The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory of God illuminated it

Revelations 21:22-27

In the new earth, there would be no need for temple to go to worship and no Sun to produce light. The reason is because God will be there, hence no need for a place to worship and no need for other light than God. There will still be nations and kings and they will bring Glory to God. The inhabitants are those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues

Revelation 17:7-18

There are things the Scripture describes using allegory / symbolic and there are things which are literal. For the most cases when it is not literal, as in this chapter, the Scripture itself will provide the explanation. Hence in other parts of Scripture which does not give specific explanations, they are generally meant to be taken as literal.

In this chapter, the Woman and the Beast are symbolic and are explained by the angel. The beast is said to be "Was, is not, and yet is". The angel does not explain more than that. People have usually taken this to mean that the Beast represents the Anti-Christ and that he will be mortally wounded and appeared to have died. And then the Beast would come back to life again, causing people to think that he was resurrected.

There's another phrase about they "whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world". This might mean the non-believers, those who choose not to follow Y'shua Jesus. The interesting part about this is that they may have been pre-determined not to be in the book of life from the beginning.

More details are revealed that the seven heads of the beast are actually seven mountains. They may correspond to seven kingdoms with seven kings. At that time, five kings have already been known and fallen, one king is there at that time, and there will be one more to come. The seventh kings will reign a short time and will give rise to the resurrected beast who will be the eighth king.

The ten horns are another set of ten kings with no kingdoms, but will be given to reign a short time with the beast at the End Times. The fact that the have no kingdoms, has led to some interpretation that they are spiritual beings, followers of the Enemy, rather than earthly kings. They will worship and support the beast and will be ultimately defeated by the Lamb.

Finally the woman is revealed as the great city which "reigns over the kings of the earth". This may be a capital of a united world of kingdoms. The water which the woman sits on is also revealed as peoples and  nations. So it seems to be an oppressive worldwide government. However, this worldwide regime will be opposed by the ten kings who worship the Beast. So although it seems like the evil forces are fighting with another evil force, the result is that the people of the nations who will endure great suffering in those battles.

You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings

An angel descended from heaven in a cloud, with a rainbow on his head and face bright as the sun. He landed his right foot on the sea and left foot on the earth. At this stage it is not clear if this is the seventh angel who will sound the shofar. He has a little book and began to cry aloud accompanied by seven thunders who also spoke. Then John started to write the words spoken from the thunders but was commanded to stop.

The angel turned heavenward to God and swore that when the seventh angel sounded (perhaps the shofar sounded), the mysteries of God should have been revealed to all. Then a voice from heaven commanded John to take the opened little book from the angel. When John requested the book from the angel, he was told to eat the book, thus preventing John from revealing the contents of the book. When John had swallowed the book, he was commanded to prophesy to many nations and their kings.




Revelation 10
The Mighty Angel with the Little Book

1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices,[a] I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[b] “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand[c] to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

John Eats the Little Book

8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”

And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he[d] said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Therefore Prepare Yourself And Arise

The introduction to the book named after the prophet Jeremiah shows that he served God as a prophet through the reigns of Kings Josiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, until they were taken captive. God anointed Jeremiah personally and with a touch to Jeremiah's mouth, God ordained him to speak with authority and over all earthly powers. This happened when Jeremiah was still at a young age.

God begins His revelation to Jeremiah about the coming judgment on the nation of Judah from the nations in the north. Jeremiah's mission was to bring God's warnings to all the people. As such, God needed to encourage Jeremiah to be bold and fearless. God told Jeremiah that He will make him into "A fortified city and an iron pillar". Jeremiah was to speak against kings, princes and priests of Judah and they will not be able to harm him.




Jeremiah 1
1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

The Prophet Is Called

4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then said I:

“Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
7 But the Lord said to me:

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.
9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:

“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant.”
11 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”

And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

13 And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?”

And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.”

14 Then the Lord said to me:

“Out of the north calamity shall break forth
On all the inhabitants of the land.
15 For behold, I am calling
All the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says the Lord;
“They shall come and each one set his throne
At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem,
Against all its walls all around,
And against all the cities of Judah.
16 I will utter My judgments
Against them concerning all their wickedness,
Because they have forsaken Me,
Burned incense to other gods,
And worshiped the works of their own hands.
17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise,
And speak to them all that I command you.
Do not be dismayed before their faces,
Lest I dismay you before them.
18 For behold, I have made you this day
A fortified city and an iron pillar,
And bronze walls against the whole land—
Against the kings of Judah,
Against its princes,
Against its priests,
And against the people of the land.
19 They will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you.
For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”

But the Lord will be to you an Everlasting Light

This chapter describes a time when the Gentile nations will know the God of Israel. But more than that, they will come in multitude to Zion and bring great wealth, perhaps as offerings. Their rulers and kings will also come to Jerusalem, and they will serve Israel. Their multitude and abundance they bring will be glorifying to God.

The speaker in this also reveals that He is the Saviour, Redeemer and Mighty One of Jacob. Then Gentiles will supply them, even with milk. There shall be no more wars. These seem to be describing the time when the Lord will reign on Earth. It describes that the Sun will not be the one providing light during the day. In fact the Lord's eternal light will provide them with light all day.



