Chapter 16 Preview: Will the universe really burn up “after the millennium” as is so often taught?
Many believe in a future “Big Bang Theory” concerning the physical universe, believing that it will be blown up after the “Last Day”, that they presume to be after the thousand years, or even far sooner. Their Last Day is far different than the one in Daniel and Revelation.
Have a very close look at the rest of the story; the “pillar” supporting the 1,000 year postponement theory.
I will quote this from the traditional KJV verses first, that supposedly supports the earth entirely melting away theory, following the thousand years.
2 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. KJV
I urge you to have another look at the whole idea of the earth burning up. Certainly the context of 2 Peter 3 mentions the 7,000 year plan, but it also explains that after the great flood we essentially had a new earth, because the first earth was “destroyed” in the flood (Genesis 9:11). Yet we know that there was only surface damage in this “destruction”. There will be yet another “New” (renewed) Earth. But more importantly, the Church of God people I know want to rip the melting idea right out of the context of the Day of Yehovah (Jehovah) and move it forward in time a thousand years! This is not some other Day of Yehovah, it is the same one that the other 28 prophetic references refer to. There will again be considerable surface damage, melted elements (Revelation 16:8) “at His return”, period.
The Seventh Day Adventists are in a much bigger hurry for the destruction of humanity:
Consider the 5 references to “melt/s” preceding 2 Peter, in the order you’ll likely find them. The melting Scriptures concern the destruction of the earth. When? During the Day of Yehovah! Notice:
#1 Ezekiel 22:20-22 Just like people gather silver and bronze and iron and lead and tin to melt in a furnace, to blow fire on it in order to melt it down; that’s how I’ll gather you in My anger and in My fury, and lay you there and melt you down. 21 I’ll gather you, and blow on you with the fire of My fury, and you’ll be melted in the center of the city 22 like silver melted in a furnace. Then you’ll realize that I, Yehovah, have poured out My wrath on you!—The Gabriel Bible
#2 Amos 9:5,13 The Sovereign, Yehovih [a variant spelling], the Commander is the One who touches the land and it melts, and everyone who lives there mourns. All 'the land' rises like the Nile, then sinks like the Nile of Egypt... 13 “The time is coming,” declares Yehovah, “when plowmen [5] will overtake harvesters. Those treading grapes will surpass those sowing seeds. Sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and the hills will melt away.
[5] “A primitive root; to scratch”: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Ancient “plowing” resembled modern no-till more than mold board plowing: “One early type of plow used in the United States was little more than a crooked stick with an iron point attached, sometimes with rawhide, which simply scratched the ground.” Beating a sword into a plowshare would only require curving it!
#3 Micah 1:2-6 Listen all you nations. Pay attention, earth and everyone on it. The Sovereign Yeh-ho-vee [a variant] will witness against you, Yehovah from His 'special', 'Temple'. 3 Yehovah is coming from His place. He is going to come down and trample the high places of the earth.[1] 4 The mountains will melt beneath Him, and the valleys will split open like wax near a fire, like water pouring down a slope. 5 All this is due to the apostasy of Jacob, and for the sins of the House of Israel. What is the apostasy of Jacob? Isn’t it Samaria? And what is the high place of Judah? Isn’t it Jerusalem? 6 “So I’ll make Samaria [not the whole earth] like a rubble heap in the countryside, a place to plant vineyards, and I’ll dump the rubble into the valley, exposing her foundations.
[1] People believe that Yeshua is coming back alone Revelation 19:11-16. Micah 1:3 indicates that both Father and Son (Proverbs 30:4) are coming, OR that Yeshua shares the same “last name” with His Father.#4 Nahum 1:5,15 The mountains quake in His presence, and the hills melt. The earth trembles at His presence—the world and everyone in it... 15 There on the mountains are the feet of the One [Yeshua (Jesus)] who brings Good News, who publishes peace! Celebrate your Feasts, Judah and fulfill your vows because the wicked will never invade you again. They’ll be completely destroyed.
