The Story-Line of Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect LESSON 8

The Story-Line of Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect LESSON 8: NEW HEAVENS, NEW EARTH, FLOWING RIVER, AND TREE OF LIFE In Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect, God’s creation of a new heaven and new earth establishes a new city in which people live directly in the presence of the throne of God and the little Ram. § Click to read about a new heaven and earth in Isaiah.

Hebrew Bible Resource: NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH in Isaiah 65: 17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (read Isaiah 65) § Click for continuation of hew heavens and a new earth in Isaiah.

Hebrew Bible Resource: NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH in Isaiah 66: 22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, ” says Adonai, “so your seed and your name shall remain. 66: 23 It shall happen, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall flesh come to worship before me, ” says Adonai. (read Isaiah 66) § Click for new heaven and earth in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

CHRISTIAN APOCALYPTIC RHETOROLECT IN REVELATION FEATURES A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH. § Click for next slide.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect: A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH in Revelation 21: 1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. 21: 2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. (read Revelation 21) § Click for no tears, death, or pain in the new time.

NO MORE TEARS, DEATH, OR PAIN The Hebrew Bible presents prophetic renewal of Israel, where there will be no more tears, death, or pain. § Click to read the covenant of peace in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD WILL DWELL WITH ISRAEL THROUGH A COVENANT OF PEACE Ezekiel 37: 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. 37: 27 My tent also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (read Ezekiel 37) § Click to continue with God’s dwelling with Israel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD WILL DWELL WITH ISRAEL Leviticus 26: 11 I will set my tent among you: and my soul won’t abhor you. 12: I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you will be my people. (read Leviticus 26) 2 Chronicles 6: 18 But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house which I have built! (read 2 Chronicles 26) § Click to continue with God’s dwelling with Israel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD WILL DWELL WITH ISRAEL cont. Ezekiel 37: 27 My tent also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (read Ezekiel 37) Zechariah 2: 10 “Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion; for, behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, ” says Adonai. (read Zechariah 2) Isaiah 25: 8 He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord Adonai will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for Adonai has spoken it. (read Isaiah 25) § Click to continue reading about no weeping in Israel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: NO MORE WEEPING IN ISRAEL Isaiah 35: 10 Adonai’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (read Isaiah 35) Isaiah 65: 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying. (read Isaiah 65) § Click to read about no tears, pain, or death in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

CHRISTIAN APOCALYPTIC RHETOROLECT IN REVELATION 21 FEATURES NO MORE TEARS, DEATH, OR PAIN § Click for next slide.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect Revelation 21: NO MORE TEARS, PAIN, OR DEATH in Revelation 21: 3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4: He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away. ” 5: He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new. ” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true. ” § Click to read about the heavenly city.

THE HEAVENLY CITY The heavenly city in Revelation to John reconfigures many resources from the Hebrew Bible. § Click to read about the heavenly city in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: A CITY ON A VERY HIGH MOUNTAIN in Ezekiel features a city on a very high mountain in Israel. § Click to read about the city in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: VERY HIGH MOUNTAIN LIKE A CITY Ezekiel 40: 2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, whereon was as it were the frame of a city on the south. (read Ezekiel 40) § Click to read Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect about a heavenly city.

CHRISTIAN APOCALYPTIC RHETOROLECT IN REVELATION 21 FEATURES GOING TO A HIGH MOUNTAIN TO SEE THE HEAVENLY CITY JERUSALEM COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN § Click for next slide.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 21: JOHN GOES TO A HIGH MOUNTAIN TO SEE THE HEAVENLY CITY COME DOWN Revelation 21: 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the wife, the little Ram’s bride. ” 10: He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11: having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal. § Click to read about a high wall and gates in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: THE CITY HAS A GREAT, HIGH WALL AND GATES in Ezekiel In Ezekiel, the city has a great, high wall and gates. § Click to read about the wall and gates in Ezekiel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: HIGH WALL AND GATES IN THE CITY Ezekiel 48: 30 These are the exits of the city: On the north side four thousand five hundred reeds by measure; 48: 31 and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; the gate of Levi, one. § Click for continuation about the wall and gates.

Hebrew Bible Resource: HIGH WALL AND GATES IN THE CITY Ezekiel 48: 32 At the east side four thousand five hundred reeds, and three gates: even the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; the gate of Dan, one. 48: 33 At the south side four thousand five hundred reeds by measure, and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; the gate of Zebulun, one. § Click for continuation about the wall and gates.

Hebrew Bible Resource: HIGH WALL AND GATES IN THE CITY Ezekiel 48: 34 At the west side four thousand five hundred reeds, with their three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; the gate of Naphtali, one. 48: 35 It shall be eighteen thousand reeds around: and the name of the city from that day shall be, Adonai is there. (read Ezekiel 48) § Click to read Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect about a high wall and gates.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 21: THE HEAVENLY CITY HAS A GREAT, HIGH WALL AND GATES Revelation 21: 12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 21: 13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 21: 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the little Ram. § Click for measurement of the city.

