Words of Comfort
January 9, 2022
Commentary
One of the prominent themes of Revelation is stated “Behold, I come quickly” (v. 7). Also, a special blessing is promised to those who keep the sayings of this book. John is overwhelmed by all he has witnessed and heard and so he bows down to worship the angel who revealed all of this to him (v. 8). Immediately he is rebuked and reminded that angels should not be worshiped but that God is the one to be worshiped (v. 9).
John was then told not to seal up the prophecy of this book since the time is near and people will need to understand what God is doing (v. 10). He goes on to say that when Christ comes destinies will be fixed. The “unjust” and filthy will remain this way forever, as well as the “righteous” and “holy” (v.11). Perhaps you have heard it said: “Sow a thought and reap an act. Sow an act and reap a habit. Sow a habit and reap a character. Sow a character and reap a destiny.”
The final judgments of both the wicked and the righteous will be judgments of works (v.12). For the saints, the rewards will come at the Judgment Seat of Christ. For the wicked, they will come at the Great White Throne judgment. This should bring joyous expectation to those who are faithful and fear to those who have not been faithful.
Application
John was rebuked for worshiping the creature rather than the creator. It is so easy for me to put some man on a pedestal and begin to worship him. This is especially true when some strong leader demands blind loyalty to himself (He may say his position).
Revelation 22:7– 16 (NET)
7 (Look ! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them, I threw myself down to worship at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Do not do this! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who obey the words of this book. Worship God!” 10 Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near. 11 The evildoer must continue to do evil, and the one who is morally filthy must continue to be filthy. The one who is righteous must continue to act righteously, and the one who is holy must continue to be holy.”
12 (Look ! I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to pay each one according to what he has done!
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end!)
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral, and the murderers, and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood!
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star!”