The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Revelation Chapters 20 through 22

We come now to the 20th chapter of Revelation at which point the 7th Trump has sounded and the true Jesus Christ has returned with great power and glory, bringing with Him His army of saints. Babylon the Great, i.e. the one world political system and the great whore along with Satan's role as the false-christ, the spurious messiah, has been destroyed forever and ever. And as we learned in our chapter 19, ALL flesh has been "changed" and everyone, both the good and the bad are in their spiritual bodies.

So it is the first day of the Millennium and John, who remember in Rev. 1:16 was taken there for an eye witness account, gives us another advanced news report, this time concerning the fate of Satan during the Millennium. Can't you just visualize the headlines?

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was present today as Michael came down from heaven and appeared on Satan's doorstep with a warrant from the King of kings for his arrest. Satan has been residing in the temple for the last 5 months (ever since Michael cast him from heaven) where he has been impersonating Jesus Christ and claiming he is the Messiah come. He also is being held responsible for orchestrating the murder of God's two witnesses, a despicable crime, which he has been actually celebrating with his cronies for the last 3 1/2 days. Here's John description of the first thing he saw :

Rev. 20:1
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Also, we were not able to determine from John's report whether he was close enough to hear what the angel said to Satan, but we believe it was something like "OK chump, the party's over! Let's go!" John did not report that the angel read Satan his rights because having already been judged and sentenced to die, he has none.

John then gives this account of the actual incarceration:

[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Isaiah 14:13
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

[14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

[15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

[16] They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

End of article.

Yes, it's fun to imagine how it might happen, but happen it will! We already knew who the dragon and that old serpent was. We also knew from 2 Pet. 3:8 that 1000 years to the Lord is a one day, so that the Day of the Lord is 1000 years.

But the one thing we didn't discuss is "why will Satan be released at the end of the Millennium"? I'm sure you realize if you've studied this Book of Revelation from the beginning with us that Satan is coming to this earth disguised as Jesus Christ (and I'll bet you know that he comes before the true Christ). This final generation then will be tested by the false messiah, right? Those who fail, who do not overcome and who don't partake of the first resurrection, will go through the Millennium and be taught of and with discipline for 1000 years, which is how much time they have to get their act together. After they have been taught there will be another test, a final exam if you will, which they must pass before they can receive their diploma of eternal life. That test is Satan's release once again upon the world, but this time without the political beast and the role of spurious messiah. And no, it is not a second chance because they never came to a full knowledge of the truth in this generation because of the "famine" (Amos 8:11), and as such never had a prayer of a first chance.

Next we will learn what reward comes with being part of the first resurrection.

[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(1) The first group are the martyrs down through the ages, those who have been beheaded, i.e. killed or executed for the (a) the witness of Jesus, and (b) for the Word of God. It would include the two witnesses also.

(2) The second group are those of this final generation who had the seal of God in their foreheads and who overcame the beast.

Note: In our previous studies we've covered in great detail the beast (Satan), his image (role as Jesus), his mark upon their foreheads (deception), and his mark in their hands (doing his work).

Now, did you read the last phrase in verse 4, "and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years"?  What an honor and a privilege! If you ever are in want of some encouragement to continue to fight the good fight, then just refer to Rev. 20:4.  For if you are one of God's elect then you will be part of the first resurrection at His coming, and you will reign with Jesus Christ for the entire 1000 years during the Millennium.

[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

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.

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.

Let's now go back to Rev. 20:5. Understand that we are now in the Millennium! There are no more flesh people! Everyone has been changed. And John is telling us what's going on! The first death (of the flesh) and the first resurrection (to eternal life) is over! So the "dead" (who are alive in their spiritual bodies) in the Millennium means those who are "spiritually dead". To "live" then is to receive "eternal life". So the "dead" cannot "live" until the thousand years are finished, i.e. no one can receive the gift of eternal life until judgment day following the Millennium, which is the second resurrection! If you don't quite understand yet, wait until we finish this chapter and it should become clear in your mind regarding the "dead".
 

