Come, Lord Jesus

Before we begin, I want to pause for a moment and think about Revelation 20-22 in light of the end of Ezekiel, because I think it might help with some grand pictures.

First, the vision in the Valley of the Dry Bones. Ezekiel prophesies to bones that have no semblance of life left in them. And what happens? The Word of God through the prophet combines with the Spirit of God to bring dead things to life. We know that: Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” with Ephesians 2:1 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” and Ephesians 2:4–5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”. Those who have faith in Christ have come alive by the grace of God, death to life.

Now, think of Ezekiel 38-39 and the imagery of God and Magog, or Gog from Magog. Here are some high-level notes from Ezekiel 38-39 and the larger context extending through chapter 48.

Gog (from Magog) picks up on imagery from Genesis 10. It seems it is intended to show any and all violent kingdoms. Gog is allied with seven nations from all directions of the compass, a representation of all nations. Remember that Satan, at his release, gathered nations from “the four corners” for the final “battle” against God. Gog and Magog are used similarly to the kings of Egypt and Tyre — an archetype of rebellion against God’s good rule (similar to how Babylon is also used).

Gog is consumed in Ezekiel, once by an earthquake, twice by fire, and one time God strikes him in a field where he will be consumed by birds and all sorts of beasts of the field. Remember how the birds of the air were summoned in Rev.19:17 where the beast and false prophet were judged, and then again how Gog and Magog were consumed with fire as soon as they encamped with the dragon around the people of God. In Ezekiel, the prophet uses a full employ of poetic symbolism to describe Gog’s fall. It’s meant to portray God fully defeating evil in order to pave the way for His new creation. (For this new creation, read on through chapter 48!)

So, reading through chapters 40-48, and painting with big strokes, we get:

Ezk 40-46 showing a new temple and city.

It is larger and more complex than Solomon’s temple. Remember that the NT temple includes all of God’s people everywhere.

There are new priests, a new altar, and a new system of worship. Remember that in the NT, saints are priests, Christ provided a once-for-all sacrifice on the altar of the cross, believers daily lay down their lives as a reasonable service of worship, and true believers worship God in Spirit (being born again) and truth (in accordance with God’s full revelation).

God’s glory chariot returns in Ezekiel (Ezk.43). This is fulfilled in the NT when the Spirit of the Lord descends on His people at Pentecost.

Ezk 47-48 picturing a river flowing from the Temple, filling the Dead Sea Valley, and teeming with life in a way that is very reminiscent of the Garden of Eden.

It serves as a reminder that God’s plan has always been to restore His creation to His life-giving presence.

This is underscored by the last line of Ezekiel: “The LORD Is There” (this is the name of the new city [Ezk48:35]).

All this to say, there are deep spiritual realities described though symbolic language in Ezekiel that are again repeated at the end of Revelation, culminating in the final defeat and rebirth of the world in a glorious, new way.

That’s a lot, but it seems to really inform what is happening at the end of Revelation!

Divine Presence

The first part of chapter 22 could be taken with the end of 21, because it really continues the idea of God’s presence with His people in the new created order.

Continuing the picture of a new Eden, there’s a river of water that flows from the throne of God. And, the tree that mankind was cut off from accessing, the tree of life, is there as well. The tree yields its fruit year round. There’s never a season of want or shortage, no fear of drought or famine. And, it’s leaves bring healing to the nations. All are united under the Kingship of Christ. The curse is ended. What was spoken of by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 47:12 “And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.””) has fully come to pass.

Under His good rule, the curse is undone. The tiresome burden of survival and the pain of death are removed. All of life becomes worship as we carry out God’s purpose for mankind — to worship and obey (the idea of abad and shemar, the two words used for “work” and “keep” in Gen.2:15, directly relate to the worshipful obedience carried out by priests later in the OT).

The prohibitions of sin, the shrouded and guarded presence of God is gone. We’ll see Him face to face because we bear His name on our foreheads. Remember how Moses was told it was impossible to look on God’s face and live (Exodus 33:20 “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.””)? That’s gone. Because we bear His name, because we’ve been made pure through Christ, we see Him in His glory and splendor. We worship Him in the splendor of holiness (Psalm 96:9 “Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!”)

How glorious is it to know that there is a unified theme running throughout Scripture, that begins with Eden and God’s presence with His creation, and ends with Eden and God’s presence with His new creation? How comforting to know that this world is not all that there is?! Can you imagine if that were the case…to live in a sin-sick and scarred world only to pass from this life and that be it? The presence of God in Eden with His people is meant to be a reminder that there is a purpose for it all. Even the hardships shape us into His image and stir in us a longing for the better earth, similar to how the fall left us longing for the better Adam. Rejoice. Let your heart be comforted. This world is not the end.

Divine Proclamation

The trustworthy and true nature of what has been said underscores “the centrality, authority, and sufficiency” of God’s word. Throughout Scripture, God is communicating, and His word is foundational for all thought and life for the believer. The angel testifies here about the nature of that word.

Then, Jesus speaks…pretty emphatically! He reminds His church that He is coming soon, and that there is blessing in embracing and living according to what Revelation reveals. Remember, this book is meant to be fuel for the fire of our faithfulness, to encourage us to stay the course, to stand firm, and to faithfully serve our Good King.

John, overcome by it all, he’s tempted to worship the angel again. Part of me is like, “How?” But, there’s the reminder that all of this centers on Jesus. It centers on the Lamb who was slain but is now gloriously reigning. So, worship God!

