The Revelation of Jesus Christ
“Jesus Is Coming Soon”
Rev 22:6-21
I. Prologue
II. Messages to the churches
III. Last days
IV. Epilogue
John finishes the book with some assurances and some final instructions concerning the book.
Tom Constable observes three basic features of the epilogue.
Three emphases mark this epilogue. First, this prophecy is genuine (vv. 6–7, 8–9, 16, 18–19). Second, Jesus will return imminently (vv. 6–7, 10, 12, 20). Third, the unfit should beware, and the faithful should take courage (vv. 11–12, 15, 17–19). The whole epilogue is very similar to the first chapter in many ways. Thomas Constable, Revelation 8–22, p. 493.
A. An angelic assurance
1. This prophecy is from God 22:6
And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
The same angel who revealed the New Jerusalem not only assures John that everything he has heard is faithful and true because they came from God Himself. It was God’s desire to reveal the final events of the age. These were not bad dreams or figments of his imagination or something falsely forecast by evil spirits. People get visions all the time. Not all of them are from God. The angel assured John that these visions and the information in them were truly from God. The Lord Himself revealed this information. The same God who inspired the Biblical writers of old disclosed these truths.
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 1:20-21
Revelation is faithful and true because God inspired it.
The angel repeated the means of revelation already affirmed at the beginning of the book.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Revelation 1:1-2
2. Jesus is coming soon 22:27
The angel appears to be relaying Jesus’ words to John.
And behold, I am coming quickly.
This is either the idea of soon or the speed at which He will carry out these things when He does come.
3. There is blessing for reading and heeding this book
Jesus repeats the blessing from 1:3.
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.
Here, there is a blessing for the one who “heeds” the words of this book.
Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.
The word heed has to do with guarding, watching, preserving, keeping (observing).
The concept has to do with embracing and taking the words of Revelation to heart.
This book, more than any other, promises blessing to those who read and heed it.
B. John’s assurance
This is the first time John has personally addressed the reader since chapter one.
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.
John assures his readers as he did in chapter one that he personally experienced these things.
They were visions he saw and words he himself heard. I believe John refers to ALL that he had seen and heard not just the last vision. John seems also to summarize an earlier response (19:10) to angelic revelations he received. These visions were so overwhelming and the angelic messengers so awesome that his immediate response was to give reverence to them.
And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, "Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God." Revelation 22:8-9
It is possible he did it again but he should have known better after the first angelic correction.
Paul warned the Colossians not to get enamored by angelic messages which distract from the real source.
Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Colossians 2:18-19
Your focus and worship must center on God (the Creator) not angels (the messengers).
C. Angelic instruction and declaration 22:10-11
1. Share these words with everyone. 22:10
And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.”
John, as opposed to Daniel, was told to proclaim the imminent fulfillment of his words. Daniel was told not to expect his prophesies to be fulfilled in his time. He was told to seal them up keep held in reserve until the future time of their fulfillment. John was told not to keep the visions in reserve because “the time is near.” Make the future hope available to all who will hear and heed.
2. Life orientation will be fixed in eternity 22:11
This next verse seems troubling at first glance. It seems the angel encourages people not to change.
Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.
The context of this statement concerns the eternal state. It is not a command to do something but a statement of the way things will be in eternity. Those who did not embrace Jesus before will forever remain in their fallen state. Those who did embrace Jesus will forever enjoy their redeemed state. The angel refers both to deeds and the character from which they spring.
The one doing wrong
will continue doing wrong The one doing righteous
will continue doing righteousness
The one who is filthy will remain filthy The one who is holy will remain holy
There is no second chance. Now is the time cry out for Jesus to bring about a change at the core of your being. This will be a change that will carry on into eternity. The angel presents declares a good news bad news contrast. For those who refuse change now will never change.
Those who embrace change now will stay forever changed. This is the age of repentance and salvation. It will be too late one second after Jesus returns.
D. Here comes the judge
Again, I think the angel speaks for Jesus to John.
