Revelation: Chapter 22. Verses 1-5 continue to speak describing the spiritual realm of the New Jerusalem. Epilogue (Gk.-epilogos-spoken conclusion)

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1 197 Revelation: Chapter 22 Verses 1-5 continue to speak describing the spiritual realm of the New Jerusalem. Epilogue (Gk.-epilogos-spoken conclusion) Rev 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (7:17) water of life- is representative of the Spirit (as in Zec 14:8) Who gives life through the words that I have spoken to you [which] are spirit and life (Jn 6:63). He flowed out from Jerusalem via the apostles (post Pentecost) as witnesses in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Act 1:8). Psa 46 explains God s presence in the church. Psa 46:4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah river- Here it represents the abundance of the Spirit (given to the obedient- Act 2:38b) and thus life which is promoted via the Gospel into all the world (Mk 16:15). flowing- By means of Holy Spirit, the Gospel spread through those who were scattered [and] went about preaching the word (Act 8:4), as it has continued since via those who preach the good news (Rom 10:15) and who are ready in season and out of season with complete patience and teaching (2 Tim 4:2). See also Matt 5:6. Joh 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Read Jn 4:10-14; 7: Jer 2:13 for My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jer 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You shall be put to shame; those who turn away from You shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water. Psa 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? bright as crystal- denotes purity as is representative of Holy Spirit. His eternal abode is the throne from where His Co-creators rule (Gen 1:26). Rev 22:2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

2 198 The throne lies in the midst of the street of the city (church victorious) thus it's focus. From it proceeds that which nourishes (Holy Spirit- water of life) the (singular) tree of life which flourishes on both sides of the river. The fruits are perfect (12) for sustaining life. Here "Eden" is restored, Satan has been defeated and cannot return (12:10), and there now exists a glorious setting in which God and man can, once again, commune. Satan can no longer tempt those in Paradise. The faithful on earth have Christ as our Advocate just in case anyone does sin (1 Jn 2:1). In this setting man once again fulfills his purpose in giving God the pleasure of his company. (4:11-KJV) Read Eze 47:12. each month- all year, continual, no short period of harvest, eternal (1 Jn 2:25). (In Gen 2:9, 16-17; 3:17, Adam and Eve lost their access to the tree of life bringing about their mortality.) Post Pentecost, eternal life begins once a person enters the city via obedience to the Great Commission (Mat 28) and keeps it by being devoted to the apostles teaching (Act 2:42) and as they continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Those who have conquered need not fear the second death (2:11) since they have already passed from death to life (Jn 5:24) and those who press toward the goal for the prize (Php 3:14) have passed out of death into life (via the kingdom/church), because we love the brothers (1 Jn 3:14). Once we have been united with [Christ] in a death like His we have been united with Him in a resurrection like His (Rom 6:6) thus beginning our reign with Him (20:6). Joh 11:24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" The leaves- used as a balm of healing for the nations (Gk.1484-gentile- 21:24, 26) so that they can bring into [the kingdom/church their] glory and honor (21:26). Psa 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Rom 11:30 For just as you (Gentiles) were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their (Jews) disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all. Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, Who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body (the church- Eph 4:4) through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Rev 22:3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. In Gen 3:17-19 the ground was cursed because of Adam and Eve. They were cast from God's presence because of their sin since He cannot be in the presence of or even look

3 199 upon it (Psa 5:4). Those entering the city must, as the priests of the Old Covenant were required before entering the Holy Place (Ex 30:20), be washed by being baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3) thus removing anything accursed, having an appeal to God for a good conscience (1 Pet 3:21) since even the stain of your guilt would remain before Him (Jer 2:22). With the throne of God and of the Lamb in this city as the Divine rule of the Godhead, only the one who conquers [Christ] will grant to sit with [Him], as [He] also conquered and sat down with [His] Father on His throne (3:21). The chance to do that can only be granted to citizens of this better country, that is, [this] heavenly one (Heb 11:16). Rev 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created." Rev 22:4 They will see His face, and His Name will be on their foreheads. Moses could not see God's face (Ex 33:17-23), but here things are/will be different. To see His face in this setting has to do with the sense of having the recognition of the One Whom they serve - Foy Wallace Revelation. 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. name on their foreheads- shows ownership and mark of submission in contrast with the mark of the beast (13:16-17; 14:1). Not just of those in Paradise but also of those comprising the church militant on earth (Act 11:26, 2 Cor 10:5). Rev 22:5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Darkness signifying ignorance, it cannot exist in the presence of light. This has specific reference to the absolute absence of any element of heathen darkness in the new and renovated state of the Holy City, the bride of the Lamb - Foy Wallace Revelation. With the presence of this eternal light emanating from God (21:23) the saints can reign forever. Unlike the earthly rule (1 Pet 2:9; Rev 1:6; 5:10) of the 1000-year reign (20:4-6) which is considered temporal, this period of victory will never end. It began at Christ s resurrection (12:10-11) and will continue after the judgment into eternity. Verse 6 to the end of the chapter deals with a literal event at the time of the writing. Rev 22:6 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place." The angel of 21:9 states (as did the voice from the throne-21:5) that the Revelation is reliable and genuine. In Matt 22:31-32 we are told that God " is not God of the dead, but of the living". The angel spoken of as being sent to John to signify the revelation, is the same one of 1:1. The God Who spoke to the prophets of old, here understood as living in the spirit realm, now brings to fruition those mysteries concerning His Christ

