REVELATION Chapter 22 "The Eternal Kingdom" This Bible Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's transcription is provided with written permission by http://www.theseason.org This chapter of Revelation allows us to get a glimpse of the eternal city, and life within that New Jerusalem, as John is escorted to that period of time by a messenger of God. When this new city is presented to the bride of Christ, no other person, or angel in any form will be in existence that has not been save under the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. God set the standard and form for worshipping Him, and having our sins forgiven. When Jesus Christ shed blood on the cross, and came out of that tomb victorious over death, the price was paid for the sins of all mankind who would repent of their sins. Revelation 22:1 "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." The "pure river of water of life" is more of a rain of the substance as seen in Strong's Greek Dictionary #5204, "Hudatos" (as if rainy). The "water of life", or "Zoe" [#2222 in Strong's Greek dictionary] takes us to the root of word #5590 meaning "psyche", which is merely "vitality". This vitality is extended even to plant life; and extends to mankind to heart, life, mind, soul, you and I. This substance is eternal and came forth from the throne of God and the Lamb. The Lamb is our Lord Jesus Christ, who became the perfect sacrifice for our sins, through His sinless life, and shed blood on the cross. These thrones of Father and Son will be in our midst as we spend an eternity with them. Is God a hateful God? Never! God is a loving God who has the ability far beyond what any human mind can comprehend, to give repentance and salvation to all who will hear His word, see their sins, and repent. He even set up a kingdom on earth, for 1,000 years of teaching and testing, just so every living soul can have a fair opportunity to understand and choose. Now if anyone perishes in hell, that soul chose it of his own free choice. Revelation 22:2 "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there the tree of life, which bare twelve omanner of fruit; and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." "In" in the Greek text, "en" governs only the case (the dative) and denotes being and remaining within to give rest on a continuance. It has regards to a place and space as in Matthew 10:16, and a sphere of action in Romans 1:5, 8. It also denotes a continuance in time as in Matthew 2:1 and John 11:10. The "tree of life" is our Lord Jesus Christ, who we read about in Genesis 2:9. Well, how can that be? Remember in Revelation 21:6, he said, "... I am [always was] Alpha and Omega... ". Jesus existed prior to becoming a baby in the manger in Bethlehem. However, this "tree of life" is a certain tree, providing not only fruit for enjoyment, but its leaves give a divine provision for preserving and restoring health, specifically for the nations. Ezekiel 47:12 "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." As we saw in Revelation 21:4, all former things are passed away, and there will be no sickness or sorrow. Revelation 22:3 "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:" Revelation 22:4 "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." There will no longer be any cursed thing, for all cursed things and peoples' souls which were against God are ashes. Even their memory is gone. The only thing on the minds of God's children will be to love and serve God, and praise Our Lord Jesus Christ. Both will be in person, living and talking with the saints. Whatever questions you will have about the trinity, eternity, or any other subject will be clear at this time, for there will be no confusion. In verse 4, we see the same marking you have in your forehead will be here following the Millennium age and the great white throne judgment. This marking will not allow you to worship Antichrist, for Satan will not have any part in the eternal age. That marking in your forehead is in your mind. You know Jesus Christ comes at the seventh trump, following Satan's reign on earth, and that no flesh can stand in Christ's kingdom. God has given us His truths in His word (Bible), and all of God's children will know Him. It's sealed in their memory. Revelation 22:5 "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." That's right, the light in the eternity will come from Our Heavenly Father. I know it will not be from the sun we now get our light from. However, the source will be provided by God. It will be an eternal light source, for God's reign will have no end. Revelation 22:6 "And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done." "He" is the angel showing John the sights of the holy city. This angel is telling John that the "Words", or Holy Bible you are studying now are "faithful and true". You can count on it, my Christian friend. It was the Lord God that personally sent His messengers to His holy prophets to give you record of the truth, in advance. And He allowed His messengers (angels) to show His servants, such as John, Paul, Ezekiel, and in every other record of the Bible, a glimpse of what is to come. If you have a Bible and the tools to read it, you have no excuse for being ignorant in this final generation. Call on the Lord, and pray for the Holy Spirit of God to open your mind, and He will. In this, the final generation, you may never die in the flesh, but be changed as we saw in I Corinthians 15:50-54. Once you're changed to your incorruptible body and immortal soul, you are as you will be for eternity. Your soul receives immortality when Christ comes into you heart. Then, at the sounding of the seventh trump, which may be measured in month, or at the most, a few years, you will reign eternally as joint heirs with Christ. Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." Jesus is saying, "Behold, I come quickly:... ". Though it be quickly, we can still watch the happenings on the news and see the world around us, to know this one world system will collapse with a lack of political credibility, and guts. When the world sees the United Nations is used only to advance the causes of a few Kenites, international banking and industrial-commercial families' interest, it will fall as a political beast. The mortal wound to the head of a government means it ceases as a governing unit. What then? Antichrist comes on the scene, and the seventh trump is five months away [see Revelation 9:5]. "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings . . ." of the Bible, for you will be an overcomer. Know the prophecies, and be a watchman. Jesus said in Matthew 24:32-25 to learn these prophecies that you not be deceived, for Antichrist will come first. Revelation 22:8 "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things." After John had been allowed to see and hear all that we have studied in this Book of Revelation, he was going to fall down and worship this angel. Sort of like many people today, ready to worship anything or one that performs wonders for them. Revelation 22:9 "Then saith he unto me, Seee thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." This messenger that showed John around in Revelation 22, in the New Jerusalem let John know he was a fellowservant and prophet, like John. He doesn't say who it is, though. Remember the first commandment of God. "Though shalt have no other Gods before me". We are to worship God alone. Revelation 22:10 "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." The angel warned John not to seal up the prophecies of Revelation for now they are about to happen. Especially to the generation we are living in now. We are to learn them, and seal them in our minds, that we are not deceived. Revelation 22:11 "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." God is telling John through the angel, not to be concerned, for the deception coming upon the world, but to learn and know in your own mind that each of us not be deceived. It's an individual message to you and to me personally. Get your own soul right with God, and your mind prepared, or you will be deceived. Revelation 22:12 "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:13 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." God is giving us a second warning of His soon return, and the rewards He has prepared for His adopted sons (daughters). He is telling us of His power and glory, which is eternal. Revelation 22:14 "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." Revelation 22:15 "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." The messenger is repeating for you and I, that the rewards, and eternal life are our right when we accept Him and do His commandments. He compares those who violate His words as dogs, and gives them the same ranking as all those who will be destroyed in hell fire, and never see the "New Jerusalem". Revelation 22:16 "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Our Lord Jesus Christ now speaks to John, and there can be no mistake why He allowed John to see and witness all that is about to happen. That we may know what is to come and not be deceived. That it be taught in our churches. That we may know our Savior is the promised messiah, and our redeemer, and that we know the prophecies concerning His birth, and resurrection are true. If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, you will understand, by the work of the Holy Spirit. Revelation 22:17 "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." The Holy Spirit, and the church are drawing you to Christ. To be part of the bride of Christ which will be a partakers in the beautiful eternal New Jerusalem. The only one holding you back is you. However, there is only one way, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ, who has paid the very expensive price of His holy blood. You get the forgiveness by asking for it, through repentance to God for all your sins. Then He will lead you and change you as you study His word (the Bible). Revelation 22:18 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:" Revelation 22:19 "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." God wrote the scripture through His prophets, to you and me. Though I write these comments about the scriptures to you, or if any teacher, you are to read and verify what any teacher teaches. Does it say what He says it says? This is an important responsibility for any Bible teacher to be clear and accurate. Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. A-men'. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:21 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men'." It is God, and Our Lord Jesus Christ that testifieth of the promises and prophecies. This is the seventh and last testimony that Jesus Christ said, "Behold, I come Quickly". Grace is given to "you all", meaning "all the saints". Grace is the riches, the unmerited favor of God given to you freely for accepting it, and claiming those promises from God's Word which gives us our salvation.
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