GET READY JESUS IS COMING SOON
Revelation Chapter 22
This has been my most exciting time in the Book of Revelation. I know I do not have everything correct BUT I know for sure that God has all His word perfect and true, in fact He will caution us in this chapter about dealing with His Holy word.
We must take the word of God for what it says. God means what He says and he says what he means. Unless God tells us different we should just read and accept what God says, rightly divided and remember that all scripture is for our learning.
No one, NO ONE, can tell you they understand everything that the Holy Ghost has delivered to us in this book. The Key to the Bible can be only one thing:
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for [he that cometh to God must believe that he is], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1.) He that comes to God must believe that He exist!
2.) He rewards those that "diligently" seeks Him!
3.) IT TAKES FAITH IN HIS HOLY WORD TO PLEASE HIM!
4.) And it is just that simple! Praise God.
"He that comes to God must believe that He is God" God makes no explanation for Himself. He has always existed and will always exist eternally. That'a why it is called faith even though He has given us more than enough evidence to see that there must be a God, a CREATOR and therefore A SAVIOUR.
This Almighty God that "created" it all was the only one that could save His creation.
So what we have is a prepared place for a prepared people:
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. [I go to prepare a place (for you)].
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place [for you], (I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also).
I know by the response to these lessons that there are many out there who do not believe the words of the book of Revelation and many more that do not believe the word of God at all. Many refuse to see the obvious. "It took an almighty God to create this place we live called Earth." The key to Gospel of Christ and God's word really rest in just one thought:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
To continue, most of what we know about "eternity" is found in Chapters 21 and 22 of this great book of the Bible. If we just allow God's word to sink in we can see the most beautiful place that has ever existed. There is nothing on this Earth that we can compare to the New Jerusalem. At this time all the battles are over. All the plagues and the wrath of God have ceased. The old Earth is gone.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face [the earth and the heaven fled away]; and there was found no place for them.
All things have been made new:
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
THE PROBLEM OF SIN HAS BEEN FOREVER SETTLED!
The Book of Revelation has connected us many times back to the first Book of the Bible, the Book of Genesis. We have now come full circle. We have a new Earth and a new Heaven above that Earth. You see there will never be another book added to the Bible. "IT IS A COMPLETE BOOK ". With the fulfillment of this prophesy, We that know the Lord will be in eternal glory. Those that have rejected Him will be in eternal damnation, [by their own choice].
Why should we rejoice?
2Co 5:1 says For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, [we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens].
Why should we rejoice?
Luk 10:20 says Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, [because your names are written in heaven].
What are we looking for?
Tit 2:13 says Looking for that blessed hope, and [the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ];
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who are the happy people?
"Those that are looking for the return of Christ!"
*****Our Text:
Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
(Water of life)
There is no doubt that there will be a beautiful river in New Jerusalem, "a river of life" and there have been many throughout all time looking for the fountain of life. There will be one in New Jerusalem but it has been here all along. Maybe it has not been visible to the eye but there is a Saviour who has said from the beginning that "He was that river of life".
There was a woman of Samaria who went to a well to draw water one time and she met Jesus:
Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Jesus stood up in the Temple one day before it was destroyed with these words:
Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
We can believe that there will be that Pure River of Life in the New Jerusalem and it will be there but our River of Life already exist while we are on this Earth:
You see following John 7:38 we find this verse:
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
You see until we get to Heaven a saint of God is alive now through the Holy Spirit.
A Psalmist wrote of this time many years ago:
Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psa 46:4 [There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God], the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Psa 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Psa 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Psa 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Water is an emblem of the Holy Spirit and He signifies eternal life as Jesus told that woman at the well in Samaria:
Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
You know the prophet Isaiah also wrote of this:
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Also Joel:
Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that [I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh]; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
It's obvious that the pouring would be as water poured on a person and so the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Life:
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Just as the Holy Spirit was involved in Creation(Genesis 1:2) So He will also involved in the creation of the New Heaven, The New Earth, and New Jerusalem.
Psa 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
It is the Spirit that gives life to the Messiah and to every saint of God:
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
It is the Holy Spirit that brings "regeneration".
