How can the normal force do work when pushing on a book? Justly does she gather her title from the old fountain of idols and of combined power without God: confusion being here the characteristic element, the designation is taken from the renowned city of the Chaldeans, the first spot notorious in both respects. https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/lxx-a-accents/isaiah/53/5, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. Past history therefore in no way suits the prophecy. In Revelation 22:1-5, talking about the New Jerusalem, John writes, "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each Barne explains: Were for the healing - That is, they contribute to impart life and health to those who had been diseased. Having viewed the splendor of the New Jerusalem he now saw what will nourish and enrich the lives of Gods people there. If the books proclaim the evil works of the dead that stand before the throne, the book of life offers no defence on the score of God's grace. I admit that there may be something more in the symbol than the literal hills of Rome, because they are said to be also seven kings. Instead of judgment being executed on them, it was given to them. The sun has disappeared, dissipated, gone. But then while there is such a call to Christ, while the believer is not to be afraid, but to call on the Lord to come, the church does not forget those that are poor sinners, let them be deeply conscious of it, or let them be those that are only made willing by the grace of God (which is the feeblest expression of the sinner's need, just as you have the feeblest expression of the saint in the previous call). Egypt scrambled to bring home 27 of its soldiers, who had been seized by one of . 385 Comments / 385 New. "Go in your closet, shut the door and talk to your Father who sees in secret and He will reward you openly" ( Matthew 6:6 ). Read full chapter. (ii) He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. When the apostle Paul wrote to the, saints at Rome, he particularly specified at that very time the duty of absolute subjection on the part of Christians to the powers which then were. The promise will come true that the pure in heart will see God ( Matthew 5:8). Behold ( Revelation 22:6-7 ). What a solemn and weighty fact in the government of God! Now we've closed things out. NIV down the middle of the great street of the city. The new thing here is these new seedless flame grapes. With that love of freedom which they carried from their German forests, they would not allow the one iron rule of the ancient empire to subsist longer, but set up each their own kingdom in the different fragments of the dismembered empire. Scripture and facts refute all such theories. We find, accordingly, the four and twenty elders and four living creatures here brought before us for the last time. "So be it. is a myth. To the church the end is always near. It will be remembered that it was said to them that they must wait. If they have only heard His voice, this after all is the incalculable boon; yea, it is the turning-point of all blessing. As there is but a single class of trees referred to, it might have been supposed, perhaps, that, according to the common method in which fruit is produced, there would be sometimes plenty and sometimes want; but the writer says that, though there is but one kind, yet the supply is ample. They are all to reign concurrently with the beast. In the ancient temples there were not only female sacred prostitutes, there were also male sacred prostitutes; and these male prostitutes were commonly called dogs. It is possible that the tree of life in the New Jerusalem is literal and that its leaves and various fruits will somehow enrich our existence in the eternal state. The account in Genesis shows that Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden deprived them of access to the tree of life; but in heaven redeemed mankind shall have this privilege restored. It brings forth many sorts of fruit--twelve sorts, suited to the refined taste of all the saints. "And no curse shall be any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him." In the older Apocalypses, written between the Testaments, the instruction is always to seal them and lay them up for a distant future. And the leaves of the tree - Not only the fruit will contribute to give life, but even the leaves will be salutary. The Bride, we know, is the Church. And we thank you Lord for that hope that You have given to us of the New World, the new age where righteousness shall reign and Jesus shall reign where here the sun doth her successive journeys run. The idea is, that the tree bore every month in the year, so that there were twelve fruit-harvests. A mighty angel takes a stone and says, when he cast it into the sea, "Thus with violence shall be thrown down Babylon the great city, and shall be found no more at all." "A fountain," says Joel, "shall come forth from the house of the Lord" ( Joel 3:18). Eusebius (The Ecclesiastical History 5.20.2) quotes the way in which Irenaeus, the great second century Christian scholar, ends one of his books: "I adjure thee who mayest copy this book, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by his glorious advent, when he comes to judge the quick and the dead, to compare what thou shalt write, and correct it carefully by this manuscript, and also to write this adjuration, and to place it on your copy.". each month . And he said to me: "See that you do not do this. "These have one mind, and give their own power and authority to the beast," or their imperial leader. