The Finale in all its Beauty

Up to now, our view of the New Jerusalem only looked dazzling; we haven’t seen any soft grass to sit on, green trees to sit under, or water or food to enjoy. Now we see a soft richness to this city of elaborate beauty.

Hi everyone, I’m Tammy Becker.  Welcome to the Almighty God & Gospel Girl Podcast.  This is week 28 into our series of Revelation and today is the finale, woohoo we did it!  our podcast today is titled: The Finale in all its Beauty.

My podcast today will be based on the reading of Revelation 22.  And if you would like to follow along with the notes or maybe you would like to find the links to anything mentioned in the podcast today, you can go to the link in the description or by visiting www.youministries.com and visiting the corresponding page.  As we get started today, I would like to remind you of my disclaimer, that as always…do not take my word, or anyone’s word for what you read…get yourself in the Bible and let God discern His Word to you.  I am only human and make many mistakes and do not claim to know or understand everything in the Bible…I just hope by bringing out this study that your interest is sparked enough to get into God’s Word and begin to deep dive on your own.

We come to the last chapter of the Bible and to the final scenes of the greatest heavenly wonder. This also brings us to the end of the Word of God. God gives us His final words here, and because they are last words, they have a great significance. We are brought to the end of man’s journey. The path has been rugged. Many questions remain unanswered, many problems remain unsolved, but we enter into eternity in fellowship again with God and there all will be answered.

The Bible opens with God on the scene: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). It concludes with Him on the scene and in full control of His own. Jesus Christ, God Himself, suffered; He paid a price, and He died—but the victory and the glory are His, and He is satisfied (see Isaiah 53:11).

This New Jerusalem will be God the Father and God the Son’s headquarters. What about the Holy Spirit? In the first creation, the Holy Spirit renovated and renewed the blighted earth (see Genesis 1:2). Today, the Holy Spirit is God’s instrument of regeneration in the hearts and lives of sinners. In the same way, there will be no need for His work in the new creation; therefore, the silence of God is eloquent here.

Up to now, our view of the New Jerusalem only looked dazzling; we haven’t seen any soft grass to sit on, green trees to sit under, or water or food to enjoy. Now we see a soft richness to this city of elaborate beauty.

The angel escorting John through this vision of heaven then shows him “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (v. 1).

In the first Eden, a river branched into four rivers. In the New Jerusalem, a river called “Water of Life” flows from the fountain, which is God’s throne. On either side of the river is “the tree of life,” bearing 12 kinds of fruits each month—a continuous supply in abundance and variety. Like in the Garden of Eden, we will eat and drink in eternity (see Genesis 1:29-30). However, unlike the Garden, there’s no possibility of sin entering there.

Contrary to the cartoons, heaven isn’t a place where we’ll hang out on clouds, strumming harps. It’s a place of fruitful activity. We’ll work in heaven! And we won’t need to rest. Perhaps the Lord will give to each saint a world or a solar system or a galactic system to operate like Adam was given dominion over the old creation on this earth. Redeemed mankind will at last fulfill our destiny and satisfy the desires of our heart. We will each bear the name of Christ and each will be like Him, yet within our own personalities.

JESUS PROMISES TO RETURN

We’re coming to the end now. As we do, Jesus promises that once the events begin to take place, He will come quickly. He then puts His own seal on this book, calling these words “faithful and true” (v. 6). Our Lord is talking about reality. At the beginning of this book, He gave a blessing on those who read and hear and keep these words. Now in conclusion, the Lord Jesus repeats the blessing on those who keep these words. We aren’t to spiritualize them or reduce them to empty stories. This book isn’t meant to satisfy people’s curiosity, but to live and apply.

The Lord reveals that just as the condemned lost person in hell will increasingly become more sinful, so the servant of God will continue to grow in righteousness and holiness. Heaven is not static. The child of God will have all eternity to grow in wisdom and knowledge.

Then John, our faithful reporter, sums up his thoughts. He said he is so overwhelmed by what he heard and saw that he fell down to worship the angel who showed all this to him. But the angel’s simplicity and meekness is impressive. Though the angels were created above man, this angel identifies himself as a fellow servant with John and the other prophets. “I’m just the messenger told to communicate God’s Word to man,” he said, and directs all worship to God. Christ is the centerpiece of the Revelation—don’t lose sight of Him.

Our Lord promises He is coming again, and He will personally reward each believer individually—those in the church at the Rapture as well as those of Israel and the Gentiles at His return to set up His Kingdom at the Millennium.

As the Revelation ends, the Lord Jesus asserts His place as God: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (v. 13). He said this at the beginning of the book, and now He concludes with it. He gives the angel His very personal message. “I, Jesus” (v. 16)—taking the name of His saviorhood, the name He received when He took on humanity, and the name that no man knows but He Himself. We will spend eternity centering on Him. He’s all we’re going to talk about.

He also refers to Himself as “the Root and the Offspring of David,” which connects Him with the Old Testament. But He is “the Bright and Morning Star” to the church (v. 16). Have you noticed the bright and morning star always appears at the darkest time of the night? Its appearance indicates that the sun will be coming up shortly. The Old Testament ended with the promise that “the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings”—that is the Old Testament hope (Malachi 4:2). But to us, He is the Bright and Morning Star who will come at a very dark moment.

Jesus continues His appeal through John to the reader. “Let him who hears” are those who hear this book read in the churches, as was common in John’s day. This includes us, too, and everyone who prays for the Lord’s return (see Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2). The Holy Spirit joins in the prayer of the church which says, “Lord Jesus, come, come.” He works through the Word and through the church that proclaims His Word. Jesus then turns the invitation around and invites the thirsty to come to Him and freely take the water of life (see Isaiah 55:1; John 6:35, 7:37). Those who do not yet believe obviously need to come in order to take their first drink of this living water, in Christ our eternal life. But believers too need to keep coming to Him again and again. “Him who thirsts” (v. 17) is the person who senses their spiritual need, broad enough to include absolutely everyone (see Matthew 5:6; John 4:10). This water of life costs us nothing, but it cost Jesus Christ everything to give Himself for us. He gives us that invitation today. If you’re tired of drinking at the cesspools of this world, He invites you to come.

Don’t wait.

When these things begin to come to pass, Jesus will already then be at the door.

“Come, Lord Jesus” is the heart-cry of every true believer (v. 20). The Old Testament ends with a curse; the New Testament ends with a benediction of grace on the believers.

Grace is offered to all, but if anyone refuses the offer Jesus Christ extends, they must bear the judgment pronounced in this book. Grace is offered to you—it’s the only way you can be saved. Believe Him and receive it.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.