Lesson: C.m.2: The Testimony Of Jesus, The Spirit, And The Bride Series

Tom Lowe

3/1/18

Book of Revelation Commentary

Topic # C.M.: CONCLUDING MATERIAL (22:6-21)

Lesson: C.M.2: The Testimony of Jesus, the Spirit, and the Bride (Rev. 22:12-17)

Scripture (Rev. 22:12-17, KJV)

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

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

14 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.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Introduction

(22:12-16) God devotes a lot of space in Scripture to this basic and important theme—THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST. He closes the Book with a last, lingering look at that finished work which for all eternity will be the wonder of heaven. The finished work of Christ settles what we are, where we are, and whose we are.

(22:17) I.t is fitting for the sacred Scripture to close with a reference to the Holy Spirit. For He is the Author of the Book and the One who has inspired every chapter, every verse, and every line. He is the omnificent genius behind this miracle in words, the Bible.

Commentary

12 And, behold, I come quickly{1]; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

We are reminded of the certainty and the closeness of the return of Jesus . . . not returning simply to be cheered by expectant saints and sons (22:7{2]), but coming with “rewards,” many and varied, to bestow upon each one according to the quality and character of stewardship rendered. The least service even a cup of cold water given in Jesus name will not be overlooked or go unrewarded.

What will your “reward” be? Our reward will be a place in God’s kingdom (see Matthew 25:34-40; Mark 9:47; 10:29-30{3]), not on the basis of merit (good deeds) but because of God’s gracious promise to people of faith (Luke 12:31-32{4]). The Bible records God’s rewarding His people for good works according to His justice. In the Old Testament, obedience often was rewarded in this life (Deuteronomy 28), but obedience and immediate reward are not always linked. If they were, good people would always be rich, and sin would always lead to pain and suffering. The believer’s true reward is God’s presence and power through the Holy Spirit. Later in eternity, believers will be rewarded for their faith and service. If material rewards in this life were to come to us for every faithful deed, we would be tempted to boast about our achievements and to act out of wrong motivations. No act of mercy will be forgotten; no true believer will be abandoned. (For more on rewards, see Matthew 16:27; 19:27-30; Luke 6:23, 35; 1 Corinthians 3:8, 13-15; 9:25; James 1:12.)

Although God’s people will be saved and will enjoy the “reward” of eternity with Him, a number of rewards seem to be given to individuals, according to what they have done. God will look at each individual’s heart; thus, it may be that a quiet saint praying daily beside her bed will receive an even greater reward than a flamboyant, well-known preacher. It may be that the woman who used her gifts to the fullest extent will be rewarded more greatly than the one who believed but was too afraid to reach her potential. God will not bestow His rewards in ways that we humans might. Each believer’s job is to serve God to his or her fullest potential with a heart that is right with Him.

In the previous verse (22:11{5]) we are told, apart from faith in Christ and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, a person goes on sinning until, at death, his character is forever fixed and set in a final, terrible mold. The wicked go on being wicked for all eternity. As he hung on the cross next to Jesus, the one thief died blaspheming and no doubt is still blaspheming. The lost go on sinning and therefore go on suffering. The righteous, on the other hand, continue being righteous, and because they are eternally holy, they are eternally happy. Here we are confronted with the awful fact that a man’s character becomes fixed and unchanging at death. The unjust and filthy will always be unjust and filthy, and the righteous and holy will always be righteous and holy. Here is a challenge; be ready for his coming. The cross of Christ stands between the sinner and the saints, separating the one from the other in time and in eternity.