All is New: Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-8

Revelation 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. 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. 3And 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. 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. 8But 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.

Introduction

With the closing of the twentieth chapter, the Apostle John is introduced to the “eternity stage.” This is the new home of Jesus and His bride.

Everyone who was rebellious against God are now in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. Satan, the Antichrist, False Prophet, devils, and all mankind that rejected the Lord will be in eternal punishment.

The redeemed, from all time, will have a new dwelling place that will be eternal. The old heavens and earth will be replaced with a new heaven and new earth.

In the book of Genesis, there was nothing and God spoke, and the creation took place. Now, John is shown a new creation.

God’s statements recorded in Revelation 21:5–6 aptly summarize these final two chapters: “Behold, I make all things new … It is done!” What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation, as the following summary shows:

Genesis Revelation Heavens and earth created, 1:1 New heavens and earth, 21:1 Sun created, 1:16 No need of the sun 21:23 The night established, 1:5 No night there, 22:5 The seas created, 1:10 No more seas, 21:1 The curse announced, 3:14–17 No more curse, 22:3 Death enters history, 3:19 No more death, 21:4 Man driven from the tree, 3:24 Man restored to paradise, 22:14 Sorrow and pain begin, 3:17 No more tears or pain, 21:4[1]

Life as we know it is over. The judgments on a God hating people are no more. Satan will deceive no more. Sin will be abolished, and Eden will be restored.

John, as a prisoner on a harsh, windswept island is given a view of what eternity is going to look like. Jesus promised the disciples, that He would be going away, but when He did, He was going to prepare a place for them to live:

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

After having a firsthand encounter with all the events of the vision, God grants John a sneak peek into his final resting place.

All the 21st and the first five verses of 22nd chapter speak of the joyful state of all believers. Now we see what we all look forward to…a glimpse of heaven. Our home has been prepared and now we get to take possession.

Note: twenty-one times “And” is the first word in these twenty-seven verses.

A New Heaven, a New Earth, and a New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1 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.

I believe before we go any further, we need to let these ten words sink in. Everything we know and have seen, as inhabitants of planet earth, will be gone.

· The beauty and majesty of the Himalayas, Alps, Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Honshu, Andes, gone

· The magnificence of the Grand Canyon, gone

· The Painted Desert, coastlines, Niagara Falls, waves of grain, all gone

· The sun and moon, gone

· The big and little dipper, gone

· The Milky way, Andromeda, gone

· Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, gone

In their place, everything is new! Wouldn’t you have loved to see John’s face as he is invited to write about the vision that the LORD is giving him for a new earth and heaven? He is at the end of his life, incarcerated on a small island in the Aegean Sea, and God gave him a glimpse of where his next destination will be. I imagine that his senses would be filled with wonder. If it was me, I would be trying to search out every nuance of the new earth and heaven to write to the seven churches as a hope of things to come.

There are some arguments concerning the idea of “new” in this passage. The discussion centers on “new” or “renovated or transformed.” Some believe that the “New Earth” is new for the believers. Others believe the new heavens and earth are actually “transformed” into new. Those that support the “transformed” earth refer to the change that happens in a believer. Before Christ and after salvation, the bodies remain the same but are considered new according to the Apostle Paul and Peter. Another reference would be the believers “resurrected bodies.”

In Revelation 21:1, the King James Version inserts the Greek word “kainos” as “new.” Kainos, is defined as “recently made, fresh, a new kind, novel, and uncommon.” It has the idea of bringing news, or dramas produced for the first time.

New or regenerated, it does not really matter to me. If God created the heavens and the earth for Adam and Eve, He certainly could make all things new for eternity.

Personally, I lean toward the regeneration side of this argument for one reason. Jesus told His disciples:

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, thereye may be also.

If, since the time of His leaving the earth, He spent the time since he left the earth to prepare a place for believers, it does not make sense to me that all His work would be destroyed. That idea has me scratching my head. Nevertheless, this is only conjecture on my part.