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
When we understand this it is easy to see that all religions are not the same. There is only one Christ, (the Messiah) brought back to life by the Holy Spirit, and sent by the Father, God from Heaven.
Not three different persons but the same person in His three forms.
1.) The Holy Spirit is God but He is not the Father and he is not the Christ!
2.) The Father is God but He is not the Holy Spirit and He is not the Christ.
3.) Jesus Christ is God but He is not the Father and He is not the Holy Spirit.
4.) YET, THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD!
And we are created in this image!
A "tree of life" will also be in the New Jerusalem and the "tree of life" represents Jesus Christ! He is our tree of life now as we live for Him today.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but [he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God]?
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
You know the Bible will always lead you to Jesus no matter what the world says!
The Prophet Jeremiah said:
Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For [he shall be as a tree planted by the waters], and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jesus Himself said of the Holy Spirit back in chapter two:
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; [To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God].
The Psalmist wrote of the believer:
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The wise man wrote of "WISDOM":
Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Pro 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Notice the picture of the Holy Trinity in these verses:
1.) This river proceeds from the throne of God.
2.) This river proceeds from the throne of the Lamb.
3.) This river of life symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
How many times does God have to say it before we accept His truth?
(In the midst of the street)
How many times have you driven through a beautiful city and seen trees planted between the ongoing traffic. This place of New Jerusalem will be more beautiful than we can imagine and have fruit for every season.
And beautiful rivers with the majestic trees growing along it's banks. God tells us more about the beauty of New Jerusalem in these passages than in any other place in the Bible. But there is also the spiritual meaning here.
The twelve manner of fruit that we have now on this Earth if you are a "born again" child of God:
1.) Glory.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; [for the spirit of glory and of God] resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
2.) Life.
Rom 8:2 [For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus] hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3.) Holiness.
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, [according to the spirit of holiness], by the resurrection from the dead:
4.) Wisdom.
Exo 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with [the spirit of wisdom], that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
5.) Understanding.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and [understanding], the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
6.) Counsel.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, [the spirit of counsel] and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
7.) Knowledge.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, [the spirit of knowledge] and of the fear of the LORD;
8.) Might.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and [might], the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
9.) Fear of the Lord.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and [of the fear of the LORD];
10.) Truth.
Joh 14:17 Even [the Spirit of truth]; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
11.) Grace.
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto [the Spirit of grace]?
12.) Supplication.
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, [the spirit of grace and of supplications]: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
You see in the eternal Grace of God everyone in Heaven will partake of this fruit throughout eternity and we will love as God loves.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(those leaves)
We know it is our Lord Jesus that brings healing:
Mal 4:2 says But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
1Pe 2:24 says Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
In the words of Jesus the Christ:
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
*****Our Text:
Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
When Adam listened to his wife instead of to the Lord:
Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
To Cain the first to shed innocent blood:
Gen 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Gen 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Gen 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Gen 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Gen 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
This should be a sign to all that think they can strap on a bomb in the name of some false religion and kill innocent people. Cain will be separated from God throughout eternity!
THERE WILL NEVER BE A NEED FOR A CURSE IN GOD'S NEW CREATION. IF YOU HAVE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT THERE WILL BE LOVE AND RESPECT FOR ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS EVERYWHERE.
*****Our Text:
Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
In the old world, the one we live in now, no one can look upon the face of the Lord and live:
Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
There are those that say we will never look upon the the face of God. If that were true than we would have to throw this verse out of the Bible. Just as all the rest we need to accept the word of God just as it is written, rightly divided.
"WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE REMEMBERING HIS NAME"!
*****Our text:
Rev 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
We know that in the creation of the world we now live in the time began in verse five of the book of Genesis:
Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
What we see in our text verse is that when there is no more night then there will be no more time as we know it and we will be in the time of God or as we say eternity. We will live in the presence of God forever.
Here is an interesting thought. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. It is said that if a person could travel that fast, his time would stop. Our Lord Jesus said that it is "He is the Light of eternal life".
