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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. |
And he shewed me – Verses 1 through 3 and 17 are the last of seven [six--R501:5] views in Rev. 20 through 22 of the Millennium. R330:6, 397:5, 334:2
A pure river – It represents beautifully, forcefully, the blessings of refreshment and restitution which will issue forth from the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of Messiah. R4882:3, 3485:4; D655
The blessed influences that will proceed to humanity from the glorified Christ, Head and Body--from the Kingdom of God's dear Son. R3571:3, 3625:1, 3596:6
Truth will then flow as a mighty river, refreshing and blessing the whole earth. R2424:4, 2508:4, 501:5
When the new dispensation is made available to men, it will be the beginning of the Times of Restitution. (Acts 3:19-21) R3571:2
In the future, in the glorious time of Messiah's Kingdom. R4990:4, 3625:1
Now the prospective members of the Bride class have the Lord's Spirit in them, "a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) R3410:5, 2575:4, 2508:3
By and by these well-springs brought together in glory with the Lord shall constitute the source of the great river of life. R3410:5, 2508:3, 2424:4, 1703:1, 903:4*, 533:4, 334:4; Q750:2, 823:2
The Bride is to have within her a "well of water (life) springing up," while the rest of mankind may come to the fountain to drink. R252:4
For everyone that is hungering and thirsting. R1899:2
A corresponding testimony of the living waters is found in Zech. 14:8, 9. D655
The Lord through Ezekiel gives us a picture of the Messianic age, very similar to the one given us in the Book of Revelation, seven hundred years after. R4882:3, 3625:1, 2507:2
We cannot accept the ordinary interpretation of this river as the Gospel. R3625:1
If we were disposed to accept this as a literal statement we might well do as the old Spanish explorer, Ponce De Leon, did--search for the fountain of perpetual youth. Q823:1
Water – In Bible symbolic language, water represents truth, and it also represents peoples. R5846:2, 1899:2, 447:2*, 334:4
Of life – Restitution blessings. D655
Water is used in the Scriptures as a symbol of life. R3485:4
Clear as crystal – No muddy traditions with false doctrines. No impurity of any kind will be in it. It will be the pure message of the Lord. R3571:1, 2606:4, 654:5; CR216:5; Q823:2
The real "sea of glass like unto crystal" (Rev. 4:6), not mingled with fire, contrasted with Rev. 15:2, "as it were, a sea of glass, mingled with fire." R156:4*
Proceeding – Flowing out to bless all nations of the world. OV36:1
Out of the throne – Of the New Jerusalem. OV36:1; R4882:6
The Kingdom. R2424:4
The Little Flock will sit with Christ in his throne, and constitute the Temple of the living God, from which will flow the river of the water of life. NS396:1
The government that will then be established in the world will have as its center of authority the divine law and the divine power. R3571:1, 3596:6
It does not represent the conditions of the present time, but those of the Millennial age. R3496:5
From underneath the throne--not through the throne. It goes outside the city, the Church--going way out to the world. CR216:5; R4882:6
Not yet has the throne been established on the earth. We still pray, "Thy kingdom come," and not until that prayer is answered can the river of water of life flow. R334:4
On the ruins of present institutions the Lord will erect his Temple and Kingdom, through which blessings shall flow as a river of water of life. NS435:1
There is no such river now, and can be none, until the heavenly city descends, because the river must flow from the midst of it, from the throne. R3571:4, 3410:4
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| 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. |
Tree of life – Recalling Paradise from whence Adam was driven on account of sin, and the tree of life in the midst of Eden, from which he was debarred, and from the lack of whose fruit Adam and his race died. R334:3; OV36:1
Twelve manner of trees. CR216:5
Saints. R334:6, 2665:4
Her fruit – The fruits of the spirit. R3571:4
To sustain life. R334:3, 3625:1
The abundance of instruction and nourishment, mental, moral and physical. R3625:4
Every month – Fruit adapted to the changing conditions of men as they are brought upward toward perfection--fruit suitable for each changing season, thus restoring man to man's estate. R334:6
Leaves – Professions, teachings. R334:5
The restitution of that time is pictured in the leaves. R3625:4
Tree – Wood, or trees, plural--Young's translation. R477:2*
For the healing – Restitution--the healing of the woes of the groaning creation, its sin and sickness and imperfection. R2508:4, 2575:4
As the nations are not yet healed, and will not have been healed when Christ takes the Kingdom (Rev. 11:15-18), it must be the time after Christ comes to judge the world. R477:2*
Before the nations, the world, will be ready for that blessing from the New Jerusalem, they must pass through a period of very deep humiliation--"A time of trouble." (Matt. 24:21) SM441:2
Suggesting nourishment and healing for the sin-sick and starving world. R3571:2
In the present life, the Lord's people have a ministry of comfort to perform also, toward all whom mourn in Zion--toward all of the Lord's people who are in any tribulation. R2665:4
"The fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaves thereof for healing." (Ezek. 47:12) R4882:6
Of the nations – The heathen. R2424:4; CR216:5
