Revelation the study

[Richard]

Revelation 17:1-3
Verse 1

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

In the pouring out of the vials there is a point where one of the angels with the vials comes to John to show him this judgement that takes place with the pouring out of the vials. John was now being shown the specific judgment of God upon the false religious system that has damned the souls of so many men through deception. The term "whore of Babylon" has been used to describe or condemn some form of religious entity that was deemed apostatized or false. In fact Babylon has always been seen a place where man through his own endeavor was trying to build a tower to communicated and ascend into heaven (the tower of Babel). Babylon is often used in the scripture as a symbol of confusion. Also Babylon was the land of captivity where the children of Israel were made to bow down and worship false Gods. (Daniel 3:4-7).

Babylon has long been recognized as a symbolic name for spiritual whoredom. Spiritual whoredom is any manner of worship that causes man to prostitutes his beliefs and worship of God. In the scriptures, in a spiritual sense, adultery is the worship of another god. And so God said the nation of Israel in the worshipping of Baal, Mammon and Molech and so forth were committing adultery. They had gone out in their whoredoms. So, false worship of God or the worship of other gods is spiritual harlotry. Here we have the judgement of the great whore that has lead so many people into a false hope because they are not worshipping God in spirit and in truth according to the word of God.

So, man brought confusion, false worship and that has developed through the centuries and its structure had become so great and powerful that it began to rule over nations and kings. So here we have a pronouncement of judgement against the false religious systems that have been deceiving man on earth. It is through the false religious system that the Anti-christ is introduced in a way to call for his worship. It seems that it is through false worship and a false religious system that the Anti-christ gained power. This system that brought to light the Anti-christ spiritually would be a false religious system leading men to a trust in something other than Jesus Christ for their relationship with God, trusting in their works, their goodness or something other than Jesus. So here we have a judgement against this system.

The angel that came to John, and as you remember in the sixth plague (of the vials) Babylon was brought into judgment. It was in the fifth vial, the throne of the beast and the kingdom was full of darkness and so forth. So now in Revelation 16:19, in the seventh plague Babylon was brought into remembrance before God and judged. So, the seventh angel, which specifically dealt with judgment on the city of Babylon might be the angel that came to John and might have been the angel that came to Daniel. Both times the angel gave to them further explanation on the destruction of that religious system of man that ensnared men's souls.

Verse 2

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

This false religious system has been around and has become so pervasive in the last days that many are so taken by this religious it is like they are drunk with the whoredom of this system. In the last days here we see that this false religious system has become so pervasive that that all the rulers have succumbed to its influence. In these last days God finally takes and pours out His judgement on it. God finally destroys the false religious system.

Verse 3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

The angel carries John in the spirit to a place to view this woman (false religious system) that is sitting on the back of the beast (the Anti-christ). In the last days that false religious system is riding on the back of the Anti-christ. It is the Anti-christ/beast that has helped this religious system to flourish which caused to people to bow down and worship the Anti-christ as God. In Revelation and Daniel we have the description of the beast being scarlet, having ten horns, speaking blasphemies (full of names of blasphemy). The relationship of the woman (whore of Babylon/false religious system) on the back of the beast (Anti-christ) is so entwined with each other and is the reason of great deception leading man into a false worship of Satan (Anti-christ) in the last days. Here we have the judgement of God on the false religious system.

[Richard]

Revelation 17:4-6
Verse 4-6

4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration

Now we come to the woman who was seated on the back of the beast (Anti-christ), the "whore of Babylon/false religious system." The woman that sat on many waters (multitudes of people). This false religious system that is the "whore of Babylon" that has come to have power/rule over multitudes of people who is decked out in the finest of wealth has a cup in her hand that is full of the abominations and filth that her false worship and religious activities (fornication) and it has come time for God to judge her. The woman is referred to here as the "Mystery, Babylon, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations" Why she is called the "Mystery Babylon" is because of all the practices of that were brought into Israel (God’s people) when they went into captivity in Babylon. It was there that so many false religious practices took place and has now been perpetrated into the last days by this false religious system.

