City of Light
Commandments (pt.2)
The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Yahweh your God commanded you.
The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
You shall labor six days, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God, in which you shall not do any work— neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),
You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.
“Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie,
“You shall not commit adultery.” “You shall not steal.” “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Yahweh spoke these words to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two stone tablets, and gave them to me.
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street.
When you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
- April 11, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
City of Light + Commandments (pt.2)
- April 11, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
City of Light + Commandments (pt.2)
Begin Again
The 10 Commandants pt.2 continues with the 4th commandment. It wraps around to the beginning of the City of Light: observe the Sabbath and keep it holy, which is likely symbolized by the glory of Christ that illuminates the city.
Then, the commandment continues to, “labor,” or “work” for six days, and rest on the seventh. It matches the Revelation passage where the nations, “walk” in its light. It suggests our labor, or work, are acts of faith and obedience to walk in the light of Christ.
This part of the Deuteronomy text also has an interesting place reference, addressing all those who are, “within your gates.” The gate follows.
Inner Gate
“Remember you were a servant in the land of Egypt, where God brought you out by an outstretched arm.” This same phrase, “brought you out,” is an example of the loops I mentioned. It matches the earlier “brought you out” text of Deuteronomy 5:6. It connects with the inner gate of Revelation that is never closed.
The next commandment is to, “Honor your father and mother, in the land God gives you,” which is the same place as the main entrance to the city. It suggests the land Christ gives us is the City of Light.
Outer Place
The remaining commandments tuck neatly into the place where nothing “profane” can enter the city, including those who cause “abominations” or “lie.” This includes the commandments not to commit adultery, steal, give false testimony or covet.
I’m nearly certain these commandments fit here because of what follows: “God spoke these words to all your assembly out of the middle of the fire.” Jesus walks in the middle of the 7 Churches, the assembly, which surrounds the middle. This appears to represent those whose names are, “written” in Christ’s book of life. It matches God “writing” these commandments on two stone tablets.
In the Middle
Now, this is the most fascinating part. The revelation ends with the river of life that flows from the throne of God and the Lamb in the middle of the street. The 10 Commandments pt.2 passage in Deuteronomy ends with hearing the “voice” out of the “middle” of the darkness, burning with fire.
It appears they are the same fire, the same middle and the same voice — the voice of Jesus — found as clearly in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy as in the book of Revelation.
As I mentioned, fascinating!
Take a look at the next example — the 23rd Psalm. Click on the right arrow, or Psalms link below.
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