A thorough study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. (Rev. 1:1)
Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John.
I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we continue our study in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, as given to John, we begin in chapter 22.
A new Eden is constructed for man which God has built Heaven for. Like unto the Garden of Eden which Adam and Eve were placed in the beginning, the saved shall live in likeness to that earthly Eden. Let us notice:
Rev. 22:1-5. 22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Jesus wants us to not fear, nor worry, what it will be like to dwell in Heaven. He has painted a wonderful picture using earthly identifiers that we can recognize and comprehend to describe life in heaven.
Rev. 22:6. 6 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.
Jesus speaks as these things shown John are to occur ‘shortly’. Let us remind ourselves, all these things described in this letter have not come to pass. Some of them are currently happening by the influence of God’s servants, angels, which have been given a specific task and duty to perform. To use the term ‘shortly’ in a proper manner as written, we must use the time table of God in relation to eternity. Some of these things will happen and are to be related to a time table in eternity standards. Our time table is the wrong relationship of time to compare with eternity and ‘shortly’.
If we take the position of many, who do not fully understand the time references, the events described in this letter have not happened as of yet in our current date in earthly time. Therefore, the ones who ignore this letter, saying the events have already happened, are wrong in their understanding of this spiritual literary writing. It is strictly a spiritual literary book.
Jesus has witnessed these visions along with another witness, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the things written are ‘faithful and true’.
Rev. 22:7. 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Jesus says he will come ‘quickly’. This term ‘quickly’ and the term ‘shortly’ are derived from the same root word in Greek. They are alike. They are synonymous with one another.
Greek term SHORTLY: G1722 with G5034. G5034 means: shortly, quickly, or speedily and is identified with a proper fixed position–G1722; meaning: in, by, with, etc. Therefore, we understand at a specific moment, shortly or quickly, Jesus will come. Jesus doesn’t know when he shall be sent to harvest the saints from off the earth. Again, in terms of eternity, this will be shortly or quickly to heavenly beings.
Jesus, again, reminds us to keep the commandments of God and walk in His light of righteousness.
In John’s reverence toward the message from Jesus, he jumps to bow to the messenger. This fellow servant tells John he, too, is a servant of the Most High God. WORSHIP GOD; not the messenger.
Rev. 22:8-9. 8 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. 9 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.
John is to not seal up this prophecy. He is to broadcast it throughout the earth. This is how we have access to this prophecy. However, let life continue on earth as it will. God has put into existence spirit beings allowing them to let evils happen. Remember Seal #2?
Seal #2 from Rev. 5:3-4. 3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Remember, God will not force anyone to obey. He wants those who wilfully choose and obey His will. Evils, Satan, Satan’s beast and his False Prophet have been allowed to conquer any and all who will not obey Christ. God knows this will happen. Remember the teachings of Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. God wills that all should not perish, but he also knows many will.
Rev. 22:10-11. 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 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.
All who will be filthy-unrighteous–let them be unrighteous. All who will be righteous, let them be righteous. Notice what else is used to describe some of mankind. Let him who is Holy, because God is Holy, let him be Holy. There is a distinct difference between the ‘called’ and the ‘chosen’ or ‘elect’.
John was not to worry about the nature and behavior of mankind. We do not need to become overly engulfed in those who do not change. However, we are to teach all who will hear and turn to God. We are to pray for those we know need correction and discipline who MIGHT turn from their iniquities. Preach the Gospel, be in season and out of season. Be a watchman for the enemy and report the warning of impending doom to all we come in contact with. This fulfills The Great Commision.
Rev. 22:12-17. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 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. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 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. 17 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.
Jesus will come when God gives the go. He will come quickly in the reference to time in eternity.
Again we receive a warning of who shall not enter heaven–those whom Jesus will not come and gather. Those who live righteously before God will be able to take from the fountain which flows with water from under the throne of God. It costs nothing; it is free.
Jesus also identifies of himself by the words previously spoken:
The root and offspring of David
Matthew 1:1
Matthew 21:1-11
The bright and morning star
Jesus makes one more plea to the people of earth to come to him. Jesus is calling all men to be saved from Satan. John 12:32. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Jesus was lifted up and placed upon a cross for his death but he says he will draw all men unto him. How he does this we do not have a record, but we must believe he does and will draw all men. Jesus says in Romans 14:11, 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
God and Jesus through the servants, angels and by the power of the Holy Spirit are at work influencing the men of earth. They are doing their work to attempt to save all men. 1 Tim. 2:3-4. 3…[T]his is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
God doesn't want any to be lost and separated from Him, but He knows there will be many who will not come to Him to be saved. The influence of Satan and his minions is very strong. Many shall fall into his temptations and become lost.
Jesus gives one last warning to those who will not abide or will change the content of this letter. We are to comprehend the content of this letter correctly and teach others of its content. Wrong, or false teachings will have consequences. By prayer and meditation upon this letter we shall be able to comprehend and properly teach others who will desire to learn.
Rev. 22:18-19. 18 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: 19 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.
We are to go on what Jesus says. We are not to bind upon our fellow man anything God does not bind nor speak specifically about. God is the judge. God is the saints master and only He can judge whether they are found just or not. Mankind is not to judge their fellowman to heaven or hell. Do not make that type of judgment.
John finishes this letter with his own thoughts to what he has seen and heard.
Rev. 22:20-21. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Jesus says he will come quickly. John asks Jesus to come. Anyone who desires to live in heaven, not this evil world, should want to have Jesus come quickly for their life.
