The Evangelical Universalist Forum

? about Revelation 21:27

Theology Biblical Theology
#1

About the New Heaven and Earth/New Jerusalem…

Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

And what about those whose names aren’t written in the Lamb’s book of life, are they in the lake of fire? Are they getting prepared so that their names can be written in the Lamb’s book of life? Or is it saying that only the names of those that are written will enter, because those that aren’t, will never enter the gates…?? That of course would mean no universal reconciliation and i don’t think that’s what it means…but i am asking just in case because I’m a little confused. :confused:

Now i need to tell you all, I am a futurist and i take ‘most’ of Revelation to be literal, so anyone who doesn’t hold to that doctrine may not help me out here… :neutral_face: …sorry… :blush:

#2

[The New Jerusalem’s] gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come;** let the one who desires take the water of life without price**.

All this taken together I understand this to say: Let the one who desires take the water of life (Jesus) and wash his robes that he may enter the city. So its never to late.

#3

^ Thanks much!
Very nice…i like that. :slight_smile:

#4

Caroleem,

This same question is talked about here:

It’s one of my favorite threads! :slight_smile:

I find that thread bursting forth with insight from posters on this board. Very cool insights that you won’t get from the Pulpits of our day.

Totally agree with what awakeningaletheia points out.

#5

^ Thank you, I’ll check it out… :slight_smile:

#6

Caroleem:

You also should check out Tom Talbott where he writes about the reality of names being Added to the Book of Life. For example check out the evolving saga and fate of “the kings of the earth”. We first note them in their rebellion and that they are clearly destined for the Lake of Fire.
Later however we find that “the kings of the earth” bring their glory into the Holy City!!!
Check it out; very cool

Bobx3

#7

agreed, as final as the book of life sounds, it doesn’t appear to be the last word.

also, it’s been suggested that it represents those who are alive…so to be blotted out is to be killed. not sure what i think of that idea, but it’s worth thinking about.

#8

Yes I’ve been reading a bit from the Tom Talbott section and so far i like what he says. :slight_smile:

And thanks everyone else. :slight_smile:

#9

Caroleem, you should also skip right to the end of MacDonald’s (2006) The evangelical universalist as he has a brief but worthwhile appendix (3, p.192-194) on this.

I’ve been greatly interested in this topic myself and think it’s an area of UR/eschatology ripe for further thought. Unfortunately my inquiry has yielded very little presently. If anyone else knows of any papers that may help, please suggest them. But I think I might be able to offer a few scattered thoughts on the subject, most of which Parry has already said.

It helps to remember that for the Hebrews (and if we adopt the testimony of the early church, John was a Hebrew), names were not just for identification as they generally are today. A name for the Hebrews indicated one’s very character, one’s very essence. This maybe why the Scriptures feature name changes so often, they indicate a new essence, or perhaps, a new relationship (often this name change was done by YHWH, but it was also done by the individual themselves, by other Hebrews, and even by enemies). So it’s not unreasonable to imagine that all of the names in the Book of Life, are those that reflect those with an inner life, the newly restored man (2 Corinthians 5:17), as a vessel of honour that in the Lake of Fire, God has finished crafting (presuming that the Lake of Fire is indeed the all-consuming presence of God; this is to be everyone eventually, according to Universalists); and those whose names that are not present, are the old men, those vessels of dishonour God has endured to be finally destroyed in the Lake of Fire. Interestingly, in the Hebrew, the word commonly used for ‘destruction’ (הרס) may also mean ‘deliverance’.

Whether this applies to all men or not, I like to think that one day God will destroy Andrew in the Lake of Fire (His presence), having preserved, perfected and delivered the new creation (whose name, as yet, is unknown to me).

Andrew