Just as Babylon introduced much false religion to Israel this "Whore of Babylon/false religious system" has introduced the same abominations and filth and false religion to the Church. This false religious system has become a false image of God and the way to leading God in the last days.
There was in ancient Babylon the worship of Nimrod also called Tammuz, and his mother Cymeramus also known as Ashtart/Ishtar. They were the mother and child, he supposedly born by a virgin. She was supposedly a virgin and he was born by virgin birth. He was worshipped by the people. In the scriptures this same "Tammuz/Nimrod was known as a mighty hunter opposed to God according to the scriptures; called, "the mighty hunter" before the Lord. Actually, the Hebrew is "against the Lord". Also ancient drawings and carvings picture Ishtar cradling Tammuz in her arms with halos around their heads. Ishtar was said to be a virgin and Tammuz was said to have died and come back to life. According to the stories, while hunting he was gored by a boar and died, and his body lay out there for three days and he resurrected. And thus, the people began to celebrate his resurrection by coloring eggs and by the worship of the rabbit, which of course is known for its productivity. And they had a great celebration they called Ashtart in which they worshipped his coming to life with the colored eggs and all. And it was a celebration year by year known as Ashtart, from which of course we get our word Easter. It is interesting that we have adopted the custom of coloring eggs. He (Tammuz/Nimrod) was supposedly born on December twenty-fifth. His birthday was celebrated by decorating trees, bringing them into your house and decorating them with silver and gold and different decorations. These things were all of Babylonian origin. The Madonna and child with a halo about them; that kind of art existed a thousand years before Jesus was born as they worshipped Cymeramus, the mother and her virgin-born son Tammuz. "Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots". So, this is how God identifies the woman who is sitting upon the beast. We do see there a great parallel here to one of the largest religious systems on earth today.

The woman being drunken on the "blood of the saints" shows that the false religious system has all along been the source of much martyrdom of many of the saints of God. Eliminating all that would oppose the false religious system has been one of the most effective tools in keeping the power of the "Whore of Babylon" alive. Just look to the use of the "Inquistion" and how many peopled were eliminated who opposed the ruling religious system. Then look at all that will be killed for not worshipping the beast. The same principle of action has always been in practice by the false religious systems. Here we have God pronouncing judgement of this false religious system.

In the last days I believe that the power of the religious system will rise to an unprecedented place of deception (2 Thessalonians 2:11) and that God lets this deception happen to expose the abomination of that religious system.

In the next study we will further identify the woman.

[Richard]

Revelation 17:7-11

Verse 7

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

So now God describes and identifies the beast and the woman who rides the beast. There has been much speculation as to who the beast and woman are but here I will try and just identify them without much conjecture.

Verse 8-9

8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

The beast that carries the woman has seven heads and ten horns and that beast is described in a way that is much like the description of the continuos manifestation of Jesus through the ages (yesterday, today, and tomorrow). We know from Daniel 9:26-27 (The Prince that shall come) in which the people of the Prince that shall come would destroy the city and the sanctuary (in Jerusalem). The fulfillment occurred in history when the Roman legions under Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. This reference to the Romans in Daniel 9:26 is one of several reasons why most Bible scholars view the future Prince that shall come as a Roman, or European. So it seems that anti Christ will be seated in power in Rome (the city of seven hills). And the woman (false religious system) that rides the beast will also be seated in Rome.

Verse 10

And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

So the beast (the nation and Anti-christ) is located on seven mountains (Rome the city of seven hills) is the Roman empire (The same empire ruling when Jesus was crucified and the temple destroyed Daniel 7:7,9:26). So in the last days we have the resurgence (continuance of the Roman empire). This empire will have seven heads or rulers throughout history. Five have already been, one is, and one not yet come. So in Johns time five major rulers of Rome had already died and one was ruling when he had the vision and one was yet to come. When this last ruler comes he will only reign for a little space of time (the rule of the anti-christ is only seven years). So it is identifying the anti-christ as one of the rulers of the Roman empire (seven kings)

11

And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

So, the beast (anti-christ) according to this, is one of the five previous Roman emperors prior to the writing of the book of Revelation by John. At the time that John was writing, he was no longer alive. He was in the abusso. He ascends out of the abusso. But the world will wonder at this man who once lived and was dead and is now alive again.

The Anti-christ seems to arise from the Roman empire that is continued or resurrected in the last days. Many in Johns time speculated that the beast was Nero because he caused so much havoc and persecution among the church. It seemed that all that Nero did was so atrocious in nature that it could only be done by the influence of Satan. WE see that the beast will be of the like mind of Nero and as the coming of John was likened to the coming of Elijah maybe the coming of the Anti-christ will be likened to the coming of a person like Nero. Even the similarity of the name being attributed to 666 as Neros name was said to be. The beast that was and is to come in being influenced and led by the same person that has from the beginning opposed Gods work and creation.

We could go on in speculation but the bottom line is that a person with this power and mind will again assault the very existence and work of God and the earth in the last days.

[Richard]

Chapter 17:12-14
Verse 12-14

12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

These ten kings to come, which have received no kingdom, which means that they are not actual kings as such, but they receive the same kind of a power as a king and are allies of the Antichrist. This probably is a ten-nation confederation (one mind), as in the toes of the Daniel 2:24-45 image, that has power but gives this power to the Anti-Christ to rule the whole confederation.

From this confederation will come the last war waged against Jesus. Their final outcome is to be defeated by Jesus. The Lamb is clearly identified as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings which was the prophetic description of Jesus.

I also like what is said their about those that follow Jesus " and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful". What a wonderful designation of blessing that those who follow Jesus receive when He comes back to defeat the Anti-Christ and his followers.

