Revelation 22

                         

Revelation 22:1-7 – The River of Life

The angel showed John the river of life.  It was as clear as crystal that flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the street.  On each side was the tree of life which bearing 12 crops of fruit yielding fruit every month.  The leaves are for the healing of the nations.  No longer be any curse.  The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the holy city and servants to serve Him.  They will be able to see His face.  His name will be written on their foreheads.  There will be no more night nor a need for light for the Lord God will give them light.  They will reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:1-5)

Have you received new life by believing in Jesus as Savior?  What a great honor to carry His name.  It is thrilling to be identified with Him.  He promises a glorious future of hope, peace and security for all who believe in Him.

The tree of life has not been mentioned in the Bible since Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden.  If you remember, God provided all they needed and told them they could eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  When they disobeyed God, He cursed them and banned them from the garden and they could no longer eat from the tree of life.  If they had eaten from the tree of life, they would live forever in their sin.  So He kicked them out of the garden.  Because of their sin, they would have to work for their food.  That Paradise is now restored.  All that was lost is redeemed by the Lamb.  Now the fruits from the tree of life show God will always provide and give us what we need.  The leaves on the tree were like medicine for all the people showing there will be always be good health. 

Are you eating from the tree of life or worldly junk?

What name do others see written on you?

We are the servants.  We will have the honor of serving Him.  The Bible tells us no one can see the face of God and live, but in the New Jerusalem we will have glorified bodied and we will be able to see His face.  There we will be in His presence all the time and can look on His face anytime.  This will be the greatest blessing. 

Jesus is the source of all light.  The sun and moon will have no purpose.  His presence is all we will need.  This Kingdom has no end.

What is your source of light?

The angel told John, “These words are trustworthy and true.  The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.  Behold, I am coming soon!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Rev. 221:6-7  Here the angel shows the authenticity of the book of Revelation and refers to the entire book and is reinforcing the importance of all that is in it.  Everything John saw will come to pass.  This prophecy is true and we must believe it.  We don’t know when these things will happen, but we know they will.

Revelation 22:8-21 – Jesus Is Coming

 “Behold, I am coming soon!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Rev. 22:7   Three times Jesus says He is coming, Rev. 22:7, 12, 20.  He will be coming suddenly and without warning.

John testifies that he actually heard and saw and saw these things.  He didn’t imagine it.  It came from the Lord.  John fell down and to worship the angel that showed him all these things, but the angel said, “Do not do it!  I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words in this book.  Worship God!” – Rev. 22:9 

“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.  Let him who does   wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” – Rev. 22:10-11. 

In Daniel 12, Daniel had to close the words of the scroll and seal them until the time of the end.  Now the Messiah has come and the time is much closer so now John was told to not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and to keep everything he saw open.  Nothing is this book is secret.  The Lord wants us to read it and understand what these things mean.  We know that Jesus will return at anytime and the events in Revelation will happen, but we don’t know when.  There will come a time when it will be too late to repent and change.  The person who does wrong will not change.  But for now, we have time to repent and change.

“Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”  – Rev. 22:12   Jesus said He is coming soon and when He does He will be the judge.  He will punish those who have done evil things and reward those who serve Him.  The reward for believers will be in heaven based on their faithful work here in this life. 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev. 22:13   These words describe His completeness, timelessness and sovereign authority.  Jesus was there before creation and will be there after the old earth and old heaven has gone.  He is one with God.  He is God.

Jesus tells us that we must be holy and ready for His return.  Clean clothes means to live holy lives.  We can’t do that by ourselves.  Only the death of Jesus can we be made holy.  His blood has washed our clothes clean.  If you have accepted Him into your life, you will receive the benefits in this book.  Those who don’t accept Him will not be able to come into the city.  Jesus gives a list of those who cannot enter. (Rev. 22:14-15)  Those who make a habit of doing the types of things listed in Rev. 22:15 will not enter the city.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” - Rev. 22:16 This is the 1^st time “I, Jesus” appears in the Bible.  This is a personal and final invitation for all to come to Jesus for salvation.

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” – Rev. 22:17  This is the final invitation to salvation.  It is an invitation from the Holy Spirit and the church.  They work together to bring people to Christ.  The Holy Spirit woos us to come to Him.  Christ offers eternal life to those who really want it.  It is a free gift from God.  You can’t work for or earn it.  It comes by faith in the Lord Jesus alone.  We all hunger and thirst for God even though some don’t really know what they are hungering for.  They are really hungering for peace, joy and life that lasts forever.  Jesus will give this to everyone who believes.