[1] This verse is 2:1 in the Hebrew and Peshitta texts.#5 Psalm 46:4-6,9 There is a river with streams that make the city of Elohim glad, the very ''Cherished' Place' of the Most Supreme. 5 Elohim is in 'that city'. She won’t be 'shaken' [Literally, “Totter, shaken, slip, be moved], Elohim will HELP HER at the break of dawn. 6 Nations roar; kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He raises His voice [Certainly not all of it.]... 9 He brings wars to an end in the remotest parts of the earth. He breaks the bows and shatters the spears. He sets the chariots on fire.
Psalm 46 is all about mountains melting WHEN Yehovah returns, interestingly in the same context it mentions what is undoubtedly New Jerusalem:
So why assume that this next “melt” reference is any different:
2 Peter 3:5-13 They deliberately ignore that the Heavens have existed since antiquity, and that the continents rose up from the water, and are sustained by water, by the Word of Aloha, 6 and that by means of this same water, the previous world was covered again and destroyed. 7 The Heavens and the earth that now exist are preserved by His Word, and awaiting the fire of Judgment Day, and the destruction of the wicked.
8 But dear friends, don’t forget this one thing: A day to Yehovah is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day [1]. 9 Yehovah won’t delay in keeping His promises, as some leaders delay theirs. No, He is being patient for your sake, because He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed, but that everyone should have a change of heart.
10 Yet the Day of Yehovah will come like a thieving false minister in a time of moral stupidity and darkness [2], when the Heavens will suddenly pass by [3] with a great noise, and the former things will be dissolved by being set on fire, and the surface of the earth and the things being done on it won’t be found [4].
11 Since all these things will be dissolved [5], what kind of people should we be in sincere conduct, and reverence, 12 anticipating and desiring the coming of the Day of Yehovah, when the heavens being tried in the fire will be dissolved [or unfastened, set free], and the former things being ignited will melt? 13 But we’re looking forward to a New Heavens and a New Earth as He promised, where the righteous live.
[1] This is an obvious clue referring to the 6,000 year plan (that likely ends in the year 2032/2033)! [2] Perhaps too much is being read into the figurative explanation of this “thief in the night” passage, but who doesn’t equate the darkness of night with evil? [3] “Parerchomai” could also refer to when the New Heavens will “come near, come forward, arrive.” [4] The Greek manuscripts say that the earth (land) “will be burned up” instead of “won’t be found.” Revelation describes widespread environmental damage, but not utter destruction. Malachi 4:5-6 predicts that Elijah will come and prevent the earth’s being “annihilated.” Matthew 24:29 describes the same type of cosmic events described here as following the Tribulation, and that is precisely when the Day of Yehovah begins. Isaiah 51 closely parallels this. [5] Very destructive, seemingly “end of the world” sounding language, including the earth being “dissolved” is also found in Isaiah 24:19-23: “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard...” (KJV), during the Day of Yehovah (the “lord”)—just before the “millennium.”
I am looking for this New Heaven and New Earth to immediately follow “the Day of Yehovah”, “the Day of Elohim”. None of the prophecies of the Tanak mention a 2 step plan where the greatest events in history are separated by a 1,000 year interval. Every single prophecy uses simple “before” and “after” terminology. There is a great deal of fiery talk about the end times, and it will be horrific, but the planet will not be incinerated.
(As an aside concerning the fiery return: Two very interesting differences that I found while comparing every Greek verse to the Aramaic are found in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. The Aramaic is in agreement with 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, about the dead being raised, while the Greek translations only promise “rest”, “relief” or “repose”, at this most critical time. Yet up to hundreds, or even thousands of years in the grave should be enough rest! Then there is a unique (so far as I know) disagreement among translators as to where to put the “burning fire”—some put it in verse 7, others in verse 8. This may stem from an even more important difference—WHO IS IN THE FIRE! The 16 Greek versions I looked at all had Yeshua (Jesus) and the “angels” in the fire, while the four Aramaic versions I checked had the wicked in the fire, as so many prophecies explain, such as Malachi 4:1-3. I think I can guess who is responsible for having Yeshua in the fire, while the dead in Messiah keep on sleeping!)
Does Yeshua need to wait 1,000 years to sit on His throne? And do the envoys (apostles) also have to wait until the millennium is over to get their thrones and begin judging Israel? Matthew clearly established when the New Earth comes into existence?
Matthew 19:28 Yeshua told them, “I assure you that when the Human Son sits on His magnificent throne on the Renewed Earth, those of you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, presiding over the twelve tribes of Israel.
