Revelation

EPILOGUE – REVELATION

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If anyone fails to keep the words of the book, he will be excluded from citizenship in the city of New Jerusalem – Revelation 22:6-21. 

The Book of Revelation concludes with an epilogue that recalls the earlier promises to “overcoming saints,” reiterates warnings against faithlessness, summons believers to render homage to God alone, and calls for Jesus to “come quickly.” Testimony and assurances from uncontestable sources attest to the trustworthiness of the “words of the book,” which are “prophecy” and the “testimony of Jesus.”

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NEW JERUSALEM INHABITED

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New Jerusalem is populated fully in fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham to “bless all nations” – Revelation 21:24-22:5.

In the preceding section, “New Jerusalem” with its massive dimensions was unveiled. It will take far more than a tiny remnant of “saints” to populate it. Now, John sees the “city” populated with the “innumerable multitude” of the redeemed from every nation and ethnic group, including many from among the “kings of the earth.”

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NEW JERUSALEM UNVEILED

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The physical dimensions and shape of “New Jerusalem” are presented to show it is ready to be populated – Revelation 21:9-23. 

John caught a glimpse of “New Jerusalem descending from heaven,” but now, he sees it unveiled in all its glory. This next section concentrates on the city’s physical dimensions and shape.  Its enormous size staggers the human imagination, but sufficient room is necessary to contain the innumerable multitude destined to inhabit the “holy city.”

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DESCENT OF NEW JERUSALEM

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Following the final judgment, John saw the “holy city, New Jerusalem” descending from heaven to the earth – Revelation 21:1-8.

The next paragraph presents “New Jerusalem” to the reader and concludes the third literary division of the book. Having witnessed the destruction of “Babylon,” the “False Prophet,” the “beast,” and the “Dragon,” John received the vision of what awaits the faithful at the end of the age – “New Jerusalem descending from heaven to the earth.”

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MULTIPLE FINAL JUDGMENTS?

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Each of the three sevenfold series in Revelation concludes with a final judgment scene at the end of the age.

Final judgment scenes occur several times in the Book of Revelation. All three of the sevenfold series of “seals,” “trumpets,” and “bowls of wrath” culminate in the final judgment, and each time punctuated by terrestrial and celestial upheaval. Those “judgments” are in addition to the one at the “Great White Throne of Judgement” when the wicked are cast into the “lake of fire.”

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