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To: Jim 0216
You quoted Rev. 21:14, but two verses before that we find described the twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. What about the Gentiles?

Earlier in the book we find that the only ones sealed against the wrath to come are of the tribes of Israel. Again, what about us the Gentiles?

It seems significant that Jesus chose twelve apostles, since there were twelve tribes of Israel. It is also significant, then, that He chose another to be the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Rom. 11:13).

The Revelation needs to be understood in light of previous prophetic-apocalyptic revelations, in particular Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah - all of which were given to Israel, from whom the Messiah would come, to whom the promises were given, and through whom all the nations would be blessed. Hence the symbolism which anyone familiar with Jewish history and Judaism would recognize and understand.

Neither Gentiles nor the apostle to the Gentiles were to be excluded from heaven, of course. But the consummation of God's whole plan was fulfilled through Israel, and the earthly nation had reflections (i.e. types, shadows) of heaven. Hence the symbolism we see again in Rev. 21:14.

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As for prophecy being an ongoing ministry, Paul says otherwise in the next chapter:

"Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away."
32 posted on 08/23/2015 6:39:19 PM PDT by LearsFool (Real men get their wives and children to heaven.)
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To: LearsFool
the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. What about the Gentiles?

Who knows? Not sure it really matters here, but I've thought that it may symbolize the fact that salvation came through the Jewish nation of Israel from Abraham culminating in the birth and death of the Son of David, Jesus Christ.

only ones sealed against the wrath to come are of the tribes of Israel. Again, what about us the Gentiles?

Again off point requiring a longer explanation not relevant here.

As for prophecy being an ongoing ministry, Paul says otherwise in the next chapter:

prophesies...tongues...knowledge...shall cease and be done away.

If your interpretation were true then knowledge should have ceased long ago.

I wish you would just prayerfully consider some of this stuff rather than reject out of hand anything that might challenge some sort of pre-conceived knowledge or previous teaching which may very well need adjusting. That's how we learn in the school of the Holy Spirit. Some stay stuck, hard and fast and don't continue to flow in the River of Life with the Lord. I hope you're not one of those who stay stuck.

Anyway, I didn't share this to get into some kind of theological debate. I wanted to pass on something that I thought was a blessing and worth consideration with scriptural basis. Take what you want and leave the rest. Or leave it all. It's up to you.

33 posted on 08/23/2015 9:48:22 PM PDT by Jim W N
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