DOOR TO THE FUTURE

DOOR TO THE FUTURE

Revelation 4 NET

¹ After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: “Come up here so that I can show you what must happen after these things.” ² Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was standing in heaven with someone seated on it! ³ And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. ⁴In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne ⁶ and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. In the middle of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man’s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying. ⁸ Each one of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes all around and inside. They never rest day or night, saying: “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful, Who was and who is, and who is still to come!” ⁹ And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns before his throne, saying: ¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created!”

There are moments in Scripture when God pulls back the curtain and lets His people see what lies ahead. Not simply to satisfy curiosity, but to strengthen faith. Not to give us a timeline, but to give us a hope-line. Revelation 4 is one of those moments. It is a doorway into the future — a prophetic window into the world as it will be when God’s kingdom comes in fullness.

Many readers assume Revelation 4 is a snapshot of heaven as it exists right now. But the text itself tells us otherwise. The key phrase appears twice in the very first verse: “After this… after this.” John is not being shown the present. He is being shown the future. He is not witnessing the current activity of heaven. He is witnessing the future order of the new heavens and the new earth.

Revelation 4 is not a tour of heaven today. It is a preview of heaven tomorrow. It is not a description of the intermediate state. It is a vision of the eternal state. It is not a report of what the saints are doing now. It is a revelation of what all creation will do then.

John is invited to step through a door — a door that opens not into the past, not into the present, but into the future God has prepared for His people. And what he sees is breathtaking.

Let’s walk through this chapter and see what God shows us through this door to the future.

I. THE DOOR THAT OPENS TO THE FUTURE (4:1)

John writes, “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice… said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’”

Twice in one verse, the Spirit emphasizes the phrase “after this.” This is not accidental. It is the Spirit’s way of telling us that what follows is not a description of the present age. It is a prophetic vision of the age to come.

John is not being shown what heaven looks like right now. He is being shown what heaven and earth will look like when God’s kingdom comes in its fullness. The door is not a mystical portal into the unseen realm. It is a prophetic doorway into the future reality of the new creation.

The voice that calls John upward is like a trumpet — the same imagery used at Sinai; the same imagery used at the Second Coming. This is the language of divine revelation and divine intervention. God is about to show John the end of the story, the final order, the eternal kingdom.

And what is the first thing John sees?

II. THE THRONE THAT DEFINES THE FUTURE (4:2–3)

John says, “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.”

The first thing John sees is not angels.
Not saints.
Not activity.
Not movement.

He sees a throne.

The throne is the central reality of the new creation. It is the anchor of the future. It is the symbol of God’s absolute sovereignty. In the new heavens and earth, everything revolves around the throne of God.

The One seated on the throne is described in gemstone imagery — jasper and carnelian. John does not describe a face or form. He describes glory. He describes radiance. He describes beauty. This is God as He will be revealed when all creation is renewed.

Around the throne is a rainbow — a reminder of God’s covenant mercy. In the new creation, mercy surrounds judgment. Grace surrounds glory. God’s throne is not only powerful — it is safe for His people.

This is the throne of the future kingdom.

III. THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE FUTURE KINGDOM (4:4)

John then sees twenty-four elders seated on thrones around God’s throne. They are clothed in white garments and wear golden crowns.

Who are they? They represent the redeemed people of God — the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, the Old Testament and the New Testament people of God united. They are enthroned because in the new creation, the saints will reign with Christ. They are clothed in white because they have been resurrected and glorified. They wear crowns because they have received the reward of faithfulness.

This is not the church as it exists now.
This is the church as it will exist then.
This is the church in glory.
This is the church in the new creation.
This is the church enthroned with Christ.

Revelation 4 is not describing the present heavenly assembly. It is describing the future destiny of God’s people.

IV. THE MAJESTY OF GOD IN THE FUTURE AGE (4:5–6)

John sees lightning and thunder coming from the throne — echoes of Sinai, symbols of God’s holiness and power. In the new creation, God’s holiness will be fully revealed. There will be no sin to hide it, no rebellion to resist it, no darkness to obscure it.

Before the throne are seven torches — the seven Spirits of God. This is the fullness of the Holy Spirit. In the new creation, the Spirit’s ministry will be unrestricted. There will be no grieving of the Spirit, no quenching of the Spirit, no resisting of the Spirit. The Spirit will fill all things.

And before the throne is a sea of glass, like crystal. In Scripture, the sea often symbolizes chaos, danger, and evil. But here the sea is calm, still, and clear. In the new creation, chaos is gone. Evil is gone. Fear is gone. The sea is conquered.

