The Book of Revelation ends with a reminder that all humans will be held accountable for their actions.
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
“Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy
“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. (Revelation 22.11-12).
The writer of Psalm 14 declares emphatically that the person who believes they will escape accountability for their actions is a fool.
Paul wrote, “For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive due recompense for actions done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5.10).
Revelation warns all who believe they can evade justice for their actions. It calls us to align with God’s plan for our lives, urging us to be on the right side.
Inside or Outside
Jesus emphasizes the reality of salvation and judgment for both those who are part of his kingdom and those who are outside.
He does so with the full importance of his name: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22.13).
The final of the seven beatitudes states the blessed state of those who have a right to the Tree of Life and the city.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates (Revelation 22.14).
Humans who stood with the world’s system and the devil against God’s rule are outside.
Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood (Revelation 22.15).
The first readers of Revelation experienced social exclusion within Roman society. They faced denial of employment and other services from the city due to their loyalty to Jesus rather than the Empire.
People who stand with Jesus may be poor and persecuted on earth, but their heavenly reward is great.
Recall Jesus’ words in his Sermon on the Mount.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.3 and 10).
Dallas Willard has aptly said, “The cost of discipleship is great, but the cost of non-discipleship is far greater.”
A Grand Invitation
The name of a person reveals their character and nature. Jesus adds the weight of his name, that is, his character to this invitation.
“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. (Revelation 22.16-17)
It seems that there is a chorus from heaven that invites all humans to come and receive the water of life.
Jesus spoke to a woman at well about thirst and the water of life.
He said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.
“The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life” (John 4.13-14).
Eternal life is both the quantity and quality of life. The blessed invitation is to experience an abundant life that is beyond description forever.
Everyone should heed the invitation to come. In addition, everyone should be part of the chorus that invites family, friends, and everyone else to come.
The last invitation is for all of the redeemed to invite Jesus to come and establish the full expression of his rule.
The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22.20)
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I talk about this on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Tomorrow, Rudy and I will begin a study of Exodus.
Real Voices 