Dubs just love Revelation 21:3,4. It is almost their mantra. It bespeaks "hope" in dubland. They interpret it this way:
*** Rbi8 Revelation 21:3-6 ***
3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples.
God will, sigh, FINALLY do something about the human condition. He will actually DO something after centuries of non-interferance and indifference.
"And God himself will be with them."
Dubs don't exactly have a decent explanation for this one, except to say that God will somehow let those paradisers "feel" that God is around. The only positive connection to God "being" with humans is through those anointed "king/priests" who get to rule man forever and ever. You know who I'm talking about: those "anointed" jerks who were jerks in life will rule over us as "king/priest" jerks after they've died. Can't get rid of them. Sigh.
"4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
Ah, Paradise on earth, complete with a return to an agrarian society and endless picnics in beautiful meadows for ever and ever and ever. No one to build any infrastructures, because everyone is too busy going to endless picnics. (Why couldn't God use a neutron bomb? The WTS pictures in their rags show God using conventional weapons to kill people and buildings. God is not a high-tech God, apparently.)
" 5 And the One seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making all things new." Also, he says: "Write, because these words are faithful and true."
Perhaps, but unfilfilled.
"6 And he said to me: "They have come to pass!"
No they haven't.
"I am the Al'pha and the O·me'ga, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free.
Apparently, those "not thirsting" are screwed. Moral? Better "thirst" or you are toast.
Ok, this is, after all, the "Revelation" so it has many interpretations. Since Fred Franz could interpret with impunity, I can interpret with impunity. I'm just as good as screwing up interpretation of scripture as he was, so I deserve a shot at it. Here's another interpretation which perfectly suits the words we're given in that book, chapter and verses. This interpretation assumes that all the verses herein stated apply to one's being dead and given that, this interpretation works, too.
*** Rbi8 Revelation 21:3-6 ***
3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind,
God pitched his "tent" in a cemetery.
"and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples."
God hangs out in the cemetery with dead folks.
"And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes,"
Dead people don't cry. Perfect explanation.
"and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
Right. Death cannot be "any more" for those who've died. It's already a done deal. And dead people don't mourn, nor have pain. The "former things" (living) no longer exist. This bizarre explanation also fits the verse.
"5 And the One seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making all things new."
With everyone dead, all things are, indeed, "new." Or at least "different." If everyone were dead, then that would definitely be classed as "new."
"Also, he says: "Write, because these words are faithful and true."
So John thus wroteth, and Farkel thus interpretedeth.
"6 And he said to me: "They have come to pass!"
Well, not exactly. But you gotta give old John credit for his enthusiasm here.
"I am the Al'pha and the O·me'ga, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free."
You mean I don't have to sell BOOKS? Kewl.
Ok. So my interpretation of that verse is bizarre, but it does FIT, does it not?
What other interpretations would fit each phrase in those verses dubs live by and dream by?
Anyone care to take up the torch of interpretation and run with it?
To merely say, "the whole thing is stupid" is too obvious. I already think that. Try something creative, eh?
Farkel
"I didn't mean what I meant."