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Book of Revelation - Chapter 20 - Verse 9

20:9
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Meaning

One interpretation of this verse from the book of Revelation is that it describes the final battle between good and evil at the end of the world. The phrase "And they went up on the breadth of the earth" could refer to the gathering of the forces of evil from all corners of the world to wage war against the camp of the saints and the beloved city, which represents God's people and Jerusalem respectively. The imagery of fire coming down from God out of heaven and devouring the enemies suggests a swift and decisive judgment by God against those who have rebelled against Him. This event is seen as the culmination of the ongoing spiritual warfare between God and Satan, with God ultimately emerging victorious and establishing His eternal kingdom. This verse serves as a reminder to believers to remain faithful to God despite the challenges they may face, knowing that in the end, God's justice will prevail.

Theological Overview

The theological interpretation of this verse can be understood in the context of the battle between good and evil. The imagery of the saints' camp being surrounded by the forces of darkness signifies the ongoing spiritual warfare in the world. The 'beloved city' mentioned is often interpreted as a symbol of Jerusalem, representing God's people and His kingdom on earth. The fire that comes down from heaven to consume the enemies symbolizes God's judgment and His ultimate justice. This verse emphasizes the victory of righteousness over evil and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the symbolic meaning of 'breadth' of the earth, which could suggest the extensive reach of the enemy's attack, and 'devoured', indicating the complete destruction of the wicked.

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