Walking Through Ephesians
“The End of God’s Revelation”
Categories: A Month of VictoryThe End of God’s Revelation - Revelation 22
We’ve come to the end of our month, the end of Revelation, and the end of God’s book. It’s good to pause and consider – this is how God chose to end His revelation, His message to us. There’s something special about how the Bible begins, and how it ends.
Revelation 22 takes us back to the glorious scene of Heaven. What we see in this last chapter of the Bible takes us back to the first 2 chapters of the Bible. The images of Heaven reminds us of what we saw in the garden of Eden. There’s the river (v. 1), there is the tree of life (v. 2), and there is no more curse (v. 3). The perfect picture of fellowship with God in the garden, destroyed by sin, has now been restored. Once again man is with God, now face to face (v. 4). And this perfect relationship, this perfect fellowship, this perfect habitation will last forever (v. 5).
In v. 6 the book transitions to it’s conclusion. The words given to John were “faithful and true” (v. 6) – John, and those who heard these words could trust in the message. God would answer the affliction on His people. Those who overcame with the lamb would be victorious.
Revelation concludes with the reassurance that Jesus was coming quickly. It is stated 4 times (v. 7, 10, 12, 20). The coming Jesus is referring to isn’t the second coming. It’s in reference to the judgment He has spoken of throughout this book – the answer to the cries of the martyrs. It is Christ’s message to the churches (v. 16). And those who hear Christ is coming soon reply, “Amen, come Lord Jesus” (v. 20). Christians then, as Christians today, look for and long for the coming of Christ – the temporal judgment then only points to the ultimate victory to come!
Well, we’ve made it through Revelation. This whole month we’ve been reading about this book, and the fitting question is, “now what?” What is our “take-away” from this book?
Remember, there is a dragon at war with God’s people. He was then, he is today. He will use whatever he can to win the battle over your soul.
Remember, you are not alone in your suffering. Others have faced hardship for their faith in Christ. They have remained faithful. They overcame. So too can we.
Remember, God hears our prayers. God knows what’s going on here on earth. He sees our struggles. He understands our pains.
Remember, God expects us to overcome (21:7). Endure. Be strong. Hang in there. Be faithful. Look to Jesus. Overcome this current crisis, realizing the momentary suffering won’t compare to the eternal reward for those who stand with the Lamb.
Remember, God wins. Christ is and will ever be victorious. You can win your battles today in Christ. You can overcome Satan and his attacks, in Christ. You can stay true to the end, and be welcomed into God’s glorious abode, in Christ. You can claim the victory in Christ.
“Thank You God for Your revelation. Thank You for this wonderful message of hope and victory. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for providing us hope and strength for our times of struggles. Thank You for Christ who gives us the victory. Help me today to overcome the temptation to quit and give in. I know I can find my strength and my help in You. Lord, I long for the day You return. I sing and dream of how wonderful Heaven will truly be. Until then I live for You, and will work for You, and will fight the good fight – claiming the victory only found in You. All praise and glory belong to You, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the alpha and omega, the Lamb of God.”
