that the Father gave all 12 disciples to Him, including the one who would fulfill the role of betraying Christ, just as it was written. One thing is for certain, however, and that is that we are not the judge.

Rev. 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

This golden reed, like a plant stem or yardstick, is to measure length, height and width for dimensional purposes only. It is not the same as the reed we read of in chapter 11 that was "like unto a rod", which means it was to measure for the purpose of destruction.

[16] And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

Amazing, isn't it? The city is foursquare and about 1500 miles wide and 1500 miles high. Of course if it were centered in Jerusalem, 750 miles west would be in the Mediterranean Sea, but you will recall in verse 1 of this chapter, there are no more seas at this time. The waters have returned to the canopy in the firmament above the earth.

[17] And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

A cubit is the length from the elbow to the tip of the fingers, usually of the ruler at that time of history. Since this is a perfect city, then the cubit that this angel used would be of He who is perfect and rules that great city, even Christ.

[18] And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

How else could John describe the materials of another dimension? Brilliant translucent stones and transparent glass-like gold really only give us a glimpse, for we see only darkly behind the veil.

[19] And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

[20] The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

These twelve stones are the same stones that the Levitical priests wore in their breastplates, each one representing one of the 12 Tribes of Israel. We find them listed in Exodus 28:17-21 "And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. [18] And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. [19] And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. [20] And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. [21] And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

Rev. 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Ah, the famous Pearly Gates of Heaven (now on earth), mentioned thousands of times each day in jokes about people who have died and are waiting at the Pearly Gates where they are greeted by St. Peter. Hmmm... we read earlier whose names were on these gates and guess what? St. Peter's name wasn't there. Now that's funny!

[22] And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

We knew that. Christ said He was the temple:

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. [20] Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? [21] But he spake of the temple of his body.
Rev. 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

That is correct, Jesus Christ is the light of the world. And when the brilliant "shekinah glory" emanating from God bounces off the water canopy 1500 miles above the earth, the entire earth will be illuminated from within.

This thought always brings to mind the awesome experience of the "Aurora Borealis", the northern lights, also called the "northern dawn", which I was so privileged to witness some years ago while traveling north in Canada. As breathtakingly beautiful as they are, I can only imagine that they are but a dim view of the emanations of the "shekinah glory" to come.

[24] And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Yes, there are the different "races" present in the eternity and this verse documents that fact. The Greek word translated "nations" used here is "ethnos", meaning the ethnic peoples of the world, who are all those races who are not of the 12 tribed House of Israel.

It is too bad that the Four Hidden Dynasties, especially those of both religion and education, have brought forth the humanist doctrine that there are no differences between the races. Of course there are and there always has been, and furthermore, there always will be even throughout eternity. But then of course the humanist also teaches that everyone is the end product of the evolution of organic slime. They are not too bright, are they?

However, if the truth of God's Word were taught, that we are all equally God's children, i.e. created by Him, and loved by Him, then the racial and cultural differences would be looked upon as gifts from God for the purposes of His plan for His children throughout all eternity. "Variety is the spice of life" we say, and yet God is declared a "racist" for instilling differences into His children.

So as it is written, the races shall be present throughout the eternity and praise God for that. Furthermore, they shall be blessed to have their own kings to represent them and to bring their glory and honor into the great eternal city. Those kings (and queens) are those of their race who have and even now love and follow Jesus Christ and His Word, and who for their faithful service to Him shall lead their people into the promised land for all eternity.

And so as it is written, all nations of them which are saved, shall walk in Christ, and share in the glory of that city to come, which is heaven on earth!

[25] And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Not only shall the earth be illuminated 24 hours a day but the gates to the city will always be open to the nations of the earth to enter therein.

[26] And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

[27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The "abomination of desolation" and the "father of lies" and all who followed in his path are no more!

And as it is written, the rest lived happily ever after!

What an incredible source of information this picture Book of Revelation has been to those of us who have willingly taken the time to SEE the PICTURES and then read the simple explanations of the symbols and imagery used by the Holy Spirit to teach us.