Living in the Last Days

“Responding to the Book of Revelation”

Revelation 22:6-21 “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he

which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha a…”

I. Intro

During our journey through Revelation, we have read Jesus’ messages to the seven churches, which represent the seven kinds of churches and seven types of Christians. We have seen the splendor of God’s throne, as well as the horrible judgments coming on earth. We have been privelaged to receive a foretaste of what heaven will be like. After all this, John concludes by writing how we should respond to this book. We should respond in four ways.

II. Respond with consolation (22:6-7)

The angel who has been revealing the new heaven and new earth continues speaking to John. This means everything John has been seeing in his visions will come to pass. This book is not an allegory of the age-old conflict between good and evil; it is an accurate description, often in symbolic terms, of literal, future events. The angel explains, “And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.” This statement supports the futuristic interpretation of Revelation. The prophecy in this book is inspired by the God of the holy prophets who foretold the birth, life, and death of the Messiah. This same God then inspired John to write of the Messiah’s return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The speaker then changes from the angel to Christ, who says to John, “Behold, I come quickly.” Christ is coming quickly, but we must remember 2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” This is the sixth of seven beautitudes in Revelation. The word translated ‘keepeth’ (tereo) [tay-reh-o] means “to guard.” We are to guard this book against those who would deny or pervert its message because it is a book of comfort to believers.

III. Respond with adoration (22:8-11)

a. John writes that when he hears and sees these things, he falls down to worship before the feet of the angel who shows them to him. Then the angel tells him not to worship him because he is a fellowservant with John and his brothers the prophets, and of them that keep the sayings of this book. A proper interpretation and application of Revelation should cause us to respond with adoration and worship of God. However, we are not to worship the Bible, less we be guilty of ‘bibliolatry.’ We may be tempted to worship people (or their images) whom God has used in the Bible-as some do Mary. Therefore, we are to worship God only. The angel again speaks to John and says, “Seal not the sayings of the prophets of this book.” This is unlike the command to Daniel to shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Daniel 12:4 “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.” This is a warning about the future judgments and eternal condemnation of those who do not know Christ. Revelation makes it clear there is not a second chance. No book in the Bible warns unbelievers of their coming doom as strongly as Revelation. If this book doesn’t move unbelievers to come to Christ, no message will. Next, the angel says to John, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still.” There comes a time when sinful people have so hardened their hearts to God’s Word they will never change. However, he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

IV. Respond with anticipation (22:12-16)

a. Jesus again speaks and says, “And, behold, I come quickly.” This means His return is imminent, not necessarily immediate. Although Christ will come to judge the world, He will also come to reward believers. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Our capacities for serving God will be our rewards in heaven. Part of our reward will be hearing Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Once again our Lord says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Our Lord makes this awesome statement four times in Revelation-twice in the beginning (1:8, 11) and twice at the end. (21:6, 22:13) Now, we come to the seventh and last beautitude in this book and in the Bible: Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. The phrase ‘these that do His commandments’ refers to these who have been saved, not by works of righteousness, but by God’s mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Only these have the right to the tree of life and are allowed to enter in through the gates into the city. In contrast, John writes, “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Most of these are listed in (21:8) and were discussed when we studied that passage. The only exception is dogs, which refers to aggressive scavengers that ravaged garbage dumps. They were also dangerous and diseased. All those without have been forever banished to the lake of fire. Now, Jesus stresses His role in producing this book by saying, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David.” Jesus is both the root and the offspring of David. He is the root, or orgin of David because He is the Creator of all things. However, as a human, Jesus is the offspring of David. This means night is over and a new day has begun.

V. Respond with annunciation (22:17-21)

The title of a sermon I read some time ago has been stuck in my head. It was entitled, “God’s Favorite Word.” The sermon explains His favorite word is “Come.” The Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ work in unison to announce God’s favorite word. John continues, “And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.” The one that is ‘athirst’ yearns for spiritual salvation. John 7:37 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” The invitation continues, “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The water of life is free to those who thirst for forgiveness. John adds a chilling warning. He writes, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him plagues that are written in this book.” The revelation about end times is concluded; nothing is to be added or taken away. Therefore, any false prophet who alleges new revelations will face the severe judgments described in this book. Now, we come to the last recorded words of Jesus, “Surely i come quickly.” In response, John writes, ‘Amen,’ which means “so be it” or “I agree.” Then, he adds, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Therefore, respond to Revelation with anunciation, which means to announce something, specifically Jesus is coming quickly. Be ready, and warn others to be ready! ‘Grace’ (charis) [car-is] is God’s unconditional kindness given to those who don’t deserve it. Therefore, this is a prayer for grace to all who read this book. It is also a prayer that, wherever we go, we take the grace found only in the Lord Jesus, sharing it with those whom this book warns are eternally condemned without it.