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. he was crushed for our iniquities; Ezekiel 47:1-12). There is a rabbinic saying: "Whoever eats with an idolator is the same as he who would eat with a dog. Even man himself when he was innocent in Eden was not called. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." The Sinai MS. has both. "Don't do that." By FGPolito Apr 28, 2023, 6:00pm PDT. But "nations of them which are saved," is a most anomalous expression, and betrays man as the author of it. Clearly the same saints whom we have seen first set forth by the elders in heaven, subsequently by the elders and the living creatures, next, by the bride and the living creatures at the marriage-supper, and finally by the armies that followed the Lord out of heaven. The simple fact of conquering far and wide, and of exercising vast political power in the earth, does not constitute any title to such a name. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be to him God, and he shall be son to me. Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 John 2:4, Romans 16:17-18, Isaiah 29:3, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:14-22. A single verse dispels clouds of arguments. Here again the rabbinic dreams of the future are very close. CNN 04 22 2023 11 29 57 . Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. It does not mean persons merely, but the souls of beheaded persons. THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST ( Revelation 22:12-13 ). We have created different types of hybrids and different kinds of resistances and so forth.In fact, they have created a tomato plant now in Israel at the Beersheba University, a tomato plant that you can irrigate with seawater. If a person drew from this, for instance, that the boast was to carry the woman, Babylon, when it had as a fact all that is meant by the seven heads and the ten horns, it would be an error. What would be the meaning, if so read? Revelation 18:1-24 need not delay us long. Men are not regarded as composing this tabernacle; they co-exist. The book of life will confirm what is gathered from the books. None but Rome corresponds. Thus there is no question that some of the actors in the final scenes of the great drama were already there, as the reigning city, and the Roman empire. Still God does not forget His ways with His people; and the angels here are only in the quality of porters, if we may so speak; they are at the gates. Beyond controversy, however, it is a most unusual and abnormal reappearance, which is altogether exceptional in the history of the world. Here were thrones, and people sat upon them, changed 'before this into the image of Christ's glory. We can therefore understand that the Tree of Life in Revelation 22:2 is symbolically the Lord Jesus Himself. But I do believe that the time of the return of Jesus Christ is very, very near. THE GUARANTEE OF TRUTH ( Revelation 22:16 ). We can easily understand that the overthrow of the ecclesiastical power is necessary to leave a full field unimpeded for the imperial power to develop itself in its final form of violence and rebellion and apostacy against the Lord. And so I do believe that the day of the Lord is at hand. By its fountain-head--the throne of God and the Lamb. In short, one may be described as corruption, and the other as violence. It is certain that we ought to read (not "upon" but) "and* the beast." And now you can buy some trees that have peaches and nectarines on them. So the Lord affirms that these are true and faithful sayings. There is an indication in Hosea that for two days Israel will be as dead, but in the third day God will revive them and they will live before him. We know that if He tarries, it is not that He is "slack concerning His promise," but that "His long-suffering brings salvation to many." The nations are groups of people in the new creation viewed according to their old creation divisions (cf. Afterwards we come to the description of itself, of its wall, its building, its foundations, and its gates. Start your free trial today! The elders do show us the heavenly heads of priesthood (embracing, as I believe, the Old Testament saints and those of the New); i.e., they are not limited to the church, Christ's body. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. In the preface to his book On Origins, Rufinus adjures in the sight of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, anyone who reads or copies his book, not to add, subtract, insert, or alter anything. 474.]. leaves for healing(Eze 47:9, 12). If alive before the thousand years, he will live after the thousand years; in fact, literally he will never die, though I do not doubt, on general principles, that the saints of the millennial earth will be changed at the very time when the heavens and earth disappear. 2) May view two trees, one on either side of the river of life; remember John 19:18 (same author ). He has reserved the matter, though not without enough to guide our thoughts, as we have seen. The first were such as came out of heaven after Christ, being already raised from the dead and glorified. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. "And he said unto me, It is done. Thus the second beast is no longer seen as an earthly power, but as a prophet-of course a false prophet. But it seems very improbable that there should be such a difference between the first two parts and the third. The first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs is still in full swing Saturday but one team has already clinched a spot in the second round of the postseason. Whereas for the Jew, there are necessary dates and momentous changes that must take place; and hence, as Daniel represents the Jew, we have the difference kept up. