REVELATION 22--
Revelation 22 - Come, Lord Jesus
The interior of the New Jerusalem.
(v.1) A river flowing from the throne of God.
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
“A pure river of water of life:” Through the Old Testament, prophets used the picture of a river as a powerful expression of richness, provision, and peace.
WHERE?
Isaiah 48:18; Zechariah 14:8 & Ezekiel 47:1-9.
King David says it best in Psalm 46:4-5: “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.”
“Clear as crystal:” God’s provision in the New Jerusalem is described with pure, absolutely unpolluted waters. “Its waters are literal waters, of a nature and quality answering to that of the golden city to which they belong. Mankind has NEVER known such waters.
“From the throne of God and of the Lamb:” This river of provision comes right from God’s throne. Because it comes from God, it cannot be anything other than pure and abundant, AMEN?
Ezekiel saw a glorious river IN Ezekiel 47...flow down from the temple in Jerusalem and INTO THE SEA, but that river belongs to the MILLENIAL earth.
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?
BECAUSE REVELATION 21 TELLS US THAT IN THE NEW JERUSALEM & THE NEW EARTH…THERE IS NO MORE SEA! So this is a final PREVIEW…SNEAK PEEK, of this heavenly river. This is a BETTER river with better trees.
(v.2) The tree of life.
“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
“The tree of life:” The Bible begins with a tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24) which man was NOT allowed to eat from after the sin at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now we see the tree of life again.
AND THIS TIME, THE TREE OF LIFE PRODUCES 12 FRUITS, ALL SEASONS LONG…AND IT ISSSSSSS EDIBLE….IT IS HEALING TOO, AMEN?
“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river:”
Seeing the tree of life again points to a RESTORATION of all things.
“Each tree yielding its fruit every month:” From all indications, this describes the world of the new heaven and the new earth, yet we are given a time indicator. Apparently, heaven will still mark time, ((EVERY MONTH)) but NOT be subject to it in the same way we are on this side of eternity.
“Some people wonder if we will eat in heaven. The best answer is YESSSSSS….we can eat, but will not have to EAT TO LIVE AND BE SUSTAINED. HOW COOL IS THAT?
HOW CAN WE KNOW THIS…
REMEMBER In His resurrection body, Jesus enjoyed food (Luke 24:41-43, John 21:12-14).
JESUS CHRIST & HIS ANGELS ate with Abraham & Sarah in (Genesis 18:6-8).
The great heavenly “reunion” between Jesus and His people is described as a marriage SUPPER (Revelation 19:9). Even though man fell by what he ate, God will still allow us to eat in heaven.
EATING WILL BE FOR PURE PLEASURE…NOT NEED FOR SUSTENANCE, AMEN!
“The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations:” Why do the nations need healing? In the ancient Greek language, the word for healing can also mean “health-giving,” and this may be the sense here.
“The word for ‘healing’ is therapeian, from which the English word therapeutic is derived, almost directly transliterated from the Greek. Rather than meaning ‘healing,’ it should be understood as ‘health-giving.
Are these pictures of heaven literal or symbolic? They ARE real folks. We can not FATHOM NOR UNDERSTAND NOR PERCEIVE ALL things of Heaven, with our LIMITED MORTAL MINDS AND SEES RIGHT NOW….BUT WE WILL…AND ALL OF IT IS VERYYYYYYYY real.
(v.3-5) What it will be like and what the saints will do.
“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
“There shall be no more curse:” In heaven, the curse is GONE. Since the fall, man and creation have lived with the effect of the curse described in Genesis 3:16-19: sorrow and pain in childbirth for women, friction between the sexes, the necessity of hard and often futile work for man’s sustenance, and most of all death.
These aspects of the curse will even be present during the Millennium, though they will be greatly mitigated by the perfect rule of Jesus.
Isaiah 65:20 shows us that it is still POSSIBLE for a sinner to be accursed in the millennial earth.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN BY STILL CURSED IN THE MILLENNIAL EARTH?
IT MEANS THOSE THAT SURVIVE THE GREAT TRIBULATION…THOSE LOST AND UNSAVED WHO SURVIVE IT AND GO INTO THE 1000 YEAR REIGN OF JESUS ON EARTH….STILL MUST CHOOSE.
