Revelation 21:17--11d
Revelation 21, Page 22e-11d

Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 21:17 expansion (16 August 2008): 

Commandment or Structure #11Thou shalt not bear false witness.

       
Detail #11:10Backbiting destroys both others and those who speak it. “Yehuveh, who shall abide
                in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh
                righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
                doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” “The north wind
                driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”
Making unkind, spiteful,
                or slanderous comments about someone when they are not present destroys reputations and
                relationships. Unkind remarks, infighting, viciousness, bad-mouthing, spitefulness—all are
                inappropriate conversation for Yehuveh’s people and all are
bearing false witness against others.
                This goes beyond simply not saying unkind things behind someone’s back that you wouldn’t say to
                his or her face. Yehuveh is calling on us not to say them ever, and ultimately, not to even allow
                ourselves to think such thoughts.
Psalms 15:1-3; Proverbs 25:23. Also: Exodus 23:1-33; Leviticus
                19:16; Psalms 101:5-8; Jeremiah 9:4-9
.
       
Detail #11:11Any comment which creates discord is a false witness. “These six things doth
                Yehuveh hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and
                hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in
                running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and
he that soweth discord among
               
brethren.” Yehuveh’s people are to be the peace-makers and peace-keepers on earth. It is impossible
                to live out His instructions and cause disharmony between others. Our theme of life needs to be
                David’s exclamation:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
                unity!”
Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalms 133:1. Also: Genesis 3:1-13; 13:6-8; 36:7; 45:24; 1 Samuel 24:9;
                2 Samuel 2:26, 27; Psalms 122:6-8; Proverbs 6:14; 16:28; 17:9; 22:10; 26:17-22; Isaiah 11:6, 9,
                13; Jeremiah 32:39; Hosea 8:7.

       
Detail #11:12Concealing intense ill feelings by lies is false witness. “He that hideth hatred with
                lying lips . . . is a fool.”
Hatred is a powerful word, but what if you substitute any of these?
               
Abhorrence, detestation, loathing, odium, revulsion, disgust, extreme dislike, intense
                hostility, opposition.
Our society has trained us to conceal feelings and act hospitable toward
                people we absolutely detest.
Before Yehuveh this conduct is inappropriate, indeed He considers
                it to be pure foolishness.
What, then, is appropriate behavior? Are we to blatantly tell people how
                we feel? Avoid all contact with them? Be kind, though open about our intense dislike for them? Are
                we to suppress our true feelings and convince ourselves we like them? Are we to truly have a
                change of heart so we do like them? [Be careful here, for David says:
“Do not I hate them, O
                Yehuveh, that hate Thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee? I hate them
                with perfect hatred.”
Psalms 139:21-22.] How you are to honor the truth of this commandment is
                an individual matter which each of us must work out for ourselves, but Scripture clearly calls for
                honorable honesty in all our human relations.
Proverbs 10:18. Also: 1 Samuel 18:21, 22, 29;
                2 Samuel 3:27; 11:8-15; 13:23-29; 20:9, 10; Psalms 5:9; 12:2; 55:21; 97:10; 101:3-8;
                Proverbs 26:24-26
.
                      If it is offensive to Yehuveh that we are dishonest toward each other, how much more offensive
                it is when we are thus dishonest toward Him:
“They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they
               sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their
                mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto
                them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument:
                for they hear thy words, but they do them not.”
Of such two-faced worshippers, Yehuveh says:
               
“When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress
                and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek
                Me early, but they shall not find Me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear
                of Yehuveh: They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. Therefore shall they
                eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the
                simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto
                Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
Ezekiel 33:31-32; Proverbs 1:27-33.


Gael Bataman
Originally Written:               16 August 2008
Latest Update:                     16 August 2008


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