Come
Notes
Transcript
Vv.12-13:
As previously noted, the word quickly does not necessarily mean that He is coming soon (according to our standard of time).
It does mean that He is coming swiftly and suddenly.
In the twinkling of an eye, and like a thief in the night, Jesus’ return will be swift and sudden.
When He does return, He will bring His reward with Him.
When this happens, born again believers can look forward to being rewarded for their labor.
Believers can look forward to being rewarded for their labor.
Believers can look forward to being rewarded for their labor.
Isaiah 40:10
Isaiah 40:10
Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.
With this, Jesus reiterates here that He is God (v.13).
This is important, both to the promise of His return, and the promise of His reward.
Only the eternal God can promise a return at some undefined point in the future.
As God, He has the unique ability to both return and reward.
V.14:
Here, in accordance with Jesus bringing rewards, is the introduction of an important doctrine.
John has at least a dozen writings about keeping the commandments.
John has at least a dozen writings about keeping the commandments.
1 John 2:3
1 John 2:3
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
John 14:15
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Let’s not read anything into this that is not there.
The Bible doesn’t say that keeping the commandments brings salvation.
Salvation is not of our works, but of the work of Jesus Christ.
Salvation is not of our works, but of the work of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Our works are simply evidence of our salvation.
What the Bible does say, is that keeping the commandments brings blessing.
This is where modern Christianity gets all mixed up.
We seek the blessing, but not the obedience.
We want all the “good stuff”, all the love, mercy and blessing without any of the accountability.
We want to use our liberty to live however we desire, and still gain God’s favor.
It simply doesn’t work like that.
This doesn’t mean that we can live however we want and still be in God’s good graces.
This doesn’t mean that we can live however we want and still be in God’s good graces.
Romans 6:1-2
Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 6:15
Romans 6:15
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
The ultimate reward, the ultimate blessing will be realized in eternity. . . To be able to enter the gates and have the right to the tree of life.
V.15:
But then there are those on the outside.
These are those who are in the lake of fire.
They never had their sins washed, because they rejected Christ.
As such, they are outside the city, because they are outside of God’s will.
It’s not His will that any should perish, so rejecting Christ is the ultimate violation of God’s will.
The only just reward for that is hell.
Vv.16-17:
Here is but one more confirmation that this message is for us, today.
He has sent His angel to testify these things in the churches.
He again emphasizes who He is, and it is God!
Not only is He God, but He wants people to hear His message, as He emphasizes the water of life, once again.
Come! Come!
The Spirit (God) says Come!
The bride (the church) says Come!
All who hear (accept) the Gospel say Come!
All who thirst are invited to come.
There is not a more clear cut invitation to receive God’s free gift of eternal life than this invitation.
We live in a world where people are dying of thirst, a dehydrated world. Yet they won’t drink the water!
This is why it’s so important that we be salt!
It is important for Christians to be “salt.”
It is important for Christians to be “salt.”
Matthew 5:13
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Salt makes people thirsty, it entices them to drink.
If you are salt, people will want the living water that you are offering.
However, if you aren’t salty, you are useless.
This is what it means to be the salt of the earth, it’s necessary if people are going to drink the living water of Jesus Christ.
This is nothing less than an urgent call to fulfill the great commission, but what are we doing about it?
Vv.18-19:
With the plea for souls comes the final warning.
Do not add to or subtract from this book.
It’s not hard to figure out that if God’s word is changed, it ceases to be God’s word.
While the immediate context of this scripture applies to the book of revelation, the same principle applies to the entirety of the Bible.
We have no liberty to change the Bible.
We have no liberty to change the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Proverbs 30:5-6
Proverbs 30:5-6
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
Deuteronomy 4:2
Deuteronomy 4:2
You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
This tells us that we have no liberty to change the Bible.
It is a stern warning with severe penalties.
This also implies that the true believer would never willingly and knowingly tamper with the Word of God.
It must be assumed that those who twist scripture are not true believers, and have no part in the book of life.
The apostolic age is over, and there are no more prophets (in the sense of any new revelation from God).
This conclusively marks the completion of Scripture with this book.
Vv.20-21:
With the completion of the Word of God comes a very appropriate closing. . . A promise of the return of Christ.
This is what it’s been about all along!
We should look forward to His coming.
We should pray for His coming.
We should work toward His coming.
And we should know that the grace of God will be with believers all the while.
There is only one way to receive God’s grace, and that is through Jesus Christ.
There is only one way to receive God’s grace, and that is through Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
He freely offers His living water.
He freely offers His living water.
John 7:37
John 7:37
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
The book ends with an urgent plea: “Come, Lord Jesus!”
We don’t know the day or the hour, but Jesus is coming soon and unexpectedly.
This is good news to those who trust him, but a terrible message for those who have rejected Him.
Soon means “at any moment,” and we must be ready for him, always prepared for his return.
Will Jesus’ sudden appearance catch you off guard?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