“…for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea…”

The first heaven and first earth are passed away, renovated, or made new.

The prophet Isaiah wrote about the new heaven and earth:

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

The Apostle Peter longed to see the day when there would be a new heaven and earth.

2 Peter 3:12-13 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.

I am saddened by the last part of this verse; “and there was no more sea.” I for one love the oceans. I like its bounty, its ever-changing beauty, and the view of the earth from the stars. Our planet is blue, because of all the water. In the new earth, there will not be a need for the sea.

Why is there no more sea? One thought is that there will be water, but the earth will require more inhabitable space for all believers of all time. Today the oceans fill 2/3rds of the earth’s surface, the increased land will help in handling the multitudes of believers to live or at least visit earth.

Of course, there is a need to remove or remodel the first heaven and the first earth, as they were infected with sin. Earth started dying the moment sin was revealed in the Garden of Eden. Satan visited the throne room of God as he accused the brethren. The battle between Satan and Michael the archangel took place in heaven.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

This is an interesting verse concerning the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. Having officiated many weddings in my ministry, I am always struck by the reaction of the groom as the doors open and he sees the bride in her wedding dress. Not long ago I was privileged to perform the wedding for my grandson Adam. As I announced to the audience for them to rise as the bride was about to enter into the chapel, the doors swung wide, and my grandson’s eyes were filled with tears. He longed for that day and for his fiancé to be presented to him. The time had come, and the reality struck him full.

The Apostle John views, for the first time, a “new Jerusalem” being presented by the LORD Himself, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” For me, there are not enough words to describe what I think the new Jerusalem will be like. My mind cannot comprehend something so wondrously created by the LORD for me to take possession. He created my forever home. Jesus, the Creator of the cosmos, made a place for me to dwell eternally.

Revelation 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.

Throughout the Revelation, God has used His messengers to deliver the news, both good and bad. We are not told whether this is the voice of another angel, or if this is God Himself.

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men…”

While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the ten Commandments, he also received the plans for the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a tent, made to God’s specifications, which would hold His presence. “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (Ex. 25:8). It was in this tabernacle and later the Temple that God would show Himself to His people.

There are two previous references to the tabernacle in the Revelation. In the first verse, the antichrist blasphemes God, His name, His tabernacle, and His followers in heaven.

Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

In the next reference, we find that the tabernacle is in heaven.

Revelation 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

“…and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people…”

Dwell with them is literally "tabernacle with them.” The bible uses the same Greekword concerning the Son "tabernaclingamong us.” It almost seems as if God is saying that He will dwell with them in person.

“…and God himself shall be with them, and be their God…”

The Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel spoke of God dwelling among His people:

Ezekiel 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

In the New Testament, we are introduced to Emmanuel, God with us as Jesus takes the form of man. This is how I see the new heaven and the new earth. I see the Godhead, visibly interacting with “his people” as Jesus did when on the earth.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

There Will Be “No Mores!”

Revelation 21:4 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.

The first chapter of the book of Genesis covers the days of creation. Each day’s creation is documented, and God saw that “it was good.” (Light, 1:4; dry land, 1:10; grass and trees, 1:12; sun and moon, 1:18; sea creatures, 1:21; beasts of the earth, 1:25). Upon review of all the creation, “God saw everything he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (1:31)

This is the world that God brought man into existence. God’s plan was for man to populate the earth, have dominion over all the animals, and eat of all the herbs for meat. It was a paradise, and then sin entered the world. The great toll upon man and the earth is told in the third chapter of Genesis.

Genesis 3:16-19 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall beto thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Since Satan has been placed into the lake of fire along with death and hell, now the heavens and earth can be put back into what God had planned all along: no tears, no death, no crying, and no pain.

Note: No tears, death, crying and pain do not happen until the new heaven and new earth.

These Words Are True and Faithful

Revelation 21:5 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.

