Friday, July 31, 2015

Revelation 22 - Conclusion


Above image from https://duaineallensblogs.wordpress.com/2014/03/

The question that arises with this chapter is when is all this taking place - during the 1000 year millennium or after? There seems to a difference of opinion amongst Bible scholars on that question. But, careful reading of this chapter seems to indicate we're still on the earth (though the new earth) and Jerusalem (though the new Jerusalem), not in heaven (where we, the body of Christ, are seated) and there are indications of time (seasons), yet in eternity, there is no time or seasons! In eternity, God is "all in all" according to 1 Corinthians 15:28. The question is simple - is heaven the new earth and new Jerusalem?  Are the paradise of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43),  Paul's third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), heavenly places - epouranios (Ephesians (1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) and the new heaven (Revelation 22:1) all the same?

In Revelation 21, John saw an entirely new heaven and earth which replaced the first heaven and earth. John also saw the New Jerusalem, descending from heaven as a bride for the Lamb. The first five verses of this chapter should really be considered as the conclusion of John’s detailed tour of the New Jerusalem.

Here is paradise regained. What man lost in Genesis is regained by the Lamb. In the Garden of Eden was a river which flowed through the garden and a tree of life. So here, we see both a river of the waters of life and a tree of life. One thing is noticeably different however. Here there is no tree of the knowledge of good and evil for here there is no possibility of invasion and rebellion again. God alone will be man's life and his source of the knowledge of good. So, is this chapter about heaven?

We’ve been looking at a time that is as close to perfection as this earth will have ever seen since the fall of mankind – a time called ‘The Messianic Kingdom’. That is, the Kingdom of the Messiah – Earth’s golden age. It will be the first time since Adam and Eve dwelt in peace in the Garden that righteousness will prevail on this planet.

(1) AND the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb,

  • River:
    • This same river with its trees bearing a different fruit every month and leaves with healing power is described in Ezekiel 47:1 & 12 as flowing from under the south side of the Temple in the Holy City, now called Yahweh Shammah (The Lord is there), in Israel (Ezekiel 48:35). This tells us that we’re back on Earth, admiring the crystal clear river flowing through the Holy City. According to Zechariah 14:4-8, this river will suddenly begin flowing on the day of the Lord’s return. It will flow south toward the valley formed by a giant earthquake that will split the Mount of Olives from east to west. Once there, it will fill the valley, flowing to the Mediterranean in the west and the Dead Sea in the east. Its healing waters freshen the Dead Sea and fish from the Mediterranean will now swim there in abundance. (Ezekiel 47:9-10)
      • Psalm 46:4-5: A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed. God will protect it at the break of day.
      • Ezekiel 47:9-10: There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean.
      • Ezekiel 47:12: All kinds of fruit trees will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, without fail! For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing."
      • Ezekiel 48:35: “The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The LORD Is There.’ ”
      • Zechariah 14:4-8: On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all his holy ones with him. On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the LORD knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light. On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter.
    • The river symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Jesus said on one occasion of those who believe in him, "If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within." (John 7:38). John comments, "(When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)" (John 7:39).
  • Water of life:
    • This is the fountain of the water of life which God promised to the thirsty in the previous chapter. Its ultimate source is God Himself, for it proceeds from His throne.
    • Jesus told the woman at the well if she drank of the water He gave her, she would never thirst again, John 4:14. This is the "water" He was talking about here. This "water" springs up into ever lasting life.
    • John 4:12-14: And besides, are you greater than our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his cattle enjoyed?" Jesus replied, "People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."
    • Revelation 21:6: And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega -- the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge!
  • Throne of God and of the Lamb:
    • Jesus rules from the Davidic throne during the Millennial Kingdom until the last enemy, death, is destroyed (Revelation 20:14+). Then, He delivers the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-26) and the throne of David merges with the heavenly throne of the Father (Revelation 22:3+) and both the Father and the Son continue to rule forever.
      • 1 Corinthians 15:24-26: After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

