4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

4:3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

4:7 Dear friends [loved ones], let us love [Gr. agape: “self-giving that acts on behalf of others, regardless of the cost to the one loving” (Dean)] one another, for love comes from God [the source of our agape love for one another; unlike eros or phileo love, agape love does not come naturally to humans]. Everyone [those who love one another (4:7)] who loves [showing love is an evidence of salvation] has been born [cf. John 3:1-8] of God and knows [personal knowledge] God.

4:8 [conversely] Whoever does not [fails to] love [gives evidence that He does not have His nature and…] does not know God, because God is love [cf. 4:16; everything God does is an expression of His nature — thus He rules in love, He judges in love, etc.].

4:9 [How can we know for sure God loves us?] This is how God showed [the love John spoke of involved concrete and objective acts] his love among us: He sent [God’s love required Him to send Jesus] his one and only [unique, only one of the kind] Son into the world [the incarnation] that we might live through him [cf. Jn. 3:16-17].

4:10 This [refers to God’s act on our behalf in 4:9; distinguished God’s kind of love with any love claimed by the false teachers] is love: not that we loved God [as false teachers claimed], but that he loved [took the initiative; cf. Rom. 5:8] us and sent [it is possible to give without loving but it is not possible to love without giving; the true nature of love is unselfish and sacrificial] his Son as an atoning sacrifice [propitiation (offering made to appease) / expiation (forgiveness or sending away sins and guilt)] for our sins.

4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another [cf. Jn. 13:34-35].

4:12 No one has ever seen [some believe this is a reference to the false teachers who may have claimed visions of God] God [cf. Jn. 4:24; Ex. 33:20,23]; but [the evidence of God is seen when we show His love to others; cf. Jn. 13:35] if we love one another, God lives [abides and can be seen] in us and his love is made complete [reaches its intended purpose in our lives; this happens only when love is expressed in concrete actions] in us.

4:13 We know [are assured; have confirmation] that we live [abide] in him and he in us, because [how we know] he has given us of his Spirit [cf. Eph. 1:13-14; Holy Spirit motivates us to obey God in loving acts].

4:14 And we [testimony of the church] have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

4:15 [how the Holy Spirit comes to live in a person] If anyone acknowledges [heartfelt confession] that Jesus is the Son of God [testimony of those who are believers], God lives in him [in the person of he Holy Spirit] and he in God [members of God’s family].

4:16 And so we know [refers to knowledge of God’s love gained through experience; and because we know we…] and rely [having faith in His Son; believe, trust in, rely on the fact that God loves us] on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in [remain in, abide in] love [“Living in love means Christ is your Savior, and you need not fear the judgment” (Butler)] lives in God, and God in him.

4:17 In this way, love is made complete [has fulfilled its purpose] among us so that we will have confidence [boldness] on the day of judgment [assurance of eternal salvation; God’s love enables believers to face death with confidence], because in this world we are like him.

4:18 There is no fear [the other side of confidence] in love. But perfect [strong, mature] love drives out fear [fear of judgment], because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears [live in fearful uncertainty of the day of judgment] is not made perfect in love [denial of God’s love and failure to trust Him].

4:19 We love [the love with which we love is not our own but the love of God in us] because he first [took the initiative (cf. 4:10)] loved us [God’s love sets us free to love others].

4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother [fellow human being or fellow Christian], he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

4:21 And he has given us this command [cf. Jn. 13:34]: Whoever loves God must also love his brother [God’s love and Christian love are inseparable; cf. Mk. 12:30-31].

3:1 How great [Gr. word “potapen” refers to something that has come from another country; something exotic or beyond what we have previously experienced] is the love the Father has lavished [poured] on us, that we should be called children [word emphasizes birth rather than infancy] of God [“children of God” is both a reality and a title for believers]! And that is what we are [in the present, not at some future point]! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him [cf. Jn. 1:10].

