Revelation Sermon Series-Week 21 Preview

The final verses of chapter 22 bring us full circle to the revelation. The angel that was showing John the new Eden tells John that everything he has received about the things that “must soon take place” (Rev. 1:1; 22:6) are “trustworthy and true.”

Then suddenly, Jesus Himself interrupts the angel and proclaims not once, but three times that “I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). Obviously, Jesus’ definition of soon is longer than ours. However, when He first tells John He is coming soon, He also says, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22:7). At first this seems very in character with Jesus. However, as you look back through the book of Revelation, it becomes somewhat puzzling because there really aren’t any commands to keep, per se. The book isn’t some set of commands to keep to get into heaven. Rather, keeping “the words of the prophecy” has more to do with keeping the hope and holding fast to the reality that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is going to clean up our mess and make all things new. For whoever keeps this hope before them, will not be disappointed, but blessed forever with the presence of the Lord in the new Eden.

Surprisingly, upon hearing this, John bows down at the feet of the angel that showed him these things and worshiped “at the feet of the angel” (Rev. 22:8). But the angel will have none of that and rebukes John, “Worship God” (Rev. 22:9). All praise and worship is due Him alone. The angel then tells John to not seal up the book but to distribute it, because “the time is near” (Rev. 22:10). Don’t worry about the end of the world (we now know how it ends), instead, encourage the Church to hold fast until then to the Word of God, and to go and invite the world to “Come” (Rev. 22:17) while there is still time.

Why can the Church be so confident in the Revelation of Jesus? In verse 13, Jesus asserts, “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 22:13). This is the big revelation of the divine name. Seven times in the book of John Jesus makes an “I am” statement (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:9; 10:11,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1,5). By the seventh time, the religious leaders clearly understand that Jesus is claiming the divine name that Yahweh revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:14). However, Jesus didn’t only allude to it in John. Now, at the end of revelation, it becomes clear. When Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” He is saying that He is God (Rev. 1:8; 22:13). There can be no doubt, Jesus can and will do everything that has been revealed in Revelation.

Come, Lord Jesus!

This Week’s Verses: Exodus 3:13-15, Psalm 39:4-5a, 7-8, 12a, Rev. 22:6-21, John 8:48-59