Healing the repentant peoples of earth of all imperfections. D656
Showing that there will then be nations not in health, but capable of being healed. R903:4*
Not the Little Flock, the Church, but the world. Undoubtedly, Israel will be the first of the nations to be blessed, but subsequently all the families of the earth. R3571:5, 2508:4
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| 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: |
No more curse – Either upon man or upon the earth for his sake. Therefore how appropriate that great physical changes are now occurring--streams breaking forth in the desert, etc. R879:5
God's special sentence against sin and sinners will be entirely removed. The ground for this was laid in the great sacrifice which our Lord gave at Calvary. NS91:6
When the work of Atonement shall be fully accomplished, and when, as a result, the curse will be completely lifted from man, and from the earth, his dominion. E405
The Adamic death having been destroyed. This, is at a time when, if a man dies it will be for his own sin. R477:2*
There is a curse upon the world now, official and legal. R3571:5
Put away legally by the "sacrifice of himself (Christ);" and put away in fact by his glorious reign. R587:6
The curse will be gradually removed and man gradually released under the blessings of that glorious age. R334:6
The curse will be lifted from all who come into harmony with God through Jesus the Mediator. All who do not avail themselves of this grace will be swallowed up of the second death. E439
Messiah's great work of redemption will obliterate unsatisfactory conditions from the earth. Jesus tells us that their abolition will be the result of his Kingdom work of a thousand years. OV373:3
The one original sin on account of which condemnation of death passed upon all, and on account of which Christ died, and on account of which the curse is to be rolled away from the race. R3803:1
There is no reasonable ground to suppose that divine favor and life everlasting through Christ will ever be obtained by any except those who shall come into the fullest heart-harmony with God. E420
In what more comprehensive language could the Lord declare the end of the reign of sin and death, and the commencement of the reign of righteousness unto life eternal. R3571:5
The knowledge of the Lord shall fill the earth, and all shall know him. R586:3
From the very beginning God foreknew all, and had planned the redemption of Adam, Eve, and their children. PD11/18
The promise made to Abraham was that in his spiritual seed all mankind would receive the divine blessing--the rolling away of the curse of sin and death. R5273:4
Sin and Satan and the spirit of evil shall be forever extinguished. E193
The opening chapters of Genesis give the entrance of the curse of sin and death, and the last chapters of Revelation reveal the success of God's plan and the end of the curse. R98:3*
There is no provision in God's great plan for an everlasting condition in woe, sorrow or pain or trouble. SM766:2
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| 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. |
See his face – To thus by faith behold afar off the blessed land of rest and peace, all radiant with the glory of the King in his beauty, the heart must be in sympathy with that glory and beauty of holiness. R2087:6[R2087:10]
In their foreheads – Sealed in their foreheads, intellectually, that they may not be in darkness with the world. R1470:5[R1470]
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| 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. |
No night there – It is the joy of the morning--a long, glad day before us; no evening with its lengthening shadows, no night with its chills and darkness. R303:5*
They shall reign – The nature of this reign will be the same which at creation was bestowed upon father Adam, as it is written in Psa. 8:6, "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands." R3572:2
Not the Church, but those whom the Millennial age shall find worthy of life eternal. This is in full accord with Matt. 25:34. R3572:1
The whole world of perfect men will be a world of kings, though doubtless one of their number shall serve particularly as general or representative. R3572:2
For ever and ever – Unto the age of ages, when the Kingdom shall be delivered to God, even the Father. R334:6[R334:14]
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| 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. |
These sayings – These wonderful promises. R3572:2
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| 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
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Blessed is he – The Master speaks to all of his Church who have ears to hear. R3572:2
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| 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 showed me these things. |
And I John – John represents the disciples living at the time that the scenes of the Millennial age begin to unfold at the second presence of Jesus. (See John 21:22) R581:6
I fell down – In the end of this Gospel age, their might be a spirit to do too much honor to the one used of the Lord in communicating to them the divine light now due. R3572:4, 2079:5
So there has been and is a tendency on the part of many to give more than love, respect and honor to the servants of God, who from time to time have been used as his special servants. R2079:5, 582:1