The 4 Aramaic versions I checked all say “the New World”, essentially as I did. But the Greek implies that the earth is “renewed”, and I suspect that the Aramaic would too if I could actually read Aramaic. The Online Bible Greek Lexicon compares “new” or “paliggenesia” to “the renovation of the earth after the deluge”.
This is significant. Check it out in these other modern versions:
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NIV
Matthew 19:28 Jesus replied, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NLT
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ESV
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NASB
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you with certainty, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the renewed creation, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, governing the twelve tribes of Israel. ISV
I just can’t imagine any connection between the New World and a quantum leap of any kind postponing the New World until after the final Satanic rebellion. The New or Renewed Earth of Matthew 19 just doesn’t appear to be staging for some big event in the future, it is the big event!
The New Earth is for humans, people, not some sort of new spiritual realm:
Isaiah 65:17-25 [1] “I’m going to create a New Heavens and a New Earth, and the previous ones won’t be remembered or come to mind! [This is in the context of burning the wicked and blessing the world’s better survivors at the end of the age as they live out their lives.] 18 Be glad and rejoice forever in what I’m going to create, because I’m creating [a New] Jerusalem for rejoicing, and her people a joy. [2] 19 I [Yehovah] will celebrate in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. Screaming and crying will never again be heard in the city.
20 “Never again will there be an infant who lives for only a few days, or an old man who hasn’t lived out his days. A son who only lives to be a hundred years old will die young, because a young man who dies at one hundred years of age will be considered cursed. [Only indecisive people live to 100, but then their shelf life expires.] 21 They’ll build houses to live in and eat fruit from the vineyards they plant. 22 They won’t build homes for others to live in, and they won’t plant for others to harvest. My people will live as long as the trees [sometimes centuries], and My select will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They won’t work for nothing or have children doomed to misfortune, because they are the 'people' blessed by Yehovah, along with their children. 24 Before they call, I’ll answer. While they are still asking, I’ll hear. 25 Wolves and lambs will feed together, and lions will eat straw like oxen. But dust will be the serpent’s food. No one will hurt or destroy anything on My entire 'special' mountain,” says Yehovah.”
It will arrive instantly! It’s the birth, not the conception.
Isaiah 66:7-15 Before she has any labor pains, before any pain, she will give birth to a son! 8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such a thing? Can a country be born in one day? Can a nation be born instantly? Yet as soon as Zion has labor pains, she’ll give birth to her children! 9 Would I bring to the moment of birth and not bring about the delivery?” Asks Yehovah, “Would I, the One who brings about births shut the womb?” Asks your Elohim.
10 “Celebrate with Jerusalem and be happy for her. Everyone who mourns over her should be extremely delighted. 11 You can nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts. You can drink deeply and be delighted with her overflowing splendor.” 12 Yehovah says: “I’ll extend peace to her like a river, and the splendor of the nations like an overflowing stream. You’ll nurse and be carried on her side, and bounced on her knees! 13 As a mother comforts her child, that’s how I’ll comfort you, and you’ll be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 When you see it, you’ll feel like celebrating, and your bones will flourish like tender grass, and the hand of Yehovah will be apparent to His servants, but He’ll be angry with His enemies. 15 Yehovah will come with fire, and His chariots will be like a whirlwind! He’ll return with fierce anger and punish them with flames of fire.
I do see an evolution, but no punctuated equilibrium.
Isaiah 9:7 The expansion of His dominion and prosperity will never end, from David’s throne and over His kingdom, arranging it and maintaining it with justice and righteousness from that time on—forever. The zeal of the Word* of Commander Yehovah will make it happen.
Certainly the people who live and die during the millennium will be judged as righteous or wicked, but aside from the four verses in Revelation 20, concerning the final generation of new Satanists, we have no further revelation about that distant period.
The very basis of the 1,000 year postponed Judgment theory is strictly based on the mention of Satan in Rev 20. The presumption is that since this “footnote” mentions what will happen to Satan in a thousand years, that everything else in the book of Revelation following that mention must necessarily also be after a thousand years. It’s an interesting speculation, but is there any internal evidence to support that in the rest of the Revelation? For that matter, is there a postponement mentioned anywhere else in the Bible? This postponement is no more valid than the Jewish efforts to postpone the Feast Days. But this appointed time will not be postponed.