4 200 Luk 24:44 Then He said to them, "These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." the destruction of Jerusalem and the fulfilling of the law, (Matt 24:1-28; Col 2:14; Heb 8:13) and here, the persecution of the church under Rome's watch (Matt 24:29-31). The purpose of this revealing was to show the saints the impending tribulation and how such a terrible era would have such a key part in the proclamation of the Gospel message (Acts 8:1-4; Rev 3:19-21). soon take place- (1:1) The time of the writing is during Vespasian's reign (69-79 AD). The real persecution began under Domitian (81-96 AD) and would be soon to start (Rev 17:9-11). Rev 22:7 "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." In 1:9 John already understood that the kingdom was in existence since Pentecost (Acts 2:33) of which he understood himself, along with all other true believers, to have been made partaker (Col 1:13). It came as the "unseen reality of the world" -Everet Ferguson. Luk 17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." The "coming" here, once again, has to do with a visitation in the events of history, more specifically, those events that were to shape the churches of Asia (and thus the whole church). It was/is a warning as was in 2:5. There would be blessings on those who kept the words of this revealing (Jn 8:51) and condemnation on those who didn't (1:3). Jesus warned the first century church that He would visit them with judgment if they didn t heed His warning to remain pure from the influences of the pagan practices the Roman government sanctioned. His judgment was soon to come on Rome and they weren t to be partakers with Rome in her idolatry or anything else or they would suffer right along with her. The same can be true of us today if we participate in and/or agree with government sanctioned practices such as the laws being established on homosexual relationships, abortion and anything else that goes against the word of God. We become delinquent when we fail to keep an eye on His word. Even though Jesus words here in the Revelation were to a specific group of Christians, written to the seven churches of Asia means it has application to the whole church (Rom 15:4) from inception to resurrection; seven being the figurative number of completeness. Rev 22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, As in the beginning of the writing (1:1, 4, 9), so in the end. John avows that he is the receiver and writer of the words written herein. The visions so profound, John drops before the heavenly messenger in awe. Rev 22:9 but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

5 201 fellow servant- (19:10) Only God deserves worship as this angel s intelligence reveals (Prov 9:10). Angels are part of the kingdom that the saints have come to (Heb 12:22). Heb 1:13 And to which of the angels has He ever said, "Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (The saints are their equals- 12:10) Act 12:21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. and with those who keep the words of this book- Angels are not just equals to the prophets and apostles but also with all the faithful saints as contemporaries and are not in any position of authority above us. Rev 22:10 And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Daniel was told in Dan 8:26 to "seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now". Received in 550 BC Daniel s vision concerning "the most vindictive religious persecutor of pre-christian times" (Antiochus IV) was completed in 164 BC (Dan 8:14), a span of almost 400 years. (See Daniel notes) The events here foreseen (i.e. the Roman persecution) were about to begin shortly (1:1, 3; 22:6). Rev 22:11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." With this fulfillment underway, so is the time of repentance. There would be a day beyond that day of repentance when it will be too late and in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor 15:52) whatever state a person is in (saved or lost) their eternal reward will be according to what they had done (20:13). The following passage dealt with the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) and the Christians living there but applies to all who have yet to make the commitment to serve God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Heb 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Rev 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense with Me, to repay everyone for what he has done. Same message of quick judgment, different speaker (Jesus). In Matt 28:20 He said "I am with you always, to the end of the age". Jesus was constantly "coming" in the events that faced the church, whether in comfort or chastisement. To be rewarded according to one's work should not have brought about any fear to the faithful, with whom the Lord is always present via Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9). Rev 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

