Part 4/Week 11: Final Thoughts (Rev. 22:6-21)

What a journey this has been! It is bittersweet to write this, as it is the final post for our End Times Study. Thank you to everyone who joined me over the last eighteen months. It has been one of the most challenging, yet meaningful experiences of my life and has brought me great joy. “For the faithful, the book of Revelation is itself a taste of the river of life, for it refreshes hope in the coming of Christ and gives certain knowledge of the overthrow of evil and the ultimate restoration of all things” (Precept Austin).

“It has been a weary time, a waiting time, a suffering time, but His Coming or presence shall turn the gloom of night into gladness and everlasting joy. The shadows of time are passing away, and the first faint streaks of an eternal day, which knows neither evening nor tears are almost discernible. Hold on, ye wearied pilgrim host! Joy cometh in the morning. We wait for Him, not for the fulfilment of prophecy. Is His Coming a reality in our souls? Does it influence the life, and shape the conduct, and impart vigour as we press on?”

Walter Scott, Exposition of the Revelation, Rev. 22:20

“Then the angel said to me, ‘Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires His prophets, has sent His angel to tell His servants what will happen soon.” Revelation 22:6 (NLT)

The phrase “what will happen soon” expresses the thought “that when the action comes, it will be sudden. Also it is to be regarded as impending as if it is meant to be fulfilled at any time. In either case, it constitutes a message of warning that those who believe should be alert” (Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, p. 333).

“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7

“The book of Revelation ends the same way it begins: with a promise of blessing to those who keep (in the sense of watching for) the things prophesied in this book” (Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 517, see Rev. 1:3). The phrase “he who keeps (or heeds) the prophecy of this book” has the idea of “continually watching over and guarding” (Danker Lexicon, Rev. 22:7).

Revelation is full of blessings for the reader who takes its message to heart! It has been said that there are 7 Beatitudes in Revelation.

1. Revelation 1:3 “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.”
2. Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ “Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'”
3. Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
4. Revelation 19:9 “Then he said to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of God.”
5. Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
6. Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
7. Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (NASB95).

“Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” Revelation 22:8-9

As John was overwhelmed by what he saw and heard, his first instinct was to worship the angel! The angel rebuked him, reminding him to worship God! I love that both angels and humans are fellow servants of God and worship Him alone! You may remember this happened to John once before in Revelation 19:10.

“And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:10-11

Daniel was told to seal up the words of the prophecy (Daniel 12:4), but here, John is clearly told not to seal the Revelation prophecy. Precept Austin says, “The book of Revelation is very heavily dependent upon the book of Daniel. In a very real sense, the book of Revelation completes the revelation which was originally given to Daniel… The reason the prophecy is not to be sealed is because the time had arrived in which the contents of the prophecy were relevant to those living even in the time of John. the expectation of Christ’s imminent return for the Church is evident throughout the New Testament and continues among healthy congregations even to our own time” (Precept Austin).

Charging the unjust and filthy to remain in their condition is not an advocation for them to stay in that state but a recognition that if they reject the prophecy, there is no hope for them. “When God’s revelation is rejected, people continue in unrighteousness. But when God’s revelation is received, we grow in righteousness and remain steadfast” (Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 518).

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what He has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13 NASB95

Jesus’ statement is a direct reference to the rapture of the Church and the Judgment Seat of Christ. “The purpose of Yahweh’s return is to render to each man according to his works. His coming at the rapture is to reward the saints for the works done in their bodies since salvation. The purpose of the second coming is to render judgment for the works of unrighteousness” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 519).

Are we living in the light of eternity? F.B. Meyer said, “We should practice the sense of God’s presence, often stopping ourselves amid our ordinary avocations and interests to say, aloud when possible, “God is near, God is here.” In all likelihood we are daily living amid the glories of the eternal world; but our eyes are blinded. Oh that by humility and purity, we may become more sensitive, and awake to the things that are unseen and eternal! Lord, open our eyes, that we may see (2 Kings 6:17)” (Our Daily Homily, Gen. 28:12).

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14 NASB95

Once again, we see the importance of keeping our garments clean. We discussed this at length in Part 1, Week 8. Paul makes mention of this garment when he compares the stars of heaven to the resurrection of the dead by saying, “star differs from star in glory” (1 Cor. 15:41a). Spiros explains that “what Paul is saying is that as we look at the sun, the moon, and the stars, and know them, so believers in their resurrected bodies will be recognized for the glory that they have won through their life of sacrifice and compliance with Christ” (Zodhiates, CWSB Dictionary).

