Revelation 21:14-02
Bible, KJV Translation:
(Repeating) 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Re-evaluation Translation:
(Repeating) 21:14 The protective structure around Yehuveh’s people is based on twelve foundation principles, defined as the twelve core structures of the Lamb-king.
Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 21:14 continued (20 July 2008): “The wall of the city had twelve foundations,” that is, twelve fundamental principles on which all the rest of the moral code is established. Torah presents these twelve commandments or foundation structures in Exodus 20:3-17 and Deuteronomy 5:7-21.
Explanation and Scriptural foundation of the second:
Structure #2: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is
in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8.
Corresponding Quality from Qabbalah, the Tree of Life: wisdom, intuition
Companion Statutes and Right-Rulings (judgments) which raise a protective wall on this foundation.
Corresponding Foundation Stone, Tribe, and Sign of Zadok
Significance: It might be easy for most of us to dismiss this directive if we believe it only speaks of
physical idols and images. While the images and relics which some religious groups promote
are here clearly stated to be incompatible with the righteous life Yehuveh desires us to live, this
is hardly the limit or focus of this commandment. Neither are these words limited to
engraved objects, such as award plaques, office door name tags, or tombstones. Graven image
is from pecel [H6459], which simply means “to carve or shape, an idol.” Leviticus 19:4 says,
“Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am Yehuveh your Elohim.”
The issue regards allegiance to such objects, rather than the objects themselves, as pointed
out in Leviticus 26:1, “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a
standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it:
for I am Yehuveh your Elohim.” As discussed in notes on “other elohims” in connection with
the first Commandment, this command goes to the purposes of the mind and heart, not
merely the existence of objects. Many make “graven images” of their investment portfolio,
bank account, fine car, elegant home, or nice clothing without ever engraving a mark on
anything. Could this commandment be safely paraphrased, it might read: “Do not create anything
of any form which can take your devotion, allegiance, energy, time, or affections from Yehuveh.”
A few earnest people, in unwarranted zeal, insist that this command forbids us to have family
photos in our homes or any type of identifiable fine art. Some go so far as to forbid children to
enjoy dolls, stuffed animals, or picture books with realistic drawings or photos. Yehuveh is
concerned with the devotion of the heart, and while children may form a firm attachment to
a certain doll, stuffed animal, or blanket, their minds remain supple and they eventually outgrow
these bonds. These items of their early affection or security do not prevent them from listening
to and learning from Yehuveh in these developing years.
The words of Yehuveh are always to be taken for what they say, but with balanced
intelligence and maturity. If in doubt, ask, “Will this object or the decision to pursue
this course of action prevent me from having time to develop a rich, uplifting relationship
with Yehuveh?”
Wall built on this foundation: Exodus 32:1, 8, 23; 34:17; Leviticus 19:4; 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:15-19,
23-25; 27:15; 1 Kings 12:28; 2 Chronicles 33:7; Psalms 97:7; 115:4-8; 135:15-18;
Isaiah 40:18-20; 42:8, 17; 44:9-20; 45:16; 46:5-8; Jeremiah 10:3-5, 8, 9, 14-16; Ezekiel 8:10.
Wall “daubed with untempered mortar” on this foundation: What about church steeples, flags,
trophies and medals, shrines? What about sports themselves?
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 23 July 2008
Latest Update: 5 November 2008
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