Many think though that the rise of the ECC (European Economic Community was the rising again of the Roman Empire as predicted in Daniel. But now there are more than 10 nations (kings) in the ECC. I personally believe that at some time their will be a defining of power in the restored Roman Empire that will have 10 distinct men of power. It is very possible that they are in the ECC but I do believe that this distinct separation of these 10 kings will take place before the ushering in of the last war against Jesus.

What changes in Europe may bring them into the required number and form would be speculative at most but this will happen as the scriptures reveal. This is not a new thing but it is the continuation of what John said when he wrote the epistle of 1 John. He said, "The Spirit of antichrist is already at work in the world"(1 John 4:3). The spirit of antichrist is at work in our world today. There are already many powerful men who have dedicated themselves to the destroying of God: Humanist, evolutionist, atheist, communist, etc.

Their goal is the destruction of God and the idea and concept of God, which they say, is archaic and belongs back in a past age of ignorance. Their purpose in destroying God is to free man so that he can live after his flesh without any kind of remorse or pangs of conscience. They want to get rid of any kind of a moral base that has its roots in the Bible. So that any of the prohibitions of the Bible, adultery, fornication and so forth are so obliterated from your mind that you can do these things without any conviction of conscience that would bother you or trouble you. That conviction of conscienceness comes from a biblical base and they are trying to destroy God and get rid of any feelings of guilt that man possesses thus freeing the Anti-Christ for his outright assault on the kingdom of God in the last days.

[Richard]

Revelation 18:1-24
Verse 1

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Though this verse would seem so insignificant it really establishes the context. The next thing that is shown is following the last declarations and has to do with the false religious system and the anti-christ.

Verse 2-3

2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

The angels cries out about Babylon after the false religious system has been destroyed. The angel speaks of the devils, foul spirits, and unclean birds (carrion eaters) inhabiting Babylon and in the Bible Babylon was seen as the center of commerce and government that oppresses and take people into captivity. One of the things spoken of by the angel is how it was through commerce and the delicacies (pleasurable items and activities) all nations became rich through abundance. Just recently we see the devastating affects of that commerce failing in the fall of our stock market and how it affected the world and the outcry from people when they think they are losing their delicacies. Here we have a prophecy of the fall of the commercial, governmental oppressor, that city of commerce that has oppressed the poor of this world under the direction of Satan all this long time.

We are coming to the climax of God’s tribulation and so we see the falling of the oppressors and the panic of the anti-christ as his realm starts to fail. We will see that as he panics that he becomes more desperate and destructive. We see how evil and unclean this Babylon is and that all those who have participated with this city (Babylonian system) depicted here as Babylon and have become rich and have committed fornication (spiritual whoredom) will be affected, that no one will be exempt from what is coming to pass.

Verse 4-5

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Here we have another voice in heaven speaking. It does not say whether it is an angel or not who is speaking, but it does show that the one who is speaking is speaking to all of those on the earth at this time that belong to God. The voice is saying for them to separate themselves from this commercial governmental system that has oppressed the poor and deceived the world with riches so that they don’t receive the plagues that will come upon it. Now if the Church has been raptured, and so many have been martyred during tribulation that doesn’t leave many of Gods people except for maybe Israel. This might be God calling for Israel to flee into the desert (to Petra) where He will care for them. But the main thing is that the sins of this city Babylon (commercial system) has moved God to pour out His wrath on them. Here we have the scriptural idea of an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, we have the fairness of the of Gods judgement.

Verse 6-8

6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

In one day does this judgement fall on this city Babylon (the center of commerce). We see that it is burned with fire which could possibly be a nuclear bomb. But what this is in reality is the judgement of God on this oppressor of the poor and center for spiritual fornication’s. This city that has become the center of the world's riches, the center of world commerce, is in one day destroyed by God. This center of commerce that thought that they were the queen (ruler by wealth) of the earth is brought down in one single day and the devastation is total.

Verse 9-10

9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

So all the rulers and kings and powers who have participated and lived by the delicacies and pleasures of this city will stand far off and mourn because of the total destruction. They will know that the hour of judgement has come. Just one more sign of God’s great tribulation on earth being revealed.

Verse 11-18

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

The destruction affects all the businesses, corporations, stock markets and those of any kind of commerce throughout the whole world. There is mot one delicacy or finery or type of pleasure not affected by this judgement of this great city (Babylon). All the wealth wiped out in just an hour's time. Just look at the recent stock market fall and how many were affected and here we have a fall that devastates the worlds economy and wealth in one day. Imagine how much panic in fear that will be instilled when this judgement takes place. It is so large in concept that it causes great sorrow and fear.

