Holman Christian Standard Bible (366 page)

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12
 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done.
 
13
 I am the
•Alpha
and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
 
14
 “Blessed are those who wash their robes,
 
so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
15
 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
 
16
 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you
 
for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
 
17
 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come! ” Anyone who hears should say, “Come! ” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. 
18
 I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.
19
 And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book. 
20
 He who testifies about these things says,
“Yes, I am coming quickly.”
•Amen
! Come, Lord Jesus! 
21
 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the
•saints
. Amen. 
HCSB Bullet Notes
The HCSB Bullet Notes are one of the unique features of the Holman Christian Standard Bible®. These notes explain frequently used biblical words or terms. These “bullet” words (for example: •
abyss
) are marked with a bullet only on their first occurrence in a chapter of the biblical text. Other frequently used words, like •
gate
, are marked with bullets only where the use of the word fits the definitions given below. A few words in footnotes, like •
acrostic
, also have a bullet.
Abaddon
   A Hebrew word for either the grave or the realm of the dead
Abba
   The Aramaic word for father
abyss
   The bottomless pit or the depths (of the sea); it is the prison for Satan and the demons.
acrostic
   A device in Hebrew poetry in which each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet
advocate
   The Greek word parakletos means one called alongside to help, counsel, or protect; it is used of the Holy Spirit in Jn and in 1Jn.
Almighty
   The Hebrew word is El Shaddai; El means God, but the meaning of Shaddai is disputed; traditionally it is translated “Almighty.”
Alpha and Omega
   The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; it is used to refer to God the Father in Rv 1:8 and 21:6 and to Jesus, God the Son, in Rv 22:13.
Amen
   The transliteration of a Hebrew word signifying that something is certain, valid, truthful, or faithful; it is often used at the end of biblical songs, hymns, and prayers.
annihilate(d)
   During periods of war in Canaan and its neighboring countries, this was the destruction of a city, its inhabitants, and their possessions, including livestock.
Arabah
   The section of the Great Rift in Palestine, extending from the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqabah; the Hebrew word can also be translated as “plain,” referring to any plain or to any part of the Arabah.
Asaph
   A musician appointed by David to oversee the music used in worship at the Temple; 12 psalms are attributed to Asaph.
Asherah(s)/Asherah pole(s)
   A Canaanite fertility goddess who was the mother of the god Baal; also the wooden poles associated with the worship of her
Ashtoreth(s)
   A Canaanite goddess of fertility, love, and war, who was the daughter of Asherah and consort of Baal; the plural form of her name in Hebrew is Ashtaroth.
Asia
   A Roman province that is now part of modern Turkey; it did not refer to the modern continent of Asia.
asleep
   A term used in reference to believers who have died
atone/atonement
   A theological term for God’s provision to deal with human sin; in the OT, it primarily means purification. In some contexts forgiveness, pardon, expiation, propitiation, or reconciliation is included. The basis of atonement is substitutionary sacrifice offered in faith. The OT sacrifices were types and shadows of the great and final sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Baal
   A fertility god who was the main god of the Canaanite religion and the god of rain and thunderstorms; it is also the Hebrew word meaning “lord,” “master,” “owner,” or “husband.”
Beelzebul
   A term of slander, which was variously interpreted “lord of flies,” “lord of dung,” or “ruler of demons”
Bread of the Presence
   Bread that was offered in Yahweh’s presence, that is, inside His house, not out on the altar (Lv 24:5-9)
burnt offering(s)
   Or holocaust; an offering completely burned to ashes; it was used in connection with worship, seeking God’s favor, expiating sin, or averting judgment.
cause(s) the downfall of/cause(s) to sin
   The Greek word skandalizo has a root meaning of snare or trap but has no real English counterpart.
