Archives for 2023

Revelation 22

Do not add or take away from the words of this prophecy (22:18-19) 

^“18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” 

This warning is aimed against the willful distortion of the message of the book. The speaker is Christ Himself, who thus claims a canonicity for the book (and the entire New Testament) equal to that of the Old Testament. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2019) 

Even so, come Lord Jesus (22:20-21) 

^“20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” 

The final promise of Christ in the Bible is that His return is imminent. The answers to the problems of life is to be found in the return of the sovereign Son of God. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2019) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Revelation 22

...Come (22:16-17) 

^“16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” 

Jesus now authenticates His angel through whom He has given the revelation to John. You is plural, indicating that the revelation is for all the churches. As the root and the offspring of David, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic promise of Isaiah 11:1. As the bright and morning star, Jesus will shortly bring in the new age: the messianic kingdom. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Revelation 22 

River of Life and Tree of Life (22:1-2) 

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding 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.” 

These verses depict the abundant life and continual blessing of the New Jerusalem. One river, containing water of life, comes from God’s throne and waters the entire city. The tree of life pictures eternal sustenance and immortality. Both the variety and abundance of fruit are emphasized. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2017) 

We Shall Serve, See, and Reign Forever with God (22:3-5) 

^“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:⁴ And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.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.“ 

The effects of the post-Endemic curse will be totally gone forever. God’s saints will serve Him and reign with Him forever. The greatest blessing of eternity is that they shall see His face. The name of God in their foreheads shows ownership and consecration. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2017) 

Sayings are Faithful and True (22:6-7) 

^“6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” 

These sayings refer to the entire Book of Revelation. They are authenticated as genuine by the angel who God sent to give them through John to His servants, that is, the members of the churches. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2017) 

Worship God (22:8-11) 

^“8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.¹⁰ And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.¹¹ He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” 

John certifies that he has actually seen and heard everything that he has written in the book. He again makes the mistake of worshipping the messenger (angel) of God rather than God Himself. John is told to leave the book open (Seal not). The Messiah has come, his return is imminent, and thus the time is at hand. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

I am the Alpha and Omega (22:12-13) 

^“12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” 

Again Christ declares the imminence of His return. The three designations of verse 13 are virtually equivalent in meaning. By applying them to Himself, Christ claims unlimited, eternal equality with God. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

Tree of Life (22:14—15) 

^“14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” 

They that do His commandments are believers. The tree of life indicates immortality and divine blessings. To be able to enter in through the gates into the city is to have heavenly citizenship in the eternal dwelling place of God and redeemed mankind. All unbelievers are without (outside) the city in the lake of fire. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

…Come (22:16-17) 

^“16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” 

Jesus now authenticates His angel through whom He has given the revelation to John. You is plural, indicating that the revelation is for all the churches. As the root and the offspring of David, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic promise of Isaiah 11:1. As the bright and morning star, Jesus will shortly bring in the new age: the messianic kingdom. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

Do not add or take away from the words of this prophecy (22:18-19) 

^“18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” 

This warning is aimed against the willful distortion of the message of the book. The speaker is Christ Himself, who thus claims a canonicity for the book (and the entire New Testament) equal to that of the Old Testament. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2019) 

Even so, come Lord Jesus (22:20-21) 

^“20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” 

The final promise of Christ in the Bible is that His return is imminent. The answers to the problems of life is to be found in the return of the sovereign Son of God. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2019) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Revelation 22

Worship God (22:8-11) 

^“8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.¹⁰ And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.¹¹ He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” 

John certifies that he has actually seen and heard everything that he has written in the book. He again makes the mistake of worshipping the messenger (angel) of God rather than God Himself. John is told to leave the book open (Seal not). The Messiah has come, his return is imminent, and thus the time is at hand. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

I am the Alpha and Omega (22:12-13) 

^“12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” 

Again Christ declares the imminence of His return. The three designations of verse 13 are virtually equivalent in meaning. By applying them to Himself, Christ claims unlimited, eternal equality with God. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

Tree of Life (22:14—15) 

^“14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” 

They that do His commandments are believers. The tree of life indicates immortality and divine blessings. To be able to enter in through the gates into the city is to have heavenly citizenship in the eternal dwelling place of God and redeemed mankind. All unbelievers are without (outside) the city in the lake of fire. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2018) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Revelation 22 

River of Life and Tree of Life (22:1-2) 

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding 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.” 

