A Glimpse Of Glory 20

Perfection Is Coming Quickly

Text: Revelation 22:1-11

Introduction

Our perfect Savior is coming, a perfect new heaven and earth are coming, and our new city to dwell in is coming quickly.

The very first part of Revelation 22 is a continuation of the new Jerusalem in chapter 21. What you need to notice is the shift in emphasis. John goes from describing the provisions made by God to those who follow the Lord.

Andie and I have gazed upon

1) God’s Perfect Resources (v1-5)

A. The water of life:

“zōē” = life (state) n. — the condition of living or the state of being alive; especially healthiness, happiness, exuberance, energy, vitality, and the like.

No pollutants in the water. Clear as crystal.

It flowed from throne where both the Father and Son are seated.

Don’t imagine this throne as a large center seat and lower one to His right where Jesus is seated.

They are seated on the same throne at the same level; They are equal!

What does it symbolize?

It symbolizes eternal life.

Remember the kind of language Jesus used with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-14).

It gives us the picture about entering in to an eternal fullness of life with God. The blessings given to us are by nature eternal. They eternally satisfy our spiritual thirst. Revelation 22:17 “17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

B. The tree of life:

Located in the middle of the purely transparent golden street.

To be on either side of the river, it would seem as if it is in the middle of the river with it’s foliage branching out to either side of the river. (not sure)

a) The tree has a unique provision:

Could this be 12 in number or 12 in variation? Maybe both.

One thing is for certain, this fruit is a “reproducing” fruit.

It is never empty and always fresh.

The water source from God’s throne feeds the tree to be a provision that is wholesome, and the health and happiness of the saints.

APP — I have always thought of how many of the things we eat have caused much of our bodily infirmities. However, when you eat from this tree, there is only health and preservation.

Think back to the Garden of Eden — Genesis 2:9 “9 And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

Q — At what point were Adam and Eve not permitted to eat of the tree of life?

Now because of the offering of Jesus’ life’s blood, we can enter back in garden of Eden-like city where the tree of life is free to enjoy once again.

Q — Have you ever wondered, “What did God do with the tree after forcing Adam and Eve out of the Garden?”

Did God reserve it somewhere for this particular time in the new city?

Is this the very same tree?

The Greek word for “tree” is the same one used when describing how Jesus died!

1 Peter 2:24 “24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Acts 13:28–30 “28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God raised him from the dead:”

It took the Lamb being cursed by hanging on a tree so that you and I could be forgiven and granted access to the tree of life.

C. There is perfect freedom there (v3)

Unlike the former paradise, there is no deceiving serpent there.

The devil has no entrance there and cannot draw the saints away from serving God.

D. There is perfect ownership there (v4-5)

1 John 3:2 “2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

“foreheads” = eternal ownership

I am still one of those who believe in “eternal security.”

If it is ultimately up to me to “keep” myself, then it should be my own name on my forehead.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD KEEPS US!

2) God’s Profitable Prophecy (v6-10)

2 Peter 1:21 “21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Hebrews 10:37 “37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

A. There is blessing in understanding what is to come

(v6) “things which must shortly be done” & (v7) “I come quickly”

John’s readers where not to try and imagine months or years, but rather understand that these things will happen with “certainty and quickly.”

Multiple times the same sense of “quick” is used when God’s angel is sent to communicate to His servants:

Acts 12:7 “7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”

When you bring these verses together, you get the understanding that the events described in this book will “certainly happen” and will develop with rapid speed once they begin.

While Jesus has not yet returned, it is not because He is delayed. Jesus’ return has been on schedule before creation began.

(v7) “Blessed is he who keeps the words…”

This is speaking of continual observance.

There are moral admonitions, theological and spiritual mandates here.

There is enormous value to reading and prayerfully understanding this prophecy.

The book of Revelation should launch you in to a faithful reading and studying of God’s Word!

Quote: “Heaven is more than a destination; it is a motivation. Knowing that we shall dwell in the heavenly city ought to make a difference in our lives here and now.” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 624.

That is exactly what it did for the Old Testament patriarchs.

Hebrews 11:10 “10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Hebrews 11:13–16 “13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

LISTEN…we are talking about a book that gives you the promise of heaven!!!

Most people think this book of prophecy is just about the wrath of God. THINK AGAIN! While it is describing in detail about the future justice of God, it is a book full of God continuing to extend GRACE to a sin filled world.

B. There is blessing in only worshipping God

(v8-9) The effects of this experience bring’s John to making the same mistake he made in Revelation 1:17 “17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:”

The angel quickly corrects John misunderstanding.

The angel mentions how they both are to worship God only.

(v10) The angel gives John a warning:

In other words, “Don’t hide away these words from my people!”

Daniel was instructed to seal his book — Daniel 12:4 “4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

John’s writing was an “apocalypse;” and “unveiling.”

While there are a bit of mystery about the recorded future events, there is far more than enough to shake our soul in the direction of Jesus, trust Him as Savior, and follow Him as Lord of our life.

You and I are never to “seal” what God has “revealed!”

3) God Provides a Gracious Warning

This verse truly does give the argument for free will!

(v11) There are a couple of deductions to draw from this verse:

First — This follows Jesus’ words of “I come quickly.” So, we might understand this statement as meaning this: When Jesus comes, it will be so quick that no one will have time to change their character. We must turn to Him now and be changed by His grace.

Daniel 12:10 “10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”

The Daniel text predicts that during the latter days false members of the covenant community will not understand the dawning fulfillment of prophecy (alluded to in Rev. 22:10) and consequently will continue to disobey God’s laws, whereas the godly will have insight and discern the beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy occurring around them. They will respond by obeying God’s word. The change from prediction in Daniel to imperatives in Rev. 22:11 expresses awareness that Daniel’s prophecy is beginning to be fulfilled in John’s own time and that genuine believers should discern this revelation and respond positively to it. This tone of inauguration fits nicely with 22:10 and the repeated exhortations in the letters to the readers to ‘hear with the ears’ ” Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012).

Second — “he that is holy, let him be holy still” — You and I are not to look for things to become easier or for our present world to become more accepting before we labour for Jesus. We are to remain where we are and do gospel work.

(v12) You and I better be making our minds up about Jesus and the king of life we should be living for Him.

He comes with reward in His hand.

Conditioned based on each individual’s work.

Conclusion

The life you live truly does tell the truth about how much of this revelation you believe. If you are going to live a blessed life, we must launch out into this world living in light of this prophecy!

Jesus has said, “I COME QUICKLY.”