Study In revelation 40
The Last Word
Revelation 22: 6-21
These are the last words of the Word of God, the Bible. Jesus has revealed some startling information that makes us look in absolute amazement. We have seen the mighty hand of God as He shows us that He will, some day soon bring peace to His people. There will be a lot of evil and ungodliness to deal with but God was God, is God and will always be God and He will work it all out for our good.
V 6. The message of Revelation is faithful and true.
If the message is faithful we know that it can be trusted.
If the message is true it can not be a lie. It’s not a message that has been created in the minds of men.
This is the final word and you and I have a choice to make. We either believe it or we don’t believe it and walk away.
The problem is that failure to believe the Word of God will bring an eternal doom.
Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Jhn 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and [they] are life.
Jhn 6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Jhn 7:46 The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!"
Jhn 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
V. 7 The message of Revelation brings blessing to those who read and obey.
1. You will be drawn closer to the Lord.
2. You will know what to expect and be better prepared for what is to come.
3. You will understand the ungodly of this world better and see how God will bring justice to all.
4. You will gain a better understanding of heaven and long for that new home.
5. You will be drawn, by God’s Spirit, into more and deeper fellowship with God, as you make your preparation for the day of redemption.
Scripture proof:
Jhn 8:51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."
Jhn 14:15-16 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
Jhn 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
Jhn 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.”
V. 8-9 The message of Revelation stirs us to worship.
When John heard the prophecies of Revelation he was filled with a spirit of fear and worship.
When we read the Word of God it should bring us to the same place as John, on our knees in worship.
The problem, today, is that too many seem to mix Christianity with everything else.
I know a man who was teaching a men’s Bible study, in one of our own Baptist churches, who was teaching that Jesus was not the Son of God. He was teaching that Jesus was simply a good teacher, man and prophet. He was removed from the teaching position but allowed to remain in the class, where he can still influence the others.
Scripture:
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ’You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ "
Jhn 4:24 God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Psa 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psa 96:9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Vs. 10-11 The message of Revelation is to be read and studied.
The book of Revelation is never to be closed or sealed. It is meant to be read, studied, taught and preached. WHY?
1. Because the time for these events is at hand. We will never be prepared or prepare others if we avoid the book of Revelation.
I am absolutely shocked at the number of believers who tell me they don’t even look at the book of Revelation. Their Pastor won’t even use a verse to back up what he says for fear of having to open the book. Some have told me that they are afraid of what they read or what they might find out.
Others say “it’s just too hard to understand.”
Elim Bible Church has spent the last year and six months digging into this book, because we want to know what it means for us. What we found was nothing for the true believer to be afraid of.
2. Because the time is coming when it will be too late.
Mar 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Hbr 12: 16b-17 Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Luke 16:23-25 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
"Then he cried and said, ’Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ’Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
One day it will be too late…and today may be your last chance…
Vs. 12-13 The message of Revelation focuses on the Lord’s return and the coming judgment.
Notice two things
1. The judgment will be based on the works of man. Or you get paid for what you do.
2. Judgment is based on who Jesus is.
He says that He is the Alpha and the Omega, which means the beginning and the end.
You could say that Jesus is the creator and the finisher of all there is. He began it all and He will finish it.
The Word of God never lies
Psa 62:12 Also to You, O Lord, [belongs] mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
2Cr 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things [done] in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
There are so many more verses to back this up.
V. 14 The book of Revelation tells us who will be accepted.
When you read the best Greek manuscripts, verse 14 reads “Blessed are they who wash their robes,” not “that do His commandments,” as found in the King James Version. Some skeptics will use this version to say that Christianity is about works, when we understand completely that no one is saved by works.
Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,
V. 15 The book of Revelation tells us who will be rejected.
In ancient days, the wild dog was a symbol of roaming about and of being mean and savage. These would people who refuse to surrender to the Lord and are living savage lives. We have already discussed the sorcerers, the immoral and liars.
Mat 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds [the] [righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
1Cr 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Rev 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
V. 16 The message of Revelation is proclaimed by Jesus, Himself.
V. 17 The book of Revelation offers the greatest invitation ever given to mankind.
The bride is the church. All the believers throughout history together as one cry out for others to come. Whosoever will take of the water of life, come, drink freely and live.
Vs. 18-19 This book MUST not be tampered with.
We are told not add to words of this book.
We are told not to take away from the words of this book.
What happens if we add or take away from this book?
If he adds to the words of the book, he will suffer the plagues of this book.
If he takes away from the words of this book, God will
1. Take away his share of the tree of life.
2. Take his share out of the Holy City.
3. Take his share out of the promises of this book of Revelation.
Vs. 20-21 The book of Revelation closes with the greatest of all assurances.
1. Jesus Himself reveals the things of this book. These words are not the imagination of any man. They are the Words of God as revealed by His Son.
2. Jesus declares, “These words are true and yes I am coming soon.
If Jesus were to come right now, this very minute, would you be ready?
