Revelation - Week 39

Day 1

READ 

Revelation 22:1-2 

1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 

This passage reveals the beauty of the New Jerusalem. It also reveals God will provide abundantly for all of the inhabitants. The Garden of Eden had its rivers (see Genesis 2:10-14), but nothing like what God will provide in the future. It should be comforting for every believer to know God will make all things beautiful in eternity. 

REFLECT 

What eternity will be like for believers is beyond imagination, but each one can be thankful that God has such a perfect, beautiful plan for the future. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 5:1-2 that reveals believers will one day share in God’s glory. Share your appreciation of this with a fellow believer. 

Day 2 

READ 

Revelation 22:3-5 

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 

Genesis 3 tells of the curse that came on mankind and nature because of Adam’s sin, but in eternity there will not be “a curse upon anything.” The name of God will be written on the foreheads of believers, indicating ownership. There is darkness of nature and of sin now, but in eternity there will be no darkness for the God of light is there. Mention is made again of reigning with Him forever and ever. 

REFLECT 

Think of the contrast between now and then. Thank the Lord that all the trials now will be worth it when believers meet Him face to face. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 John 1:5-7 to be reminded that God is light and what this does for believers. 

Day 3

READ 

Revelation 22:6-7 

6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” 

The apostle John had heard and seen many things, and now an angel assures him that all can be trusted and has been true. The same God who inspired the prophets to speak for Him and tell what would happen in the future has now sent His angel to tell what will happen soon. The Lord God is coming “soon.” This word may have a time element of “without delay” and can also mean “quickly.” Both are easy to see from God’s perspective as He does not count time as we do and when He comes it will be quickly.  

REFLECT 

Revelation is telling about the end of time, but what is said about His coming is also true of the rapture of the church when believers are caught up to meet Him in the air (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Are you ready when that time comes quickly? 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Peter 3:8-10 to see God does not reckon time as we do and why He is delaying His coming. Talk with a fellow believer about being ready to enter eternity with Jesus. 

Day 4

READ 

Revelation 22:8-9 

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all 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. 9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” 

John was so overwhelmed with all he had seen and heard he wanted to worship the angel who had shown him everything. An angel is a created being, however, and he told John not to worship him but worship only God. This is also what Jesus told the devil when the devil wanted Him to worship him (see Matthew 4:10). Those who serve God are seen in this passage as angels, prophets, and those who obey what is written in Revelation. All are to worship “only God.” 

REFLECT 

Does this further elevate God in your eyes to realize He is above the angels? No one should worship anything or anyone created, but only worship the Creator.  

RESPOND 

Notice how Hebrews 1:1-6 indicates Jesus is God by the heavenly Father’s command for Him to be worshiped. Those who say Jesus is not God do not believe what God the Father has said. 

Day 5 

READ 

Revelation 22:10-11 

10 Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” 

John is commanded not to seal up the message of the book of Revelation. From the viewpoint of eternity, these events are near to occurring. From our perspective it is now much nearer than when John wrote these words. There is also a message about the destiny of people being determined by their decisions on earth. There is no chance to change one’s eternal destiny after he or she passes from this earth (see Hebrews 9:27). The decision whether or not to trust in Jesus for salvation will have eternal consequences. 

REFLECT 

Does this impress on you the need to share your faith with others so they can believe in Jesus before it is too late? Once you have given the salvation message, live a life that honors Jesus before them. God may use you to draw others to Himself by drawing them through you. 

RESPOND 

Meet with a fellow Christ-follower and pray for friends who need to trust in Jesus as Savior. Talk about how each of you can possibly be used so God can draw them to Himself through you.