Final Vision and Epilogue

Rev. 22: 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.

 

John's final vision takes him into Jerusalem where he sees the river of the water of life [abundant blessings]  flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb through the middle of the street. On either side of the river was the tree of life [once banned will now satisfy believers] with its 12 kinds of fruit, and its leaves were for the healing of the nations. The curse has been lifted! [man's fall] The throne of God and the Lamb will be in Jerusalem where His servants will worship Him forever. They will see His face [even Moses could not see His face, but now sanctification is complete.], and His name will be on their foreheads [sealed for eternity]. There will be no need of lamps or sun because there is no night and the Lord God will be their light. Believers will not only worship as priests but will reign with Him as well.

 

Verse 6 begins the epilogue where the loose ends are all tied up. Everything is clearly stated.:

• The first statement and warning concerns the words of this book. They are trustworthy and true. The person who keeps these words is blessed,  but if any one adds or subtracts from these words, his share of the tree of life and in the holy city will be taken away from him, and the plagues of this book will be his. Don't mess with the words!  [Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away]
• Worship God only! After hearing all this John fell down to worship the angel but was sternly rebuked. Angels and  prophets, are all fellow servants.
• The angel warned John not to seal up the words of this prophecy for the time is near. [The dragon was already defeated at the cross.]
• Patterns of holiness or evil will eventually be irreversible. Man will be accountable for his choices, decisions, and actions.
• Jesus promises to come soon to repay everyone for what he has done. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. [rewarding faithful servants and punishing evil doers]
• Another blessing [the final and 7th blessing of the book] is given for those who have washed their robes so that they may partake of the tree of life and may enter the city. Outside the city are the dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. The end is cut and dried. No one without their clean robes may come in.
• Jesus then attests to the fact that He sent His angels to testify to all these things for the churches [for their comfort and their warning]. He is the root, the descendant of David, and the bright and morning star.
• The Spirit and the Bride say come. Let the one who hears, come. Let the one who is thirsty, come. Let the one who desires takes the water of life without price. [the invitation is given]
• Jesus says, Surely, I am coming soon. Amen. And the church answers, Come, Lord Jesus!
• The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen. What a fitting end, grace!

Father,

Thank You for Your saving grace and for giving me a robe washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. I yearn for that day when Jesus will come and take me home to be with You for eternity. Give me Your strength and grace to stand faithful and firm until the end.

In the name of the Lamb,

Amen