Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-11.

Sermon text: Revelation 22:12-21.

This sermon concludes the series on the Revelation. We’ve read of glorious worship services, vivid visions, cataclysmic events, war on a cosmic scale, and the crushing defeat of sin and death by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We’ve seen the second coming of Jesus Christ, reveled in His victories, and celebrated Satan’s final condemnation.

Today, on the First Sunday of Advent, we begin the Church year by concluding our time in the Revelation. The book of the Revelation ends with a promise very relevant in the Advent season: “I come quickly.” Jesus’ last words in Scripture bring us hope that His return is imminent!

In the previous chapter, St. John described the beautiful city in which we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ. The description continues into chapter 22.

The angel that showed the holy city to St. John next showed him the “river of the water of life” “flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” In his Gospel, St. John recorded Jesus as calling Himself “living water.” In chapter 21, Jesus promised to give the “water of life” to everyone who wished it. Now, we find a river of this water coming from the throne of God Himself. This river will never run dry. For all eternity, those who wish to drink from its water will find it there for the taking.

Furthermore, the angel showed St. John a tree, the “tree of life.” Somehow, this tree grows on both side of the river. We last read of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. In Genesis 3, God placed an angel at the entrance to the Garden to prevent humanity from eating of this tree and living forever in sin. Now, as with the river of the water of life, we will have constant access to this tree.

This tree will constantly bear fruit; it will never go fruitless. Its leaves will heal nations. Note that the Church today is called to bear fruit; we should seek to provide spiritual healing to everyone in our lives.

Do you see a theme emerging? New bodies; living water; and a tree providing constant healing all reinforce the reality of an eternity of joy and immortality. We will never experience pain or sorrow or sickness or death; we will experience an ideal life in a perfect environment.

This perfection extends to the entire new city: “No longer will there be anything accursed... Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Nothing unclean will ever enter this city; those within will never experience temptation or suffer from sin any more.

Everyone in this city will dwell in the ultimate Holy of Holies. “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” We will worship God forever, seeing His face as no human could ever stand in this creation. Like the saints in the time of tribulation, we will be marked with God’s name. We will clearly bear His identity. We bear His name in this life in our hearts; in the life to come, we will bear His name where everyone can see it.

As before, St. John found himself overwhelmed to the point of wanting to worship anyone; in this case, any angel will do! Again, the angel warns St. John of the overwhelming message of time: “Worship God.” Everything we do in this life and in all eternity should glorify God, for He is truly worthy of praise.

Jesus reminds St. John and His Church of His glorious identity: “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Therefore, Jesus, the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies of Scripture, also deserves our praise as the Son of God.

Now, look at the key words of this chapter. Three times in this chapter, the last of the canon, Jesus says, “I am coming soon” (KJV “I come quickly”). A favorite author of mine has a saying: “What I say 3 times is true.” Rarely in Scripture do we see anyone repeat something 3 times, much less 3 times in a single chapter. We should understand Jesus’ message: He is coming soon! How important is this message?

First, the angel tells St. John, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” Even in the first century A.D., Jesus’ coming was seen as imminent. The Church must continually proclaim the message of Jesus’ imminent return.

Secondly, notice that the Church must preserve the message of Jesus’ return. St. John warned his readers, including us: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Remember that while this warning applies only to the words of the Revelation, its inclusion in the last book of the Christian canon reminds us of our responsibility to live according to the words of all Scripture. No one who reads this book would wish to experience the plagues of this book; nor would anyone reading of the joy and beauty of the new creation would wish to miss it.

What a glorious ending to the canon! What a glorious ending to our Scriptures! Jesus promises that He will return, and His return will begin our unending life in a new creation .

Meanwhile, in this life, we should heed the lessons of the Revelation.

First, we must understand that Jesus expects His people to live to a higher standard. His words to His churches remind us that His judgment will begin with His people.

Secondly, we should understand that the war with evil, while resolved decisively at the cross with Jesus’ crucifixion and at the grave with Jesus’ resurrection, continues unabated in this creation. The time will come with it seems that evil will prevail, primarily because humanity will always, as a whole, choose its own way over God’s.

However, while evil will often seem invincible, we must never forget that God maintains complete control over all creation. Jesus will return to rule on this earth and demonstrate to proud humanity the peace and justice we would experience if we had chosen to accept God’s rule rather than our own way.

Lastly, we must never forget the lesson of worship in this book. Anyone who reads this book and ignores the spectacular hymns — including the “Alleluia” that so inspired George Frederic Handel’s piece in the Messiah — misses the greatest glimpse of eternity we will ever have in this life. We will spend all eternity singing the songs of the Revelation, along with other songs beyond St. John’s ability to describe or beyond our ability to imagine.

As for you, where do you stand with the lessons of this book? Do you eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus as your Lord, or do you dread the return of your Judge? St. Paul tells us that all who confess Jesus as Lord, believing God raised Him from the dead, will be “saved,” meaning both eternal salvation from sin, peace with God in this life, and deliverance from the dreadful judgments of this book.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” The last word of the canon, in Hebrew, comes from the verb meaning “to be faithful.” Christ is faithful; He will return. May the grace of Christ continue to bless us all; and may His coming — and the blessings He will bring— come quickly.

In the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.