The Finished Work

Rev. 22:11-21

Introduction:  In the Garden of Eden, God slew an animal to provide the skins with which to clothe the naked sinners of the human race.  This sets the pattern for the coming of Christ who came to give His life for all sinners.  We are sinners and in need of the shed blood of Jesus to clothe us with the righteousness of Christ. 

Now at the end of the age, this is the only thing that does matter.  God closes the book of Revelation with the culmination of the of the work of Christ in which He gave everything for mankind. 

God shows us three aspects of the work of Christ in vv. 11-16 and then the witness of the Holy Spirit.

I. His work establishes what we are v. 11

A. The unrighteous in eternity

1.  They will be the same in eternity as they were in the world.

2. The point is in that lost man will be lost when he dies without Christ.

3. The thief on the cross that died without Christ blasphemed Christ is probably still blaspheming Him.

B. The righteous in eternity

1.  The servant of God will be in the state of continued righteousness and holiness.

2. We will be like Him in some form.  Not sure exactly what it looks like.

3. Our knowledge will be changed dramatically and our position will be secure in Him.

II. His work establishes where we are vv. 12-15

A. Those who will be with Him vv. 12-14

1. They have the promise of His coming to sustain them v. 12

2. He will come and give them their rewards for their works.

3. God is the beginning and end which meansHe is not controlled by time.

4. This coming may be referring to His previous coming already to care for His saints and reward them.

5. They will have the provision of His cross to sustain them v.14

a.  We are cleansed in the spiritual raiment of Jesus.

b. It is this provision that opens the pathway to the tree of life in the city of God.

c. Only the cross offers us the open door.

B. Those who will be without Him v. 15

1.  The word dogs as the eastern concept which characterizes something vile and unclean.

2. It will be terrible enough for them to be in the Lake of Fire but will be intensified by the term “without.”

3. They will have knowledge of all that might have been in heaven but is gone forever-the rich man and Lazarus

4. The worst of all is they will be without salvation, peace, joy, and Christ.

 III. His work establishes whose we are v. 16

A. He is the Lover of the church

1.  Sends a message to the church.

2. Focus will be on what has happened in the church for the New Testament believer.

B. He is the Lord of the earth

1.  This means that God is in control on the earth-root and offspring of David-He controls the prophecies.

2. He is all knowing of birth, life, and mankind both now and forever.

C. He is the Light of creation

1.  Bright and morning star refers to His power and glory.

2. He is before and after all creation.

The witness of the Holy Spirit 17-21

There is significance to the fact that the Holy spirit closes the Bible.  For He is the Author, the One who has inspired, guided every chapter, every verse, and every line.  He is the omniscient genius behind the inspiration and creation of God’s Word  II Peter 1:19-21-the guiding person behind the work.

We now come to the present with the prospect of the future.  He is giving us a present exhortation with a focus on the life to come.  There are three considerations here.

 IV. The last welcome v. 17

A. The invitation

1.  Come is one of the finest words in the Bible-woven throughout Scripture.

2. God invites everyone to come but they need to

a.  Heart-the gospel-listen to the Word and to the Holy Spirit-as we listen, He convicts and draws us to Himself-we should tell others

b. To be thirsty-this world is equated to a desert, barren, and dry-we need to have a desire to drink of the water of life-souls are thirsty without Christ.

B. The satisfaction

1.  The Lord is saying that salvation is provided freely and you are inviteed.

2. He will satisfy your need of peace, comfort, forgiveness, and assure a home in heaven.

V. The last warning vv. 18-19

A. Addition to the Word v. 18

1.  There will always be those who tamper with the Word of God.

2. In the beginning the Word of God was tampered with.

a. Gen. 2:16-17-not to eat

b. Gen. 3:2-3-she added “touch it”

c. Gen. 3:4-5 the devil altered God’s Word by lying.

3.  God says there will be a judgment on the person who adds to the words of this book.

4. Inspiration refers to the very words of the Bible-Jesus spoke Matt. 4:4 and Luke 4:4-it is written

5. There is a danger when we go to the world to get the Word of God-the words could be tampered with.

B. Omission from the Word v. 19

1.  Some may interpret this to believe that a person loses their salvation; however, the Bible says in I Peter 1:4-5 that we are kept by the power of God

2. His part taken out-what part-God knows everyone of us  and we are created for Him-He has a part for all of mankind, but if they refuse to submit to God’s Word and receive Christ, they will not be saved.

3. This warning is for the lost man and states that now it is time to submit to God’s Word  lest he lose all that God has for all who come to Him.

 VI. The last Word vv. 20-21

A. It is about glory v. 20

1.  We are told that Jesus is coming very soon and His glory will be revealed to us.

2. It may seem long to us but it is God’s perfect timing.

3. The closing prayer is “come quickly.”

B. It is about grace v. 21

1.  God reminds us that all He has given to us is centered in grace.

2. Grace given through the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. God’s grace is for all as He closes out Revelation.