“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.  Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. “ —- Revelation 22:14–15

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In last weeks post, we took a look at New Jerusalem from the outside, and it was an awe-inspiring sight. 

A massive complex —- the area of Australia —- and not just one level, but many levels going up 1500 miles into space, which begins approximately 70 miles from the ground !! We saw that a huge and spectacular (jeweled) wall, greater than 200 feet in height encircles the whole city, pierced only by 12 pearly gates. 

This wall is not just decorative. It is expressly designed to keep people OUT of the city, with access to the City, and the life-giving Trees of Life, only possible through the Gates. ( Our text this week )

Are there haves and have-nots in Heaven? Why would a wall be needed to keep out people who are living in the New Earth? Why is there a special class of people that can go into the city?

The greek word used for “outside” is the common word “ Exo” …. meaning outside ?. An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that takes heat from inside the reacting chemicals and dumps it OUTSIDE of them. An exoplanet is a planet OUTSIDE our solar system.

Some commentators on this passage have theorized that “outside” means Hell/the lake of fire… but if you logically break down the text , that makes no sense! The wall is what differentiates between people living on New Earth that can enter the city, and those that CANNOT.

Further, there is a distinction between these two populations. Blessed, Those that wash their robes —- and some very unsavory characters indeed !! What is going on here ????

Remember where we are in the timeline …. all the events we are currently awaiting —-7 years of AntiChrist rule , the return of Christ, the pouring out of Gods wrath on the world , a 1000 years of Christs rule, a final rebellion by men and angels,  and the complete destruction of Earth Version 1 …. are all in the PAST !

Post the old Earths annihilation, we have also witnessed a great White Throne Judgment, where ALL THE REST OF THE DEAD… ( that have not experienced the first resurrection before the 1000 year rule of Christ begins ) are brought from WHEREVER THEY HAVE BEEN PARKED … Hell, Death ( may mean they are in suspended animation ) and the Sea.

Revelation 20:5 “ —-The rest of the dead— did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.” 

Revelation 20:12–15 “ And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, —-according to their deeds.——- 

And the —-sea gave up the dead which were in it, and —-death and ——Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them —-according to their —deeds.  

—-Then death and Hades —— were thrown into the lake of fire. —- This is the second death, the lake of fire.  ——And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.——“

The Lake of Fire is reserved for the worst of the worst, the beast, the false prophet, the devil, his angels, those not found in the book of Life …. and Death and Hell itself …. ( another point against the “outside” = Hell argument )

Those who have been paying for their crimes in Hell, and people who might have been not too bad but might be in soul-sleep in Death or the Sea… ( it is NOT possible to be dogmatic on this … but it seems logical ) .. are resurrected, judged ON THEIR WORKS, and given a home on New Earth…. and YES… that includes the unsavory characters we have mentioned!!

The LORD is going to resurrect and reconcile to Himself all mankind through Christ. 

Colossians 1:18–23 “ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,  and through Him to reconcile —all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; 

through Him, I say, whether things on —earth or things in — heaven.  

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,  yet He has now reconciled —-you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him —-holy and blameless and beyond reproach,—- if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. “ 

Obviously, these extra-city dwellers did not receive the Gospel even when it had been preached to them ( as no one who has washed his/her robes in the blood of Christ, and has KEPT His teachings faithfully is guilty of anything evermore ) , but God is kind and gracious to give them a new lease of Life!

If you have unsaved loved ones that have passed and worry that you will never see them again , don’t!! They will be resurrected, they just may not be able to live where you are!

This plan was given to us approximately 2000 years ago…it has been misunderstood and misinterpreted by many current denominations, who have shied away from digging in, taking God literally at His Word ( after all He is the author of language and is well versed in saying what He means ) and have created fear, uncertainty, and doubt in their congregations.

This misunderstanding has been actively exploited by the enemy to paint the LORD as an illogical person who would punish people eternally for crimes committed during a finite lifetime…. that just doesn’t make sense, and we are happy to report, it is not the TRUTH.

Revelation 1:1 “ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which —-God —-gave —-Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; “ 

This is information from the Father, to the Son, to His bond-servants … this is MEANT TO BE UNDERSTOOD .. and is written in clear language …. and meant to be literally interpreted ?, it’s not a secret code! Check out our series on this wonderful book if you want to dig deeper… and share with people that might benefit from it!

Hallelujah!!!