(Revelation 22:8-15; ESV)
Part 1 concluded with Jesus revealing what must soon take place. Jesus appears to speak directly and personally to John, telling him that the one who keeps the words of Revelation is blessed by God. John affirms:
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God’” (Rev 22:8-9).
The ultimate role of those who have taken the good fork in the road to perfect unity with Jesus is keeping the words of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation until all unfolds. Those who do this are fellow servants with the angels, with whom we will all worship God together!
“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’” (Rev 22:10-11).
Our job is not to hide the prophecy of John, but to keep it close at hand, because the time is near. This is not a ticking clock. It refers to the dominance of the evildoer and the morally filthy to levels never seen before. For example, would the launch of a nuclear war fit this description? John then quotes Jesus:
“’Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end’” (Rev 22:112-13).
To Jesus’ words, John adds his understanding of the responsibility of the redeemed church of Jesus Christ to maintain access to the New Jerusalem:
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Rev 22:14-15).
John’s final words are chilling, as they surround the characteristics of those on the good fork in the road to perfect unity with God, Jesus, the Spirit, and each other:
This is what John means by washing our robes to receive the tree of eternal life and to have access to the gates of the New Jerusalem.
Unfortunately for those who choose the bad fork in the road to perfect unity, they begin with the same flawed humanity as we have, but when they receive warnings from God, they shut out God’s voice entirely, which leads to:
Here John has captured the Cycle of Perfect Unity and Disunity.
Choose wisely. It is not too late to repent and retreat back to the fork in the road and make the good decision to travel the good fork in the road away from disunity.
And do not forget that unity and disunity are not just about our relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also with our families, friends, churches, and also those standing outside waiting for you to share how they too can be saved beside the Streamside of Life before Jesus’ return, before it becomes too late!
Hurry back for Part 3 and the end of the beginning of perfect unity.
Part 1 concluded with Jesus revealing what must soon take place. Jesus appears to speak directly and personally to John, telling him that the one who keeps the words of Revelation is blessed by God. John affirms:
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God’” (Rev 22:8-9).
The ultimate role of those who have taken the good fork in the road to perfect unity with Jesus is keeping the words of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation until all unfolds. Those who do this are fellow servants with the angels, with whom we will all worship God together!
“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’” (Rev 22:10-11).
Our job is not to hide the prophecy of John, but to keep it close at hand, because the time is near. This is not a ticking clock. It refers to the dominance of the evildoer and the morally filthy to levels never seen before. For example, would the launch of a nuclear war fit this description? John then quotes Jesus:
“’Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end’” (Rev 22:112-13).
To Jesus’ words, John adds his understanding of the responsibility of the redeemed church of Jesus Christ to maintain access to the New Jerusalem:
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Rev 22:14-15).
John’s final words are chilling, as they surround the characteristics of those on the good fork in the road to perfect unity with God, Jesus, the Spirit, and each other:
- Everything begins with the commands of God and Jesus;
- We encounter temptation;
- We fall into disobedience;
- We are graciously given warnings
- We encounter a fork in the road;
- We choose the good fork in the road through repentance;
- We experience God’s never-ending love;
- We receive forgiveness and restoration
- And at last we are in perfect unity with God!
This is what John means by washing our robes to receive the tree of eternal life and to have access to the gates of the New Jerusalem.
Unfortunately for those who choose the bad fork in the road to perfect unity, they begin with the same flawed humanity as we have, but when they receive warnings from God, they shut out God’s voice entirely, which leads to:
- Disunity from God;
- Judgment by God; and
- The Dead End with no escape unless there is repentance.
Here John has captured the Cycle of Perfect Unity and Disunity.
Choose wisely. It is not too late to repent and retreat back to the fork in the road and make the good decision to travel the good fork in the road away from disunity.
And do not forget that unity and disunity are not just about our relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also with our families, friends, churches, and also those standing outside waiting for you to share how they too can be saved beside the Streamside of Life before Jesus’ return, before it becomes too late!
Hurry back for Part 3 and the end of the beginning of perfect unity.
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