For All Who Come

For All Who Come

Revelation 22:1-10

Intro: In need of grace.

This morning, we will be studying the final chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22. All of the difficulties and calamities in Revelation have past. Satan,
the antichrist and the false prophet and sin have been defeated forever! The millennial reign of Christ has past, and there is now a New Heaven, a
New Earth and New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven and is the eternal home of those in Christ.

As the book of Revelation comes to a close, our thoughts are opened to the eternal importance of coming to Jesus and giving Him our lives and our all.
Despite what has been, all who come are met with grace. As we look to our eternal home, we know that what is of this earth is temporary and will pass
away, but the Lord and His word, it will remain.

Read: Revelation 22:1-10

As the final chapter of Revelation begins, we are able to look further into the New Jerusalem, the city where God’s people will dwell for eternity. We
are first drawn to a crystal-clear river of the water of life.In this new city, there is a river that is flowing through, it is a pure river. It not
like what we have today. The water of life is indicative of the Spirit and it is the Holy Spirit that God gives to us for life today.

I. Choose the Water of Life

• The river is found often throughout scripture with a correlation to prosperity or pleasure, and where they are truly found.
  

Psalm 36:7-9, How precious is your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore, the children of me put their trust in the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life.

Psalm 1:3, He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

• While there are these correlations throughout the word between the river and pleasure, or prosperity, the river speaks more directly of where prosperity
  and pleasure are truly found, they are found in the Holy Spirit. 

John 7:37-38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

• This is important to note, because prosperity and pleasure are also a primary vehicle used by Satan to deceive. There great desire for pleasure and
  prosperity on this earth, but it is never enough.
  

Illus. Obey your thirst!

• Jesus used the term “living water” that He would give (John 4:10, 7:38). When we obey the thirst of this world, we will always need more. But whoever
  drinks of the water Jesus gives, will never thirst. 

Jeremiah 2:13, My people, “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. 

• Here in Jeremiah, God says the people have forsaken me, the river of living water. They have carved out these cisterns and filled them with pursuits,
  activities and they can hold no water for me.
  
• In heaven, we see a flowing river, and it speaks of the water of the Holy Spirit, which brings true prosperity.
  
• Today we make the choice as to what we will be filled with. Some are so full with other things that there is no room for what the Lord would give.
  
• Choose the water of life today and it will be a well of water within, springing up to eternal life. 

A. God is on the throne

• Just as we saw in heaven prior to the great tribulation in Revelation chapter 4, here in the New Jerusalem, God is on the throne.
  
• In heaven the river of life flows directly from the throne God sits on. There will be no mistaking where the streams of life come from.
  
• God being on the throne is a timeless truth. It has been true, it is true, and will be true for eternity.
  
• It is a picture of eternity and a picture of a timeless truth, God is on the throne and all blessings flow from Him. 

James 1:17, Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.

Illus. Credit where credit is due.

• In our lives, we should live with a continued recognition that the water of life, the blessings,they are all from the Lord.
  

B. What He gives is good

• On either side of the river that flows from the throne is the tree of life, which bears 12 kinds of fruit. The tree of life yields its fruit every
  month and the leaves are for healing of the nations.
  
• The Bible begins with a tree of life (Gen. 3:22-24). It was seen at the beginning of human history and we see here that it will be
  seen at the end.
  
• It was planted in the Garden of Eden and it will be there, in heaven. Is it one, or many? Will we eat in heaven?
  
• This tree indicates a restoration of all things. Here at the end of the Bible, God’s people will enjoy the fruit of the tree of life.
  
• God knows that the fruit of this tree is good. It’s coming back. 

Illus. Recycling trends.

Illus. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given the opportunity to enter into the promised land (Numbers 13). 

• This tree, which would have been an incredible blessing to Adam, seen in the beginning of the Bible, is again seen here at the end. Adam chose the
  tree he was supposed to avoid and never tasted fruit from the tree of life.
  
• The Lord has not forgotten. This is a tree He has set apart for His people.
  
• He has many blessings in store and a place with no more crying, no more weeping, no more tears, and as we see here, no more curse (vs. 3).
  
• In heaven, the curse is gone. Since the fall, man and creation have lived with the effects of the curse described in Genesis 3:16-18,
  sorrow and pain in childbirth for women, friction between men and women, the necessity for hard and often futile work for man’s livelihood and
  most of all, death.
  
• Today, we are given the righteousness of Jesus. We have received everything that is behind the name of Jesus and the redemption found in Him today,
  and for eternity. 

II. Live Expectantly

• What we see at the end is incredible restoration and hope. Promises fulfilled and our relationship with God, restored.
  

Revelation 22:6-8, And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His bond servants the things which must soon take place.

• John is reminded that all he has seen, it is true. It isn’t too good to be true, these words are faithful and true. What John has seen and depicted,
  not too good to be true. They are true.
  

Hebrews 6:19, This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.

• The hope we have in Jesus, it is sure, His words are faithful and true. This book which has been given and revealed, it is fact as God cannot lie (Heb.
  6:18).
  

Revelations 22:7, “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”

• This word “quickly” doesn’t mean that the events would transpire in John’s day. Rather, it means once these events happen, they will happen quickly.
  
• Jesus will come suddenly when He comes. This speaks to a necessary readiness of God’s people, what is in store.
  
• The early church expected Jesus to return soon. They weren’t wrong, or misled. God wants us to be expectant, watching, and ready for His return.

2 Peter 3:8, But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years.

• We don’t know the day, or the hour, but one thing is sure, we become closer each day.

• We are blessed when we give attention to the words of prophesy in this book. The prophesy is a word to keep, not just material for debate or interesting
  discussions.

• The intent of prophesy is to trust and follow the Lord, and apply His truth to the way we live.

Illus. Knowing the final score.

John 13:17, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

• Many avoid this book, considering it to be too difficult, but in addition to studying these words, we are to heed them, or be attentive to them.

• The words of prophesy should not be sealed up, hidden, or tucked away because the time is near (vs. 10).

A. Give God priority

• After seeing and hearing this all, John again falls down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed him these things.
  
• Just as we saw in Revelation 19, the angel again tells John similarly, “do not do that, I am a fellow servant of yours. Worship God.”
  
• Overwhelmed at the sight of it all, John seemingly cannot help himself.
  
• The angel points him to the purpose of it all, to worship God.
  
• We should be reminded of this today as well. That what is found in scripture, what is found is this book should encourage us to worship Him, to come
  to Him and to point our world to Him as well. 

B. His Word is for all

Revelation 22:17, The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

• It is the Holy Spirit who woos people to Jesus, but we, as the Bride, get the privilege to say to a world in need, come.
  
• What a great privilege it is, to take part in expanding the kingdom, to go and make disciples.
  
• If you have heard, and received salvation, tell your world to come. Many are thirsty, many are longing. Take the message of Jesus everywhere you go
  and to those you know.
  
• Anyone who desires salvation in Jesus can come, and they can take the water of life freely, without cost. This water symbolizes eternal life.
  
• The one who is thirsty for and desires salvation in Jesus can come. It is an open invitation.
  
• There are many things one might say in response to the offer of salvation. That offer is not based upon what you aren’t, but who He is. If you are
  thirsty, come. If you desire, come.
  
• Vs. 18-19, The book is not to be added to, or taken away from. It is complete, God wins.

As the final chapter of the final book of the Bible comes to a close, we read these words…

Revelation 22:20-21, He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

• Grace is the final word. Seek first the kingdom.