*****Our text:
Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
When we first began this study of the book of Revelation we read that this book is the revealing, the unveiling of Jesus Christ our Lord. and He came to the Apostle John so we would have this record. John was told to write down all these things and give them to the Church. This message is for the Church. This study comes with the blessing of God and I hope everyone has gotten their blessing as I have been blessed many times during this study. Remember it is the teacher who is blessed the most sometimes. God wrote:
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Now at the end of this book we see that God has said that we can believe what He wrote for us because it is all true. God cannot lie:
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
God promised eternal life, not death, to all those that believe upon Him and His word. I believe, how about you?
God does not live or abide by our time so when He writes about coming shortly it is still the truth. His coming and it will be shortly compared to the eternal time clock of the Lord. Even those that say He is not coming is a sign that it is about time for Him to come.
The Apostle Peter wrote:
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
What this verse tells us is that when the Mighty God of Heaven does come it will be quick. This word quickly means more "suddenly" than it does "fast".
Christ tells us four times that He will come as a thief. That is without warning! A thief does not call you to tell you he is coming.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
The Apostle John claims he is an eyewitness to all these things he "saw" in all these visions and in Heaven and also that he heard from the angels and the fellow servants and from the Lord Jesus Himself. I believe John saw everything he said he did. God 's word is true. It is man's word that I cannot believe.
The Bible says:
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Let's not miss this important hint of what the saint of God will look like in Heaven. This the second time John was so excited that he bowed to this messenger of God. This verse tells us that this was not an angel but actually a fellow servant, even a prophet. You see John had seen God, He had seen the Lord. This messenger must have been also something marvelous to look upon but we can also see everyone in Heaven knows it is only God that will be worshipped.
John wrote:
1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Does what John wrote make more sense now?
That glorified body we will have will also be marvelous to look upon. There will be no jealousy because we will all have one. Praise God for what is coming to those who love Him.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
In the book of Daniel when He had some similar visions he was told to seal them up:
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
America is only two hundred and thirty years old. When this nation began we could only travel at the speed of a horse. For a short distance that could be about thirty miles an hour. Not only in America but the world was in the same shape. The world had been that way for about six thousand years. It does not take a genius to see how far the world has developed in a short period of time. It is easy to see that "knowledge has been increased" to an amazing extent.
The Apostle John was placed on the Isle of Patmos to die. The ruling government of the world was tired of hearing about Jesus Christ and salvation and everlasting life and a coming King to rule this world. Kind of sounds like our day doesn't it. God had different plans, John wrote all this down to be given to the Church and John also was to preach the word again. John was a very old man but despite what the government had done God reversed it and the word of God flowed off that Isle of Patmos and no one and no government can stop God's word until He says so, though they may try.
It is God that sits on the throne in Heaven and this is still His world!
Notice when Jesus Comes there will be no massive exodus from the evil world of sin to Him. He will not allow that.
The Bible says:
1.) The unjust will stay unjust.
2.) The filthy will stay filthy.
3.) The righteous will stay righteous.
4.) The holy will stay holy.
Everyone will stay just as they are!
In fact the Bible says:
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There will be no last minute Christians at that time, at least none of those that have felt the tug of the Holy Spirit and refused Him.
You can get a reward at the Bema seat at the rapture [or] the reward for the wages for your sin. This is a choice we all have to make.
The wages of sin is death and eternal damnation, separated from God forever!
The best reward at the Bema seat is eternal life in New Jerusalem with our Lord!
Only Jesus Christ fits the description of verse 13.
He was before the foundations of the Old Earth and will never cease being God. It is He that laid the foundations of our world!
Heb 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
Heb 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
Heb 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
You see He laid the foundation of the Church also at the same time:
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
****Our text:
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Who are blessed?
Those that obey the word of God.
They will meet Jesus Christ the tree of life.
They will enter into New Jerusalem through the Church.
Remember that gate is a pearl, a single pearl.
Remember this little parable?
Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
The Church represents that Pearl.
Who cannot enter?
1.) Dogs: They are the assembly of the wicked.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: [the assembly of the wicked] have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
2.) Sorcerers: Those that have fallen to the drug effect of sin and false religion.
Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and [bewitched the people] of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
3.) Whoremongers: Those that have rejected the true living God after once saying they knew Him. "The Laodicean Church".