1. He will come quickly
Behold, I am coming quickly
He repeated the necessity to be alert to His coming which could happen at any time.
2. He will reward every man
and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
This is literally “wages”. He comes to “settle up”. Paul assured us that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Jesus offers salvation as a free gift but he rewards faithfulness. Hebrews affirms that the core of faith is to believe that God is who He said He is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 11:6).
God won’t miss a thing. What seemed to be overlooked here will be rewarded hereafter. Some rewards we enjoy here, many will be realized hereafter.
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. Isa 40:10-11
And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:28-29
God offers reward hereafter as incentive to faithfulness here and now.
3. Jesus is the primary focus of history
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Colossians is clear…
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:17-18
4. He affirmed the blessing of following Him
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. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Jesus wanted us to be assured that it is worth it all. All of the temporary suffering, tribulation, persecution and trauma will result in glory. Those who embrace Jesus are assigned resident status in God’s Holy City where we will have access to the tree of life. Whereas Adam was banned from approaching the tree of life, end of the age followers will be invited to freely partake.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Seven “blessed” passages can be found in Revelation
Blessing for reading and heeding the book 1:3; 22:7
Blessing of those who die in Christ 14:13
Blessing for the alert at His coming 16:15
Blessing for those invited to the marriage supper 19:9
Blessing for those having part in the first resurrection 20:6
Blessed are those who wash their robes 22:14
Those who overcome by believing in Jesus will enjoy all the promises made to overcomers.
• Eat of the tree of life 2:7
• Unaffected by the second death (Lake of fire) 2:11
• Given hidden manna, white stone, new name 2:17
• Authority over the nations, morning star. 2:26-28
• Clothed in white garments, inclusion in book of life, divine acknowledgment 3:5
• Pillar in the temple, secure home, connection 3:12
• Sit on the throne with Jesus 3:21
Those who don’t will be forever banned. They will be confined in the lake of fire forever and ever away from His presence.
5. He affirmed the divine source of the prophecy to the church
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.
Again, due to nature of the content of Revelation Jesus reaffirmed its divine origin. He sent the information through a certified messenger for the blessing of the churches. He is the promised root of David. David established the first Jerusalem; Jesus the New Jerusalem. He is the bright morning star; the star that shines in the dark just before the dawn. Num 24:17 or Matt. 2:2 or II Pet. 1:19
E. The glorious invitation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
Who can embrace Jesus? What a grand invitation; an open invitation to all who have a need.
This is an invitation to respond to God’s invitation to become citizens of His Kingdom.
Many are called to extend an invitation to come to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit calls people to come to Jesus.
The bride, the church, is encouraged to invite people to come to Jesus.
Anyone who hears about Jesus is encouraged to invite people to come to Jesus.
All those thirsty for something more are invited to drink of His life giving water for free.
This is a reminder of Jesus’ invitation to the thirsty during His first visit.
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' " But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.” Isa 55:1-2
F. The warning against tampering 22:18-19
Like the solemn warning at the end of a marriage ceremony, Jesus finishes the book with a stern warning
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.
No other book of the Bible contains such a strong warning against tampering. Deuteronomy includes a warning against taking away from the law. 4:12; 12:32. Many apply this verse to the whole Bible. Technically, it applies only to the words of Revelation. The warning has to do with tampering with the words of this book. Anyone who takes away words or adds words will suffer severe consequence. They will suffer plagues as traumatic as the ones reveled in Revelation. They will also suffer loss of the grand, ultimate reward of eternal citizenship in the Holy City.
Don’t mess with the message Revelation.
• Don’t add or subtract from the powerful image of Jesus in chapter one.
• Don’t ignore or water down the message of Jesus to the 7 churches in chapter 2 and 3 representing churches throughout church history.
• Don’t miss the wonder of heavenly worship of the One on the throne and the Lamb that will arise from people from every tribe and language and people and nation recorded in 4 & 5.
