It Is Done

I know there a many within the sound of my voice that appreciates antique furniture. Many can speak volumes over a 17th century table or a armoire found in a small antique’s shop that is quite valuable.

However, I would not be counted in that group. I am one who likes the advances in comfort and design. I like new. I can’t help it; old furniture holds nothing for me. Vintage signs. No.

However, Roman, Greek, German, and French castles and chateaux are another thing.

Today we will be continuing our look into the New Heaven and New Earth.

It Is Done!

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that sits on the throne announces it is finished. After the pouring out of the seventh bowl judgment, the angel announced, "it is done" (16:17). Jesus words from the cross carry the same idea: "It is finished." In each case, the announcement is one of a completed work. God's eternal plan to dwell with a devoted and holy people is "done." God's wrath and destruction of His enemies and the "salvation" of the saints are now completed.

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end…”

This is the third of four times that John pens this phrase (1:8; 1:11; 21:6; 22:13). Each time he has defined the meaning:

1:8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending

1:11 I am Alpha and Omega the first and last

21:6 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end

22:13 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end, the first and last

In the opening verses of the Revelation, the Lord God Almighty identifies Himself as the "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending." He is the "I AM", the self-existing One. From before time began until eternity, God is "I AM." In the last chapter of Revelation, Christ identifies himself as; "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last."

Christ is from the beginning, and He will be the end.

The apostles also declared this truth:

John-

John 1: 1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Paul-

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

“I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely…”

Jesus taught about the importance of righteousness and likened it to a thirst for water throughout His ministry.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:for they shall be filled.

John 4: 13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

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 phrase "water of life" is only found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ (21:6; 22:1; 22:17).

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the invitation to salvation in the 55th chapter.

Isaiah 55: 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Salvation is free, without cost. Of the words John has penned in the Revelation, I wonder if he enjoyed writing this verse: "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

The opening of the 22nd chapter says:

Revelation 22:1-2 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The river of water of life. For the human body, water is a requirement. Without water, humans would perish. Can you visualize this river in your mind's eye? Can you imagine a river so clear that its depth would be undeterminable? I have had the privilege to view a "crystal clear" river in Colorado. The water was so clear you could see every detail of what was in it. Trout, crawfish, grass, and rocks. No impurities hampered our view.

Revelation 21: 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

The Greek word "nikao", translated by the KJV as the phrase, "he that overcometh" means, "to subdue, conquer, prevail, get the victory"[1]

To "overcome" or "conquer" is a common theme of John's in the Revelation.[2] Fifteen times in the Revelation, the phrase is used. John utilized the phrase, "him that overcometh", at the end of each message to the seven churches.

I am reminded of the story concerning Dwight L. Moody and the Chicago fire.

After the great Chicago fire of 1871, evangelist Dwight L. Moody went back to survey the ruins of his house. A friend came by and said to Moody, "I hear you lost everything." "Well," said Moody, "you understood wrong. I have a good deal more left than I lost." "What do you mean?" the inquisitive friend asked. "I didn't know you were that rich." Moody then opened his Bible and read to him Revelation 21:7-"He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God.[3]

In Revelation chapter two and three, John challenged each church to "overcome, conquer, and prevail." Each challenge was followed with a promise from Jesus. The following chart includes the reference to each of the churches and the promise for those that "overcome."

Reference Result of Overcoming

The Church at Ephesus - 2:7 I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God

The Church at Smyrna - 2: 11 Shall not be hurt of the second death

The Church at Pergamos - 2: 17 I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it

The Church at Thyatira - 2:26-28 I will give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star.

The Church at Sardis - 3: 5 Shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The Church at Philadelphia - 3: 12 I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The Church at Laodicea - 3 :21 I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

“...shall inherit all things…”

Those that conquer shall inherit all things. The question begs asking, "What things?" If we look closely at the definition of the Greek word "kleronomeo" we find it lines up exactly with our use of "inherit" today. It means to "be an inheritor of a person."

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Ephesians 1:11-14 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He will inherit all that belongs to him as a son of God.

John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8: 16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4: 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

"What things?" On the earth, the children of God were heirs in waiting. Now in the New Heaven and the New Earth, the children of God receive all things that belong to the only begotten Son of God.

“…and I will be his God and he shall be my son…”

The Greek reads, "I will be to him a God." This is the same promise that the Lord made to David, concerning his son Solomon, (2Sa 7:14). The writer of Hebrews identified Jesus as fulfilling the role of the Son of God (He 1:5). Now this same promise is coming to fulfillment in believers in Christ.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Sin will have no place in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Conclusion

From the very beginning God has had a plan of salvation for all mankind.

Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

Revelation 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

[1] Strong's Greek Dictionary, SwordSearcher, digital [2] Revelation 2:7, 11, 17,26;3:5, 12,21;5:5;6:2; 11:7; 12:11; 13:7; 15:2; 17:14;21:7 [3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 622). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [4] Bdelusso is translated as: abominable NASB95, NKJV; the abominable KJV 1900, AV 1873; the vile NIV, NIV84; detestable persons LEB; the corrupt NLT; the detestable ESV; the polluted NRSV

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