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river. Things are set down without any apparent order; there are repetitions of what has gone before; and it is often very difficult to be sure who is the actual speaker. This is most important, because it might be (as it has been) forgotten by some who make the gospel and the corresponding presence of the Spirit to be the same at all times; as others have thought, because Revelation 4:1-11 and sequel treat of Jew and Gentile, and the state of the world under God's judgments, that this cannot be a testimony of Jesus at all. Simon Peter quotes from this passage in his epistle: 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. Then heaven is opened, and for a sight most solemn. The writer undoubtedly conceives of a single river running through the city - probably as meandering along - and that river lined on both sides with the tree of life. She shaft not be moved. It is impossible to refer it to the past with any show even of reasonable probability, I will not say of reality or truth. (ii) "Let him that hears say: Come!" It is the fault, however, of the bad Greek text of Erasmus, Stephens, etc. What confusion! The fruitfulness of this tree. It has been remarked by another, and justly, that the expression "they shall be priests of God and of Christ" summarily puts out of court the interpretation that supposes a figurative resurrection. Finally they will destroy her. The devil has nothing to do there; he cannot draw the saints from serving God to be subject to himself, as he did our first parents, nor can he so much as disturb them in the service of God. It will be observed that in this case it is one of the angels that had the seven bowls who comes forward and says to John, "Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore (or harlot) that sitteth upon [the] many waters." First, there is the river of the water of life. We may surely say her cup was not yet full. In Ezekiels vision there are multiple trees on each side of the river that bear fruit monthly (Ezekiel 47:12). Rivers carry away impurities. in the middle of its street. The leaves shall be the health-giving preventive securing the redeemed against, not healing them of, sicknesses, while "the fruit shall be for meat." The idea is that of abundance, not variety. But to the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [is] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.". "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is near." Therefore says the angel, "I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, that hath* the seven heads and the ten horns. Revelation 22:2 ESV through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. 1. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. It is called "the first resurrection." In Daniel's time it was not at hand. That religious system has an incomparably nearer connection with this mysterious harlot than anything we have yet spoken of. The Jews interpret the passage in Ezekiel 47:12 to which this refers, of future time, or the world to come f; and speak of various trees and herbs of great fragrancy and medicinal virtues, which grow quite round on the sides of a laver that stands in paradise g. e Yalkut Simeoni, par. The word "manner" has been introduced by the translators without authority. Lord we want to serve You because we love You. But a voice issues from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. The fruit is not only pleasant, but wholesome. There are two possibilities. Left to man himself no such river is possible. That kings had dallied with her, that the beast had once borne her up, will only turn to gall the more bitter to her, who, faithless to God, had staked the usurped and abused name of Christ to win what was now lost for ever. Revelation shows that the anointed will be trees of life, fed living waters directly from the throne of God while they are in heaven. ". "I Jesus sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. And I, with John, would respond, "Amen. https://www.studylight.org/​commentaries/​mhm/​revelation-22.html. That is, there was first the literal Babylon, of course; but here it is symbolical. It is a description, not of Babylon's relation to the beast, but of the city's fall, with certain dirges put into the mouth of the different classes that groan because of her extinction here below. It is the love of God--The grace of God--Grace is the free love of God bestowed on those who have not merited d--John expressed Gods grace--the river of the water of life--in other words in John 3:16 "God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. There will be degrees of rewards in heaven. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, In the midst of the street of it, and of the river, on one side and on the other. In the early Greek manuscripts all the words are written in capital letters and there is no space left between them. Here, too, literalism is impossible. Those who have access to it will enjoy all the rights, blessings, and privileges of eternal life. 19. It is not what Christ puts on them, but a recognition even at this time of whatever has been of God the working I do not deny of the Spirit of Christ. To take a simple analogy, we can supply soap and water, but we cannot compel a person to use them. On these I may say but a very few words. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits . Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Amen. In this way there never has been anything of the kind before. How this precisely fits in, let me say, with the state of feeling in these modern times; for "constitutionalism," as men call it, is the fruit of the Teutonic system supervening on that of the broken up Roman empire. "And his name is called The Word of God." 