The Bible’s Last Words

1. Revelation is a book of last things. The last trumpet, the last horseman, the last battle, the last judgment, the last death.

2. The Message of Revelation is that there is a great King who stands above all human activity and His rule is what we can trust.

Revelation 22:

Revelation 22:1: There is a river that flows 1,500 miles down from God’s throne to water the new earth. The water gives live, as Jesus gives life.

Revelation 22:2: The purpose of the tree of life is for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:3: The curse is abolished and the veil on mankind is lifted so the presence of God can dwell with man.

Revelation 22:4: They will see his face.

This is called the “the Beatific vision.” (Latin: visio beatifica ) It is when mankind can look fully on the Trinity, the face of God.

Every time God appears there is some form of veil. No one saw God in his glory. Adam and Eve looked on a theophany (God making himself visible.) Even Moses was denied the opportunity to see the Beatific Vision. When Jesus came, he clothed God’s glory in his flesh. He condescended to us.

Among mortal man, God hides his glory in the temple, the flesh of Christ, the cloud in the Old Testament, fire. But on the final earth, the veil is removed and we will see our God in His fullness.

1. The Last =Jesus is coming Again.

Revelation 22:7: He is coming “soon.” The word “soon” is Tachu. It doesn’t mean immediately but suddenly. See 1 Corinthains 15:2: He will come in the twinkling of an eye.

2. The Last = Worship God.

Revelation 22:8: John is so swept away by the vision, and the angel before him, that he bows down to the angel.

Revelation 22:9: The angel commands him not to bow to him, but to only worship God. The message is clear, we are to be careful what we worship. There are magnificent beings in the spirit realm, creatures beyond human comprehension. No matter how amazing the creatures and angels of heaven are, we are commanded not to worship them.

The reformation was summarized in the 20^th century by five Solas:

• Sola Scriptura = Scripture Alone.
• Sola Fide = Faith Alone.
• Sola Gratia = Grace Alone.
• Sola Christus = Christ Alone
• Soli Deo Gloria = Glory to God alone.

This last one describes well what the angel commands John. To only worship God.

3. The Last = God bring justice to mankind.

Revelation 22:10: John is not to seal up the prophecy, because the message is for the church of John’s day and the generations to come. This is in contrast to Daniel who was told to seal up the prophecy he was given. (Dan. 8:26, 12:4, 12:9.) Revelation is not for some far off generation, but for the church today.

Revelation 22:11: John is told to let evil continue. That is, it is not in our power to stop sin; only Christ can change the heart. God is allowing mankind to pile up judgment, to show his sinful behavior so that on judgment day God’s righteousness shines true. No one will walk away from God’s judgment and say, “That wasn’t fair.”

Revelation 22:12: Jesus is bringing “recompense” with him. He will repay the righteous and the wicked for their deeds.

4. The Last = Blessed those wash their robes.

• Jesus gave the first set of Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12. There is another set of Beatitudes in Revelation. (See: Revelation 1:3, Revelation14:13, Revelation 16:15, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 22:7 , Revelation 22:14)
• The last Beatitude: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” Revelation 22:14
• The “washed Robes” are robes that were washed in the blood of the lamb. (Revelation 7:14)

Old Song: Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?

Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

In the soul-cleansing blood of the lamb?

Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

• V.14-15 describes those inside and those outside the city. Those outside are like “dogs” that gather at a city gate and growl, but are denied entry.

5. The Last = Jesus is the Final King.

Exodus 3:14 God declared Himself the Great I AM.

In John, Jesus described himself as the “I AM” (ego emi)

• I Am the Bread of Life. John 6:22-59
• I am the Light of the World. John 8:12-30.
• I am the door or gate. John 10:1-18
• I am the Good Shepherd. John 10:1-18.
• I Am the resurrection, and the life. John 11:17-27
• I Am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6
• I Am the true vine. John 15:1-6

I AM statements in Revelation:

• I Am Alpha and Omega. Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:13
• I Am the First and the Last. Revelation 1:17
• I Am the Living One. Revelation 1:18
• I Am Coming Soon. Revelation 21:7
• I Am the Root and Offspring of David. Revelation 22:16

6. The Last = The Spirit/Bride say Come.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” As the Bible draws to an end, God reminds his people why we are still on earth: To call people to come to Him.

7. The Last = Do not rewrite what God has Written.

Revelation 22:18-19: The context is that we are not to add to the Revelation. Just because the book is strange does not leave it open to wild opinions. It should be studied carefully, because it is the Word of God.

The same way the Revelation is handled, God would have us treat all of His Word. With care.

8. The Last = Come Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20: Jesus says he is coming soon, and John prays “let it be!”