(2) coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

  • Tree of life:
    • We now come to the end of the Scripture, yet we find ourselves back with the tree of life - a complete circle showing the unity of the Scripture. The tree upon which Jesus was crucified is now tree of life for all who trust in His redeeming work.
      • 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV): 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.
    • Genesis 2:9: And the LORD God planted all sorts of trees in the garden -- beautiful trees that produced delicious fruit. At the center of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
    • Genesis 3:22-24: Then the LORD God said, "The people have become as we are, knowing everything, both good and evil. What if they eat the fruit of the tree of life? Then they will live forever!" So the LORD God banished Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After banishing them from the garden, the LORD God stationed mighty angelic beings to the east of Eden. And a flaming sword flashed back and forth, guarding the way to the tree of life.
    • Revelation 2:7: "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God."
    • Revelation 22:14: 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.
  • Twelve crops of fruit ... each month:
    • This reference to time confirms that John was not talking about eternity, which by definition is the absence of time. This also implies that we're still in the 1000 year Millennium:
      • Ezekiel 47:12: All kinds of fruit trees will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, without fail! For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing."
  • Medicine to heal the nations:
    • Why would healing be necessary in eternity? What is the meaning of the healing leaves? What is their purpose?
    • There should be nothing left to cure if this takes place in eternity where God lives!
      • Isaiah 57:15: The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant heart

(3) No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.

  • Cursed:
    • Many of the curses in the Old Testament were in response to sin and served a corrective purpose. In the eternal state, there is no more sin and therefore no more need for correction by God.
  • Servants:
    • Who are the "servants"? The answer is in the first verse of Revelation: "This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him concerning the events that will happen soon. An angel was sent to God's servant John so that John could share the revelation with God's other servants."

(4) And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.

  • See his face:
    • God's bond-servants "will see His face"; they will enjoy personal, intimate fellowship with Him.
      • Psalms 17:15: Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.
      • Matthew 5:8: God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
      • Hebrews 12:14: Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
      • 1 John 3:2: Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
    • Adam and Eve's sin broke their fellowship with God, they hid from Him and could no longer see him:
      • Genesis 3:8: When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the God among the trees.
    • This vision of God was withheld from Moses (Exodus 33:20, 23).
      • Exodus 33:20, 23: But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” ... Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”
    • Spurgeon:
      • "By which I understand two things: first, that they shall literally and physically, with their risen bodies, actually look into the face of Jesus; and secondly, that spiritually their mental faculties shall be enlarged, so that they shall he enabled to look into the very heart, and soul, and character of Christ, so as to understand him, his work, his love, his all in all, as they never understood him before." "It is the chief blessing of heaven, the cream of heaven, the heaven of heaven, that the saints shall there see Jesus." "To look into the face of Christ signifies to be well acquainted with his person, his office, his character, his work. So the saints in heaven shall have more knowledge of Christ than the most advanced below. As one has said, the babe in Christ admitted to heaven discovers more of Christ in a single hour than is known by all the divines of the assemblies of the church on earth."
    • As early as the book of Job, it has been the hope and dream of the redeemed to see God firsthand:
      • Job 19:25-27: "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!"
  • Written on their foreheads:
    • This may be an allusion to the inscription on the crown on the high priest's forehead, "holy to the Lord":
      • Exodus 28:36-38: “Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the lord. Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban, where it must remain. Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.

      • Above image from http://www.templeinstitute.org/tzitz-gallery.htm
    • His name was written on the forehead of the 144,000 Jews of the Tribulation:
      • Revelation 14:1: Then I saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
    • In a similar way, the Beast worshipers received the mark of the Beast as an indication of their identity with the Beast:
      • Revelation 13:16: He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead.

(5) And there will be no night there -- no need for lamps or sun -- for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

  • No night:
    • Revelation 21:22-25: I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there.
    • Isaiah 60:19-20: “No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For he will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end.
  • Sun:
    • Does this mean there is no more sun? Does the new earth not rotate around the sun (or moon)? The text doesn't say.
  • Reign forever:
    • Erdman: "As the Bible opens with the story of 'Paradise Lost,' so it here closes with the story of 'Paradise Regained.'" We see the return of Paradise in the ideas of a river, a tree of life, revocation of the curse, intimacy restored, and reigning resumed. It is a perfect consummation (from www.enduringword.com/commentaries/6622.htm):
      • No more curse
        • Perfect Restoration
      • Throne in their midst
        • Perfect Administration
      • Servants shall serve
        • Perfect Subordination
      • Shall see His face
        • Perfect Transformation
      • Name on foreheads
        • Perfect Identification
      • God is the light
        • Perfect Illumination
      • Reigning forever
        • Perfect Exultation

(6) THEN the angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true: 'The Lord God, who tells his prophets what the future holds, has sent his angel to tell you what will happen soon.'"

  • THEN:
    • This is the end of the "New Jerusalem" description. Verses 1-5 really belong with chapter 21. Beginning in Verse 6, we get in the "epilogue" of Revelation where we get some wrap up comments on the whole book.

(7) "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the prophecy written in this scroll."

