Revelation Study Chapter 22

1.      We now begin the final chapter of Revelation. Up to this point, the focus has been on the walls and surrounding pieces of the New Jerusalem. John now gives a glimpse into things inside those walls, and we see it contains things such as water, trees, and fruit. Water is used, speaking of it as pure and crystal clear, to help us understand the purity of life that comes from God. It literally flows from His throne to us. No impurities, no muddy water, not stagnant, but rather fresh, with restorative powers, and something that life cannot exist without. God is this water. Jesus said He would be this living water, and this passage in Revelation makes that abundantly clear.

2.      Remember the tree of life from the Garden of Eden spoken of in Genesis 3? We see its presence again here, and it bears different fruit 12 times a year. Adam and Eve could have lived forever if they ate it and is why God banished them from its presence. Jesus spoke of this very tree back in the 2nd chapter of Revelation. In fact, we are told of two things we will eat in Heaven in that chapter.

Revelation 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

  1. We will eat from the tree of life as well as the hidden manna. Ah, manna brings back memories of the Exodus does it not. And eating should come as no surprise. Refer back to Luke 24:30-43 and we are reminded that Jesus ate after He rose from the dead as well. But this will be life sustaining food in which the likes have never been known! The curse is lifted, the one imposed on all mankind since the fall in the Garden of Eden. These things are what we see are gone: No more death, mourning, crying or pain (Rev. 21:4); no more temple since we are with God (Rev 21:22); no more sun or moon since God is light (Rev. 21:23); no more shameful, impure thoughts, or deceit (Rev. 21:27); and as we are told here, no more curse (Rev. 22:3). And that’s huge. The curse not only meant physical death, but it was a spiritual death too and made us no longer to be able to be in the presence of God.
     
  2. We are told that we will see His face, where before, not even Moses could see His face and live. God had to pass by Moses on the mount as Moses hid his face, and only after God passed was he able to look upon Him, because He is a consuming fire. But we will be able to be with Him and look directly on His face! And there will be no more night, no darkness, for as we are told in verse 5, the Lord God gives all the light needed.
     
  3. Up to this point, John had given us very clear contrasts of the beginning of creation versus this Holy City; however, it now turns to the second and final subject of this chapter, and the book: promises and warnings. We are told that the words in this book are faithful and true. God always keeps His promises, and everything spoken of here will come to pass without fail. He instructs us He is coming quickly, or soon. Soon to us, is not soon to Him, so we are told those who keep the prophecy, those who are patient and await His return, are blessed. Verse 8 & 9 become an interesting point. John tells us he is the one who heard and saw these things, and then falls down to worship the angel, yet, the angel quickly rebukes him saying he is a servant of God. This is the second time John did this, as in Revelation 19:10, that angel went on to say worship God only. Why is this interesting? Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and 7th Day Adventists all claim Jesus was a created being. The JW’s and SDA’s maintain that Jesus and Michael the Archangel are the same person, whereas Mormons claim Jesus and Lucifer are brothers, thus making Jesus and angel as well. These verses destroy anyone’s thought that Jesus could ever be anything but God in the flesh. No angel would ever accept worship, nor would God allow it, yet Jesus both accepted worship and demands it!
     
  4. John is then instructed not to seal up the prophecy of this book. If you recall, he had earlier been told to do so, just as Daniel had with his end time prophecies. Now, God wants this unleashed, and told, so that all are without excuse. It is important information for all to be prepared. Now in verse 11, Jesus makes some statements many have taken to be Him saying He wanted the unsaved to remain that way. An example being “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still”, and the list goes on. That is not what Jesus is saying. This is a picture of the final judgment, a point of no return. At the end of these things, those who are unjust will remain that way, those filthy will forever be filthy, those righteous will always be righteous, and those who are holy through the work of our Saviour will always be holy.
     
  5. In verse 12 we see Jesus again promising His return for us, it is imminent. And He brings His reward with Him for us. Paul spoke of the Judgment Seat of Christ in Romans 14:10 as well as 2 Corinthians 5:10, and spoke of how we, believers, will be judged by our works 1st Corinthians 3. This verse also speaks of the final reward and destination of all people, either Heaven or the Lake of Fire. The other thing this does, is further prove, we are in the ground until Jesus returns for us. I did a couple articles on this before, they are on my web page, (www.mikeschristiancorner.com), under the devotionals section and are the “Ghosts and the Paranormal” series. For it to be true that people go straight to Heaven or Hell at death makes Jesus out to be a liar, and that is not good shoes to be in. If it were so, you would have already received your reward, thus negating this prophecy. If you don’t understand, please read those articles, as the belief that you separate from your body and go to Heaven or Hell immediately is an ancient Gnostic heresy that has crept into the church.
     
  6. In Revelation 1:8, 1:17, 2:8, and 21:6, Jesus used titles that link Him with the Father. In this verse, He uses them all: Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, and First and Last. All titles of deity that nobody but God can use, so here, Jesus clearly proclaims that, as well as the fact the God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Again, if you do not understand the Trinity, I have articles on my webpage explaining that as well. Jesus also calls Himself the Root of David, which appeared in the Old Testament as a reference to the Messiah, as well as the Bright and Morning Star. Many, such as Luciferians, have confused Lucifer, which means light bearer, with who Jesus is. Bright and Morning star is a Biblical reference only to Jesus, and separates Him from anyone else. Lucifer was given his light he bore from Jesus, the One who is light. Huge difference.
     
  7. Jesus begins His final call to anyone who will hear in verse 17. It is His own personal invitation for me, you, and the rest of the world. This entire book has led up to the blessings of those who understand, follow, and persevere. It is interesting that seven times in this book, are blessings spoken of for the believer. They are in Revelation 1:3, 14:3, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22:15.
     
  8. Jesus then warns of anyone who adds to or takes away from this book of prophecy. Why? Because of its importance. In it shows the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, that He is the only way. In it shows the promise of His return and what will happen. In it, is proof positive, that Jesus is God in the flesh and not anything less. This strikes a death blow to the cults out there that would have you think different about Him, or even what you as a believer are. Some other examples other than those I pointed out in points 5, 7, & 8 above are:
  1. Verse 19 is very pointed to the fact that people that add to this like those pointed out, God will take away their name from the Book of Life, and all the rewards thereof. That’s strong words, literal, and definitive with no wiggle room. Jesus then repeats that He is coming quickly (soon) and will fulfill all things, to which John replies, Come quickly. And that should be our prayer too. As fun as things are, as much as we love the people around us, the goal is to be with Him. Be ready and willing to give it all up for the One who gave to all to you. If we believe He is coming back, if we believe all the things He said He has in store for us, we should be asking for His return. In the meantime though, we should be preaching the Gospel message. That is NOT a job solely for pastors and missionaries. It was a command Jesus gave to ALL Christians, to preach the Gospel, and that requires using your mouth! Get off the pew! There’s a world out there headed for Hell, but as John points out in the very last verse, the grace of Jesus Christ is available and can be with us all. It’s all about choices. May God Bless you all. Let the light of Jesus shine through you.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  

In His Grace,

       Mike Harris Jr.

 Mike's Christian Corner

http://www.mikeschristiancorner.com

 



 

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