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Conclusion

This lesson is the final lesson in our series. (If you would like to begin with the first lesson, here it is: What is Revelation? )

During our introductory classes I pointed to Revelation 6:10 and said that it is a key verse in this book. In Revelation 6:9-10, we read:

I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

The cry from the martyrs in verse 10 is what prompted these judgments, and God’s repeated answer to their question “How long?” was “Soon!”

The martyrs in verses 9-10 play a central role in this book. Who were they? Most of them are unknown to us by name — but not all of them.

We know the names of some of those martyrs, and there are two in particular I think of when I read those verses. Tradition tells us that the Apostle Paul was beheaded by the emperor Nero in A.D. 64 or 65. Tradition also tells us that Peter was crucified in Rome around that same time. Paul was most likely saved from that fate by his Roman citizenship.

Revelation 17:6 — “I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” That is Paul’s blood. That is Peter’s blood. Revelation 6:9 — “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” Peter and Paul were under that altar. Peter and Paul were asking the question “How long?” in verse 10. Revelation 18:20 — “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” That’s addressed to the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter. Revelation 21:14 — “Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” That’s Paul’s name and Peter’s name.

This vivid book becomes even more vivid when we put a face on those martyrs. Yes, Jesus loves his church more than we can ever know or understand, and we can read this book as Jesus’ response to Rome’s attack against the church. But this was also Jesus’ response to Rome’s murder of Paul. This was Jesus’ response to Rome’s murder of Peter.

What was Paul thinking about as he was led to the executioner’s block? I am certain it included what he told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 —

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

But I am also certain it included something he wrote to the very Christians who would suffer with him at the hands of Nero. Something that other Christian martyrs no doubt also recalled as they were being put to death by Rome. Something that is a beautiful summary of the entire book of Revelation. Something that we will use to end our class. Romans 8:31-39 —

What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In those 9 verses is the entire book of Revelation. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us! That is the theme of Revelation.

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Revelation Chapter 22 Verses 20-21

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

The book ends with encouragement for those suffering persecution. They had nothing to fear. Jesus was coming soon to bring vindication and judgment and nothing would stand in his way be it the mighty Roman empire or the modern commentator who believes the rescue has yet to occur! Jesus said he was coming soon, and he did come soon. The Roman empire is no more — swept away long ago by the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ! What a beautiful ending to a beautiful book! Amen!

Please visit ThyWordIsTruth.com for free audio lessons on Revelation, for a unique daily Bible reading calendar, to read about God's plan of salvation, to read the answers to hundreds of questions submitted by our readers, and for much, much more.

Revelation Chapter 22 Verses 18-19

18 I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if any one 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.

Tampering with the word of God is serious business. Those who add to the words in this book by teaching things in Christ’s name that Christ never taught will find themselves sharing in the horrible plagues described in this book. And those who take away from the words in this book the parts they disagree with or the parts that don’t fit with their theories will lose their share in the tree of life and in the holy city.

What? You mean the right to the tree of life can be taken away? Yes, and we have already seen that one’s name can be blotted out of the book of life. What does that tell us about the doctrine of “once saved, always saved”?

Whenever I read these verses I think of the Reader’s Digest condensed Bible that was released in 1982. The Old Testament was cut by 55% and the New Testament by 25%. Except for Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude, every book in the Bible was condensed to some degree. (Apparently those four were short enough already. I guess Obadiah had some fluff!) I have always wondered if verse 19 made it into the condensed Bible but I have never taken the time to find out.

But with all humor aside, let me ask a serious question — do we effectively use an abridged Bible? Are there parts of the Bible we never study either because of neglect, or worse just because we don’t much like what they say? Do we neglect some books just because they are too long to fit into our carefully tailored curriculum? When was the last time we had a class on Isaiah?

Please visit ThyWordIsTruth.com for free audio lessons on Revelation, for a unique daily Bible reading calendar, to read about God's plan of salvation, to read the answers to hundreds of questions submitted by our readers, and for much, much more.

Revelation Chapter 22 Verses 16-17

16 “I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price.

Jesus is the root and the offspring of David. He is the promised Redeemer. He is the fulfillment of prophecy.

The Spirit and the church invite those outside to come and drink the water of life. When is this invitation extended? Now. It is extended every time a gospel sermon is preached from this pulpit (which we would hope is every time a sermon is preached from this pulpit!). No invitation will be extended after the end of the world.

The water of life is a blessing that men enjoy on earth when they come to Christ and are added to his church. It is without price — it is the free gift of God’s grace. Romans 5:18 — “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

Please visit ThyWordIsTruth.com for free audio lessons on Revelation, for a unique daily Bible reading calendar, to read about God's plan of salvation, to read the answers to hundreds of questions submitted by our readers, and for much, much more.

Revelation Chapter 22 Verses 10-15

10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood.

In verse 10, John is told not to seal up the book. Why? Because the time for its fulfillment is near. In Daniel 8:26, Daniel received the opposite command regarding a vision that he had just seen — “And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.” God tells John not to seal up his vision for the time of its fulfillment is near, but he tells Daniel to seal up his vision because its fulfillment pertains to many days hence. When was Daniel’s vision fulfilled? 400 years later. Could this be any more clear? How can we expect to ever understand this book if we ignore these flashing neon time frames?

In verse 11, Jesus tells the wicked to continue in their wickedness. Why? Because their time is short. Verse 12 says the Jesus is coming quickly! The Romans were so entrenched in their evil that Jesus knew they would never change. He tells them that if they want to do more wickedness then they had better hurry. The time is short! Again, this verse is difficult to apply to the end of the world. Does Jesus want all sinners to continue sinning?

And how does one enter into this city? Verse 14 tells us — “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” One obtains the right to enter the city by washing. That, too, has been true since the day the church was established. Acts 2:38 — “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 22:16 — “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

The beatitude in verse 14 is the seventh and final beatitude in Revelation. (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14) As we have mentioned before, this book has a beautiful structure and organization that is built around the number 7. If you are reading the KJV, then verse 14 reads “Blessed are they that do his commandments” rather than “Blessed are those who wash their robes.” The latter (I am told) has better support in the manuscripts.

Please visit ThyWordIsTruth.com for free audio lessons on Revelation, for a unique daily Bible reading calendar, to read about God's plan of salvation, to read the answers to hundreds of questions submitted by our readers, and for much, much more.