centurion
   A Roman officer who commanded about 100 soldiers
Cephas
   The Aramaic word for rock: it is parallel to the Greek word petros from which the English name Peter is derived.
cherub(im)
   A class of winged angels associated with the throne of God who function as guardians and who prevented Adam and Eve from returning to the garden of Eden
chief priest(s)
   A group of Jewish temple officers that included the high priest, captain of the temple, temple overseers, and treasurers
clean
   When something is clean, it is holy or acceptable to God. When it is unclean, it is unholy (such as an unclean spirit). The term can be used in a ritual sense to apply to moral standards for living.
company
   Or cohort; a Roman military unit that numbered as many as 600 men
completely destroy
   During periods of war in Canaan and its neighboring countries, this was the destruction of a city, its inhabitants, and their possessions, including livestock.
Counselor
   The Greek word parakletos means one called alongside to help, counsel, or protect; it is used of the Holy Spirit in Jn and 1Jn.
cubit(s)
   An OT measurement of distance that equaled about 18 inches
Cush/Cushite
   The lands of the Nile in southern Egypt, including Nubia and Northern Sudan; also the people who lived in that region
Decapolis
   Originally, it referred to a federation of 10 Gentile towns east of the Jordan River.
denarius/denarii
   A small silver Roman coin, which was equal to a day’s wage for a common laborer
divination
   An attempt to foresee future events or discover hidden knowledge by means of physical objects such as water, arrows, flying birds, or animal livers
drink offering(s)
   An offering of a specified amount of wine or beer given along with animal sacrifices; it was poured over the sacrifice before it was burned.
engaged
   Jewish engagement was a binding agreement that could only be broken by divorce.
ephod
   A vest-like garment extending below the waist and worn under the breastpiece; it was used by both the priests and the high priest.
everyone
   Literally sons of man or sons of Adam
family redeemer
   A family member who had certain obligations of marriage, redeeming an estate, and punishment of a wrongdoer
fear(s) God or the LORD/fear of the Lord
   No single English word conveys every aspect of the word fear in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.
firstfruits
   The agricultural products harvested first and given to God as an offering with more products to come in later harvests; it is also used as a metaphor for the first people to come to faith or for Jesus, the first person to rise from the dead, or for the Spirit who is given to believers as the first portion (or down payment) of our salvation with more to come in eternity.
fellowship sacrifice(s)/or offering(s)
   An animal offering was given to maintain and strengthen a person’s relationship with God. It was not required as a remedy for impurity or sin but was an expression of thanksgiving for various blessings. An important function of this sacrifice was to provide meat for the priests and the participants in the sacrifice; also called the peace offering or the sacrifice of well-being.
gate(s)
   The center for community discussions, political meetings, and trying of court cases
Gittith
   Perhaps an instrument, musical term, tune from Gath, or song for the grape harvest
God Almighty
   The Hebrew word is El Shaddai; El means God, but the meaning of Shaddai is disputed; traditionally it is translated “Almighty.”
grain offering(s)
   An offering given along with animal sacrifices or given by itself; a portion was burnt and the priests and participant ate the remainder.
guilt/guilty
   The liability to be punished for a fault, a sin, an act, or an omission unless there is forgiveness or atonement; the term normally concerns an objective fact, not a subjective feeling.
Hades
   The Greek word for the place of the dead; it corresponds to the Hebrew word Sheol.
Hallelujah!
   Or Praise the LORD!; it literally means Praise Yah! (a shortened form of Yahweh).
headquarters
   The Latin word Praetorium was used by Greek writers for the residence of the Roman governor; it may also refer to military headquarters, the imperial court, or the emperor’s guard.
Hebrew
   Or Aramaic; the translation of this word is debated since some claim Aramaic was commonly spoken in Palestine during NT times. More recently others claim that Hebrew was the spoken language.
hell/hellfire
