The greatest event in God's program for this age is certain and imminent

The greatest event in God's program for this age is not only certain; it is also imminent. Now is the time to make sure you don't find yourself on the wrong side. "After death and judgment, the eternal state will be fixed and unchangeable".

THE IMMINENT RETURN OF CHRIST
Revelation 22:10-21

This passage brings us to the concluding part of “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). The Revelation of Jesus Christ! And what a revelation it is! “I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation 22:16,13). Four times in the Revelation we read the words: “I am Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter. Christ is the beginning and the ending of the all inclusive revelation; the Lord of time, of history and of eternity. The expression, “Alpha and Omega” affirms Christ’s deity. All of the qualities, attributes and perfections of Almighty God are also in Christ, our Saviour. He is the complete and full manifestation of God in the flesh. He is also the Alpha and the Omega of the Holy Scriptures - of the full revelation of God to man. He is the Alpha and Omega of the entire Bible. And He is the Alpha and Omega of our salvation. He is the only Saviour and He saves to the uttermost. He also said, “I am the root and offspring of David.” A tree grows from its root. The root is first, afterward the sprout and the trunk. He existed before David and before all things. He is divine; He is God. 

1. PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
Revelation 22:10-13; 1 Peter 4:7; Romans 13:12; Revelation 1:3; Ecclesiastes 11:3; Job 17:9; Revelation 1:7; 22:20; James 5:8; Philippians 3:20,21; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:8,11.
“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND.” The Apostle was instructed not to seal the prophecy but to leave it open for the understanding of the Church. Why? Because the time of its fulfilment is very near. Daniel was told to seal up the prophecy until the latter days when its fulfilment will be near (Daniel 8:26; 10:14; 12:9,10). As the time draws very near, God’s persecuted people draw much comfort from the prophecies of Christ’s Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The prophecies also serve as warning and call us to change and transformation while that is still possible. After death and judgment, the eternal state will be fixed and unchangeable (Revelation 22:11).“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). These are the unalterable words of Christ, our Lord and Redeemer who is faithful and true. Heaven and earth shall pass away but His word will never pass away unfulfilled. Certainly and assuredly, suddenly and very soon, Christ will come. Then each man that ever lived on earth will receive his just reward or recompence, crown or curse, heaven or hell. The rewards of the righteous in heaven will vary - according to their works. 

2. PREPARATION FOR CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
Revelation 22:14-17; 1 John 2:28; 3:1-3; Psalm 119:1-6; Luke 12:37,38; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2:7; 21:8,27; Isaiah 55:1-3; John 4:10,14; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37.
“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” The greatest of all blessings is the blessing of entering heaven, spending an eternity of unspeakable joy and uninterrupted bliss with God. The right or privilege to partake of the tree of life freely and fully, a privilege our first parents lost and never regained on earth (Genesis 3:22-24), is a great blessing indeed. How will this long-awaited blessing be ours? “Blessed are they that do His commandments.” “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” “Blessed are they that keep my ways.” “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments.” “Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Revelation 22:14; Psalm 119:1,2; Proverbs 8:32; Luke 11:28; Revelation 16:15; 22:7; Matthew 5:8). This desired, eternal blessedness will not be granted or given to the immoral, sorcerers, adulterers, murderers, idolaters, liars who have not been cleansed and purged from their old sins (Revelation 22:15). Whosoever desires to be saved, cleansed by Christ and made ready for heaven can still come to the Lord today before it becomes too late. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

3. PRESERVATION OF THE COMPLETE SCRIPTURAL CANON
Revelation 22:18-21; Deteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Jeremiah 26:2; Proverbs 30:5,6; Matthew 28:20; Galatians 1:8,9; Jeremiah 23:19-32; Isaiah 8:20; Exodus 32:33; 2 Peter 3:12-18; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
This passage (Revelation 22:18,19) is a serious, solemn warning from God that His revelation, His Word is immutable, eternal, unchangeable. “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). God’s Word is like Himself, the same yesterday, and today and forever. God’s Word is not to be changed, mutilated or impaired; it is not to be added to and it is not to be taken away from. The warning is to guard the book of Revelation and the whole Book of God’s revelation to man against being corrupted by any interpolation or change. No ‘new truth’ is to be added and no ‘hard saying’ is to be removed from the Word of God. Those who add to God’s Word will have plagues of judgment added to them. Those who take away from the words of the Book of this prophecy will have their part taken out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). Let us heed Christ’s warning. “The time is short.” “The end of all things is at hand.” “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Note: The last two posts were Bible study series at the just concluded DLBC December Retreat. Details are available here.