02.68. LECTURE No. 68 -- Rev_22:13-21
LECTURE No. 68 -- Revelation 22:13-21 A Word of Personal Testimony - The Blessing Which Was Promised in the Beginning of Chapter One Reaffirmed at the Close of the Book by the Lord Himself- The Last Words of the Bible Should Impress Us Deeply - The Words of This Book Have Been Indeed a Revelation of Jesus Christ to All of Our Hearts - The Testimony of Christ Concerning His Eternal Character - Those Who Keep His Commandments Will Enter in Through the Gates into the City - There Will Be No Evil or Evil Person in the New Jerusalem - The Book of Revelation Divinely Given by the Ministration of an Angel - Jesus Is the Root of David and the Bright and Morning Star - The Last Invitation of the Bible - The Last Warning in the Bible - Closing Remarks and Exhortation
IN this chapter we shall conclude our study of this last Book of the Bible, which is declared to be, in the very first verses of the Book,
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” My Own Faith Has Been Increased
I must confess that there is a feeling of sadness in my heart in bringing these studies in this wonderful book to a close. Including this lesson I have given in all, exactly 68 messages in our study and exposition of the Revelation, and I must confess that during the preparation and giving out of these messages, I have felt oftentimes as if I were on holy ground.
I do not know what reaction these messages may have had in your hearts but speaking for myself, I know that my own faith has been increased and that my own heart has been strengthened and encouraged.
I feel that all of us have gained a clearer conception and a better understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the atoning work which He wrought for us upon the cross and the abundant grace which He is now bestowing upon us and of His future purposes in judging the wicked and the establishment of the kingdom over which He will come to rule and reign! Certainly our understanding of Christ would be incomplete without a knowledge of these things which are written concerning Him in this last Book of the Bible.
Therefore, with a feeling of sadness on the one hand, and of rejoicing on the other, let us proceed to our study of the last few verses of the last chapter in the Bible. A Blessing for Those Who Keep the Sayings of This Book Our preceding lesson was based upon Revelation 22:6-12, where it says,
“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” The Last Words of the Bible
Let us now conclude our study by considering what is written in verses Revelation 22:13-21, where it says,
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
“I Jesus have send mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” The Purposes of the Book Accomplished No one can doubt but what these words of our Lord form an appropriate conclusion to this marvelous book. The whole purpose of the book is to reveal to us, both the person and the works of Christ as related to things past, present, and future. The Book also reveals His relationship to things in heaven, things on earth, and things under the earth.
Christ Is Alpha and Omega
It is natural, therefore, that in Revelation 22:13 of our lesson text He should say, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
It is interesting to note that this is the third time in the Revelation that Jesus used these words concerning Himself. In Revelation 1:11 the voice which spoke to John said,
“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia.”
Again in Revelation 21:5-6, it says,
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
Then, as if to impress John and all who should read the book of Revelation, in Revelation 22:13 of our lesson text, He said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
The words Alpha and Omega are the names for the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet.
It is easy to see, therefore, that they stand for the beginning and the end, the first and the last. This is the equivalent to saying in our own language, “I am the A and Z of the alphabet.”
Apply this truth in His relation to all things of the entire universe and you have the true significance of this title which Jesus claimed for Himself. In a broader sense, therefore, Alpha means everlasting past and Omega means to the everlasting future.
In other words, when Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega” that was just another way of revealing to John and all of us the fact of His divine nature and His everlasting character and His relation to all things. No one but the Son of God, Who is co-existent and co-equal with the Father, has the right to assume and claim for Himself any such far-reaching title as this.
Thus, in this expression Jesus revealed the fact of His deity and of His Sonship to God and His relationship to all things past, present and future. The Reward of the Righteous
Upon the strength of this title and the authority which it represents, Jesus had the right to say in verse Revelation 22:14,
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Since He is the Son of God, it is right that we should obey Him and keep His commandments. As a reward for doing so, He promises that we shall have right to the tree of life and that we may enter in through the gates into the city.
In Revelation 21:1-27, we studied about the New Jerusalem which John saw descending out of heaven from God. We learned that within the walls of this glorious city which is to be the future home of the saints of God, there is to be also the tree of life to which the redeemed of the Lord will have access and of which they may eat and live for ever.