Rev. 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Now read again chapter 20 verse 6. Since eternal life is granted to those who are part of the First Resurrection, then the second death, the lake of fire, does not apply to them! Their souls cannot be destroyed because they have already received the gift of eternal life. And they shall be PRIESTS and REIGN with Christ throughout the Millennium.

Next we will document from the Old Testament and see in greater detail the reign of these Priests of God and of Christ. But for now, just stop everything and take a deep breath and consider the following:

If you have eyes to see and ears to hear then you have been and will be reading about YOU, a participant in the first resurrection! And if you can only even briefly comprehend the enormous reality of all this, that it WILL HAPPEN TO YOU as it is written, then your faith will be greatly increased, your fears and anxieties will be greatly decreased, and you will be overcome with love and thankfulness for our Father who loves His children so much.

Now we continue in what is often called the Millennium Chapter, because the events that are being described are happening during and after the 1000 year reign of Christ and His saints which commences with the sound of the 7th Trump.

We learned in Rev. 20:6 that those who are part of the first resurrection will be Priests of God and shall reign with Christ during the 1000 years. But once again, as we have seen throughout Revelation, this is not new knowledge if you are familiar with all of God's Word. You see, the last 8 chapters of the Book of Ezekiel contain more information about the Millennium than does the Book of Revelation. And so we can read even more detail about the 1000 year reign of God's elect, who are called the "zadok" in Hebrew, which means the "just" or "justified ones" (Rom. 8). Here's Ezekiel's account in chapter 44 concerning the Priests during the Millennium:   Live Links to- Ezekiel Chapters 40-44 Within The Millennial Temple and Ezekiel Chapters 45-48 Without The Millennial Temple

Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

[24] And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

[25] And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.

Let's continue with chapter 20 of the Book of the Unveiling, the book that let's us SEE behind the VEIL!

We are now going to be taken behind that veil to the End of the Millennium, and we must "transport" our minds to that time with the understanding of those things which have been revealed to us thus far. Remember, everyone is in an incorruptible, spiritual body. Christ and His zadok have been reigning for the 1000 years during which time Satan has been imprisoned. Everyone now fully understands God Word and they have been taught the "difference" and how to "discern" between the unclean (Satan's ways) and the clean (God's way). They have all seen many times the video replays of the flesh age and the results of following the unclean path.

So you would think that most everyone would SEE and desire in their hearts to follow God and love Him and live the clean way of life that produces happiness and joy. That is our Father's desire, but there is some sad news in the next two verses.

Rev. 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

But as incredible as it may seem, and as sad as it is, the reality is that there will still be a lot of people who will follow Satan, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. So this verse documents the justification and the reason for the release of Satan and the "testing". All one can say is that the heart of the wicked and the kenite is a very hard thing to change.

The statements "in the four corners" and "Gog and Magog" simply mean all those nations outside the Holy City. Remember we are at the end of the Millennium and this Gog and Magog is not to be confused with the pre-millennial Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38 and 39. Here it means in both directions, East and West, from Jerusalem into all the earth, i.e. into all four corners. (For further documentation see notes in the Companion Bible on Rev. 20:8 and Ezek. 38:2)

[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Well it ain't so! First of all, it is documented time after time after time in the Bible that the fate of the wicked is to PERISH, to die the second death, which is the DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL! We've already quoted John 3:16 in the last study as well as Christ's own words in Mat. 10. But let's read again His words:

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.

The root of the word "torment" in verse 10 is the Greek word basanos from where we get our word "basis", and it means (through the notion of going to the bottom). But the whole expression together simply means that Satan will be consumed, debased, gone, day and night (for all eternity), forever and ever (to be no more).

For further documentation, let's look at a second witness, another account of Satan's ultimate fate, found in the 28th chapter of Ezekiel. Here's how he DIES! He perishes by fire!

Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

Does that mean he'll burn for ever and ever? Of course not.

[19] All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

The same fate that awaits all of us who don't have part in the first nor the second resurrections.

