Pastor Rockwell A Message For The Churches

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

A MESSAGE FOR THE CHURCHES

Revelation 22:6-21

Introduction: We come now to the concluding words of the prophecy of Revelation. This has been a valuable journey both from an information viewpoint and from a spiritual perspective. This study has provided us with ample information about the future, it should alter our behavior and deepen our understanding of the things of God and our commitment to the Lord. This lesson will more than likely take two weeks to cover the information and application in these few verses. One verse that guides and determines the application is Revelation 22:16 (KJV) 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. Jesus tells John that He has sent His angel to convey to him the things of this prophecy that apply to the churches. This takes us back to Revelation 22:6 (KJV) 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. This verse applies to the verses to follow and the first five verses, Revelation 22:1-5 are the concluding thoughts on the Tribulation. The current passage is from the Lord Jesus Christ, the “Lamb of God” and the angel is telling John (and us) what must “shortly be done.” Thus it is the conviction of this study is that these verses are to be understood by the churches which would be from the first century of the church to the present. The passage has some distinct divisions that help in understanding what is to be applied to the church today.

Several commentators call attention to the similarity of early content with what is being said here. For instance, note what is said in Revelation 1:1 (KJV) 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. [Emphasis added.] In other words, Revelation 22:6 verifies the importance of what has come earlier about the Tribulation. The implications of this verse will be discussed later. 

We will probably administer it in three parts and cover Revelation 22:6-11 today. The next will cover Revelation 22:12-16 with the final covering Revelation 22:17-21. Now, to section one. That is the plan but can be changed or altered.

THE MESSAGE ANGEL AND THE TIME AT HAND

Revelation 22:6-11

As alluded to earlier, the “message” angel was sent to John from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is worth noting that this message is not just for John, but for “his servants” (vs. 6) and the churches (Rev. 22:16). The reference to “his servants” should be understood as God’s servants since the message is coming through the angel. John has the responsibility of communicating the message. The connection of the “Lord God” with the “holy prophets” is important to consider. The book of Revelation is a book of prophecy from Revelation 4:1-22:5. It covers the Tribulation, the Millennium, and the Great White Throne Judgment. The conclusion of this prophecy is significant since it brings to an end the dominance of Satan and the fallen angels in the affairs of the earth and man. Satan has been cast into the “lake of fire” where the “beast and false prophet” have been for over 1,000 years. The domain of Satan, “the deep” will be eliminated. The angel gives John some instructions related to the application of those things in application of Revelation. They are:

