September 11 2022
Today, Sunday September 11
The Final Invitation
Revelation 22:16-21
"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. And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
I think it is so fitting that in these last verses of the Bible that Jesus Himself speaks! Up to these verses, for the most part, an angel has been talking to John and showing him visions and events that will take place in the future. But now, Jesus speaks, and basically says that He is the One who sent the angel to tell John these things that he was instructed to share in the churches of his day.
Actually, when it comes to the Bible, Jesus is always speaking! The entire Bible from cover to cover is His Word! I think it is interesting that the very first words that John wrote in his Gospel of John go along with these final words he writes here in Revelation. John 1:1-3, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
When Jesus speaks to John here in Revelation 22, John knew it was Jesus speaking! He had a personal, first-hand experience of Jesus. John knew His voice! John was there when Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of God and spent three and half years with Him. He was convinced that Jesus was God in the flesh! Matter of fact, John wrote the whole Gospel of John to make sure others new it too. He finished his Gospel with these words in John 20:30-31: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John almost wrote the same words about Jesus in his first epistle. In John 1:1-3 he said, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
It should be no wonder that John finishes Revelation with an invitation to “Come”. To come to Jesus Who is the Living Water! Who is the Bread of Life! Who is the “Bright and Morning Star”. The "morning star" announces dawn's soon arrival. Jesus Christ will come for His church as "the Morning Star." But when He returns to judge in the Tribulation, it will be as "the Sun of righteousness" in burning fury (Mal. 4:1-3).
Five times in these last verses of Revelation (vv. 7,12,13,15,20), Jesus speaks and starts His statement with, “I Am…..”. Jesus is the Great I Am! Jesus is Jehovah! He revealed Himself to Moses by this name in Exodus 3. When Jesus says, “I Am…”, He is saying to us today that He is everything that we really need. “I Am your salvation”. “I Am your security”. “I Am your satisfaction”. “I Am your healer”. “I Am your rest”. “I Am your_________.” My friend, you can fill in the blank! Only Jesus can truly meet your every need!
In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus gave this invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” There is rest that only Jesus can give you when you come to Him. That is salvation rest. But there is a rest that you find when you spend time in fellowship and serving with Him. That is satisfying rest!
God bless!