GOD’S FINAL MESSAGE TO THIS AGE
REVELATION 22:12-22
REVELATION 22:12-22
Introduction:
God’s message has not changed down through the ages. He is still offering life eternal by faith in Jesus Christ. Here He adds a warning: Don’t mess with the Word of God. The price is very high for doing so violence to the Scriptures.
I. BEHOLD! v. 12
A. God ‘s SURPRISING announcement of the birth of Christ, Matthew 1:20-21, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”
B. The word “Behold” occurs 30 times in Revelation calling attention to special events such as the Coming of the Lord, Revelation 3:11, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
C. It is used to announce special changes, Revelation 21:5, “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
II. “BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY” v. 12
A. The Lord will be “on time,” Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
1. The birth of Christ was on time in God’s schedule, Acts 1:7, “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
2. God does not count time as we do, 2 Peter 3:8, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
B. The Coming of the Lord is IMMINANT and we are commanded to WATCH, Mark 13:32-33, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
C. “QUICKLY” means that these events will occur in RAPID SUCCESSION, as in Peter’s rescue from prison, Acts 12:7, “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
III. THE MESSENGER HAS BEEN SENT vv. 16-17
A. The Churches have been informed of what God expects, v. 16; Revelation 1:1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
B. The Messenger has identified the AUTHORITY behind his message, v. 16; Acts 22:8, “And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.”
C. The Message is: “COME,” v. 17; Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
1. The SPIRIT invites man to come, v. 17; Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
2. The BRIDE (the Lord’s Churches) invites man to come, v. 17; Luke 14:23, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
a. The invitation is to TRUST Christ, Psalms 34:8, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
b. The offer is to TAKE of the Water of Life, Revelation 21:6, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
IV. GOD’S FINAL WARNING vv. 18-19
A. The Messenger bears witness to the WARNING, Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
B. The warning is “TO EVERY MAN,” v. 18; Proverbs 29:26, “Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man‘s judgment cometh from the LORD.”
C. Don’t MESS WITH the WORD of God, vv. 18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
1. IF any man shall ADD unto these things, Revelation 14:10, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”
2. IF any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, Luke 11:52, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”
a. These are they who have NOT received Jesus Christ as Savior, Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship HIM [the Antichrist], whose names are NOT written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
b. These will receive their JUST REWARD for their deeds, Revelation 22:12, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
CONCLUSION
This is the final message of the Lord in the Word of God. He is still offering Eternal Life through faith in Christ. The message has not changed down through the ages.
However, the Lord has reiterated the danger of adding to or taking from His Word. Many have done that in our day and God’s impending Judgement awaits them in the near future.