#50- Final Words About Jesus Christ?
"FINAL WORDS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST?"
"REVELATION" The Last Book of The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
COMMENTS and QUESTIONS
by J Neil Evans:
Read Revelation yourself then …
Watch the Bible Project video Revelation
Revelation, the last book in the New Testament, is unquestionably interesting on several levels. It is certainly reads differently from all the other NT books. It has been interpreted in many different ways. It often prompts more questions than answers. One thing Revelation shares with all the New Testament is the necessity of being familiar with the Old Testament in order to accurately understand it. While it may seem like just a mystical story, much like many of our own dreams, the images and story line are rooted in the Old Testament and describe the conclusion of the New Testament story.
Watching the Bible Project’s two videos on “Revelation” can be especially helpful in understanding the meaning of the book.
In the Revelation Jesus gave to John we have a graphic description of the end times. John wrote to instruct Jesus’ Church about what they should expect in their future. So that they would not be surprised, Jesus revealed that in their future were times of unparalleled tribulation and judgment brought on by the idolatry of the enemies of Jesus. The unfolding conflict between God and Satan, between Good and Evil, will engulf God’’s people and the whole world. In the midst of it all stands Jesus, fulfilling, as promised over and over in the Old Testament, His Supreme Sovereign judgment of all that would challenge His Grace. In the end, Satan and all who have followed him will be defeated, disgraced and destined to an eternity of awful torment of selfish loneliness away from the presence of God’s Grace and Glory. And, wonder of wonders, all who have trusted and lived in God’s forgiving Grace will be given a Heaven, a new earth unmarred, perfect and incorruptible. Those who trust God’s Amazing Grace will have a home in the eternal presence of Jesus.
Rather than attempting to describe the interpretations I see about the specific sections of the book, I want to share some more general observations that I think are easy to miss when we focus on interpreting the details of the various visions.
While it may seem to our contemporary experience much like a Star Wars movie, with all sorts of extraordinary characters and plot twists, it is actually not simply entertaining fiction. Like the Old Testaments prophets Daniel, Ezekiel, and all the others, it claims to be directly from the mind and heart of God. Its’ credibility is grounded in the personal character of the Apostle John and in the clear links to many of the Old Testament Prophets. The links to the Old Testament are not simply stylish. The validity of the Old Testament Prophets is demonstrated by the clear fulfillment of their prophesies regarding the historical events of Israel and the person and work of Jesus the promised Messiah.
With the same prophetic authority, authenticity and seriousness John writes: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Rev 1:1-3) Our temptation is that because Revelation is difficult to read and understand it is okay to not pay it much attention. But the reality is that we are daily faced with the issues addressed in this last book of the New Testament.
We all, without exception, go through each day with a variety of things capturing our focus, gathering our attention, motivating our agendas and challenging our convictions. We all juggle family, friends, job, leisure, finances, health, seeking to balance them all for the best; all the while being fought by forces that seem bent on denying us any success. In this last book, God challenges us to see and believe His Truth; to live by His Rules; to really see the evil of God’s enemies; to cling to the Hope that only Jesus can give; to associate with people who fear and love God; and trust Jesus in any and every life situation.
The Revelation begins with challenging us to focus our mind, heart and life on the One Thing that not only deserves our attention but is the foundation of any real success in our lives. “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1:4-6)
I suspect that you, like I, tend to envision Jesus as we read about Him in the Gospels. We see a long haired man in a well worn robe and dusty sandals, smiling warmly as He mingles with attentive crowds. We also have the image of a man beaten and broken. We gladly picture Jesus visiting with His followers, fully alive, giving instructions about coming ministries. John’s senses were lost in these memories when he “was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. (1:10-18) John continues to describe Jesus in ways majestic, powerful and divine beyond our present comprehension.
The list of participants in The Revelation is fascinating: Jesus Christ / God / Jesus’ Angel / John / Readers / Hearers / Keepers / Satan / Seven Churches / twenty-four Elders / Four living creatures / A mighty angel / Many angels / four horsemen / Slain Souls / Kings / Great / Generals / Rich / Powerful / Everyone / Slave / Free / Four angels / Another angel / 144,000 servants of God / Great multitude / An Eagle / a star / Locusts / Angel of the bottomless pit / Mounted Troops / Two Witnesses / Beast / A Woman / Dragon / Second Beast /Harpists / Saints / False Prophet / Kings of the World / Great Prostitute / Seven Kings / Ten Kings / Babylon / Bride / The Dead / servants of the Lamb
As intriguing as this list is there is something even more captivating. Jesus is the central figure of The Revelation and it presents Him much differently than the world tends of think of Him. Jesus Christ is a Force to be reckoned with; He is a man plus infinitely more; a Being Who cares and acts with Divine justice and compassion. Here are some of the descriptions of Jesus Christ in The Revelation:
—”ruler of kings on earth” (1:5)
—”is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all -the tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.” (1:7)
—”clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (1:13-18)
—”I know…” everything about the seven churches (Chap 2&3)
—”the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (5:5)
—”4 creatures and 24 elders sang: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (5:9,10)
—“thousands of angels saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (5:12)
—”every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” (5:12-14)
—“great multitude crying out: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” … fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (7:10,11)
—”he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (7:15-17)
—“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” (14:1)
—”sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (15:3,4)
—”They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (17:14)
—”a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (19:11-16)
—”a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.” (20:11)
—“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. (22:1-5)
—”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.” (22:12,13)
—”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.” (22:16)
—”He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” (22:20)
We may think that we can ignore this Jesus, but He has not and will not ignore us. Jesus came the first time to redeem, He is coming again to Judge and to Bless. He describes the conclusion of His judgment in 21:8 when He says: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfer, which is the second death.”