Verse 19-24

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. [color]
[b][color=blue][b]21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
22And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived
[b]24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

The reaction of the world and its merchants is to cry , wail, weep and cast dust (display grief) on their heads. In one hour wealth is gone, in one hour there is nothing but devastation for the worlds commerce But in heaven it is a different scene and that are the Lords are told to rejoice. The time has come for God to avenge all the blood, martyrs, prophets and men of God who have been slain by and in this city and commerce system. It will never be found (millstone around neck to the bottom of the sea). It will never be brought into remembrance again. This is God’s judgement falling on the false religious and commerce systems that oppressed and deceived man on earth. The whore of Babylon and that great city Babylon has fallen under God’s judgement.

[Richard]

Revelation 19:1-4
Verse 1

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

"After these things" is referring to what has transpired in chapters 17-18 in the judgements of the false religious system that deceived man and the commercial/governmental system that deceived and oppressed man. Both were symbolized by reference to Babylon. The judgment of the earth, as far as God's wrath being poured out, has been completed on Babylon. God had promised Israel that Babylon would be judged and here we have the final judgement of what Babylon represented to Israel, a religious and commercial system that took them into captivity. God is finally through with judging these false systems that oppose the kingdom of God. Now we turn to the final judgements and the final war/assault against the kingdom of the Lord.

Also in this verse the word "Alleluia" is used. Alleluia is used in this one chapter in the scriptures four times. The word "Alleluia" is from the Hebrew word that has become universal, "Allel", "u", "yah", which means, "praise to Jehovah" or Yahweh and we see the multitude in heaven praising God/Yahweh for His salvation, glory, honor and power. We see the multitude praising God’s judgement of Babylon.

Verse 2

For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

In praising God they mention the fact that God’s judgements are righteous and true. Through out the scriptures we have heard it said that God’s judgements are true and just. It is a constant theme that the Holy Spirit speaks to us. If you go back to the garden of Eden and Satan’s approach to Eve you will see the first attack against God. Satan from the start brings in doubt of God’s commands (Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Genesis 3:1), God’s motives (For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5) and God’s and God’s judgement (And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: Genesis 3:4). The idea that Satan brought to Eve in the Garden of Eden was that God was not fair, that God was trying to hold her back from something that she should rightfully receive, that God was somehow trying to protect His position. How often do we see the affect of this idea sown by Satan this is one of the areas that Satan constantly challenges concerning God, the fairness of God's judgments when He pours out His judgments upon man. There are always those who are ready to challenge the fairness of it. This is the declaration that is made all through the scriptures and in this final period of judgment, "true and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord".

The judgement of the whore that is Babylon (false religious and commercial system) that has corrupted the earth has been judged. The difference between a religious system and a Christian is that a religion is man trying to reach out to God and a Christian is God reaching out to man. When Jesus came He was at odds with the religious system that had been built by the Jews in Israel. You can see the infection of the religious approach to God (man reaching out to God through the law and works) that Jesus opposed. It was this religious system and the commercial/governmental system that put Jesus to death on the cross. It is the same religious and commercial systems that have been putting the saints of God to death throughout history. Here God has finally avenged that blood of the saints that has been spilled by these systems. God has judged that religious system and has avenged the blood of His servants at her hands. A lot of the persecution against the Christian has come from religion, religious leaders.


Verse 3-4

3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

Here we have the multitude (twenty four elders, saints, four beasts and angels) praising God for His judgements and we see the complete affect of this final judgement against these systems, " And her smoke rose up for ever and ever". We see that this judgement and result of that judgement is eternal in nature.

[Richard]

Revelation 19:5-10


Verse 5-9

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

We have a time in heaven before the Lord comes back to the earth to reign when the 24 elders and then it seems the whole host of heaven are called to praise the Lord. The sound of the praising is like that of a great multitude, like many waters, which we have seen before in Revelation was used to describe many people. Here the many people are praising God to the point it is like a mighty thundering. That seems like a pretty big sound to me. They are saying "hallelulia (Praise ye the Lord) for God who is all powerful reigns" They are praising God because He is the true king that can rule. They then say "Let us be glad and rejoice" voicing the great joy that this multitude felt for the Lord.

If you examine closer you will see that this group consists of those who are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb (the Church). You will see that the Lambs bride (the Church) has made ready for this feast. That final consummation of the relationship between the Lamb and His bride is taking place (marriage supper). You see that the Bride is clothed in fine white linen, and we know that the saints and the Church have washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, which has made them as fine white linen. White linen has in Revelation been the sign of being made pure and being clothed with righteousness.

Notice that this all takes place before Jesus returns to earth. This is the gathering of the saints (the Church) unto their marriage to the Lamb. This could not take place if the post tribulation rapture were true. The Church (bride of Christ) is already gathered and going to the marriage feast before Jesus returns after the tribulation.

One other thing to notice is the blessing that is attached to the marriage supper of the Lamb. When we began this study in Revelation we saw that there was a blessing in reading this book and now we see that there is a blessing for being in the book (the Bride at the marriage supper) and being invited there. There is more to the blessing in Revelation than just reading it, there is also the blessing of being part of the book.

