Series: Apocalypse Now… And Again – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Revelation 22:12-21, “See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. 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 they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs–the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let each one who hears them say, “Come.” Let the thirsty ones come– anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. (NLT)
Today, we bring our study of the themes of Revelation to a close. It has been an interesting journey through this powerful and relevant book. As we reflect, we will remember that it is a revelation of Jesus Christ and as such it is a call to worship. It shows us the throne of God, his sovereign rule over the events of the earth. It makes us aware of the ultimate conflict of the ages, and encourages us that the Lamb will defeat the Dragon. It is about the hope of Israel and the hope of all the saints of God. Today, we will see the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ.
FOUR REALITIES
1. God
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (v. 13) God is before all things and beyond all things. God precedes all things and exceeds all things. He is a fool who denies God.
Psalm 14:1, The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’
2. The Word of God
If anyone adds anything to what is written here,, God will add to that person the plagues…and if anyone removes any of the words from this book…God will remove that person’s away share in the tree of life and in the holy city. (vv. 18, 19). God’s Word is forever settled. We must not mess with its message.
3. The Judgment of God.
Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murders, the idols worshipers and all who love to live a lie. (v. 15) The judgment of God will fall on those who have not “washed their robes” in preparation for the celebration of the city.
4. The Salvation of God
The Spirit and the Bride say ‘Come’…Let the thirsty ones come—anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink of the water of life without charge. (v. 17) “Come” is the consistent message of God.
THREE DESTINIES
1. The collapse of the World System
Babylon, the great city, will be thrown down and she will disappear forever. Never again will the sound of music be heard there. (18:21, 22) The world system (the Beast) will crash under the judgment of God. Those who take the mark of the Beast will be judged with it (Rev. 19:20).
2. The Eternal City
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people…He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever. (21:2-4)
3. The Lake of Fire
Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (20:15)