Let’s look for some internal evidence. Proponents had a bit of help in verse 5.
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. KJV
It appears that Judgment Day is postponed here, but this is a very rare addition to the inspired text, not found in the earliest Syriac and Aramaic manuscripts, or the earliest Greek manuscripts, such as the Codex Sinaitic and Codex Alexandrine. While the Aramaic closely follows the Majority texts, the oldest texts do verify that the alleged “rest of the dead” (postponed Judgment Day) was inserted into the newer generation texts.
The Judgment Day prophecies are not pre millennial and post millennial. The first and second resurrection clearly occur at the end of this age. Judgment Day will be a time of final Judgment, not only for many of the living during this year, but also for all of those who have ever lived in the past:
Daniel 12:1-2 “AT THAT TIME, Michael will take a stand, the great commander who stands for your people, and there will be a time of trouble [the Great Tribulation, worse than 536 A.D, The Worst Year In History], such as there has never been since the first nation up until that time, AND AT THAT TIME [during the “time of the end!”] your people will escape, everyone whose names are still found {niphal} recorded in the Book [of Life]. 2 Multitudes of people sleeping in the dust of the earth will wake up, some of them to everlasting life, and the others to shame and everlasting contempt.
John quoted Yeshua on this same topic:
John 5:28-29 Don’t be amazed at this, because the time is coming when everyone in their graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things to a Resurrection resulting in life, and those who have committed evil to a Resurrection resulting in Condemnation [4].
[4] This statement alludes to Daniel’s Judgment Day statement (12:1-3). Judgment Day will occur during the most horrific time in world history. Yet “at that time your people [Israel] will be saved.”
Very interestingly, another footnote about Satan’s death is found Isaiah 26:19 thru 27:1, IN THE CONTEXT OF TWO RESURRECTIONS. Resurrection passages in the Tanak (OT) are quite scarce, so the fact that these two exact events are again in end-time resurrection context is not coincidental. The chapter break is misplaced, but understandably so, because a comment here about Leviathan seems to be indiscriminately flung into the chapter. It is only after reading the entirety of Job 41 where we see that Leviathan, “is king of everyone who is arrogant”, who can not be hurt by any earthly weapon, is in fact Satan, but that he will be destroyed by Yehovah’s “fierce, large and very sharp sword”, exactly how he is also killed in Isaiah 14:19.
Isaiah 26:19-21 thru Isaiah 27:1 Your dead will live. Their bodies will rise. Those who lie in the dust will wake up and sing for joy [first resurrection]. Your dew reflects a delightful light, and the earth will push out her dead. 20 Come, My people, enter your rooms [1*] and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves briefly until 'His' fury has ended. 21 Yehovah is coming out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their wickedness. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer cover her slain [resurrection of the wicked]”.
Isaiah 27:1 When That Day Comes* [Ch 27:21 above] Yehovah will punish Leviathan with His fierce, large and very sharp sword, the fugitive Leviathan, that twisted serpent. He’ll kill the dragon * in the sea.
[1*] A look at 34 usages of this word is often associated with comfort, but never a tomb. This is a place of tranquility during Yehovah’s Day of great wrath, the parallel of “the fifth seal” in Revelation 6:9-11—New Jerusalem!
That whole thing about Yehovah hanging out alone in heaven for a thousand years also appears to be quite unbiblical to me, as explained: here. In what I believe to be the most revealing Judgment account, both Father and Son are present—no 1,000 year long delay. Lets look at it again if necessary:
Daniel 7:9-13 I watched until thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair on His head was like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, and its wheels were like blazing fire. 10 A river of fire flowed out from before Him. Millions served Him, and one hundred million stood before Him. The court 'convened', and the books were opened. 11 I kept watching due to the boastful voice that the horn [Antimessiah] spoke with, I watched until the wild beast was killed, and its body was destroyed and 'thrown' into the blazing fire. 12 As for the other wild beasts, their sovereignty was taken away, but their lives were prolonged [3] for a period of time. 13 In my vision that night I saw what looked like a Human Son [man] [4] coming with the clouds of the sky [or of heaven], and as He was approaching the Ancient of Days, they escorted Him into His presence.