  • Soon:
    • John is told not to seal the words of the prophecy of this book, “for the time is near" (Revelation 22:10). Jesus is coming quickly with each man’s reward (Revelation 22:12). His coming is imminent - there are no preconditions on His return for the church at the Rapture nor for His return as a thief upon an unsuspecting world in the Day of the Lord (1Thessalonians 5:2).
    • Morgan: "The word soon in the ancient Greek isn't exactly the same as our word for 'soon.' The word 'soon' might with accuracy be rendered 'suddenly.'"

(8) I, John, am the one who saw and heard all these things. And when I saw and heard these things, I fell down to worship the angel who showed them to me.

(9) But again he said, "No, don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this scroll. Worship God!"

  • Again ... don't worship me:
    • See Revelation 19:10 where John made this same mistake.
    • Seiss: "If it was wrong to worship this glorious heavenly messenger, in and through whom came forth the very voice of Jesus, how can it be right to worship and pray to the Virgin Mary, to whom is assigned no such dignity or office? The impulse and intention may be devout and good; but it is a great mistake."

(10) Then he instructed me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words you have written, for the time is near.

  • Do not seal:
    • Daniel was told to “keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4). The book of Revelation is very heavily dependent upon the book of Daniel. In a very real sense, the book of Revelation completes the revelation which was originally given to Daniel.
    • A lot of what Daniel wrote was not understood to the people of his time era. It involved things that were future to Daniel, but also included past historical events to us.
    • The Roman church sealed up not only this book but the entire Bible until the Reformation forced it to finally allow its poor, deceived members to discover what God wrote rather than what men in expensive, showy array told them it said. Of course, the Roman church insists that only the church can interpret the Bible.
    • Earlier in Revelation 10:4, the apostle had been told not to reveal what the seven peals of thunder had said. God does not reveal everything to us.
      • Revelation 10:4: When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But a voice from heaven called to me: "Keep secret what the seven thunders said. Do not write it down."

(11) Let the one who is doing wrong continue to do wrong; the one who is vile, continue to be vile; the one who is good, continue to do good; and the one who is holy, continue in holiness."

  • Continue:
    • This parallels the day when the door was shut to the ark. When the door was shut, there was no further grace opportunity left. The floods came destroying and demolishing everything of the first world order. Now the same is going to happen on an eternal scale. The consequences of both belief and unbelief will be forever settled. There will be no ability to change one’s position.
    • Robertson: "It is the hopelessness of the final state of the wicked which is here pictured. The states of both the evil and the good are now fixed forever. There is no word here about a 'second chance' hereafter."
    • Walvoord: "If the warnings of this book are not sufficient, there is no more that God has to say."

(12) "See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds.

  • Coming soon:
    • Jesus will return to this Earth suddenly, at a time that catches most folks by surprise. The word translated "soon" here and verse 7 above and verse 20 below is the Greek word tachu. It has the flavor of suddenness or quickness rather than near in time. His return might not be today, but it will be sudden.
  • My reward:
    • Isaiah 40:10: Yes, the Sovereign is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
    • Isaiah 62:11: He has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’”

(13) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

  • This passage makes three sets of claims about The Lord. They aren’t just repetitive thoughts. He is:
    1. the Alpha and Omega.
    2. the Beginning and the End.
    3. the First and the Last.
  • Spurgeon: "Preach orthodoxy, or any form of doxy; if you have left out Christ, there is no manna from heaven, no water from the rock, no refuge from the storm, no healing for the sick, no life for the dead. If you leave out Christ, you have left the sun out of the day, and the moon out of the night, you have left the waters out of the sea, and the foods out of the river, you have left the harvest out of the year, the soul out of the body, you have left joy out of heaven, yea, you have robbed all of its all. There is no gospel worth thinking of, much less worth proclaiming in Jehovah's name, if Jesus be forgotten."
  • The Alpha and the Omega:
    • Variations on the phrase Alpha and Omega have autographed God’s greatest work from the beginning. The first letter of the Greek alphabet is Alpha and the last is Omega. It’s like saying, “From A to Z” in English. The Hebrew equivalents are Aleph and Tau. These two letters appear un-translated in a couple of interesting places in the Hebrew Scripture. One is in Genesis 1:1 right after the phrase “In the beginning God …” making the Hebrew version read, “In the beginning God, the Aleph and the Tau, created the Heavens and the Earth.” You have to get a Hebrew interlinear Bible to find it but it’s there. The other place is in Zechariah 12:10 where the Hebrew reads, “They will look upon me, the Aleph and the Tau, the one they have pierced …” It’s a prophecy of Israel finally recognizing the true identity of the Messiah at the End of the Age.
  • The First and the Last
    • The word translated first is protos and means the foremost or best. We get our word "prototype" from protos. And last comes from eschatos - meaning farthest or uttermost. The term eschatology (the study of the end times) originates here. He is the prototype, against whom all will be compared (Romans 8:29), the uttermost or perfect example of the race, (Hebrews 1:3).
    • The title the First and the Last is also irrefutable proof that Jesus is Yahweh, the LORD: I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he. (Isaiah 41:4)
  • The beginning and the End:
    • The Greek word translated beginning is arche and denotes an order of time, place or rank. End comes from telos, which means the ultimate result or purpose; the upper limit. And so Jesus is the first in order of time, place and rank (Colossians 1:18), and represents the ultimate result or purpose of man; to be one with God (John 17:20-23). And so He was there before the beginning and will be there after the end.