Do you realize that Satan has succeeded in taking a few mistranslated verses and created an almost universally accepted Christian doctrine so heinous that it even defies the nature of human love. We have laws in human society against torturing both animals and people. Even a parent of a child who became a despicable evil murderer could not imagine nor accept and would certainly never decree that the child be heinously singed with fire, poked with hot coals, and roasted in an oven. What parent, brother or sister could look upon one of their own being treated as such? They could perhaps accept the humane execution of the child, to put him or her out their torment for ever and ever, for the protection and good of society. And guess what?  God says in Jer. 32:35 that He never ever thought of torturing children in fire! Such is the doctrine of Molech! NEVER EVER! And yet today it is a doctrine in most Christian churches. But it is a tradition of men like Dante and not of God's Word!

And as it is written, Death is exactly the punishment God decrees for the murderer in the flesh body, and as it is written, Death is exactly the punishment God decrees for the wicked in the spirit body. And just as we don't have to put up with the evil (flesh) person anymore on earth when they are executed (the first death), so we will not have to put up with the wicked anymore for all eternity when they are executed (the second death).

Rev. 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Remember where we are? We are at the end of the Millennium. There are no people in flesh bodies nor are there any souls in the ground. The "dead" referred to here are the spiritually dead who are about to be judged from the books and receive their rewards according to their actions! And their last actions recorded in the books just before the Millennium were to worship the beast and his image! God will pick it up from there.

And so it is more than obvious that these books that are opened are the Books of Works. You see, Almighty God keeps perfect records of all His children's activities?  Thank God for this dispensation of grace and for repentance whereby we can have our "activities", our sins, deleted from the books. Also, remember that those of the first resurrection are not subject to the judgment of the second resurrection and/or the second death. We read that in verse 6.

Notice too that the Book of Life was also opened.  This book already has the names of God's elect in this generation written in it. In fact, their names were written in that Book of Life a long time ago, before the foundation of this world. Remember we read of it in Rev. 13:8? All those of this generation whose names are not written in it will worship Satan as Jesus.

Rev. 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

1 Cor. 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

As for the rest of God's children whose names were written in the Book of Life? They lived happily ever after!

The Millennium is over. The final period, the final time of salvation has come to an end. The great white throne judgment has been concluded and the books have been closed. Our Father has destroyed all evil rudiments and souls in the lake of fire and we shall begin the wonderful, peaceful eternity.

And so the question is often asked "Can anything or anyone rebel again as did Satan in the 1st earth age? In other words, how do we know there won't be another Satan?"  The answer is contained in understanding the plan of God itself. No, it can never happen again. Why? Because all freewill souls will have exercised their freewill, i.e. made their decisions as to who they will follow, and will have been thoroughly tested to the point of irreversibility. The wicked will have proven they won't repent and the saints will have proven to always be faithful. Have you not read of the testing of all the saints from Noah to Abraham to Christ Himself to You (well maybe you keep a diary)? So you now know why James says in chapter 1 verse 2 of his book, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;". Hey, you get to "ace" another pop quiz!

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[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 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,

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

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.

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;

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.

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:

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

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.

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

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

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.

[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.

[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.

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

[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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

[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.

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.

We have now come to the 22nd and final chapter of this remarkable book where we continue, since chapter 21, verse 9, to read about the glorious new Holy City of Jerusalem which our Father will bring down out of heaven to this earth, wherein He shall dwell with His children for ever and ever. And since the entire Godhead will now be present on earth, heaven will be here also.  So you see, the earth is our home for ever and ever, for Heaven and Earth shall be as one!

Let's continue now with the angel still giving John a grand tour of the City of God.