Once again we are not given the identity of "he that sat upon the throne." Most commentators lean towards this being Jesus while others say this is Jehovah. But that is not a problem at all for believers of Jesus Christ. We believe in the "trinity" of the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all one.

“…Behold, I make all things new…”

Just as in the first creation, the second creation is spoken into existence.

The Apostle Paul used this same argument when he discussed the change in a person who is "in Christ."

2 Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

The Greek word kainos is used in each of these verses, as well as in Revelation 21:5. As we previously looked at the word, it means "recently made, fresh, a new kind, novel, and uncommon." It has the idea of bringing news, or dramas produced for the first time.

John likens the new heaven and earth as the new creature, created by the new birth.

“And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful…”

The voice from the throne implores John to record what he is seeing. What he sees is "true and faithful." Oh, how marvelous are God's words to John. If I can quote an old saying, "What you see, is what you get." Since God is the one saying the words and giving the vision, they are worthy to be believed. Halleluiah! Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!

It Is Done!

Revelation 21:6 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.

He that sits on the throne announces it is finished. After the pouring out of the seventh bowl judgment, the angel announced, "it is done" (16:17). Jesus words from the cross carry the same idea: "It is finished." In each case, the announcement is one of a completed work. God's eternal plan to dwell with a devoted and holy people is "done." God's wrath and destruction of His enemies and the "salvation" of the saints are now completed.

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end…”

This is the third of four times that John pens this phrase (1:8; 1:11; 21:6; 22:13). Each time he has defined the meaning:

Phrase Meaning

1:8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending

1:11 I am Alpha and Omega the first and last

21:6 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end

22:13 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end, the first and last

In the opening verses of the Revelation, the Lord God Almighty identifies Himself as the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending." He is the "I AM", the self-existing One. From before time began until after the end, God is "I AM." In the last chapter of Revelation, Christ identifies himself as; "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last." Christ is from the beginning, and He will be the end.

The apostles also declared this truth:

John-

John 1: 1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Paul-

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

“I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely…”

Jesus taught about the importance of righteousness and likened it to a thirst for water throughout His ministry.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:for they shall be filled.

John 4: 13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

The phrase "water of life" is only found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ (21:6; 22:1; 22:17).

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the invitation to salvation in the 55th chapter.

Isaiah 55: 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Salvation is free, without cost. Of the words John has penned in the Revelation, I wonder if he enjoyed writing this verse: "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

The opening of the 22nd chapter says:

Revelation 22:1-2 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. 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.

The river of water of life. For the human body, water is a requirement. Without water, humans would perish. Can you visualize this river in your mind's eye? Can you imagine a river so clear that its depth would be undeterminable? I have had the privilege to view a "crystal clear" river in Colorado. The water was so clear you could see every detail of what was in it. Trout, crawfish, grass, and rocks. No impurities hampered our view.

Revelation 21: 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

The Greek word "nikao", translated by the KJV as the phrase, "he that overcometh" means, "to subdue, conquer, prevail, get the victory"[2]

To "overcome" or "conquer" is a common theme of John's in the Revelation.[3] Fifteen times in the Revelation, the phrase is used. John utilized the phrase, "him that overcometh", at the end of each message to the seven churches.

I am reminded of the story concerning Dwight L. Moody and the Chicago fire.

After the great Chicago fire of 1871, evangelist Dwight L. Moody went back to survey the ruins of his house. A friend came by and said to Moody, "I hear you lost everything." "Well," said Moody, "you understood wrong. I have a good deal more left than I lost." "What do you mean?" the inquisitive friend asked. "I didn't know you were that rich." Moody then opened his Bible and read to him Revelation 21:7-"He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God.[4]

In Revelation chapter two and three, John challenged each church to "overcome, conquer, and prevail." Each challenge was followed with a promise from Jesus. The following chart includes the reference to each of the churches and the promise for those that "overcome."