This is the future world — a world of holiness, peace, and Spirit-filled glory.

V. THE CREATION THAT WORSHIPS IN THE FUTURE (4:6–8)

John sees four living creatures — representing all creation:

The lion (wild animals)
The ox (domesticated animals)
The man (humanity)
The eagle (birds of the sky)

They are covered with eyes — symbolizing perfect perception. They see God clearly. They worship God perfectly. They declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

This is not creation as it is now.
This is creation as it will be then.
Romans 8 says creation groans now.
Revelation 4 shows creation singing then.

In the new creation, all creation will worship without distortion, decay, or rebellion.

VI. THE FUTURE WORSHIP OF THE REDEEMED (4:9–11)

Whenever the living creatures give glory, the elders fall down and worship. They cast their crowns before the throne. They declare, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

This is the worship of the future kingdom.
This is the worship of the new creation.
This is the worship of the redeemed in glory.

The elders cast their crowns because in the new creation, all honor belongs to God. All authority flows from God. All glory returns to God.

This is not a worship service happening right now.
This is the worship service that will fill eternity.

But someone might argue, “why couldn’t this be a vision of what is happening in heaven now?” Okay, I’ll tell you why not. John 3:13 says that right now “No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.” I don’t care how many people believe that grandma is in heaven, the Bible says no human being except Jesus is there. It doesn’t matter how many preachers preach that believers go to heaven when they die. The Bible says we will be with the Lord when he returns.

VII. THE THEOLOGICAL HEART OF THE PASSAGE

Revelation 4 is not a snapshot of heaven today. It is a preview of heaven tomorrow.

How do we know?

Because the text tells us: “After this… after this.”
Because the saints are enthroned — which has not yet happened.
Because creation is restored — which has not yet happened.
Because the Spirit fills all things — which has not yet happened.
Because chaos is gone — which has not yet happened.
Because worship is unhindered — which has not yet happened.

Because it says people will be there and right now that is not possible.

Revelation 4 is a vision of the new heavens and the new earth.
It is a vision of the future kingdom.
It is a vision of the world made new.

This is the door to the future.

VIII. APPLICATION: LIVING WITH THE FUTURE IN VIEW

What does this vision mean for us today?

1. The future shapes the present.

We live now in light of what will be then.
We endure now because glory is coming.

2. The throne is our anchor.

God is already on the throne — but one day the throne will be visible.
We do not live in a world ruled by chaos.
We live in a world ruled by God.

3. The future worship of God’s people begins now.

We practice now what we will perfect then.
Our worship today is rehearsal for eternity.

4. The door to the future is already open.

Christ has opened the way.
The future is secure.
The kingdom is coming.

Conclusion

Revelation 4 is not a mystery to decode.
It is a hope to embrace.
It is not a puzzle.
It is a promise.
It is not a riddle.
It is a revelation.

God has opened a door — a door to the future — and He invites us to look through it. What we see is glory. What we see is worship. What we see is the throne. What we see is the world as it will be when God makes all things new.

So we pray:

“Come, Lord Jesus.
Bring the future You have shown us.
Make all things new.
And until that day, keep our eyes on the throne.”

Amen.

Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah 2:1 in the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I picked up the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been so sad in his presence,

Nehemiah 2:2, the king asked me, “Why is your face sad when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”[1] I was terrified

Nehemiah 2:3 and replied to the king, “May the king stay alive[2] permanently![3] Why should I not be sad when the city of my ancestors’ graves lies in ruins, and its gates have been consumed[4] by fire?”

Nehemiah 2:4 The king asked me, “What is your request?” So, I prayed to the God of the sky

Nehemiah 2:5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may build it.”

Nehemiah 2:6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So, I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me.

Nehemiah 2:7 I also said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.

Nehemiah 2:8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests because the gracious hand of my God was on me.

Nehemiah 2:9 I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent efficient[5] captains[6] and horsemen with me.

Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat, the Horonite, and Tobiah, the Ammonite official, heard that someone had come to pursue the Israelites’ prosperity, they were greatly displeased.

Nehemiah 2:11 After I arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days,

Nehemiah 2:12 I got up at night and took a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal[7] I took was the one I was riding.

Nehemiah 2:13 I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Serpent’s Well and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the broken-down walls of Jerusalem and its consumed gates.

Nehemiah 2:14 I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but farther down it became too narrow for my animal to go through.