This brief description of judgment is in contrast to the blessings Jesus described in the verses just before. In 21:1-7 Jesus said:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”
There are two different groups of people described in 21:1-8, the blessed and the condemned. Notice the difference in their character. The condemned are described with a familiar list of bad characteristics. The blessed are described as “the one who conquers”. I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually feel like a “conquerer.” Paul describes me in 1Corinthians 6:9-11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you.” It is true that I don’t outwardly exhibit the awful traits listed by Paul and Jesus. But if judged by my inward thoughts and passions I stand guilty. If I am to be judged on how well I conquer my evil passions I am in desperate trouble. Unless … conquering is something different than what we usually think it is. Paul continued verse 11 with: “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” That sounds hopeful, but how do I get washed, sanctified and justified? How do I “conquer” my sin?
This question takes us back to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus used the same word, “conquer” to challenge the faltering followers of Jesus. Jesus promised blessings to “the ones who conquer”. Who are they? Could I be one? John described what it means to “conquer” in his first letter. Do you remember reading 1John 5:4,5 (John uses the same greek word but it is translated “overcome”) “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
I have not overcome or conquered my sin, I never could, BUT Jesus has. Jesus took the judgment I deserve. In believing and receiving this amazing gift He has washed me, transformed me, justified me.
John concludes The Revelation, and thus the Bible, quoting Jesus: “Surely I am coming soon.” And John responds: “Amen. Come Lord Jesus!” Then, he can’t help but add the central theme of all his writing, indeed the the theme of the whole Bible: “ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.”
I can’t help but notice a warning that John added near the end of The Revelation: “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.” (22:18) It is a sobering thing to read. My challenge must always be to seek to see and understand what the Bible says rather than add or subtract from it to make it fit my expectations and desires.
"REVELATION" The Last Book of The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
COMMENTS and QUESTIONS
by J Neil Evans:
Read Revelation yourself then …
Watch the Bible Project video Revelation
Revelation, the last book in the New Testament, is unquestionably interesting on several levels. It is certainly reads differently from all the other NT books. It has been interpreted in many different ways. It often prompts more questions than answers. One thing Revelation shares with all the New Testament is the necessity of being familiar with the Old Testament in order to accurately understand it. While it may seem like just a mystical story, much like many of our own dreams, the images and story line are rooted in the Old Testament and describe the conclusion of the New Testament story.
Watching the Bible Project’s two videos on “Revelation” can be especially helpful in understanding the meaning of the book.
In the Revelation Jesus gave to John we have a graphic description of the end times. John wrote to instruct Jesus’ Church about what they should expect in their future. So that they would not be surprised, Jesus revealed that in their future were times of unparalleled tribulation and judgment brought on by the idolatry of the enemies of Jesus. The unfolding conflict between God and Satan, between Good and Evil, will engulf God’’s people and the whole world. In the midst of it all stands Jesus, fulfilling, as promised over and over in the Old Testament, His Supreme Sovereign judgment of all that would challenge His Grace. In the end, Satan and all who have followed him will be defeated, disgraced and destined to an eternity of awful torment of selfish loneliness away from the presence of God’s Grace and Glory. And, wonder of wonders, all who have trusted and lived in God’s forgiving Grace will be given a Heaven, a new earth unmarred, perfect and incorruptible. Those who trust God’s Amazing Grace will have a home in the eternal presence of Jesus.
Rather than attempting to describe the interpretations I see about the specific sections of the book, I want to share some more general observations that I think are easy to miss when we focus on interpreting the details of the various visions.
While it may seem to our contemporary experience much like a Star Wars movie, with all sorts of extraordinary characters and plot twists, it is actually not simply entertaining fiction. Like the Old Testaments prophets Daniel, Ezekiel, and all the others, it claims to be directly from the mind and heart of God. Its’ credibility is grounded in the personal character of the Apostle John and in the clear links to many of the Old Testament Prophets. The links to the Old Testament are not simply stylish. The validity of the Old Testament Prophets is demonstrated by the clear fulfillment of their prophesies regarding the historical events of Israel and the person and work of Jesus the promised Messiah.
With the same prophetic authority, authenticity and seriousness John writes: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Rev 1:1-3) Our temptation is that because Revelation is difficult to read and understand it is okay to not pay it much attention. But the reality is that we are daily faced with the issues addressed in this last book of the New Testament.
