The Truth of God's Word

Revelation 22:11-13

What does it take to convince a person of the truth? In a world of so much skepticism, people are reluctant to believe what another is saying.

As Revelation comes to a close, it has been revealed what is going to take place at the end of time. And though we believe it to be true, there are others who will read this book and disregard the truth found in it.

John has bore witness to plan of God. Many people desire to know the plans that God has in store, yet fail to realize that he has told us his plans. They are written in these very pages that we read. God is not rewriting his plans.

The Bible that we have in our hands is not a draft that is to be adjusted or edited for time. God has shared with us exactly what he has planned. Now it is up to us to believe it or deny it.

The next three verses in our study, speak on this, one verse is spoken by the angel who is guiding John, and the other verses are the words spoken by Jesus.

(Read Scripture)

Now remember in our previous study, John was testifying that he bore witness of these things by seeing them and hearing them.

He is trying to convey to the seven churches and to us, that what he is telling us is the truth and not some made up tale.

Now in these three verses, we find three main things being shared with us. Let us look at these truths and absorb them into our hearts and minds. The first thing we find is in verse 11 and that is…

Verse 11 - The Response to the Reading

· The angel is speaking here to all of the seven churches. Now remember, the seven churches were real churches of the day, but they also are the illustration of the church of today.

· Each church had its unique way of serving the Lord. Some that received praises by the Lord and some that were reprimanded for their behavior.

· Now this book was sent to these congregations, and these people were to read it and study it and respond to it.

· And their response to the reading would be critical in regards to their life. Some of the people who would read this would choose to live unjust lives.

· Now this is a terrible way to respond to the Lord. Think about it, here Christ has revealed his plans for the end of time, and he has shared those plans, and there would be those who read it, and instead of repenting and turning to Christ, they would choose to remain in their sinful lifestyle.

· What is an unjust person? Well this is a person who chooses wrong over right. This is a person who disregards the truths of the scripture and lives life to their benefit.

· An unjust person is a person who will deny the Spirit of God and instead choose themselves.

· There are many adjectives that describes an unjust person, but perhaps it can be more easily understood by saying an unjust person can be an evil person, or an unrighteous person, or a person who lives in wrong behavior.

· Sadly, we find this statement is spot on in its assessment. There have been many who have read or heard the truth of God’s Word, and choose to ignore it and live an unjust lifestyle.

· Well, there will come a point where Christ will turn them over to this lifestyle and they will never come to know the Lord.

· The scripture points out the unjust but it continues and also states those that are filthy let him be filthy still.

· Again, don’t misunderstand the intentions of the Lord. The Lord desires that all be saved. It is not that the Lord desires for all humanity to perish. He loves us.

· But not all choose to love the Lord back. And those who openly refuse to accept the Lord’s offer of salvation, will remain in their filth.

· When the scripture talks of filth, it is not talking about literal dirt and grime that accumulates on our bodies throughout the day.

· Instead the scripture is referring to the person who is morally filthy. Occasionally we encounter people like this.

· Individuals who seem to find pleasure in immoral behavior. They look at evil things as being good. And this is becoming more prevalent in our society.

· What makes a person think that it is acceptable to teach kids immoral lifestyles, to sit them before individuals who dress in ungodly attire and tell them they can be like this if they want.

· Why has our television entertainment become so vile in the stories and shows it broadcasts?

· We live in a filthy society. And friends the filth is everywhere.

· And what do we find, that the Lord through this Word tries to reach people, and there are those who hear and read it, and instead of being made clean. They choose to remain in their filthy attire.

· They have become comfortable in the lifestyle and refuse to change. And so, the angel makes the statement, let them remain then in this mindset.

· If they choose to be unjust or filthy, let them stay that way. It isn’t that the Lord didn’t want to save them, but they made the choice to remain the way they were.

· It breaks the Lord’s heart that people want to choose death over life, it is their choice, a choice that God gives the free will for a person to make.

· But not everyone chooses to live against the Lord, in fact, there are many who choose the exact opposite, and the angel addresses these two groups also.

· He states those who are righteous let them remain righteous. Now understand when we are born into this world, we are born unrighteous.

· In fact, Paul makes this clear in Romans 3:10. By saying that none are righteous, no not one.

· Regardless how good a person might live, apart from Christ, their lives are filthy. In fact, the scripture teaches us in Isaiah 64:6 that all our goodness is like filthy rags.

· But the good news is this, that Christ came to bestow his righteousness upon us.

· 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

· Now Christ’s righteousness is imputed onto us, meaning, when God sees us, he doesn’t see our sins, he sees Jesus.

· What the angel is saying then, those who have the righteousness of Christ, let them remain faithful.

· Remember what we read in Revelation, times were going to become quite difficult. There would be great calamity and terror happening in the world.

