09.39 Revelation 22:6-21 THE CONCLUSION OF THE BOOK
Revelation 22:6-21 THE CONCLUSION OF THE BOOK
Intro: We have covered a lot of territory in the book of Revelation. We have traveled through history from the early churches all the way into eternity. But, finally, we have arrived at the back door of the book and of the Bible. It is here that we receive a trio of final things. As we look into these verses tonight, let’s notice together, the conclusion of the book.
I. Revelation 22:6-10 THE FAITHFUL WORD OF GOD
A. Revelation 22:6 The Accuracy Of The Word - (Ill. 2 Timothy 3:16 - Lit. God breathed!) The Bible is an accurate book!
B. Revelation 22:7-9 The Authority Of The Word -
1. Revelation 22:7 - The Lord declares His coming and gives a command. (Ill. We are to keep the Word! - John 14:15; James 1:22-23) 2. Revelation 22:8-9 - John worships the angel, and is rebuked! We are to give our worship to God and Him alone - Matthew 4:8-10; Deuteronomy 20:10)
C. Revelation 22:10 The Accessibility Of The Word - This is not a closed Book! It is open to all who are led by the Spirit. It is the final authority for all faith and practice in the House of God and the lives of God’s children! (ILL. Just because it is open, does not mean it is open to alteration!) (Ill. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14) II. Revelation 22:11-16 THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST
A. Revelation 22:11 It Settles What We Are - Jesus is the great divider, (Ill. The thieves). Where a man stands in regard to Jesus determines his condition here, and hereafter! (There is time now, there may not be later! - 2 Corinthians 6:2) B. Revelation 22:12-15 It Settles Where We Are - (Ill. Each judged by his works - Revelation 22:13!) 1. Revelation 22:14 Some will be in Jesus - These will be in glory with Him! 2. Revelation 22:15 Some will be outside Jesus - Those who are lost will be lost forever. Ill the greatest agony of Hell will be the knowledge that it didn’t have to end this way! (Ill. The rich man’s agony was made worse because of the bliss of Lazarus!)
C. Revelation 22:16 It Settles Whose We Are - We are His, the great lover of the church! Ill. it ought to be a joy to your heart to know that you belong to Jesus!
III. Revelation 22:17-21 THE FINAL WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT A. Revelation 22:17 The Last Welcome -
1. The last invitation - “Come” - Ill. What a great word! (Ill. Noah and the ark!) 2. The last inviters - The Spirit and the Bride. Those who have drank well of the blessings of the Lord invite those who have not, to come and to partake of all that He is and all that He has to offer. 3. The last invited - The hearer, the thirsty, whosoever! (All are invited to partake of the Water of Life. Many are drinking from the stagnated ponds of the world. They are sipping all the filth, and the scum that this world has to offer. Jesus offers each one a chance to be eternally satisfied. A chance to have within them , a river. A chance to never thirst again! (John 4:13-14) (John 7:37-38)
B. Revelation 22:18-19 The Last Warning - Man is not to tamper with the Word of God! This book opens with a blessing to all who will read it, hear it, and keep it, Revelation 1:3! It closes with a condemnation of all those who take it upon themselves to change God’s Word! Men can do as they please, but they cannot change the Word of God - Psalms 119:89! Those who try will pay a heavy price!
C. Revelation 22:20-21 The Last Word -
1. A Word From The Savior - His last word is to remind us that He is coming. This gives us great hope! It also gives us reason to purify our lives before Him - 1 John 3:1-3!) 2. A Word From The Saints - “Come!” There is a desire to depart in the heart of every born again believer! (Php 1:23!) There is a desire to homeward bound! (Ill. Revelation 22:21 - It is interesting to notice that there is a word of grace! While we wait, we need that grace to sustain us day by day!)