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 4.) Murderers:
5.) Idolaters: Those that placed the things of this world above of the Living God.
Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
6.) Whosoever loves a lie: The followers of Satan.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Who is the author of the Book of Revelation?
We know Him as The Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Who is He speaking to?
The Church.
He will fulfill all prophesy and therefore the King of the Jew?
He is the "root and offspring of David!
Is He the Sun of Righteousness?
He is the bright and Morning Star:
The Bible said in the book of Genesis:
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
In the Book of Numbers:
Num 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
In Matthew:
Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
In Luke:
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
In Peter:
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
In Malachi:
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Our text:
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Holy Spirit though He brings about Salvation to all that commit themselves to the Lord, still has never left the Bride. That tells us His "Omnipresence". Only God can be everywhere all the time. The Spirit is still saying to all that read this book and to all that hear this word to come. COME
God told Moses to "Come" into the ark just before He sent the flood that destroyed mankind years ago:
Gen 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
God is telling "whosoever" will to come into the Church, the Ark of the New Testament to come into the Bride of Christ, the Church of the Living God before He brings destruction this world. This will be a total destruction!
AND IT DOES NOT COST A THING IT IS FREE!
SALVATION IS THE FREE GIFT OF GOD BUT ONLY IN THIS TIME OF THE CHURCH AGE!
Many will be save during the tribulation period but they will have to give up their lives as martyrs to get there. It will be a terrible time. Israel will not be saved until the very last day of the Great Tribulation.
So, Why not just believe what God has to say?
*****Our text:
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
This is God's final warning.
This the Book that the Lord Wrote. God's word is not to be added to or taken away from. There is no need to expand on what God says here.
1.) Those that would add works to the Free Gift of God will go through the tribulation period plagues.
2.) Those that take away the Blood and the Virgin Birth and say that that there are other ways to Heaven will not be named in the Lamb's Book Of Life.
God is serious about this time of Grace. Remember this Book was written to the Church, The Bride of Christ. It is the Church will be judged first.
Yes, Come Lord Jesus Come!
Let's pray!
Revelation Chapter 22
This has been my most exciting time in the Book of Revelation. I know I do not have everything correct BUT I know for sure that God has all His word perfect and true, in fact He will caution us in this chapter about dealing with His Holy word.
We must take the word of God for what it says. God means what He says and he says what he means. Unless God tells us different we should just read and accept what God says, rightly divided and remember that all scripture is for our learning.
No one, NO ONE, can tell you they understand everything that the Holy Ghost has delivered to us in this book. The Key to the Bible can be only one thing:
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for [he that cometh to God must believe that he is], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1.) He that comes to God must believe that He exist!
2.) He rewards those that "diligently" seeks Him!
3.) IT TAKES FAITH IN HIS HOLY WORD TO PLEASE HIM!
4.) And it is just that simple! Praise God.
"He that comes to God must believe that He is God" God makes no explanation for Himself. He has always existed and will always exist eternally. That'a why it is called faith even though He has given us more than enough evidence to see that there must be a God, a CREATOR and therefore A SAVIOUR.
This Almighty God that "created" it all was the only one that could save His creation.
So what we have is a prepared place for a prepared people:
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. [I go to prepare a place (for you)].
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place [for you], (I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also).
I know by the response to these lessons that there are many out there who do not believe the words of the book of Revelation and many more that do not believe the word of God at all. Many refuse to see the obvious. "It took an almighty God to create this place we live called Earth." The key to Gospel of Christ and God's word really rest in just one thought:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
To continue, most of what we know about "eternity" is found in Chapters 21 and 22 of this great book of the Bible. If we just allow God's word to sink in we can see the most beautiful place that has ever existed. There is nothing on this Earth that we can compare to the New Jerusalem. At this time all the battles are over. All the plagues and the wrath of God have ceased. The old Earth is gone.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face [the earth and the heaven fled away]; and there was found no place for them.
All things have been made new:
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
THE PROBLEM OF SIN HAS BEEN FOREVER SETTLED!
