Just some thoughts on Revelation 20 -22 and other misc scriptures that make up some of our theology
In doing some study of events in the last chapters of Revelation. I came across some things that made me think deeply, for example. In
Rev 20:12-15 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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Here we are told that all the
dead are judged. First it doesn’t say anywhere that any living person is judged only
the dead. By the context it is not the dead spiritually but the dead physically that are judged because there is a resurrection of bodies vs5. I have read many commentators who say these are spiritually dead persons who are judged but that goes against the plain English text. Even the every man in vs13 is reference to those dead who had been brought up from the sea and from death and hell which are all places that the dead people are placed. So all the dead are judged and cast into the lake of fire along with death and hell.
Then in Chapter 21 tells us a new earth and new heaven are recreated without any sea. Then we are told about this glorious city that appears and comes down from heaven. In time line this would be after the Judgement of the dead.. For the old heaven and earth are said to have fled from his face
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. Then in 21:1 we see the new heaven and earth come into view after the old had been passed away. In context we can assume that this passing away took place from the time the great white throne was seen and judgement commenced unto the time the new heaven is seen.
Interesting enough we see in verse
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. Now these in chapter 21:8 are clearly living because the context of the previous verses would let us know that some overcame and some did not. Those that did not do not inherit all things. But were judged by their hearts by the Alpha and Omega, and by no books and were sentenced to have their part in the lake that burneth with fire. Here is the living lost or spiritually dead after the Millennial Kingdom. Their judgement is quick and decisive
Then as we move on in chapter 21 we are told of a city that is
AS A Bride not the bride. Again many make this city to be Church Age Saints but this can’t be. Again we are really never said to the the Bride of the Lamb or a bride at all in any NT books of Paul. Paul only said,
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2Cor 11:2. Now the word espoused of which Paul spoke are figurative of the Corinthian believers being brought to the knowledge of Salvation in Christ through his ministry.
Then in Rev 21:9 the angel tell John he will show him the Lamb’s wife which is the city. So in the context and giving heed to the words of the prophets and of the Apostles of Jesus Christ vs 19:7 is the New Jerusalem that was made ready, not the Body of Christ being made ready. We were already made complete in Christ the day we believe. The gathering of Church Age Saints and their Judgement seat of Christ may be the final piece to our completed glory. But it is not us being made ready we are already ready in Christ.
Again in the context of 19:7 is,
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. This cannot be the body of Christ for we are clothed in his righteousness
Roms 4:23, 24 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; we are imputed with his righteousness we will not be covered in the
righteousness of saints for we are covered with his that is the Lamb’s righteousness.
Ok let’s move on. Here we see it is a literal city that can be entered into. But it can only be entered into by those who are written in the Lambs book of life
Rev 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. The difference between the those written in the book of life and the Lamb’s book of life are clear. Those written in the book of life of 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire it would seem live forever. (But we are not told if any of the dead that were resurrected did). And those written in the Lamb’s book of life are allowed to enter the glorious city. so the Book of life in Rev 20 and the Lamb's book of life are not the same books. for one judges dead and the other gives authorization to enter a city,
Now this city is just so big. It is very large but it is not the vastness of heaven it covers anywhere from 1200 sq miles to 2000 sq miles. This city is not equal to heaven for the heaven is an incalculable measure. And this city sets upon the earth. So we are not talking about people entering Heaven we are talking about people entering a city only. This city is located in the heaven but it is not heaven. God is there but God is everywhere and so is the lamb. This is supposed to be the Eternal Kingdom upon the new earth and it would seem that this was Gods plan all along. It would seem that from before the recreation of the Earth this has been the mind of God to have this glorious city upon the earth where the temple would be and the throne of the Lamb would set.
It would seem though that some of the theology we have been taught about the Body of Christ and the New Jerusalem may not be accurate. It would seem that we forget some of Paul’s teaching when we get to Revelation. The root of this seems to be in the fact that some would replace Israel with the Body of Christ. A doctrine of the Nicolaitians to say the least.
Any comments are welcome any further enlightenment would be appreciated as I have only marked these as things that make for deep thinking. So any and all constructive comments are welcome.