Isaiah 60
The Gentiles Bless Zion

1 Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba shall come;
They shall bring gold and incense,
And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you,
The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar,
And I will glorify the house of My glory.
8 “Who are these who fly like a cloud,
And like doves to their roosts?
9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me;
And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
To bring your sons from afar,
Their silver and their gold with them,
To the name of the Lord your God,
And to the Holy One of Israel,
Because He has glorified you.
10 “The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls,
And their kings shall minister to you;
For in My wrath I struck you,
But in My favor I have had mercy on you.
11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
And their kings in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
And those nations shall be utterly ruined.
13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together,
To beautify the place of My sanctuary;
And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
14 Also the sons of those who afflicted you
Shall come bowing to you,
And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet;
And they shall call you The City of the Lord,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
So that no one went through you,
I will make you an eternal excellence,
A joy of many generations.
16 You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles,
And milk the breast of kings;
You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 “Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
Instead of iron I will bring silver,
Instead of wood, bronze,
And instead of stones, iron.
I will also make your officers peace,
And your magistrates righteousness.
18 Violence shall no longer be heard in your land,
Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders;
But you shall call your walls Salvation,
And your gates Praise.

God the Glory of His People

19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;
But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,
And your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no longer go down,
Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;
For the Lord will be your everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
21 Also your people shall all be righteous;
They shall inherit the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands,
That I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand,
And a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”

Praise the Lord from the Heavens

Praise the LORD who is deserving of all praises from all things of His creation. The psalmist writes that the sun and moon, and all the angels praise Him. All peoples on the Earth from kings to servants should praise the Lord. This final one may be fulfilled when the Lord returns to reign over us.



Psalm 148
Praise to the Lord from Creation

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!

2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!

3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!

4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.

6 He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;

8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;

10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;

12 Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.

14 And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.
Praise the Lord!

Give the king Your judgments, O God

The content of this psalm is clearly different to those written by David. This psalm is written by Solomon, and the theme is about asking God to give him good judgement in arbitrating between his people. This was the reason that Solomon asked for wisdom - so he could judge well.

He acknowledges the dominion and righteousness of God. It seems to be describing the glory of God being known to all nations, that their kings shall come and worship God. Perhaps this describes the ideal world or perhaps it is during the reign of Messiah. In addition, in that time, the needy will be taken care of, God will be praised daily and continually, the Earth will have abundance in grain and greenery, and ultimately:
"And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. "

Psalm 72
A Psalm of Solomon.

 1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,
         And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness,
         And Your poor with justice.
 3 The mountains will bring peace to the people,
         And the little hills, by righteousness.
 4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people;
         He will save the children of the needy,
         And will break in pieces the oppressor.
        
 5 They shall fear You[a]
         As long as the sun and moon endure,
         Throughout all generations.
 6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,
         Like showers that water the earth.
 7 In His days the righteous shall flourish,
         And abundance of peace,
         Until the moon is no more.
        
 8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
         And from the River to the ends of the earth.
 9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him,
         And His enemies will lick the dust.
 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles
         Will bring presents;
         The kings of Sheba and Seba
         Will offer gifts.
 11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
         All nations shall serve Him.
        
 12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries,
         The poor also, and him who has no helper.
 13 He will spare the poor and needy,
         And will save the souls of the needy.
 14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence;
         And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
        
 15 And He shall live;
         And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him;
         Prayer also will be made for Him continually,
         And daily He shall be praised.
        
 16 There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,
         On the top of the mountains;
         Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;
         And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
        
 17 His name shall endure forever;
         His name shall continue as long as the sun.
         And men shall be blessed in Him;
         All nations shall call Him blessed.
        
 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
         Who only does wondrous things!
 19 And blessed be His glorious name forever!
         And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
         Amen and Amen.
        
 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Way of the Godly; Messiah's Kingdom

The book of psalm begins with the distinction between godly and ungodly people. Those who are ungodly: are sinners, are mockers, driven away by the wind and will lose in judgement. On the other hand, the godly people: do not perform as the ungodly does, loves God's laws, enjoy the blessings of God, will be able to stand before God in judgement.

The second chapter introduces Messiah as God's Anointed one and as the one who will have victory. The power and authority of Messiah over the rest of the nations is described, as well as the fact that all nations belong to Him. It is a call to the nations, especially those in authority such as kings and judges, to recognize the LORD and serve Him. Those who put their trust in Him will be blessed.


Psalm 2

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom

 1 Why do the nations rage,
         And the people plot a vain thing?
 2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
         And the rulers take counsel together,
         Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
         And cast away Their cords from us.”
       
 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
         The Lord shall hold them in derision.
 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
         And distress them in His deep displeasure:
 6 “Yet I have set My King
         On My holy hill of Zion.”
       
 7 “I will declare the decree:
         The LORD has said to Me,
         ‘You are My Son,
         Today I have begotten You.
 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
         The nations for Your inheritance,
         And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
 9 You shall break[a] them with a rod of iron;
         You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
       
 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
         Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
 11 Serve the LORD with fear,
         And rejoice with trembling.
 12 Kiss the Son,[b] lest He[c] be angry,
         And you perish in the way,
         When His wrath is kindled but a little.
         Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 1

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

 1 Blessed is the man

         Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

         Nor stands in the path of sinners,

         Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

         And in His law he meditates day and night.

 3 He shall be like a tree

         Planted by the rivers of water,

         That brings forth its fruit in its season,

         Whose leaf also shall not wither;

         And whatever he does shall prosper.

       

 4 The ungodly are not so,

         But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

         Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

       

 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

         But the way of the ungodly shall perish.