In biblical terms, the concept of "revoke" involves the annulment, cancellation, or withdrawal of a decree, promise, or covenant. The idea of revocation is significant in understanding God's interactions with humanity, particularly in the context of His covenants and promises.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the notion of revocation is often associated with God's conditional promises and covenants. While God is depicted as unchanging in His nature and faithful to His word, there are instances where He expresses a willingness to alter His declared course of action in response to human behavior. For example, in the book of Jonah, God initially declares judgment upon Nineveh but revokes this decree when the people repent: "When God saw their deeds—how they turned from their evil ways—He relented of the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" (Jonah 3:10).

The revocation of blessings or judgments is also evident in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. In Deuteronomy 28, blessings and curses are outlined as contingent upon Israel's obedience or disobedience. The potential for revocation of blessings is implicit in the conditional nature of these promises.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of revocation is less about God changing His mind and more about the fulfillment and transformation of the Old Covenant through the New Covenant in Christ. The writer of Hebrews explains that the Old Covenant is obsolete and replaced by the New Covenant: "By calling this covenant 'new,' He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear" (Hebrews 8:13).

The irrevocability of God's gifts and calling is emphasized in the New Testament. In Romans 11:29, Paul writes, "For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable" . This underscores the permanence of God's promises in the context of salvation history, particularly concerning the inclusion of the Gentiles and the future restoration of Israel.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of revocation highlights God's sovereignty and justice, as well as His mercy and grace. While God may revoke certain decrees in response to human repentance or disobedience, His ultimate purposes and promises remain steadfast. This is evident in the overarching narrative of Scripture, where God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ is fulfilled despite human failure.

The tension between God's unchanging nature and His responsive actions is a profound mystery that underscores His relational engagement with humanity. God's willingness to relent from judgment in response to repentance demonstrates His desire for reconciliation and restoration.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of revocation serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and repentance. It encourages a life of faithfulness, knowing that while God's promises are sure, His blessings are often contingent upon our response to His will. It also offers hope, as God's willingness to revoke judgment in response to repentance assures us of His mercy and readiness to forgive.

In summary, while God may revoke certain decrees in response to human actions, His ultimate promises, particularly those fulfilled in Christ, remain irrevocable, offering assurance of His faithfulness and love.1. (v. t.) To call or bring back; to rescind; to recall; as to revoke a privilege.

2. (v. t.) Hence, to annul, by recalling or taking back; to repeal; to rescind; to cancel; to reverse, as anything granted by a special act; as, , to revoke a will, a license, a grant, a permission, a law, or the like.

3. (v. t.) To hold back; to repress; to restrain.

4. (v. t.) To draw back; to withdraw.

5. (v. t.) To call back to mind; to recollect.

6. (v. i.) To fail to follow suit when holding a card of the suit led, in violation of the rule of the game; to renege.

7. (n.) The act of revoking.

208. akuroo -- to revoke
... to revoke. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: akuroo Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-oo-ro'-o) Short Definition: I annul, make of no effect, cancel Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/208.htm - 6k7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... return (261), return and take back (1), return* (1), returned (151), returned*
(1), returning (2), returns (9), reverse (1), revived (1), revoke (10), revoked ...
/hebrew/7725.htm - 9k

After this Apology had Been Written, one of the Brethren who came ...
... of calumniating others, though they have hitherto presented no ground of offence,
I do not deny his right to do so, if he thinks well to revoke my judgment by ...
/.../45 after this apology had.htm

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity God's Testament and Promise in ...
... received it. God did not annul or revoke by the Law the promise of blessing
which he had made and freely bestowed without the Law. 5 ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/thirteenth sunday after trinity gods.htm

Death is the Gate of Life
... Shut into that world, it is vain to try by any self-effort to battle out; nothing
can revoke the decree "the soul that sinneth it shall die.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death is the gate of.htm

Sin and Grace
... This favor of God never changes; and when once it purposes to bless anyone,
bless him it will, and none can revoke the blessing. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm

Unbelief.
... Nothing now can revoke the sentence, or reanimate the silent dust, save the trump
of God on the final day."[16] Thus blindly did Martha reason. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xiv unbelief.htm

On the Babylonish Captivity of the Church on the Babylonish ...
... A certain Italian friar of Cremona has written a "Revocation of Martin Luther to
the Holy See""that is to say, not that I revoke, as the words imply, but ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/iii on the babylonish captivity.htm

Gherardi Sat for Two or Three Minutes in Absolute Silence. ...
... Now, suppose she should chance to come within the radius of Leigh's attractive
personality and teaching, and revoke this bequest? ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxi gherardi sat for two.htm

Efforts at Unity and Peace.
... maintain what you have asserted, viz.: 'Baptized or not baptized, faith saves us?'
Or upon mature deliberation, have ye concluded publicly to revoke the same ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/efforts at unity and peace.htm

Declaring How the Soul Putting it Self in the Presence of God ...
... should'st actually think on God; it is enough that thou hast been attentive in the
beginning; provided thou discontinue not thy purpose, nor revoke the actual ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xiv declaring how the.htm

How it was Revealed to St Francis that Brother Elias was Damned ...
... Pray to God for me, that, if possible, he may revoke the sentence of my damnation;
for it is written, that the Lord will forgive the sinner if he repent of his ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxxviii how it was.htm

Revoke (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To call or bring back; to rescind; to recall;
as to revoke a privilege. ... Multi-Version Concordance Revoke (10 Occurrences). ...
/r/revoke.htm - 10k

Sentence (53 Occurrences)
... Amos 1:3 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four,
I will not revoke my sentence, because they have threshed Gilead with ...
/s/sentence.htm - 24k

Revoked (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Revoke. Multi-Version Concordance
Revoked (5 Occurrences). Esther 8:8 Write ye also concerning ...
/r/revoked.htm - 8k

Reviving (4 Occurrences)

/r/reviving.htm - 10k

Gazah (16 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Amos 1:6 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Gazah, and for four,
I will not revoke its sentence; because they carried away captive the whole ...
/g/gazah.htm - 11k

Retract (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. 4. (vi)
To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation. ...
/r/retract.htm - 7k

Recall (11 Occurrences)
... ambassador. 2. (vt) To revoke; to annul by a subsequent act; to take back;
to withdraw; as, to recall words, or a decree. 3. (vt ...
/r/recall.htm - 9k

Calling (145 Occurrences)
... salvation for the world. Therefore, He will not desert His people, for He
Will not revoke that call (Romans 11:29). This calling is ...
/c/calling.htm - 38k

Condition (38 Occurrences)
... which has for its object to suspend, to defeat, or in some way to modify, the principal
obligation; or, in case of a will, to suspend, revoke, or modify a ...
/c/condition.htm - 20k

Cancel (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To annul or destroy; to revoke or recall. 5. (vi) To suppress or omit; to
strike out, as matter in type. 6. (n.) An enclosure; a boundary; a limit. ...
/c/cancel.htm - 8k

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