The Apostle Paul assures us that this disposition indicates a measure of carnality, and he inquires, who then, are Paul, Apollos and Peter, but merely God's servants or channels. R2079:6
Likewise there are hundreds of thousands who call themselves by the name of Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Campbell and others, giving more respect to their teachings and writings than to the Word of God. R2079:6
Likewise, today, in the light of Present Truth, no doubt there is need to be on guard against this carnal tendency which had so deleterious an influence as in the past. R2079:6
The angel – Messenger, representing those of the John class who are used as God's instruments in drawing attention to the coming glory, and causing the John class to see them with the eye of faith. R581:6
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| 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. |
Then saith he – The action and words of the angel show the way in which the true messengers of God will treat such honor. R582:1
Do it not – Do not worship me, for I am not the author of this plan. R3572:4
We say this to any disposed to worship the humble human instrumentality chosen of God as the channel for the blessing of Present Truth. R1867:3
Br. Russell does not want any worship, he does not want any undue adoration, he does not want any praise. CR125:5
All who are worshiping any church organization should be warned. R65:5
The manly Christian will always discountenance worshipful reverence and flattery; but the less mature will often court and receive it to their own injury. Thus the Apostle counsels choosing elders of established character, rather than a "novice." R1895:3
Fellowservant – And not thy Lord. R1867:3, 2080:1
The prophets – All true teachers or mouthpieces of God. R1867:3
And of them – All servants of God are fellow-servants regardless of the time or extent of their service. R2080:1, 582:4
Worship God – The water of life and the giver of it, and not the earthen vessels through which it is sent, are to be reverenced. The earthen vessels have naught whereof to glory. R1867:3
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| 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. |
Seal not – Do not feel that it is necessary to hide the matter. R3572:5
Time is at hand – The time "for the healing of the nations," and when "there shall be no more curse." (Verses 2 & 3) R477:2*
At the time the features of the symbolical Revelation shall come to be understood and appreciated by the Lord's people, we may know that the time of the completion is near at hand. R3572:5[R3572]
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| 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. |
Let him – He will not "let" nor consent to endless transgression of his law. R477:1*
Unjust still – The unrighteous and the filthy simply ignore the message, and are not moved specially by it. R3572:6
He who is unjust or unholy according to the law of God's Word, will forever stand so judged by it, until he becomes changed or restored in his nature. R527:5*
The standard of judgment is God's revealed Word. By it the saints judge themselves. When the righteous rule and the curse is removed, still the same law will be the standard of judgment. R477:5*
Be filthy still – The Revelations of the divine plan are not intended to turn the filthy, to make them righteous, nor will they be inclined contrariwise to turn the righteous to sin. R3572:5[R3572]
He that is righteous – Not only those who are saints. There are some who are not saints, who are, nevertheless, righteous persons. R3572:5[R3572]
Holy still – He that is judged holy by that law now, will then, in the ages to come, be holy still. R477:5*
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| 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
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Reward is with me – All the Scriptures point to the fact that our Lord's rewards are to be dispensed at his second coming, but not before. HG664:3
Scripture testimony clearly and explicitly points to the second advent of Christ, and to the resurrection as, first, the hope of the Church, and, second, the hope of the world. F664
One of many texts corroborative of the view of future rewards and punishments. R2613:6, 723:4
To give every man – This scripture is rendered meaningless by the acceptance of the theory that each member of the Church at death passed immediately into glory. HG267:6[HG267:13]
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| 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
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The beginning – The first and the last of the creation of God. R1514:3
Of Jehovah's direct creation. R1278:3, 1060:4, 446:5*
Jesus was the first of God's creatures, the only being directly created. Jehovah did all subsequent creating through the Son. R5748:1
The beginner and finisher of the wondrous plan, though not its author. R1060:4, 446:5*
"Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58) R1161:4
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| 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. |
His commandments – The commands of our Lord, and not the Ten Commandments of Israel's Law Covenant. R1730:6, 976:4
These commandments are not grievous and impossible to obey as were those of the Jewish Law Covenant, for Christ's yoke is easy and his burden is light. R1731:1, 976:4
Through the gates – The Ancient Worthies from the various tribes of Israel through whose instrumentality the nations may enter into the blessings of the Kingdom. R1353:2