  1. COMING SOON, Revelation 22:6-7. The movie industry used to use an advertisement on the window advertising about “coming movies.” The used the statement in large bold letters, “COMING SOON.” We have borrowed this method to identify the nature of the section of Revelation under study. The things to “shortly be done,” Revelation 22:6-7, is primarily the advent of Jesus Christ which takes place after the Tribulation as in Revelation 19:11ff. The angel indicates that these “sayings” are “faithful and true” (Rev.22:6). The statement “shortly be done” has a connection with what John was told in Revelation 1:1 (KJV) 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. This could be a reminder of the imminent nature of the second coming of Christ. Look at Revelation 1:2-3 (KJV) Who bears record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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. It is difficult for humans living on the earth to grasp the difference in time, related to how God looks at time. Peter addressed this in 2 Peter 3:8 (KJV) 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. It is easy to think God views time as we do, but that is not true. God is eternal and exists in eternity where time is irrelevant. If God looks at the things under examination in Revelation, then it has been two days since they were uttered. This puts things in perspective. The text is not trying to put a time on when the things in Revelation will come to pass, but an understanding that to God these things will happen rather quickly. Seeing as we currently live near the end of “day two” (the second thousand-year period) we should appreciate the urgency of the message John was given about the events of Revelation. The way culture is rapidly changing we are faced with many vices and carnal activities that demonstrate the world and our culture have moved far away from where it was 50 to 60 years ago. In the years that I have been a preacher, the things being done today would not have been tolerated by the populace when I was a boy in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The “gay” movement was not discussed and if there was ever a mention of it, the word “Sodom” or “Sodomy” was used as a reference to sexual behavior. In fact, at one time, according to Wikipedia, every state in the United States had a “sodomy” law that made certain forms of sexual behavior illegal. Genesis 6:5 indicates that God saw the wickedness of man and it was defined as “. . .every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Our society has moved from having evil thoughts to having evil deeds. The condition of the world is evidence that the Tribulation could initiate any day and the second coming of Jesus Christ, seven days after the Tribulation, could be very soon. The urgency of the moment is emphasized again in Revelation 22:7 (KJV) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Christians can quickly become complacent about the second coming of Christ as Peter contended with in 2 Peter 3:4 (KJV) 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. The world thinks this way, but Christians should never have that attitude. They should be anticipating the coming of the Lord. The first-century Christians had a word they used as a parting statement. It was the word “maranatha.” The word means “our Lord cometh or will come.” It is found in 1 Corinthians 16:22. More will be studied on the coming of the Lord later.  
  1. CONTINUAL BLESSINGS The “blessing” in Revelation should not be overlooked. There are seven “blessings” in Revelation. They are in 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. It is worthy to examine each one brifely.
  • Revelation 1:3 (KJV) 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. Reading the scripture is a very worthy exercise yet, here the blessing is attached to “the words of this prophecy.” In addidtion the verse admonishes the reader to “keep those things which are written therein.” Reading something for the sake of reading is a worthy exercise, but when dealing with scripture, if there is something we are to do, it is best to pay attention. This verse indicates the believer is to “keep those things written therein.”
  • Revelation 14:13 (KJV) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Most do not consider physical death a blessing. The thing overlooked is the aspect of deliverance from the difficulties and stress of living on this earth. Note two things here. Death brings about “rest for their labours.” God allows good things to occur in our life, to soften some of the struggles life brings our way. The second thing mentioned is “their works do follow them.” The average believer seldom considers the “work” involved in the Christian life. God notices it and he has a “reward” for that activity (1 Cor. 3:14; Col. 3:24; 1 Tim. 5:18; 2 John 1:8; Rev. 22:12). 
  • Revelation 16:15 (KJV) Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Two activities that prepare a believer for the return of Christ. Watching and keeping his garments. There is an admonition by the Lord spoken when He was on the earth the first time given in a “Tribulation” context of Matthew 24. Jesus said in Matthew 24:43 (KJV) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Jesus said He would “come as a thief.” A thief does not announce he is about to rob a person or place. Jesus said again in Matthew 24:50 (KJV) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of. The problem in this “blessing” is what is meant by “keepeth his garments.” The New Testament writings of Paul point out that believers are told to “put on the new man” in two places, Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:10. Our spiritual life is likened to clothing we wear and relates it to the appearance of a Christian. The “new man” is seen in contrast to the “old man” which is found in Colossians 3:9. What are you wearing? The old man, controlled by the flesh, or the new man controlled by the Spirit? The appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ will find us either fully clothed or naked. Look at 1 John 2:28 (KJV) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
  • Revelation 19:9 (KJV) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. This does not need a lot of comment. The church is seen as the “bride of Christ” and will be at this event called the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” 
  • Revelation 20:6 (KJV) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. This verse is talking about those who have trusted Christ for eternal life and that qualifies them to “die once” (unless they are caught up in the rapture) and will not die twice which is what qualifies one for the “lake of fire.”
  • Revelation 22:7 (KJV) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. This study may not mean much to some people but it did at least one thing, inform us of what is coming. The “blessing” here is very clear that it comes when the believer “keepeth the sayings of this book.” Look at Revelation 22:9 (KJV) 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. This makes Revelation a book that should be read by every believer. Otherwise they will miss the “blessings” of the things written and the admonition to “keep” the sayings.
  • Revelation 22:14 (KJV) 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. This verse takes us to the period in Revelation 22:1-5 where the “curse” is removed and things revert back to the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The “tree of life” was there and obeying God gives access to the tree of life. Adam and Eve were not obedient and were expelled from the garden. This blessing is positive and gives the benefits of obedience. Some of the “new” translations change the statement “do his commandments” to “wash their robes.” This is the difference between the Greek manuscript the King James Bible is based on the Greek used to translate the “new” translations. Obedience will be a standard of those in the “New Jerusalem” and eternity.

 

  1. COMMUNICATION WITH AN ANGEL. The angel gives John further instructions in,  Revelation 22:8-11. This is still the angel that started the vision to John in Revelation 21:9-10. This is one of the angels who was given a vial of the wrath of God and poured it out on the earth (Rev. 16:1-21). The vision given to John by this angel is initiated in Revelation 21:9 and continues to Revelation 22:15. John shows reverence to the angel, in Revelation 22:8. He may have forgotten that he encountered a messenger, which was probably an angel, earlier and fell down to worship him and the same response was given in Revelation 19:10, “. . .worship God.” He is further identified by the statement the “Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done” (Rev. 22:6). In Revelation God keeps the angels busy. The word “angel” or “angels” is found in Revelation 76 times. They have a multitude of assignments, some of them not pleasant, yet they carry out the instructions without protest. There are two matters John is instructed to carry out. 
  1. John is instructed to “seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book,” Revelation 22:10. The reason being, “. . .the time is at hand.” This seems to express urgency on the part of the messenger. As has been pointed out earlier, this message is different from the one given to the prophet in Daniel 12:9 (KJV) “And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Few Christians in the period of the 21st Century understand the urgency of the times. Jesus can come any moment. Believers today who have a copy of God’s word have no excuse to ignore the admonition given by John in this prophecy. It could be that many will be startled when this happens. 
  2. John is then told how to deal with the people around him, Revelation 22:11. Many struggle with this verse thinking that it is in the time frame of the future of eternity, but it applies to when John was writing and today since the Lord has not returned to the earth yet. This verse expresses the “complacency” that has invaded the people of today, especially the believers who should know better. How surprised some Christians will be when the Trumpet blows and things begin to fall in place that we have studied for the past year and a half (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:31-34). Even so, “Come Lord Jesus.” 

