Photo by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash.
In today's blog, I want to highlight one phrase which occurs 10 times in the book of Revelation. The phrase is translated differently in different translations but it is 'the inhabitants of the earth.' I am looking again at this expression as there are important lessons for us all to learn.
Here are the references:
[10] Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. [Revelation 3:10 ESV] Those who dwell on the earth are 'the inhabitants of the earth. '
[10] They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” [Revelation 6:10 ESV]
[13] Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” [Revelation 8:13 ESV]
And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. [Revelation 11:10 ESV - two references]
[8] and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. [Revelation 13:8 ESV]
[12] It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. [13] It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, [14] and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [Revelation 13:12-14 ESV - two references]
[1] Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, [2] with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” [Revelation 17:1-2 ESV]
[8] The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. [Revelation 17:8 ESV]
If we look quickly at these references, we can begin to define the characteristics of this group referred to as 'those who dwell on the earth.' We learn from the last reference that their names have not been written in the book of life. They are not 'believers' in Jesus, the Son of God. They are not followers of the Lamb to use the terminology of Revelation. We discover too that they 'have become intoxicated with the wine' of the adulteries of the prostitute (the city of Babylon), which was against God. In future blogs, we are going to be looking more at the idea of the city as the place of rebellion against God. Revelation 11 tells us that the 'inhabitants of the earth' are opposed to the two witnesses who are testifying of the power of the Lamb. The inhabitants of the earth are bitter and resentful at the witness of the church and they rejoice at what they take to be the death of these two faithful witnesses. They worship the beast according to Revelation chapter 13.
In short, this term describes those who are followers of the character in Revelation known as 'the beast.' The beast has deceived multitudes in this world but the followers of the beast are enemies of God. There is another group referred to throughout the book of Revelation and they are described as the servants (or slaves) of God. These followers of God and the Lamb are not 'inhabitants of the earth.' They might live in a house like everyone else and they might work as train drivers, nurses, bankers or else retired whatever workers but their true dwelling in with God in the new heaven and the new earth. They are not earth-bound. They have a higher ambition and a different perspective on the earth. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews encourages us to leave the city of Babylon behind and to go 'outside the camp' to bear the reproach and shame which Jesus suffered.
[12] So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. [13] Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. [14] For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. [Hebrews 13:12-14 ESV]
There is a binary choice presented in the stark symbolism of the book of Revelation. In simple terms, there are two groups of people.
Group 1: the inhabitants of the earth who are comfortable with all this world has to offer and who see their future bound up in the technological advances, the philosophy, the culture of this world.
Group 2: the servants of God who are depending on God's Lamb for their future. They have turned their backs on all this world has to offer and see no future in this world which is heading for judgement.
The same writer who wrote Revelation also wrote the fourth gospel and again there is a binary division of the human race in John's Gospel.
[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. [John 3:36 ESV]
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