In this week’s study, I continue in Chapter 21 with verses 3 and 4. Before I get into the study, I talk about an article by Chuck Baldwin titled, “Choosing Between Republicans And Democrats Is Like Choosing Between Pharisees and Sadducees”. I take a look at Tim Walz and the allege payoff from Kalma Harris to Cornel West.
The next Vision introduces us to the eternal state of the New Heavens and the New Earth, and those who shall dwell therein.
3 Behold, the tabernacle of Yahweh is with men - The tabernacle, as that word is commonly used in the Scriptures, referring to the sacred “tent” erected in the wilderness, was regarded as the unique dwelling-place of Yahweh among his people - as the temple was afterward, which was also called a “tabernacle.” See Heb. 9:2. The meaning here is, that Yahweh would now dwell with the redeemed, as if in a tabernacle, or in a house specially prepared for his residence among them. It is not said that this would be “on the earth,” although that may be; for it is possible that the earth, as well as other worlds, may yet become the abode of the redeemed.
In the garden called Eden, the first people chose not to obey Yahweh. Their evil deed separated them from Yahweh. They had made it impossible for Yahweh to live with them (Genesis chapter 3).
Since then, Yahweh’s greatest desire has been to live with his people. That was why Yahweh told Moses to build a tent, called the tabernacle, for him (Exodus chapter 26). Wherever Yahweh’s people went in the desert, they took Yahweh’s tabernacle with them (Numbers 9:17-23). Yahweh’s holy place still had to be separate from them, but it stood in the middle of their camp.
Yahweh gave his people, the Jews, the country called Israel as their permanent possession. Still, for several centuries, the house of Yahweh continued to be a tent. David wanted to build a permanent building, called the temple, for Yahweh; and Yahweh allowed Solomon, his son, to do that. However, the relationship between Yahweh and his people had not changed. Yahweh’s holy place was still separate from his people, although it stood in their capital city, Jerusalem.
And he will dwell with them = As in a tent, or tabernacle - σκηνώσει skēnōsei. This is a common idea in the Scriptures.
And they shall be his people = He will acknowledge them in this public way as his own, and will dwell with them as such.
And Yahweh himself shall be with them = Shall be permanently with them; shall never leave them.
And be their Yahweh =Shall manifest himself as such, in such a manner that there shall be no doubt.
A world without trouble, pain or death (Revelation 21:4)
Our experience in this world is of constant trouble, pain and death. Troubles and pain may seem to come into our lives by chance, but death is certain for everyone (Ecclesiastes 9:1-2; Hebrews 9:27). It astonishes us even to think of a world without pain, trouble or death.
However, the Bible says that, even in our present world, people have not always suffered in this way. Genesis chapter 1 says that Yahweh created a perfect world. However, the first people chose, on purpose, not to obey Yahweh (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-7). The troubles, pain and death in this world are a result of that evil decision (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 5:12).
4. all tears = Greek, “every tear.”
no more death = Greek, “death shall be no more.” Therefore it is not the millennium, because we see in the millennium there is death (Isa. 65:20; 1Corin. 15:26, 54, “the last enemy ... destroyed is death,” Rev. 20:14, after the millennium).
sorrow = Greek, “mourning.”
passed away = Greek, “departed,” as in verse 1.
Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com
