Understanding Revelation (21:2)~Hendriksen

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

(Revelation 21:2)

This Jerusalem is called 'new' in contradistinction to the earthly, Palestinian Jerusalem. It is called "holy" because it is separate from sin and thoroughly consecrated to God. This new and holy Jerusalem is very clearly the Church the Lord Jesus Christ, as is also plainly evident from the fact that it is here and elsewhere called the bride, the wife of the Lamb (Is. 54:5; Eph. 5:32). Even in the Old Testament the church is represented under the symbolism of a city (Is. 26:1; Ps. 48). A city calls to our mind the concept of a permanent residence, a great number of inhabitants, safety and security, fellowship and beauty. With respect to all of these characteristics the church- in principle even today, in perfection, is like a city. We read that John saw this Holy City coming down out of heaven from God. This, too, is true with respect to both the ideal church of the present and the church of the future. It is always born from above. It is always the result of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 4:26; Heb. 11:10,16; 12:22). 

(William Hendriksen) 

Understanding Revelation (21:1)~Hendriksen

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."

(Revelation 21:1)

The first heaven and the first earth have passed away. In our imagination let us try to see this new universe. The very foundations of the earth have been subjected to the purifying fire. Every stain of sin, every scar of wrong, every trace of death, has been removed. Out of the great conflagration a new universe has been born. It is the same heaven and earth, but gloriously rejuvenated, with no weeds, thorns or thistles, and so on. Nature comes into its own; all of its potentialities, dormant so long, are now fully realized. The old order has vanished. The universe in which the Dragon, the beast, the false prophet, and the harlot caring out their program of iniquity has vanished. The sea, as we know it, is no more. At present the sea is the emblem of unrest in conflict. The roaring, raging, agitated, tempest-tossed waters, the waves perpetually engaged in combat with one another, symbolize the nations of the world in there conflict and unrest. It is the sea out of which the beast rises. But in the renewed universe the head new heaven and earth all will be peace. The heaven and the earth and the sea as they now are shall vanish. 

(William Hendriksen)

Understanding Revelation (20:15)~Newton

"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

(Revelation 20:15)

There is another book beside the books that record our deeds and the only thing that stands between any of us and the lake of fire is our name written in the Lamb’s book of life. In Rev. 13:8, John tells us that the book was written “from the foundation of the world.” He calls it, more precisely, “the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.” In Rev. 17:8, he reminds us that all of those dwelling on the earth will bear the mark of the beast except the one whose name was written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. This book alludes to two wonderful truths. First, that a name was written before the world’s foundation points to election; and election highlights the grace of God in salvation. Second, it is the Lamb’s book of life, so it points to redemption; and redemption highlights the gracious provision of Christ to bear God’s judgment for us at the cross.

The juxtaposition of the two books puts all men in condition of deserving wrath. Our deeds—all of them—are recorded in the books. But the book of life declares the deliverance of the redeemed, even though we deserve God’s wrath. Is your name in the Lamb’s book of life?

(Phil A. Newton)

www.Southwoodsbc.org

Understanding Revelation (20:12-14)~Newton

"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

(Revelation 20:12-14)

It is “a direct allusion to the courtroom scene in Daniel 7,” where the Ancient of Days took His seat on the throne, “and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened”. 

He is not establishing a works-oriented salvation but rather the record of men’s deeds demonstrate their failure to obey the Law of God and God’s justice in judging them. The God that created the world also commanded obedience to His Law. The creature’s existence relates directly to the Creator’s purpose; that of living totally to His glory, perfectly conforming to His will. Yet we’ve all sinned and fallen short of His glory (Rom. 3:23). “The books” unpack the details of thought, word, and deed—intentional sins and sins of omission.

Nothing is more sobering than to realize that God holds us accountable for every idle thought, idle word, and careless deed. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13). Justice will be meted out according to the measure of our offence against God—a holy God who has nothing to do with sin; whose eyes are too pure to behold sin. Dare we play lightly with this reality? Who of us can stand before the searching gaze of the omniscient God?

(Phil A. Newton)

Understanding Revelation (20:11)~Hendriksen

"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them."

(Revelation 20:11)

Christ's coming in judgment is vividly described. John sees a great white throne. Upon it is seated the Christ (Matt. 25:31; Rev. 14:14). From His face the earth and the heaven flee away. Not the destruction or annihilation but the renovation of the universe is indicated here. It will be a disillusion of the elements with great heat (2 Peter 3:10); a regeneration (Matt. 19:28); a restoration of all things (Acts 3:21); and a deliverance from the bondage of corruption (Rom. 8:21). No longer will this universe be subject to vanity.

(William Hendriksen)

Understanding Revelation (20:9-10)~Newton

"And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

(Revelation 20:9-10)

Should the church live in fear of that day? Absolutely not! John pictures one giant army, representing the devil’s horde, coming against one camp and then one city, representing Christ and the Church. But the language shows that he is not referring to one locale—“and they came up on the broad plain of the earth.” In spite of what appears to be insurmountable odds—Christ has already triumphed over Satan; that’s the point made. The power of the cross that has defeated our enemy will be unleashed! “And fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Victory is assured because Christ triumphed at the cross and in the resurrection. The mopping up will come on that great day of which John speaks. So we need not despair when persecution arises. Our Redeemer is King of kings and Lord of lords! He has conquered. He has finished the work of redemption. He loses none that He redeems—even in the face of the worst persecution. “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

(Phil A. Newton)

Understanding Revelation (20:7-8)~Newton

"And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

(Revelation 20:7-8)

Though bound for the gospel age—the thousand years—the time will come when the Lord God will release Satan from his prison. Here is God exercising sovereign authority in releasing Satan for the purpose of ultimately, exercising final judgment on Satan and all that reject the gospel of Christ.

Gog and Magog represent an ancient enemy of Israel that Ezekiel spoke of in chapters 38-39. 

William Hendriksen comments that Ezekiel’s use of Gog and Magog “refers…to the terrible persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes, ruler of Syria” in the Seleucid Kingdom. John is not identifying one or two nations but rather uses this epitome of adversaries to refer metaphorically to the entire world, vast in number, in hostile opposition to Christ and His Church. The “four corners of the earth,” simply implies the universality of this final opposition. Satan’s deceit will reach its apex; persecution will be unequaled. 

Augustine wrote of this, “For this persecution, occurring while the final judgment is imminent, shall be the last which shall be endured by the holy Church throughout the world, the whole city of Christ being assailed by the whole city of the devil, as each exists on earth” 

(Phil A. Newton)