FREEWILL AND CHOICE ARE NOT DESTROYED OR ENDED WITH THE 1000 YEAR REIGN OF JESUS CHRIST ON EARTH.
MANKIND MUST STILL CHOOSE TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF ALMIGHTY GOD. MANKIND MUSTTTTTTT REPENT, MUST INVITE AND ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST INTO THEIR HEART AND LIFE.
AS BEWILDERING AS IT SOUNDS, THERE WILL BE THOSE ON MILLENNIAL EARTH WHO WILL CHOOSE TO REJECT JESUS CHRIST GRACE AND MERCY GIFT OF SALVATION…EVEN AFTER THEY SEE THAT HE IS THE TRIUNE GOD.
AND FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO REJECT JESUS CHRIST, THEY WILL LIVE THEIR LIVES AND THEY WILL DIE A MORTAL DEATH, WHICH IS THE FIRST DEATH…BUT THEY WHO REJECT JESUS CHRIST, EVEN THEN, WILL ALSO HAVE CHOSEN AND FACE THE SECOND DEATH, WHICH IS CHOOSING ETERNAL REJECTION OF JESUS, AND SENTENCING THEMSELVES TO THE SECOND DEATH, WHICH IS THE LAKE OF FIRE ETERNITY.
But in the NEW heaven and NEW earth, & NEW Jerusalem SIN AND DEATH they are done away with FOREVER. Instead of the curse, the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. That’s quite an exchange, AMEN?
The throne of God and of the Lamb: It is a throne of righteousness, but no less a throne of grace.
“His servants shall serve Him:” Heaven will be a place of work and service for God’s people. However, this is a picture of the pure blessedness of service rather than arduous, curse-stained toil.
“They shall see His face:” Heaven will be a place where God’s people see HIS FACE, a place of intimate, face to face fellowship with ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF.
REMEMBER Moses was denied the privilege of seeing ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF face to face (Exodus 33:20-23), MOSES DID SEE, TALK WITH, MEET WITH, JESUS CHRIST, FACE TO FACE, but everyone in heaven shall see ALMIGHTY GOD’S face.
We learn TWO GREAT THINGS here.
FIRST, we SHALL literally and physically, with our NEW bodies, actually BE ABLE TO look into the face of ALMIGHTY GOD.
SECONDLY, that spiritually our mental faculties shall be enlarged, so that they shall he enabled to look into the very heart, and soul, and character of THE TRIUNE GOD….JUST AS JESUS DOES…REMEMBER THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT WE WHO LOVE AND ARE SAVED AND REDEEMED BY JESUS CHRIST, BECOME CO-HEIRS WITH HIM IN HEAVEN.
BUT REMEMBER ALSO because of Jesus, we can know something of the face of God right now:
WHERE?
2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us…“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Yet, Paul also anticipated a GREATER fulfillment of our seeing the face of God:
WHERE?
1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us…“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known.”
In that day there will be NOTHING that obscures our vision of Jesus or Almighty God.
This will be the greatest glory of heaven: to know God, to know Jesus, more intimately and wonderfully than we ever could on earth.
WE WILL BE FACE TO FACE WITH OUR JESUS…AND FACE TO FACE WITH ALMIGHTY GOD AS WELL.
“His name shall be on their foreheads:” Heaven will be a place where God’s people will forever be identified with their God, and there will NEVER be any doubt that they belong to Him.
“There shall be no more night there:” Heaven will be a place where the darkness of this age will be GONE FOREVER.
REMEMBER NIGHT AND DAY AND SEASONS WERE CREATED FOR MANKIND & EARTH ALONE….AND FOR NATURE, AND FOR THE ANIMALS…SO WE COULD TELL TIME, KNOW WHEN TO REST, WHEN TO WAKE, WHEN TO PLANT, WHEN TO REAP, WHEN TO STORE UP…IN THE NEW EARTH AS WELL AS IN HEAVEN…THERE WILL BE NOOOOOOOOOOO NEED FOR NIGHT…WE WILL NO LONGER NEED TO SLEEP/REST TO LIVE. WE WILL NO LONGER NEED TO PLANT/HARVEST/STORE UP TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES, AND NEITHER WILL NATURE OR THE ANIMALS, AMEN?
