CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH

CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH

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""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. Vs 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. Vs 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 phrases “I saw” (Verse 1 & 2) and “I heard” (Verse 3) clearly show that this was a vision. Hence, the need to apply caution in interpreting the texts.

Verse 1

Now, the phrase “I saw” was translated from the Greek word “eido”; which implies to know, to be aware; to consider; to address one’s mind to a fact. It was used 70 times in this book (of Revelation), often to refer an awareness or a consideration of a fact in the visions that he (John) saw. The following are other instances where he used it.

Revelation 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw…Vs 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks…Vs 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last…Vs 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars…Vs 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan...Vs 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth…Vs 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Revelation 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead…Vs 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name…Vs 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

The word “eido” was also used in the Epistles

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him…Vs16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

1st Corinthians 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

1st Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified…Vs 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God…Vs 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1st Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

From the way it was used, it (“eido”) implies to know, to be aware; to consider; to perceive. Notice, also how he used it (“eido”) in Verse 1:

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.

The phrase “…were PASSED way…” implies, what he saw and heard in this vision was already in existence, and not futuristic.

Also, the statement “…were passed away…”, show that the word “first” was to explain that which passed away, and “new” for what he saw, which he explained in Verse 2 as the holy city, the new Jerusalem. Thus, in John’s own words, the holy city (new Jerusalem) is the new heaven and new earth

Verse 2

Vs 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.

The word Jerusalem literally refers to the capital of Palestine, that is, the ancient Israeli Capital. It was used 80 times in the New Testament books of the Bible. It is vital to note that it was often used both literally for a place and figuratively for a people.

The following are instances where it was used:

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would

Here, it was used figuratively for a people, that is, an inhabitant of a place called Jerusalem.

Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I 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

In all the texts above, it was used figuratively by the authors."

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Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka
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