<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE BOOK OF REVELATION" The Grand Conclusion (22:6-21) INTRODUCTION 1. In the first six verses of chapter twenty-two, John's vision of the glorious future for the people of God was completed... a. With a brief description of the river of life, the tree(s) of life, and the throne of God and of the Lamb b. Eternal fellowship with God, stressed in the previous chapter (cf. Re 21:3-4,7) was emphasized again c. With the promise of reigning with Him forever and ever - Re 22:5 2. The remainder of chapter twenty-two (Re 22:6-21) contains the grand conclusion of this wonderful book... a. With statements that the time of its fulfillment was near b. With a reminder of the blessedness of those who do the commandments of Jesus c. With an invitation for all who thirst to drink of the water of life freely d. With a fearful warning not to add to or take away from the prophecies of this book e. With a final promise from Jesus, along with a prayer & blessing from John [Careful attention to this grand conclusion is very important to properly understanding the message of the book of Revelation, and receiving the future blessings for the righteous described throughout. So let's begin with...] I. THE TIME IS NEAR, DO NOT SEAL THE BOOK (6-11) A. AS DESCRIBED IN THE TEXT... 1. John is told by the angel that these words are faithful and true - Re 22:6-7 a. The Lord God has sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place b. The Lamb proclaims: "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 2. John attempts to worship the angel - Re 22:8-9 a. He falls down at the feet of the angel who showed him these things b. The angel forbids him 1) The angel is his fellow servant, and of his brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book 2) John is to worship God 3. John is told not to seal the words of the prophecy of this book - Re 22:10-11 a. "For the time is at hand" b. "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still" c. "He who is righteous let him be righteous still, he who is holy let him be holy still" -- Careful attention should be given to the words of this text B. OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION... 1. Consider again the phrase "these words are faithful and true" a. It is used twice in reference to the final destiny of the redeemed - cf. Re 21:5; 22:6 b. Perhaps they serve as "bookends" for what is written between Re 21:5-22:6 c. To stress that what is described therein pertains to what is real (true) and what can be considered as trustworthy (faithful) d. I.e., while much (if not most) of Revelation should be understood as symbolic (cf. "signified", Re 1:1), the words from Re 21:5-22:6 might actually depict what will be reality for the redeemed! 2. Note that three references are made to the imminent nature of what Revelation foretold a. "things which must shortly take place" - Re 22:6 b. "Behold, I am coming quickly" - Re 22:7; cf. Re 2:5,16; 3:3,11 c. "the time is at hand" - Re 22:10 d. Taken together with what is said at the beginning of the book (cf. Re 1:1,3), a mostly preterist approach to Revelation is the proper way to interpret the book 3. Consider the angel's rebuke to John when he fell down to worship the angel a. "See that you do not do that...Worship God."- Re 22:9; cf. also Re 19:10 b. In similar fashion Cornelius was rebuked by the apostle Peter - cf. Ac 10:25-26 c. If angels & apostles rebuked those who fell down before them, shouldn't "popes, bishops, priests"? 4. Compare what is said to John versus that which was said to Daniel a. John is told not to seal the words of the prophecy of Revelation, the time was at hand - Re 22:10 b. Daniel was told to seal up a vision that was fulfilled within a few hundred years, for it pertained to many days in the future - Dan 8:26 c. Premillennialists interpret Revelation to pertain to events yet to be fulfilled though almost 2000 years have passed; how can events yet to occur today be called "at hand" in John's day? 5. The statement in Re 22:11 is a certainly challenging one a. It may simply stress that the judgments throughout chapters 2-19 were imminent b. Opportunity to change was limited, those who have changed for the better should remain so c. Yet the book does not end without providing hope for those willing to repent - Re 22:17 -- This passage offers further insight to properly interpreting the book, along with addressing the sinful practice of worshiping men and angels [From a passage of scripture containing mostly words spoken by an angel (Re 22:7 being the exception), we now consider a section containing the words spoken by our Savior...] II. THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS (12-17) A. AS DESCRIBED IN THE TEXT... 1. Jesus' first declaration - Re 22:12-13 a. "Behold, I am coming quickly" b. "My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" c. "I am the Alpha and the Omega" d. "The Beginning and the End, the First and the Last" 2. John's response - Re 22:14-15 a. "Blessed are those who do His commandments" (or wash their robes, ESV) 1) "That they may have the right to the tree of life" 2) "That they may enter through the gates into the city" b. "But outside are..." 1) "Dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, and idolaters" 2) "Whoever loves and practices a lie" 3. Jesus' second declaration - Re 22:16 a. