Scripture: And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Revelation: 22:6-21 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, John sees the holy city of God with the angel showing him the river of the water of life. John next sees its crystal-clear water flowing from the Lamb and God’s throne, dividing the city’s street. The tree of life borders the river, bearing various fruits monthly, each with unique healing properties that refresh God’s people. And now that the Lamb and God reside on their throne, all God’s people (identified by the Lord’s name written on their foreheads) will worship them face to face, free of the curse and its darkness, because the Lord is their light. And, together with the Father and Son, they will eternally rule the new creation.
Today’s reading concludes John’s Book of Revelation with Jesus’ announcement that he is coming soon and will bless those who adhere to the prophecies of this book. Christ’s promise inspires John to recount how he began to worship the angel who guided him through this vision, only to be redirected toward worshipping God (see 19:10). The angel further directed John to reveal his revelation for the time is near. Meanwhile, people will continue to follow the desires of their hearts, whether licentious or holy.
At this point, Jesus reiterates he is the Alpha and the Omega, the eternal One who will judge humankind according to their deeds. John then interjects that those who seek sanctification will gain access to the holy city and its tree of life. So Jesus informs John that he sent the angel to John to provide testimony to the churches and adds that he (Christ) is the prophetic root of Jesse (see Isaiah 11:10), David’s descendant (2 Samuel 7:12-13), and the bright morning star (confer 2 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 2:28).
In response, John speaks in the Spirit and invites all those who hear with understanding and those who thirst for the free water of life to come. That said, John warns that if anyone adds to his revelation, God will add the plagues to them, and if any subtracts from his revelation, God will remove their share in the tree of life and the holy city. Lastly, John closes with a liturgical response to Jesus’ words, “Surely I am coming soon,” with “Amen, Come Lord Jesus!” (v.20) and offers a benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (v.21).
Takeaway: John’s closing remarks follow a similar pattern to Old Testament treaties between God and his people, which promise blessings for obedience to his laws and curses for disobedience. Moreover, verse 14 uses the language of Jesus’ Beatitudes. In this instance, those who wash their robes will gain access to the city of God and its tree of life, symbolizing salvation in Christ. We see the continuity of this essential tenet of our faith earlier in John’s revelation regarding identifying with Jesus’ death (7:14), even to the point of martyrdom (6:11). Paul presents a similar metaphor of putting on (clothing ourselves in) Christ where we no longer seek to gratify our carnal nature (Romans 13:14) and become one in Christ and heirs of God’s covenantal promise to Abraham (Galatians 3:27-29).
But what does it mean to wash our clothes? Is John leading us to a theology of righteousness by works? No, the breadth of his Revelation and Gospel reveal that we receive. Indeed, the Spirit invites John’s audience to come and receive the gift of life-giving water that will quench their thirst (v.17). Similarly, Jesus invites the Samaritan woman (a serial divorcee and outcast of her community) to receive his gift of living water (John 4:10).
Our takeaway? Jesus is coming soon, whether to judge the world and create a new paradise on earth or to usher us into his heavenly kingdom when we pass from this mortal life. The question remains, however, do we feel a sense of urgency? If yes, what emotion does this sense of urgency provoke? Delight? Hope? Fear? Dread? If we have washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb, if we have placed our hope alone in Christ’s salvific work, believing that Christ has saved us by grace through faith and not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), then we should yearn for his coming. Meanwhile, Jesus speaks words of assurance to our weary souls: He is holding reservations for us in his eternal home (John 14:2), where we will enter by the main gate clothed in his righteousness. Confident of this, we express our gratitude and love for him by doing the good works his Father has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10).
Indeed, he is coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who faithfully fulfilled your will in all matters of his first coming and will complete his mission of making all things new with his return. And we thank you that whether the Parousia is soon for us or for a future generation, we can count on your Son to usher us into his and your kingdom in our passing from this mortal life. So please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit to listen with understanding and do the good works you have prepared for us with gratitude as we declare, “He is coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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