 

MY REWARD IS WITH ME: JESUS

Introduction: This lesson brings us “quickly” to the end of Revelation and closer to the return of Christ. The “rapture of the church” (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54) takes place prior to the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth (Rev. 19:11ff). That event will take place at the end of the Tribulation and Jesus will bring to an end the evil that has perpetrated the rebellion against God that has been going on since the fall of man when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge good and evil (Gen. 3:6, 12, 13). 

The subject of “rewards” is an interesting study in the Bible. Abraham was told that God was his “exceeding great reward” (Gen. 15:1). God said He “will reward them that hate me” (Deut. 32:41). It says in Proverbs 11:13, “. . .to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” The word “reward” is used 80 times in the Bible. Have you considered what your reward will be since Jesus is coming with His reward?

  1. CARING ABOUT THE SECOND COMING. In Revelation 22:7, 12, 20 Jesus reminds John that His return to the earth is imminent, about to come to pass. Revelation 22:12-13 (KJV) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. This is something many talk about, but I often wonder if the event under discussion is a pending reality to most Christians. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Paul combines the two things that Jesus mentions about His return. One, it will happen and very soon. Two, Jesus is anticipating the rewards for believers that He will issue to those who have been faithful. Some time back, we looked at 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and studied the “Judgment Seat of Christ” where “rewards” will be issued to those who have built their life on “gold, silver, precious stone” instead of “wood, hay, stubble” (1 Cor. 3:10). The first three, precious items, have lasting value, while the last three when subjected to the testing of fire, have the nature of disappearing into ashes. When Jesus indicated He was coming back with “rewards” we should take notice. The question is, will you receive any rewards? There are five “crowns” a believer can earn while living on this earth and living the Christian life. Paul made a statement about this to the church in Philippi in Philippians 4:1 (KJV) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Paul is telling the church and the believers he had led to faith in Christ and salvation that they were not just a joy to him but would be a reward for him at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
  2. CROWNS FOR REWARD. The New Testament identifies five “crowns” that can (and will) be rewarded to Christians at the “Judgment Seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). Believers can earn five crowns or rewards. They are:
  1. The CROWN OF REJOICING or “soul winner’s crown” (1 Thess. 2:19). This crown will be for leading a person to salvation in Christ. Jesus gave a parable in Luke 14 about some “lost” things, a sheep, a piece of silver, and the lost son. After the story about the lost sheep Jesus made a statement in Luke 15:7 (KJV) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Then He made a similar statement about the lost piece of silver in Luke 15:10 (KJV) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. The story of the “lost son” does not have a statement like these two but note what is said to the elder son who was not happy for the rejoicing that his wayward brother had returned and wasted his father’s “portion of goods.” The father told him in Luke 15:32 (KJV) It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. The soul winner’s crown is one of rejoicing that a sinner who was headed to a place of fire was rescued and gained eternal life.
  2. The INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN (1 Cor. 9:24-25). The context of these verses is about running in a race. He uses the word “temperate” in all things which suggests gaining something that is “incorruptible” or will not perish. We live in a world where most of what we surround ourselves with will not last. These are things of the world which will perish (Col. 2:20-22). This crown is for rejecting the things of the flesh and living a life in the Spirit.
  3. The CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Tim. 4:8). This crown is for those who “love his appearing” talking about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Are you looking for Him? This is emphasized in 1 John 3:2-3 (KJV) 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. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. There are two benefits for anticipating His return. One, when we see Him, we will be like Him (1 John 3:2). Two, we will keep ourselves pure in anticipation of His return (1 Tim. 5:22).
  4. The CROWN OF LIFE (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). This crown is better known as the “martyr’s crown.” This crown has two applications. Not every believer, such as us who live in this present time, will probably not suffer persecution, and die for our faith. That could change under the conditions our nation is currently traveling in. Many in countries other than the U. S. are not as fortunate. They live in cultures that hate Christians and many are dying even not for their faith. James adds a dimension that James addresses and that is “enduring temptation.” In other words, not yielding to the temptations we face almost daily. 
  5. The CROWN OF GLORY (1 Pet. 5:4). Some call this the “pastor’s” crown because the context of this verse is about “shepherds” who care for a flock. This is for what is called “elders” which is the pastor of a church. There is an aspect of this crown that has an application to all who “teach” the word of God to others. Note where it says in 1 Peter 5:2 “feed the flock of God.” It is the conviction of many that this has an application to anyone who teaches a Sunday school class, a Bible study, or does discipleship which is teaching a person some of the important doctrines of the Bible. 

CONCLUSION

What about you and me? Are we anticipating the Rapture of the church when Christ will come for His bride, the church, and the events of the Tribulation will commence? If Jesus is returning with rewards, then are you gaining any “crowns” of reward for the time when He will reward us for our commitment to Him and our desire to live the Christian life?