Revelation 22:7-21
Verse 7 continues the shift found in verse 6 from the scenes in Heaven to speaking with John back on the Isle of Patmos. John hears these things as a conclusion to the vision.
John does not clarify whether the Angel/Christian is still speaking here for the Lord or that the Lord Jesus comes on the scene. Apparently these are the Words of Jesus as He says “Behold, I come quickly.”
He also proclaims the Blessing over anyone that keeps the sayings of this book of the Bible. We saw in the first chapter of this book the Blessing is pronounced and here in the last chapter it is pronounced again.
It is too bad that so many Believers will not read this book and get in on this Blessing. Granted there are some things hard to be understood and many different interpretations by so called prophecy experts that disagree on many things however, one thing is for sure, we all have the Holy Spirit to help us as we read this book. So we must not miss out on this Blessing!
In verses 8 John is so overwhelmed with what he has seen and heard he drops to the feet of the Angel/Christian and wants to worship Him.
In verse 9 the Angel/Believer tells John that he is not to worship him for he is his fellow servant. This is one of the passages that I refer to as a possible revelation of this being a Christian rather than an Angel that is John’s host throughout this vision.
John is instructed to worship God and God alone!
In verse 10 John is now told, do not conceal this vision but reveal it for the time is at hand. Heaven’s time clock is much different than ours, isn’t it?
Verse 11 has been a confusing passage to many. However we need to look at it in light of the whole of the Bible. Man has been given a free will to choose what path he takes.
Deuteronomy 30:19 coins it best. Life and death, blessing and cursing are laid out before Israel and all of mankind. God asks us to choose life and John 3:16 clarifies that it is not God’s will that any should perish.
So the bottom line is God desires and longs for His man to choose life, however He will also defend his right to choose otherwise, hence what this passage says, whatever you choose, then so be it.
In verses 12 -13 Jesus is reiterating that He is coming quickly and every man shall receive his just reward of life and blessing or death and cursing. Jesus then signs this statement with His authority that He is the beginning and the end, there is none greater.
Verses 14 and 15 are concluding what will happen to all of mankind. In verse 14 another Blessing is pronounced upon all of those that have received the King of king and the Lord of lords, “Jesus Christ.” We will enjoy eating of the tree of life within the gates of the great city.
In verse 15 those who have chosen in this life to live according to the list found here and reject the truth of the cross of Christ will have their eternal place in the lake of fire, which is without the city. Sinner’s sin that is why they do the things they do. Because they have chosen to reject Christ they have no way out.
Verse 16 Jesus affirms He sent His Angel/Christian to show John these things and gives some ancestry validation. John, being a Jew would understand this.
Jesus says ‘He is the bright and morning star.’ Many things can be said about this however, Jesus was simply pointing to Himself as the light to follow, much like the star that the wise men followed to find Jesus in the Christmas Story.
Verse 17 concludes with the Spirit and the Bride calling to all those that need to come to the truth. As long as the Church is in the earth it has the commission to proclaim the message and cause all to come that will. The water of life is a free gift to all.
In verses 18-19 John makes a strong assertion here that no one is to add or take anything away from what is written. A curse is attached to this declaration. This is not to chase honest students of the Word away from doing what they can to understand the book. No, this is to stop dishonest handling of it by false prophets and teachers.
In verses 20-21 a salutation from both Jesus and the Apostle John is given. God’s grace upon all who read and seek Him!
Disclaimer: I do not allege to be an authority concerning this book. Only that this is a culmination of many years of study. However, I am always studying and making corrections as need be.
My prayer is that you enjoyed the study and enjoy the Blessing given in the Book of Revelation…
Amen!