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 ( Revelation 22:14 ). The bride is in view. In the midst of the city street may be taken, not as the end of the first sentence, but as the beginning of the second. This too must not be viewed as if it were a loss. Praise the Lord for His Word, a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path, a power in our lives to keep us from sin. If only an imperial city, what has this to do with mystery? The tree of life in the Garden of Eden could perpetuate life forever (Genesis 3:22; Genesis 3:24). Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. All this shall be with perfect knowledge and joy. See: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7495.htm. Then, as we have seen, comes the final test of the nations of the earth after that kingdom has run its course, and the devil let loose once more deceives flesh and blood after the analogy of all other dispensations. In the future state of the blessed, that tree will abound, and all may freely partake of it; the emblem, the pledge of immortal life, will be constantly before the eyes, whatever part of the future abode may be traversed, and the inhabitants of that blessed world may constantly partake of it. "The God of the spirits of the prophets" means the God who inspired the minds of the prophets. 3. Further, a negative point of great importance is presented by the seer, "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty is the temple of it, and the Lamb. Learn to do things without drawing attention to yourself. It sounds, wow! Nobody can dispute that this remarkable cluster of kingdoms in Europe was the fruit providentially of the destroyed unity of the Roman empire when the barbarians invaded it. How could one speak of "months" if this is heaven? I cannot imagine the audacity of man to mess around with the book of Revelation with a warning like that, or to try to read something into or read something out of it. Next they will seize her resources. And 2. It is only when you try to spiritualize everything in it, and give everything some kind of a weird meaning, that it becomes a difficult book to understand. First--THE RIVER OF LIFE--verses 1 and 2. Thus the difference is complete between past history (if we look at the extinction of the empire and the rise of the ten kingdoms) and the certain fulfilment of the prophecy in the future, when we look at what God has really told us. On him the blow comes, not on the wretched parent. There was the sad register of undeniable sin on the one side; there was no writing of the name on the other side. In one sense it would be an eighth, and in another sense it would be of the seven; the eighth perhaps because of its extraordinary resurrection character, yet one of the seven because it is outwardly old imperialism again. ((f) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. God in His providence did sanction the great empires of old; and the principle continues as long as the church is here below. The Jews interpret the passage in ( Ezekiel 47:12 ) to which this refers, of future time, or the world to come F6; and speak of various trees and herbs of great fragrancy and medicinal virtues, which grow quite round on the sides of a laver that stands in paradise F7. The proper translation is, "producing twelve fruits, yielding or rendering its fruit in each month." Then again the character of it, as derived from Christianity having already taken its place, is asserted. New King James Version In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. It is the truth, and not the wording of the truth, which must not be changed. I can't earn it. And the coming of the Lord is urged in connection with it. The political side of this is described here with surprising brightness and brevity. Since our fathers have fallen asleep everything has gone on as it was from the beginning"( 2 Peter 3:3 ). 24 # Is. And the devil that deceiveth them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where both the beast and the false prophet [are], and they shall be tormented day and night unto the ages of the ages.". Thus the name of Christ, not merely as the root and the offspring of David, but as the bright morning star, calls out responsively the heart of the church, and this too under the guiding activity of the Holy Ghost. The old oracles were sealed then: not so John's. The only way I know to experience the blessing of the river of the water of life in our present day is to keep in close fellowship with Jesus. And there (or they) are seven kings." Hence He must have come back previously to both. [13] Martin Rist, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. But what is also of consequence to observe is, that John saw souls the souls of those beheaded on account of the witness of Jesus, and on account of the word of God. No hint whatever is given that they constitute the city, but there is the inscription of their names outside. He did this a little earlier and the angel said to him to stand up. Gods love from His throne. You should be making fresh discoveries about Jesus Christ which you had never known before--Is your experience ankle deep--or, "a river to swim in? God uses them for this object,-the setting aside of her, the great religious corruptress, whose centre is found at Rome. upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, For Christ has not only a supreme but an exclusive place. 1. f Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. The idea is not that there are twelve kinds of fruit on the same tree, for that is not implied in the language used by John. It gives a retrogressive account of Babylon's character, and shows how it morally compelled the divine judgment.

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