We all, without exception, go through each day with a variety of things capturing our focus, gathering our attention, motivating our agendas and challenging our convictions. We all juggle family, friends, job, leisure, finances, health, seeking to balance them all for the best; all the while being fought by forces that seem bent on denying us any success. In this last book, God challenges us to see and believe His Truth; to live by His Rules; to really see the evil of God’s enemies; to cling to the Hope that only Jesus can give; to associate with people who fear and love God; and trust Jesus in any and every life situation.
The Revelation begins with challenging us to focus our mind, heart and life on the One Thing that not only deserves our attention but is the foundation of any real success in our lives. “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1:4-6)
I suspect that you, like I, tend to envision Jesus as we read about Him in the Gospels. We see a long haired man in a well worn robe and dusty sandals, smiling warmly as He mingles with attentive crowds. We also have the image of a man beaten and broken. We gladly picture Jesus visiting with His followers, fully alive, giving instructions about coming ministries. John’s senses were lost in these memories when he “was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. (1:10-18) John continues to describe Jesus in ways majestic, powerful and divine beyond our present comprehension.
The list of participants in The Revelation is fascinating: Jesus Christ / God / Jesus’ Angel / John / Readers / Hearers / Keepers / Satan / Seven Churches / twenty-four Elders / Four living creatures / A mighty angel / Many angels / four horsemen / Slain Souls / Kings / Great / Generals / Rich / Powerful / Everyone / Slave / Free / Four angels / Another angel / 144,000 servants of God / Great multitude / An Eagle / a star / Locusts / Angel of the bottomless pit / Mounted Troops / Two Witnesses / Beast / A Woman / Dragon / Second Beast /Harpists / Saints / False Prophet / Kings of the World / Great Prostitute / Seven Kings / Ten Kings / Babylon / Bride / The Dead / servants of the Lamb
As intriguing as this list is there is something even more captivating. Jesus is the central figure of The Revelation and it presents Him much differently than the world tends of think of Him. Jesus Christ is a Force to be reckoned with; He is a man plus infinitely more; a Being Who cares and acts with Divine justice and compassion. Here are some of the descriptions of Jesus Christ in The Revelation:
—”ruler of kings on earth” (1:5)
—”is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all -the tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.” (1:7)
—”clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (1:13-18)
—”I know…” everything about the seven churches (Chap 2&3)
—”the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (5:5)
—”4 creatures and 24 elders sang: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (5:9,10)
—“thousands of angels saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (5:12)
—”every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” (5:12-14)
—“great multitude crying out: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” … fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (7:10,11)
—”he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (7:15-17)
—“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” (14:1)
—”sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (15:3,4)
—”They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (17:14)
—”a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (19:11-16)
—”a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.” (20:11)
—“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. (22:1-5)
—”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.” (22:12,13)
—”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.” (22:16)
—”He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” (22:20)
We may think that we can ignore this Jesus, but He has not and will not ignore us. Jesus came the first time to redeem, He is coming again to Judge and to Bless. He describes the conclusion of His judgment in 21:8 when He says: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfer, which is the second death.”
This brief description of judgment is in contrast to the blessings Jesus described in the verses just before. In 21:1-7 Jesus said:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”
There are two different groups of people described in 21:1-8, the blessed and the condemned. Notice the difference in their character. The condemned are described with a familiar list of bad characteristics. The blessed are described as “the one who conquers”. I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually feel like a “conquerer.” Paul describes me in 1Corinthians 6:9-11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you.” It is true that I don’t outwardly exhibit the awful traits listed by Paul and Jesus. But if judged by my inward thoughts and passions I stand guilty. If I am to be judged on how well I conquer my evil passions I am in desperate trouble. Unless … conquering is something different than what we usually think it is. Paul continued verse 11 with: “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” That sounds hopeful, but how do I get washed, sanctified and justified? How do I “conquer” my sin?
This question takes us back to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Jesus used the same word, “conquer” to challenge the faltering followers of Jesus. Jesus promised blessings to “the ones who conquer”. Who are they? Could I be one? John described what it means to “conquer” in his first letter. Do you remember reading 1John 5:4,5 (John uses the same greek word but it is translated “overcome”) “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
I have not overcome or conquered my sin, I never could, BUT Jesus has. Jesus took the judgment I deserve. In believing and receiving this amazing gift He has washed me, transformed me, justified me.
John concludes The Revelation, and thus the Bible, quoting Jesus: “Surely I am coming soon.” And John responds: “Amen. Come Lord Jesus!” Then, he can’t help but add the central theme of all his writing, indeed the the theme of the whole Bible: “ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.”
I can’t help but notice a warning that John added near the end of The Revelation: “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.” (22:18) It is a sobering thing to read. My challenge must always be to seek to see and understand what the Bible says rather than add or subtract from it to make it fit my expectations and desires.
Check out these LINKS:
Watch Bible Project summary of Revelation
Read "Bible Words to Ponder" related to this week study
Read "The Gospel"