What do you thirst for and does it satisfy you?

Deep in your spirit, are you dry, empty and thirsty?

We are warned that anyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book and adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.  If anyone takes away words, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life.  He will take away your part of the Book or Tree of Life, the Holy City, and the things written in this book.  (Rev. 22:18-19) 

Believers are called to guard and protect this book.  We are to defend it from those who deny its relevance, authority, and also those who misinterpret its meaning.  God’s Word is already perfect as He is perfect.  If we add or take words away from the Bible, we corrupt it.  Then it may cause someone to believe things that are not true.

In what areas of your life is God warning you?

What sin will you ask God to help you turn from and seek Him?

Jesus tells us again that He is coming soon.  John expected Him to come – “Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.” – Rev. 22:20b  We should have the same anticipation and attitude, too.  We should live holy lives and be ready for Him.

Have the images of sin and judgment in this book shocked or frightened you?

Has your love for God increased?

Why is it important to take to heart God’s Word?

What ways are you preparing for His return?

Summary

Revelation is a book from God telling us Christ will return.  Everything revealed to John will come to pass, because God is the author.  His Words are trustworthy and true!  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” – Rev. 1:7

How has this study changed your understanding of God and His character?

How has it changed your relationship to Christ?

How do you plan to glorify God and help others know Jesus as Savior?

Well we have finished the book of Revelation. WOW!  What a book!  What a description John has given us on Heaven.  Heaven is a physical place and a joyful place.  I believe we will recognize our loved ones and all the saints there.  We will eat together and fellowship together.  In Matt. 8:11 Jesus tells us, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”  It will be heaven because Jesus will be there with us.  Hallelujah!

Have a great summer and join me in the fall for more Bible studies.  Until then I will be posting throughout the summer on a variety of subjects so I hope to see you here.  Stay firm and stay awake until He comes.

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Revelation 21 – New Jerusalem

This chapter describes the New Jerusalem following the Millennium and the final judgment.  Heaven and earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth.  Everything is now cleansed from all sin and is ready for God’s people.  Everything is made new!  Earth had been the domain of Satan and now is purified so God can come down to the new earth.  It will be like the Garden of Eden. 

John saw a new heaven and a new earth.  The 1^st earth and the 1^st heaven were now gone.  Even the sea was gone.  2 Peter 3:13 says the earth will be destroyed by fire.  It will be consumed, destroyed, and completely forgotten.  Why then do we try to build riches of houses, cars, large bank accounts?  Nothing on earth is going to survive this fire.

Then John saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.  This city is called holy because everyone who in it is holy.  It is Christ’s Kingdom.  John heard a loud voice saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Rev. 21:1-4   

New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to us just like Jesus came down to earth to us.  God desires to dwell with us ever since the garden.  With the New Jerusalem God will be with us continually and believers will literally see Him as He is.  All sin will be gone and all tears, pain, sorrow, fear, and death will be removed.  God repairs creation and re-creates it for His children.  There will be eternal life there for all believers.  God’s dwelling with His people is His grand plan of redemption, which He has stated throughout the Bible.

How much time do you spend with Him each day?  He wants to be with you all day long every day.

What in your life needs to pass away?

John was told by God to write these words because they are trustworthy and true.  God said, “I am making everything new!” – Rev. 21:5  Everything that He said will happen.  Then He said, “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” – Rev. 21:6  God has completed His final work.  He completed creation in Genesis.  He completed His work on the cross.  Now His has completed His plan for renewing creation.  His plan is complete.  He leaves nothing unfinished.

Alpha and Omega is the A to Z in the Greek alphabet meaning He is the first and the last.  The water of life is free.  People today are thirsting for so many things that won’t give them fulfillment – like money possessions and even relationships.  Only Jesus can give you satisfaction to never thirst for anything again.  All you need to do is ask God to deepen your thirst for Him.  Then He will fill your life with satisfaction and joy.