The city – In symbolic prophecy a city signifies a religious government backed by power and authority. It is the symbol used to represent the established Kingdom of God. Q789:4
Jerusalem, a figure or symbol of the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem. R896:4
The Kingdom of our Lord. R477:4*
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| 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. |
Without – In Gehenna, the valley of destruction, an appropriate figure of the second death, the utter extermination of all things abominable and filthy in the close of the Millennial age. R896:4
There is no intimation that God will ever compel any one to accept of the gift of life everlasting. R890:6
Their course persisted in would result in death--the second death. R1660:3, 890:6
Dogs – A term of disrespect, referring to the wild dogs which roamed the country and were pests, in contrast with house dogs, which were esteemed and petted by the family. R2653:5, 1671:1
There is nothing in the Bible indicating the resurrection of animals. Q818:2
Murderers – Not that a man who has once been a murderer might not reform and become a saint and an heir of the Kingdom. One murderer, guilty of the murder of St. Stephen, was Saul of Tarsus. R4992:4
And whosoever – Evildoers for whose permanent reform there would be no hope, because before their sentencing to the second death, the righteous Judge had given every opportunity possible to repent. R1454:6
The "death and hell" element. R477:5*
Maketh a lie – The dishonest, like the Pharisees of old, say that they see when in their hearts they know they are blind. Not now worthy of the truth, by and by they will get honest enough to receive the truth, or else be cut off in second death, as those who make and love a lie. R1037:5, 1660:3
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| 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.
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You – John. R477:4*
I am – The glorified Jesus. R944:1*
The root – He must be both David's Son and David's Lord. He must be both the stem or branch out of David's root, and in some way David must be seen to be a branch or shoot out of Christ as a root. R809:2
The root of David signifies the origin, source of life and development of David. E136
It was by virtue of his sacrifice of his undefiled life that he became the root of David as well as his Lord. E136
Offspring of David – According to the flesh, our Lord Jesus was, through his mother, the son, the branch, the offshoot or offspring of David. E136; R944:4*, 809:2
Jesus the Christ was the Son of Man, not in the sense of simply being a man, but because he was the son of the man David. R944:1*
Morning star – Jesus. Stars had weight and meaning to ancients who believed they controlled destinies. R4370:2
It is early, not yet light enough except to the prospective waking, watching Bride, who receives the light of the Morning Star. It will be some time before sunrise. R348:6
He is the Light of the World (John 1:4, 9) and The Sun of Righteousness. (Mal. 4:2) R1063:3*
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| 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. |
The Spirit and – The Spirit clearly refers to Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom. Q838:2
The holy Spirit is the channel of at-one-ment now to the Church, and somewhat similarly it will be the channel of at-one-ment to the world in the coming age. E208
The holy Spirit will cooperate with the glorified Church in the blessing of all the families of the earth. E165; R4883:1
The Spirit is choosing a Bride for Christ during the Gospel age; at the end the marriage is consummated; and during the Millennial age the Spirit and the Bride say come. R137:2*
Bride – Then glorified. E208; R2575:4; Q838:2
And joint-heir; in contradistinction to the saved of the world of mankind, who will be recognized as the children of Christ. R2652:3
The chaste virgin now espoused to the Son of heaven's King, will be united to the Bridegroom--no longer the virgin, she will be the Bride, the Lamb's wife and joint-heir. R334:5, 3410:4, 533:4, 257:3; A98; HG343:3; OV224:1; Q838:2
How could the Bride give this invitation before she exists? R4883:1[R4883:2], 3571:4, 3496:5, 3410:4, 2508:5, 2424:5, 1906:1; F336; CR216:1; HG337:5; Q750:2
The Bride must be developed before she can join with the Spirit in inviting the world to the blessing which God has in reservation. HG745:3; NS332:6
The glorified Church. The Bride class are now on probation that it may be determined which will eventually be of that class. R4627:6, 1043:6*
The name "Bride" implies a marriage; the Church is already espoused to Christ, but the marriage is promised to take place; the second coming. R4883:1, 4627:6, 1155:6
As in Jewish custom, the espoused virgin was called a Bride from the time of her consent with the Bridegroom, so the espoused virgin Church is called Christ's Bride--before the consummation of their union. R1388:6
Not only will they invite the world, but also it will be their mission to judge, to correct, to discipline the world in righteousness to a knowledge and appreciation of divine mercy. R3917:4
Say – To all the families of the earth. NS396:1
Mankind in general will not yet have come to a position of acceptance of the Mediator, and will be in the same attitude of today--aliens, strangers, foreigners. None will begin to live until they partake of the water of life. Q60:2