[3] These beasts are alive and kicking (not ancient history) when Yeshua meets up with the Ancient of Days in the very next verse! [4] Messiah in the form of a human being: See all the commentaries on this page.
Daniel chapter 7 is a very detailed account about the Great White Throne Judgment Day. It is a parallel account of the very same events that John saw, right down to the destruction of the beast in Revelation 20:10 equating with Daniel 7:11. Daniel 7 is the easiest way to date stamp the White Throne Judgment:
Revelation 20:10-12 The Accuser who seduced them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the predatory beast and the false prophet were thrown. They’ll be tormented day and night for a period of time, an age. 11 Then I saw a 'large' white throne, and the One who was sitting on it. The earth and sky fled for safety [7], but their location [or place] wasn’t known. 12 I saw the dead, those of lower status [small] and the highly esteemed [great] standing in front of the throne, and the books were opened [8], including the Book of Life. The dead were judged by the 'records' in the books based on what they had done [their ‘works’].
[7] If the covenant with 1,000 generations of humanity is honored, then we still need the earth intact: (Deuteronomy 7:9, Chronicles 16:15, Psalms 105:8). [8] This happens in the time frame of Daniel 7:10, as the beasts are biting the dust (verses 11-12).
Here is more internal evidence that Revelation 21 is in the same time frame as the rest of the book:
Revelation 21:2-3 I saw the 'cherished' city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from Yehovah, like a bride beautifully adorned for her husband [Isaiah 49:18]. 3 I heard a loud voice from the sky say, ‘Look, Yehovah’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [Gr. anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll be His people, and Yehovah will be with them, yes Yehovah Himself will be with them.
We are STILL talking about the BRIDE. This isn’t about some 1,000 year old news!
Next verse:
Revelation 20:4-5 I saw thrones, and those who were seated on them, and judicial authority was given to them, and I saw the bodies of those who were beheaded for THE TESTIMONY OF YESHUA [the ‘NT’] [3] and for THE WORD OF ALOHA [the ‘OT’]. These are the ones who hadn’t worshiped the predatory beast or his icon, nor had they accepted his mark on their forehead or on their hand. They lived and reigned with their Messiah during those thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection. [4]
[4] The words: “The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished”, aren’t in the Syriac and Aramaic manuscripts, or the earliest Greek manuscripts, such as the Codex Sinaitic and Codex Alexandrine. While these latter two have their share of omissions, they do predate the addition. Without the added words, the excuse for postponing Judgment Day for 1,000 years is exposed. The Lamsa version found here includes the added text, while my print version doesn’t. The timing is elaborated on more in Daniel 12:1-7. [5] A secondary meaning for the Greek protos is “most important” or “best.” It isn’t necessarily first in time order. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:30), the harvest represents the resurrection, and the tares are burned before the wheat is put into the barn.
Exactly when is this talking about? Why do so many people take a mental 1,000 year leap here? Let’s look at the parallel account of Judgment Day in Daniel. Beastly heathen kingdoms are romping around. Without even a blink, Yehovah, the Ancient of days is surrounded by millions of messengers (angels) and judging the first hundred million. “The court 'convened', and the books were opened.” The wild beast also described in Revelation is still kicking as he is thrown into the fire— NO THOUSAND YEAR GAP NECESSARY:
Daniel 7:7-11 After that in my vision that night I saw a fourth wild beast! [2] It was dreadful, terrifying and extremely strong. It has huge iron teeth. It was crushing and devouring things, and trampling underfoot anything that was left. It was different than any of the beasts in its presence, and it had ten horns. 8 While I was contemplating the horns, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were ripped out by the roots right in front of it. This horn’s eyes appeared to be human and it was mouthing arrogant claims! 9 I watched until thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair on His head was like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, and its wheels were like blazing fire. 10 A river of fire flowed out from before Him. Millions served Him, and one hundred million stood before Him. The court 'convened', and the books were opened. 11 I kept watching due to the boastful voice that the horn [Antimessiah] spoke with, I watched until the wild beast was killed, and its body was destroyed and 'thrown' into the blazing fire.
