Note: I used many sources to study this book, one of my favorites is Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept by Daymond Duck and some out of different study bibles.
Title: The Finishing Touch
Theme: To show what the final outcome will be.
Text: Revelation 22
1 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.
river of water-fullness of refreshment, life, and joy Ps 36:8. First mentioned in Genesis in the Garden of Eden but was lost. Even the location was lost because of the flood but now we see it is restored. Where does it come from? God is the nourisher he is the provider.
other steams Ez 47:1; Zech 14:8
also could symbolize the Holy Spirit and life, blessing and spiritual power John 7:37-39
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. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39 AV)
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.
tree of life: Gen 2:9; 3:22 but not water of life
healing leaves there is an absent of anything that brings physical or spiritual harm Ez 47:12
even our new bodies will be dependant on the Lord. Why is healing needed? Maybe the bodies of those on earth will be different from those in heaven or it could be not healing from sickness but eternal health
fruit was the intended food of the Adam and Eve Gen 1:29-30
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
curse: Gen 3:14-19; Rom 5:12
servants-so we will do work in heaven but we won't get tired.
Things missing in the New Jerusalem
1) death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev 21:4)
2) temple (Rev 21:22)
3) sun or moon (Rev 21:23)
4) night (Rev 21:25)
5) impure, shameful, or deceitful thoughts (Rev 21:27)
6) curse (Rev 22:3)
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Some say we will never be able to look on the face of God, what do you think? What is the difference? Rom 8:28-30
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Rom 8:28-30 Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God (Ex 33:20,23; Is 33:17; John 14:9; 1 John 3:2)
Moses in the OT wanted to see God and Phillip in the NT wanted to see God
We will have the name of God on our forehead, we will his character, honor, glory, faithfulness and much more. But also he will have ours.
His name is like someone writing a reference for you. They are getting you a job by their reputation plus you must act as though you deserve it
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
John 1:5 darkness has to flee when there is light
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Jn 1:5
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1 AV)
These things will be fulfilled not because they are based on John or the angels but because they are based on Christ.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
This is one of the most important phrases in all of the Revelation. The purpose of this book is hope and watchfulness for the Christians and urgency for the lost. It is repeated in vs. 7, 12,20 Rev 1:3 (1:7) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3 AV)
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7 AV)
1 Cor 15:51; Rom 13:12 Christ could come at any time
blessed or as we know happy is he that keeps these sayings. If you keep these prophecies then you will be a follower of Christ.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
John is totally overwhelmed by the awesome sight that he sees. He just doesn’t know what to say. So in his emotional state he just begins to worship. But as we will see John has to be corrected
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
worship creature rather than Creator
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. {more: or, rather} (Romans 1:25 AV)
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
This is a contrast to the book of Daniel. Dan 12:4? Why? What is the difference? The time and the situations that is to be seen. I have noticed how much easier it is for people to interpret Revelation today because of the coming end.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Sow a thought and reap an act
Sow an act and reap a habit
Sow an habit and reap a character
Sow a character and reap a destiny
What ever is sown will be reaped? It will continue.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
The rewards will be passed out at the judgements and one will get exactly what they have earned.
¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15 AV)
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.
I have read that this seems to be a misplaced text. Why? because we don't believe in works for salvation. But what is the greatest commandment.
Love the Lord thy God with
Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14 AV)
Some people may read this and think that it means works but we know to interpret scripture in light of scripture and we easily see what is here.
As in the Sermon on the mount Mt 5-7 the book of Revelation has some Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-10
1) ¶ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev 1:3
2) ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13 AV)
3) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15 AV)
4) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9 AV)
5) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6 AV)
6) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7 AV)
7) 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. Rev 22:14
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers (those who practice of magic arts), and whoremongers (sexually immoral), and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (falsehood).
Notice the mention of word lie again. Especially in these last chapters
21:8 liars "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire"
21:27 he who "maketh a lie" will not enter the eternal city of God
Why do you think it is the last sin condemned in the Bible? It was a lie that brought about the fall of man in the first place Gen 3:1-5; John 8:44
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.
root and off spring of David-connects with Israel Rom 1:3
bright and morning star connects Jesus with the church 2 Peter 1:19
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.
with this God is always open to whosever will accept him at anytime. People will go to hell not at the reject of God toward them. God gives many opportunities but people reject. And he says whosever. Some teach only the elect that God has chosen. People will go to hell over the dead body of Christ.
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32 AV)
here we see the eternal plan of God, the Spirit and the church (birde of Christ) witnessing and inviting all to come.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
I believe this applies to the book of the Revelation but I also believe in God's plan in the way he organized scripture and that he put this verse here for the purpose of the whole Bible
The reason we are in the mess that we are now is because two people did not take the word of God seriously
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37 AV)
2 Peter 3:8 so seems that hardly two days are gone
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
End of the Old Testament ends with a threatened curse
Promise of Jesus
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2 AV)
But ends with a curse
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:6 AV)
But the end of the New Testament ends with hope and grace. What a difference Christ has made.
(Hebrews 10:37 AV)
Grace will keep up out of the lake of Fire
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4 AV) Salvation Everyone needs it (Rom 3:23) Everyone can have it (John 3:16) Only Jesus can give it (John 14:6) Only believer’s receive it (John 3:36)
