We now find ourselves at the epilogue of Revelation. This section not only concludes the visions of chapter 21-22, but also of then entire book. This we can see when we compare the book’s epilogue with its prologue.
|
Prologue |
Epilogue |
| “the time is near” (1:3) | “what must soon take place” (22:6) |
| The book of Revelation is a genuine “prophecy” (1:3) | The book of Revelation is “trustworthy and true” (22:6) |
| The content of Revelation is given to John through an angel, a messenger (1:1) | The content of Revelation is given to John through an angel, a messenger (22:6, 16) |
| John is the human mediator to the churches (1:1-2) | “I John, am the one who heard and saw these things” (22:8) |
| “blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in [the book of Revelation]” (1:3) | “Blesses is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (22:7) |
In this, the beginning and the end are neatly tied together.
Read Revelation 22:6-9
– The angel told John, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Now knowing (I hope!) the primary emphasis of Revelation, how does someone keep the words of Revelation?
In the epilogue, the Lord promises that “I am coming soon.” Yet, the timetable of His return cannot be measured by calendars, for eternity is outside of time. Nonetheless, this we do know: Everything that God needed to do for our salvation has been done; nothing now remains but the final things.
The Apostle John wrote elsewhere: “it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). The Church since Pentecost has been living in the last days (Acts 2:17, 1 Corinthians 10:11).
– What does John do in relation to the angel that he should only do to God? Discuss why he many have done so.
Read Revelation 22:10-11
In these verses, the angel continues to speak.
Daniel 8:26: The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true. Now seal up the vision, for it is for days far in the future.
Daniel 12:4: But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end.
– What is the point of not sealing the scroll in these verses?
Verse 11 sounds fatalistic. John is expecting his hearers to know the Old Testament statements about people who have hardened of hearts that calling them to repentance was a futile effort.
Isaiah 6:9-10: And he [God] replied: “Go! Say to these people: ‘Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Make the minds of this people dull. Make their ears deaf and their eyes blind, so they can’t see with their eyes or hear with their ears, or understand with their minds, and turn, and be healed.’”
Ezekiel 3:27: But whenever I speak to you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them: “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Let the one who listens, listen, and let the one who refuses, refuse–for they are a rebellious house.’”
This does not deny that God “wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Instead, the “time” from an eternal perspective is so “near” that one cannot wait until the time of his choosing to repent. If so, he is already lost. “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). It is from that theological perspective that we are to understand verse 11.
Read Revelation 22:12-16
In these verses, Jesus is speaking to John.
– Jesus says that on the Last Day, He will “repay everyone for what he has done.” If we are saved by grace through faith, discuss how this can be.
– Roman 6 describes how, in baptism, God brings us into the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection. And 1 Peter 3:21 tells us that “baptism saves you.” Yet, here, John has Jesus saying, “Blessed are those who wash their robes.” Discuss.
– Who are those outside the Church? Why?
Read Revelation 22:17
This verse was meant to be heard in the churches. The Greek kai (and) acts as a copula, joining the Spirit and Church together. Thus, the Spirit through the Church says…
Earlier in the chapter, we heard, “let the… righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
– What is this verse telling those in the Church on earth to be doing?
Read Revelation 22:18-21
– What can we take from these verses about adding or taking away from what God tells us?
2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness.”
1 Timothy 3:15: “The Church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
– As Lutherans (and Protestants are guilty of this, as well), how does being taught 2 Timothy 3:16 but not 1 Timothy 3:15 show how we are, by our actions, taking away from what God tells us? (Don’t worry, the Roman Catholic Church is equally guilty of focusing more on 1 Timothy 3:15.)
– Discuss then how the dynamic of not adding or taking away from God’s Word is to be lived out in our lives and as Christ’s Church?
– John, quoting Jesus, said: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’” John was writing as one someone already living in the end times. What does that mean for us?
Discussion
After studying Revelation, discuss concluding thoughts on:
– being faithful
– worship
– the end times
