Danny Hickman

"Dear Mr and Brother dear," doesn't make a wrong understanding of the scriptures sound any better. It's really quite condescending, in my opinion. It can be overdone. That's why I don't do it.

"The bible says" is one of the issues. A scripture writer, John, wrote that Jesus said we would be where He is. The writer of Hebrews 9 says He entered heaven on our behalf. So that's where Jesus is.

John wrote that there would be a new heaven and a new earth. But the city that came down to earth, the new Jerusalem, is what is described. Its walls, the lighting, etc. The fact there is no sea, no sunlight, (but no night) no death, or crying. The earth isn't part of the description, it's the city that is the main focus of the narrative.

The way I read it, the city is like an oasis in the middle of a new earth. But I don't see any description of the new earth, just the characteristics of the city. The dimensions are 1500 miles in each direction; it's a square. It has no temple, etc.

But listen to this: Nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, will ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27).

This city is in the midst of a place where there is abomination and lying and uncleanness. That's the reason for the gates, even though they are said to be never closed. If lying and the rest has ceased to be practiced there wouldn't be a reason to say the city wouldn't allow it. That's how I read it, dear sirs.

February 05 2022 • Report