Now we come to the last verses in the Book of Revelation. These seem to be a summation of how to get ready for the end of this age (see Revelation 22:10-21):
And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
"Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."
Daniel was told to seal up the prophecies he was given until the end of the age. One of the signs that we are indeed at the end of this age is the way that the prophecies of Daniel have been opened to our understanding. John was told not to seal the prophecy he was given here because the time was near. As we have covered, what was revealed to John in this revelation did begin to immediately unfold and is still unfolding as we approach the end of this age.
This also declares that those who do wrong, and those who are righteous, will continue until the end. Neither will fully prevail until the kingdom comes.
Next we read:
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
"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 that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
This reminds us that there will certainly be a Day of Judgment when everyone, the “just and the unjust,” will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to answer for their deeds in this life. This is called “the great and terrible day of The Lord” because it will be great for those who follow Him and terrible for those who do not. There is only one remedy for our sin and that is the blood of Jesus. Those who trust in His atonement will be clean before Him and have nothing to fear on the Day of Judgment—assured that they will be welcome to partake of the Tree of Life in His city.
“Dogs,” as referred to in this text, were a metaphor in the first century for those who repented and embraced the cross, and then returned to their sinful lives just as dogs return to their vomit. Such are assigned their lot with the evil ones.
Then we read:
"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
The call still goes out for the thirsty to come to Him—Jesus, the Water of Life and Life Himself. There is no cost because He already paid the price for us, yet it is the most valuable treasure there is on the earth. The wise pursue it and partake of it like it is the most valuable treasure. There is no lottery prize that can compare to a single word from Him. The wise pursue this “water of life” more than any prize because its reward is eternal life, not just the temporary pleasures of this life.
Next we read:
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;
and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
What could be a greater presumption than to change a word that was given by God? The end of this age will be a time of the greatest light and the greatest darkness. Those who walk in the light will be known for their esteem for His words. Those who walk in darkness will be known by their rejection of His word, or their presumption with it. The first tactic of the devil against Adam and Eve was to get them to doubt what God had clearly said. It is still his most effective tactic to get men to fall and no doubt will be until the end of the age.
Then we have the last words of this Revelation and of the entire Bible:
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
The Lord is coming quickly. Those who love Him are growing increasingly expectant of that glorious day. As we are told, even the trees will be “clapping their hands” because the whole creation is about to be restored to union and harmony with the Creator.
The final words are for the grace of The Lord Jesus to be with us all, as there could be nothing greater that we could ever possess.
