Some Last Things
Revelation 22: 16-21
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
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 desires, take the water of life without cost.
18 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 that are written in this book;
19 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.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Introduction
The book of Revelation is the last book in the Bible. On the last page of this last book, there are three last things we need to consider in the last verses. Here we find:
1. The Bible’s last proposal, Come. (verse 17)
People say they can’t believe a loving God would send anyone to a devil’s hell. I agree. God has done everything He can to keep anyone from going to hell. He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins. On almost every page of the Bible, men are invited to come to God and be saved. In these verses is yet another invitation to come.
It’s hard to go to hell. If you die and go to hell, you will have to ignore the witness of the Holy Spirit that’s in your heart even now, saying come to Jesus. You’ll have to ignore the message of the Church inviting you to turn from your sins and be saved. If you die and go to hell, you must overlook every gospel sermon you ever heard preached. You’ll have to ignore the witness of every Godly parent and grandparent. You’ll have to ignore every Christian friend who invited you to come to Jesus.
Verse 17 says.” whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.” (King. James) Let me ask you a question, are you soul thirsty? Some people have tried everything the world offers, and there’s still an emptiness deep in your soul. Someone said that there’s a God size hole in the heart of every person that only God can fill. When you are thirsty for water, only water will satisfy you. Only God can quench that thirst when your soul is thirsty for God. I invite you to come and drink the water of life freely. Just come and drink your fill!
2. The Bible’s last warning. Don’t mess with the Book. (verses 18 - 19)
These verses are like a flaming sword to guard the integrity of the scripture from profane hands. There are similar warnings in other parts of the Bible. God has said. “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2; NIV1). “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebukes you, and you be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6; NKJV)
Whenever I pick up a newspaper or flip through the channels on T.V., someone is taking away or adding to this book. They say we are living in the “post-Christian era.” We want an easy religion that we feel comfortable with and that allows us to do as we please and feel good about it.
This text says that anyone who adds to or takes away from this book, “God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things written in this book.” I believe this applies to unbelievers. There is no other way to get to heaven except through the blood of Christ Jesus. The Bible says, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. Well, you say, “that’s kind of narrow-minded,” I didn’t say it the Bible did. All these man-made religions are going to fall like the tower of Babel. There’s only one way to heaven. The Apostle Paul said, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9; NKJV).
3. The Bible’s last prophecy, “Surely I am coming quickly.”(verse 20)
This chapter warns us three times that Jesus’ return will be quick. Matthew says, “For, as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matt. 24: 38 & 39) This may not refer to the extreme wickedness of Noah’s day. There’s nothing wrong with eating and drinking, well, depending on what you’re drinking. What Jesus is saying, that at a time when it’s business as usual, when people are preoccupied with other things, He will come.
His coming will be like a thief in the night. Jesus said if the good man had known what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched and not let the house be broken into (Matt. 24: 43). Implications are that since we don’t know when He is coming, we ought to be watching all the time.
I believe His coming will not only be quick, but it will be soon. Jesus gave us some signs to look for that would indicate His coming. We don’t have time to discuss all these signs. One is wars and rumors of wars. (Matt 24: 6a) Have you listened to the news lately? Another sign is earthquakes in various places. (Matt. 24:7b) There was a tremor in Winston Salem not long ago.
Let me ask you a question, how many of us woke up this morning thinking Jesus may come today? Very few of us, I suspect. Then today would be a perfect day for him to come. Jesus said, “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matt. 24: 44b)
4. The Bible’s last prayer, “Even so come Lord Jesus.” (verse 20)
The preacher asked his congregation to raise their hand if they wanted to go to heaven. Everybody raised their hand but one man. John, the preacher, asks don’t you want to go to heaven when you die? Oh yes, John answered; I thought you were getting a load to go now.
I’m not real sure I’m ready to go now. The New Testament Church lived in such a way they could pray that prayer. Let me give you the little test I gave myself. What would you do differently if you knew Jesus was coming before dark today? I believe that if we would do anything different, we’re not ready. I’m a shame to admit; I failed the test
May I tell you which of us are not ready? If you I have never had a personal encounter with Jesus, you are not prepared. If you are a Christian and there is unconfessed sin in your life, you’re not ready. If you have not done everything you know to get your lost loved ones and friends to accept Christ, you’re not ready.
Conclusion:
Chuck Swindall talks about an older man who worked in the mill with him when he was in college. Chuck says that everybody would stop, clean up, and get ready for the horn about five or ten minutes before quitting time, except this older man worked right up until the horn sounded. One day Chuck asks him why he never stopped and got ready for quitting time. His answer was I stay ready. Jesus is coming ready or not. He’s coming, Church. We better get ready and stay ready.
If you I have never had a personal encounter with Jesus, would you pray and ask Jesus to forgive your sin? Tell him you believe he is the Son of God, and you want to go to heaven. He will forgive, and you will sense that he has forgiven your sin. After that, you need to get yourself a bible and begin to read it. Start with the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament, Continue to Pray, and talk to Jesus every day. You will need to find a church because, without a church, you will struggle, but with a Church family, it will help you mature and grow in your understanding of who Jesus is and what he wants you to do. Don’t Delay My Friend
Notes from: Matthew Henry
