Bible Study

BOOK OF REVELATION UNCOVERED: Chapter 21

by: Dr. Dean Crosby

[Editor's Note: For this study, the author uses easy to understand Contemporary English Version (CEV) of Bible that has been created by the American Bible Society. His insights are given in capital letters. This include explanations and historical background information for the words you have just read in order to make the startling predictions made in this important and fascinating book comprehensible. Occasionally make changes will be made in the CEV words if a variance is detected from the meaning found in the King James Bible.]

REVELATION 21

1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth. (FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS WONDERED WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF JESUS' 1000 YEAR REIGN ON EARTH, HERE YOU GO!) The first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and so had the sea. (THIS NEW CREATION WILL NOT HAVE ANY OCEANS) 2 Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. (THIS WILL BE AN ASTONISHING EVENT AS GOD MOVES HIS KINGDOM FROM HEAVEN TO A NEWLY CREATED EARTH!) It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown (BEAUTIFUL) and ready to meet her husband.

3 I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be His own. Yes, God will make His home among His own people. 4 He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. (ALL SACRIFICES, DEFEATS AND LOSSES DURING OUR LIFETIME WILL BE WORTH IT TO OBTAIN THIS INCREDIBLE NEW LIFE WITH GOD) These things of the past are gone forever.

5 Then the One sitting on the throne said (THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN THIS BOOK THAT GOD'S WORDS ARE REPORTED) I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted. 6 Everything is finished! (THIS IS THE WORD THAT WAS USED WHEN GOD COMPLETED HIS FIRST CREATION OF THE EARTH, WHEN JESUS' TORTURE ON THE CROSS ENDED AND NOW FOR THE LAST TIME IT WILL BE USED WHEN GOD COMPLETES HIS CREATION OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH) I am Alpha and Omega, (WHICH MEANS) the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain (THE HOLY SPIRIT) to everyone who is thirsty. (IN NEED OF A SPIRITUAL RE-CHARGE) He who overcomes (SIN) will inherit all things. (GIFTS AND BLESSINGS FROM GOD) I will be their God, and they will be my people. (WELCOMED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD) 8 But I will tell you what will happen to cowards and to everyone who is unfaithful (TO GOD) or who has a filthy mind (USUALLY DUE TO PORNOGRAPHY CONDITIONING OR HAVING FILTHY FRIENDS ) or is sexually perverted (PRACTICING HOMOSEXUALITY) or who murders or uses witchcraft or worships idols (STATUES) or tells lies. They will be thrown into that lake of fire and burning sulfur. This is (WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS) the second death. (THE "FIRST DEATH" IS THE NATURAL PASSING AWAY THAT OCCURS ON EARTH)

9 I saw one of the seven angels who had the bowls filled with the seven plagues. The angel came to me and said, "Come, I will show you the one who will be the bride and wife of the Lamb." (JESUS) 10 Then with the help of the (HOLY) Spirit, he took me to the top of a very high mountain. There he showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down from God in heaven. 11 The glory of God made the city bright. It was dazzling and crystal clear like a precious jasper stone. 12 The city had a high and thick wall with twelve gates, and each one of them was guarded by an angel. On each of the gates was written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. (CONTRARY TO THE FALSE TEACHINGS OF SOME PROMINENT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGIANS, GOD WILL NEVER END HIS EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL CONNECTION WITH THE JEWS) 13 Three of these gates were on the east, three were on the north, three more were on the south, and the other three were on the west. 14 The city was built on twelve foundation stones. On each of the stones was written the name of the Lamb's (JESUS') twelve apostles.

15 The prophet who spoke to me had a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was shaped like a cube, because it was just as high as it was wide. When the angel measured the city, it was about 1,500 miles long and 1,500 miles wide. 17 Then the prophet measured the wall, and by our measurements it was about two hundred and sixteen feet high. 18 The wall was built of jasper, and the (BUILDINGS IN THE) city was made of pure gold, clear as crystal. (HEAVEN'S GOLD IS DIFFERENT!)

19 Each of the twelve foundations was made from a precious (AND BRILLIANTLY COLORED) stone. (HEADS UP EVERYONE, YOU ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER GOD'S FAVORITE COLOR HERE) The first was jasper, (LIGHT GREEN) the second was sapphire, (BLUE ) the third was agate, ( BROWN AND WHITE) the fourth was emerald, ( DARK GREEN) 20 the fifth was onyx, (MULTI-COLORED BANDS OF COLOR) the sixth was carnelian, (RED) the seventh was chrysolite, (OLIVE GREEN) the eighth was beryl, (BLUISH GREEN) the ninth was topaz, (YELLOW) the tenth was chrysoprase, (THE COLOR OF GREEN) APPLES) the eleventh was jacinth, (REDDISH ORANGE) and the twelfth was amethyst. (DEEP PURPLE) 21 Each of the twelve gates were (MADE FROM ) pearls and several gates were made from just one pearl.

The streets of the city were made of (THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE BUILDINGS, SPECIFICALLY) pure gold, clear as crystal. 22 I did not see a (JEWISH) temple there. The Lord God All-Powerful and the Lamb (JESUS) were Their temple. (IN THIS NEW HEAVEN THE INHABITANTS WILL WORSHIP WITH GOD AND JESUS PERSONALLY) 23 And the city (HEAVEN) did not need the sun or the moon. The glory of God was shining on it, and the Lamb was its light.

24 Nations (PEOPLE FROM MANY DIFFERENT NATIONS) will walk by means of the Light of that city, and kings (POLITICAL LEADERS) will bring (SHOW) glory and honor there. (TO GOD AND JESUS) 25 Its gates are always open during the day, and night never comes. 26 The glorious treasures (GIFTS OF ART WORK AND MUSEUM ARTIFACTS ) of nations will be brought into the city. (TO SHOW HONOR AND APPRECIATION TOWARD GOD AND JESUS IN HEAVEN) 27 But nothing unworthy will be allowed to enter. No one who is filthy-minded or who tells lies (THE BIBLE REPEATEDLY TEACHES THAT THOSE WHO ARE CHRONIC LIARS WILL BE SENT TO HELL.) will be there. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's (JESUS') book of life (RECORD OF THOSE GRANTED SALVATION) will be in the city. (THUS FULFILLING JESUS' PROPHECY THAT "MANY WILL BE CALLED BUT FEW CHOSEN")

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