I have a question and I'm hoping someone will be able to answer it. In Revelation 22, which I assume is AFTER the great white throne judgement, who are these people outside the city who can't enter in? ?
Who are those outside the city in Revelation 22?
- Thread starter Troubled65
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Did you post an extra thread on the same subject by mistake? You may need to contact an admin to have it removed. To answer your question, those outside the holy city are those who are in the Lake of Fire.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev 22:15)
Let's take a lookey at the versa here:
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
None of the above are in the body of Christ as those in the body of Christ have been forgiven and covered by the blood or Christ:
1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
To claim a future intent of John 22:15 is to deny what Paul wrote in the above.
Those "without" are not members of the body of Christ "but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus".
Hello Troubled65!
Your concern regarding those outside the city, is simply a matter of process of elimination. Regarding this, scripture states the following for those who are judged at the great white throne judgment, which is made up of all of the unrighteous dead throughout all of history:
"And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
From the scripture above, we can deduce that anyone whose name is not written in the book of life, that person will be thrown into the lake of fire. While everyone who took part in the first resurrection will enter into the kingdom of God. And since they will be in the lake of fire, then they cannot be meandering around outside of the new Jerusalem.
Therefore, the reference to those "outside the city" would have to refer to those in outer darkness, i.e. the lake of fire. At first appearance it would make the reader believe that there will people loitering outside the city gates, which would not be in keeping with God's nature, nor His word. When we read "outside the city" our minds interpret it as being in close proximity to the city gates. However, scripture gives no measurement of distance or location by the words "outside the city." How far is outside? It doesn't say.
In addition, they will not be able to enter in, because they will be in the lake of fire, which they can't escape from. Once again, our minds interpret "nothing unclean will ever enter it" as them having opportunity to do so, but being kept out. However, once again the reason that they will not be able to enter into it, is because they will be in the lake of fire and will have no opportunity to do so.
Hope this was helpful.
Everyone seems to be missing my point. This time pictured here would seem to be after the thousand years, after all of the great white throne judgement and the onset of eternity....Why are they not in the lake of fire? They are just said to be outside the city and are unable to enter in through the gates. No one has answered my question. The lake of fire is in the center of the earth, NOT outside heavenly Jerusalem's gates!
Thanks, but I still have confusion. You might be right, but I don't know. The wording is a little confusing.
Your question was answered. Your asking another now, and it, also, will be answered.
So, you think the lake of fire is outside the city gates? I can't remember where in the Bible, but I remember reading that the lake is in the center of the earth.
No one is missing your point. The two Scriptures are almost identical. And it is not the Lake of Fire that is in the center of the earth. That was Sheol/Hades, which has now been abolished. "Outside the city" is an understated way of say "Very remote from the city".
You're thinking too linear. Verses 22:12-21 are an epilogue, a wrapping up of the topic. When it mentions those outside it does so from the present tense. Verse 16 hes an angel giving this testimony to the churches, and verse 17 still calling all to come. Yet it's the very end of the book.
Now something much more interesting to ponder is how does the Tree of Life exists on both sides of the river?
Revelation 22
Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Did you notice that there exists nations outside of the city?
Revelation 22
Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Did you notice that there exists nations outside of the city?