Do you ever peek at the end of a book you’re reading? If it is a suspense story you might want to find out what will happen, and how the story will end. If it is a mystery, perhaps you can’t wait to see who the criminal is. I admit that I have sometimes peeked at the last few pages. I also don’t mind being told spoilers for a TV show or movie, as it can relieve some of the tension. Our Scripture for today is the last several verses of the Bible, the end of God’s written Word. We get to see how everything will turn out.
In the first couple of chapters of the Bible, we read the account of God’s creation, the beautiful Garden of Eden, and how Satan came against God’s creation, tempting men into sin. Now, in the final chapters of the Bible, we read of Jesus’ defeat of Satan, the new heaven and new earth God has made, and our new home with God. With all of the terrible things going on in the world today, we might think that Satan and evil will always be victorious. However, as we read in the final chapters of the Bible, we see that is not so. God is victorious!
As our Scripture passage opens, Jesus repeats the promise that He has made several times, and that is that He will return, and will bring His rewards to His followers (vs. 12). The word “quickly” in this verse is not meant to portray the time or day of His coming. Instead it refers to the suddenness of His coming. We do not know the day or time of when Jesus will return, but we know that it will happen, and when it does, it will be sudden, taking many by surprise. Jesus may return at any moment. An eager anticipation of His return should keep us living productively. We should be motivated and joyful, knowing that Jesus has prepared great rewards and a wonderful home for us.
As we continue reading, we read of the City of God, the New Jerusalem in God’s heavenly kingdom, and how only those who obey and follow His commandments will be allowed to enter the gates, and to have the right to the Tree of Life (vs. 14). The first and foremost act of obedience to God is to have accepted His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Savior, and wash our robes clean in the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). Only these are citizens of God’s kingdom, and have a right to enter through the gates. Outside the gates are those who follow sinful lifestyles (vs. 15). Nothing evil, and no sinner will be in God’s presence to corrupt or harm any of the faithful.
Here we also find the Tree of Life (vs. 14). If you remember, the last time we saw the Tree of Life was in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve disobeyed, and ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, both as punishment, and also so they would not then eat from the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:22-24). Adam and Eve had been barred from the Tree of Life because of their sins. Now, as redeemed through the Blood of Jesus, we may eat from that tree freely. In the new earth, God’s people will eat from that tree because their sins have been removed by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Next we read that Jesus is given the name of Bright and Morning Star (vs. 16). The morning star is generally the brightest star, low in the eastern horizon, just before dawn. It announces the coming morning. When Jesus comes, He is the brightest star who will shatter the darkness of sin that has covered the earth for centuries since the Fall of man. His coming heralds the dawn of God’s glorious day.
Not only will believers eat from the Tree of Life, but we will also be able to freely drink from the water of life (vs. 17). This is similar to the words that Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:14). This is an unlimited offer of grace and salvation to all who desire to have their thirsty souls quenched.
In the last few verses of the Bible, we find some warnings (vs. 18-19). These are warnings against altering the Bible, the Word of God. Anyone who tampers with the truth, God’s Word, by attempting to falsify, diminish, change, or misinterpret it will incur the judgments described in these verses.
In closing, we read again that Jesus is coming quickly (vs. 20). He could come at any moment. So many do not believe or know, and they will be caught unexpectedly. We must be ready for Him, always prepared for His return. Because we know the end of the story, we can have peace in the midst of chaos, and be calm in the face of disaster. We know who wins and that God will triumph!
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