(14) 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.

  • Gates of the city:
    • This shows we're still looking at the New Jerusalem and seem to still be in the Millennium
  • Eat the fruit:
    • Jesus said to the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:7): To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”. Evidently, access to the tree of life is the same as salvatio.

(15) Outside the city are the dogs -- the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.

  • Outside:
    • The Greek word for "outside" (Greek - exo) can also mean "without." In Matthew 13:47-48, it is translated as, "away": “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.
    • As in Revelation 21:8, where are listed "cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars," all "outside" the holy city here whose fate or final destiny is "in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
    • The Commentary on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, states: "As all the filth of the old Jerusalem was carried outside the walls and burnt there, so nothing defiled shall enter the heavenly city, but be burnt outside."
    • They are contrasted with those who have washed their robes, and CAN go through the gates of the city. Other references to the Greek word "exo" include: Jesus' mother and brothers being outside the door as he's teaching, Jesus going outside of the city, Peter being outside the temple during Jesus' trial, later going "out" into the porch, Jesus leading the blind man out of town, the servants in the parable killing the heir and taking him outside the vineyard, the donkey Jesus rode on being outside the house, the people being outside the Holy of Holies when Zechariah the eventual father of the Baptist went inside to burn incense, etc.
    • Those who commit the sins, as described in Revelation 22:15, as a way of life, without a willingness to repent, will be "outside" or "without" or "away from" the holy city. Many Scriptures show that those people will not inherit or enter the Kingdom (compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; and Ephesians 5:5). Please note that the lists of sins, as set forth in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Ephesians, are very similar to the sins mentioned in Revelation 21:8 and 22:15, including sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, and murders. All these lists address the same kind of people.
    • Mounce: "The verse does not intend to teach that in the eternal state all manner of wicked men will be living just outside the heavenly city. It simply describes the future with the imagery of the present."
    • Christ said in Luke 13:28: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.
    • Moffat translates Revelation 22:15 in this way: "Begone, you dogs, you sorcerers, you vicious creatures, you murderers, you idolaters, you who love and practice falsehood, every one of you." Other translations render the Greek word "exo"; i.e., "outside" or "without," as "excluded." Those who refuse to repent will be EXCLUDED from access to the Kingdom of God and the holy city. They will be in the lake of fire which is the second and final death, from which there is no resurrection back to life.
    • Neither this verse nor Revelation 21:8 say that these evil-doers are at this point cast into the lake of fire - that is future after the millennium At this point, they are simply not allowed into the New Jerusalem.
    • Matthew 8:12: But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
    • Matthew 13:42,50: And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ... throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
    • Matthew 22:13: Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
    • Matthew 24:51: and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
    • Matthew 25:30: Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
    • Luke 13:28: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.
  • Dogs:
    • The first time blatantly impure sinners were called dogs is in Deuteronomy 23:18 (Price of a dog refers to the income of male homosexual prostitutes):
      • Deuteronomy 23:18 (KJV): You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the Lord your God for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.
    • Psalms 22:20: Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs.
    • Matthew 7:6: “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
    • Matthew 15:21-28: Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the DOGS.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs [puppies] are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
    • Philippians 3:2: Watch out for those dogs, those wicked men and their evil deeds, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.
    • 2 Peter 2:22: They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
  • Sorcerers:
    • Sorcerers are those who practice occult or witchcraft. Greek pharmakos is the root of the English word pharmacy - drugs often accompany those practices.
  • Sexually immoral:
    • The reason "sexually immoral" is singled out is it is a word-picture of failing to keep a commitment to God. Marriage is a vow of commitment. Our relationship to God is also a vow of commitment. To turn from marriage or to live a lifestyle with lots of sexual partners is a similar in concept of breaking a vow to a single person relationship.

(16) "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."