Whereas Daniel was told to seal up the words of his prophecy, John is commanded the opposite. Daniel’s prophecy didn’t need to be revealed until the end, but John is told that the time is near. With Christ’s first coming, so too arrived the kingdom of God, inaugurated with the death and resurrection of Christ. We are living in the end times, looking forward to the return of Christ, the defeat of Babylon, the dragon, the death of death, and a new Eden.

The statement concerning let the evildoer… remembers Dan.12:1... There have been evidences throughout the Book that there are two groups: the ones who belong to God and the Ones who follow the beast. Further, the wicked only harden their hearts toward God when faced with judgment. So, a person's position becomes cemented.

Jesus speaks again. But, the fact that He is coming soon is more than just a comfort, but a warning as well. When He returns, He will bring recompense — just payment for a person’s deeds. He will return as the Divine Warrior off Isaiah 62-63. He first came as a suffering servant, but when He returns…a conquering King. (PREACH THE GOSPEL HERE)

It’s through the gospel that our robes have been washed, granting access to the tree of life, and freeing us from the fear of being cast out…or left out…of the city of God. There is a contrast set up between vs. 14 and 15, between those who dwell in the city wearing the robes of righteousness, and those dwell outside, not belonging to the city. This isn’t to say in the new creation there are those who practice these things. It’s the dualistic tone of Revelation…you’re either in the city or not. Those not in the city are those who have practiced unrighteousness, those who were judged according to their deeds in chapter 20.

Jesus speaks for the third time to remind the saints that He is indeed the One. Being the root and…descendant of David declares Jesus as the One who is both a “son” to David and simultaneously Lord. These are obvious Messianic references, particularly to the promise that David’s seed would rule on his throne forever (2 Sam7:12-16).

I’m not sure what comes to mind when you think about the end. But, if we’ve only read Revelation to find a timeline of events…if we’ve only focusing on the things…if our concern has only been on how confusing the millennial reign can be…then we’ve missed it. This book, getting here to this chapter, seeing the times our call to faithfulness is rooted in “I am coming,” it reminds me of the beginning of the Revelation. You see, Revelation 1:1 (“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”) seems to make this much clear — this is the Revelation of Jesus, both from Him and concerning Him. Whether He is the Lamb who is standing as though He had been slain (preach the death and resurrection), or the conquering King with robes dipped in blood (our Warrior and our Refuge), or the fact that He is coming soon (His promises are sure — see John 14), this has all been about Him. The end of history isn’t an event…it’s a person, and His name is Jesus.

Divine Provision

This last portion, verses 17-21, are book-ended with grace. Verse 17 reminds us that the living water comes without price, and the encouragement at the is this: the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Grace is our entrance into the kingdom (Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”). Grace is necessary for every step of the faith along the way (2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”). And here, at the end of the book, grace is underscored again and connected to our passionate plea — Come! It is all of grace. This IS the divine provision.

The plea from the Bride, who is indwelt by the Spirit, is come. What else could it be? Saints have now heard the promises of the Lamb, have been given a glimpse into the future of the world, and coming spiritually alive through the Spirit, cry out by the Spirit for the final page of history to fall.

There is a dire warning here as John concludes this prophetic apocalyptic epistle to the churches — do not hinder what has been said. Do not add to and do not take away. Doing so carries grace consequences, and it draws again on OT truth (Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”; Deuteronomy 12:32 ““Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.”; Proverbs 30:5–6 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”) And, the warning of spiritual death falls in line with the judgment warning of Deut.18:20-22 concerning prophets who spoke without divine authority. Those who would seek to altar what God has stated here reveals the true nature of their heart. If we were to add to this word, we’re claiming some tradition of man is on par with God’s revealed Word, becoming nothing more than a functional pharisee. If we take away, we prove to simply be among the many in who wanted pleasing words rather than unfettered truth. Lord helps us, then. Instead, what has been said is what God intends us to know. May our lives be ordered accordingly.

A final declaration, “Surely I am coming soon,” is emphatically greeted with “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Why do the saints passionately desire the return of Jesus? He is indeed their greatest treasure, the burdens of Babylon are heavy and dreadful, and they long for the end of all the tormentors a fallen world has used to berate them.

In a rather standard closing for NT letters, John says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” However, this is more than just a letter closing. It serves as a fit reminder that the call of Revelation, to faithfully obey until the end, will only be accomplished by the grace of Jesus. The means by which God is glorified, the means by which God glorifies Himself, is by providing all that is necessary for the saints. God’s grace is necessary if we are to faithfully endure.

As we come to the end of this book, a couple of final thoughts: First, preaching through the book was a bit like a living parable — persevere until the end! All joking aside, as we get to the end, I do not believe John writes Revelation as a secret code for the church to try and decipher and bicker about the timing of how it all ends. What I do believe is that this book draws heavily on OT imagery in order to reveal to us history’s pattern, that eventually human kingdoms become “Babylon,” seduced by greed and power and the lust of the flesh. God’s people are called out of her, called to resist Babylon and remain faithfully obedient to Christ through the power of the slain Lamb. Revelation also gives us God’s promise: the Day of the Lord will come, and Christ will set up His forever rule, and the wicked will be judged, and sin will forever be dealt with, and evil will eternally be removed from this world. Together, we have been given power motivation to stay faithful to Christ the King until we depart from this world or He Himself returns. To God be the glory!