I wonder if He did allof this just for Earth or whether there are other people or "nations" out there in the vast array of galaxies?
I don't know. But I think the whole thing was created for God's kingdom.
My feeling is that He has some use for these worlds. But this is just my opinion based upon Isaiah's word that the extent of His kingdom and of peace will know no end.
The Bible has much symbolism for water, (River of Life, etc) air,(Luke 7:24, John 3:8) and fire...(notice that the lake is a lake of fire.) Lakes stagnate. Rivers flow.
Yes, the river of water of life depicts God dispensing His life and nature into His people. He has no end, like a river. He can continue to flow, to impart, to dispense His Spirit into us for eternity.
The lake of fire in Revelation is a sea stream of fire flowing from the judgement seat of God in Daniel. The stream of fire flows all the negative things in the univese into a repository of a lake of fire. This is like a universal trash can where all the unclean things of sin will be swept by the judgement of God.
"I watched ... And the Ancient of Days sat down. His clothing was like white snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool; His throne was flames of fire, Its wheels, burning fire.
A stream of fire issued forth and came out from before Him. Thousands of thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands stood before Him.
The court of judgement sat, And the books were opened" (Daniel 7:9,10)
In Revelation this stream of fire flows into a lake of fire. It is also called
"a glassy sea like crystal" (Rev.4:6). And in Revelation 15 it is also described as
"a glassy sea mingled with fire" (Rev.15:2)
I believe that the lake of fire discribed as a glassy sea mingled with fire and like crystal signifies that everything will eventually be transparently crystal clear that is under God's eternal judgement. There is left no question, no doubt, no argument, no misunderstanding. All that is under the divine condemnation of God will become exceedingly clear in its evil, rebellious, and filthy nature.
God makes no mistake about what and who He condemns to eternal destruction. And everyone else will also be as clear as crystal about what is to be condemned.
This message has been edited by jaywill, 02-12-2006 07:09 PM