The privilege, therefore of entering through the gates into the city and of having access to the tree of life are set forth here as incentives to obedience. They are set forth as reasons why we should do His commandments.
We should be zealous, therefore, and very careful to do the commandments of our Lord even now, while here upon the earth. In 1 John 5:2-3, it says,
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
If the commandments of the Lord are not grievous, how much better it would be to keep them so that we may enter through the gates into the city. No Evil Person Will Enter There In Revelation 22:15 of our lesson text it says,
“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
From these words we conclude that the New Jerusalem will be a place of purity, so that when we have passed through the gates of the city, we shall be saved not only from the consequence of sin but from the presence of sin.
Indeed, how much we who are Christians have to look forward to.
How This Wonderful Book Was Given
Revelation 22:16 of our lesson text is very interesting where our Lord said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
He spoke here in the first person as if to impress us with the importance of the message contained in the entire twenty-two chapters of the Revelation.
Notice please, that He sent His angel to testify concerning these things in the churches. If this be true, and we know it is, then, tell me why so many churches of these days and times will have nothing to do with the Book of Revelation?
Many ministers of the Gospel will not study the book for themselves nor will they teach its wonderful truths to the people. We can readily see, therefore why it was that in the messages to the seven churches, Jesus concluded each one by saying, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Indeed, my friends, if the churches of today would hear and heed the truths which are revealed and recorded in the Book of Revelation, how much better prepared they would be for the fulfillment of those things which are recorded in the Revelation.
Two Important Divine Titles of Our Lord
Notice please, in the same verse Jesus said, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
It would be easy to write a whole sermon on this one statement but space will not allow in our message. Suffice it to say, however, that these words reveal the true character of Christ. Because He is divine, and eternal, He is the root of David.
In other words, it was He who gave David life and being in the world. He was, therefore, David’s Lord. On the other hand, He was the offspring of David because, in His humanity, He was born of the house and lineage of David. Therefore in Matthew 1:1 it says, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Two Great Covenants
Thus we see that Jesus, from the very beginning of His earthly career, was connected with the Abrahamic covenant of blessing, and the Davidic covenant concerning the throne of Israel. Because of this, He may rightfully be called, also, “The bright and morning star.”
We need not be surprised at this for the Prophet Balaam prophesied an Numbers 24:17-19 of a Star that would come out of Jacob and that a Sceptre would rise out of Israel, and that out of Jacob one should come who would have dominion.
Jesus therefore had as much right to say that He was the bright and morning Star as He did that He was the root and offspring of David. A Divine Invitation In Revelation 22:17 of our lesson text it says,
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The Spirit Says, “Come”
You will remember that when Jesus had ascended from Mount Olivet into heaven, the Holy Spirit of God hath descended upon the disciples in the upper room. For nearly two thousand years since then, it has been the work of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment and to take the things of Christ and reveal them unto us. It is natural, therefore that the Holy Spirit who knows the eternal plans and purposes of God would say to the risen and ascended Christ, “Come.” The Bride Also Says, “Come”
It is just as natural to believe that the bride, which is the true church of Christ made up of all truly born again Christians, would say, “Come,” to her absent Lord. That, my friends, is exactly what the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is saying today.
I truly believe that all Christians who are prepared to meet their Lord, when they see the terrible conditions that are coming upon the earth would be glad if He should come very very soon. Although the believing remnant of God’s children are scattered here and there in lonely and hard places, they are united in heart, saying, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Let Him That Heareth, Say “Come” Not only do the Spirit and the bride say “Come,” but in the same verse, those who hear the glorious message of the gospel of God’s redeeming grace and the wonderful truths of this Revelation, are invited to join with them in saying, “Come” to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
And then as if to give everybody a chance to join in bringing back the King, in the same verse it also says, “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
This is a general invitation to all men everywhere to come and have part in those things which are so freely offered in this glorious Revelation. The water of life, referred to in this passage, remember, is that which is to flow forth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem, as described in the 22nd chapter of the Revelation. Therefore, according to our lesson text, all men, “Whosoever will” are invited to come and take of the water of life freely.
