Revelation 22: 6-21 (NRSV)
Today
is Mother’s Day. At some point today phone service will hit its yearly peak
usage point as children reach out to their mothers across generations.
My
favorite Mother’s Day Joke: On Mother’s Day morning a woman’s two children woke
her up and told her to stay in bed. She began to anticipate the joy of having
breakfast in bed. After waiting for 45 minutes she got up, got dressed, and
headed for the kitchen. In the kitchen she found her children eating breakfast.
They cheerfully greeted her and said, “Happy Mother’s Day mom – we decided to
get our own breakfast this morning so you could sleep in!”
It
has been said that that “A Christian mother is the greatest heritage God can
give a child.” Thanks to all of you who are mothers or who act on behalf of
children.
Sometimes
our concept of a gift or blessing doesn’t match the ideas of others. The Book
of Revelation is one such gift given to humans by God that has met mixed
reviews over the 2000 years it has been around.
Some
people ignore it, some think it’s too difficult to understand, others are
scared of its signs of the evil times to come. While there are difficult
passages that are challenging the Book has great writing, imagery, pageantry,
and suspense. But it also shows how God will restore a fallen world and people
to lost perfection.
This
week we will close out the Book of Revelation by looking at the reassurances
God and Jesus gave to the Apostle John to leave with us,
And he said to
me, “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits
of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take
place. See, 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 comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book.
Worship 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.”
"See, I am
coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. 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 will have the right to
the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and
sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves
and practices falsehood.
It is I, Jesus,
who sent my angel to you with this testimony 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 everyone who hears say, "Come." And let
everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a
gift.
I warn everyone
who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God
will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes
away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that
person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in
this book. The one who testifies to
these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
There
are 11 things we must see from this passage that defines God’s purpose and
reasons for giving this vision to the Apostle John.
1)
God’s
message given through the scriptures are faithful and true.
God’s
Word, given through the scriptures, can be trusted. It is not a story or a
manipulation created by the imagination of men.
2)
God’s
message will bless those who keep to the prophecy of this book.
God’s
Word and prophecy will bless those who keep and obey it. They will be informed
of the future, prepared for the future, and understand the future. They will
understand Heaven and long for it. They will also be drawn into a deeper,
stronger fellowship with Jesus with increased desire to share with others the
message.
3)
God’s
message should stir us to wonder and worship.
When
John sees and hears God’s revelation he falls down at the feet of the angel who
is delivering the message in worship and fear. The angel rebukes John and tells
him to get and fear and worship the Lord alone. Simply put: this message should
astound and stir us to worship him.
4)
God’s
message is to be read and studied by all believers.
Here’s
what the book of Revelation says about itself: the book of Revelation is never
to be sealed, that is, closed. It is to be read, studied, preached, and taught
always.
5)
The
message concerns the Lord’s return and the judgment to come.
Jesus
is returning soon and it will be in judgment. We need to be prepared.
6)
The
message tells us who will be accepted by the Lord.
“Blessed are
those who wash their robes in the blood of Christ!” Some
translations say “commandments” but we know that it is not actions that save us
but rather the Grace of Jesus as the atoning Lamb of God.
7)
The
message tells us who will be rejected by the Lord.
Revelation
tells us who are lost and not allowed entry into the Holy City of God.
8)
The
message is proclaimed by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Jesus
proclaims the message of the Book of Revelation as its author. He is the “root
and offspring of David” and “the bright morning star” mentioned numerously in
the Book.
9)
The
message is the greatest invitation ever extended to humanity.
We
are offered the invitation to drink the Water of Life, which restores, heals,
and grants immortality.
10)
God
warn that no one must tamper with this message.
Jesus
warns that words must not be added or taken away from the message. If a person
adds to the message the plagues of Revelation will added to that person and if
words are taken away that person’s share of the Tree of Life, their place in
the Holy City of Jerusalem - Heaven, and in the assurances of the Revelation
itself, will be removed from them.
11)
God
closes the message with the greatest assurance ever given.
The
assurance given to believers comes at us from two sides. Jesus certifies that
the words and messages of the Book of Revelation are the words of God and He
also promises “Yes- it is true. I am
coming soon.” We as believers and anticipators of His return should pray
for and say, “Amen. So be it! Even so,
come, Lord Jesus.”
My
mother came to this country as a poor immigrant from Austria after the war in a
family that was prejudiced against her. She worked three jobs at a time often
bringing in the only money in a family with 8 kids.
She
worked hard and taught me to do the same. Finally she went to college and
graduated at the age of 64 with a degree that let her become a supervisor in a
professional position. She didn’t give up, had a vision for the future, and
retained a sense of love and understanding for others that didn’t compromise.
She
didn’t look for the easy way out, studied and worked hard, and persevered.
One day a mother was working at home when, her
daughter came in and asked, “Mommy, can we play?” “I’m awfully sorry,
sweetheart, but I’m right in the middle of preparing this work for tomorrow. In
about an hour I can play,” her mom said.
“OK,” she said. “When you’re finished, I
will give you a great big hug.” She went to the door, then did a U-turn and
came back to give her mom a bone-breaking hug.
“You said you were going to give me a hug after
I finished,” her mom said, teasing. “I just wanted you to know what you have to
look forward to!” the little girl said.
God wants us to know how much we have to
look forward to when He comes again. That’s why Jesus had the Apostle John
write the Book of Revelation. He wants us ready and prepared. Praise God for
His love and Grace! Amen.
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