The New Testament was written in Greek. Doctrine | theology based on the conflation of ζωή zoe (life) with ζάω zao (to be alive | to live), is faulty. Think Biblically.

First three / Final three chapters of the Bible

=================================================

The Bible is not contradicting itself when we misunderstand what it's telling us, but eschatology based on interpretation based on theology produced by limited human understanding, makes a habit of contradicting the Bible.

=================================================

Looking for biblical themes (instead of looking for chronology) in the book of Revelation causes the chronology to fall into place by itself.

BIBLE THEMES IN THE FIRST THREE 
AND  FINAL THREE CHAPTERS OF THE BIBLE

First three chapters of the Bible:  Beginning of time: God's creation (Genesis 1:1-31).
Last three chapters:  Christ makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).

First three chapters:  Perfectly good (Genesis 1:31).
Last three chapters:  Only righteousness dwells in it (Revelation 21:27).

First three chapters:  Tree of life (Genesis 2:9, 16-17).
Last three chapters:  Tree of life (Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1-2, 14, 17).

First three chapters:  Adam given dominion (Genesis 1:26-28).
Last three chapters:  The dominion of the last Adam (Revelation 20:4 - also see Revelation 3:21).

Close of the first three chapters:


Satan's deception
Opening of the last three chapters:

(A) Binding of Stan's ability to deceive 
(a) Expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3:22-24).
(b) Death of Adam (the first death) - 930 years later (Genesis 5:5).

In-between the first three and last three chapters:

--- "I am the Resurrection [anastasis] 
and the (eternal) life [zoe]!" 
(John 11:25) ---
Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
(Revelation 20:7-9).


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 to the ages of the ages. (Revelation 20:10).

THEMES IN THE REVELATION

  • Those who will worship the beast vs. those who will not:

If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark in his forehead or in his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the anger of God, having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath.


And he will be tormented by fire and brimstone before the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.

– Revelation 14:9-11.
And all dwelling on the earth will worship it, those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world.

– Revelation 13:8.

And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.

-- Revelation 20:15.
Here is the endurance of the saints. Here are the ones who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

-- Revelation 14:9-12.
But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

-- Revelation 21:8.
"The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation." 
(Revelation 13:7)
"When they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war on them and conquer them and kill them." 
(Revelation 11:7)
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive [záō] into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

– Revelation 19:20.

Záō always = “alive in the body” in the New Testament (without exception).

And the rest [loipoí] were slain [apokteínō] with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

-- Revelation 19:21.

apokteínō means to put to death, to kill, to slay, to destroy.

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God,

and who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands. 

And they were alive [záō] and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

But the rest [loipoí] of the dead did not live again [anazáō] until the thousand years were finished.

This is the first resurrection of the body [anástasis]. 

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years. 
-- Revelation 20:4-6.

- four beasts. 
- 24 elders. 
- a sea of glass.
- Thrones, and those seated on them.

* Sea of glass: In chapter 15, those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, are seen standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God (Revelation 15:2). 

* Seated on thrones:  In chapter 20, those who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands, are seen seated on thrones (Revelation 20:4). John saw them alive [záō] and writes that they reigned with Christ a thousand years, John calls this "the first resurrection [anástasis - the resurrection of the body].  

* Seated on thrones: In chapter 4, the twenty-four elders are seated on thrones. They are clothed in white raiment & have crowns [stephanos] of gold on their heads (Revelaton 4:4).  

* Seated on thrones: In Revelation 11:16 (at the time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet), the same twenty-four elders are also seen seated on thrones. 

The shame of nakedness and gold tried in the fire:

The seventh of seven promises that Jesus makes to those who overcome (to the Laodicean church), has the following exhortation:

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." (Revelation 3:18).

"I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." (Revelation 15:2-4).

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (Revelation 16:15).

"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." (Revelation 16:4-7).

* Jesus promises those who overcome that they will not experience the second death, which is the lake of fire.

"They sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: 

and we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:9-10).

SOMETHING ABOUT REVELATION CHAPTER 20 
THAT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED

Revelation 20:4-6 is sandwiched between the following statement:

(A) "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the abyss, 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."

(B) "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 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. 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 ..  

.. 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 to the ages of the ages." (Revelation 20:1-3 & 7-10). 

The verses in-between the above statement (Revelation 20:4-6) do not exist in isolation from the rest of the book of Revelation: They are linked to:

  • Revelation 13:7-8;
  • Revelation 13:15-18; 
  • Revelation 14:9-13; 
  • Revelation 11:7-12; and 
  • Revelation 15:2-4.

All of the above passages have to do with "worshiping the beast and his image, and receiving his mark in his forehead, or in his hand." and the endurance needed by the saints because of the beast's war against the saints.  

Revelation 20:4-6 is speaking about those who had not worshiped the beast nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands, and John sees them alive [záō], seated on thrones, and reigning with Christ a thousand years.

--- "It is done." ---

The 8th and last time in the Revelation that Jesus makes a promise to those who overcome, is when He says:

--- "It is done." --- 
(Revelation 21:6).  

It's the second time Christ says, "It is done." The first time is at the time of the pouring out of the seventh and final bowl of wrath: 

Revelation 16:15-17
"Behold, I am coming as a thief. 
Blessed is the one who watches and keeps his garments, 
lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
--- And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. 
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. ---
And a great voice came out of the temple of Heaven, from the throne, saying,​

--- It is done! "---

The ages of the ages.