“They shall reign forever and ever:” Heaven will be a place where God’s people enjoy an eternal reign, in contrast to the limited duration of the Millennium. It will NEVER end. A PERFECT city, a & a PERFECT world, where we will spend time with Jesus and Almighty God and fellowship with each other in PERFECT harmony, love, laughter, peace, fun, and joy.
Parting words.
(v.6-7) The angel and Jesus add words of verification.
“Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
In these last few verses of the Book of Revelation, we hear parting words from a variety of persons. The themes make sense no matter who speaks: verification, invitation, and warning.
“These words are faithful and true:” The angel that has shown these things to John declares & reminds a STUNNED & AMAZED John that it isn’t too good to be true. John is assured that ALL he has seen, been shown, been told ARE in fact faithful and true.
“The things which must shortly take place . . . I am coming quickly!” As John reminds us of the suddenness of these events, Jesus Himself breaks in with a reminder TO JOHN AND TO ALL OF US He is coming quickly.
WHY does it seem that it has been so long? Thousands of year later we are STILL waiting. Was Jesus wrong here?
The word quickly in the ancient Greek isn’t the same as our word for “quickly.” The word Jesus uses more accurately means SUDDENLY.
Still, the early church expected Jesus’ return soon --- were they just wrong, or did Jesus mislead them?
NOT AT ALL.
God wants to keep all generations expectant, watching, and READY for His return.
“Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book:” This BLESSING reminds us that prophecy gives us a word to KEEP, not merely material for interesting discussions and debates. The main intent of prophecy is to lead us to trust and obey God, CHOOSE JESUS CHRIST AND JESUS CHRIST ALONE AS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD, AS THE ONLY PATH TO ETERNAL LIFE, AND AS THE ONLY TRUTH IN THIS LIFE AND THE ONE TO COME.
THE TRIUNE GOD WANTS US TO APPLY His truth to the way we live.
(v.8-9) John is corrected for worshipping an angel a second time.
“Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY JOHN KEEPS FALLING DOWN TO MISTAKENLY WORSHIP AN ANGEL.
THERE ARE TWO REASONS…JESUS CHRIST IS EVER A PATIENT TEACHER AND FATHER AND FRIEND, AMEN?
THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS THAT THESE ANGELS OF THE TRIUNE GOD, COME STRAIGHT FROM THE THRONE, & SHINE SO MUCH BRIGHTER THAN EVEN OUR SUN…SO JOHN IS STUNNED AND BLINDED AT FIRST BY TH PURE BRILLIANCE OF THE LIGHT SHINING FROM THEM.
SECONDLY, JESUS CHRIST SAW INTO THE FUTURE, AND KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE THOSE WHO PRAY TO, SEEK, AND WORSHIP ANGELS IN AND OF THEMSELVES, JUST AS DECEIVED AND MISLED MANKIND THEY WILL KNEEL AND WORSHIP MAN’S CREATED RELIGIOUS ICONS, IDOLS, AND GLOBAL LEADERS…
JESUS TELLS US TO WORSHIP NONE BUT THE TRIUNE GOD. SEEK NOTHING AND NONE BUT JESUS CHRIST WHO IS THE ONLYYYYYY WAY, THE ONLYYYY TRUTH, AND THE ONLYYYYY LIFE & THE ONLY PATH THAT LEADS TO GOD AND AN ETERNITY IN HEAVEN THROUGH JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, AMEN?
“I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel:” As he did in Revelation 19:10, John is overwhelmed, and bows before an angel in worship.
In the same way, the angel reminds John that only God & Jesus Christ is to be worshipped, and that they are both “players” on the same “team” - along with all who keep the words of this book.
WHY?
It IS repeated and stressed here, because mankind MORE SO NOW THAN EVER BEFORE IS fascinated with angels, with praying TO ANGELS, praying to mortal men, praying to any number of things and people. Some even foolishly worship/pray to/call upon Michael & Gabriel or angels in general. THIS is WRONG. THIS is DANGEROUS. No created being should ever be worshipped. This is in contrast with Jesus, who receives the worship of angels (Hebrews 1:6) and of men (Matthew 8:2; 14:33; John 9:38).
MANKIND’S MAN-MADE CREATED RELIGIOUS GROUPS MAY INTEND honor and good by worshipping Angels, or the apostles, or Mary or others out of the Bible…but it IS WRONG.
