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NASB | Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 2:9 And [in that garden] the LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil. [Rev 2:7; 22:14, 19] |
Subject: The fruit and leaves of the tree of life |
Bible Note: Hi Steve. Thank you for your courteous reply. What I actually said was that Baruch was the source from which Papias and Irenaeus quoted. If you will compare their quotations with Baruch I think you will agree. (I did not say that it was the source of Revelation 20). So we are left with Revelation 20 as the only New Testament source for possible teaching on the millennium, something which is quite remarkable if the doctrine is true. Clearly neither Jesus nor Paul thought it important enough to mention it. Perhaps we might learn a lesson from them? However I will try to give a brief resume of what I see to be the meaning of Revelation 20. In my view Revelation is split up into a number of visions each of which leads up to the second coming. Thus we have Revelation 6 which ends with His coming being implied in verse 17. We have Revelation 14 which ends with His coming in verses 14-20. We have Revelation 16 which ends with His implied coming in verses 19-21. We have 17-19 which ends with His coming in 19.11-21. And now chapter 20 which ends with His coming in verses 11-15, a depiction from another angle of what we find in Matthew 25.31-46. All are of course using metaphorical language. The reality will be beyond description. It will be such that it COULD NOT be described literally. So coming to Revelation 20 (in the short space permitted). Firstly Satan is bound. That event is described also by Jesus in Matthew 12.29; Mark 3.27; compare Luke 11.20-22. And this binding is for 'a thousand years' (i.e. a long time of unknown duration, compare 2 Peter 3.8). AFTER that he is loosed for a little while as described in 9.1-11; 12.12. Then we go back in time from the end of the 'thousand years' and see thrones set and those to whom judgment is committed. This is described by Jesus in Matthew 19.28; Luke 22.28-30. Along with the Apostles are all the martyred saints sharing in their triumph. They too all reign with Christ over the 'thousand years' that lie ahead. Along with them we have the company of all believers who have not worshipped the beast or accepted 'the mark of the beast'. These have taken part in the first resurrection. The first resurrection is described in Ephesians 1.19-2.6; John 5.24-25; Romans 6.4, 11; Philippians 3.20). For all of us who are in Christ have been raised with Him and are seated with Him in heavenly places. We share with the heavenly saints in the glory of His rule (Hebrews 12.22-24). Compare Revelation 5.10. You will note that I am taking Scripture literally. We are delivered from the second death, and reign with Him. Then Satan will be released for his short period (verse 3; 9.1-11; 12.12) until Jesus' coming brings about his defeat. At that point the 'second resurrection' will take place (John 5.28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4.15-16; 1 Corinthians 15). Finally comes the judgment of the end times. You will note that all my interpretations are based on solid Scripture and that all the incidents described have previously been described in Scripture as happening before Christ's second coming. It really is in my view too much of a coincidence that Revelation 20 follows exactly the pattern which occurred before Jesus'coming, if it does not apply to that. With all best wishes. Jonp |