Well, here it is. Today we finish the book of Revelation and thus the entire New Testament. This brings a flood of emotion, memory, and recollection to my mind. I started my study of the new testament almost exactly one year ago on and here I sit 363 days later finishing an exhaustive, intense study of every God breathed word of the New Testament. When I started this journey one year ago I had one question to myself. “What will I be like after spending one full year intently studying God’s Word?” “What will change within me?” I’ll have to tell you after living one year in the Word daily, it’s not what has changed within me, but what has not changed within me. I sit here a different person. The mighty power of God’s Word can truly change us if we let it, and I am a living testament to that. Let’s finish out Revelation with its final powerful chapter, chapter 22.
22:1-2 – “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Up until now we have not seen or heard of any vegetation, foliage, or water in Heaven. Now we see it. Flowing directly from the throne of God is a beautiful crystal clear river that flows right through the center of Heaven. I can only imagine how this river will sparkle in the pure light of God. Notice it comes directly from the throne of God. God is the source; the true living water can only come from God.
On either side of the street is the tree of life. Don’t confuse this with the tree of knowledge that was in the Garden of Eden, different tree. The tree of life will be a very special tree indeed. It will not just produce one fruit but a variety of 12. In fact, it will produce one different type of fruit every month in rotation. I’ve had a lot of fun speculating about this with the youth in the past and about just exactly what food will be like in Heaven. I can’t imagine Heaven without tacos but apparently, we will all be vegetarians (or fruitarians) in Heaven because that’s all we’re told about its food. But maybe one of the fruits is taco flavored? And maybe another is pizza flavored? Whatever it is, it will be the best ever, not because of the food but because of the company. We’ll be eating it with Jesus.
We’re told the leaves will be for the healing of the nations. We’re not really sure what this means and why there is need for healing as their will be no death, sickness, tears, pain or disease.
22:3-5 – “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
There will be purpose in Heaven. Most people think of Heaven and think we’ll just be floating around on clouds playing harps and being bored. Not so. There will be a great purpose in Heaven. That great purpose? Worshipping God and His precious Son Jesus Christ. Folks, I have a question for you and I want you to think it over very deeply. If Jesus wasn’t in Heaven would you still want to go? Think about it. Most people I talk to think Heaven is like winning the lottery. They see Heaven as a personal playground after they die. I hear, “When I die and go to Heaven I’ll get a mansion and all the fancy cars I want and all the expensive food I can eat and anything I want will be mine” and on and on. They see Heaven as only there to give them their own selfish desires. So prideful the hearts of men.
Heaven is the eternal home of God and if you have accepted Jesus as your king and Savior you will one day be afforded a home in Heaven with God. Is that why you want to go? To be with God? I’ll go out on a limb here and say that if you’re not going to Heaven to worship and serve Jesus then you’ve got the cart before the horse. You need to understand Heaven and our purpose there. We will be loving, gracious servants of Jesus Christ and we will serve him for eternity. And folks, it will be the most glorious, precious time you could ever imagine. The eternity of believers is to be with God, I hope that you long for just that today.
We will see His face. Oh glory day when we get to gaze upon the face of Jesus! To see His nail scarred hands. To look upon the lover of my soul. To see the Son of God that came down to this sin-filled world and died a horrible death on a cross. To gaze upon the King of Kings that rose in triumph three days later to defeat the death of sin forever. To lovingly look into His eyes and see my Savior that made a way. He made a way for me…and for you, to stand in this place. Folks, are you really getting this? We will one day be able to look upon the face of God because of what Jesus did for each of us upon that cross! We should be running up and down the streets today shouting with joy! If you havn’t listened to the song “I can only imagine” listen to it again today and think about the day you look upon the face of Jesus. It’s what the song (and being a Christian) is all about.
I love that His name will be on our foreheads. In historical Texas when you bought a calf, steer, or heifer, you would brand it with your personal mark. That was proof of ownership. You went to great personal expense to buy this head of livestock and you want to protect it. You fence it in, you feed it, you keep it healthy, you take great responsibility for it because it’s yours. Friends, we were all bought with the greatest price ever put forth. (1 Cor 6:20) We were bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He owns us, He purchased us out of the death of sin, and He will care for us, feed us, nourish us, and love us throughout eternity. What a blessing it will be to have His name upon our foreheads! We are His!
Once again, we see great mention of the fact that there will be no need for eternal light in Heaven. The light of almighty God will illuminate the world and the worlds beyond the worlds. Here we’re told that because God is pure light there will no longer be any night. It will be daylight forever.