3:2 Dear friends [beloved or those who are loved], now [not at some time in the future] we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him [we will be like Him in body (cf. Phil. 3:21); glorification (the final stage of salvation)], for we shall see [to perceive, to recognize, to appreciate] him as he is [we will see Jesus as Savior and Lord; those who reject Him will see Him as Judge; cf. 2 Cor. 3:18].

3:3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies [morally and spiritually; cf. Matt. 5:8] himself, just as he is pure.

3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

3:7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

3:10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning [from the time John’s readers first became believers (cf. 1 Jn. 2:7); cf. Jn. 13:34-35; 15:17]: We should [not an option; an obligation] love one another.

Note: What keeps you from loving others?

3:12 Do not be like Cain [along with Abel, son of Adam and Eve; read Gen. 4:1-16; Heb. 11:4; Cain offered grain and fruits for his offering], who belonged to the evil one [cf. Jn. 8:44] and murdered his brother [Abel; offered an animal sacrifice (with the right attitude)]. And why did he murder [one of the results of failing to love others] him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous [Cain angered by Abel’s righteous life].

Note: How can jealousy and hatred lead to murder?

3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world [hostile to God (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15)] hates [because believers are different (cf. 1 Pet. 4:3-4)] you [cf. Jn. 5:18-19].

3:14 We know [John used the Greek verb translated “we know” sixteen times in this letter] that we have passed [something experienced in the past with continuing results] from death to life, because we love [love is outward evidence that a person has passed from death to life] our brothers [other Christians]. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

3:15 Anyone who hates his brother [another Christian] is a murderer [cf. Matt. 5:21-22 re: violating the spirit of the Sixth Commandment through anger and verbal abuse], and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

Note: If a heart is empty of love, what fills in the void?

3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down [voluntarily] his life for us [stresses the reality of Christ’s death]. And we ought to lay down [we can do this by giving up personal rights, seeking the best for others, putting the interests of others above our own, serving others without expecting anything in return; cf. Jn. 15:13] our lives for our brothers.

Note: How can we “lay down” our lives for others?

3:17 If anyone has material possessions [the necessities of life; cf. Lk. 12:48] and sees his brother in need [real need, not wants] but has no pity [locks or shuts up compassion; “shuts up his heart” (NKJV)] on him [cf. parable of the good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37)], how can the love [Biblical love is a verb; love must take action] of God [God’s kind of love which expressed itself in giving (cf. Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)] be in him [cf. Jas. 2:14-17]?

3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue [talk is cheap] but with actions [actions must back up words] and in truth.

Note: “They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who will hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the man who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home and are happy, as though he were a real brother. They don’t consider themselves brothers and sisters in the usual sense, but brothers instead through the Spirit, in God.” (Written by Aristedes about Christians to the Roman Emperor Hadrian)

3:19 This [actively demonstrating God’s love to others in practical ways] then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence

3:20 whenever our hearts [or consciences] condemn us. For God [His voice of assurance] is greater than our hearts [the accusing voice of conscience], and he knows everything [God knows more about us than we know about ourselves].

3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence [the assurance that we are accepted; freedom of speech in approaching God in prayer; cf. Heb. 4:16] before God

3:22 and receive from him anything we ask [cf. Jn. 15:7 (prayers must pertain to fruitbearing and glorifying God); cf. Matt. 7:7; 21:22], because we obey his commands and do what pleases him [cf. Jn. 9:31].

3:23 And this is his command: [1] to believe [implies a decisive action] in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and [2] to love [ongoing lifestyle] one another [believing in Jesus requires that we love others who believe in Him] as he commanded us.

3:24 Those who obey his commands [cf. 1 Jn. 3:23] live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit [provides believes with the presence of the indwelling Christ] he gave us.

Note: Does your conduct verify the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?