But mind you, they cannot have access to the water of life or to the tree of life or enter in through the gates into the city unless they believe and accept the Lord Jesus Christ Who is God’s Son, as their own personal Saviour, for it is He who has provided these things for us and who offers them so freely to all who will believe. A Divine Warning
Revelation 22:18-19 of our lesson text are a warning to those who refuse to hear, and believe and obey the things which are written in the Revelation. In these verses it says,
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Indeed, my friends, this is one of the most solemn warnings in the Word of God.
These words absolutely forbid anyone to tamper with the Words of God which are written in this Book. The reason for this is that they are words of prophecy. They are therefore very important in revealing God’s plans and purposes for the future.
Therefore, the Lord has warned all men saying,
“If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.”
All we can say is, God pity those men who would for any reason add to or take from the things which are written in this book, either to defend themselves in their own unbelief, or to mislead others and to withhold from them the glorious truths which this book contains. Have Tried to Preach the Truth
These words have impressed us also with a deep sense of our own responsibility.
In our effort to study and give out the truths of the Revelation which God has given in this book, we have tried continually to preach and teach only those things which were confirmed in the Word of God itself. We have prayerfully and continually sought the help of God’s Holy Spirit to help us into an understanding of the Word of God, so that we might rightly divide it without fear or favor to Jews, Gentiles and Christians alike. If we have failed in any respect in doing this, it has been an error of the mind and not of the heart, and we can only pray that God will forgive us for any lack of wisdom and understanding on our part. On the other hand, if these things which we have spoken throughout this entire series of messages have been true to the Word of God, we pray that God will add His blessing to those which have been spoken, which certainly have been intended for His glory and the edification of the saints of God and for the salvation of those who are lost. The Last Words of the Bible
Revelation 22:20-21 of our lesson text read as follows: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Yes, indeed, my friends, when the Lord comes, whether it be at the rapture when He shall descend in the clouds of heaven to receive His waiting bride, or whether at the Revelation when He shall descend with power and great glory back to the earth to establish His kingdom, it will be quickly accomplished.
Therefore, it behooves every believing child of God to be ready and waiting for His appearing, and it behooves every unsaved person to prepare themselves for these impending events by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour. May the Holy Spirit help you to do this right now as you conclude your study of this book.
In closing our study of this wonderful book, we repeat again the words of the last verse where it says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 15:3).
PERHAPS TODAY “Though I know not the time or the season, Yet faith’s beaming lamp I will trim.
There is joy in the fond expectation Of patiently watching for Him.
Reconciled by His Blood and forgiven, I trust in His Spirit-breathed Word,
I know my Beloved is coming, My Saviour, my God, and my Lord.
Precious hope, how it comforts in sorrow!
Blest hope, how it eases all pain!
Precious hope, how it strengthens trial!
Blest hope, giving courage again,
Precious hope, still the pilgrim sustaining Blest hope of all solace the sum!
know my Beloved is coming;
Lord Jesus, delay not, but come!”
-Anna Hoppe. THE GREAT GALILEAN Tune-“The Great Speckled Bird.” (Jeremiah 12:9)
(1) I am thinking today of my Saviour Who stilled both the storm and the sea,
When the wild waves of sin rolled and reveled He spoke to that tempest for me.
“Whoso drinks of the water I give him Through his life he shall thirst nevermore,”
Unto him I will grant “grace sufficient”, Till his long pilgrim journey is o’er.
(2) I can see as He speaks from the mountain- “Blessed are those who mourn,” sad and lone,
“If a child shall ask bread of his father Will he mock him and give him a stone?”
And by night as He walked in the Garden- “Not my will, Father, thine shall be done,”
They said, when He cried, “it is finished!”
“God surely has sent us his son.”
(3) He has gone to prepare many mansions,
For His children, for you and for me, If we work, watch, and wait till His coming His glory the faithful shall see.
The wild winds may rage in their fury, The Great Tribulation may come,
But those who have named and proclaimed Him
Will be safe in their heavenly home.
(4) I am pleading with all who may hear me,
Who are treading the pathways of sin, And neglecting salvation and pardon The world’s praise and pleasures to win,
If thy right hand or eye shall offend thee,
And assist sin in taking its toll,
It is better by far that they perish
Than to suffer the loss of your soul.
(Copyright 1940) By Roy E. Martin
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