Final Encouragement
Notes
Transcript
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.
Introduction:
The is the second to the last message in this series. And as we finish with this great book, we need even more to hold on to the words of our Savior, for they will surely be coming quickly.
The book of Revelation being a prophetic book dealing with eschatological subject matter, like judgment, kingdoms, the antichrist, etc. is also a revelation of God’s great love for His children.
If you remember back to the first chapter, there is a promise.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
My friends I believe that part of this blessing is understanding the grace and mercy of God for all who come to Christ.
And it is for this reason I point out the four parts of this final encouragement from the Lord.
I. The deity of Christ.
I. The deity of Christ.
Here, the one speaking to John is none other than Christ Himself!
But who is Christ really?
And this is the question many have asked through the centuries, and many have gotten it wrong.
He is none other than God!
A. His reward is with Him.
A. His reward is with Him.
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.
11 Indeed the Lord has proclaimed To the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’ ”
Both of these references in Isaiah are Messianic and interpreted as such by the Jews.
B. He is the Alpha and Omega ...
B. He is the Alpha and Omega ...
4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the Lord, am the first; And with the last I am He.’ ”
And notice, that He says it three ways:
Alpha and Omega
Beginning and the end
First and the last
II. The security of the redeemed.
II. The security of the redeemed.
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.
Why does He say that those who do His commandments are blessed and have right to the tree of life?
At first glance, it seems that this is an impossibility, but that would only be true if it were up to us!
It is always a fact of New Testament doctrine that only those who are in Christ, can do His commandments.
We as human beings are powerless to do them on our own. We must have the indwelling Spirit of God which comes from Christ Himself.
Because it is God Himself that died for our sins and resurrected from the dead, we have complete security in Him.
Not one aspect of salvation is up to us! and not the keeping of it either!
III. The importance of the message.
III. The importance of the message.
It is from God!
Christ has sent His messenger to testify of these things.
A. He is the root and offspring of David.
A. He is the root and offspring of David.
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
B. He is the Bright and Morning Star.
B. He is the Bright and Morning Star.
17 “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.
78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
Who He is determines the importance of the message.
Remember that this prophetic message came forth through the breaking of seven seals, and only one was worthy to do so.
IV. The call of God.
IV. The call of God.
The Spirit and the Bride Say come.
Let those who hear, Say come.
Let him who thirsts come.
It is quite evident that our business is telling people to come!
It is not a fad of days gone by, it is the necessity of every generation!