2:1 My dear children [an affectionate term], I write this to you so that you will not sin [tense of Greek verb conveys acts of sin, not habitual sinning—occasional sins, not a sinful lifestyle]. But if anybody does sin [refers to a single act rather than habitual sin], we have one who speaks [an advocate; from Gr. “parakletos” or “one called alongside”] to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ [cf. Heb. 7:25], the Righteous One [the only One qualified to represent us before the Father and to plead our case].

2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice [propitiation; to appease; to make atonement or expiation for; to be gracious; to show mercy; emphasizes the removal of divine wrath (Jesus’ death turned God’s wrath from the sinner)] for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world [this does not mean that all will be saved; only those who repent and place their faith in Jesus alone will be saved].

2:3 We know that we have come to know [conveys the idea of knowledge by experience; there is a difference between “know Him” and “know about Him”] him if we obey [to keep, to observe; this is evidence of our relationship with Him; a continuous, habitual action] his commands.

2:4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar [because his lifestyle contradicts his confession], and the truth is not in him.

2:5 But if anyone obeys his word [same as “obey his commands” in 2:3], God’s love [Gr. “agape” means determined goodwill that seeks the best interests of others; involves volition rather than emotion] is truly made complete [has fulfilled the purpose or intention for which it is designed] in him. This is how we know we are in him:

2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must [ought to] walk [continuously; Gr. “peripateo” means “to walk” and is often used figuratively of one’s way of life] as Jesus did.

2:7 Dear friends [term of endearment; this is one word (“beloved”) in the Greek text from the Gr. root “agape”], I am not writing you a new command [the command to love one another] but an old one, which you have had since the beginning [either from the OT (cf. Lev. 19:18) or from the time the gospel had been proclaimed to them; cf. 1 Jn. 3:11]. This old command is the message you have heard.

2:8 Yet I am writing you a new [new in its centrality in the Christian life] command [cf. Jn. 13:34]; its truth is seen in him [this kind of love was a reality in Jesus’ life] and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light [Jesus is and brings the true light; cf. Jn. 1:4-5] is already shining.

2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light [in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ] but hates his brother [probably refers to another Christian] is still in the darkness [or in the realm of evil; cf. Col. 1:13].

2:10 Whoever loves [the proof that a person is a genuine believer] his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble [does not trip himself up; does not cause others to stumble].

2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going [without direction; aimless wandering], because the darkness has blinded him [without sight].

2:12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

2:13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.

2:14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2:16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

2:21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.

2:22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.

2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

2:24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

2:25 And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.

2:26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

2:28 And now, dear children [a term of affection], continue [remain; do not allow the false teachers to lead you away from Christ] in him [to “continue in him” refers to fellowship], so that when he appears [the second coming of Christ] we may be confident [to have boldness; to be fully assured of one’s position] and unashamed [some will be ashamed because of unconfessed sin that has marred their walk with Him or because they have stored no treasure up in heaven] before him at his coming [Gr. “parousia”].

2:29 If [or “since”] you know that he is righteous [Jesus lived a life totally without sin], you know that everyone who does what is right [lives a Christlike life; doing what is right provides the visible proof of being a Christian] has been born of him [born again].

22:1 Then the angel showed me [glimpse of the interior of heavenly Jerusalem] the river of the water of life [cf. John 4:10], as clear as crystal, flowing [abundantly] from the throne of God and of the Lamb [and therefore free from any impurities]

22:2 down the middle of the great [main] street of the city. On each side [refers to accessibility] of the river stood the tree [nourished by the river of life; symbolizes restoration of what was forfeited in Eden] of life [cf. Gen. 2:9; this tree represents eternal life], bearing twelve [number symbolizing completeness in religion or spiritual matters] crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month [cf. Ps. 1:1-3; Ezek. 47:12]. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing [perhaps reference to ongoing spiritual health] of the nations.

22:3 No longer [heaven will restore what was lost when sin entered the world] will there be any curse [of sin]. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve [not just rest in heaven] Him.

