Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 22
In ancient cities, groups of wild dogs were a constant problem. By night, they searched for food in the city’s rubbish. If they could find them, they would take the supplies of meat or even dead bodies (2 Kings 9:30-37). They were not afraid to attack people or animals.
The dogs became a frequent word-picture in the Bible for the cruel and nasty behaviour of wicked people. Psalm 59 is a good example of this.
After the dogs, Revelation 22:15 has a list of several different kinds of wicked behaviour. One thing to notice particularly is how people use wicked behaviour to cause trouble for other people. That too may remind us of the behaviour of wild dogs (Psalm 22:16).
So, there are people who do magic. God considers that to be very wrong (Deuteronomy 18:9-13). People often do it to gain power in the spirit world, so that they can control other people.
There are people who carry out wrong sex acts. Perhaps they are just following their feelings, but perhaps they are using sex to control other people. That last kind of behaviour is, of course, especially wicked.
The most wicked people use murder as a means to control people. Herod did that on many occasions, including Matthew 2:16.
The use of idols (images of false gods) is against God’s law (Deuteronomy 4:15-24). People often use idols for the same reasons that they use magic.
The last group of people on the list not only tell lies; they love them. On purpose, they cause other people to believe false things.
All these groups of people have no place in the New Jerusalem, or anywhere in the new earth. Their place is in the lake of fire, the place of punishment (21:8). It is important for us to realise that wicked behaviour is very terrible. God can forgive even the most wicked people (Exodus 34:6-7), but they must turn to him quickly (Ezekiel 18:21-23). The time will come when it is too late (Hebrews 3:7-11).
Next part: A message from Christ to God’s people (Revelation 22:16)
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© 2016, Keith Simons.