The Book of Revelation has connected us many times back to the first Book of the Bible, the Book of Genesis. We have now come full circle. We have a new Earth and a new Heaven above that Earth. You see there will never be another book added to the Bible. "IT IS A COMPLETE BOOK ". With the fulfillment of this prophesy, We that know the Lord will be in eternal glory. Those that have rejected Him will be in eternal damnation, [by their own choice].
Why should we rejoice?
2Co 5:1 says For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, [we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens].
Why should we rejoice?
Luk 10:20 says Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, [because your names are written in heaven].
What are we looking for?
Tit 2:13 says Looking for that blessed hope, and [the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ];
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who are the happy people?
"Those that are looking for the return of Christ!"
*****Our Text:
Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
(Water of life)
There is no doubt that there will be a beautiful river in New Jerusalem, "a river of life" and there have been many throughout all time looking for the fountain of life. There will be one in New Jerusalem but it has been here all along. Maybe it has not been visible to the eye but there is a Saviour who has said from the beginning that "He was that river of life".
There was a woman of Samaria who went to a well to draw water one time and she met Jesus:
Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Jesus stood up in the Temple one day before it was destroyed with these words:
Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
We can believe that there will be that Pure River of Life in the New Jerusalem and it will be there but our River of Life already exist while we are on this Earth:
You see following John 7:38 we find this verse:
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
You see until we get to Heaven a saint of God is alive now through the Holy Spirit.
A Psalmist wrote of this time many years ago:
Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psa 46:4 [There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God], the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Psa 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Psa 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Psa 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Water is an emblem of the Holy Spirit and He signifies eternal life as Jesus told that woman at the well in Samaria:
Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
You know the prophet Isaiah also wrote of this:
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Also Joel:
Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that [I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh]; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
It's obvious that the pouring would be as water poured on a person and so the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Life:
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Just as the Holy Spirit was involved in Creation(Genesis 1:2) So He will also involved in the creation of the New Heaven, The New Earth, and New Jerusalem.
Psa 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
It is the Spirit that gives life to the Messiah and to every saint of God:
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
It is the Holy Spirit that brings "regeneration".
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
When we understand this it is easy to see that all religions are not the same. There is only one Christ, (the Messiah) brought back to life by the Holy Spirit, and sent by the Father, God from Heaven.
Not three different persons but the same person in His three forms.
1.) The Holy Spirit is God but He is not the Father and he is not the Christ!
2.) The Father is God but He is not the Holy Spirit and He is not the Christ.
3.) Jesus Christ is God but He is not the Father and He is not the Holy Spirit.
4.) YET, THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD!
And we are created in this image!
A "tree of life" will also be in the New Jerusalem and the "tree of life" represents Jesus Christ! He is our tree of life now as we live for Him today.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but [he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God]?
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
You know the Bible will always lead you to Jesus no matter what the world says!
The Prophet Jeremiah said:
Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For [he shall be as a tree planted by the waters], and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jesus Himself said of the Holy Spirit back in chapter two:
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; [To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God].
The Psalmist wrote of the believer:
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The wise man wrote of "WISDOM":
Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Pro 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Notice the picture of the Holy Trinity in these verses:
1.) This river proceeds from the throne of God.
2.) This river proceeds from the throne of the Lamb.
3.) This river of life symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
How many times does God have to say it before we accept His truth?
(In the midst of the street)
How many times have you driven through a beautiful city and seen trees planted between the ongoing traffic. This place of New Jerusalem will be more beautiful than we can imagine and have fruit for every season.
And beautiful rivers with the majestic trees growing along it's banks. God tells us more about the beauty of New Jerusalem in these passages than in any other place in the Bible. But there is also the spiritual meaning here.
The twelve manner of fruit that we have now on this Earth if you are a "born again" child of God:
1.) Glory.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; [for the spirit of glory and of God] resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
2.) Life.
Rom 8:2 [For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus] hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3.) Holiness.
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, [according to the spirit of holiness], by the resurrection from the dead:
4.) Wisdom.
Exo 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with [the spirit of wisdom], that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
5.) Understanding.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and [understanding], the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
6.) Counsel.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, [the spirit of counsel] and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
7.) Knowledge.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, [the spirit of knowledge] and of the fear of the LORD;
8.) Might.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and [might], the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
9.) Fear of the Lord.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and [of the fear of the LORD];
10.) Truth.