NONE… NO ONE deserves our worship and our prayers but for Jesus Christ.
WHY just Jesus? Because Almighty God has told us and Jesus has told us… Almighty God PUT/PLACED ALL things into Jesus’ hands. Jesus is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth, and the ONLY life…and NO ONE comes to THE FATHER but through His Son Jesus Christ.
You WANT to HEAR from Heaven? Then petition Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ ALONE is our mediator/advocate with Almighty God.
“See that you do not do that:” It is striking & a REMINDER that even JOHN who knew Jesus on earth, then was reunited with Him in Heaven, SAW & was given all these future visions, these prophecies STRAIGHT from Jesus and Almighty God could STILL go astray.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS THE GOD WHO SEES ALL, KNOWS ALL, CONTROLS ALL.
EVEN 2000+ YEARS AGO…JESUS SAW MANKIND…YOU AND I TODAY…SO THIS IS A WARNING AND A REMINDER to us…BE NOT DECEIVED…that supernatural visions and revelations do NOT ALWAYS mean that someone is correct in their doctrine, teaching, or practice.
NOR THAT VISIONS, REVELATIONS CAN ONLY COME FROM ALMIGHTY GOD AND JESUS CHRIST.
Seek confirmation in scripture…and through patient discernment of the prophecies/visions/teachings given in THE HOLY BIBLE, THE TRIUNE GOD’S WORD…BEFORE you simply believe it when someone SAYS OR TELLS you Jesus showed me this; God told me this; and Angel showed me this. SEEK Jesus people.
JESUS SAYS I CHANGE NOT…AND HE DOES NOT.
JESUS SAYS I CAN NOT LIE…AND HE DOES NOT.
(v.10-11) A warning is given, either by the same angel or by Jesus.
“And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
“Do not seal the words of this prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand:” Because the time is at hand, and history now runs parallel to the brink of the consummation of all things, this book isn’t sealed.
JESUS CHRIST WANTS ALL MANKIND TO READ, SEE, KNOW AND UNDERSTAND HIM, HIS WORD, HIS PROMISES, AND ENDTIMES.
JESUS CHRIST KNEW THEN…AND IS EXPOSING IT RIGHT HERE…THAT HE KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE MAN-CREATED RELIGIONS AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS WHO WOULD REMOVE REVELATION, AS WELL DANIEL, AND OTHERS FROM THEIR “RE-CREATED, REVISED, UPDATED, NEW AGE WORD” ON PURPOSE AND DELIBERATELY AND THIS IS A WARNING TO PIOUS, POMPOUS MAN-MADE RELIGIONS…THAT THOSE WHO REMOVE, DELETE, CHANGE, ALTER ONE WORD HE HAS GIVEN MANKIND WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE…FOR THEIR WILLING AND KNOWING DECEPTIONS.
This is in contrast to Old Testament prophecy (Daniel 8:26); men seal the Book of Revelation in defiance of God’s command.
Jesus KNEW that mankind would TRY to seal THIS BOOK. The Roman Catholics, the Mormons, The Muslims, The Jehovah Witnesses and others HAVE done it or ERASED parts of THIS book as well books and passages of The Bible that SPEAK AGAINST THEIR OWN MAN-CREATED, MAN-MADE RELIGIONS AND TEACHINGS.
There are those in the Protestant churches who REFUSE to read, study, or teach Revelation. They SAY it has a CURSE and they do NOT wish to be cursed or bring a curse upon their flock.
THIS is a LIE…a DECEPTION straight from the pit. Jesus PROMISES a BLESSING in REVELATION 1 to ALL who read, seek, and study Revelation.
The CURSE is for and is placed upon ONLY those who WILLINGLY, KNOWINGLY SEEK to SEAL AWAY, ERASE, DESTROY, CORRUPT, TWIST, OR ALTER Jesus’ words found here in Revelation & throughout The Bible IN ORDER TO DECEIVE THE LOST AND THEIR FOLLOWERS.
