Responding To Eternal Glory Part V Series

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).