Part V
Revelation 22:18-21
Purpose: To contrast the save and the lost.
Aim: I want the listener to dread God's wrath and love Jesus Christ.
INTRODUCTION: "Are we there yet?" These familiar words usually come from bored back seat travelers during a long car trip. Sometimes the trip gets so long that children wonder if they will ever arrive. They usually do, of course, but things can go wrong, even disaster can strike. The engine could give out, tires can go flat, the driver could get lost, or the car could run out of gas.
Trusting Christ can be difficult, too. Sometimes it gets discouraging because we don't know when the difficult journey will be over. Unlike a long trip to grandma's house, a Christian's trip to heaven comes with a list of guarantees. We may encounter some hard things along the way, but God has promised that we WILL arrive safe and sound and exactly on time (God's time).
Jesus has given us nine things that we need to be doing while we are on this road to eternal glory. We have already looked at seven of them. Today we will examine the last two.
REVIEW:
1:1-20 I. John's Vision of the Past "the things which you have seen"
2:1-5:14 II. Christ's Vision of the Present "the things which are"
Ch.6-22 III. John's Vision of the Future "things which will take places"
6-7; 12-14 A. Satan's war against God's creation- the first six seals
8-11; 13:11-18; 15-18 B. Savior's war against Satan: The wrath of God- the seventh seal
Ch.19-20 C. The worship of God
Ch.21-22:5 D. The wonder of eternal bliss
22:6-21 E. The responsibilities of those going to heaven
Vs.6-7 1. Be alert "I am coming quickly"
Vs.8-9 2. Worship God alone "Worship God."
Vs.10-11 3. Spread God's message "Do not seal...the prophecy"
Vs.12-13 4. Live in light of God's presence "I am the Alpha and the Omega"
Vs.14-15 5. Rejoice in the blessings of salvation "Blessed are those who wash their robes"
Vs.16 6. Exalt Jesus Christ "bright morning star"
Vs.17 7. Invite others to Jesus Christ "Come"
LESSON:
Vs.18-19 8. Guard God's Word
This book was not just intended for the seven churches in Asia Minor, but for everyone who reads (or hears) this book. Once you have read God's Word, you must either embrace it or reject it.
Vs.18a a. God's revelation is written "words...of this book"
Notice the end of verse 19: "which are written in this book." God has revealed Himself to us in written form.
Anyone who claims to have a word from God that is not grounded in the Bible is a false teacher. The phrase "it is written" is repeated 61 times in the New Testament alone.
Two of the most important texts of Scripture that make this clear come from Paul and Peter:
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16--17).
"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. " (2 Peter 1:19--21).
Vs.18b b. God's revelation is sufficient "if anyone adds"
"But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die" (Deuteronomy 18:20).
"Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it" (Deuteronomy 12:32). "Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).
Charles Spurgeon put it this way, "If the revelation of God were not enough for our faith, what could we add to it? Who can answer this question? What would any man propose to add to the sacred Word? .... The fabric would not be of one piece. Would you add rags to a royal garment? (See Luke 5:36.) Would you pile the filth of the streets in a king's treasury? ... Would you bring your candle to show the sun? Your nothingness to replenish the eternal all? It is better to be silent before the Lord than to dream of supplementing what He has spoken." [1]
"His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3).
Vs.19a c. God's revelation is complete "if anyone takes away"
The cults are always trying to add to God's Word: the Koran, the Book of Mormon, the Keys to the Scripture (Christian Science), etc. The religious liberals are always trying to take away from the Bible. Often they do that by teaching that the Bible "contains" the Word of God. In other words, we need to sift through the Bible and decide what we think is right and what we think is wrong.
The Bible is either ALL God's Word or none of it is God's Word because it claims to be God's Word. We will either submit to God's Word or we will set ourselves up as judges of God's Word.
"Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him" (Proverbs 30:5). "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD" (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Jesus is the culmination of God's revelation to us. We dare not try to add anything to Jesus. "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world" (Hebrews 1:1--2).
Jesus said that we must continue trusting His Word if we are His true followers: "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free' " (John 8:31--32).