[2] I really like this Geo-political assessment of end-time events relative to Daniel 7!
Revelation 21:3-5 I heard a loud voice from the sky say, ‘Look, Yehovah’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [Gr. anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll be His people, and Yehovah will be with them, yes Yehovah Himself will be with them.” 4 Every tear will be wiped from their eyes, and there will be no more death [3] or mourning or crying or pain, nor will the previous painful state exist anymore, because the previous evil things have gone away. 5 The One who was seated on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new.’ And He said, ‘Write this down, because these are the faithful and true words of Aloha. [4]
[3] The cessation of tears and death begins as soon as the Everlasting Kingdom is established! Check the entire context of Isaiah 25, particularly v.8. Yet the wicked are excluded from this blessing. 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 says, “But everyone in their order, Messiah was the firstfruit. Later, at His coming, those who are the Messiah’s [will be restored to life]. 24 Then the end of these events comes, when He’ll have handed over the Kingdom to Yehovah the Father, when every ruler and every government and every powerful force will have been overthrown.” Many assume that there is a 1,000 year gap between verse 23 and verse 24. They assume that it will take Yeshua 1,000 years to conquer the world. Have they read any prophecies? Zechariah 14 is a detailed account of the hottest spot on earth being conquered in a blitzkrieg (lightning war), it’s called the Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”). The seige of the earth only begins at the Mount of Olives. Ezekiel 38 and 39 is another specific account of the conquest. Some postpone these chapters too. Consequently they must, for example, also think that it will take 1,000 years for Him to “make My 'cherished' name known in the midst of My people Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7) as well. [4] “of Aloha” was deleted from the Greek translations’
Isaiah 25:6-9 Commander Yehovah will prepare a 'lavish' banquet on this mountain using the 'best foods' for every nation, a banquet with well aged wines, of 'choice' cuts full of marrow and refined wines. 7 On this mountain He (Commander Yehovah) will remove the shroud that looms over all people, the veil that 'overshadows' every nation. 8 He (Commander Yehovah)) will devour death forever! The Sovereign Yehovah [2] [“Yeshua”] will wipe away the tears from every face. He’ll eliminate the scorn of His people from the entire earth. Yehovah has spoken! 9 When That Day Comes* Israel will be saying, “This is our Elohim! We have been waiting for Him to save us! This is Yehovah! We’ve been waiting for Him. Let’s rejoice and celebrate His salvation!”
[2] Note the context of the next verse—death ceasing (for the righteous) when Messiah returns. Your Bible most likely says “Lord GOD” in verse 8, but in truth it is “adonai (Sovereign) YHVH”! He, the Alpha and the Omega (Yeshua), is the One who will wipe away the tears! Revelation 21:4-6. Ignore the “GOD”, check the Hebrew: 3069 [e], a slight variant of the name YHVH. See Adonai (Adonai)
In the next chapter we are still talking about the end time players:
Revelation 21:9 One of the seven messengers who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues [Gr. scourges] came to me and said, “Come, I’ll show you the bride [5], the Lamb’s wife.”
[5] Who is the “Messiah’s Bride?”
I see no indication that the context has taken a giant leap into the future.
Backtracking a bit back to the 144,000 we read:
Revelation 7:16 They won’t hunger or thirst any more [3], nor will they be 'overcome' by the sun or burning heat,
[3] Isaiah 49 (noting verse 10) further describes these exact same conditions: the end of “hunger”, “thirst”, “heat” and “sun”, along with “springs of water” in the context of survivors of the Great Tribulation, from all twelve tribes of Israel returning to the land of Israel during the Second Exodus, at the beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom!
Does this mean we are reading about spirit born beings? Couldn’t this JUST be another reference to what Isaiah explained? Isaiah 49:10 describes these exact same events, the end of “hunger”, “thirst”, “heat”, “sun”, along with “springs of water” in the context of survivors of the Great Tribulation, from all twelve tribes of Israel returning to the land of Israel during the Second Exodus, at the beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom!
