SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 22
MEMORY VERSE:
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13)
THE RIVER OF LIFE (vs. 1-6)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.
JESUS IS COMING (vs. 7-21)
“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. but he said to me., “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”:
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to 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, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:” If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
THOUGHTS: (From Life Application Study Bible)
The water of life is a symbol of Eternal life. It pictures the fullness of life with God and the eternal blessings that come when we believe in him and allow him to satisfy our spiritual thirst. In today’s world, there are many dying of thirst. Let us invite everyone to come and drink this water of life.. which is given by God for free.
The tree of life is like the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve sinned, they were forbidden to eat from the tree of life because they could not have eternal life as long as they were under sins’ control. But because of the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus, there will be no evil or sin in this city. God’s people will be able to eat freely from the tree of life when sin’s control over us is destroyed and our eternity with God is secure.
“No longer will anything be cursed” means that nothing accursed will be in God’s presence.
The first of the Ten Commandments is “Do not worship any other gods besides me” (Exo. 20:3). Here, the angel instructed John to “Worship God”. God alone is worthy of our worship and adoration. He is above all creation. Do you have anything that occupies the central place in your life? Nothing should distract you from your primary devotion to God.
To wash the robes means to purify from the sinful way of life. Both the Holy Spirit and the bride, the church, extend the invitation to all the world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ. Have you accepted His invitation?
The Word of God must be handled with care. We must not distort the message by adding or subtracting its contents. Otherwise, God will punish and forbid us from entering the Holy city.
Differences between Genesis and Revelation:
- Genesis opens human history in paradise. Revelation closes it in the Holy City.
- Sin begins in Genesis. Evil is gone forever in Revelation.
- Genesis describes Adam and Even walking and talking with God. Revelation describes people worshiping God face to face.
- The Garden of Eden was destroyed by sin. Paradise is recreated in the New Jerusalem.
The book of Revelation ends with an urgent plea. “Come Lord, Jesus!” In a world of problems, persecution, evil and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our efforts to better our world are important, but that results cannot compare with the transformation that Jesus will bring about when he returns. He alone controls human history, forgives sin and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.
Revelation is a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. And it depicts the wonderful reward that is awaiting for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
THINGS TO DO IN PREPARATION FOR CHRIST’S IMMINENT RETURN:
- Read His Word and obey it.
- Do His work faithfully.
- Be prepared for His coming.
- Try your best to win lost people to Christ.