It's the book that the "Faithful and Wise servant" receives at the end times after Christianity becomes like Judaism had become in Jesus' 1st coming. Then the "faithful and wise servant" goes and prophesies again to the nations, and pulls the faithful out... "Come out of her, my people!"
The simple answer is that both concepts hold true. The word "qeber" stands for the body and it's state of sleep i.e. death; so that no more emotions or function of any kind exist after the soul leaves the body. The term "sheol" was the O.T. place where all souls would go after death; now as believers of course we can hold onto the promise "absent from the body present with the Lord."
It would seem prudent to focus on what dying to self through our life in Christ means to us now. "It is not I who live" and "I am crucified with Christ ( Galatians 2:20) begins when we are "Born Again". We now are in a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit; if truly saved. (see Galatians again in chapter 5; verse 17). Christ has placed His seal; a down payment on our souls; and since Christ is eternal so is our life in Him ( Eph. 1:13-14). The "sanctification" process is a constant realization of what remains of our sinful flesh; as to how vile our affections are and the state of our bodies in this present world. Essentially; once we die we come to the end of that struggle.
We can look at it this way; eternal life BEGINS when we are saved; and He works from the inside out transforming us. Satan can be expected through his accusations to work as hard as he can to accuse us; distract us back to worldly thoughts; and to trick us in every way. It is in his best interests to render us helpless; to disarm our heavenly armor ( Eph. 6); to use people and situations as well as our own flaws against us; etc. God "chastises everyone He loves." ( Heb. 12:6). A messenger of Satan was allowed to buffet Paul after his great revelations ( 2 Cor. 12:7). Satan also tempted Christ; as well as influenced Peter. We certainly can expect the same; as God will often use this to bring us to our knees. The enemy of our souls always finds the weakest link and takes advantage of it. We are; however currently "seated in heavenly places." ( Eph. 2:4-6).
Hi Jag. I don't think we can definitively state what this little book is (as seen in Revelation 10:8-11). My thought is, that when John took this little book, whether it was a real book or if it was a part of his vision he was given, and he ate it up, the result was interesting. It was sweet to the taste (lit. as honey) but became bitter in his stomach.
The words that John would later preach (after he returned from exile in Patmos), would be the wholesome pure words from God to the people, but its message would bring turmoil to many hearts & minds; to some the prophetic Word would be the cause of light, hope & revival to hearts, but to most others, grief & heartache to the many woes & trials in life that lay before them. However, from what we know of John (from other writings), was that he returned to lead a church in Edessa, modern Turkey, but don't know whether his ministry extended from there. But it seems that the prophetic Word would continue in his ministry, though for us, it ends with this Book of the Revelation.
It would seem prudent to focus on what dying to self through our life in Christ means to us now. "It is not I who live" and "I am crucified with Christ ( Galatians 2:20) begins when we are "Born Again". We now are in a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit; if truly saved. (see Galatians again in chapter 5; verse 17). Christ has placed His seal; a down payment on our souls; and since Christ is eternal so is our life in Him ( Eph. 1:13-14). The "sanctification" process is a constant realization of what remains of our sinful flesh; as to how vile our affections are and the state of our bodies in this present world. Essentially; once we die we come to the end of that struggle.
We can look at it this way; eternal life BEGINS when we are saved; and He works from the inside out transforming us. Satan can be expected through his accusations to work as hard as he can to accuse us; distract us back to worldly thoughts; and to trick us in every way. It is in his best interests to render us helpless; to disarm our heavenly armor ( Eph. 6); to use people and situations as well as our own flaws against us; etc. God "chastises everyone He loves." ( Heb. 12:6). A messenger of Satan was allowed to buffet Paul after his great revelations ( 2 Cor. 12:7). Satan also tempted Christ; as well as influenced Peter. We certainly can expect the same; as God will often use this to bring us to our knees. The enemy of our souls always finds the weakest link and takes advantage of it. We are; however currently "seated in heavenly places." ( Eph. 2:4-6).
Hope this is an encouragement.
The words that John would later preach (after he returned from exile in Patmos), would be the wholesome pure words from God to the people, but its message would bring turmoil to many hearts & minds; to some the prophetic Word would be the cause of light, hope & revival to hearts, but to most others, grief & heartache to the many woes & trials in life that lay before them. However, from what we know of John (from other writings), was that he returned to lead a church in Edessa, modern Turkey, but don't know whether his ministry extended from there. But it seems that the prophetic Word would continue in his ministry, though for us, it ends with this Book of the Revelation.
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