REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Twenty - In heaven or on Earth

 The 24 elders and the anointed group of 144,000 are described as being "round about the throne" of Jehovah and "upon the [heavenly] Mount Zion." (Revelation  4:4; 14:1)   The great crowd is not a priestly class and does not attain to that exalted position.  True, it is later describe  at Revelation 7:15 as serving God  "in his temple."  But this temple  does not refer to the inner sanctuary,  the Most Holy. Rather, it is the earthly courtyard  of  God's spiritual temple. The Greek word na-os' here translated "temple," often conveys the broad sense of  the entire edifice erected for Jehovah's worship.  Today, this is a spiritual structure that embraces both heaven and earth. Compare MATTHEW 26:61; 27:5, 39, 40; MARK 15:29, 30; JOHN 2:19-21. New Word Translation Reference Bible, footnote.

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Twenty - A Universal Shout of Praise

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