Revelation 22:12-13 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
 
REWARD. The human desire is to be rewarded, to receive some benefit for what we do and for who we are. In the first sin, Satan tempted Eve and Adam with the supreme reward: Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Satan promised, “You’ll be God because you can define good and evil. You can be your own lawgiver. You can reward your own behavior as you desire!” Tragically, Satan’s only “reward” is death. The world continues to suffer in this deadly promise.
   But be sure. The Holy God, who created the heavens and earth, defines his true reward. “My reward is with me.” Jesus announced. He is he Living Word, the Bread of Life and the Living Water. Jesus’ reward is eternal life. His reward is the fruit of his Spirt. Jesus’ reward is an intimate, eternal relationship with the Holy Trinity. Jesus’ reward is to live in the heavenly home the Father has prepared for you. Jesus’ reward is life everlasting. Why would anyone not want Jesus’ reward?
   Do we earn his reward? When Jesus adds, “I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” he is not referring to our so-called good deeds balanced on a justice scale. During his ministry, our Lord taught this to the crowd in Capernaum: John 6:28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
   Further, Jesus was careful to define eternal reward with such teachings as recorded in Luke 6:20-24. This is another version of the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes:  Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because you follow the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” God’s reward is given based on who you are – one who faithfully follows the Son of Man. Putting your confidence and hope in worldly reward leads to judgment. Faith leads to Heaven.
  
Prayer: You are my reward, Jesus. Amen.

Revelation 2:10-11 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. 11 Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”
 
WHEN the Lord gave to Daniel several visions of the future, he told Danial at one point, “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (Daniel 12:4) God gave to the prophets of old many visions to point to Jesus and his eternal kingdom. But he did not reveal all.
   Then Jesus came in the flesh to more fully reveal God to us: John 14:9b (Jesus said) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Then the Spirit came to begin the church and prepare the world for God’s complete salvation plan. The Old Covenant is complete. The New Covenant is leading us to a new heaven and earth. It is time for John, the church and the world to know God will complete his plan.
   We praise God he has given us the Bible to reveal his plan. We see throughout its pages the promise, power, purpose and provision our Father in Heaven has for his children. And we see his judgment on those who reject him. Yes, it is essential to know there is a right way to God. All mankind is not one family under God. People cannot choose their own way and still go God’s way. Only God’s children can know the way to Heaven and call God, “Father.” John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
   Some people are vile, and some are holy. “Vile” is a harsh word, isn’t it? It means “dreadful”, “awful” and “revolting”. Vile sin separates mankind from God – the worst fate of all. Evil has ignited a fire of discontent into humanity’s soul. Many of God’s created order revolts against him as they refuse to trust his Word is life.
   But God’s children are holy – blessed and divine – when we receive Jesus as Lord and believe in his name. Our Spirit-empowered faith makes us clean before God. Jesus’ blood washes away the vile sin and dresses us in his holy robes of redemption.
   When he says, “Let him who is vile continue to be vile.” The Lord is not approving of sin. He is affirming some will remain vile in his sight and some will be holy. When he comes, there will be no time for change. One’s relationship with God, either vile or holy at that moment, will be forever.
   This is an urgent plea to the sinner. All must know there is the right, holy way to Heaven. God has given us time now. But at the moment of Jesus’ return, all time will be done.
   Where are you today? Are you vile before God’s eyes? Or are you the Father’s holy child covered with Jesus’ atoning blood?
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have revealed to mankind all we need to know to be holy before you. I pray for many who are your enemies will become your children today. Amen.