“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still . . . he who is righteous, let him be righteous still:” The thought here is probably “since Jesus is coming so suddenly, there won’t be time for change.” There will be NO LAST SECOND REPENTANCE, SALVATION AT THE SUDDEN RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH, but there is time NOW. If what you have read in Revelation hasn’t changed you, convicted you, made you stop and think, and re-evaluate your “manmade religious beliefs/ teachings….if you are NOT moved….if you DISMISS…and CHOOSE NOT TO SEEK TO KNOW…NOW THAT JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF HAS TOLD YOU, WARNED YOU…there isn’t much hope that THE SUDDEN RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH, THAT THE GREAT TRIBULATION, NOR THAT THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF JESUS CHRIST ON THIS EARTH WILL CHANGE YOU EITHER!
If the pleas of Jesus, Almighty God, and their angels to REPENT NOW….if the FUTURE ENDTIME warnings of Revelation, affirmed and confirmed throughout The Old Testament are NOT sufficient to bring about change in mankind, in us, and bring a RUSHING to Jesus and Almighty God while there is STILL time…there is no more that God & Jesus can do for mankind.
(v.12-13) Jesus declares: I am coming quickly.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
“And behold, I am coming quickly:” Do you NOT HEAR the PLEA, the note of URGENCY, THE ABSOLUTE WARNING, and the SOB of DREAD in Jesus Christ here? His message is always be ready AS JESUS SAID IN Matthew 24:44.
“My reward is with Me:” If Jesus will give to everyone according to his work, does that mean we are saved by our works? No, but it does show that living faith will have works with it …CONFIRMED TO US IN James 2:20; Titus 3:8.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last:” As an added incentive for us to do and be what is right, being ready for Jesus’ return, He LOVINGLY & ADAMANTLY REMINDS us all just WHO HE IS. If we really know and understood who Jesus is, we will not have any trouble being ready for His return.
The term Alpha and Omega is applied to God in Revelation 1:8; 21:6; and here ALONE to Jesus Christ, crowning proof in this book of Christ’s deity.
The title the First and the Last is also irrefutable proof that Jesus is Yahweh, the Lord: I, the Lord, am the first; and with the last I am He.’” (Isaiah 41:4)
These terms together mean that Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end for the Christian.
Preach orthodoxy, or any form of doxy; if you HAVE left out Jesus Christ, there is NO manna from heaven, NO water from the rock, NO refuge from the storm, NO healing for the sick, NO life for the dead.
Charles Spurgeon says it best…. “If you leave out Jesus Christ, you have left the sun out of the day, and the moon out of the night, you have left the waters out of the sea, and the foods out of the river, you have left the harvest out of the year, the soul out of the body, you have left joy out of heaven, yea, you have robbed all of its all. There is no gospel worth thinking of, much less worth proclaiming in Jehovah’s name, if Jesus be forgotten.”
(v.14-15) A blessing and a curse is pronounced by either John or by the angel, since the usage of the words “HIS COMMANDMENTS.”
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
“Blessed are those who do His commandments:” Doing His commandments does NOT earn us eternal life (THAT IS LEGALISM), but IF WE ARE SAVED AND REDEEMED BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST…it IS THEN evidence that we have been granted eternal life. Besides, there is an inherent blessing in doing His commandments, because they are good and right for us.
“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers:”
Waitaminnit here you think?!?! What is this about those outside? Some WRONGLY teach that “outside the walls of heaven” means multitudes will throng, longing to get in.
They ARE wrong in this thinking. New Heaven/New Earth is NO Heavenly NOAH‘S ARK, where Jesus and His Children are safe and enjoy the BEST of Heaven and Earth…while the REST of the impure, unsaved, evil, and corrupt world lives outside of it…beating against the walls & the doors begging admittance for eternity.
This VERSE tells us that ONLY those who know, love, have invited JESUS CHRIST into their hearts and lives, and call Jesus Christ Lord and Savior WILL SEE and WILL BE ADMITTED and WILL spend eternity in Heaven.
ONCE AGAIN, THE GOD WHO SEES ALL, KNOWS ALL…SAW 2000+ YEARS AGO…THE NEW AGERS…THE RELIGIOUS CULTS…THE MAN-MADE RELIGIONS THAT WOULD TEACH THAT…
WE ARE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN…THAT IS A LIE STRAIGHT FROM THE PIT OF SATAN HIMSELF…THAT IS TWISTING GOD’S WORD.
