Many questions arise from the prophecies given in the Revelation. We want to know when, where and how these things will happen. Due to the magnitude of the things that are revealed, many people have difficulty accepting the words and events as presented. They find it easier to substitute their own ingenuity and ideas for the things that are given in the Revelation. Is it possible that these things can literally and physically happen? Will the Lord catch away the church? Will there be a literal seven year tribulation, antichrist, and false prophet? Will Christ return to earth and establish a 1,000 year reign on earth? Will there indeed be a final war with Satan and a new heaven and new earth? When the Lord gave this Revelation to John, He certified that these events will take place.
Revelation 22:6 NKJV Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
It is important for us to know that the words of this prophecy are reliable. What the Lord God revealed will shortly take place. It is absolutely necessary for believers to know the realities of God’s sure word. God told Jeremiah (1:12), “I am watching to see that My word is fulfilled.”
2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
The words “inspiration of God” are derived from the Greek words that mean “God breathed.” The Word is literally “that which is breathed out by God.” The “inspiration of Scripture” can be defined as the influence of the Holy Spirit upon chosen human authors. The divine influence includes all of Scripture. The words are supernatural and miraculously revealed. They are the authoritative words of God for humanity and are trustworthy.
Revelation 22:7 NKJV “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
This message from the Lord is given four times in Revelation. The Lord wants everyone to read and keep the words of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 3:11-12 NKJV Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Revelation 22:20 NKJV He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The word “quickly” refers to the imminent Rapture or return of Christ for the Church. The return of Christ can happen at any time, and when it does it will occur suddenly. When He comes, certain things are going to happen. We must be careful to remain faithful so that the rewards that God has planned may be received. Since we have not been given specifics about when these things will happen, Jesus gave this encouragement.
Matthew 25:13 NKJV “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Although we do not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man is coming, we do know that it is coming quickly.
Revelation 22:8 NKJV Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
This is the second time that John became overwhelmed by the tremendous revelation and fell down to worship before the angel. (Revelation 19:10)
Revelation 22:9 NKJV Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
God’s angels are mighty and holy, but they should not be worshipped. The command is, “Worship God.”
Revelation 22:10 NKJV And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
The message is different than what was given in Daniel 12:9. Daniel was told that the words were “closed up and sealed until the time of the end.” John was told to leave the words of the prophecy of this book open for the time of their fulfillment is at hand. We can know for certain that all of these things could happen at any time.
Revelation 22:11 NKJV He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
This verse has confused some. God wants everyone to repent and be saved. He does not want any to perish but receive eternal life. This verse is related to the previous message. The coming of the Lord is imminent (can happen any moment). If people refuse to listen to the Word of this prophecy, they will continue in their wickedness. Those who are attentive to what has been said will strive to be holy and ready for the coming of the Lord. These are final appeals from the throne of heaven for people to be ready. Remember the Lord’s parable of the ten virgins that were awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. The wise were prepared and the foolish were not. When the bridegroom delayed they all slumbered and slept. At midnight the cry was heard, “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” (Matthew 25: 6) It was too late for the foolish to get ready when the call was made.
Revelation 22:12 NKJV “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
When the Lord comes, He is going to reward believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ and unbelievers at the Great White Throne Judgment. The fact remains that we all must appear before Him to be rewarded for the things done in this life, whether good or evil. For that reason, we must keep ourselves prepared.
Revelation 22:13 NKJV I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
This is one of four times in Revelation that the Lord says this, (Revelation 1:8; 1:17; 21:6). The Lord is reestablishing the fact of His authority to accomplish what has been spoken. He is before all things and shall be after all things, God is eternal.
Revelation 22:14 NIV84 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Some translations say, “blessed are those who do His commandments.” The best Greek translations say they have washed their robes in the blood of Christ. Revelation 7:14 They have, “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Entrance into the joys that have been prepared is through the cleansing of the blood of Christ. No one is saved by works or by keeping the commandments. However, true believers keep His commandments and are rewarded for the things done in this life. The person who has been cleansed by the blood of Christ has the right to the tree of life and the joys that God has prepared for those who love Him. The key for entrance into the New Jerusalem is the blood of Christ.
Revelation 22:15 NKJV But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
Some will not be allowed to enter the heavenly city of God. The dogs are the impure, mean, savage, dirty and immoral. Sorcerers are those who practice witchcraft. Sexually immoral, murderers and idolaters shall not enter the New Jerusalem. All liars will have no part in the city. “Outside” refers to the lake of fire, (Revelation 21:8). Absolutely nothing shall be able to enter the Holy City that is unclean or does what is detestable or false.
Revelation 22:16 NKJV “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
The Lord Jesus is certifying that He sent His angel to testify these things to the churches. Once again the Lord identifies Himself to the churches to whom the message is sent.
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
“The Root and Offspring of David” identifies the Christ as the seed and line of David, the promised Messiah, Savior, and King. He is “The Bright and Morning Star” that ushered in grace and salvation.
Revelation 22:17 NKJV And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The last appeal is an invitation for any and all who will hear to come and take of the water of life freely. Once we hear and understand the word of this prophecy, we will join in with this call to “Come!”
Isaiah 1:18 NKJV “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
The promise of salvation and cleansing through Christ is for anyone who will hear. In Matthew 22, an invitation was sent to everyone who would hear to come to the wedding banquet. Many heard the call to come but were too busy and some were unworthy. Ultimately the invitation to come was sent to the street corners to gather anyone they could find to come. When the king came in, he found one who came in without the wedding garment on. The “wedding garment” is the righteousness of Christ that cleanses and covers sinners. Anyone may come, but access is granted to those who put their trust in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.
After the invitation comes a severe warning.
Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
We are not free to add to or take away from what has been given in this Book. God’s word is sure and true. Anyone who perverts the words of this Book shall lose their part in the tree of life and the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Some people have been so arrogant to assume that they can determine if the Word of God is true. This warning implies that the words of this prophecy are able to be understood.
Revelation 22:20-21 NKJV He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Jesus Christ is coming soon. This is the blessed hope which was declared by angels and spoken by the apostles. When the Lord said, “Surely I am coming quickly.” John replied, “AMEN. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Every believer that hears this promise also says, “AMEN. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