Verse 10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

At this time in the vision John was overwhelmed and fell at the feet of the one who announced and called us to praise God and the one answered and literally said to John "Don’t worship me I am but a servant like you and my claim to anything is the same as you. The testimony of Jesus. It is the testimony of Jesus that binds all that is in heaven and all that is to come into the complete work of God. Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy and when we read this book of prophecy we are reading about Jesus.

Next we see the coming of Jesus for the second time in history.

[Richard]

Revelation 19:11-16
Verse 11-14

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Here we have the description of Jesus as He prepares to come back the second time. In Revelation Jesus is called the true and faithful witness and hear we see that He is called Faithful and true, and He will be judging and making war. This is quite different that the way He came the first time as "a humble servant" (Philippians 2:7). In Revelation 1:4 we already had Jesus described as having eyes like flaming fire. His eyes will not be one of mercy, but of purging and fire judging all of man and the earth. He will have many crowns. He will rule the nation, principalities and powers, the earth, the saints, the dead. He will have the crowns of all these kingdoms. He is clothed in a vesture (garment) dipped in blood. It is the blood of Jesus that has the power over death, it is the symbol of the price paid to redeem man and it is the symbol of the purchase of His children from death. Jesus is coming back in the power of the blood to cleanse the earth. And finally His name is called the Word of God " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And with Him is an army of people who have white robes. It is said of us the Church that we have washed our selves and are clothed with white robes of linen that represent the righteousness of God. We have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and this army is the Church that is following with Jesus as He comes back to the earth.

Verse 15-16

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16And he hath on His vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

We as believers see the word of God as a sword but in a manner that pierces into our lives and hearts and helps discern the intents of our heart so that we may learn and be changed into the image of Christ. But here that same word of God is now a sword not of benefit but one of destruction that will smite (to cut down, to kill, to slay) the nations (kingdoms of earth). He will be coming as a ruler that will enforce the will of God with out measure or mercy it will be with a rod of iron rule. He will be pouring out the wrath of the Almighty God on earth.

We have the final identification of Jesus here by the name written on the vesture and His thigh "King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s’ which Paul wrote of in 1 Timothy 6:15

[Richard]

Revelation 19:17-21

Verse 17

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

Two things to see here, one is the immense form and stature of this angel. He is able to stand on the sun. This angel in the scheme of Gods work will be judged by us, that we will be given a place that is above that of angels. The second point is the difference in this angel calling the fowls for the supper of God and the call earlier in this chapter to the marriage feast of the Lamb. In this call there is no mention of joy or rejoicing but there is an ominous overtone of doom.

Verse 18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.[/color]

This is not a call to rejoicing but to carnage in the destruction of the flesh of rulers and kings and all those who will gather for that last assault on the kingdom and work of God. In Zechariah it says of those times

Zechariah 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

Verse 19

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

The anti-christ and the false prophet and their armies will gather from throughout the world all those who will assault the city of God’s Israel, Jerusalem . This is the last battle, this is the final conflict with the nations of the earth before the establishment of the kingdom of the Lord. This is the time that Jesus with His army (us) will engage the rulers of earth and exact the judgement of God upon them.

Verse 20

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Here we have the last battle and like an anti climax we don’t read about the bombs and weapons of war or special effects that we are so accustomed to seeing in the movies just a simple "and the beast was taken and with him the false prophet". No matter of gathering or posturing or threats from the antichrist or false prophet stop the outcome. No power or cunning stops the predetermined outcome of the antichrist and false prophet being taken. They are just simply cast into the lake of fire. Their power is such that it can’t even stop the simple taking of them that the Lord does and the eternal judgement they suffer. Also notice who is also in this scripture "them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image". The judgement of God is final and swift

Verse 21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

And those who remain after these are taken (antichrist, false prophet, and those who take the mark) are then slain with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth (the word of God) and all the fowls called by the angel in the sun are filled up with their flesh. 　
　

[Richard]

Revelation 20:1-10
　
Verse 1-3[/b]

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 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.

　
In chapter 19 we had the return of Jesus our Lord to earth and His defeating all who opposed Him by His coming . Also taking place at this time is an event that is not in the flesh or earthly realm. We have and angel coming with the keys to the bottomless pit and a chain. The chain is to bind Satan and to unlock the bottomless pit and to toss Satan in that pit to remain bound for a thousand years (time of the millennial kingdom). While the kingdom of Jesus rule is on the earth Satan is bound and can not interfere with the lives or nature of life for those who lived through the great tribulation (yes there are survivors). The people who live on earth after the tribulation will be under the rod of iron rule of Jesus of which the members of the Church are kings and priests on this earth and are ruling with Jesus. We will help enforce the iron rule of Jesus on earth at this time.
　
Verse 4-6

4 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 worshipped 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.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 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.