• Don’t miss the severity of the coming judgments.
• The seal judgments 6-7
• The trumpet judgments 8-9
• The bowl judgments 15-16
• Don’t leave out the special commission and protection of the 144,000 witnesses and the fallen martyrs (7), the special angel and the little book (10) and the two great final witnesses (11).
• Don’t forget the final characters of the final chapter Israel, the dragon of old, the celestial wars, the beast and the false prophet (13-14)
• Don’t ignore the gravity of Babylon’s final fall and destruction. (17-19)
• Remember the coming marriage of the Lamb with the church. (19)
• Don’t spiritualize the physically return of Jesus to earth where He will be victorious over all the kingdoms of the earth and hosts of demons. (19)
• Satan will be incarcerated for 1000 years during which time many will live on the earth under the perfect rule of righteousness.
• There will then be one more opportunity for those born during the 1,000 year period to make a free and conscious choice as to who they will serve.
• Those who chose to serve Jesus will live with Him forever.
• Those who chose not to serve Jesus will be judged and sentenced to the lake of fire forever and ever.
• God will reformat the heavens and the earth and bring His dwelling, His holy house, His glorious abode the holy city the New Jerusalem to the renewed earth to live among His people forever and ever.
• Don’t water down the severity of refusing to choose Jesus.
• Don’t minimize the reality and severity of the coming judgment and punishment to follow.
• Don’t take away from the message of the book by getting sidetracked with details or sensationalism.
• Don’t add to the book by expanding where Jesus did not elaborate.
• Don’t take away from the book by missing the message of absolute holiness and accountability before God.
G. Come Lord Jesus 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Jesus affirmed again a third time that He is on his way. John expressed his desire for Jesus to come soon. This is the Aramaic phrase “Maranatha” which is interpreted as “our Lord has come” or “our Lord, Come!” The same response I suggested last week is also applicable today.
Response
• Make sure this will be your future home.
• Take time to contemplate your future eternal existence with God.
• Show your gratitude by faithful service
• Consider your present lifestyle in light of your future hope
Peter encourages us to consider our present lifestyle in light of our future hope of a renewed heavens and earth. 2 Peter 3:11-15
• Eagerly hope and wait for it.
Romans says to eagerly hope and wait for it. Rom 8:18
• Make every effort to share this glorious community with others.
As Jesus comforted His troubled disciples, I comfort you today.
"Stop letting your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you (and I am), I will come again (to earth) and receive you to Myself (in My Father’s house), that where I am (in the Holy City come to earth), there you may be also. John 14:1-3
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
H. Benediction 22:21
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
What a fitting conclusion to a persecuted people.
May the thought of God’s gracious provision be ever present in their minds.
May we be directed by grace, comforted by grace, challenged by grace, encouraged by grace motivated by grace, filled with grace, awed by grace, grateful for grace, indebted to grace, consumed by grace.
Comparison of First and Last Chapter of Revelation
Origin of the prophecy: God & Jesus 1:1 22:6
Subject of the prophecy: coming events 1:1 22:6
Mediator of the prophecy: an angel 1:1 22:6, 8, 16
Writer of the prophecy: John 1:1, 4, 9 22:8
Genuineness of the prophecy: true prophecy 1:3 22:6, 7, 9, 10, 18–19
Vehicle of the prophecy: a prophet 1:1, 9–11 22:8, 9, 10
Addressees of the prophecy: bond-servants 1:1 22:6
Destination of the prophecy: churches 1:3, 11 22:16, 18
Blessing of the prophecy: for obedience 1:3 22:7, 12, 14
Warning of the prophecy: for unfaithfulness 1:7 22:11, 12, 18–19
Center of the prophecy: Christ 1:2, 5, 9 22:16, 18, 20
God of the prophecy: Alpha & Omega 1:17 22:13
Chief character of the prophecy: God 1:5, 7 22:12, 13, 16
Hope of the prophecy: soon return 1:3, 7 22:7, 10, 12, 20
