BCBC - Sermon - Rev 22

The future things nearly all occur after to the rapture of the church in a pre-tribulation, pre-millennial understanding. Very important to understanding the overall book – This view that (1) Jesus will return to setup a literal physical kingdom of Israel over earth and (2) even more so

This book is the only book that has the audacity to proclaim a blessing to the one who reads it and pays attention to it (Rev. 1:3: “Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near”

To keep the words can have an overtone of obeying it, when we see commands that are directed to us. However, it can also refer to just knowing it, studying it too. It is in this spirit, the blessing for both reading this book and knowing what it says f the future that I want to endeavor looking at how the book concludes.

It is in this spirit, the blessing for both reading this book and knowing what it says f the future that I want to endeavor looking at how the book concludes. Indeed, it is the Bible’s final message, and arguably the last message the Lord Jesus gave

Indeed, it is the Bible’s final message, and arguably the last message the Lord Jesus gave to usWe do not believe in a Jesus that personally speaks to us today, though some

We do not believe in a Jesus that personally speaks to us today, though some called Charismatics may claim so through the Spirits work. But rejecting that kind of “Jesus spoke to me,” this is indeed the last words Jesus Christ has personally spoken to his church and therefore they are of concern

Intro to the conclusion in verses 6 through 11What has directly preceding: New Jerusalem

What has directly preceding: New Jerusalem vision following the 1,000 years.

The Angel revealed the future so we would know it and pay attention to it (22:6-7).I. The entire book Is in view

I. The entire book Is in viewI

II. The Angel gives self-attestation, he says “I’m telling you the truth.” But it is on the authority of some one else.

III. It seems that this phrase “The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets” may have in view all the prophets of history?

IV. The future events seem to be focus.

V. Jesus breaks in. I’m picturing a vision of some kind where the angel was speaking to John, but then the Lord breaks in and says “I am coming quickly.” And here’s where you have the bookend of the book tied in with what I read before in the beginning in 1:3. The Idea of coming quickly may mean “suddenly” or shortly. We have to understand this in context, as I mentioned our overall big picture

The Idea of coming quickly may mean “suddenly” or shortly. We have to understand this in context, as I mentioned our overall big picture eo the end times. If our view of the rapture is correct, then Jesus is promising his quickly coming to take us hom,e and to kick off the whole book.

John who saw and heard these things is to not keep them from God’s people, but they may still not respond to it (22:8-11).

John also saw and heard these things, but he wrongly reacted to the angel in his excitement and was corrected to look to God (22:8-9)I. John too self-attests, in a sense you can see the agnel and John

I. John too self-attests, in a sense you can see the agnel and John attesting to these things and thereby being a “two or three witnesses.II.

II. This is understandable. It is n’t the first time in this book that John did something like this, but it is understandable. He did not intend any blasphemy through it.III. The Angel says “don’t do it!”

III. The Angel says “don’t do it!”IV. The angel identifies with three groups – John, the other prophets, and those who are paying attention to it!"

IV. The angel identifies with three groups – John, the other prophets, and those who are paying attention to it!"

John must share these truths even though people may persist in their current state (22:10-11).I. v10 adds that the time is near, near in the sense of soon to happen. So you have both the idea of it happening imminently, and the time being near, the rapture again arguably in view.

I. v10 adds that the time is near, near in the sense of soon to happen. So you have both the idea of it happening imminently, and the time being near, the rapture again arguably in view.II Why would John seal this up? There is a time in the past when a prophet was commanded to seal up the prophecy

II Why would John seal this up? There is a time in the past when a prophet was commanded to seal up the prophecy – the book of Daniel near the end in 12:4 says so.III Verse 11 is unusual.

III Verse 11 is unusual.

The Transcendent, Davidic Christ is coming soon to Reward those cleansed by His blood who pay attention to this book (22:12-20a)

Jesus is coming with a reward for believers who do right (22:12-13).I.

I. Again, he is coming quickly.II. His reward is not a focus of this book, so it is somewhat significant that it is found here.

II. His reward is not a focus of this book, so it is somewhat significant that it is found here.III. Jesus is saying this to motivate the readers, and us by

III. Jesus is saying this to motivate the readers, and us by conncection.

IV. Note however, we are not in danger of punishment. No, 1 Corinthians 3 describes a loss of reward that happens when we do not do what we ought in this life. But this loss is not a punishment V.