　
Next we see thrones in heaven and we are told who will be sitting on those thrones. It is those who had a part in the first resurrection. The Church which has been caught up to the Lord, those who are beheaded for their testimony for Jesus during the great tribulation, those who refused to take the mark of the beast these are the ones sitting on thrones with Jesus to rule with Him during the millennium kingdom. Also notice that it says that none of the rest of the dead lived again until the thousand years of the millennial kingdom are completed. Only those who have part in the first resurrection will sit and reign with Jesus. Some people have a hard time with the idea of the first resurrection but you need to realize that the first resurrection started with Jesus (Revelation 1:5) and it ends with those martyred during tribulation. It is not just one event but an event that spans thousands of years. The rapture is part of the first resurrection.
　
Those who are part of the first resurrection will not be subject to the second death (separation from God in the Lake of fire).
　
Verse 7-8

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8And 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.

　
Then after many generations have passed without the interference of Satan, He will be loosed from the pit for a short season and in this time he is able to deceive and lead people into rebellion against God once again. Here we see that even with forced iron rule there is still the weakness of the flesh and the rebellious nature toward God. Gog and Magog have been symbols of the nations who rise against Gods people and kingdom. And you can see that man has repopulated the earth in great numbers and that Satan is able to deceive great numbers to again rebel against God and His kingdom and rule (the number of whom is as the sand of the sea).
　
Verse 9

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

　
Those who are deceived by the release of Satan gather together to attack Gods people and the holy city Jerusalem. But this time God ends the rebellion in an instant by raining fire from heaven that devours them all.
　
Verse 10

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

　
This time Satan is not bound in the bottomless pit but is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the false prophet and the beast already are and from that moment on Satan and those who followed him are in torment night and day for eternity. There will never be Satan to deceive or spread his lies anymore for eternity.

[Richard]

Revelation 20:1-10
　
Verse 1-3

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 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.

　
In chapter 19 we had the return of Jesus our Lord to earth and His defeating all who opposed Him by His coming . Also taking place at this time is an event that is not in the flesh or earthly realm. We have and angel coming with the keys to the bottomless pit and a chain. The chain is to bind Satan and to unlock the bottomless pit and to toss Satan in that pit to remain bound for a thousand years (time of the millennial kingdom). While the kingdom of Jesus rule is on the earth Satan is bound and can not interfere with the lives or nature of life for those who lived through the great tribulation (yes there are survivors). The people who live on earth after the tribulation will be under the rod of iron rule of Jesus of which the members of the Church are kings and priests on this earth and are ruling with Jesus. We will help enforce the iron rule of Jesus on earth at this time.
　
Verse 4-6

4 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 worshipped 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.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 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.

　
Next we see thrones in heaven and we are told who will be sitting on those thrones. It is those who had a part in the first resurrection. The Church which has been caught up to the Lord, those who are beheaded for their testimony for Jesus during the great tribulation, those who refused to take the mark of the beast these are the ones sitting on thrones with Jesus to rule with Him during the millennium kingdom. Also notice that it says that none of the rest of the dead lived again until the thousand years of the millennial kingdom are completed. Only those who have part in the first resurrection will sit and reign with Jesus. Some people have a hard time with the idea of the first resurrection but you need to realize that the first resurrection started with Jesus (Revelation 1:5) and it ends with those martyred during tribulation. It is not just one event but an event that spans thousands of years. The rapture is part of the first resurrection.
　
Those who are part of the first resurrection will not be subject to the second death (separation from God in the Lake of fire).
　
Verse 7-8

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8And 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.

　
Then after many generations have passed without the interference of Satan, He will be loosed from the pit for a short season and in this time he is able to deceive and lead people into rebellion against God once again. Here we see that even with forced iron rule there is still the weakness of the flesh and the rebellious nature toward God. Gog and Magog have been symbols of the nations who rise against Gods people and kingdom. And you can see that man has repopulated the earth in great numbers and that Satan is able to deceive great numbers to again rebel against God and His kingdom and rule (the number of whom is as the sand of the sea).
　
Verse 9

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

　
Those who are deceived by the release of Satan gather together to attack Gods people and the holy city Jerusalem. But this time God ends the rebellion in an instant by raining fire from heaven that devours them all.
　
Verse 10

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

　
This time Satan is not bound in the bottomless pit but is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the false prophet and the beast already are and from that moment on Satan and those who followed him are in torment night and day for eternity. There will never be Satan to deceive or spread his lies anymore for eternity.

[Richard]

Revelation 20:11-15
Verse 11

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

We have come to the end of the 1000 yrs of the earthly kingdom of Jesus and Satan has made his last attempt at defeating Gods plan and kingdom. He is taken and thrown into the Lake of fire (Gehenna) to be tormented night and day forever. Now we see the destruction of the old earth and heavens and the final time of judgement. We now see the great white throne.