Rev. 22:1
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Note: It is highly recommended for those who would like more insight into the river of water of life, that they read "Jacob's Pillar", A Biblical Historical Study, by E. Raymond Capt, M.A., A.I.A., F.S.A., Scot., published by Artisan Sales, Thousand Oaks, CA.    www.artisanpublishers.com   This book traces the rich history of the Stone which Jacob anointed and set up as the House of God. It was this same Rock that was carried in the wilderness which Moses struck and the "river of water proceeded forth" to quench the thirst of the people. It was this same Rock that Jeremiah took along with the daughters of the last king of Judah, king Zedekiah, to the shores of Ireland whereupon the marriage of Eochaidh and Tamar Tephi, the King and Queen of Ireland, took place. It is this Rock upon which virtually every king and queen of Ireland, Scotland and England has been coronated. Yes, even King James who decreed the English translation of the Bible was coronated on this Rock and it has resided under the English coronation throne in Westminster Abby from the 1300's until just recently when John Majors, the former Prime Minister of England, had it moved to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland at the request of the Scots who claim to be its rightful owner.

Rev. 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Yes, I can SEE the PICTURE, but what does it mean?

Well, let's start with the "tree of life". If you have read all of God's Word then you encountered the "tree of life" in the very first book of the Bible, for He was in the midst of the garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:22
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

And we read in the messages to the churches that all those who overcome will be given to partake of the tree of life which is where? In the midst of the paradise of God!

Rev. 2:7
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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Well, how about the leaves? Are people going to get sick and need medicine? Imagine after all the times we've discussed the incorruptible body, the spiritual body, which never hurts or pains, that we can come right back with a question like that?

The Greek word for "healing" is "therapeia" from which we get our word "therapy". Therapy is when you "do something" in order to maintain or improve a condition. The leaves therefore will be therapeutic for the nations, for they will bring forth exciting things for the nations to do throughout eternity and throughout this expansive universe that will "treat" their mental well-being, i.e. keep them from ever becoming idle minded or devoid of interest. Yes, it's in the leaves. How sweet it is.

Rev. 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

[4] And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

[5] And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

[6] And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

Rev. 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Next we will see John come back from the future to his time and return to planet earth from heaven. We will then conclude the incredible edible Book of Revelation. John has just return to the Isle of Patmos and the realization of what has just happened suddenly overcomes him.

Rev. 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

[9] Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

However, the main point being emphasized by the angel is this: We are never to worship angels! And now that you know who they are, the angel is saying "We are never to worship each other", whether we are in our flesh bodies or whether we are in our spiritual bodies, i.e. angels. Worship only God.

[10] And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Of course if you listen to what many preachers and ministers tell their people, who blindly trust in them to show them the truth of God's Word, saying that they don't need to understand the Book of Revelation, then this is how they present Rev. 1:1 "The Secret and Sealed Sayings of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to hide from His servants things which must shortly come to pass;". A sealed revelation? I think not!

But as it is written, the "learned", the PhD's, the seminary graduates, the professors of theologies and philosophies, who should teach our people the visions and the words of the prophecies of this book do not understand it, and we shall learn why from great prophet Isaiah!

Isaiah 29:11
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

[12] And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Now here's the reason they cannot SEE and cannot HEAR the words of the prophecies of this book.

[13] Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

The answer is given in the last phrase of verse 13. For all they are taught about Him is taught BY THE PRECEPT OF MEN, the traditions of men. They are not taught line by line and chapter by chapter the wonderful words and the wonderful works of God.

And so contrary to the traditions of men, the Book of Revelation is OPEN and UNSEALED for all who will seek Him. And so we are all without excuse. And so will "action" be taken, or will the "status quo" remain just that?

Rev. 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Deut. 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Rev. 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

[13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Rev. 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.

Deut. 30:19. Choose one of the following:

        Plan A:  Life and Blessings

        Plan B:  Death and Cursings

Rev. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

And speaking about the churches, Jesus reminds us that He is the One who holds the Key of David that the Church of Philadelphia uses to unlock and bring forth the testimony of which He just spoke. Remember, there are only two out the seven churches that Jesus found no fault with, Smyrna and Philadelphia. The are rest are busy with their traditions!

And remember He also said while addressing those churches that He has something special for those who overcome: Rev. 2:28 "And I will give him the morning star." Jesus is that bright and morning star.

Or, you can choose to follow Plan B and fall with the anti-star, the son of the morning.  Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!.."

Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Christ continues in summation:

[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Now for the Revelation of the 7th and final solemn warning by our Lord and Savior that He shall return:

[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

[21] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.