V. Examine yourselves—as yourself, are you doing the things God has called you to do. Are you doing it for Him? Jesus wants us to walk by His spirit. This means moment by moment yielding to Him, living in accord with our heavenly identity

When Jesus comes, he will give to believers the glorious right to the blessings of eternal life (22:14-15).

I. This is a passage that is difficult because there is some disagreement about what v14 says, and also what it means.II. If anyone has a KJV Bible, you may notice that what I read here is not what your Bible says.

II. If anyone has a KJV Bible, you may notice that what I read here is not what your Bible says. I adopt based on the combination of the different copies that are earlier than the ones available at the time the KJV was translated. as well as slightly on the context here, that this reading is to be preferred. Note that I do believe that Pastor Dave usually preches from the New American StandardIII. Even amidst this question, there is a question on two ideas. Is this referring to our position before God as a washed sinner or is it referring to our current state as one who has kept his way pure? The Bible refers to both

III. Even amidst this question, there is a question on two ideas. Is this referring to our position before God as a washed sinner or is it referring to our current state as one who has kept his way pure? The Bible refers to both in other contexts.IV.

IV. Most notably, two chapters earlier in Rev. 19:8. V. The contexts are different.

V. The contexts are different.VI. This is one of those difficult passages. I take it as referring

VI. This is one of those difficult passages. I take it as referring ot our justification before God. This is a one time cleansing. It has more to do with the kind of cleansing that was in the priesthood, which is a very different cleansing than the wedding garments. V15 then contrasts the evil doers with these people. Now, it is understood that naturally, we will have fruit but only those who are not saved are in these categories.

V15 then contrasts the evil doers with these people. Now, it is understood that naturally, we will have fruit but only those who are not saved are in these categories.

We must proclaim the free gift of salvation today (22:16-17).

I. Clearly, Jesus is now speaking but I argue he was speaking the previous as well. He is again pointing out that these messages are for the seven churches. He is especially identified with King David, bring and morning star/

King David draws from Isaiah 11

The Bright and morning star: “and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.” (1:16)

II. Then several invitations are given. Come…Come to what? Come to drink the water of life! This is how every person can wash their robes.

It’s as if the whole church is speaking

We must heed the warning to be faithful to sound doctrine based on God’s revealed Scriptures (22:18-19).I. Hard passage too.

I. Hard passage too. There is an allusion to Deu 4:2-4 “You shall not add to the word which bI am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I am commanding you. 3 aYour eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed 1them from among you. 4 But you who clung to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you.” II. Third

II. Third person is more general though the second person would be included.

III the context of Deuteronomy and the book are written to believers. However, the overall context here is what is important and and the preceding verse may point to the unbelievers being in view.IV. Note again if you have a KJV that the outcome of

IV. Note again if you have a KJV that the outcome of taking away from the book is the book of life not tree of life. Perhaps both really have the same sense, but it does strike us harder to say you lose the name in the book of life, thinking back to Rev 20, than to lose the tree of life which echoes of the garden. VI. One final comment—people do accuse translators of the Bible of “taking away” from it.” But let us be clear that when we think about

Some have misinterpreted these verses as teaching the possibility that eternal salvation, once granted, can be lost through unfaithfulness and disobedience. However, verses 17-19 are addressing one group of people throughout, namely, the lost—those who have never been saved. Here, the Lord first presents a gracious invitation to the lost to take the gift of life (v. 17) followed by a solemn warning to the same audience (unbelievers) not to reject God’s Word (vv. 18-19). In verse 17, God and the corporate Church (“the Bride”) beckon the lost to “come” to Christ in order to freely receive eternal life before it is too late. Next, verses 18-19 warn the hearer against adding to or taking away from the words of the book of Revelation. Rather than teaching that the believer can lose eternal life, these verses are descriptive of unbelievers. – Tom Stegall

V. The point here is that unbelievers are warned. We too would be liable to this punishment if we weren’t already part of the family of God.

VI. We must though obey this. Don’t practically add to it with worldly ideas or take away from it by excluding certain teachings.

John eagerly desires Jesus to return just as he promised and concludes with the beatitude of grace to the churches (22:20-21).

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