Verse 12-13

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Now before the white throne all the dead will stand before God. It does not matter who they were in this life (kings, rulers, the common man) they all will stand before God and be judged. Men will be judged according to their works, their evil works. They said to Jesus one day, "what must we do to do the works of God?" And Jesus said to them, "This is the work of God, believe on Him who he has sent".So all people who do not do the work of God (believing in whom He has sent) will be judged then according to their own works (righteousness). The scriptures plainly shows us that the works of man are but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Verse 14-15

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

We see the place that the unrighteous souls were kept until the great white throne judgement being tossed into the final judgement "the lake of fire". This casting into the lake of fire is called the second death. In verse 6 we saw the promise of the Lord to those who were resurrected before this final judgement. That was called the first resurrection and here we have the second resurrection and the second death but Jesus has promised us that we will not be hurt by the second death if we are part of the first resurrection.

We also see that there were books that were used in this final judgement and one is the book of life and all those who are part of the first resurrection are in that book of life. But the others books contain the works of the lives of those not found in the book of life. They are then subject to the second death because they have no part in the book of life. Anyone not found in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire and suffers the second death

[Richard]

Revelation 21:1-8
Verse 1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.[/color]

　
In Isaiah 65:17 God said For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. and in Revelation 21:1 we see the fulfillment of that prophecy. There will be a new heaven and a new earth and the former will not be remembered or brought into mind. We are not going to sit around after that age and say, "Remember down on earth we used to do this do that". God is just going to excise from our brain all those synapses that hold those memory stores and banks and it will be gone, not be remembered or brought into mind. All things will be new.
　
Verse 2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

　
Some people think that the New Jerusalem is just an allegory and is not literally real. They say that it is actually just an allegory about the believers in the Church and that we are the New Jerusalem. But the problem with that is in context the New Jerusalem is described in the same context as the new heaven and earth, which are literal. I believe that New Jerusalem is a literal city that has been in heaven awaiting this final time to descend to the new earth and a place for believers to live and commune with God face to face.

Verse 3-4

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

　
God promises to actually dwell among us that we would have access to the living God on a constant basis no longer separated by the flesh and the fallen world. He will be our God and we will be His people never to be separated again. He will wipe away all the tears (no more crying because of the suffering we have been through), no more pain, no sorrow or death because all these things and circumstances and feelings have passed away, the wonderful promise of no physical infirmities, no weaknesses, no tiredness, and no weariness.
　
　
Verse 5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

　
It sounds too good to be true. And because it is really just so good, that it is hard for us to conceive it so the Lord puts this special little "write these things because these sayings are faithful and true." God attests now to the truth of what He is declaring. You can believe it. You can trust it. God has promised it.
　
Verse 6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

　
Instead of limited access (through the infirmity of the flesh) to the rivers of living water we will receive freely with out limit from this river and this is promised by the beginning and the end of all things (Jesus).
　
Verse 7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

　
Since we have overcome death in the first resurrection we are going to inherit the whole new universe that God creates (If we are sons of God then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ Romans 8:17 ). It is all ours to enjoy to the fullest with Him.
　
Verse 8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

　
And these are the ones who will not share in this inheritance because they did not overcome the second death.

　

[Richard]

Revelation 21:9-17
Verse 9-10

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

　
Some people believe that New Jerusalem is the bride of Christ and have misinterpreted verse 9 to mean the holy city is the bride of Christ, but that cannot be because Christ died for His people, not for a city. The city is called the bride because it encompasses all who are the bride. In the New Testament, Christ, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the church to be His bride. Here the scriptures quite clearly identify the bride of Christ

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

　
2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

　
Also we see that the bride of Christ is adorned in white linen and we will see that the city of New Jerusalem is not adorned in white linen only those who abide in New Jerusalem are adorned in white.. So I believe that the bride of Christ is the saved believers who are adorned with white linen (the righteousness of the saints) and the city of New Jerusalem is but the place that the believers reside. The New Jerusalem is not the church, but it takes on the church’s characteristics.
　
In the next verses we will see a description of the New Jerusalem. In this description you will see many things that refer to the work of salvation and are incorporated into the structure of the city.
　
Verse 11-14

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The city of New Jerusalem will reflect the glory of God and the brightness of that glory that descended on the tabernacle in the wilderness was enough to cause the children of Israel to fear and reverence this glory. It was so intense that it caused Moses face to glow to the point he had to cover his face so that he didn’t scare the people. This same glory will be present in the city of New Jerusalem. If you have ever held up clear precious gems stones to the light you would see a brilliance of many different colors refracted from that light and thus will it be with New Jerusalem.
　
But notice the description of the gates that will allow access to the city. They named after the twelve tribes. But the wall that are the protection of the city in which they are located have the twelve apostles as their foundation. Through the oracles of God that were entrusted to the twelve tribes we have been shown the way to get to know who God is. And it is through the foundational work of the apostles that we have the structure that holds the gates together. We can see here a marriage of the Old Testament oracles and the New Testament oracles being used as one work allowing entrance into the Holy city of New Jerusalem.
　
Verse 15-17

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

　
Now we have the angel giving John a reed (measuring device equaling 1 cubit/18 inches) and told John to measue the city. The city of itself was square meaning it is as long as it is wide. The measurement of the city was twelve thousand furlongs (approx. 1400 square miles]. The wall itself was 144 cubits or approx. 200 feet high. So we have a city that contains about 6,160,000 square miles of space.