· It would be easy for a person just to walk away from their faith and follow after the antichrist, but God didn’t call us to take the easy road, instead he called us to take the righteous road.

· And so, the angel is offering strength and encouragement to those read these words and remain faithful to Christ.

· The angel goes on to say, those who are holy let him be holy still. And again this goes back to Christ.

· A person cannot be righteous or holy apart from Christ.

· In the last days, the world would be filled with evil. In fact, immorality would be the way of life. Doing the right thing by serving Christ, would be looked at with disdain. In fact, living for Christ would get you killed.

· Christ set us apart to be different, he did not call us to be like everyone else. And in these last days, many people would forsake holiness and choose the easy path of destruction.

· Compromise is perhaps the biggest adversary to holiness. We see it more and more today. It is imperative that we remain faithful to the word, regardless of how destructive society might be.

· Now the key word that we find in this verse is the word “Still”. Four times it is repeated. Each still denoted a category of life. As this world becomes ever increasingly sinful, let us still be righteous and holy through Christ Jesus.

Verse 12 - The Recompense at the Rapture

· Now the second thing we see in our study is found in verse 12 and I’m calling this the recompense at the rapture.

· Understand that this is no longer the angel who is speaking, but instead this is Jesus. And he shares important details in regards to his plans.

· First, he says that he comes quickly. And when he says this it has a double meaning.

· The first meaning that we take from this, is that the Lord will come for his church in a quick manner in regards to length of time.

· The best way for us to understand this is by looking back at life. How quick was it for you to grow up? How quick did high school go by? How quick was it for your kids to grow up?

· What seemed like a long time while it was happening, was in reality a short brief time. And the same holds true in regards to Christ coming.

· It has been near 2000 years since the Lord ascended into heaven, but in reality its only been a brief moment.

· Time quickly escapes us, so, when Jesus says he comes quickly, it will be just that.

· The second meaning to coming quickly, is the actual time frame of his arrival or when he is seen. His appearing when he comes will not be a slow and drug out entrance.

· Instead, his appearing will be that like the twinkling of an eye, the flash as lightening, as a thief in the night.

· So, when he says quickly, he means just that. There is no preparing for the Lord when he appears, that is why we are to be ready now.

· Now, the Lord tells us when he comes, that is bringing the reward with him.

· Don’t misunderstand when we read reward, this reward can be a positive or negative. For a righteous person will be rewarded for their faith in Christ, and a person who rejected the Lord and choose their own path, will be rewarded for their deeds.

· Just because it is a reward, doesn’t necessarily mean it is implying something good. For some it will be good, but for others it will be bad.

· What then is the reward. Well, there are two rewards giving. For those who choose to trust in Christ, they will be rewarded with eternal life.

· For those who rejected Christ, they will be rewarded with eternal damnation.

· So, what Christ is referring to here, is that he brings individual judgment on man.

· Now for us who are believers, this is exciting to read. It is very much like a father who has been away for weeks, who has told his children that if they are good he will bring them home a present.

· In the light of that promise the children have put on their best behavior. Then, one night the phone rings and. sure enough, it is Father with the words “I’m coming home. I’ll be there soon and I have kept my promise. I have something for you all. Have you been behaving yourselves?” That is what the Lord is saying here! He’s coming back; He keeps on telling us that as the Book runs quickly toward its end; He is coming back, and His rewards are in His hands.

· It is important to remember, that we are not saved by our works, but we are rewarded for our works.

· To call our selves God’s Children, and refuse to work for him, is a contradiction. There is a great work to do, and we must serve him and his kingdom.

· Now don’t try to insert yourself into the role of Christ when it comes to looking at others and their work.

· For we might see just a small portion of a person’s life and we may think that they don’t work for the Lord.

· Praise the Lord we are not judged eternally by our peers, because our peers do not see everything, but Christ does.

Verse 13 - The Regard of the Redeemer

· Now verse 13 gives us our third point of our study and that is the regard of the redeemer.

· Christ shares with us once again his name. And he gives it to us in three ways. The first ways is with the first and last letters of the alphabet.

· What Christ is saying, is that all things that are and ever will be are in him. He is the creator. Everything we know is understood with 26 letters. We put those letters in different combinations to make sounds that we interpret as words.

· Well every thing that is seen, heard, felt, tasted, and smelled is because of Christ. He is the creator.

· He is also as we see, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

· Who was first? God. How will be last? God. This world didn’t exist until the Lord spoke it into existence. And at the end of this present world, God will be the one who finishes it.

· You see, we were not the first. We are not the last. We fall in the middle of all of it, as the Lord’s plan comes to a conclusion.

· Those words that the Lord gives, should sound in our ear and serve as a reminder of who the Lord is. He should be the first and last in our life. I like to think of it like bookends.

· If Christ is first and last, then what is in the middle should be supported by the Lord.

· What the Lord has told is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.