The End of the Revelation

Transcription

1 The End of the Revelation Revelation 22:10-21 I. Introduction and review A. We ve been to the New Jerusalem B. And now we must come back C. The message of the Apocalypses ends in verse 9 D. The final section is the epilogue 1. Epilogue B a section or speech at the end of a book or play serving as a comment on or conclusion to what has happened. II. Revelation 22:10-21 A. To whom is the Epilogue of this book particularly written? 1. To the church 2. The concept is this a. Based on what I have told you b. How are you going to live c. And what is important to know B. His primary instructions to us 1. Walk submissively 2. Worship triumphantly 3. Witness urgently 4. Work fervently, and 5. Watch expectantly C. ADo not seal up the words@ 1. Why not? B because the time is near 2. Consider Dan. 8:26; 12:4, 9 a. It was not a message for Daniel=s time 3. We should consider the time to be near D. ALet the one who does wrong...let the one who is righteous...@ 1. As the time gets closer the polarization of the two sides grows 2. The time getting closer is wonderful, but the polarization is not 3. We must recognize what is happening E. AI am coming quickly@ 1. John Walvoord B former President of Dallas Theological Seminary a. ABehold@ is a verb that is imperative and in aorist tense b. AI come quickly@ is in the present tense in order to connote a 1 5

2 futuristic but impending action c. We are left to understand this statement from the speakers perspective and not our own d. It should also be understood within the scope of God=s overall plan. 2. Who is speaking now B Jesus a. Notice the paragraph indication b. Who else could say alpha and omega 3. That is the rapture 4. For that is the next time that Jesus Acomes@ F. AMy reward is with Me@ 1. See II Cor. 5: The Judgment seat of Christ a. Only believers b. Not deciding where spend eternity, already determined, but rewards to believers c. I Cor. 3:11-15 d. Jesus will be the judge e. It will occur in heaven [5:8] f. And what is our reward (1) crowns [I Cor. 9:25; II Tim. 4:8; Jam. 1:12; I Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10] (2) some say that the parable of the Aminas@ in Luke 19:11-27 indicates that who and how we serve and rule in eternity is tied to our faithfulness on earth g. This should motivate us in how we live [consider I Cor. 9:24-27] G. AAlpha and Omega@ 1. The beginning and the end 2. Used in verse 1:8 a. Some say refers only to the Father B Lord God Almighty b. Here in 22:13 Jesus uses it to refer to himself H. A... wash their robes...@ 1. Different sources not different translations of the same words 2. Net Bible also translates: A... wash their robes...@ 3. Consider the difference in meaning 4. Those who seek to purify themselves 5. See 7:14 B they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and they are now as white as snow 2 5

3 I. AThe tree of 1. Adam and Eve were barred from eating of this tree ever again 2. Because our sins are forgiven and cleansed by His blood, we can eat freely J. 1. e;xw exo {ex'-o} Meaning: 1) without, out of doors a. Origin: evk ek {ek} or evx ex {ex} Meaning: 1) out of, from, by, away from 2. Understand to mean outside of God=s plan or provision K. Dogs 1. ku,wn kuon {koo'-ohn} Meaning: 1) a dog 2) metaph. a man of impure mind, an impudent man 2. In Deu. 23:18 B male prositute 3. English concepts: a. Cur B a mongrel or inferior dog; or a surly or cowardly fellow 4. Jewish : Samaritan dog L. AI Jesus@ B no question now who is speaking 1. The angel was sent by the Lord M. AThe root and descendent of David@ 1. Root should be taken to mean precursor the one from whom one originates a. Consider Isa. 11: Descendant B the progeny of David 3. Consider now Matt N. AThe bright and morning star@ 1. Num. 24:17 O. What is meant by the statement of Jesus in Matt. 5:13 1. NAU Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 2. Salt flavors and seasons 3. Salt preserves 4. Salt has antiseptic qualities 5. Salt makes you thirsty P. AThe Spirit and the bride say come...@ [22:17] 1. Jesus is speaking 2. This is the team that the Lord established to share the gospel during the 3 5

4 dispensation of the church a. They work together to accomplish this goal b. Successful soul winning: Faithfully sharing the gospel, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results up to God. c. Are you on the team? 3. Salvation according to our Lord a. Revelation 22:17 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. b. The reason for responding: (1) they are thirsty [consider John 4:10 & 13] (2) they come to see their own inability to fill the void in their lives (3) when they come in contact with someone who knows the Lord, their thirst becomes more pronounced [hopefully] (4) as salt our job is to create thirst c. The restrictions to responding: (1) what if they said at the Great White Throne Judgment, I couldn=t respond because I was not one of the elect (2) the restrictions here are non-existent (3) Awhoever desires@ (4) consider John 3:16-18 d. The responsibility for responding (1) John 7:37-38 (2) it is not an act of the intellect (3) nor is it an emotional response (4) it is a decision of the will (a) Awhosoever will@ [KJV] (b) Awhoever desires@ [NKJV] (c) Athe one who wishes take@ [NASB] e. The requirement for responding (1) the one who is thirsty must reach out and take it (2) Romans 10:13 for AWHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.@ Q. Rev. 22:20 B I am coming quickly 1. God=s promises: a. General or personal b. Conditional or unconditional 4 5

5 R. John prays: AAmen. Come, Lord 1. Is that prayer unnecessary? 2. We should pray that way also 3. Prayer is the key that unlocks the promises of God 4. Consider God=s promise to Elijah: a. 1 Kings 18:1 Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, AGo, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.@ b. But Elijah had to pray, seven times sending his servant to look to see if God had answered, and finally on the seventh time, He did c. James 5:16b-18 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. S. The Book of Revelation begins with grace [1:4] and ends with grace [22:21] 1. Why? Because it is grace that saves us, grace that brings us into God=s wonderful love, and grace that will bring us home