Definition: Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this powerful verse from Revelation 18:20. It's a pretty intense and dramatic statement about judgment and restoration. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Essentially, it means: “Be happy about what happens to her; rejoice in God’s intervention and the coming restoration.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Rejoice over her…” : This is the core of the verse. It’s referring to the person of Jezebel – who was depicted as a vile, wicked woman who persecuted Christians in biblical times. She was a symbol of evil and injustice. “…[thou] heaven…” : This refers to God's power and presence – He is involved in this entire process. “Thou” is a formal way of saying "you." “…and [ye] holy apostles and prophets…” : This highlights the role of those who have served as messengers and witnesses of God’s truth throughout history. They were called to warn and guide people, and now they are being called upon to play a crucial part in bringing about justice. “For God hath avenged you on her.” : This is the key part – God has intervened. It means that God will ultimately punish Jezebel’s wickedness, but He will also restore everything and bring about a new era of peace and righteousness. “Hath avenged” is a strong word meaning "has dealt with" or "has punished." What does this verse suggest? It speaks to a future restoration after a period of evil and injustice. God is actively working to right a wrong, and it’s a promise of ultimate justice and renewal. It's a message of hope – even though Jezebel has suffered greatly, God will ultimately prevail and bring about a better world. Important Note: This verse often gets misinterpreted as a simple declaration that Jezebel is forgiven. However, the context in Revelation 18 suggests a far more complex process involving judgment, restoration, and ultimate justice for evil. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: More about the symbolism of Jezebel? The meaning behind "restoration" in Revelation 18? How this relates to other parts of the Bible?