Our work of proclaiming the grand message does not end with this present life. R37:3
The Gospel age, so far from closing the Church's mission, is only a necessary preparation for the great future work. A98
Come – Inviting all to come and obey Christ and receive eternal life. Q838:2
Mankind in general, who will not yet have come to a position of acceptance of the Mediator, will still be in the attitude of today--aliens, strangers, foreigners. R5428:4
The election of the Church of God will then have been completed, and every creature will come to a knowledge of the truth. R4990:4, 2424:5
It will require all the Millennial age for the delivery of this message to every creature and for them to avail themselves of the privileges. R3571:4
Him that heareth – The obedient will be privileged to repeat the invitation to others. Q838:2
Whosoever will – A worldwide invitation. R4882:6
Mine will be a general calling: I will draw all men; it will be a universal opportunity to come unto me. R2759:5
Not merely an elect Little Flock. R1952:4
The completeness of the ransom is the very strongest possible argument for the restitution of all mankind. A157
It is manifest that the expression "whosoever will," does not apply to all at this time, and will not be true until the wedding is consummated. Q838:2
Election now, free grace then. Q788:2, 824:4
Then free grace will be shown in the fullest measure. R546:5, 260:1, 8:5; HG316:3; OV36:1
Wesley's theme and favorite text. However, he did not discern that his beautiful text relates to the blessing of the non-elect during Messiah's reign. PD86/99
There is an exclusiveness about the calling now. The time has not yet come when the water of life shall flow freely, and whosoever will may come. R4148:1, 3571:2, 3410:5
"Behold, I bring you g; tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10), "in due time." (1 Tim. 2:4-6) R1908:5
All babies, little and big; the foolish, both by nature and by false reasoning; the blind, the lame, the dumb and the deaf. R1043:6*
In close agreement with the lesson of Isa. 55:1-13. R3596:6, 650:1*
It both cases it is only to those who desire the water of life; "everyone that thirsteth" and "whosoever will" may have it. It will not be forced upon any. R1363:3, 5285:1, 650:1*
The only obstruction or limitation to the enjoyment of life then offered will be the will of the hearer. R1324:1*
All who will receive it on his conditions of love and loyalty and obedience to him. R1095:4
For every man--negroes and whites. HG514:5
"Whosoever he wills." And the Lord wills to restore all who shall prove worthy. R1125:4
Let him take – And, if they will be obedient, to obtain the full measure of divine favor, as represented in the offer of everlasting life. R2061:4
Here begins the world's probation, the world's great judgment day--a thousand years. R2606:4, 654:5
Water of life – Divine favor. R2260:6
Water is a symbol of truth. The invitation is to accept or partake of the favor of everlasting life through obedience to the truth. R1363:3
Waters of truth and grace. R906:1
The truth uncontaminated with error. HG522:6
The message of truth setting forth the means of blessing. All who accept may have its blessings, but those who do not accept and render obedience to the Lord shall not receive a blessing. Q750:2
God has opened up a fountain for sin and uncleanness. Whosoever will may partake of the blessings and reconciliation with God and thereby attain everlasting life. R5084:1
These glorious favors coming to mankind will all be earthly. R4883:4
Freely – God's grace is ever free, in the sense of being unmerited, but in the present time it is restricted to certain classes, while in the next age all the world will be invited to share the favors. A96
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| 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: |
Shall add – This warning has more or less deterred men from falsifying the canonical books. We believe very few interpolations into the text of the Bible have been intentional; but most by accident, usually copying a marginal comment into the text. R1210:2
To sanction interpolations, now that we know about them, would be to join with those who wrote them in adding to the Word of God. Q747:4
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| 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. |
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| 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. |
I come quickly – We find this longing for and hoping for and waiting for the coming King in the writings of all the apostles. (Jas. 5:7; 1 Pet. 5:4; Jude 14; 2 Tim. 4:8) R2926:1
The book, being symbolical, cannot be understood except as its seals are loosed. When its sayings come to be appreciated it may be recognized as an evidence of the Lord's second advent. R3572:3
Even so, come – Written some 26 years after the destruction of Jerusalem, proving that the second advent of our Lord was not fulfilled by that event. A90; R531:4; CR493:2
The Apostle John looked with loving longing to the Kingdom and to the second coming of our Lord, and knew nothing about an intermediate Millennial reign. HG283:3[HG274]
Nearly all the scriptures follow the course of addressing the Father in prayer and I think of this one as the only one that is different. Q541:T; CR276:4
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| 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. |
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