  • I, Jesus:
    • The combination "I, Jesus" occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Jesus used it here to stress that He is the real author of this book and that it is His message:
      • Revelation 1:1: This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John,
  • Source of David and the heir to his throne
    • Jesus was the ancestor of David, "the root" as well as "the descendant of David" (cf. Isaiah 11:1). Consequently, He fulfills all the prophecies concerning David's family. Jesus also called Himself "the bright morning star" that was prophesied to come the second time. As the appearance of the morning star heralds the dawn of each new day on earth, so the Second Coming will herald the dawn of a new day in history. He is the brightest of all personal stars, just as the morning star is the brightest physical star in the sky. He is the "Star" that, in fulfillment of Balaam's prophecy, would "come forth from Jacob" (Numbers 24:17).
    • The phrase root and offspring of David recalls a Messianic prophecy from Isaiah 11:1-3 (Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot -- yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay.).
    • Isaiah 11:1: Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
    • Matthew 1:1: This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:
    • Matthew 9:27: After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
    • Matthew 15:22,30: A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” ... Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
    • Matthew 21:15: The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. 
    • Mark 12:35-37: Later, as Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple, he asked, “Why do the teachers of religious law claim that the Messiah is the son of David? For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, ‘The said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’ Since David himself called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with great delight.
    • John 7:42: For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.”
    • 2 Timothy 2:8: Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
  • Churches:
    • This is the first mention of the church (ἐκκλεσία [ekklesia] ) since the letters to the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 3:22+). We believe this is another indication of the pretribulational Rapture of the Church. The church will be excluded from the events of the Tribulation and so is not mentioned after chapter 3 until now.
  • Bright Morning Star:
    • Numbers 24:17: I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.
    • Isaiah 14:12: “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.
      • Some modern versions incorrectly translate the Hebrew in Isaiah 14:12 giving Satan the title Morning Star. When first translated into Latin, the Hebrew word “heylel” became Lucifer, or light bearer, and that’s how the name originated. Heylel literally means shining one, but its intent is boastful or proud, calling attention to ones self. The entire Hebrew phrase in Isaiah 14:12 is Heylel ben Shachar and means Shining One, Son of the Dawn. Our Lord Jesus is the one and only Bright Morning Star.
    • Luke 1:78: Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
    • 2 Peter 1:19: Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
    • Revelation 2:28: They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!

(17) 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.

  • The bride:
    • Revelation 21:2,9: And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ... Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
  • Come:
    • The invitation to come is an urgent command, for the day will arrive when it is too late to come. Now is the day of grace. Walvoord: "A similar invitation is extended in Isaiah 55:1":
      • Isaiah 55:1-7: "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink -- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk -- it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
      • John 7:38: "If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."
    • Spurgeon: "All the prophets of the Bible, all the apostles of the Bible, all the threatenings of the Bible, all the promises of the Bible, gather themselves up, and focus themselves into this one burning ray, 'Come to Jesus. Come, and take the water of life freely.'"
  • Anyone who wants to:
    • Spurgeon: "But mark thee, sinner, it says, 'whosoever.' What a big word that is! Whosoever! There is no standard height here. It is of any height and any size. Little sinners, big sinners, black sinners, fair sinners, sinners double dyed, old sinners, aggravated sinners, sinners who have committed every crime in the whole catalogue, - whosoever."
  • Without charge:
    • A final reminder that the price for our salvation has already been paid. It costs us nothing, but it cost Jesus Christ everything to give Himself for us.

(18) 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.

  • Walvoord: "What a solemn warning this is to critics who have tampered with this book and other portions of Scripture in arrogant self-confidence that they are equipped intellectually and spiritually to determine what is true and what is not true in the Word of God."
  • Seiss: “O, my friends, it is a fearful thing to suppress or stultify the word of God, and above all ‘the words of the prophecy of this Book.’ To put forth for truth what is not the truth,— denounce as error, condemn, repudiate, or emasculate what God himself hath set his seal to as his mind and purpose, is one of those high crimes, not only against God, but against the souls of men, which cannot go unpunished.”

(19) 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.

(20) He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

  • Mounce: "At the very close of the book is the confession that the answers to the problems of life do not lie in man's ability to create a better world but in the return of the One whose sovereign power controls the course of human affairs."

(21) The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.

The characteristics delineated by Dr. Pentecost in his book, Things to Come:

  • A life of fellowship with Him. (1 Corinthians 13:12) (1 John 3:2) (Revelation 22:4)
  • A life of rest. (Revelation 14:13)
  • A life of knowledge. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
  • A life of holiness. (Revelation 21:27)
  • A life of joy. (Revelation 21:4)
  • A life of service. (Revelation 22:3)
  • A life of abundance. (Revelation 21:6)
  • A life of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17) (Colossians 3:4)
  • A life of worship. (Revelation 19:1)

NOTES:

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