6 202 (1:8) Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (just as a and z are in the English). Here they refer to Jesus as being equal with the Lord God the eternal One. He was in the beginning with God (Gen 1:26) when all things physical were created and He ll be there in the end when they will be dissolved (2 Pet 3:11-12). What a comforting thought to own for the churches of Asia when they were about to undergo such atrocities. Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. In 1 Jn 1:7 "if we walk in the light" (do His commandments) "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin". Only those who obey Christ's commandments wash their robes (this is a continual washing- [1 Jn 1:7] with continued obedience in keeping our robe white- [Jam 1:27]) and have a right to the tree of life, thus eternal life. The washing of robes here (entering the priesthood of believers via baptism) begins the individual s eternal life and will last into the next realm if they remain inside the city (2 Thes 3:6; 1 Jn 1:7). White robes exist in both realms of the church (Rev 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; Mat 22:11-12; Gal 3;27). The tree of life is found inside the city four square, through the pearly portals. It continually produces spiritual food that those who have had the knowledge of good and evil now have a right to, once transferred into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col 1:13). Unlike the tree in the garden that was off limits to Adam and Eve once they ate of the forbidden fruit, here, through Christ paying the ransom/ entrance fee (Mat 20:28), the faithful saints have access. Rev 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Outside- (20:15; 21:8) With only two realms existing (carnal/spiritual); those outside the wall (church) in which the Holy city (the church on earth and in Paradise) exists have only one other destiny. The lake of fire (20:15). 1. dogs- man's best friend in these passages is not understood to be in a good light. They are associated with evil and disgust. Php 3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 2Pe 2:22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire." 2. sorcerers- also not to be trusted because of their deceit. Act 8:11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. Act 13:6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

7 203 Act 13:10 and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 3. sexually immoral- all sexual sin. Mat 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 4. murderers- not just those who commit the act. 1Jn 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 5. idolaters- anything worshipped other than God. Notice its company. Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6. everyone who loves and practices falsehood- Pro 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. 2Th 2:10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, Rev 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the Root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." Jesus affirms, via His angel (1:1), the authenticity of His testimony to give assurance to the churches. He is the Messianic King sprung from the royal line of King David (Act 2:25-31; Matt 22:42-45) The following verses, among many others, prophesied it.

8 204 Isa 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isa 11:1 There shall come forth a Shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Read also Jer 23:5-6; 33:15. Rev 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 desires take the water of life without price. Bride- Not wife here, showing context- the marriage supper hasn t taken place yet (19:9). In whatever manner of visitation the Lord chooses (tribulation, turmoil, affliction or final coming- 2 Cor 12:10) along with the Spirit, the Bride (church) invites (via the Great Commission- Mat 28:18-20) those who will respond to the invitation to come. To have a thirst is to have a desire (Jn 4:14). (21:6) The water is free (Pro 23:23). Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God (equating Jesus with Deity), which He obtained with His own blood. Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, To add to this revelation to the churches, one would suffer (Rome's) fate/judgment. The same was true under the Old Covenant therefore it would apply to the whole Bible. Deu 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. Deu 12:32 "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. Pro 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar. Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. To hold back from this Revelation, one would risk losing his part in the holy city revealed in this writing, and thus could not partake of the tree which sustains life eternally (from this time forward). And since there are warnings in the Old Testament, as well as there are here, shouldn t this apply to the entire Bible?

9 205 Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Rev 22:20 He Who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Even though this was written to a specific audience (the seven churches of Asia) it is not to be disregarded since whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Rom 15:4). As a consolation, Jesus acknowledges to the churches under Rome's expansion that His judgment/salvation would be soon. To that John, who was also their partner in the tribulation (1:9), responds. Rev 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Salutation. Intended to be read to the saints as a message from God through Christ through His angel to John to the churches of Asia (and subsequently to all), His unmerited favor upon us. So, let it be, my Lord and my God (Jn 20:28)! The Beatitudes of the Revelation Blessed are [is]: 1. (1:3) - the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, those who hear, and who keep what is written in it 2. (14:13) the dead who die in the Lord. 3. (16:15) he who stays awake, keeping his garments on 4. (19:9) those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 5. (20:6) the one who shares in the first resurrection. 6. (22:7) the one who keeps the words of the prophesy of this book. 7. (22:14) those who wash their robes. The Revelation's message is appropriate for every generation because we know not when our Lord will come. We need always to come out from the world and be ready because our salvation is nearer than when we first believed! Rom 13:11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Updated March 18,

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