22:4 They will [finally] see [previously not possible; great privilege] His face [full revelation; intimacy to be constantly enjoyed; barriers removed], and His name will be on their foreheads.

22:5 There will be no more night [perhaps meaning no more evil (cf. Jn. 3:19); nothing will diminish God’s glory in heaven]. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light [God’s light dispels all darkness or evil]. And they will reign for ever and ever.

22:6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

22:7 “Behold, I [Christ] am coming soon [phrase appears three times in ch. 22:7,12,20; does not necessarily mean immediately; implies a call to readiness and expectancy because when He does return it will be quick or sudden]! Blessed is he who keeps [continually heeds, guards, obeys; cf. Rev. 1:3] the words of the prophecy [foretelling (prophecy) and forthtelling (exhortation)] in this book.”

22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship [see also 19:10] at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.

22:9 But he [cf. v. 8, angel] said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep [observe/obey] the words of this book. Worship God [only He is worthy of worship; theme of the book]!”

22:10 Then he [cf. v. 8, angel] told me, “Do not seal up [instead make the message public] the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time [season] is near [therefore apply message today].

22:11 [cf. Matt. 13:30; first part of this verse refers to sin-hardened people who have reached the point of no return or perhaps means that some will not have time to repent because Jesus will return suddenly and without warning] Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile [morally defiled] continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”

22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon [cf. 2 Pet. 3:8; a warning (to the lost) and a promise (to the believer); should serve as motivation to holy living]! My reward [can mean either a positive reward or a negative punishment] is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done [work or sum total of a person’s life; cf. Rom. 2:5-6].

22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last [and everything in between], the Beginning and the End.

22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes [equivalent to trusting Christ as Savior and Lord; see Rev. 7:14], that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates [John 10:9] into the city.

22:15 Outside [the gates; excluded from heaven by their sins; the place of those who do not wash their robes] are the dogs [label of reproach; applied to those who had committed abominable sins], those who practice magic arts [promote pagan superstitions], the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you [plural: perhaps refers to John and the seven churches] this testimony [message] for [the message of this book is intended primarily for…] the churches [as in 1:4 and also all churches throughout history; believers who make up churches]. I am the Root [cf. Isa. 11:1] and the Offspring of David [Jewish Messiah (Anointed One)], and the bright Morning Star [dawning of eternal day for all who place their trust in Him; the One who dispels darkness; heralds new day of hope and promise].”

22:17 The [Holy] Spirit [inspires the church (bride) to issue the invitation to “come”] and the bride [church in the sense of the totality of all believers] say, “Come [invitation to lost sinners to come to Jesus for salvation]!” And let him who hears [implies that recipients of gospel must share it with others] say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty [spiritually], let him come [while there is time]; and whoever wishes [indicates freedom to believe], let him take the free gift [cf. Rom. 6:23b] of the water of life.

22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

22:19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

22:20 He who testifies to these things says [the heart of our Christian hope…], “Yes, I am coming [incentive for holy living] soon [a relative term; God does not measure time as we do].” Amen. [John’s yearning and earnest prayer…] Come [reflects our readiness and faithfulness to His work], Lord Jesus [cf. 1 Cor. 16:22; Maranatha (Aramaic) means “Come, Lord Jesus”].

Note: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)

22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen [let it be so].

Note: Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

21:1 Then I saw a new [in character, kind, or quality] heaven and a new earth [some see this as an all-encompassing phrase meaning a whole new universe], for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no [absence of] longer any sea [symbol of turmoil and danger; nothing to separate as the sea separated him (on Patmos) from his fellow believers (on the mainland)].

21:2 I saw the Holy City [pure and beautiful like a new bride], the new [same meaning as in verse 1] Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [as a gift] from God [the “architect and builder” as per Heb. 11:10; origin and source], prepared [by God] as a [metaphor/description of the most intimate human relationship] bride [the Holy City; redeemed humanity] beautifully dressed for her husband.

