Here we have the last chapter of the Bible: the parting words of all parting words! The Lord is coming for rewards and for judgment. He offers words of promise and words of warming in this chapter.
In Daniel 12, the book of Daniel's vision was sealed "until the end." Here the book is not to be sealed, because the time is at hand (22:10).
John's name is not mentioned in his gospel or epistles; but in Revelation his name is given twice. He had his senses exercised to hear and see God's word, and Christ is the center of it all. Just as Revelation was to remain open, John's life was open, and anyone could read who he was.
Yet many consider Revelation to be the most tightly sealed book and one that is hard to understand. Although there is symbolism to identify, Revelation helps to reveal itself in its outline and meaning. However, it will remain a misunderstood book if we only look at it with curiosity and the desire to identify current events.
The book of Revelation could not be understood without Daniel, and vice versa. We also connect these writings with the apostle Paul's revelations about Christ's coming glory. Further, Daniel learned from the prophet Jeremiah, and so on. The Bible is an integrated whole.
Sin has to be judged. Those who are unholy or unclean (22:11) will not change their character on their own. It's not that grace has become limited but that sin has reached an end. Yet this statement still contains a final appeal, for those who hear these words now do not have to remain apart from Christ. Meanwhile, we who are righteous through Christ are a testimony to His work of sustaining us to the end.
Christ is the perfect Evaluator. He also is the perfect Rewarder. It's part of the essential character of faith to believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), because such faith recognizes that God is present with us and is aware of all we do. Additionally, it implies that God has a path marked out for us.
Yet we do not serve because we want to enrich ourselves with His rewards! Christ says, "My reward is with Me." When He says "I, Jesus" and reviews His eternal character and authority, the Spirit and the bride say, "Come," because the Church is attracted to Him.
There are seven blessings in Revelation for those who read and those who keep His word. It was the wise virgins in Matthew 25 who were present to respond to the call, "Behold the Bridegroom!" Each one who is linked with Him can receive those blessings. And those who read these words in the time of the coming tribulation will be encouraged as well.
The rewards are connected here with Christ's kingdom and His appearing. Although rewards are given to believers at the judgment seat of Christ, responsibilities and privileges are employed during His kingdom. Rewards and affections go hand in hand; one does not do away with the other.
Notice the reference to the tree of life. It was in the center of the garden of Eden in Genesis; but at the fall of mankind, Adam and Eve were driven from access to this tree. It was a mercy of God that they would not be permitted to eat its fruit in their fallen condition. It is mentioned metaphorically in the book of Proverbs; but otherwise it does not appear again in the entire Bible until the book of Revelation (once in chapter 2 and twice in this chapter).
To notice the teaching of this section, those who keep His commandments will have the right to eat of the tree of life. This is a kingdom scene, when the leaves of the tree of life are used to heal the nations. In chapter 21:2, the new Jerusalem, the center point of Christ's administration during His reign, has come down out of heaven (and thus is not exactly heaven itself). There will be kings of the earth who will bring their honor to the Lord, the King of kings (21:24).
This scene of glory leads to an invitation. Are you thirsty for this kind of scene? Come to Jesus! We can enjoy the tree of life spiritually now.
The central message and also the closing theme of this passage is the grace of God. Verse 20 says, "Surely, I come quickly. Amen." The word "surely" is the Greek affirmation, while "amen" is the Hebrew word of certainty. It is a message to all.
Verse 21 offers the blessing of the grace of God to all the saints. Grace saves us, grace keeps us, and grace will present us spotless before His presence.
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This third Bible study was followed by a time for additional Bible teaching. Notes from this message follow.
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Winter conditions
In 2 Timothy 4, Paul writes urgently to Timothy because winter is coming. He wants the books, and he wants Timothy to be diligent to arrive before winter does. It's important to be ready for winter conditions, spiritually speaking. The Word of God is our safety for these conditions.
In John 10:19-22, it was winter. The people had rejected the Lord because they said He had a demon. Do we want tradition, or do we want the Lord? By John 12:36, the Lord hides Himself. Conditions must be pretty bad if even He has to hide Himself! There would be no more public testimony at that time. On what will we stand in the winter time?
Another winter scene is in Jeremiah 36, when King Jehoiakim burned the scroll containing the word of the Lord. He was in his winter house (vv. 22-23) with a fire on the hearth. He thought he would remain comfortable without the words of God; but His Word cannot be destroyed (v. 28).
In Acts 27, Paul sails with those who are searching for a good winter harbor. Paul counseled them not to depart, but their current location did not seem pleasant enough, so they left. The great winter storm caused terrible loss. However, all those who sailed with Paul were preserved. As we keep the words of the Lord, we are kept by His power, even in a time of winter.