Vs.18c, 19b d. The results of tampering with God's revelation
This book begins with a blessing for those who read it and respond to it, and it ends with a warning to those who read it and reject it. "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Revelation 1:3).
(1) God's wrath is endured "the plagues...in this book"
"Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing' " (Ezekiel 13:3).
The ultimate plague of this book is the Lake of Fire. "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).
(2) God's blessings are denied "take away...the tree of life"
The Tree of Life stands for all the joy and eternal pleasure that God has prepared for those who love Him. "in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations " (Revelation 22:2).
"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psalm 16:11). "For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence" (Psalm 21:6).
(3) God's presence is withheld "take away...the holy city"
These same two blessings are mention back in verse 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" (Revelation 22:14).
Do you remember the reward that Jesus promised to repentant thief that was crucified with Him? "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
"If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha" (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Vs.20-21 9. Long for Christ's coming
Are you waiting eagerly for Jesus to return? "Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him" (Hebrews 9:28).
"O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory " (Psalm 63:1--2).
Vs.20a a. Our promise from Christ "I am coming quickly"
This is the third time we are given this promise in this chapter alone.
When Jesus comes back He will come like suddenly. "Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame" (Revelation 16:15).
Vs.20b b. Our prayer to Christ "Come, Lord Jesus"
"He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed... " (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
Coming is a theme that runs throughout the book of Revelation:
"Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come... " (Revelation 1:4).
"I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown" (Revelation 3:11).
"Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come... " (Revelation 14:7).
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready " (Revelation 19:7).
If Jesus came back in the next five minutes, your loved ones without Christ would be lost forever, and you would have no more opportunities to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.
Vs.21 c. Our only hope is Christ "grace of the Lord Jesus"
Literally this phrase reads, "The grace of the Lord of us, Jesus Christ, be with all of you."
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36).
Isaac Ambrose commented: "Oh! There is more beauty and glory in Jesus Christ than ever [our] thoughts or imaginations could possibly reach! There is more weight of sweetness, joy, and delight in Jesus Christ than either the seeing eye, hearing ear, or the vast understanding heart ...can possibly conceive!" "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM " (1 Corinthians 2:9).
"Saints and angels will both give glory to Jesus Christ that day. Every elect man will then acknowledge, 'Here is Christ that shed His blood for me! Here is the Savior that laid down His life for me! Here is the sacrifice that gave Himself a propitiation for me! Here is the Person that mediated, interceded, and made peace for me! Here is the Redeemer that delivered and re¬deemed me from the wrath to come!' Then they begin those hallelu¬jahs that never, never shall have an end: 'Hallelujah!' And again, 'Hallelujah! Amen, Hallelujah!'--'for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready'" (Rev 19: 7). -- Isaac Ambrose
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:11--14).
"and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:14).
CONCLUSION: The first recorded words from man to God are "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid... " (Genesis 3:10). The last recorded words from man addressed to God are "Come, Lord Jesus." We will either leap for joy when Christ returns or we will fear when Christ returns.
"Behold, I am coming quickly!" Revelation 22:12 By J. C. Ryle
"The second coming of Christ shall be utterly unlike the first.
He came the first time . . .
in weakness,
a tender infant,
born of a poor woman in the manger at Bethlehem,
unnoticed,
unhonored,
and scarcely known.
He shall come the second time in royal dignity,
with the armies of heaven around Him, to be known,
recognized and feared, by all the tribes of the earth!
He came the first time to suffer . . .
to bear our sins,
to be reckoned a curse,
to be despised, rejected, unjustly condemned, and slain.
He shall come the second time . . .
to put down every enemy beneath His feet,
to take the kingdom of this world for His inheritance,
to rule them with righteousness,
to judge all men and
to reign forevermore!
How vast the difference! How mighty the contrast!"
"True conversion gives a man strength and holiness, but it never lets him boast." C.H. Spurgeon
"Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns' " (Revelation 19:6).
[1] Spurgeon, R. C. H. (2000). Your Available Power (electronic ed.) (20). Escondito, California: Ephesians Four Group.
