Sermon Tone Analysis

As the final chapter in the bible comes to an end, Jesus reminds us that his coming is going to be “soon.”

There has been much ink spilled over the centuries to devise what “soon” actually means.

The word that is translated as “soon” can also be translated as “quickly,” something we find in the King James Version.

The early church was looking for Jesus’ return before the first generation of Christians died.

That is one of the reasons Paul writes his first letter to the Thessalonians.

They were wondering what will happen with all those who had died before Jesus came back.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, mainline denominations never taught about Revelation or spoke much about the Second Coming.

Classic liberal theology and later postmodern theology that has permeated much of mainline denominations shy away from “the pie in the sky” and “sweet by and by.”

Instead, the focus has been on how the church is to work in the world to make it a better place through social justice.

On the surface, there is nothing wrong with that.

We want to make the world better through the gospel.

But often times, the work to make the world better is done by suppressing the mention of Christ or ignoring scripture altogether.

The approach that does not take into account the second coming of Christ in a real, physical sense removes the urgency of the gospel message.

We mentioned last week that judgments that are inflected on the world are done so to bring people to Christ.

It is an acknowledgement that the world is corrupted by sin and must be renewed through the power of the Spirit.

Revelation reminds us that no matter when Jesus returns again we are to live as if he is coming at any moment in time.

We do not know the hour or day of his coming.

We just know that it is going to happen.

Because of that, there is a call for us in the here and now to live in such a way as to eagerly expect his coming and have an urgency in our hearts to spread the good news of the gospel to the world around us.

1. Jesus calls us to faithfulness in these times.

(vs.

12-16)

In verses 12-16, Jesus speaks after the angel that is with John during his vision speaks.

Jesus’ words are in response to what the angel has said regarding God’s judgement against the unrighteous and the reward of the righteous.

The words of the angel in verse 11 come from the prophet Daniel.

Daniel predicts that during the last days there will be false members of the covenant community who will not understand the dawning of the fulfillment of prophecy.

They will continue to disobey God’s laws.

The godly will have insight and discern the beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy and will respond by obeying God’s word.

When we get to Revelation, they are not merely predictions but imperative statements that these things will indeed happen as we approach the last days.

In response, Jesus declares that his coming will be quick.

The unpredictability of his coming and the swiftness of it propels the believer to trust in Christ and remain faithful to him while we are awaiting his coming.

We are blessed because our “robes have been washed” and now have the right to the tree of life.

Those who are unrighteous will be shut out in judgement.

It is a reminder to us that during times of tribulation in this world that we are called to be faithful disciples of Christ no matter what is going on around us.

We are called to persevere through all things as we rely on Christ.

Jesus knows all the troubles and hardships that we will face.

He knows that we will go through times of great difficulty as we stand with him and the gospel.

But when we face those times in his strength we will get through them.

His words reflect what is said by Isaiah in Isaiah 40:10 “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

What is prophesied by Isaiah is fulfilled in Christ.

In Isaiah, Israel is not deserving of the reward that it is given.

It is only through the mercy of God that they are rewarded.

God brings salvation to them and forgives their iniquities based on who he is and his love for his people.

The same is true of Christ.

Our reward in being with him for eternity is not based on our works and what we do in this life.

But it is through what Christ has done for us on the cross that we are made worthy through the cleansing of our sins.

What John is saying to the churches and to us is that the unexpected time of Christ’s coming should motivate us to live godly and righteous lives.

There will be those who will denounce the coming of Christ and ignore that it will happen.

They will be judged for their unrepentant heart.

2. We take the water of life at the table.

(vs.

17)

There is a final invitation that is offered by the Holy Spirit by the prophetic voice of the church and then by individual believers to come and take the water of life.

This section of the final chapter was part of an early liturgy of the church as an invitation to the Lord’s table.

The only other time “bride” is mention in reference to the church is in Revelation 19:7 “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;” The marriage supper of the Lamb is the heavenly banquet at which we will feast and celebrate with Christ as the host.

The Lord’s Supper is the sacrament by which we participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb now.

The image of taking the water of life that is offered without price and quenches the thirst of the drinker is one that is found in the gospel of John as well.

In John 6:35, it says “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

And also when Jesus is with the woman at the well in John 4:13-14 “Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.

The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””

Both of these examples give us context into what is being said in Revelation 22:17.

There is an invitation by the Spirit to come to the water and thirst no more.

We also invite others to participate when they have faith in Jesus and can come to the table.

The table becomes a place where we celebrate the victory that Christ has over evil and the place where grace is received because Christ is present with us.

He nourishes us with the bread of life and the water of life.

We come to the table so that we may not hunger or thirst any more.

This is not a physical hunger or thirst but a spiritual one.

The table is where we are satisfied and renewed in our spirit because we have encountered Christ.

The table is where Jesus gives us new life to sustain us until such time as his kingdom is consummated in his second coming, and we feast together with him and all the saints in praise of what God has done.

The table is a reminder of the blessings that we receive in Christ when we have faith in him.

3. We must take seriously John’s vision and prepare for Christ’s coming.

(vs.

18-21)