Coming Soon

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

The city: New Jerusalem. The river: Water of Life. Food source: Tree of Life. Inhabitants: Resurrected Saints of God. Time frame: After Millennial Reign of Christ. Duration: Forever.

V. 6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

The Angel’s message from Jesus Christ:

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” Vs 7-9

John was once again overwhelmed with the sight and the words of the angel. His emotional response was to worship the angel, but the angel rebuked him. We are not ever to worship angels, no matter who says we should. The Word of God forbids it. Christians are actually a higher form of life than angels, through our identification with Jesus Christ. We worship one being: God.

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” Vs 10-11

This time the message is to be made public immediately, for the time is approaching. The gospel has gone forth in every way it can be proclaimed. Those who choose to remain in their sins are free to do so, and suffer the eternal consequences. The ones who have chosen eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ will forever be holy (set apart unto Him, identified with Him).

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 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. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Vs 12-15

Those in their natural state (unsaved) are “outside.” “Dogs” are not four-legged pets, but the term is used to describe people of low character (Philippians 3:2). They practice a worldly religion, but are hostile to Jesus Christ.

The invitation to receive salvation comes from the Savior Himself, from the Holy Spirit and from the Church (Bride). The water of life is free to those who wish to receive it.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Revelation 22:16-19

This is a frightening warning, and we who study and teach the Bible take it seriously. There are those who will alter the Word of God to suit their preferences, or to prove their point, or to try to detect a pattern or timeline for the return of Christ. There are people far more qualified than I am to interpret the various symbols and the building specifications of the eternal city, for example. We’ll know when we get there, is my position on those things. Jesus had a reason for giving us this information, and it will prove out as the prophecies are fulfilled. Speculation is a dangerous thing, when dealing with the Word of God. He has given us a glimpse of glory. For now, it is enough.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

And amen.