Caution!

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

REVELATION 22:1-21

SUBJECT: HEAVEN & THE RAPTURE

THEME: Believers should hold the hope of heaven in their hearts and believe the promise of Christ’s return.  Such believers will be marked by faithfulness, service, and spiritual motivation as we anticipate Christ’s return in the Rapture. 

INTRODUCTION:

There are four things John points out as He focuses the seven churches on the immanent return of Christ in the Rapture. We will finally consider the fourth and last point mentioned in chapter twenty-two in this article. 

MESSAGE:

I.  He Completes the Stunning Previews (Rev. 22:1-5). 

In Rev 22:1-5, we move inside the city to see additional facts about the New Jerusalem and discover that it is like a beautiful garden, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. We are given a preview of the river of life, the tree of life, and eternal life with God. Secondly....

II. He Certifies these Serious Prophecies (Rev. 22:6-10).

John now seeks to assure the seven churches that the things revealed in the book of the Revelation can be trusted and relied upon.  Understand the vision of the future is now complete and John moves to point believers to the Word, and the Hope of the Rapture.  Likewise we too are to rely on the Word and look forward to the Rapture when Christ returns for us.  

III. He Communicates With Stirring Promises (Rev. 22:11-17).

It is important to understand the revealing of the future–The Revelation– is completed and John is still addressing believers in the seven churches directly.  He is trying to give them hope, to stir them to service and faithfulness to the Lord until He returns to receive us unto Himself in the Rapture.

IV. He Cautions With Strong Prohibitions (Rev. 22:18-21). 

In an effort to amplify the significance and importance of these fascinating prophecies, John warns against altering these strong warnings in the Book of the Revelation. What God gave John to write is sufficient and complete for all matters concerning godliness and devoted Christian living. We all would be wise to take these admonitions quite seriously.

A.  A CAUTION AGAINST ADDING TO THE PROPHECY (Rev. 22:18).

   1.  He Warns Everyone About Adding to This Book.

We must not add to the Word of God or take anything from it (see Deut 4:2 Prov 30:5-6). And this responsibility is especially great in light of Christ's return.

   2.  He Warns of Divine Judgment to Those Who Add to This Book.

It was customary in ancient days for writers to put this kind of warning at the close of their books, because the people who copied them for public distribution might be tempted to tamper with the material. However, John's warning was not addressed to a writer, but to the hearer, the believer in the congregation where this book was read aloud. By 'analogy, however, it would apply to anyone reading and studying the book today. We may not be able to explain the penalties given, but we do know this: it is a dangerous thing to tamper with the Word of God. The one who guards the Word and obeys it will be blessed; the one who alters it will be disciplined in some way.

B.  A CAUTION AGAINST SUBTRACTING FROM THE PROPHECY (Rev. 22:19).

   1.  He Warns Everyone of Subtracting From This Book.

The Book of Revelation was intended to be heard and obeyed (v. 7; 1:3), not tampered with. The person who either adds to or takes away from its contents will receive from God the strictest punishment, a punishment with eternal consequences. This terrifying warning is even stronger than that of Deut. 4:2 and Prov. 30:6.

   2.  He Warns Everyone of Eternal Judgment For Subtracting From This Book.

The warnings in Rev 22:18-19 do not suggest that people who tamper with the Bible will be brought back to earth to suffer the Tribulation plagues, or that they will lose their salvation. Nobody fully understands the Bible or can explain everything in it; and those of us who teach the Word sometimes have to change our interpretations as we grow in knowledge. God sees the heart, and He can separate ignorance from impudence and immaturity from rebellion.

C.  A CLOSING PROMISE TO THE PROPHECY (Rev. 22:20-21).

   1.  The Final Promise of the Savior (Rev. 22:20).

        A.  We must keep expecting Jesus Christ to return (vv. 17, 20-21). Three times in this closing chapter John wrote, "I [Christ] come quickly" (Rev 22:7,12,20).

        B.  But He, has "delayed" His return for nearly 2,000 years! Yes, He has; and Peter tells us why: God wants to give this sinful world opportunity to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:1). Yet, do not miss this clear promise that He will indeed return and He will come quickly! It is only a matter of when Jesus will return and not if. 

   2.  The Fervent Prayer of the Saints (Rev. 22:20).

       A.  John adds the hope of all believers to the declaration of Christ by praying, “come, Lord Jesus.” 

       B.  If our study of Revelation has been truly led by the Spirit, then we will join John in the Bible's last prayer. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" To this John replied in a brief prayer, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Is this not you deepest heart desire to see and be with the Lord Jesus? What believer is not moved with great delight when reminded that our Lord could come today? Perhaps there are a handful of folks who have invested so much energy in this world that they are not excited about being with the Lord. I imagine it is possible for someone to become saddened at the mention that Jesus is coming.... My prayer is that the vast majority of real believers is overwhelmed at times by waves of joy rooted in the coming of Christ in the Rapture. Are you ready? Can you too pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."

   3.  The Final Provision for the Saints (Rev. 22:21).

Rev. 22:21, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

God affords grace to His waiting and anticipating people. Certain His grace is sufficient and will sustain us as we face the challenges of each day. We must never dismiss this incredible and generous provision from the mighty heart of our great God. Every moment of every day, He avails to us the "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ". What an awesome supply for whatever our needs may be!

“This expression, so common in other New Testament books, brings this final word from God to an end. For those who believe that Christ in His first coming provided salvation, there is the wonderful promise of His coming again to bring full and final deliverance. As the book began by introducing a revelation of Jesus Christ so it ends with the same thought that He is coming again.

Probably no other book of Scripture more sharply contrasts the blessed lot of the saints with the fearful future of those who are lost. No other book of the Bible is more explicit in its description of judgment on the one hand and the saints’ eternal bliss on the other. What a tragedy that so many pass by this book and fail to fathom its wonderful truths, thereby impoverishing their knowledge and hope in Christ Jesus. God’s people who understand and appreciate these wonderful promises can join with John in his prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus.””— John Walvoord

  
Beloved, do not merely acknowledge that God's grace is with you...appropriate the riches and wealth the Lord has in store for us. He can meet any need we may have without even trying hard. Stand on this solid promise of sustaining and empowering grace. Trust God to be generous to you!

CONCLUSION:  If we truly grasped what Jesus has done for us, we would not know quite what to answer. He gave up the glories of heaven, endured the indignities of life on earth, let those whom He could have annihilated drive nails through his hands and feet and hang him on a cross, and He let His Father place the sin of the world on Him.

And when that was done, he said, “Please accept my offer to forgive your sins, to give you eternal live, to put my Spirit within you, and to give you a new heart. Please come to live with me for eternity, so that I can show my limitless, unending love to you. Please live with me in perfect fellowship and harmony in paradise forever.”

The more we understand of Jesus' sacrifice, and of His outpouring of love, the less we know quite how to answer. (Anders, M.)

What do we say? It is feeble, but say it with me:

“Lord Jesus, I don't know quite what to say. Your love conquers me. It overwhelms me. I surrender to your love. I acknowledge that Christ's death was payment for my sins and His resurrection signals His triumph over sin, hell, death, and the grave. Lord Jesus I believe you are truly alive and can save me from the eternal death my sins deserve. As best I can, still walking in this corrupted and rebellious body of sin, I give myself to you. Instruct me, and I will learn. Command me and I will obey. Lead me and I will follow. I kneel before you now, my Lord and my God, and say forever, ‘Thy will be done.' Amen.”