The End of Prophecy
REVELATION 22:6 - 21
The Lord puts His own seal upon this book: "These words are faithful and true". It means that no man is to trifle with them by "spiritualising" them or reducing them to meaningless symbols. Our Lord is talking about reality. At the beginning of this book, there was a blessing pronounced upon those who read and hear and keep these words. In conclusion, the Lord Jesus repeats the blessing upon those who keep these words. This is a book not to merely satisfy the curiosity of the natural man but to live and act upon.
Notice John's final and oft-repeated statement that he was both spectator and listener to the scenes in this book; this method was adopted since the very opening of the book, rather like a television programme today. John was so impressed that his natural reaction was to fall down and worship the angel who had been showing him these things. The simplicity and meekness of the angel are impressive, for though the angels were created above man, this angel identifies himself as a fellow servant with John and the other prophets; he explains that he is merely a messenger to communicate God's Word to man: worship is to be addressed to God.
Seven statements are made:
1. The words of this prophecy given to John were not to be sealed, i.e. to be kept for future explanation and clarification, for the time is at hand. Daniel had been told in his time to seal up the words of the prophecy given to him, because of the long interval before its fulfilment (Dan.12:4, 8-9), but now they were made clear with the words of the prophecy given to John, which puts an end to all prophecy and revelation (ICor.13:8-10, Rev.22:18-19).
In fact, even at the time it was given to John the prophecy was already in the process of being fulfilled, and for more than nineteen hundred years, the church has been passing through the periods of the seven churches foreseen in chapters 2 to 3. We, at the end of the twentieth century, have not come to the Seventieth Week of Daniel yet, the beginning of the things to take place after this (Rev.1:19.), but we know that we are in the times of the Church of Laodicea, which will run into it.
2. The words of this prophecy will be inevitably fulfilled, independently of the actions of men - there will be no change. The language is probably ironical, and it is the hopelessness of the final state of the wicked which is here pictured: it is the time when Christ has shut the door to those outside who are now without hope (Matt.25:10; Luke13:25). The righteous is to do righteousness still and the holy to be made holy still. The states of both the evil and the good are fixed forever. There is no word here about a "second chance" hereafter.
3. The purpose of the return of Christ is to reward each one according to his deeds. He will personally reward each believer individually those in the church at the Rapture as well as those of Israel and the Gentiles at His return to set up His Kingdom at the Millennium. When the Lord says, three times in this last portion of Scripture, "And behold, I come quickly," He means rapidly (the word quickly appears seven times in this book: 2:5,16, 3:11, 11:14, 22:7,12,20). It does not mean shortly or immediately or even soon. The events beginning with chapter 4, going on to chapter 19, take place in a period of not more than seven years, and most of them are confined to the last three and one-half years. The encouragement here is great to those who will be saved during that period, for they are advised by the Lord himself that it will not be long: "I am coming shortly. I will soon be there."
4. For the fourth time in this book we are reminded that Christ is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev.1:8,11, 21:6.), Lord from the beginning to the end, the author and finisher. Solemn assurance is thus given that Christ is qualified to be the Judge of verse 12 (Matt.25:31-46). Christ was the Creator of the universe for the Father. So now he is the Consummation of redemption.
5. Only those who are obedient to God have right to the Tree of Life and access to the Holy City (Eph.1:7-12, 1John5:4-5, Rev.2:7, 22:2).
6. As in 21:8, where are listed also the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable (substituted here by dogs - see Deut.23:18; 2Kings8:13; Psa.22:17, 21; Matt.7:6, 15:21-28; Mark7:27; Phil.3:2,3 - dogs in the Oriental cities are the scavengers and excite unspeakable contempt), all without are in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, the second death.
7. The Lord Jesus Christ, who on taking on his humanity was the root and generation of David, but in his divine glory compares himself with the Bright and Morning Star, was who sent his angel to John to testify of these things to the churches. The Old Testament ended with the promise that the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2). Now He is the Bright and Morning Star who will come at a very dark moment for those who trust in Him.
An invitation is made by the Holy Spirit, and by the bride (the church), which is to be repeated by the believer who is hearing (or reading) this book, to sinners to come to Christ before He returns. The Holy Spirit is performing His work in the world today in converting and convicting men. He works through the Word and through the church which proclaims His word. The invitation to men is to come and to take the Water of Life: "Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters . . . without money and without price" (Isa.55:1). The Lord Jesus stood and said, ". . . If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me, and drink" (John 7:37). That is the invitation that goes out today. What an invitation this is to come to Him!
A warning is given to those who might purposefully distort the message in this book. We too must handle the Bible with care and great respect so that we do not distort its message, even unintentionally. We should be quick to put its principles into practice in our lives. No human explanation or interpretation of God's Word should be elevated to the same authority as the text itself. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it or taking from it.
He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this book, which include eternal punishment in the lake of fire and brimstone; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it, including salvation. This sanction is like a flaming sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a fence as this God set about the law (Deut.4:2), and the whole Old Testament (Mal. 4:4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the greatest importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God.
6 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.
7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
8 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.
9 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."
10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11 "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."
Jesus Testifies to the Churches
12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 "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."
17 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.
A Warning
18 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;
19 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.
I Am Coming Quickly
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Rev 22:6-21 (NKJV)