WE ARE ALL CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. WE ARE ALL CREATED FROM THE VERY HAND AND BREATH OF THE TRIUNE GOD….BUT ONLYYYYY THOSE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WHO DIED IN FAITH BELIEVING IN THE PROPHESIED HOPE OF JESUS CHRIST AND ONLY THOSE FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT FORWARD, JEW AND GENTILE ALIKE, WHO CHOOSE TO REPENT, WHO CHOOSE TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AND JESUS CHRIST ALONE AS LORD AND SAVIOR…FIND THEIR NAMES WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE.
ONLY THOSE ARE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY THE TRIUNE GOD AND ONLY THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE NAME CHILD OF GOD…CO-HEIR WITH JESUS CHRIST.
THOSE THAT TEACH THAT ….ALL PATHS LEAD TO GOD…ARE DECEIVED BY THE GREATEST OF DECEIVERS SATAN HIMSELF.
THERE IS BUT ONE PATH TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND HEAVEN…AND THAT IS IN/THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ALONE.
THERE ARE THOSE MAN-MADE RELIGIONS THAT TEACH THAT THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION, THAT THEY ARE THE ONE TRUE FAITH…AND THAT TOO IS A LIE STRAIGHT FROM THE PIT OF SATAN.
THE ONE TRUE FAITH IS NOT A RELIGION, A BUILDING, A LEADERSHIP, NOR AN ORGANIZATION…THE ONE TRUTH FAITH IS JESUS CHRIST. THE TRIUNE GOD DOES NOT HAVE NOR SHARE A THRONE OR WORSHIPFULNESS AND HOLINESS WITH ANY MAN, NOT ONE, BUT FOR HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLYYYYYYY INTERCESSOR, THE ONLYYYYYYYY ADVOCATE THAT CAN AND DOES REACH ALMIGHTY GOD.
THE TRIUNE GOD DOES NOT HONOR NOR HEAR NOR ELEVATE ANY MAN, ANY LEADERSHIP, ANY RELIGIOUS HEAD UNTO HIMSELF AND HIS PRECIOUS SON JESUS CHRIST.
BUDDHA, ALLAH, HOLY SAINTS, THE ANGELS, OR ANYYYYYYY MORTAL MAN TITLED YOUR HOLINESS, OR THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAN-MADE IDOLS, RELIGIOUS ICONS, ARE NOT FROM GOD…
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLYYYYYYYY REPRESENTATIVE OF ALMIGHTY GOD…THE ONLYYYYYYY WAY…THE ONLYYYYY TRUTH…AND THE ONLYYYYY LIFE.
IT DOES NOT GET ANY CLEARER, PLAINER, AND SIMPLISTIC THAN THAT…SO MUCH SO THAT EVEN LITTLE CHILDREN CAN SEE, KNOW, AND UNDERSTAND IT, AMEN!
REVELATION NOT ONLY REVEALS JESUS CHRIST TO THE LOST AND THE WORLD….REVELATION REVEALS AND EXPOSES THE CREATIVE, DECEPTIVE LIES OF SATAN HIMSELF CREATED BY MAN-MADE RELIGIONS. JESUS CHRIST WANTS NONE DECEIVED. JESUS CHRIST WANTS NONE TO PERISH…SO HE SHOWS US THE LIES, THE DECEPTIONS OF SATAN, THE WORLD, AND MAN-CREATED RELIGIONS.
AND IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH….JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, ONCE AGAIN TELLS US IN THE NEXT VERSE…
(v.16) Jesus brings a word of verification.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you:” With these solemn words, Jesus authenticates the entire book. And since Jesus KNEW that mankind would TWIST & DISTORT & SEEK to throw DOUBT on the authenticity of Revelation…Jesus patiently and ADAMANTLY tells EGOCENTRIC, SELF-AGGRANDIZING, ARROGANT, & OR GULLIBLE mankind in simple, easy to understand words that HE AUTHORED this book. It IS ALL TRUE.
“To testify to you these things in the churches:” The Book of Revelation is written to Jesus’ SEVEN CHURCHES. This book is not a private affair, knowable only by an elite - it is for ALL. THE CHURCHES OF JESUS AS WELL LOST AND SEEKING MANKIND. It’s also worth noting that this is the first reference to the church since the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
“The Root and offspring of David:” This is a precious Messianic title (Isaiah 11:1). It shows that Jesus is both the Creator of King David and His descendants. Jesus spoke to this same idea in Matthew 22:41-46. Jesus is TELLING the JEWISH people… I AM HE! I AM YOUR MESSIAH.