Revelation 22:8-9 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, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”
 
HAS John had a strange, magnificent dream? Or has he heard from God? Just as the prophets of old declared all they spoke was “the Word of the Lord,” John affirmed the Lord’s words to him: Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. Each word, image and experience reveals what will soon take place. (Remember, “soon” is both a sudden occurrence and a measure against eternity.)
   Various angels, too, have revealed God’s future news to the apostle. It is interesting to consider that both “apostle” and “angel” mean “messenger”. An important element of understanding the Bible is to remember it is God’s message to his church. Messages are written and spoken to convey useful information. God’s kingdom was founded on God’s revelation to mankind. Jesus spoke specifically to 12 apostles. The church expanded from the first 12 apostles (Remember Mathias replaced Judas.) through an increasing number of messengers who preached, evangelized, taught, administered and defended Jesus’ true church. In the Greek language, those teachers were angels of the gospel.
   Each of us today in the church have inherited that legacy of declaring God’s message. Jesus has preached the gospel. The apostles and others have taught us more directly. We are instructed, commanded and challenged to be messengers of faith and purpose.
   Have you ever considered that as a Christian, you are a messenger as the prophets, the apostles, the angels and Jesus? Are you in awe of your great blessing, your extraordinary opportunity and high responsibility? Do you in wonder and joy obey the angel’s words, “Worship God!” to convey the Lord’s message?
   Yes, to “Worship God!” is to honor your God above all things, even your own desires. “Worship God!” means we live into God’s “messenger teachings” as in Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
   Yes, “Worship God!” means we are to be as Jesus: John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” To “Worship God!” is the way of your redeemed life. What way have you chosen?
 
Prayer: Lord God, if I have directed my worship anywhere but to you, awaken me to that sin. Turn my heart, my hands and my feet to worship you above all. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Revelation 22:6-7 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
 
NOTICE there are two messages. Verse 6 is from the angel who has been revealing God’s victory come to earth. Verse 7 is from the Lord Jesus. The angel affirms the truth has been delivered. The described events will “soon take place.” The Lord then confirms, “I am coming soon.”
   This messenger pattern is the way God has worked in history and is working now. The patriarchs and then the prophets of old were his first messengers to prepare the world for God’s incarnation as a man and his ultimate victory over sin. Then Jesus came. In his incarnation, the Lord taught he had come to prepare the world for the Kingdom of God. He prophesied he would come again.
   After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles became the messengers to prepare us for God’s Kingdom come in Jesus’ second coming. The angel affirms that all John has seen and heard is from the sovereign Lord. John assures the church this is God’s word, not his own. Today God’s messengers are pastors, teachers and other Spirit-anointed people God has chosen to evangelize the gospel.
   “But,” you might ask, “what do both the angel and Jesus mean by ‘soon’?” Do you wonder why the Lord hasn’t come “soon” since that day?
   All prophecy must be seen from the Lord’s perspective. “Soon” can mean to immediately appear. He will appear soon – suddenly without warning. “Soon” can also mean a short time within God’s eternal plan. Peter helps us understand the “soon” question in 2 Peter 3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
   God’s pattern to reveal himself to his creation has been and is very purposeful. We can trust these words are trustworthy and true. The Lord Jesus Christ is indeed “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
   Do you confess his authority over your life? Then rejoice that you are his messenger to tell, “Jesus’ words are trustworthy and true. He is coming suddenly one day. You will have no ‘next day’ to decide.” It is God’s gift that he has told you the way of salvation. He has warned the unbelievers of his judgment. He has promised his salvation to the believers. Receive the promise and live.”
 
Prayer: To you, O Lord, I lift my heart in praise. I consider your message and am overwhelmed with gratitude. I pray I worship you to faithfully be your messenger. Amen. 

Revelation 22:1-5 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
 
A river of the water of life and a tree of life are images that spiritually flow and grow throughout scripture. It begins in Genesis 2:9 And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. This is God’s blessing, created for mankind to perfectly enjoy life with God in his creation forever.
   But we know that in sin’s curse God banished Adam and Eve from Eden and sealed them from the tree of life. Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."…24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. The doorway to life with God was locked tight.  
   Then our merciful God began to graciously move throughout history to open the door into his presence again. Through Ezekiel, he uses the river and tree of life images to prophesy he will reestablish paradise on earth: Ezekiel 47:12 “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Then Jesus comes to reaffirm this life promise: John 7:37b “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
   Then it will come to pass. The river of life will one day freely flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb through God’s new city. The tree of life is the symbol of the curse canceled and blessing restored. God’s people will again personally know, love and worship him. All who believe will be satisfied forever.
 
