In this week’s study, I begin in Chapter 21. Before I get into the study, I talk about the definitions of what a Republic, Democracy, Communist and liberalism means.
DEMOCRACY Government by the people; a form of government, in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the people collectively, or in which the people exercise the powers of legislation.
REPUB'LIC, A commonwealth; a state in which the exercise of the sovereign power is lodged in representatives elected by the people. In modern usage, it differs from a democracy or democratic state, in which the people exercise the powers of sovereignty in person.
The political landscape is also very different in a democracy vs. under communism. In a democratic society people are free to create their own political parties and contest in elections, which are free of coercion and fair to all contestants. In a communist society, however, the government is controlled by one political party and political dissent is not tolerated.
In the United States, the terms “liberal” and “Democrat” are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between the two terms. A liberal is someone who advocates for more government involvement in order to promote social and economic justice. A Democrat, on the other hand, is a member of the political party that has been traditionally in favor of less government involvement.
The next Vision introduces us to the eternal state of the New Heavens and the New Earth, and those who shall dwell therein.
This present world cannot last. In the future, Yahshua Messiah will rule it, because he must rule all things (Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:25-27). However, even that is not Yahweh’s permanent plan. He is creating a new heaven and a new earth which will be perfect in every way. They will be completely holy and good, beautiful and wonderful.
Several other Bible books also mention the new heaven and earth. In Isaiah 65:17, Yahweh promises to create new heavens and a new earth. Isaiah 65:17-25 describes what it will be like to live there. There will be perfect peace there; even the animals will not attack each other. People will not waste their efforts and they will not work in vain. They will live as Yahweh intended them to live. This will never end (Isaiah 66:22).
1 new = I want you to notice this word “new.” It is interesting in the original language. It is the word kainos (kahee-nos’), not chronos (khron’-os).
the first = that is the former.
was = Greek, “is,”
no more sea = The sea is the type of perpetual unrest. Here our Lord rebukes it as an unruly hostile troubler of His people. It symbolized the political tumults out of which “the beast” arose, Rev. 13:1.
Long ago, Yahweh chose Jerusalem to be a very special place. It was not important only because it was Israel’s capital city. Here was the temple, the house of Yahweh upon this earth (Psalm 122). Here was the only place where Yahweh’s people from the nation called Israel, offered their gifts to him (Deuteronomy 12:5-14). Here was the place where Yahweh’s people brought their prayers to him (2 Chronicles 6:12-42). Here, Yahweh was present in a special way (2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Isaiah 6:1-5). It was a beautiful and wonderful place (Psalm 48:1-3).
2. And I John = “John” is omitted in A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and Andreas; also the “I” in the Greek of these authorities is not emphatic.
Jerusalem ... out of heaven = (Rev. 3:12; Gal. 4:26, “Jerusalem which is above”; Heb. 11:10; 12:22; 13:14). The descent of the new Jerusalem out of heaven is plainly distinct from the earthly Jerusalem in which Israel in the flesh shall dwell during the millennium,
bride = made up of the blessed citizens of “the holy city.”
Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com
