This Article: (4 Pages)
- 1. Bible Numerology
- 2. Bible Symbolism
- 3. Heavens and Earth in more detail
- 4. Conclusion
3) Heavens and Earth in more detail
Previously the idea of how in prophecy (and some poetry) there is an analogy used where the Heavens is a 'picture' speaks of rulers and 'the earth' refers to the people. For some reason this idea is often poorly understood. We will examine some more instances in greater depth.
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
But be you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create;
for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. (Isaiah 65:17-18)
See how Isaiah repeats “for behold” making poetic pairs: heavens - Jerusalem, earth - her people
Isaiah says the Jerusalem that Yahweh creates (in the future- see context) is like a 'new heavens'. It is a new political heavens as Jerusalem is the political centre of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. He says that when, in the future, Yahweh makes the people of Jerusalem a joy, it is like having a 'new earth'. At that time people will experience relationships with each other that will be like making a new order in animal creation. Isaiah is in an analogy trying to make people see how it will appear and feel so greatly different.
“Be astonished, you heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid. Be very desolate,” says Yahweh. “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer 2:12-13)
“For my people are foolish, they don’t know me. They are foolish children, and they have no understanding. They are skillful in doing evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”I saw the earth, and, behold, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. (Jer 4:22-23)
Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt, and tell him, You were likened to a young lion of the nations: yet you are as a monster in the seas; and you broke out with your rivers, and troubled the waters with your feet, and fouled their rivers. Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will spread out my net on you with a company of many peoples; and they shall bring you up in my net. I will leave you on the land, I will cast you forth on the open field, and will cause all the birds of the sky to settle on you, and I will satisfy the animals of the whole earth with you. I will lay your flesh on the mountains, and fill the valleys with your height. I will also water with your blood the land in which you swim, even to the mountains; and the watercourses shall be full of you. When I shall extinguish you, I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the bright lights of the sky will I make dark over you, and set darkness on your land, says the Lord Yahweh. I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I shall bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known. Yes, I will make many peoples amazed at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for you, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of your fall. (Eze 32:2-10)
“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. (Hag 2:21-22)
men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luk 21:26-27)
whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”[8] This phrase, “Yet once more,” signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, (Heb 12:26-28)
But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2Pe 3:7)
But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.(2Pe 3:13)
They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”(Rev 12:11-12)
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There is one myth that has no foundation: it is a total myth that having 13 at the last supper was unlucky. Also the term 'last supper' does not occur at all in any reputable translation of the Bible. It was not the last time Jesus will keep that supper.