JESUS WANTS THE NATION OF ISRAEL…AS WELL ALL GENTILES TO KNOWWWWWWWW THAT HE ISSSSSSS THE MESSIAH. JESUS REPEATS THESE NAMES FOR HIMSELF, NAMES OF HIM FOUND IN THE OLD TESTAMENT TO VERIFY AND PROVE THAT HE IS THE NATION OF ISRAEL’S MESSIAH…THE LONG AWAITED MESSIAH PROPHESIED TO THEM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS A WHOLE, THOSE WHO DO READ AND BELIEVE THE OLD TESTAMENT ARE RITUAL AND FEASTS FOLLOWERS, BUT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE NOR READ THE NEW TESTAMENT…RIGHT HERE…JESUS IS TELLING THEM WHO HE IS..
WHY?
BECAUSE ONE SWEET DAY, THE NATION OF ISRAEL AS A WHOLE WILL REALIZE WHO JESUS CHRIST IS TO THEM.
“Bright and Morning Star:” This is another Messianic title from the Old Testament (Numbers 24:17) and the New Testament (Revelation 2:28). Just as the Morning Star (generally held to be the planet Venus by the world) shines and welcomes the new day, so does Jesus.
These Messianic titles ALSO let those Messianic Jews, those Complete Jews…meaning those who know and have ALREADY accepted Jesus Christ AS their Lord, Savior, and Messiah since JESUS CHRIST RETURN TO HEAVEN, will TOO be “caught up with His Church during The Rapture. They will NOT be left behind TO GO THROUGH THE GREAT TRIBULATION.
(v.17) The Spirit and the Bride say to all: Come!
“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!:” Is this an invitation to Jesus, asking Him to return? Or is it an invitation to those with a spiritual thirst to come to Jesus? It is either or both & true.
THIS IS A CALL TO WHOSOEVER WILL…THAT MEANS ALL, THAT MEANS ANY THAT COME TO JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS IS CALLING THE PROTESTANTS, THE BUDDHISTS, THE ISLAMICS, THE ATHEISTS, THE NEW AGERS, THE SATANISTS, THE CATHOLICS, THE WICCANS, THE PAGANS, THE SCIENTOLOGISTS, THE HINDU, THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES, THE LATTER DAY SAINTS, THE JIHADISTS, THE AGNOSTICS….ANYONE AND EVERYONE…IT IS A PERSONAL INVITATION FROM OUR PRECIOUS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF…
“Who can come?” Him who hears CAN come to Jesus, but they can’t come unless they hear. Him who thirsts CAN come to Jesus, but they can’t come unless they feel their thirst. Whoever desires CAN come, but they can’t come unless God works in their heart to desire Him.
So how do you know if Jesus Christ HAS worked in your heart? Go through a little checklist:
Have you heard of Jesus?
Are you thirsty for Jesus Christ & eternal life?
Do you want Jesus Christ?
Are you seeking HOPE in a devolving lost world….COME TO JESUS.
DO YOU SEEK HIM THROUGH HIS WORD?
Then COME!
“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely:” This is an OPEN 24/7/365 invitation to receive salvation from Jesus. He will NOT deny/exclude ANYONE who comes to Him. THERE ARE NOT CERTAIN DAYS, OR SEASONS, OR FEASTS, OR HOLIDAYS THAT MANKIND CAN COME AND RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST.
ANY TIME….ANY WHERE…BY NIGHT, BY DAY, IN YOUR HOME, IN THE DESERT, ON THE STREET, AT YOUR JOB, IN THE HOSPITAL, IN THE FIELD OF BATTLE….COME….COME…CALL UPON THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES….JESUS CHRIST AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED.
JESUS SAYS…COME!
This is a precious invitation, that is BOTH an opportunity and a responsibility. If we DECLINE Jesus’ invitation, we have only ourselves to blame.
JESUS CHRIST IS A GENTLEMAN. HE DOES NOT ENTER INTO THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO IGNORE THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF THEIR HEARTS…HE DOES NOT FORCE ANYONE. HE WAITS PATIENTLY & PRAYERFULLY FOR THE INVITATION.
JESUS DOES NOT OPPRESS NOR DOES HE POSSESS…TAKE OVER THE HEART AND THE MIND OF THE UNWILLING.