Nehemiah 2:15 So I went up at night by way of the valley and inspected the wall. Then, heading back, I entered through the Valley Gate and returned.

Nehemiah 2:16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of those who would be doing the work.

Nehemiah 2:17 So I said to them, “You see the situation we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s build Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will not continually[8] be a disgrace.”

Nehemiah 2:18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strong[9] to do this good work.

Nehemiah 2:19 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they ridiculed[10] and despised us, saying, “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

Nehemiah 2:20 I gave them this reply, “The God of the sky is the one who will grant us fortune. We, his servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

[1] לֵב = heart. Nehemiah 2:2, 12; 4:6; 6:8; 7:5.

[2] חָיָה = live, stay alive, revive. Nehemiah 2:3; 4:2; 5:2; 6:11; 9:6, 29.

[3] עוֹלָם = age, permanent/ly, ancient, future. Nehemiah 2:3; 9:5; 13:1.

[4] אָכַל = consume. Nehemiah 2:3, 13; 5:2, 14; 7:65; 8:10, 12; 9:25, 36.

[5] חַיִל = capable, powerful, efficient. Nehemiah 2:9; 4:2; 11:6.

[6] שַׂר = captain. Nehemiah 2:9; 3:9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; 4:16; 7:2; 9:32, 34, 38; 11:1; 12:31, 32.

[7] בְּהֵמָה = animal. Nehemiah 2:12, 14; 9:37; 10:36.

[8] עוֹד = again, continually, still, more. Nehemiah 2:17.

[9] חָזָק = be strong, strongly, catch. Nehemiah 2:18; 3:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32; 4:16, 17, 21; 5:16; 6:9; 10:29.

[10] לעג= ridicule. Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1.

links:

all about a Promise (part 2)
dare to repair
repair the gaps

The NEHEMIAH shelf in Jeff’s library

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa,

Nehemiah 1:2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.

Nehemiah 1:3 They said, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”

Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for several days, fasting and praying before the God of the sky.[1]

Nehemiah 1:5 I said, Yahveh,[2] the God of the sky, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands,

Nehemiah 1:6 Let your ears be attentive and your eyes be open to hear your servant’s prayer. I am now praying to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both myself and my father’s family have sinned.

Nehemiah 1:7 We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.

Nehemiah 1:8 Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.

Nehemiah 1:9 But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest sky, I will gather them from there and bring them to where I chose to have my name dwell.”

Nehemiah 1:10 They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand.

Nehemiah 1:11 Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today and grant him compassion in the presence of this man. At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.

[1] שָׁמַיִם = sky. Nehemiah 1:4, 5, 9; 2:4, 20; 9:6, 13, 15, 23, 27, 28.

[2] יָהְוֶה = Yahveh. Nehemiah 1:5; 5:13; 8:1, 6, 9, 10, 14; 9:3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 10:29, 34, 35.

links:

courage to do
courage to obey

The NEHEMIAH shelf in Jeff’s library

Ezra 10

Ezra 10

Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a vast congregation of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.

Ezra 10:2 Then Shecaniah, son of Jehiel, an Elamite, responded to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the lands, but there is still hope for Israel despite this.

Ezra 10:3 Let us, therefore, cut[1] a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and those they gave birth to,[2] according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the instruction.

Ezra 10:4 Get up; this matter is your responsibility, and we support you. Be strong and take action!”

Ezra 10:5 Then Ezra got up and made the captain priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said; so, they took the oath.

Ezra 10:6 Ezra then went from the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan, son of Eliashib, where he spent the night. He did not consume food or drink water because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

Ezra 10:7 They proclaimed throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather in Jerusalem.

Ezra 10:8 Whoever did not come within three days, all his possessions would be set apart for destruction[3] according to the decision of the captains and elders, and he would be separated from the assembly of the exiles.

Ezra 10:9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. On the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.

Ezra 10:10 Then the priest Ezra stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding[4] to Israel’s need of reparation.

Ezra 10:11 Therefore, confess Yahveh, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the people of the lands and your foreign wives.”

Ezra 10:12 All the assembly answered[5] loudly: “Yes, we will do as you say!

Ezra 10:13 But there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We don’t have the stamina to stay out in the open. This isn’t something that can be done in a day or two, for we have rebelled terribly in this matter.

Ezra 10:14 Let our captains represent the entire assembly. Then, let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each town, to avert the fierce anger of our God concerning this matter.

