Where I go to church our Assistant Pastor has said that often the Book of Revelation may be difficult to understand, so if you read the ending first ...perhaps the parts you don't understand will not be so concerning, as it can be summed up by "God wins!!"
Sometimes when watching a movie, you don't want someone to ruin the ending for you by telling you how it goes. But, if a loved one is in the hospital and needs an operation, you likely would want some reassurance with how it will go.
And the Book of Revelation is confusing. I wondered why the events are so intense ...yet, I realized that though so many people want to be the first (such prestige) to know things at times, there is often a large chance that information is inaccurate. You know ...rushing to conclusions.
Yet again, no one could imitate or present something that would convince most people that these events are happening or have happened. The events have such magnitude and precise description ...they couldn't be copied.
I was really that interested in that Book of the Bible, as I was content with what the Assistant Pastor said, "God wins!!"
But then my wife and our oldest children began attending a study on it ...and when they got home, I wanted to participate in the conversation. And I did learn much.
What I learned was so extensive, with my charts and diagrams ...and figuring out the chronological events, and it was very interesting. Yet, that would be much here that I'm not getting into. I am attempting to discuss something much simpler. And it only includes the last few Chapters of the Book of Revelation.
One verse stood out to me. It is Revelation 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."
This is the New Jerusalem ---which is the paradise promised to those who looked to the promise ...Heaven.
I had believed that there was no pain or suffering in Heaven, so why is healing a part of it?
It doesn't say our individual healing, but the healing of the nations.
And I looked further, not really committing to study (as one can not just select verses and think it is all going to make sense, though it may fit their narrative), yet now I felt I had to study it more ...and it does show some repetition in making points, though wanting to keep the same reference. So, it seems Chapter 22 does a bit of summarizing from what was said in Chapter 21.
So, now I am in Chapter 21:24-26, "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."
(this is the King James version, so the word 'honor' has a 'u' added ...but we all realize that 'u N me both need to focus on Him'.)
So, it's speaking of the nations again ...but how can the kings of the earth bring their honor, when we should all be honoring the King of Kings??
Seems like I'm reading backwards, but now let's look at Chapter 20; 1-6 ---"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit 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 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.
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 worshiped 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.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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."
So, it seems like they are honoring those who gave their lives as a result of their commitment to Jesus. I'm reminded of the Lord of the Rings movie, where the King says those Hobbits do not need to bow, as they are recognizing the honoring thing they did also ...those who so honored Jesus, being honored for that honoring.
The verses that I had previously listed were after the thousand year reign. Yet, here it says who will rule with Jesus for the thousand years.
So, whether they are called priests who rule or simply rulers or kings ...I would want to follow these dedicated believers whom Jesus has chosen to help rule at this time. And helping to rule, the way I see it, is also helping to understand ...as if I think it is confusing reading about it, what confusion do we think will exist at the time people are living this??
Still in Chapter 20, verses 7&8 ---"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."
So, it seems many of the people living during the thousand year reign would not agree with me ...that they should follow those committed believers. Seems like a large number of people do not favor being ruled in a way where they perhaps can't do everything they want during that thousand year reign. And it seems they have their own choice who they want to rule them.
Perhaps this would be a shock for some ...how it is so peaceful living during the thousand year reign (especially for those who had found it difficult to find peace before that), and yet they will see a tremendous fearful recruiting of people who'd claim their own idea of peace is best, but in many people's minds it will be clear that a return to what it was before is not at all a good thing. Certain friends and acquaintances will surprisingly turn to the 'deceiver' and seem to others as someone they thought they knew, but now question what it is all about.
It is mind-boggling how knowing Jesus for a thousand years, anyone could then reject Him, but one who had known Him for who He is ...is leading the deception.
And we look at the parable of the Good Samaritan ...and how the priest and Levite did not help a man along the road who had been beaten and robbed. Jesus doesn't say that the Samaritan was 'good', He just mentions those such as the priest and Levite whom people would assume would be good, and Jesus describes their failure to do good ...while showing that the Samaritan did the good thing.
And when we see a nation of people, we can see many bad things happening within that nation ...yet, it does not mean everyone in that nation is bad. Many are often deceived and told how bad someone else is, and so they perceive the enemy which may not be an enemy at all, and certainly not everyone is included in what bad things are done.
So those perceptions may need to be cleared up ...or healed.
This group marching to the beat of the deceiver ...marching towards the city representing God's people, will be devoured by fire from God out of heaven.
And like I said, to see groups of people (nations) being like this ...the individuals are not always represented by the nation, and are often not at all.
So there are people throughout the earth, and at this time, those who want to rebel and join the deceiver are devoured ...so, who is left??
All those who did not rebel seem to be left ...and perhaps their chosen king was the one they followed for the thousand years (the committed believers who died while standing for Jesus), before the deceiver assigned new leaders to join his rebellion ...which at this point would be no more.
So, all those throughout the earth can then follow in their nation groups, their language groups, or however they are grouped by the priestly leader/kings. I don't know ...but as they travel, they will be traveling to the various 12 gates, which will be open. The threat of those who rebelled ...well, they are all gone, so it is now just one big celebration.
See ....yes, I know I jumped around, and still so many thoughts going through my head. Imagine if I had attempted to discuss the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 vials.
I think I need a nap now ...if you want to wake me, just blow a trumpet.