21:3 And I heard a loud voice [unidentified] from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling [Gr. skene: tabernacle, tent, booth (temporary dwellings)] of God is with men [no more need for earthly temple like the one in earthly Jerusalem], and He will live [permanently] with [Gr. skenosei: dwell or tabernacle with] them. They will be His people [literally “peoples”], and God Himself will be with them and be their God.

21:4 He will wipe [tenderly so] every tear from their eyes [no more sorrow because no more sin]. There will be no more death [the result of sin; cf. Rev. 20:14 and 1 Cor. 15:26] or mourning [one of the effects of sin and death] or crying [as a result of persecution, daily circumstances, sin] or pain [a penalty of the fall (cf. Gen. 3:16)], for the old [previous] order of things has passed away.”

21:5 He [Jesus Christ] who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true [because “these words” were spoken by the One who is Himself trustworthy and true].”

21:6 He said to me: “It [the results of redemption are fully completed] is done [cf. Jesus’ declaration from the cross in Jn. 19:30]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [the A to Z], the Beginning [the beginning source of all things] and the End [the goal of all things]. To him who is thirsty [those who recognize that they are spiritually needy] I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

21:7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

21:9 One of the seven angels [John’s “tour” guide] who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues [cf. 17:1] came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride [symbolizes the close, harmonious relationship that exists between Christ and the congregation of the redeemed], the wife of the Lamb [this title used seven times in 21:9-17].”

21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high [perhaps in contrast to the desert where John had seen the harlot (17:3); a place where John could gain a wide view], and showed me the Holy City [inhabited by the redeemed], Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

21:11 It shone [no need for a sun or moon] with the glory [brilliance or radiance; the fullness of who God is; the abiding presence of God] of God, and its brilliance [radiance: something in which light is concentrated] was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

21:13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.

21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

21:15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

21:16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long.

21:17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using.

21:18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.

21:19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone [among the Hebrews, precious stones symbolized God’s presence (Robbins); same jewels/stones which adorn breastplate of high priest (Ex. 28:17-20)]. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

21:20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

21:22 I did not see a temple [a notable absence for any Jew who thought of the temple when thinking about Jerusalem; a temple (a place where people worshiped and encountered God) was necessary in a fallen world] in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

21:23 The city does not need the sun [natural light] or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God [the Creator of Light] gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

21:24 The nations [people groups (people of every tribe and culture) rather than political entities; our identity as people groups will still be evident in the new Jerusalem] will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring [in tribute] their splendor [glory] into it.

21:25 On no day will its gates ever be shut [on earth gates are shut because of fear and for security], for there will be no night [darkness] there.

21:26 The glory and honor of the nations [people groups; heaven will be a multicultural place] will be brought into it [cf. Isa. 60:5].

21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful [these have their own final place of destruction where they will spend eternity], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.

20:2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

20:3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

20:5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.

20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison

20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.

20:9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

20:11 Then I saw a great white throne [some believe this event is a general judgment of all human beings who have ever lived (cf. Jn. 5:28-29); others believe that Christians will already have experienced the judgment Paul spoke about in Rom. 14:10-12] and him [the Lord Jesus Christ] who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

20:12 And I saw the dead [the subjects of this judgment], great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done [both good and evil] as recorded in the books [contain a detailed record of the works of every person].

20:13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades [a name used to refer to the burial of anyone] gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.

20:14 Then death and Hades [cf. 1 Cor. 15:26] were thrown into the lake of fire [a place of eternal separation from God; cf. Matt. 18:9]. The lake of fire is the second death [this phrase also occurs in Rev. 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8; the “first death” is the death of the human body; second death refers to the separation of the human person from God in conscious torment].

20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life [a citizenship register for those who will live in heaven forever; a register of those saved by grace through faith; cf. Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8], he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Note: The word Antichrist is not found anywhere in the Book of Revelation. This word appears in the New Testament only in 1 John 2:18,22; 4:3 and 2 John 7.