Hebrew Bible Resource: MEASUREMENT OF THE CITY Ezekiel 42: 20 He measured it on the four sides: it had a wall around it, the length five hundred, and the breadth five hundred, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common. (read Ezekiel 42) § Click to read Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect about a high wall and gates.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 21: MEASUREMENT OF THE HEAVENLY CITY Revelation 21: 15 He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. 21: 16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 21: 17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. § Click for stones in the high priest’s breastplate.

Hebrew Bible Resource: STONES IN THE HIGH PRIEST’S BREASTPLATE Exodus 28: 17 You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row; 28: 18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 28: 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; § Click for continuation of the stones in the high priest’s breastplate.

Hebrew Bible Resource: STONES IN THE HIGH PRIEST’S BREASTPLATE cont. Exodus 28: 20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. 28: 21 The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes. (read Exodus 28) § Click for continuation of precious stones in renewed Israel.

Hebrew Bible Resource: STONES IN RENEWED ISRAEL Isaiah 54: 11 You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 54: 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, and your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. (read Isaiah 54) § Click to read Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect that uses the stones in the high priest’s breastplate for stones in the city.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 21: PRECIOUS STONES IN THE HEAVENLY CITY Revelation 21: 18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19: The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20: the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. 21: The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. § Click for God as everlasting light.

Hebrew Bible Resource: GOD IS EVERLASTING LIGHT Isaiah 60: 19 The sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to you: but Adonai will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. 60: 20 Your sun shall no more go down, neither shall your moon withdraw itself; for Adonai will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended. (read Isaiah 60) § Click for God as light in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

OT Apocrypha Resource: GOD IS EVERLASTING LIGHT 2 Esdras 7: 38 -42: Thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment – 39: a day that has no sun or moon or stars, 40: or cloud or thunder or lightning or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning, 41: or summer or spring or heat or winter or frost or cold or hail or rain or dew, 42: or noon or night, or dawn or shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all shall see what has been determined for them. (read 2 Esdras 7) § Click for God as light in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 21: GOD AS EVERLASTING LIGHT Revelation 21: 22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the little Ram, are its temple. 21: 23 The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the little Ram. 21: 24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. § Click for continually open gates in the city.

Hebrew Bible Resource: SAFETY ALLOWS CONTINUALLY OPEN GATES Zechariah 14: 7 It will be a unique day which is known to Adonai; not day, and not night; but it will come to pass, that at evening time there will be light. (read Zechariah 14) Isaiah 60: 11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive. (read Isaiah 60) § Click for the gates always open in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect Revelation 21: CONTINUALLY OPEN GATES in Revelation 21: 25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), 21: 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. § Click for nothing unclean in the city.

Hebrew Bible Resource: NOTHING UNCLEAN IN HOLY CITY Isaiah 52: 1 Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. (read Isaiah 52) § Click for nothing unclean in the city in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 21: NOTHING UNCLEAN IN HEAVENLY CITY Revelation 21: 27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the little Ram’s book of life. § Click for water, trees, and fruit in the city.

Hebrew Bible Resource: WATER, TREES, AND FRUIT Ezekiel 47: 1 He brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward; (for the forefront of the house was toward the east; ) and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar…. § Click for continuation of water, trees, fruit, and leaves for healing.

Hebrew Bible Resource: WATER, TREES, FRUIT, AND LEAVES FOR HEALING cont. Ezekiel 47: 12 By the river on its bank, on this side and on that side, shall grow every tree for food, whose leaf shall not wither, neither shall its fruit fail: it shall bring forth new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary; and its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for healing. (read Ezekiel 47) § Click for water, tree of life, and healing leaves in Christian apocalyptic rhetorolect.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect in Revelation 22: WATER, TREE OF LIFE, FRUIT Revelation 22: 1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the little Ram, 22: 2 in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. § Click for God and the little Ram in the city.

Christian Apocalyptic Rhetorolect Revelation 22: GOD AND the little Ram in Revelation 22: 3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the little Ram will be in it, and his servants serve him. 22: 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 22: 5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever. § Click for a summary.

Good Work! In this final lesson you have learned that: 1) God creates a new heaven and a new earth. 2) No tears, pain, or death are in the city. 3) The new heaven is a city. 4) The city has a great, high wall and gates. 5) Measurement of the city shows equal lengths of walls. 6) Precious stones in the walls are like the stones in the high priest’s breast plate. § Click to continue the summary.

Excellent! 7) The city has no temple, because God is its temple, its glory, and it light. 8) God is everlasting light in the city. 9) The gates of the city are always open, since there is no danger. 10) Nothing unclean enters the heavenly city. 11) Flowing water, the tree of life that eternally bears fruit, and healing leaves are in the heavenly city. 12) God and the little Ram are eternally in the city. § Click to continue the summary.

Congratulations!!!! YOU DID IT!!!!! THIS IS THE FINAL LESSON on the Christian Apocalyptic Story-Line. Have a little celebration, but do not endanger your entrance into the heavenly city!!!!