Soon and Very Soon

Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Revelation 22:1-21
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. 6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Sing the song “Soon and Very Soon.”
Soon and very soon we are going to see the king. Soon and very soon we are going to see the king. Soon and very soon we are going the King. Hallelujah, Hallelujah we’re going to see the King!
No more crying there…
No more dying there…
Occasionally we need to remind ourselves that the Lord is soon coming and we shall see Him face to face. Last week in chapter 21 we talked about how He is coming to make all things new. A new heaven and earth that is more than we could ever imagine, that is insured by the faithfulness of God, and is an inheritance to us who have put our trust in Him.
Chapter 22 is a reminder that very soon, and very suddenly the Lord Jesus will appear again on the landscape of human history. He will restore everything that was lost in the fall. We will once again have access to the tree of life and its healing fruit. We need to be looking with anticipation for His return. But also we need to have peace now while we’re waiting! Chapter 22 is a fitting summary and conclusion to the book of Revelation.
What is the book of Revelation? It is a letter to the churches encouraging them in their faith during difficult times.
What does the book of Revelation teach us about the world? In this evil world we will have trial, difficulties, sorrows, and tribulation.
What does the book of Revelation teach us about our faith? Our faith is enough to give us victory over sin, Satan, and the world. Genuine faith in Jesus Christ will see us through every test, trial and tribulation.
What does the book of Revelation teach us about Jesus? He is glorious, victorious, the eternal reigning king of heaven. He has not forgotten us or forsaken us, but He will vindicate, save, and exalt us! He will return as He promised.
How should we apply the book of Revelation to our lives? This is where I want us to plant this morning. I want us to draw some conclusions for ourselves from the book of Revelation.
We Have All Been Affected by the Curse.
We Have All Been Affected by the Curse.
There is a warning in chapter 22 that Jesus will soon come and we need to be ready, but this warning is also a proclamation of hope.
Hold on, don’t lose hope, Jesus will be coming soon!
Why such an issue of hope?
Because we have all been ravished by the affects of the curse.
Last week I made an unplanned statement that was poorly worded. I said that suicide was the worst of all sins. I didn’t say this from a theological standpoint that suicide is more unforgivable, mortal, or hideous than other sins. I meant it from the affects that it has on those of us who are left behind.
After I made the statement I wondered why I even made the statement at all since it was unplanned. I then wondered and talked to others about why I used those particular words. Every time that I find myself having to talk about this subject, I feel a tension and fear in my spirit.
I began to pray this week about this matter, and why the subject makes me feel as it does. Friday morning as I was praying God shook me to my core. The reason I have the tension and fear when addressing the subject is because I have lost someone I loved and respected that way, and I have felt the fear, guilt, and helplessness that comes with it and it is the worst feeling. I have felt the fear and concern that someone will misconstrue my words.
Why do I bring this up again? Because it became evident to me that we carry in our spirits the scars of living in a cursed world.
We know what it is like to feel helpless against our circumstances.
We know what it is like to struggle with addiction, temptation, disappointment.
Unfortunately we know what betrayal, abuse, humiliation, intimidation, and harassment feels like.
We know what its like to be discriminated against and labelled as unworthy or useless.
We know what it is like to be hated, look down upon, and falsely accused.
We know what it is like to be guilty, liable, defensive, and cruel.
We know what it is like to be lonely, unwanted, or looked over.
We know what it is like to make bad decisions, mistakes, and costly errors.
We know what it is like to racked with physical and emotional pain that doesn’t seem to end.
I could any number of combinations of the hardships, difficulties, abuses, and tribulations of this world. You name it and someone has experienced it, and we wear the scars, fears, depression, shame, and trauma of this cursed world. In other words, we know all to well what it is like to live in this world.
ALL OF US HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE CURSE. WE HAVE SCARS THAT WE AREN’T EVEN AWARE OF YET! REVELATION IS REMINDING US OF THIS FACT! LIFE IS NOT EASY, IT IS NOT FAIR, IT IS NOT WHAT WAS INTENDED, AND IT IS NOT PERFECT, BUT PERFECT IS COMING!!
The second conclusion we can draw from Revelation 22 is:
Jesus Has and Will Remove the Curse.
Jesus Has and Will Remove the Curse.
You may say that as weird way of saying that, he has and will remove the curse.
You must realize that both are true.
We see things as they unfold in time, but God sees it all at once beginning to end.
That’s why the Bible says “the lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world.” In eternity Jesus died for mankind before mankind was ever created. The curse was nullified before it was ever enacted in history. The work is finished. It is done as stated in Revelation 21:6
6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
Christ has already accomplished and secure our release from the curse that afflicts this world, we just haven’t fully realized it yet.
You may say, how does that help me any? Do you know what the difference between hope and hopelessness? A finish line! This week as I was preparing for Jinny’s funeral I was thinking about a song that we used to sing called Beulah Land.
I’m kind of homesick for a country, to which I never been before. No sad goodbyes will there be spoken. For time won’t matter anymore. Beulah land, I’m longing for you. And some day on thee I’ll stand. There my home shall be eternal Beulah land sweet Beulah land.
The second verse is especially relevant to what I’m trying to say:
I’m looking now across the river. To where my faith shall end in sight. There’s just a few more days to labor. Then I will take my heavenly flight.
We don’t toil for nothing. The curse will not hold us down forever! We may feel the pain and carry the scars now, but one day the curse must release its hold on us. Listen to Revelation 22:3
3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
The finish line for us is the presence of God when every tear will be dried, darkness will be taken away, and the curse will be removed.
The third conclusion is this:
Jesus Invites Us to Come.
Jesus Invites Us to Come.
Isn’t it fitting that the Bible ends with an invitation? Listen to Revelation 22:17
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The invitation is to step out of the ranks of those who live helplessly and hopelessly under the bondage of the curse, and to step into a new world where the curse doesn’t control you.
Step out of darkness into light!
Live a life now that sees beyond the grave into glory!
Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Church in one accord say come.
The invitation is for whoever desires to come. My prayer is that this morning we would accept Jesus’ invitation to come.
Let’s pray:
Response:
Response:
Will you come this morning and allow Jesus to heal the wounds that the curse has left on your life?
Will you come and allow Jesus to fill you with hope?
Will you come and lay down your burdens?
Will you come and be made new?