Ezra 10:15 Jonathan, son of Asahel, and Jahzeiah, son of Tikvah, certainly[6] opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.

Ezra 10:16 The exiles did what had been proposed. The priest Ezra separated men who were family heads, all identified by name, to represent their ancestral houses. They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter,

Ezra 10:17, and by the first day of the first month, they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women.

Ezra 10:18 The following were found to have married foreign women from the descendants of the priests: from the descendants of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.

Ezra 10:19 They pledged to send their wives away, and being guilty, they offered a ram from the flock for their guilt;

Ezra 10:20 Hanani and Zebadiah from Immer’s descendants;

Ezra 10:21 Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah from Harim’s descendants;

Ezra 10:22 Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah from Pashhur’s descendants.

Ezra 10:23 The Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

Ezra 10:24 The singers: Eliashib. The gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

Ezra 10:25 The Israelites: Parosh’s descendants: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah;

Ezra 10:26 Elam’s descendants: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah;

Ezra 10:27 Zattu’s descendants: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza;

Ezra 10:28 Bebai’s descendants: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai;

Ezra 10:29 Bani’s descendants: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth;

Ezra 10:30 Pahath-moab’s descendants: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh;

Ezra 10:31 Harim’s descendants: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,

Ezra 10:32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah;

Ezra 10:33 Hashum’s descendants: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei;

Ezra 10:34 Bani’s descendants: Maadai, Amram, Uel,

Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,

Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,

Ezra 10:37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu,

Ezra 10:38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei,

Ezra 10:39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,

Ezra 10:40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,

Ezra 10:41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,

Ezra 10:42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph;

Ezra 10:43 Nebo’s descendants: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.

Ezra 10:44 All of these had married foreign women, and some wives had children in place.

[1] כָּרָת = cut, establish, cut down. Ezra 10:3.

[2] יָלַד = give birth to, be born, father. Ezra 10:3.

[3] חָרָם = set apart for destruction. Ezra 10:8.

[4] יָסַף = add to, again. Ezra 10:10.

[5] עָנָה = answer. Ezra 10:12.

[6] אַךְ = certainly. Ezra 10:15.

links:

not allowed to enter
three months trial

The EZRA shelf in Jeff’s library

Ezra 9

Ezra 9

Ezra 9:1 After these things had been done, the captains approached me. They said: “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the lands whose repulsive[1] practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.

Ezra 9:2 Indeed, the Israelite men have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so the sacred seed has become mixed with the people of the lands. The captains and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”

Ezra 9:3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled some hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.

Ezra 9:4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat devastated until the evening tribute offering.[2]

Ezra 9:5 At the evening tribute offering, I got up from humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread my hands to Yahveh, my God.

Ezra 9:6 And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our need of reparation[3] is as high as the sky.

Ezra 9:7 Our need of reparation has been terrible from the days of our fathers until the present. Because of our iniquities, we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the kings of the lands and the sword, captivity, plundering,[4] and open shame, as it is today.

Ezra 9:8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from Yahveh our God, to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in his sacred place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes.

Ezra 9:9 Though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us before the Persian kings, relieving us to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Ezra 9:10 Now, our God, what can we say in light of this? For we have abandoned the commands

Ezra 9:11 you commanded through your slaves the prophets, saying: “The land you are entering to take possession of[5] is impure. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and repulsive practices.

Ezra 9:12 So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons. Never pursue their welfare or prosperity so that you will be strong. Consume the good things of the land and leave it as a possession to your sons permanently.

Ezra 9:13 After all that has happened to us because of our evil deeds and terrible need of reparation — though you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have allowed us to survive —

Ezra 9:14: should we break your commands again and intermarry with the people who commit these repulsive practices? Wouldn’t you become so angry with us that you would destroy us, leaving neither remnant nor survivor?

Ezra 9:15 Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we survive as a remnant today. Notice,[6] we are before you with our need of reparation, though no one can stand in your presence.

[1] תּוֹעֵבָה = repulsive. Ezra 9:1, 11, 14.

[2] מִנְחָה = tribute offering, tribute. Ezra 9:4, 5.

[3] אַשְׁמָה = (need of) reparation. Ezra 9:6, 7, 13, 15; 10:10.

[4] בִּזָּה = plunder. Ezra 9:7.

[5] יָרָשׁ = take possession of, dispossess. Ezra 9:11, 12.

[6] הִנֵּה = notice. Ezra 9:15.

links:

before him with our guilt
Christmas light
none can stand

The EZRA shelf in Jeff’s library