Explain Revelation 22:15

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JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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Calif
#1

Jesusfollower

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Oct 21, 2021
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jamaica
#2
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
The gates are reference to the New Jerusalem where GOD will dwell. The chosen who repent and do his commandments will enter the gates of the new Jerusalem and have access to the tree of Life and will be in the presence of GOD himself.

BLessings,

JF
 

GaryA

Truth, Honesty, Love, Courage
Aug 10, 2019
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#3
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
Your bible version is atrocious! :eek:

Revelation 22:

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

The word 'without' refers to 'outside the city'.

We know from other verses of scripture that the things listed in verse 15 will not actually be present in the new heaven and new earth.

John is illustrating the separation between those who will have the privilege to enter the city and those who will not.

It is a 'Holy City' reserved for 'Holy Saints'.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
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#4
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image

I say ----in order for you to understand this scripture --you need to go back to Revelation 21 --this describes the New Jerusalem ---

I just used these verses 23-27 here

Revelation 21 NIV
A New Heaven and a New Earth


23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there

26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say ----So your scripture here below ----Jesus is telling John here Just who will be admitted through the Gates and who won't ---

the Greek word for dog here is used as a metaphor
  1. A dog.
  2. Metaphorically a man of impure mind, an impudent man.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
 

douggg

Active member
Oct 2, 2021
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#5
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
I think that it is just a way of saying to us in our day which those things exist, that in the eternal new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem that there will not longer be such a thing as evil, typified by those things listed.

And to be a part of that eternal picture is for us to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected on the third day, .
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
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Calif
#6
I say ----in order for you to understand this scripture --you need to go back to Revelation 21 --this describes the New Jerusalem ---

I just used these verses 23-27 here

Revelation 21 NIV
A New Heaven and a New Earth


23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there

26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say ----So your scripture here below ----Jesus is telling John here Just who will be admitted through the Gates and who won't ---

the Greek word for dog here is used as a metaphor
  1. A dog.
  2. Metaphorically a man of impure mind, an impudent man.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
But shouldn't the evil people be in hell?
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,859
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#7
I say ----in order for you to understand this scripture --you need to go back to Revelation 21 --this describes the New Jerusalem ---

I just used these verses 23-27 here

Revelation 21 NIV
A New Heaven and a New Earth


23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there

26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say ----So your scripture here below ----Jesus is telling John here Just who will be admitted through the Gates and who won't ---

the Greek word for dog here is used as a metaphor
  1. A dog.
  2. Metaphorically a man of impure mind, an impudent man.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
In the scripture 'a dog' is a Gentile. But I am sure that is not the intended meaning here.
 

montana123

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Oct 9, 2021
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#8
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
When it says that the wicked are outside the gate it does not mean that they are right outside the gate because the Bible says the wicked shall go in to the lower parts of the earth but it means they cannot enter in to the city which they do not have salvation.

But they are not right there outside the gate.

The new earth and heaven the New Jerusalem is a place where sin has never been and sin will never be so the wicked could not be there outside the gate for it is still the New Jerusalem in which there can be no wickedness there.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#9
When it says that the wicked are outside the gate it does not mean that they are right outside the gate because the Bible says the wicked shall go in to the lower parts of the earth but it means they cannot enter in to the city which they do not have salvation.

But they are not right there outside the gate.

The new earth and heaven the New Jerusalem is a place where sin has never been and sin will never be so the wicked could not be there outside the gate for it is still the New Jerusalem in which there can be no wickedness there.
I'm stuck on the "gates". Where else are 'gates' referred to??? Does Jesus ever refer to Himself as a gate? Seems like secularly talk is of 'Pearly Gates'? Not sure? Ran across old tv show 'Death Valley Days', title "Gates Ajar....?", references some well known 19th century 'poem or book or ?' Gates Ajar something religious at that time I think???
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
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#10
But shouldn't the evil people be in hell?
JohnB -----NO ----this is Jesus Explaining to John the future of what is going to happen ----John is to write down what Jesus is telling him so all will be aware of the Future event that is coming and who can and cannot enter through the gate of the new earth

