Revelation 22:6-11 – The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
“The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” God sends an angel to emphasize that what John has recorded is trustworthy and true. The assurance is for John, the saints of the day, and also for all of us. The same Lord God who inspired the prophets and guided what they wrote has inspired John, has given John these visions and has guided His hand to write what God wanted the world to know. Indeed all of God’s word can be trusted and is for us to not only read, but to follow (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21). This revelation is no less inspired than the rest of scriptures and is God’s last Word to us about what shall transpire until, and to, the end of time.
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” As the Lord Jesus warned during His life here on earth, so he warns now “Be ready!” For He will come for His at an appointed time, that none will know. At that time the world will be carrying on, doing the evil they do, rejecting the truth of God’s Word, having kids, and struggling for peace in the world. But those that belong to Jesus, those who call Him Savior and Master, will be reading the signs and understanding that the Lord will come soon. Just as we know that time is short and Jesus is coming soon. Living in the times that the Lord has told us would be the end times, and knowing that the unique time He described is upon us, we know more than previous generations about how the pieces of the puzzle are locking together (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). Jesus warned all to be ready and those who are wise will be (Matthew 25:1-13).
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” John bears witness that he saw and heard what is written down in this book. Now, people who are telling others to believe that they are good witnesses don’t often begin to tell you about their mistakes. John does. He writes down about his mistake of being overwhelmed by an angel and mistakenly falling down to worship the angel. He did it twice. We should not ever say “I can’t believe that John did that again!” After all, how many times have we repeated our mistakes? Actually, that He would record his error only adds validity to the fact that he is telling the truth. He wants the whole truth written down, even if it shows his unflattering actions. Yet, praise God that all this is recorded. Just as throughout the Word the errors and weaknesses of God’s people are recorded. The scriptures only contain the truth. That fact that the Lord reveals the good, the bad and the ugly, only verifies that the scriptures are accurate and true.
“Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.” Some of what God had revealed to prophets was not revealed (Isaiah 8:16, Daniel 8:26, 12:4, 9). However this revelation was to remain open to mankind. The time had come to release knowledge. The release of this knowledge was not just to amaze or merely so that people would be informed. These words are a blessing and a warning. To those who love God and yearn for His appearing, these words are a blessing. To those who are rejecting God, the words are a warning for them to change their ways and to be ready for the day they will stand before God. God does not want them to perish (Ezekiel 18:23). He wants all to repent and none to perish (2 Peter 3:9). God reveals His Word to save us and to give us hope that encourages and strengthens.
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” Is God giving permission for sinners to continue to sin? No, of course not. Daniel 12:10 reveals the meaning here. It reads “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” Many will be purified through Jesus and will be continually refined to walk closer with Him. But with the hard of heart, they will continue to do wrong and to commit vile acts. The righteous shall continue to follow Jesus as it is Jesus who keeps them. Those who reject the Gospel have rejected the help of Jesus and will continue on the horrible path they are on.
Good news! Jesus has not yet returned. Not all the prophecies have not yet happened. That means that there is still time for all to soften their hearts and come to submit to Jesus. Family, let us share the good news, the offer of eternal life is still being offered to all who will come to Jesus. Call out to all “Come and be saved!” Why should any perish into such a horrible fate as awaits those who do not belong to Jesus? Come everyone to Jesus! Come now! Be ready. He comes soon…maybe today! For us who in love and with joy serve Him, He comes soon, let us not tire of doing well but let us continue and reap the reward of the faithful (Galatians 6:9)!
Our God is good all the time and all the time He loves us! Praise God continuously! Praise God always! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.