"Now unto God and our Father be glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen." (Philippians 4:20).

"The ages of the ages": an indeterminate number of aeons (endless cycles of time).  

Revelation 1:18 and Revelation 11:15 associate the ages of the ages with:

  • (i) The immortality of Christ:

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; 
and, behold, I am alive [zao] unto the ages of the ages, Amen; 
and have the keys of hades and of death.
 (Revelation 1:18). 

  • (ii) The reign of Christ over the kingdoms of this world, 

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, 

The kingdoms of this world 
are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; 
and he shall reign 
unto the ages of the ages." (Revelation 11:15).

Compare the above with:

"I am Alpha and Omega, 
the beginning and the end, 
the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13).

The authority of Christ. 
The judgment of the dead. 
The resurrection of the dead.
The regeneration of all things:

John 5:26-29
"For as the Father hath life [zoe] in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life [zoe] in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

"God has set A DAY on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom he designated, having provided proof to everyone by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31).

"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes on Him should have everlasting life [ainios zoe]. And I will raise [anistemi] him up at the last day." (John 6:40). 


So the New Testament links these things to the time of the return of Christ:

* Day of Judgment.
* Resurrection of the dead.
* Regeneration of all things.

The resurrection of the body.
Immortality.
"No more death":

Revelation 21:4 says, 

"When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:54 - Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the resurrection of the body from the dead). 

The resurrection of the body; and immortality; and "no more death" go hand in glove together: 

"God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away." (Revelation 21:4).

The bride of Christ
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes:

END OF THE AGE
Revelation 7:13-17
Those who came out from great tribulation: 

The throne of God is among them, and all tears will be wiped from their eyes.

BRIDE OF CHRIST
PREPARED AS A BRIDE
(ALL THINGS NEW)
Revelation 21:2-4

The throne of God is among them, and all tears will be wiped from their eyes:

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."





BRIDE OF CHRIST
HAS MADE 
HERSELF READY






Revelation 19:7-8:
  "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

Thrones

"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matthew 19:28).

Revelation 3:21-22
"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Revelation 4:2-4
"Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was standing in heaven with someone seated on it! And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns [stephanos] on their heads."

Revelation 20:4, 5b & 6:
"Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. 

They were alive [zao] and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who takes part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years."

The return of Christ:

ARMAGEDDON

"Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is the one who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. 

--- And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air.  ---

And a great voice came out of the temple of Heaven, from the throne, saying, 

--- It is done! "---
(Revelation 16:15-17)
ALL THINGS NEW

"And He sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. And He said to me, 

--- It is done ---.
 
I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely. He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. 

But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
(Revelation 21:5-8)
TREE OF LIFE

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. 

Blessed are they who do His commandments, that their authority will be over the Tree of Life, and they may enter in by the gates into the city. 

But outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and makes a lie.

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you over the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright and Morning Star. 

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let the one hearing say, Come! And let him who is thirsty come. 

And he willing, let him take of the water of life freely.
(Revelation 22:12-17).

Colossians 1:16-17:
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

John 1:3-4:
All things were made by him; 
and without him was not any thing made that was made. 
In him was life [zoe]; and the life [zoe] was the light of men." 

Revelation 21:5:
"And He sitting on the throne said, 

Behold, I make all things new" 

"And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful."

=========================================================

The regenerated (new) heavens and earth:

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

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

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 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." (Revelation 21:21-27.

To speak of mortals in a regenerated heavens and earth in which there is no more death is an oxymoron. The Bible is not contradicting itself when we misunderstand what it's telling us, but eschatology based on interpretation based on theology produced by limited human understanding, makes a habit of contradicting the Bible:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The themes in the book of Revelation (as well as in other parts of the New Testament) link the return of Christ to the commencement of ALL the things written about in the final three chapters of the Bible:

  • The thousand years;
  • The ages of the ages; 
  • A new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bible is not contradicting itself.  It's not the Bible or the Book of Revelation that's faulty. It's Christian theology regarding the eternal life and immortality of the creature that's faulty. 

Jesus said,

-- "I am the First and the Last, and the Living [zao] One, 
and I became dead [nekros], and behold, I am alive [zao] to the ages of the ages, Amen.
And I have the keys of hades and of death." (Revelation 1:17-18).

Paul said, "He (Christ) alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen." (1 Timothy 6:15-16).

John and Paul tell us that as for the seed of the created human being, In Christ we have eternal life (1 John 5:11-12). "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4).

In the Greek text of Mark 9:44, Jesus refers to gehennah as a place "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.", and Jesus said, 

"Fear not them which kill the body [soma], but are not able to kill the soul [psuche]: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul [psuche] and body [soma] in gehennah [G1067 geenna]." (Matthew 10:28).

Revelation 19:20 tells us that the beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive [zao] into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. They were damned while they were alive [zao].

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 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. 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." (Revelation 20:7-9).

Close of the first three chapters:


Satan's deception
Opening of the last three chapters:

(A) Binding of Stan's ability to deceive 
(a) Expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3:22-24).
(b) Death of Adam (the first death) - 930 years later (Genesis 5:5).

In-between the first three and last three chapters:

--- "I am the Resurrection [anastasis] 
and the (eternal) life [zoe]!" 
(John 11:25) ---
Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
(Revelation 20:7-9).


"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 to the ages of the ages." (Revelation 20:10).

---  ---
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)