Next we will look at the building materials of the city.

[Richard]

Revelation 21:18-27
Verse 18-21

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

　
These are definitions of the building materials
Jasper --- a precious stone of various colours (for some are purple, others blue, others green, and others the colour of brass)
Gold --- Gold is a precious metal and it is said that when refined to its purest state can be clear as transparent as glass in appearance
Sapphire --- a precious stone (corundum blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange, or greenish color.) translucent to transparent.
Chalcedony --- a precious stone of misty grey colour, clouded with blue, yellow, or purple
Emerald --- a transparent precious stone noted especially for its light green colour
Sardonyx --- a precious stone marked by the red colours of the carnelian and the white of the onyx
Sardius --- a precious stone of which there are two types, the former is called a carnelian (because flesh coloured) and the latter a sard
Chrysolite --- a precious stone of golden colour
Beryl --- a precious stone of a pale green colour
Topaz --- a greenish yellow precious stone
Chrysoprasus --- is a stone of green colour, inclined to that of gold, from whence it has its name
Hyacinth --- the name of a flower, also of a precious stone of the same colour, a dark blue verging on black
[b}Amethyst[/b] --- a precious stone of a violet and purple colour
Pearl --- a precious hard, generally spherical object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk.


As you can see the New Jerusalem can be seen as a multi colored structure which would give it a look like it was as finely adorned as a Bride. It is not a drab city. Also notice that the city was made from just about every precious stone and metal and pearl. It seems that God is doing this to show us that the value system is totally different in heaven as it is here. That which we highly prize and value that men will lie for, kill for and steal for will have no value up there. It is just common building materials.
　
Verse 22

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

　
There is no need for a temple for God to come a dwell in that the people go to see God because we now can meet God everywhere, that He is no longer limited in His interaction with man because He is dwelling with His people. You need no meeting place where you go to meet God. He is dwelling amongst His people.
　
Verse 23

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Just as in the time of the Shekinah glory setting on the tabernacle and was with Israel in the wilderness to guide them, that same incandescent light of the glory of God and Jesus will fill and light the city.
　
Verse 24-27

24 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.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

　
There are restrictions as to who can enter the city. None that defileth (to make unclean, render unhallowed, defile, profane), worketh abomination (a foul thing, a detestable thing; of idols and things pertaining to idolatry), or makes a lie (conscious and intentional falsehood). Which excludes any type of sin and notice those that can enter are written in the Lambs book of life.

[Richard]

Revelation 22: 1-5

Verse 1

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

In chapter 21 we saw the end of the old earth and the judgements completed and the beginning of the new earth and life with the Lord. We have descriptions of the New city of Jerusalem and the temple of God and His throne from which He reigns. We see the conditions of our hearts and the promises for our existence in this New Kingdom. Here in chapter 22 we have a continuance of the descriptions of the city of New Jerusalem.

The first description was of a pure river of the water of life. Since this in a newly created kingdom and realm then the pure river had never existed on earth or in Jerusalem before. The source of this water of life is the throne of God. No more polluted water or source but one of crystal purity.

Verse 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.

Many doctrines have been instituted about the tree of life but that is not what I am approaching here. I am just expanding the description we are given. This is an amazing tree. It is growing on both sides of the river of the water of life. On this tree it bears a special fruit each month (12 a year). Each fruit is different than the other. Now this is not a hard concept to grasp because with genetic engineering and grafting we can see this even today in our own times. We have trees that can bear apples of different types on the same tree or apples and pears on the same tree. With citrus we can multiple types of fruit like oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits on the same tree each bearing its fruit in different months. Here we see that God has created a tree with the same abilities.

We see also the leaves of the tree are medicinal.

Verse 3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

The earth was cursed as a result of sin. "Cursed will be the ground; thorns and thistles will it bring forth. Cursed be man, by the sweat of his brow shall he earn his bread" Genesis 3:18-19). In the New Earth and the kingdom of God there will no more curse.

Verse 4[/B]

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

　
No longer will Gods throne be hidden from man but will abide openly in the New Jerusalem for all men to approach. No longer will Gods face be hidden from men or invisible to man but we will see His face openly. The scriptures speak of this in Matthew 5:8 " Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.. We will also be clearly identified as to belonging to the household of God because His name will be written in our foreheads.

Verse 5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

In our world now we live with a sun that has only a limited time of existence an we depend on it to give us light. It is this that is changed here because God has become our source of light and we see that it is no longer finite but eternal in nature.