No Second Chances
Revelation 22:14-16
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
As John finishes writing the Book of Revelation, he reminds us of at least four responsibilities that we have as believers. First, we are told that we must “keep His Word.” In verse 10, John was told, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book…”. In other words, don’t keep this revelation of end time events just for yourself, but share it with the world so that others can also find hope and be encouraged.
Second, we are to be obedient servants. In verse 12, Jesus says that He is coming and that His “reward is with Him and He will give to every one according to his work.” When Jesus returns, He should find us both watching and working! Remember what we said already about the Judgment Seat of Christ and how the rewards we will be given there will determine our position of serving and ruling with Christ in His kingdom and for eternity.
Third, we should keep our lives clean. Notice the contrast between verse 14 and 15. In verse 14, because we are obediently keeping the Word and doing His commandments, as proof of our salvation and love for the Lord Jesus Christ, we have “right to the tree of life and can enter the holy heavenly city.” We are given this right by receiving and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:12 we read, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”
But again, notice the contrast in verse 15. “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Also go back to verse 11: “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." I believe that these verses are telling us that once you die and go into eternity, your destination is final. There will be no second chances or opportunities to be saved after you die.
If you die in Christ with your sins forgiven, you will go into heaven and eternity clothed with righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ. But if die without Christ, you will go into hell, and finally the lake of fire the same way you lived. For eternity you will be unjust and filthy. The lake of fire will be filled with liars, murderers, idolaters, sorcerers, and sexually immoral. Not only will it be a place of torment, it will be a place of hatred, greed, and deceit. You definitely don’t want to go there.
You either die in Christ or you died out of Christ! It is your choice now. And if we are followers of Jesus Christ we should keep our lives clean by daily confessing our sins (1 John 1:9), and pursuing holiness! Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”
Fourth, we should be expecting Jesus Christ to return at any time. Three times in this final chapter of the Bible, Jesus proclaims that He is coming quickly (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). Even the apostles and saints in the first century believed in the immanent return of Jesus Christ and they were looking and waiting for Him.
Let me close our chat today with some verses from 1 John 3:1-3: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
My friend, if you are in Christ, you have the privilege of being called a child of God! One day when we see Jesus, we will be like Him! This is the “blessed hope”! And because of this we should keep ourselves pure!
God bless!
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