Prayer: “Give me this water, Lord, so I won’t be thirsty.” (John 4:15b) Amen. 

Revelation 21:15-27 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
 
HERE is an understanding of the city’s dimensions: “The city’s measurements are symbolic of a place that will hold all God’s people. These measurements are all multiples of 12, which is the number for God's people: there were 12 tribes in Israel and 12 apostles who started the church. The walls are
144 (12 x 12) cubits (200 feet) thick. There are 12 layers in the walls, and 12 gates in the city.
   “The height, length, and breadth are all the same: 12,000 stadia. The new Jerusalem is a perfect cube, the same shape as the Most Holy Place in the temple: 1 Kings 6:20a The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty wide and twenty high.” (from the Life Application Bible Study)
   The city is strong, perfect, beautiful and complete. The city is also God’s home. Gone are the transient sun and moon. All light comes from the eternal glory of God. Jesus, is truly the “light of the world.” (John 8:12) as the Lamb is its lamp. God’s people from all the earth have come to dwell with their God and worship him. His holiness fortifies it from any sin ever. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book
of life will live with God and be his people.
 
Prayer: from Psalms 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord. Amen.

Revelation 21:9-14 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
 
WHEN a liberating army cleanses a city of evil oppressors, the good, victorious soldiers will take time to reassure the newly freed citizens. “It’s over. You’re safe. This is a new beginning. Peace has come.”
   This is the heavenly scene on the Day of the Lord. One of the angels who has led the war against Satan is now a peace messenger. He takes John to the glorious scene of new beginning. The Husband Jesus joins with His bride – the New Jerusalem. With precise dimensions, the four-walled city is complete. The new city of inexpressible glory will be the church’s eternal home. God’s entire church dwells with God and he with them.
   Unlike the warring visions of devastating earthquakes, violent seas and consuming volcanoes, this city will be unshaken and unshakeable, built on the foundation of the apostles’ teaching: Ephesians 2:19 Consequently (as you believe), you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. There is eternal joy in the Bride of Christ.
   When you think about belonging to a church, do you consider the wonder of God’s gift? Are you joyful he has welcomed you into his eternal home, built on the apostles’ foundation? Or is it just another organization that requires you to fulfill certain obligations?
   Sadly, surveys tell us that the majority of church members do not consider the Bible as the absolute foundation of God’s Word. For too long, false teaching has pointed to self-determination. We reject God’s sovereignty over our lives because we’ve been told, “He loves you just where you are.”
   If that were true, why would he come to die on a cross? Why would he preach, “Repent!” if he loves you in your sin?
   In its desire to welcome the world, the church has become as the world. “Come as you are and stay as you are.” headlines the outreach efforts. Silent we stand against the culture’s sins, for fear of being labeled, “Judgmental.”  
   How different would your church be if all the church believed and lived in the foundation of the apostles’ teaching? Would you be prepared for the wedding?
 
Prayer: Open our eyes, Lord, to see the eternal gift you have given to each one who confesses you Lord and Savior. Amen.

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
 
THE Lord has just delivered his judgment message. He was very clear the unbelievers will be judged into Hell in the second death. What might be God’s purpose to restate and emphasize this?
   Perhaps this is another sign of his love for mankind. A loving parent wants to be sure a child knows the right rules. It is vital in an orderly home for all to know right and wrong. All must know, too, the reward for good and penalty for wrong.
   This is a good Father’s message to his church. For example, the cowardly refers to those afraid to stand on the gospel truth. This leads to a casual, a lukewarm attitude regarding sin and salvation. That’s one reason for the letter to the seven churches: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-17) Attempting to please the world, too many preachers reject the Word’s truth of sin and judgment. Preaching of eternal torment, a lake of fire and the second death – the eternal death in hell – are considered preaching “fire and brimstone”. “We’re not that kind of church,” I’ve heard preachers say. And who wants to hear that in church? Isn’t church a place to feel good?
   Not according to Jesus. He didn’t come to earth to suffer and die because all is good. He came to save us from Hell. That’s why he preached against Hell more than he preached about Heaven. To save us from our sin he needed to tell us about our sins. He wants us to know we are trapped in Satan’s grasp until we pray to Jesus with confession of our sins and of his lordship, so we are saved. If we do not see sin in our lives, we will have no use for a Savior. The cross becomes meaningless. We replace God’s sovereignty with our own pleasure. After all, God loves. He will let us choose our own way to heaven, won’t he?
   Certainly not! Such thinking is idolatry. We are sinners born enemies of God. We have no means to eternal life until God resurrects our souls into the kingdom of God.
   You can thank God he has taught this  truth: John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”  
   Jesus’ completely taught the truth: Mark 16:16b “But whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Also, three times the gospels record Jesus’ affirmation: Matthew 24:13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
   Preaching the gospel must be a preacher’s love to awaken the world to sin’s penalty, so all know sin’s salvation in Jesus Christ. Why would anyone refuse to speak such eternal good news?
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) Amen.