13:1 And the dragon [Satan] stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast [the Antichrist: human embodiment of absolute evil / some say Satan in human form] coming out of the sea [symbol for nations or masses of people; sea often associated with evil in apocalyptic writings]. He had ten horns [cf. Rev. 17:12; symbol of complete human power; some see as federation of nations/kings] and seven heads [complete dominion; cf. Rev. 17:9-10; some say Roman emperors; some say series of empires], with ten crowns [symbol of sovereignty] on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name [refers to divine honor claimed for itself by the beast].

13:2 The beast I saw resembled [a composite of the beasts described in Dan. 7:3-7; a vicious antagonist] a leopard [ferocious swiftness], but had feet like those of a bear [voracity] and a mouth like that of a lion [strength]. The dragon gave the beast his power [energized by Satan] and his throne and great authority.

Note: Three main positions regarding the beast… [1] The Roman emperor Domitian. [2] Any person or power in history that cooperates with Satan to stand in defiance of God’s sovereignty and that seeks to destroy His followers. [3] Antichrist who will come toward end of history.

13:3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed [a parody of the death and resurrection of Christ]. The whole world was astonished [marveled or amazed] and followed [blindly] the beast.

Note: Three views re: the “fatal wound.” [1] Nero raised from dead; some see as Domitian because, like Nero, he too persecuted believers. [2] Symbol of the resilience of evil. [3] Resurrection from dead of a future Antichrist.

13:4 [beast will seek to popularize worship of dragon] Men worshiped the dragon [Satan wants to be worshiped: cf. Matt. 4:9] because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast [next step after following] and asked, “Who is like the beast [perhaps a parody of the word “Michael” which means “who is like God”]? Who can make war against him?”

13:5 [after achieving a worldwide following] The beast was given [indicates that Satan operates only by permission of God] a mouth to utter proud words [persuasive and charismatic oratorical power inspired by Satan; cf. 2 Pet. 2:12,18] and blasphemies [to revile or to speak reproachfully] and to exercise his authority for forty-two months [some say refers to a limited amount of time; others say refers to last 3½ years of the tribulation; there is an end in sight to evil].

13:6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme [lessen everything that is held sacred by the church] God, and to slander His name and His dwelling place and those who live in heaven.

13:7 [after in position of world control he will unleash the full force of his evil against believers] He was given power [destructive power derived from Satan, his master] to make war [persecute (perhaps by infiltrating/using government); cf. 12:17] against the saints [true believers who refuse to worship him; Jesus warned of persecution in Jn. 15:21] and to conquer [inflict death] them [those who are faithful to the Lord]. And he was given [allowed by God] authority [power to influence] over every tribe, people, language and nation [the whole (pagan) world; excludes true believers as per v. 8].

13:8 All inhabitants [unbelievers] of the earth will worship the beast [Antichrist] – all [what follows specifies exactly who will worship the beast…] whose names have not been written in the book of life [roll of the living] belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

13:9 He who has an ear, let him hear [and obey the message of the book].

13:10 [end time persecution inevitable and so great that resistance of little use] If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed [martyrdom actually a victory for Christ]. This calls for [rather, under these circumstances] patient endurance [to abide under a load; to stand strong during great difficulties without losing hope] and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

13:11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.

13:12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

13:13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.

13:14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

13:15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

13:16 He [a second beast as per vv. 11-12 (later called “the false prophet”: cf. 16:13); represents false religion and satanic power] also forced [economic sanctions] everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark [no sure way to know what this mark/symbol is; parody of the mark of God on saints (7:3)] on his right hand or on his forehead [figuratively denotes that everyone gives evidence of loyalty],

13:17 so that no one could buy or sell [business activities that are essential to sustaining life] unless [requirement] he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number [see 13:8] of his name.

13:18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.