The overcomers will inherit all this, but the unbelieving have their place in the fiery lake, the 2^nd death. (Rev. 21:7-8)  There are 2 kinds of people – believers and unbelievers.  They experience 2 different lifestyles on earth and go to 2 different eternal destinies.  Believers go to eternal life.  Unbelievers will experience the 2^nd death - the lake of fire, because they are vile, murderers, sexually immoral, practice magic arts, idolaters, and liars as described in verse 8.  Those whose lives are characterized by such things are evidence they are not saved and will not enter the heavenly city.  All who prefer sin to Jesus Christ are assured of the 2^nd death.

How can we be overcomers?  If you have belief, faith and trust in Jesus, you have overcome the temptations of the world.  Your inheritance of eternal life is sure.  The promise of eternal fellowship with God is the believer’s reason for living and motive for witnessing to others.  Accepting Him is the most important thing you will ever do.

We all will have eternal life, but where will you spend it?

Then one of the 7 angels who had the 7 bowls of plagues called John to come and he would show him the wife of the Lamb.  At this point the marriage had already taken place.  John was carried away in the Spirit to a mountain where he saw the Holy City of Jerusalem coming down from heaven.  I am sure John had a hard time describing what he saw with human words.  He said it shone with the glory of God.  It had brilliance like precious jewels, clear as crystal.  It had a high wall with 12 gates with 12 angels at the gates.  On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Three gates were on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.  The city wall had 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. (Rev. 21:9-14)  The Lamb’s wife is described as the new city of Jerusalem.  This is where the bride of Christ, the church will live forever.

This world is not our home.  Our home is in heaven.  There is nothing like going home.  There is no place like home.  There is a peace, joy, rest, tranquility, and a sense of belonging.  The best part is that Jesus will be there with us.  That is what heaven will be like.  John gives us a beautiful description of our heavenly home.

The city was laid out in a square, as long as it was wide.  It measured 12,000 stadia in length, wide, and high.  Its wall was 144 cubits thick and made of jasper.  The city was made of pure gold as pure as glass.  The foundations of the walls were decorated with all kinds of precious stones – jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst.  The 12 gates were pearls.  The streets were pure gold like transparent glass.  (Rev. 21:15-21)

Who is serving as the foundation in your life?

The number 12 is considered a perfect number indicating completeness and symbolizes God’s power and authority.  There are 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, Jacob had 12 sons, the woman in chapter 12 wears a crown with 12 stars, the Holy City has 12 gates with 12 angels, and 12 precious stones mentioned here.  The 144,000 we saw sealed in chapter 12 is 12,000 cubed.  A stadia or furlong is about 1,200 miles in length.  The city then is approximately 1,200 miles times 12,000 on each of its 4 sides so there is plenty of room for billions of God’s people who are not limited by gravity.  I love how the Bible ties everything together in a neat bow.  God leaves nothing to chance or coincidence. 

I looked up what all these precious stones were:

Jasper = Diamond

Sapphire = Brilliant blue stone

Chalcedony = Sky blue with colored stripes

Emerald = Bright green stone

Sardonyx = Red and white striped stone

Carnelian = Various shades of Red

Chrysolite = Transparent gold or yellow

Beryl = Shades of green, yellow and blue

Topaz = Yellowish green

Chrysoprase = Gold tinted green

Jacinth = blue or violet colored

Amethyst = Purple stone

Precious stones like these are highly treasured and sought after.  God treasures His people.  We are precious to Him and He seeks after us. 

John didn’t see a temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  It didn’t need the sun or the moon for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp.  It’s never nighttime.  The Lord’s glory will illuminated the city.  This city is full of the glory of God.  At no time will be gates be closed, because there will be no enemy to enter.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27) 

What is your source of light?

How are you letting the light of Jesus shine in your life?

This is not a city that we can really understand.  Even John probably had a hard time describing it in human language.  The city is very large, because it would have to be since it is a place for all of God’s people.  It will be the center of the new earth and a place where the Lord will be the King over all nations.  He has already dealt with the unholy and only clean and good will exist there.

Do you want to live there?  I sure do.  It will be a place of rest, a place of complete security, a place of refreshment for God’s people, a place without fear, a place of true worship, and a place of joy and holiness.  God will provide security and stability and lavish provisions for His people.  We will enjoy its beauty and unity with other believers for eternity.  We will walk in His presence.  We will have unending fellowship with Jesus.  Hallelujah! 

Why would anyone want to miss out of this?

Will I see you there?

John’s revelation says eternity is real!  Believers will go to an eternal heaven forever, but unbelievers will go to eternal punishment forever.

Next week we will study Revelation 22.  Hope to see you here.

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