Isaiah 49:8-12 This is what Yehovah says: “In a favorable time I have answered You, and in a day of deliverance I have helped You. I’ll protect You [the Messiah: Barnes] and give You to the people as a covenant [the covenantee], to restore the land and to repossess its desolate heritage. 9 You will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out’ and to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves’! They’ll be My sheep, grazing along the roads and finding pastures on all the once barren heights. 10 They won’t hunger or thirst, and the heat or sun won’t beat down on them because the One who has mercy on them will lead them. He’ll guide them to springs of water. [Context: Revelation 7:13-17] 11 I’ll make all My mountains traversable, and My highways in the valleys will be elevated. 12 They will come from far away! They will come from the north and from the west, and they will come from Australia.
I don’t see the remotest chance for a 1,000 year long postponement of anything in the Bible. Nothing I’ve seen even needs any explanation beyond the immediate context.
Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom. Your dominion endures thruout every generation. [Aramaic: Yehovah is faithful in all His words, and loving in everything He does—Clarke’s Commentary]
Isaiah 45:17-18 Israel will be liberated by Yehovah with an everlasting liberation. You won’t be ashamed or humiliated for ages everlasting. 18 This is what Yehovah says who created/transformed the universe, the Elohim who originally created the earth and put it in order, who established it, and did not create it as a desolate wasteland, who formed it to be inhabited. ”I am Yehovah, and there is no other.
Ezekiel 37:21-28 Then explain to them: “The Sovereign Yehovah says He’ll take the Israelites from among the nations where they’ve gone, and gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. 22 He’ll make them one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel. One king will be over all of them. They’ll never be two nations or two kingdoms again. 23 They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or their detestable things or with any of their rebellion, because He’ll rescue them from everywhere they’ve settled and everywhere they’ve sinned. He’ll cleanse them so they’ll be His people, and He’ll be their Elohim.
24 “His servant David will be their king, and all of them will have one Shepherd [John 10:11]. They’ll 'live by' His regulations and carefully obey His unchanging tenets. [2] 25 They’ll live in the land that He gave to His servant Jacob, where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grandchildren will live there forever, and His servant David will be their prince forever. 26 He’ll make a [New] Covenant of peace with them. It will be an EVERLASTING COVENANT [3] with them, and He’ll establish them and increase their numbers, and set His 'Cherished' Place among them forever. 27 His home [New Jerusalem] will also be ABOVE them. He’ll be their Elohim, and they’ll be His people. 28 The nations will know that Yehovah made Israel 'special', when His 'Cherished' Place [Ezekiiel’s 'Temple': chapters 40-47] [4] is among them forever.”
[2] Fig tree Nation or Fig tree Generation? Aside from the years/dates mentioned, this is the best explanation I know of about what the fig tree represents—the dry bones!Daniel 2:44 During the days of these kings [Barne’s], the Elohim of heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed. [2] It’s sovereignty will never be given to other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it will be established forever.
[2] Babylon is destroyed by the Antimessiah’s kingdom, mentioned here, before the final “gentile” kingdom is replaced by the Everlasting Kingdom!Daniel 7:13-18 In my vision that night I saw what looked like a Human Son [man] [4] coming with the clouds of the sky [or of heaven], and as He was approaching the Ancient of Days, they escorted Him into His presence. 14 He was given dominion, splendor and a Kingdom, so that people of every nation and language would serve Him. His Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom that will never pass away, and His Kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
15 I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions in my mind terrified me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the exact meaning of all this. His explanation gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 These four huge wild beasts represent four kings who will rise to power from the earth. 18 But the 'chosen' ones [saints] of the Most Supreme will receive the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom forever, for all ages to come.
[4] Messiah in the form of a human being: See all the commentaries on this page.
Luke 1:32-33 He’ll be great and will be called ‘the Son of the Highest’, and Yehovah Aloha will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. 33 He’ll reign over the descendants of Jacob forever in His unending Kingdom. [3]
[3] It’s not just a millennial Kingdom: Psalms 145:3, Daniel 7:27, 2 Peter 1:11.
2 Peter 1:11 This is how you can be granted a 'welcome' entrance into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Sovereign and Life Giver, Yeshua Messiah.
I recommend that you check out Frank L. Caw Jr’s Why Earth Will Never Be Annihilated for more evidence. He lists, in passing, most of the above references without quoting them, including the same Bible passages that inspired my first book:
Do we really need yet another Big Bang theory?
Chapter 17 is The Mysteries of New Jerusalem