Rev 22:6-21: Coming soon
Notes
Transcript
Hard Rock Park
Hard Rock Park
I remember when that place opened- Behind the Pottery
Katie and I were invited to a meeting they were having and were given free season passes
Sadly, they didnt hang around long enough for us to go
“Coming soon”---- led to empty parking lots, then it was Freestyle Music Park
Then they sold the rollercoaster to a park in China or Japan
What a let down those two endeavours were
But thankfully when we read “coming soon” in our text tonight, there is no let down
Only hope and thankfulness
As we read tonight, the visions are over and we have the final exhortations of God to man
Thats a very interesting thought in and of itself
The last authoritative speaking of God to man has been nearly 2000 years
The last time there was a gap was between Malachi and Matthew
It came before Jesus first coming
This time, the church age sits between the his second coming
But yet as we read in the text and the teaching of the whole NT- Christ is coming soon
There is an imminence to Christ return- an any moment type wait
Imminence is validated by Gods word
-soon or near is mentioned 5 times in 15 verses
Vs6- Reminds us that it is God who has spoken and validated this message and it must happen soon
-and it will in the mind of God
-All the NT apostles all spoke of Christ return to be soon
For a couple reasons
A. They were so directed by the HS
B. They were taught this by the Jesus in Matthew- the certain and imminent return of Christ
Vs 7-Jesus is recorded here as a direct quote and what does he reinforce
“I am coming soon”- If the whole teaching of the NT wasnt directed in this way- Jesus clearly solves the soon problem
-Also there is reaffirming of the blessedness of Gods Word- specifically this book
-Most people want to read it, Most pastors dont want to teach it (I was one as well), but it is the only book of the bible that starts out with a blessing for reading it by the 3rd verse
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
The first blessed statement in the book
There are 7 of them in here for the saint to hold on to- here is a recap
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Rev 22:7 but also Rev 22:14 that is coming
Rev 1:3- has strong connection to this verse- in that there is great blessing in living obediently to this book but the whole counsel of Gods word
Vs8- John gives his apostolic affirmation here- I heard it all first hand
-It was enough to make John fall down and worship an angel before corrected
-this was a message of hope for an exiled John as well- It wont be like this forever John- Im coming
Vs9- that rebuke from the angel has some weight in that the angel and John are co-laborers.
They both are messengers of God- but yet only God is worthy of worship
-but yet the angel reminds John that he is a co-laborer with all people who are obedient to Gods word
Thats important- the primary method of determining if someone is believer or not is not necessarily by profession alone
But more so holding to the good confession
How is that done? Obedience to Gods word
Simple verse- “If you love me, you will keep my commands”
As co-laborers of God- there is only one worthy of worship
Vs10- Unlike
He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
The book of the Revelation is for now- not some time in the future
It speaks of things to come but speaks of what Gods is doing in bringing about the end now
It offered real hope in hard places
Vs 11- The word of God has always had a two fold effect
-For one it hardens and another it softens
-So those who read Revelation walk away unchanged- he says they continue on the path they are on
-For those who believe and hold fast to the book- they will continue to be pushed onward in righteousness and holiness
2. Imminence brings judgement
Vs 12- “I am coming soon”- Christ, not an angel or some other intermediary
-When he comes, soon that is, he will be bringing rightful judgement
-Believers had to live under unjust wrath by the Romans but also by countless others over the years
-But not now- God will repay each accordingly
-the great news is that on the cross- Christ paid for our unrighteousness and gave us his righteousness
-But this book has been full of judgement for all those who will not persevere and for those reject him
Vs13- the only one justified to make these claims or have this authority is Christ himself
Revelation B. Divine Authority of the Prophecy (22:6–16)
He is the source of all and the goal of all; therefore, he has the power to judge all.
Vs14- But there is a different outcome for those in Christ the last blessed or beatitude in Rev
I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
I cant tell you how many times I felt for my passport on my first tip to Tanzania
I wanted to be able to get in Tanzania but more so I wanted to be able to get back home
That passport allowed entrance granted me all the rights of my US citizenship when I got back stateside
For all who come by the way of Christ- eternal life is a right of citizenship and a passport to be let in the city
But this is clear
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Vs 15- All who reject Christ- they have no citizenship in that city and will not be let in
We read in Nehemiah on Tuesday concerning the Levites and Priest who had to show proof of genealogy before they would be allowed to work in the temple
Not just anyone was authorized to do so
So the same in New Jerusalem- not all are allowed in
Admittance requires a blood test- thats if you have been washed in the blood of Lamb
3. Imminence calls for urgency
Vs16- Jesus sends message for the benefit of the 7 churches and by extension to all churches afterward
-He list his credentials once again- he is the only authorized to do so
Vs 17- The HS and the redeemed are method chosen for evangelism
Because every word of God is true, judgement is clearly coming, and that leaves us with an urgent message
Come- come as you are and find mercy and grace at the feet of Jesus
Come and be made new- Come and have eternal life
Vs 18-19
God means what he says
-The truth is always the truth
-No matter if we are reading in Rev or Jonah
-Twisting, deleting and adding to Gods word is punishable by eternal death
-Which is why we should be careful who we listen too
Vs 20- The remember is one of urgency again-I am coming soon
-But it is echoed back by John- Come, Lord Jesus
-Abraham came to Promised Land but was looking for something more
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
From the OT, Israel has been longing for the Messiah to return in power
The hope of every believer- Jesus coming to get his people
Its not political reform, not social engagement, not educational advancement.
Its the return of Christ
Vs 21- John ends in similar fashion as to how he started
-May God continue pouring his grace upon us through Christ
Thankfully he doesnt stop---- Let it be so....