Joh 14:17 Even [the Spirit of truth]; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
11.) Grace.
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto [the Spirit of grace]?
12.) Supplication.
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, [the spirit of grace and of supplications]: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
You see in the eternal Grace of God everyone in Heaven will partake of this fruit throughout eternity and we will love as God loves.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(those leaves)
We know it is our Lord Jesus that brings healing:
Mal 4:2 says But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
1Pe 2:24 says Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
In the words of Jesus the Christ:
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
*****Our Text:
Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
When Adam listened to his wife instead of to the Lord:
Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
To Cain the first to shed innocent blood:
Gen 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Gen 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Gen 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Gen 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Gen 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
This should be a sign to all that think they can strap on a bomb in the name of some false religion and kill innocent people. Cain will be separated from God throughout eternity!
THERE WILL NEVER BE A NEED FOR A CURSE IN GOD'S NEW CREATION. IF YOU HAVE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT THERE WILL BE LOVE AND RESPECT FOR ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS EVERYWHERE.
*****Our Text:
Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
In the old world, the one we live in now, no one can look upon the face of the Lord and live:
Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
There are those that say we will never look upon the the face of God. If that were true than we would have to throw this verse out of the Bible. Just as all the rest we need to accept the word of God just as it is written, rightly divided.
"WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE REMEMBERING HIS NAME"!
*****Our text:
Rev 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
We know that in the creation of the world we now live in the time began in verse five of the book of Genesis:
Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
What we see in our text verse is that when there is no more night then there will be no more time as we know it and we will be in the time of God or as we say eternity. We will live in the presence of God forever.
Here is an interesting thought. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. It is said that if a person could travel that fast, his time would stop. Our Lord Jesus said that it is "He is the Light of eternal life".
*****Our text:
Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
When we first began this study of the book of Revelation we read that this book is the revealing, the unveiling of Jesus Christ our Lord. and He came to the Apostle John so we would have this record. John was told to write down all these things and give them to the Church. This message is for the Church. This study comes with the blessing of God and I hope everyone has gotten their blessing as I have been blessed many times during this study. Remember it is the teacher who is blessed the most sometimes. God wrote:
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Now at the end of this book we see that God has said that we can believe what He wrote for us because it is all true. God cannot lie:
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
God promised eternal life, not death, to all those that believe upon Him and His word. I believe, how about you?
God does not live or abide by our time so when He writes about coming shortly it is still the truth. His coming and it will be shortly compared to the eternal time clock of the Lord. Even those that say He is not coming is a sign that it is about time for Him to come.
The Apostle Peter wrote:
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
What this verse tells us is that when the Mighty God of Heaven does come it will be quick. This word quickly means more "suddenly" than it does "fast".
Christ tells us four times that He will come as a thief. That is without warning! A thief does not call you to tell you he is coming.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
The Apostle John claims he is an eyewitness to all these things he "saw" in all these visions and in Heaven and also that he heard from the angels and the fellow servants and from the Lord Jesus Himself. I believe John saw everything he said he did. God 's word is true. It is man's word that I cannot believe.
The Bible says:
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Let's not miss this important hint of what the saint of God will look like in Heaven. This the second time John was so excited that he bowed to this messenger of God. This verse tells us that this was not an angel but actually a fellow servant, even a prophet. You see John had seen God, He had seen the Lord. This messenger must have been also something marvelous to look upon but we can also see everyone in Heaven knows it is only God that will be worshipped.
John wrote:
1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Does what John wrote make more sense now?
That glorified body we will have will also be marvelous to look upon. There will be no jealousy because we will all have one. Praise God for what is coming to those who love Him.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
In the book of Daniel when He had some similar visions he was told to seal them up:
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
America is only two hundred and thirty years old. When this nation began we could only travel at the speed of a horse. For a short distance that could be about thirty miles an hour. Not only in America but the world was in the same shape. The world had been that way for about six thousand years. It does not take a genius to see how far the world has developed in a short period of time. It is easy to see that "knowledge has been increased" to an amazing extent.