   The Greek word is gehenna; it is the Aramaic term for the Valley of Hinnom on the south side of Jerusalem; formerly, it was a place of human sacrifice, and in NT times, a place for the burning of garbage; it is the place of final judgment for those rejecting Christ.
Herod
   Name of the Idumean family ruling Palestine from 37 b.c. to a.d. 95; the main rulers from this family mentioned in the NT are:
Herod I
   (37 b.c.–4 b.c.) He was also known as Herod the Great; he built the great temple in Jerusalem and massacred the male babies in Bethlehem.
Herod Antipas
   (4 b.c.–a.d. 39) The son of Herod the Great; he ruled one-fourth of his father’s kingdom (Galilee and Perea); he killed John the Baptist and mocked Jesus.
Herod Agrippa I
   (a.d. 37–44) The grandson of Herod the Great; he beheaded James the apostle and imprisoned Peter.
Herod Agrippa II
   (a.d. 52–ca 95) The great-grandson of Herod the Great; he heard Paul’s defense.
Herodians
   They were the political supporters of Herod the Great and his family.
hidden plan
   Translation of the Greek word mysterion; it is a secret hidden in the past but now revealed.
Higgaion
   Term used for a musical notation, for a device denoting a pause in an instrumental interlude, or for a murmuring harp tone
high place(s)
   An ancient place of worship most often associated with pagan religions; it was usually built on an elevated location.
horn
   A symbol of power based on the strength of animal horns
Hosanna
   A term of praise derived from the Hebrew word for save
Host(s)
   Military forces consisting of God’s angels, sometimes including the sun, moon, and stars, and occasionally Israel
human race
   Literally sons of man or sons of Adam
I assure you
   This is a phrase used only by Jesus to testify to the certainty and importance of His words; in Mt, Mk, and Lk it is literally Amen, I say to you; in Jn it is literally Amen, amen, I say to you.
Jews
   In Jn, the term Jews usually indicates those in Israel who were opposed to Jesus, particularly the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem who led the nation.
justification/justify/justified
   The act of God as judge that declares sinners (who were in the wrong) to be right or righteous in His sight.  God is just in doing this because Jesus died on the cross to take away their sins and to give them His own righteousness (2Co 5:21). The sinner receives this justification by faith and by grace when he trusts Christ's work.
language(s)
   The Greek word glossa has traditionally (ca 1530) been translated as “tongue” because the Gk word is used for the organ of speech as well as for a language. Some see glossolalia as having a specialized meaning: either ecstatic speech or heavenly languages.
Leviathan
   Or twisting one; a mythological sea serpent or dragon associated with the chaos at creation; sometimes it is applied to an animal such as a crocodile.
life/lives
   The same Greek word (psyche) can be translated life or soul.
mankind
   Literally sons of man or sons of Adam
Mary Magdalene
   Or Mary of Magdala; Magdala was probably a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, north of Tiberias.
Maskil
   It is from a Hebrew word meaning to be prudent or to have insight; it could also mean a contemplative, instructive, or wisdom psalm.
men
   Literally sons of man or sons of Adam
mercy seat
   Or place of atonement; it was the gold lid on the ark of the covenant that was first in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
Messiah
   Or the Christ; the Greek word is Christos and means the anointed one. Where the NT emphasizes Christos as a name of our Lord or has a Gentile context, “Christ” is used. Where the NT Christos has a Jewish context, the title “Messiah” is used.
Miktam
   A musical term of uncertain meaning; it possibly denotes a plaintive style.
Milcom
   An Ammonite god who was the equivalent of Baal, the Canaanite storm god
Molech
   A Canaanite god associated with death and the underworld; the worship ritual of passing someone through the fire is connected with him. This ritual could have been either fire-walking or child sacrifice.
Most High
   The Hebrew word is Elyon; it is often used with other names of God, such as Hebrew El (God) or Yahweh (LORD); it is used to refer to God as the supreme being.
Mount of Olives
   A mountain east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley
mystery
   Translation of the Greek word mysterion; it is a secret hidden in the past but now revealed.
Nazarene
   A person from Nazareth; growing up in Nazareth was an aspect of the Messiah’s humble beginnings.

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