No More Curse

2006-11-9 05:24:00

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  (Revelation 22:3)

"Curse" here comes from the Greek KATANATHEMA. This is a difficult word to interpret correctly because it only appears this once in the Bible. Most translators render it "cursed" or "accursed." This translation seems the natural one because in Genesis God cursed the earth after the fall. It would seem that it would be only natural that this is speaking of the removal of that curse.

"There shall be no more curse" comes from the Greek "pan katanathema ouk estai eti" and some translators give it an alternative wording that substantially changes the meaning. Instead of just "no more curse" these render it "no more accursed thing." The first implies that there will be a change in the ground, or earth itself, but the second implies that it is what lives on the ground that will be changed.

Perhaps the Amplified Bible gives the best rendering of this second line of thought:  "There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed."  Then it gives these words as alternative translations to accursed:  "detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful or horrible."

Both alternatives will be true but this second rendition tells why there will be no more curse. The reason is that those people who resist the spirit and actively work to pull men toward selfishness and destruction will not inhabit the New Jerusalem. This city of God will be a final and successful gathering of the pure in heart. Every gathering before this will draw some bad with the good, but in the end the gathered spiritual vibration will be so high that the carnal minded will not wish to dwell among them.

The verse continues with:  "...but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it..."

The continual presence of God, or awareness of God will insure this purity.

"...and his servants shall serve him:"

This seems like an obvious truth, but very few servants in the past have consistently served the path of Spirit but have deviated. The entire Bible is full of such examples. In the final New Jerusalem the servants will consistently serve God over self.

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  (Revelation 22:4)

If God's name is in their foreheads then God is within their heads or minds. When a disciple therefore looks in the mirror at his own face he sees the face of God.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.  (Revelation 22:5)

This basically repeats a thought given in the last chapter. It bears repeating because having the light and love of God continually burning within is an all important end goal for us.

Here are the next verses:

6  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
Revelation 22:6-9

The only authority recognised is the truth as it emerges in the human consciousness, in any world or historical cycle. Today more truth is being recognised (and incidentally, repudiated) than at any other time in human history.
Discipleship in the New Age,
Vol 2, Pg 240