CONCLUSION CONTINUED

vs. 9 But he (the angel) 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!

The angel admonishes John not to worship him a mere fellow servant but to worship God alone.

The Bible teaches that the worship of any creature, whether angel, human being, animal, or inanimate object, is idolatry and absolutely forbidden.

Nothing in God’s entire creation may ever be placed above the Creator and receive worship. Thus, Jesus rebuked Satan, because he asked the Lord to worship him. On the basis of Scripture, Jesus told him to worship only the Lord God.

vs. 10 Then he (the angel) told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.

The angel speaking on behalf of Jesus tells John not to seal the words of the prophecy of this book (Revelation). In other words instead of sealing the prophecies of the book of Revelation John is to publish them and proclaim them to all people.

God’s Word is not chained, for it is sent forth to accomplish His plan and purpose.

(Isa. 55:11; 2 Tim. 2:9)

When the angel told John that the time was near he wasn’t speaking of clock time; rather he was speaking of an opportune moment or a time of decision. God is alerting His people to be prepared for the return of His Son.

vs. 11 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.

John has divided humanity into the two groups: 1. those who do evil and are filthy and 2. those who practice righteousness and are holy.

The sinner and the saint either regress or progress in their spiritual life.

The sinner regresses from unbelief to disobedience, from disobedience to neglect, from neglect to apostasy, and from apostasy to hardening of the heart.

The saint continues to make progress in a life that leads from faith to practicing obedience, from obedience to joy, and from joy to unending joy in the Lord.

This is not to say that God fails to call the sinner to repentance. Repentance is always a live option as long as a person is living.

vs. 12 Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

The revelation of Jesus to John is coming to an end: Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. We better be ready, for Christ’s coming is soon. He will come with His reward (His bride) and give to everyone according to what they have done.

To those “outside of Christ”, even their so-called righteous acts are filthy rags and their so-called good works are dead works. For those “in Christ”, all their filthy rags and dead works were laid on Christ at the cross and paid for in full. More than that, those who are in Christ have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ alone and are faultless to stand before God’s throne of judgment.

vs. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Jesus identifies Himself with the first and the last letter in the Greek alphabet, “the Alpha and the Omega”, and as the “First and the Last”, the “Beginning and the End”.

In this summary statement, Jesus clearly places Himself equal to God. Like the Father He is eternal and infinite in His being.

vs. 14 Blessed (approved by God) 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.

The robes of Adam’s fallen race are filthy because of sin, and can only be made clean through the blood of Christ.

The verb to wash is a participle in the present tense to indicate that sin is a continual polluting agency that needs repeated cleansings. 1 John 1:9

This means that no one can enter the presence of God in filthy garments. Only those who are covered with the robe of Christ’s righteousness may enter God’s holy presence.

Delivered from the bondage of sin and guilt through his sacrifice, the saints enjoy life eternal with unhindered access to the tree of life.

vs. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Believers are dressed in clean garments and have the right to the tree of life and to heavenly citizenship.

Unbelievers are excluded (like unclean dogs), because their lifestyle is compared to those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood

vs. 16  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.

Jesus says that he has sent His angel, which once more is an indication of His deity. In 1:1 God sent His angel to John, while here Jesus claims that He has dispatched His angel.

The churches John is to give the testimony are more than likely the seven churches addressed in chapters 1-3. By way of application these churches represent symbolically the universal church that is present throughout the world in time and place.

vs. 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Jesus appears to be the speaker and now announces that the response to His words comes from two sources, namely, the Holy Spirit and the church on earth.

This means that church by the power of the Spirit must bring the gospel to the world, calling on thirsty sinners to come and take the free gift of the water of life Jesus Christ. Then the end will come and Christ will return.

Everyone who desires to drink from the water of life may freely come and take.

Isaiah 55:1 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

John 3:37 If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

vss. 18 & 19 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.

Jesus’ solemn warning not to add to or take away from the words of the prophecy of this book is common in ancient literature. For instance, Moses warns the Israelites not to add to or subtract from the decrees and laws God gave them (Deut. 4:2; 12:32).

Paul wrote a similar condemnation when he told the Galatians that if anyone preached a gospel which was not the gospel of Christ, “let him be eternally condemned” (Gal. 1:6–8). Now Jesus pronounces a curse on anyone who distorts His message.

vs. 20 He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Here we have the earnest declaration from the lips of Jesus that He will return as He has promised.

Jesus assures everyone that He is coming soon. But how soon will he make His appearance? We can safely say that His return is closer now than ever, since over two thousand years have passed.

vs. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

John’s short benediction confirms that Revelation was sent as a letter to the churches. The grace of the Lord Jesus is with all those who love Him, serve Him, and long for His return.