The Book of Revelation is in the future ---nothing unclean will be allowed to enter --and those who are non believers are not clean -----they will experience the 2nd death ------
 

birdie

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2014
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#11
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
Thanks for your question. The Bible refers to Jesus as the door that the sheep enter to find pasture. In one place in the New Testament we read of the 'door of the gate'. I would think of this as Jesus being the way into the city of God, salvation. Outside is a term referring to the unsaved who have not entered by Jesus. We read of this in Mark 4, "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: " The verse mentions the term 'blessed'. This shows that the term is used in the Bible to indicate those who are saved. Knowing this is very useful in interpreting many other verses in the Bible which use the term 'blessed', which show various characteristics of those who are saved. In English, we think of the term blessed as meaning someone had something good happen to them. Maybe they got a good grade or a job. But in the Bible the term blessed is a parable word meaning those who are saved.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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#12
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
Sounds familiar.

19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
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#13
I'm stuck on the "gates". Where else are 'gates' referred to
there are 3 gates in my view -----
-Jesus is the narrow gate that you can enter into eternal Life ---

There is a gate that leads you to enter into hell ----

and a gate that leads you to enter into the new Jerusalem after the tribulation is all over


Luke 13:24 NKJV
24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.


Matthew 16:18 NKJV
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not [a]prevail against it.


2 Peter 1:11 LB

11 And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
 

SomeDisciple

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Jul 4, 2021
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#14
The OT makes reference to city gates several times: I have read that much of an ancient city's official business took place at the city gates.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#15
Thanks for your question. The Bible refers to Jesus as the door that the sheep enter to find pasture. In one place in the New Testament we read of the 'door of the gate'. I would think of this as Jesus being the way into the city of God, salvation. Outside is a term referring to the unsaved who have not entered by Jesus. We read of this in Mark 4, "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: " The verse mentions the term 'blessed'. This shows that the term is used in the Bible to indicate those who are saved. Knowing this is very useful in interpreting many other verses in the Bible which use the term 'blessed', which show various characteristics of those who are saved. In English, we think of the term blessed as meaning someone had something good happen to them. Maybe they got a good grade or a job. But in the Bible the term blessed is a parable word meaning those who are saved.
Confusing....KJV has blessed come in on vs 14 saying '.....those who follow commandments.',(my paraphrase). Someone else commented about this translation being kind of 'unusual' translation. Door and gate. Are they synonyms?
 
P

persistent

Guest
#16

JohnB

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Jul 31, 2022
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Calif
#17
Thanks for your question. The Bible refers to Jesus as the door that the sheep enter to find pasture. In one place in the New Testament we read of the 'door of the gate'. I would think of this as Jesus being the way into the city of God, salvation. Outside is a term referring to the unsaved who have not entered by Jesus. We read of this in Mark 4, "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: " The verse mentions the term 'blessed'. This shows that the term is used in the Bible to indicate those who are saved. Knowing this is very useful in interpreting many other verses in the Bible which use the term 'blessed', which show various characteristics of those who are saved. In English, we think of the term blessed as meaning someone had something good happen to them. Maybe they got a good grade or a job. But in the Bible the term blessed is a parable word meaning those who are saved.
Your answer makes no sense. We are not talking about metaphors here.
 
Jan 14, 2021
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#18
But shouldn't the evil people be in hell?
Another user had an interesting interpretation that someone could be saved but in a miserable state. They referenced this against the "saved, yet so by fire" passage. It could maybe work with the passage that discussing the man thrown out of the wedding banquet.

But this is an impression or speculation. There might be a more definitive answer that someone can bring forward. Good question.
 

Dirtman

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Jul 19, 2022
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#19
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
I think this passage contrast those in Christ, those who have access to the tree of life and enter into Christ, opposed to those who remain in their sin idolators and so on who will not have access to the tree of life and do not enter Christ.
 

Bob-Carabbio

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Jun 24, 2020
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#20
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:15

What does he mean "outside the gate"? I remember one bible teacher saying, "I have no idea what this means" Trying to picture this image.
In simple terms, if you're "Outside the gate", then YOU'RE NOT A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN, you haven't been cleansed of your SIN, and you're NOT GETTING IN.