Revelation 21:5-8 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”  
 
FROM Heaven’s throne comes God’s authority to conclude history. “It is done.” is as sure as “Let there be light.” The Creator has spoken. The world and its events have come from God, the Alpha, and all will consummate with God, the Omega. All that has been and will be done comes under God’s good pleasure and purpose. One Word from God, completes all things.
   “Write this down.” our Lord God commanded John. He wanted the church then and now to know his ultimate plan for our salvation. Jesus’ church is always strengthened when we keep our eyes on the ultimate future God has ordained.
   It may be difficult for many of us to consider the challenges in the first-century church. Think, for example, of how people struggled to believe this new faith whose leader was crucified as a criminal. And how could there be a resurrection of a dead man from such a town as Nazareth? Jews and pagans persecuted the new church physically, economically and socially. Within the struggles, though, was God’s marvelous and profound promise that his Kingdom would reign over all the earth one day. What joy for the first Christians to know God would eternally dwell with his believers forever.  
   Circumstances remain the same today, don’t they? Christians are persecuted, martyred and belittled everywhere. Many ignore us or politely tolerate us. This is discouraging if we forget God’s promise. We must know God is still writing his story until the final day. He knows he will save his church, and so do we. We must, then, joyfully live into that living hope. We will freely drink the Living Water. Through Jesus we overcome the world to inherit the gift of eternal life. Again, God emphasizes he will be the God of all believers, and he will dwell with his children.
   From Heaven’s throne comes the Creator’s remarkable promises. God is love. His will is to dwell with his own forever. He will do it. He is Creator to make all things perfect and good for his new creation.
  
Prayer: Thank you Lord God for the great promises throughout your Scripture that point to the glorious day you come to dwell with your own. Amen. 

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
 
“THE old order has passed away.”  God’s will is done on earth as it is in Heaven. When you look at the world, wouldn’t you like the “old order” of many things to be gone right now? After all, the old order is marked by the acts of the sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21a) The apostle Paul then concludes this sin list with an alert: I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21b) God does not dwell with unrepentant sinners.
   God does dwell with the saints – those who have confessed their sins and proclaimed Jesus as “Lord of my life.” The New Jerusalem and the New Heaven and earth will be marked with God’s new order governed by the fruit of the Spirit (that) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
   A new Jerusalem will no longer harbor disobedient idolators. All saved in Jesus will be God’s people. The church will become the holy bride of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sea – a symbol of evil – will not exist. God will dwell with his people just as he did with Adam and Eve in the perfect Garden.
   This fulfills God’s will first stated in the law: Leviticus 26:11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
   God is a Promise Maker. This promise is why Jesus suffered and died. And the Promise defines the culmination of God’s victory over evil. God’s plan of salvation will be fulfilled, and he will dwell with his people in holy perfection forevermore.
   Yes, what a glorious day it will be when the old order is gone. Saved by your faith in Jesus,, you will be in the place God has prepared for you. He will do this because he wants you to be where he is. (See John 14:1-2)     
 
Prayer: O Lord God, thank you for dwelling with us now through the Holy Spirit. We look forward to dwelling with you eternally in the new home you have prepared for us. Amen!