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches" b. "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." 4. The grand invitation to all - Re 22:17 a. "The Spirit and the bride say 'Come!'" b. "Let him who hears say 'Come!'" c. "Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." -- Declarations by Jesus followed by blessings and warnings, with an invitation to everyone to receive the water of life! B. OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION... 1. Regarding what Jesus says about "coming quickly" a. This is the second of three times He says He is coming quickly - cf. Re 22:7,12,20 b. Which may have reference to His coming in judgment against the churches - cf. Re 2:5,16; 3:3,11 c. But also coming in judgment against the forces Satan deceived in the first century in his effort to destroy the church (e.g., unfaithful Jerusalem and pagan Rome) 2. Regarding "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." a. Both the Father (Re 1:8; 21:6) and Jesus (Re 1:11,17; 2:8) are described this way b. As Jesus is the One who is coming quickly, He is the One being described here in Re 22:12-13 c. An important confirmation of the deity of Christ and the concept of triune Godhead (i.e., trinity) 3. Those who do Jesus' commandments (or wash their robes, ESV) will be saved - Re 22:14 a. For Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him - He 5:9 b. Jesus stressed keeping His commandments - Jn 14:15,21–23; 15:10–14; Mt 28:20 c. For is by keeping His commandments that we are saved - Mk 16:16; cf. Ac 2:36-38; 22:16 4. Other quick observations - Re 22:15-17 a. The reference to "those outside" obviously refers to them in the lake of fire - Re 20:15; 21:8 b. Jesus as the offspring of David (cf. Re 5:5; Mt 22:42); the bright & morning star (cf. Num 24:17) c. "Whoever desires": God wants everyone to be saved - cf. Mk 16:15; 1Ti 2:4-6; 2Pe 3:9 -- Clearly these are words intended for all, encouraging all to be saved rather than lost! [This brings us to the final words in the Book of Revelation...] III. THE FINAL WORDS (18-21) A. AS DESCRIBED IN THE TEXT... 1. A word of warning - Re 22:18-19 a. Do not add to the words of this book, or God will add to him the plagues written in it b. Do not take away from the words of this book, or God will take away his part from: 1) The Book (or Tree) of Life 2) The holy city 3) The things written in this book 2. A word of promise - Re 22:20 a. The promise of Him who testifies to these things. b. "Surely I am coming quickly." 3. A word of prayer - Re 22:21 a. Concerning his Lord: "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" b. Concerning his brethren: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." -- A warning, a promise, a prayer: all three need our careful attention! B. OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION... 1. The word of warning not to add or take away a. Applies specifically to the Book of Revelation b. But is similar to warnings found elsewhere in Scripture - Deu 4:2; 12:32; Pro 30:6 c. An important principle to heed in regards to all of the Word of God! 2. The word of promise regarding the quick coming of the Lord a. This is the third of three times Jesus said He was coming quickly - cf. Re 22:7,12,20 b. Which likely has reference to His coming in judgment against the churches - cf. Re 2:5,16; 3:3,11 c. Also coming in judgment against the forces Satan deceived in the first century in his effort to destroy the church (e.g., unfaithful Jerusalem and pagan Rome) d. But in view of eternity, and that He could come at any moment, we can always say that His coming is imminent 3. The word of prayer for his Lord and his brethren a. Desire for our Lord's coming should be strong - cf. 1Co 1:7; Ph 3:20 b. John's prayer for grace echoes those at the end of Paul's epistles - cf. Ro 16:20; 1Co 16:23; 2Co 13:14; Ga 6:18; Ep 6:24; Ph 4:23; Co 4:18; 1Th 5:28; 2Th 3:18; 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:5; Phm 25 c. May this also be our prayers for one another! -- A warning, a promise, a prayer: a fitting end for a grand conclusion to such a book! CONCLUSION 1. We finally come to the end of this series on Revelation; a wonderful book... a. Written to churches in the 1st century A.D., preserved for the benefit of Christians ever since! b. That challenges and comforts those who remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ until His final coming to raise the dead and judge mankind - cf. Jn 5:28-29; Ac 17:30-31 2. Are you ready for the Judgment Day...? a. Is your name in the Lamb's book of life? - cf. Re 20:15 b. Make sure that you have properly responded to the gospel of Christ - cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36-41; 22:16 c. Having done so, make sure you remain faithful to the end - cf. Re 2:10 So together with the apostle John (and the apostle Paul) may I say: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.<< Previous | Index | Next >>
Home Page
Have A Bible Question? | Want A Free Bible Study Course? | Looking For A Church Near You?
Want To Talk With Someone By Phone? | Want To Discuss The Bible By Email?
Search The Outlines
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2020
