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Revelation 22

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see! When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, Than when we’d first begun.” John Newton

How do you respond to the promise of the Lord’s return? John’s last chapter can help you take inventory...

“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. 3 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.” Revelation 22:1–5 (ESV)

“In the new Jerusalem will be the tree of life, off-limits to people since Eden but now available for nourishment and healing. The city’s glorious light will proceed not from the sun but from the very person of God himself. Heaven will be a place of energetic commercial and social activity, whose gates will never close.The Millennium will last for 1,000 years, but the new Jerusalem will last “forever and ever.” (Dr, Harold Wilmington, Bible Handbook)

“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.” 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.” Revelation 22:6–9 (ESV)

The angel restated the purpose of the visions John had seen. Christ once again declared he was coming soon and pronounced a blessing on those who would keep his Word. And John, for the second time, tried to worship his angel guide but was prohibited from doing so.

“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.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Revelation 22:10-12 (ESV)

Are you doing the work He has called you to do? He promises to reward faithful servants.

“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. 16 “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.” Revelation 22:13-17 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Our Lord’s own validation of John’s prophecy. As the Root, Jesus established God’s plan to send the Savior through David’s descendants and created David’s ancestral line beginning with Adam. As the Offspring, He brought that plan to fulfillment. From the beginning to the end He is our Savior. As the Morning Star, He is our full reward. When He comes, darkness flees.”

Are you treasuring His Word and obeying it? This is His message to you, and it must not be altered. There is a special blessing for the obedient.

“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.” Revelation 22:18–21 (ESV)

John ended the report of his visions with the warning not to add to or take from what had been revealed and stipulated a severe penalty for doing so. While John intended his warning only for this one book, it unquestionably applies to the entire Bible as well. Finally, one last promise from the Lord: “Yes, I am coming soon!”

Do you really want Jesus to return today? Do you “love His appearing?” If Jesus were to come today, would you be disappointed and your plans be upset?

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Are you urging lost sinners to trust Him and be ready for His coming? The Holy Spirit works through the church to bring lost people to the Savior.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)

Who are you praying for to become a new creature in Christ and ready for the new heaven and earth.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
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Will you invite them to receive Jesus?

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