22:6-7 – “And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
It is now Jesus speaking to John, “and He said to me.” As we wrap up the entire book, Jesus takes the microphone and has some parting words. And what words they are. I have a question for you. Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe that it is the Words of God? Do you believe all of it? Do you believe that Jonah was swallowed by a fish and that a donkey talked to Balaam? In closing this book, Jesus addresses all of this. “These words are trustworthy and true.” Folks, I don’t know what else you need but this. If you don’t believe Jesus when he tells us His words are all true, then you should probably just shut His book now. None other than the Son of God has just told us Himself in closing that all of His Words are true and trustworthy.
There’s the old saying that “you can take that to the bank” and folks this is one trillion times more bankable. God’s Word is true, you can trust it, and it will come true exactly as He said it will. The coming of Christ to Earth fulfilled over 300 prophecies that people said could and would never happen. But they ALL did, exactly as He said they would. Every single detail of Revelation will happen just as Jesus said it will. Why? Because He is the truth, He is the Life, and He is the way. (And because He just told us…)
Jesus next says, “I am coming soon.” This translation is better read I am coming “quickly.” It means that when this does all happen, that it will happen quickly and without delay. “I come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10) It will be like the blink of an eye. Do not read this as He will be here shortly, soon, or next week. No one knows when Jesus will return….NO ONE.
Once again, we hear the echo of His promise for the keeping of this book. Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible that carries a blessing with it. We’re told of this blessing way back in Rev 1:3, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
22:8-11 – “8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
John affirms yet once again that he is the one that is seeing, hearing, and writing down these things. God is making sure we clearly understand the factuality of these events. As John hears these statements from Jesus, He is greatly moved and falls to His knees in worship and it so happens right in front of the angel. The angel tells him to get up, you do not worship angels. This is one of several instances we find people trying to worship angels only to be rebuked. Angels are fellow created beings and are not to be worshipped by us. The angel gives John a simple rebuke, “do not worship me, worship God.” John is told not to “seal up these words.” God intends for this book to be open to all and for all to know. Jesus is coming and all should know of it.
22:12-15 – ““Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Jesus’ return has a purpose. There are simply two types of people in this world, those who accept Jesus and those who do not. When Jesus returns this is all He will be concerned with. He says “blessed are those that wash their robes.” This is those that have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They have washed their filthy sin-stained robes in the blood of the lamb, making them white as snow before God. As a result they will “have the right to the tree of life and they may enter the city by the gates.” Those that have called upon Jesus will be allowed into Heaven.
But here comes the second group, those that have refused the salvation of Christ. “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Folks, there is no simpler message in all of God’s Word. It is rejected by the world as too harsh and declared as false by millions because they don’t want to address its truth. If you are a child of God you will be admitted into Heaven because of Jesus, not because of anything else. But if you reject Jesus or just simply don’t believe anything He said is true, you will not be allowed into the presence of God in Heaven. As a result of not being allowed into Heaven you will be cast into the pit of fire. This is not a pretty picture and not one people want to believe, but just because you don’t believe in it doesn’t make it untrue. This is a fact of life that will personally affect everyone that has or will ever live. Where will you go today?
22:16-17 – ““I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."
This is the only time in God’s Word you will hear Jesus refer to himself this way, “I, Jesus.” Folks this is important stuff. Jesus wants us all to know that He is personally speaking these worlds to all of us. Not just to John, or Mark, or Mary, or Lazarus, or Peter. Jesus sent His angel to John to testify of these things. He told us they are true and trustworthy. Jesus then declares His root and reaffirms His standing as God. Next He yet once again makes an offer for all to accept His salvation. Jesus is always making an offer. Will you believe? If you are thirsty come and drink of the water of life. The offer for His salvation is always open. He is always ready to save lost sinners. Always.
22:18-21 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Jesus closes with a harsh warning for all. Do not tamper with this book. Do not take away from it and do not add to it. Either will bring dire consequences. Jesus closes the book of Revelation and the entire New Testament with 5 simple yet powerful words…”Surely I am coming soon.” The Lord Jesus Christ will be returning to fulfill every act that we have been studying in the book of Revelation over the last month. Every single fact, act, and description will play out exactly as He said it will. He is true, He is trustworthy and when He does come to fulfill these things it will be like the blink of an eyelid. Are you ready for that day? I am and I long for it.
Come, Lord Jesus!
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