These verses depict the abundant life and continual blessing of the New Jerusalem. One river, containing water of life, comes from God’s throne and waters the entire city. The tree of life pictures eternal sustenance and immortality. Both the variety and abundance of fruit are emphasized. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2017) 

We Shall Serve, See, and Reign Forever with God (22:3-5) 

^“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:⁴ And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.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.“ 

The effects of the post-Endemic curse will be totally gone forever. God’s saints will serve Him and reign with Him forever. The greatest blessing of eternity is that they shall see His face. The name of God in their foreheads shows ownership and consecration. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2017) 

Sayings are Faithful and True (22:6-7) 

^“6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” 

These sayings refer to the entire Book of Revelation. They are authenticated as genuine by the angel who God sent to give them through John to His servants, that is, the members of the churches. (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, pg. 2017) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

Precious jewels of the new Jerusalem (21:18-21) 

^“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, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.²¹ And 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.” 

The effect of the precious stones is a magnificent city of brilliant gold adorned with gems of every color. 

The Lamb is… (21:22-27) 

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.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.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 honor into it.²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honor 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 is no temple in the city, since the Father and the Son will be present in their fullest manifestation. Its light will be provided by the Shekinah glory of God and of Christ. The glory of God in the New Jerusalem will light the earth.  

This is our eternal home. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

Description of the new Jerusalem (21:11-14) 

^“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,¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;¹² And 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:¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”  

The wall shows its security and protection. Its gate shows accessibility. The gold and precious stones depict the glory, beauty, and eternal quality of the city. 

Measurements of the new Jerusalem (21:15-17) 

^“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.¹⁶ And 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.¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” 

It has dimensions of approximately 1500 miles cubed. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

The great restoration (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 

God purifies earth with fire. The impurities such as sin, corruption, and wickedness have all been removed. We are now ready for a new heaven and earth. A perfect earth as it was in the beginning. 

Revelation 21 

The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-2) 

“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.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.” 

Isaiah prophesized the new heaven and new earth in chapter 65:17. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Continue to read the rest of the story, verses 18-25.  

The tabernacle of God is with men (21:3) 

^“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.” 

The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. 

God will… (21:4-8) 

“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.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.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.⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.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.”  

The eternal purpose of God to gather a holy, devoted people for Himself has now been accomplished. God is the origin and source of all things. He is also the goal or aim of all things. 

The new Jerusalem (21:9-10) 

^“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.” 

Description of the new Jerusalem (21:11-14) 

^“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,¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;¹² And 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:¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”  

The wall shows its security and protection. Its gate shows accessibility. The gold and precious stones depict the glory, beauty, and eternal quality of the city. 

Measurements of the new Jerusalem (21:15-17) 

^“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.¹⁶ And 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.¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” 

It has dimensions of approximately 1500 miles cubed. 

Precious jewels of the new Jerusalem (21:18-21) 

^“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, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.²¹ And 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.” 

The effect of the precious stones is a magnificent city of brilliant gold adorned with gems of every color. 

The Lamb is… (21:22-27) 

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.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.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 honor into it.²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honor 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 is no temple in the city, since the Father and the Son will be present in their fullest manifestation. Its light will be provided by the Shekinah glory of God and of Christ. The glory of God in the New Jerusalem will light the earth.  

This is our eternal home. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

God will… (21:4-8) 

“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.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.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.⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.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.”  

The eternal purpose of God to gather a holy, devoted people for Himself has now been accomplished. God is the origin and source of all things. He is also the goal or aim of all things. 

The new Jerusalem (21:9-10) 

^“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.” 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

The great restoration (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 

God purifies the heavens and earth with fire. The impurities such as sin, corruption, and wickedness have all been removed. We are now ready for a new heaven and earth. A perfect earth as it was in the beginning. 

Revelation 21 

The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-2) 

“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.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.” 

Isaiah prophesized the new heaven and new earth in chapter 65:17. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Continue to read the rest of the story, verses 18-25.  

The tabernacle of God is with men (21:3) 

^“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.” 

The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com