The Apostle John was placed on the Isle of Patmos to die. The ruling government of the world was tired of hearing about Jesus Christ and salvation and everlasting life and a coming King to rule this world. Kind of sounds like our day doesn't it. God had different plans, John wrote all this down to be given to the Church and John also was to preach the word again. John was a very old man but despite what the government had done God reversed it and the word of God flowed off that Isle of Patmos and no one and no government can stop God's word until He says so, though they may try.
It is God that sits on the throne in Heaven and this is still His world!
Notice when Jesus Comes there will be no massive exodus from the evil world of sin to Him. He will not allow that.
The Bible says:
1.) The unjust will stay unjust.
2.) The filthy will stay filthy.
3.) The righteous will stay righteous.
4.) The holy will stay holy.
Everyone will stay just as they are!
In fact the Bible says:
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There will be no last minute Christians at that time, at least none of those that have felt the tug of the Holy Spirit and refused Him.
You can get a reward at the Bema seat at the rapture [or] the reward for the wages for your sin. This is a choice we all have to make.
The wages of sin is death and eternal damnation, separated from God forever!
The best reward at the Bema seat is eternal life in New Jerusalem with our Lord!
Only Jesus Christ fits the description of verse 13.
He was before the foundations of the Old Earth and will never cease being God. It is He that laid the foundations of our world!
Heb 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
Heb 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
Heb 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
You see He laid the foundation of the Church also at the same time:
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
****Our text:
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Who are blessed?
Those that obey the word of God.
They will meet Jesus Christ the tree of life.
They will enter into New Jerusalem through the Church.
Remember that gate is a pearl, a single pearl.
Remember this little parable?
Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
The Church represents that Pearl.
Who cannot enter?
1.) Dogs: They are the assembly of the wicked.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: [the assembly of the wicked] have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
2.) Sorcerers: Those that have fallen to the drug effect of sin and false religion.
Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and [bewitched the people] of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
3.) Whoremongers: Those that have rejected the true living God after once saying they knew Him. "The Laodicean Church".
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 4.) Murderers:
5.) Idolaters: Those that placed the things of this world above of the Living God.
Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
6.) Whosoever loves a lie: The followers of Satan.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
*****Our text:
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Who is the author of the Book of Revelation?
We know Him as The Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Who is He speaking to?
The Church.
He will fulfill all prophesy and therefore the King of the Jew?
He is the "root and offspring of David!
Is He the Sun of Righteousness?
He is the bright and Morning Star:
The Bible said in the book of Genesis:
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
In the Book of Numbers:
Num 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
In Matthew:
Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
In Luke:
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
In Peter:
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
In Malachi:
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Our text:
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Holy Spirit though He brings about Salvation to all that commit themselves to the Lord, still has never left the Bride. That tells us His "Omnipresence". Only God can be everywhere all the time. The Spirit is still saying to all that read this book and to all that hear this word to come. COME
God told Moses to "Come" into the ark just before He sent the flood that destroyed mankind years ago:
Gen 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
God is telling "whosoever" will to come into the Church, the Ark of the New Testament to come into the Bride of Christ, the Church of the Living God before He brings destruction this world. This will be a total destruction!
AND IT DOES NOT COST A THING IT IS FREE!
SALVATION IS THE FREE GIFT OF GOD BUT ONLY IN THIS TIME OF THE CHURCH AGE!
Many will be save during the tribulation period but they will have to give up their lives as martyrs to get there. It will be a terrible time. Israel will not be saved until the very last day of the Great Tribulation.
So, Why not just believe what God has to say?
*****Our text:
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
This is God's final warning.
This the Book that the Lord Wrote. God's word is not to be added to or taken away from. There is no need to expand on what God says here.
1.) Those that would add works to the Free Gift of God will go through the tribulation period plagues.
2.) Those that take away the Blood and the Virgin Birth and say that that there are other ways to Heaven will not be named in the Lamb's Book Of Life.
God is serious about this time of Grace. Remember this Book was written to the Church, The Bride of Christ. It is the Church will be judged first.
Yes, Come Lord Jesus Come!
Let's pray!
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