Not all believers will shine with equal splendor. The extent to which we lived a surrendered life here will be reflected in the brightness of our garments in heaven one day. The inward work of sanctification will be displayed externally for all to see and give glory to God. All believers are, in essence, overcomer’s. However, a believer’s faithfulness, as seen in their surrendered life, makes them an overcomer in the truest sense of the word. These faithful servants of God will be rewarded not only throughout the Millennium but in the Eternal Kingdom forever.

“We’ll have eternity to celebrate great victories on the old Earth, but we only have this brief window of opportunity now to win those victories. As missionary C.T. Studd said, ‘Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Randy Alcorn, Heaven, p. 469

“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Revelation 22:15

The word “outside” refers to the location of all unbelievers who are excluded from the New Heaven and New Earth because they rejected Christ. We know from Revelation 20:15 and 21:8 that their destination is the Lake of Fire. “The issue is not that they have at some time committed sins of this character but rather that these are the settled characteristics of their lives from which they were never delivered although the grace of God made possible that deliverance” (Walvoord).

“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.” Revelation 22:16

This is the third out of four times Jesus personally speaks in this chapter. Not only is the book of Revelation authenticated by the angel and John (verses 6 and verse 8), but here, Jesus Himself authenticates the book, stating that He sent His angel to testify this Revelation to John for the churches. “It is the same Yeshua who, in His humanity, is the root and offspring of David, but as to His deity, He is the Shechinah glory, as seen in the brightness and visibility of the light of the morning star” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 519).

“This is the first mention of the church since the letters to the Seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 3:22). We believe this is another indication of the pre-tribulational Rapture of the Church. The church will be excluded from the events of the Tribulation and so is not mentioned after chapter 3 until now” (Precept Austin).

“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.”

Revelation 22:17

This is a beautiful invitation of salvation for all of humanity. “It is the church who presents the message which the Holy Spirit uses to convict and call. Those who respond will have the authority to partake of the waters of life in The New Jerusalem” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 520).

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

The book of Revelation ends with a solemn warning. “Both those who add and those who would subtract do so as evidence of their unsaved state” (Fruchtenbaum, p. 520). Paul says, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB95).

“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21

The words “Yes, I am coming quickly” are spoken by Jesus Christ. I think we can all agree with the apostle John in saying, Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! I love how the book of Revelation ends with the grace of God. What an amazing book it is! The only way we can remain steadfast and watchful in waiting for the Lord and heeding the words of this book is by His grace. As we surrender to Him, He gives us the grace we need to be ready and not shrink back at His appearing!

“These are the words of King Jesus. Count on them. Take them to the bank. Live every day in light of them. Make every choice in light of Christ’s certain promise. We were all made for a person and a place. Jesus is the person. Heaven is the place. If you know Jesus, I’ll be with you in that resurrected world. With the Lord we love and with the friends we cherish, we’ll embark together on the ultimate adventure, in a spectacular new universe awaiting our exploration and dominion, Jesus will be the center of all things, and joy will be the air we breathe. And right when we think ‘it doesn’t get any better than this’ – it will.”

Alcorn, Heaven, p. 473

I want to close this study with a powerful quote by Joe Dillow. “We now come to the end of the matter. The Lord promises to all who know Him they will enjoy unspeakable privilege in the final kingdom of David’s Greater Son. That great future must constantly be set before the vision of all who name the Lord Jesus as their King. We should daily be evaluating our lives, our priorities, and our hearts in view of how we will feel about our decisions ten thousand years from now” (Dillow, The Future Reign of the Servant Kings, Kindle Loc. 1056).

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB95

Week 11 Homework Reflections:

1. Read Revelation chapter 1 and chapter 22. Do you see any similarities in the first and last chapters of the book?
2. We have studied a lot over the past eighteen months. What did you learn that you didn’t know before about the End Times, and about the heart of God?
3. Read 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Peter 3:3-18; and Titus 2:11-14. How do these verses speak to your heart in light of all that you have learned through our study of the End Times?

"Can you hear the sighing in the wind? Can you feel the heavy silence in the mountains? Can you sense the restless longing in the sea? Can you see it in the woeful eyes of an animal? Something's coming...something better."
Joni Eareckson Tada (Alcorn, Heaven, p. 465)