Reference

Result of Overcoming

The Church at Ephesus - 2:7

I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God

The Church at Smyrna - 2: 11

Shall not be hurt of the second death

The Church at Pergamos - 2: 17

I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it

The Church at Thyatira - 2:26-28

I will give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star.

The Church at Sardis - 3: 5

Shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The Church at Philadelphia - 3: 12

I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The Church at Laodicea - 3 :21

I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

“...shall inherit all things…”

Those that conquer shall inherit all things. The question begs asking, "What things?" If we look closely at the definition of the Greek word "kleronomeo" we find it lines up exactly with our use of "inherit" today. It means to "be an inheritor of a person."

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Ephesians 1:11-14 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He will inherit all that belongs to him as a son of God.

John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8: 16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4: 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

"What things?" On the earth, the children of God were heirs in waiting. Now in the New Heaven and the New Earth, the children of God receive all things that belong to the only begotten Son of God.

…and I will be his God and he shall be my son…”

The Greek reads, "I will be to him a God." This is the same promise that the Lord made to David, concerning his son Solomon, (2Sa 7:14). The writer of Hebrews identified Jesus as fulfilling the role of the Jesus as the Son of God (He 1:5). Now this same promise is coming to fulfillment in believers in Christ.

Revelation 21:8 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 following list of people are those that did not overcome sin and accept Jesus as their savior. I am sure that John did not have in mind listing every sin, but these categories are a blanket for all sin.

But the fearful- The fearful are those who were afraid to call upon Jesus in fear of what the world would think or say.

And unbelieving - Are those that never accepted Jesus Christ. Their unbelief in the Gospel imprisoned them for eternity in the lake of fire.

And the abominable - The Greek word, bdelusso[5] means, ''to stink" is defined as "to feel loathing at.” Abomination means, "to excite disgust; to feel disgust at; to feel nausea, to be sick, to feel loathing or abhor." The abominable are those whose actions are offensive to God.

King Solomon identified seven things that are an abomination to God:

Proverbs 6: 16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Other things that are an abomination in the Scriptures:

· Homosexuality - Leviticus 18:22; 20: 13

· Worshiping idols - Deuteronomy 7:25-26; 12:31

· Making idols - Deuteronomy 27:15

· A man wearing women's clothes or a woman wearing men's clothes - Deuteronomy 22:5

· Offering ill gained money as an offering - Deuteronomy 23: 18

· Remarrying a wife after divorcing her - Deuteronomy 24:4

· Cheating in business (measures) - Deuteronomy 25: 14-16; Proverbs 11: 1; 20: 1 0

· Lying lips - Proverbs 12:22

· The sacrifice, way, and thoughts of the wicked - Proverbs 15:8-9; 15:26

And murderers -premeditative killing of a human

And whoremongers - immoral sexual practices according to the Bible.

And sorcerers - a sorcerer is anyone that practices witchcraft, a poisoner, or one who tells the lot of another.

And idolaters - any person who worships idols.

And all liars - Those that make a statement that is known to be false with the intent to deceive another.

Shall have their part in the lake which burneth, with fire and brimstone - All of these are forever separated from God, and will be punished, time without end.

Conclusion

There is coming a day, When no heart aches shall come, No more clouds in the sky, No more tears to dim the eye, All is peace forever more, On that happy golden shore, What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there, No more burdens to bear, No more sickness, no pain, No more parting over there; And forever I will be, With the One who died for me, What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible Exposition Commentary (Vol. 2, p. 621); Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [2] Strong's Greek Dictionary, SwordSearcher, digital [3] Revelation 2:7, 11, 17,26;3:5, 12,21;5:5;6:2; 11:7; 12:11; 13:7; 15:2; 17:14;21:7 [4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 622). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [5] Bdelusso is translated as: abominable NASB95, NKJV; the abominable KJV 1900, AV 1873; the vile NIV, NIV84; detestable persons LEB; the corrupt NLT; the detestable ESV; the polluted NRSV