Question: I’d like to ask about Revelation 21:27, where it says nothing impure will ever enter. What exactly does “impure” mean here? Does it refer to weak people, like those with disabilities?
Revelation 21:27
“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (NIV)
Answer: The term “impure” in this context does not refer to people with physical disabilities. If it did, then Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:29-30 would contradict this idea. In these verses, Jesus says:
Matthew 5:29-30
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (NIV)
If “impure” referred to physical weakness or disabilities, then Jesus would not have said that a disabled person could enter the Kingdom of Heaven, which is obviously not the case. Therefore, “impure” in Revelation 21:27 refers to something more spiritual.
So, what does “impure” mean?
Theological Insight: Biblically, something impure refers to something that lacks moral strength or purity, unable to endure challenges or withstand pressure from the sinful world. In this case, it relates to spiritual purity and endurance. A person who is spiritually weak and unable to resist the temptations and trials of life would be considered “impure” in this context. This concept is reflected in multiple passages throughout Scripture.
1 John 5:4
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (NIV)
A spiritually weak person is one who gives in to the world’s sinful influences, while a strong person is one who resists them. This is why Jesus said:
Matthew 11:12
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.” (NIV)
Why does Jesus mention John the Baptist specifically? Jesus’ choice of John the Baptist helps us understand that to enter God’s Kingdom, we must reject the world, just as John did. John lived a life of separation, spending most of his time in the wilderness, away from the temptations of the world. As a result, he grew spiritually strong (Luke 1:80), and his example is one we are called to follow.
Luke 1:80
“And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he was in the desert until the day of his showing unto Israel.” (KJV)
This tells us that overcoming the world is essential for inheriting the Kingdom of God. If we allow the lusts of the flesh, the desires of the world, and the distractions of life to dominate us, we are spiritually weak. Such people will not enter the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 because only those who have overcome the world will be allowed entry.
Revelation 21:1-2
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (NIV)
Those who overcome the world will be among those who inherit this glorious future. But overcoming the world is not optional—it is the standard.
Theological Insight: The Christian life requires us to battle against sin and worldly temptations. We cannot simply give in and say that we can’t overcome the world. Scripture makes it clear that we are empowered to resist and fight back against sin. Our responsibility is to strive for victory, understanding that the process involves choosing holiness over worldly pleasures, just as Jesus and His apostles taught.
James 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (NIV)
This struggle is not just a matter of avoiding sin but of actively pursuing purity, following Christ despite the cost. The journey involves taking up our cross daily and walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'” (NIV)
So, how can we achieve this victory?
The only way to truly overcome is by fully committing to leave behind sin, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus, regardless of the cost. This is the path of spiritual strength.
Shalom.
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In modern times, when someone takes an oath—whether in court or in a ceremony—they often place a hand on a religious book like the Bible or over their heart. This gesture symbolizes sincerity and a deep commitment to telling the truth or fulfilling a promise.
However, in the ancient Hebrew culture, things were done quite differently. One unique and deeply symbolic practice involved placing a hand under another person’s thigh when making a solemn oath. Though it may seem strange today, this act had profound theological and cultural meaning.
In biblical language, the “thigh” symbolized strength, life, and generational continuity. It was close to the loins, associated with the procreative organs, and thus represented a person’s future lineage and covenant responsibilities. To place a hand under someone’s thigh was to acknowledge the seriousness of the commitment being made, under the witness of God and the weight of generational promises.
Theologians interpret this act as an acknowledgment of God’s covenant—especially the covenant of circumcision, which was given to Abraham as a sign of his descendants’ faithfulness (Genesis 17:10-11). Since the sign of the covenant was marked on the male reproductive organ, the area near the thigh symbolically pointed to God’s promise and human responsibility to uphold it.
When Abraham wanted to ensure that his son Isaac would marry a woman from his own people rather than from the surrounding pagan nations, he entrusted this sacred task to his most senior servant. To confirm the seriousness of this mission, he instructed the servant to place his hand under Abraham’s thigh and swear by the Lord.
“He said to the senior servant in his household… ‘Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites… but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.’” (Genesis 24:2–4, NIV)
This was not just a cultural gesture—it was a sacred oath before God. The servant agreed and placed his hand under Abraham’s thigh, signifying obedience to both Abraham and to the Lord.
A similar scene occurs later in Genesis, when Jacob (also known as Israel) is nearing death. He calls his son Joseph and asks him not to bury him in Egypt but in the burial place of his ancestors in Canaan. Again, Jacob requests that Joseph place his hand under his thigh while making the vow.
“When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt… Bury me with my fathers.’” (Genesis 47:29–30, NIV)
Joseph swore to honor his father’s request, understanding the cultural and spiritual weight of such a promise.
Under the New Covenant, Jesus redefines the way we approach truthfulness and oaths. Instead of swearing by objects or body parts, He calls His followers to live with such integrity that oaths become unnecessary.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all… All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33–37, NIV)
Jesus emphasizes that true disciples should be trustworthy without needing dramatic gestures or vows. Our character should speak for itself, because we are no longer bound to external rituals to prove our honesty.
The act of placing a hand under the thigh in biblical times was a serious and sacred gesture, rooted in covenant theology and deep respect for divine promises. While we no longer practice this today, the principle remains: when we make a commitment—especially before God—we should treat it with the utmost seriousness.
As followers of Christ, we are called to speak with honesty, keep our word, and live with integrity—because our lives now reflect the One who is Truth Himself.
May the Lord bless you.
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