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Post by elizabeth on Aug 16, 2017 2:33:35 GMT
Rev 22:14 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. Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Rev 22:16 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.
My question is, the people who are left outside the city gates, do they continue to live there or are they then tossed into hell? Is this part of the Judgement of the Sheep and the Goats?
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Post by Gr8tful on Aug 16, 2017 2:59:35 GMT
Good question Elizabeth!! I would be inclined to say yes, they are then tossed into hell. And a part of the Judgement. But very good question!! Anxious to hear what others have to say about this.
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Post by Benjamin on Aug 17, 2017 10:49:33 GMT
Verse 14 gives you the context here. The Tree of Life is in the New Jerusalem, and the Gates of the City are barred against those who do not serve the King. This is another instance of the Holy Spirit taking a step back to speak generally about the things just seen (that is, the New Jerusalem, the thousand year reign, the judgement).
So the process is this: The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, in which the sinful are denied access to the New Jerusalem; The judgement seat, in which those same people that are 'outside' will then be called to account (at the Great White Throne). They will be judged according to the things that they have done (Romans 2) and the guilt they have accrued during their lifetimes. There's an important point to make here - the Great White Throne judgement is according to works (for God is just), but what follows demonstrates the fact that works cannot save; for "anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:15). The works-based judgement determines the severity of the sentence - but the Book of Life determines the destination.
I liken the sentence of the 'most righteous' man in hell to being thrown into a fire at 1000 degrees as opposed to 1100. Could you tell the difference? Probably not. Even the 'best' sinner in hell will taste the wrath of God and know the punishment is just.
I hope that makes sense.
[edit] This is not the sheep and the goats judgement, no. That is a national accounting (God judging the nations for their treatment of Israel) at the end of the Tribulation. Daniel reveals this - the Tribulation timeline is generally accepted as 7 years - but Daniel has two additional counts... one of 30 days, one of 45. Daniel explains what these extra days are for: the first 30 days is the restoration of Israel (including the temple); the additional 45 beyond that is where the Sheep and Goats judgement takes place. From there, Daniel says, "blessed are those who live to see the end of [it]" - because that's when the Millennial Kingdom begins.
So, the breakdown is this:
Rapture 1,260 days (first half) 1,260 days (second half) 1,290 days (second half + restoration of Israel) 1,335 days (second half + restoration of Israel + Sheep and Goats judgement)
...and on the 1336th day, the Millennial Kingdom begins.
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Post by elizabeth on Aug 17, 2017 17:07:22 GMT
Thanks Benjamin.
So, there will be no sin in New Jerusalem. There will be sin outside of New Jerusalem, even though satan will be bound for 1,000 years and Christ will be ruling with an iron rod. Wow.
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Post by Benjamin on Aug 18, 2017 6:21:45 GMT
That is correct. But of course, even the fact that Scripture tells us that Jesus will rule with an iron rod suggests sin, does it not? If it were a sinless world, why the need for such authority?
Also, Isaiah speaks of those who die at the age of 100 to be considered tragedies... how does that make sense if there is no death (and thus, no sin?).
No, Scripture clearly teaches that the world is still sinful during the Millennial Reign - but it is also under different management. It is at the end of the 1000 years that death and hell are disposed of (thrown into the lake of fire), and sin is no more.
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