HE WANTS TO BE CHOSEN…HE WANTS PERSONAL ONE ON ONE LOVE WALK, ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF HIS CREATION.
SO HE WAITS…HE STANDS AT THE DOOR OF EACH HEART…GENTLY KNOCKING…
A similar invitation is extended in Isaiah 55:1. The invitation to come is an urgent command, “for the day will arrive when it is too late to come. Now is the day of grace. The hour of judgment is impending.”
“Glory in the greatness of the invitation:” whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely! Anyone who desires salvation in Jesus Christ can come to Him and take the water of life freely.
“Some say, but I do not UNDERSTAND all things in The Bible. Jesus tells us…COME anyway, because Jesus doesn’t say whoever UNDERSTANDS, but he who DESIRES, let him take the water of life freely.
Some have said…but I can’t repent the way that I should. My heart is hard and I can’t even weep over my sins or FEEL bad over them as I should…. Jesus says COME anyway, HE doesn’t say whoever FEELS, let him take the water of life freely.
Others have said…I don’t know if I CAN LIVE the Christian life the way that I should….Jesus says COME anyway, because HE doesn’t say whoever CAN, let him take the water of life freely.
Or they argue….I don’t know if I am WORTHY to live the Christian life…Jesus says COME anyway, because HE doesn’t say whoever is WORTHY, let him take the water of life freely.
Jesus says WHOSOEVER WILL…There is NO standard…NO qualifier here. Above are you a human being? Do you breathe air? Does your heart beat? If so then YOU DO qualify!
It is REALLY this simple: do you desire Jesus and His salvation? Then come.
Can you say, “Now, Lord JESUS, I desire to be saved, give me a new heart; I desire to give up my sins; I desire to be a Christian; I desire to believe and desire to obey you. But I have no strength to do this. I have the desire, give me the power.” If this is your desire, then you are freely invited to come, if you are only willing. There is no barrier between you and Jesus except your stubborn will & freewill CHOICE.
“Let him take the water of life freely:” When you desire, when you come, then you must TAKE. All of this world’s religions can be summed up in the idea that they ALL EXPECT, ORDER, AND DEMAND THAT you must BRING something, PAY SOMETHING to give unto the gods.
The essence of Christianity is summed up in the idea that God invites us to TAKE the water of life freely. You can’t bring anything to save or justify or commend yourself before God, but you can TAKE the salvation He offers through the blood sacrifice and grace and mercy freely given BY JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!
(v.18-19) JESUS brings a warning - HERE IS THE CURSE.
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
“If anyone ADDS to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book:” Jesus GIVES this warning to those WHO TEACH, PROPHECY, AND SAY THEY COME IN HIS NAME…THOSE WHO KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY LIE, TWIST, AND DECEIVE LOST AND SEEKING MANKIND.
THIS IS A DIRE WARNING JESUS GIVES US STRAIGHT FROM HIS FATHER.
“If anyone adds . . . if anyone TAKES AWAY:” This means that there is a high price to pay for tampering with THE BIBLE & the Book of Revelation specifically, and the Scriptures in general.
This solemn promise also implies that the Book of Revelation CAN BE understood.
(v.20-21) Last words.
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
“Surely I am coming quickly:” To the very end, the Book of Revelation emphasizes readiness and watchfulness. If we miss this practical lesson from the Book of Revelation - the lesson of readiness - then we miss the essential message of the book.
If the statement “I am coming quickly” were not enough, Jesus puts emphasis on both sides - surely before and amen after. Jesus ADORES, loves, forgives, saves, and WAITS for us. He wants us SPARED, REDEEMED, SAVED & READY for Him.
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” With this phrase, John uses an Aramaic expression that was well known in the ancient church: Maranatha!
The Book of Revelation concerns many prophetic events, but the book closes with John returning to earth from Heaven and Jesus and ALREADY LONGING for the return of Jesus for His people - he wants the rapture of the church. John WANTS to go home to be with HIS JESUS.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen:” This book (and the Bible) ends with a word of grace, and grace for all.
Charles Spurgeon, a wonderful man of God, who is in Heaven now sums it up best….
“Whatever you may miss, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be always with you. In whatsoever points you or any of us may fail, may we never come short of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”