Faithful and True Words (Part 2 of 2)

Revelation 22: 6-21

Continuing to speak through the angel, Christ reminds us again that He is coming soon. At His coming, He is bringing a reward that is given in accordance with each person’s work. Now, that doesn’t mean salvation is based on works. However, works will determine the size, degree, or level of recompense  (Matthew 16: 27; Romans 2: 5, 6; 2 Corinthians 5: 10).

Salvation is based on and granted by God’s grace through faith. Faith is knowledge; believing in that knowledge; and acting (working) on the belief of that knowledge. In other words, faith without works is dead (James 2: 26). Works are the evidence or fruit of one’s living faith and relationship with Christ. The reward, then, that Jesus brings, is given according to the collective acts manifested by the relationship between Him and the believer.

For the person who is saved, that means the reward may be, to differing degrees of duties and responsibilities that Jesus will give us throughout eternity. His assignments will be based on our works of faith. After all, if one is faithful in even the least, Christ will put one in charge of much (Matthew 25: 21).

On the other hand, the reward for the works of the unfaithful is judged to be eternal damnation. So then, blessed is the one who continuously washes his or her robe in the blood of Jesus by keeping the faith. Such washing qualifies for entrance into the holy city and its tree of life.

That there be no doubt as to who this message is coming from; Jesus, through the angel, again as He did in Rev. 5, identifies Himself as the Sprout and the offspring of David. The Sprout and offspring is in reference to the covenant promise given David. The promise was that the perpetuity of David’s throne would be fulfilled by a coming descendant who would sit on it and rule the nations (2 Samuel 7: 16). In John’s time, the Jewish people used the title the Sprout of David as a reference to the coming Messiah.

Jesus ended His identification by calling Himself the bright morning star. That was the term He previously used and promised that His believers would receive, in Rev. 2: 28. He is the dawn of the age in which God’s kingdom is established on earth.

Jesus goes on to say that for those who hear Him through the Spirit and the church, they should “come” to Him. Heed the gospel, He is saying. Those thirsty for the water of life can receive it freely by coming to Him.

John, understanding the gravity of all revealed to him, adds a warning to his readers. Do not tamper with, distort, and/or misinterpret the contents and teachings of the letter. If one adds to it, the plagues written in it will fall upon the perpetrator. If one detracts from it, expect to be turned away from the holy city and its tree of life.

Here’s the way to properly understand this warning. Adding to or taking away does not mean tampering with the actual words of Revelation. There are many good Bible translations with different wording to suit different nationalities and languages. That’s appropriate as long as the inspired message remains the same. The problem, and violation, is when one misinterprets the letter by forcing personal ideas and views upon the text for one’s own purposes.

The safest way to avoid that is to reference John’s language, both literal and symbolic (pictorial), to the rest of the Bible; in particular the Old Testament, and especially the book of Daniel. Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 contain direct or indirect references or allusions to the Old Testament.

Study not just a verse of the Old Testament, but units and passages related to John’s portrayals. In this way, one discovers the culture, customs, and  original meaning behind  the symbols and imagery of John’s language. That allows us to be better able to understand how the messages apply to us today. In other words, use the Bible’s text as the basis for interpretation. Use the Bible to explain the Bible.

Closing out the letter, Jesus reminds us of His return. He is coming soon! It is the central message of Revelation. To that we say “Amen – the sooner the better.”

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