REVELATION 19-22: NEW LIFE WITH JESUS

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Revelation 19-22 concludes the book much like the grand finale of a fireworks show on the 4th of July with its splashes of vivid, sparkling color and highly anticipated marvelous end. Eternal life with Jesus will be worth the difficulties we face because God will restore us and this fallen world.

Rather than getting stuck in the spider web of trying to figure out specifics, the intent of Revelation is to worship God and seek Him despite trials. What most struck me were four key ideas:

1) Worship God 

2) God's Words are true and He brings justice

3) God makes a way to dwell among His people

4) The river of life brings healing

First, we must worship God.

Throughout these chapters, we witness the importance of worshiping God. Whether it's the multitudes (19:1, 6) or the angel reminding John  (19:10, 22:9), worship of God alone is central to being a follower of Jesus. It seems the natural response to seeing the Lamb on the throne is to praise and glorify Him. And this isn't mild worship, but loud (19:1, 6) and joyful. Those who praise God cannot quietly glorify Him. Everyone in heaven joins together to worship God like the sound of a waterfall when you are close and can hardly hear anything else but the roaring of it. So it appears the worship of the Lamb will be all consuming. 

Second, God's Words are true and He brings justice.

Repeated over and over for us is the promise everything revealed in these pages will transpire. We can safely bet everything on it and should live our lives in light of this (19:2, 9; 22:6). We also see how Jesus confirms His authority and the reality that He will return (22:7, 12, 16, 20). He wants His church to know He is the Promised One and He will fulfill every single promise from Scripture.

While 19:11-20:15 can feel quite grotesque and violent, it fulfills the promise that the Lamb will bring vindication to His people. And we see from Scripture unless He utterly destroys all traces of evil, we would forever be drawn to the seductiveness of sin. Jesus brings judgment for those who reject Him and pursue the path of darkness and evil. This final judgment is an act of love in bringing vindication (think back to the martyrs in Revelation 6, but for all believers who suffered injustices and persecution) and dealing with evil once and for all. Heaven cannot have any traces of impurity. God wants to bring to completion the salvation of His beloved church. Precisely because of His love and executing final judgment and thus eradicating evil forever His Bride can live with Him forever.

Third, God makes a way to dwell among His people.

We can trace how God has always desired to dwell among His people throughout the Bible. From the Garden of Eden when man could walk in the presence of God to when man was cast out due to sin, but God promising to send One to reverse the curse, we can see God actively pursuing to be with His people. God led the Israelites by cloud in the day and fire at night (Exodus 13:21, 22) and established the Holy of Holies in the tent of meeting where His presence could be among them. Even when describing the coming Messiah Jesus, He is called Immanuel or God with us (Isaiah 7:14). God wants to be with His people. And in these chapters, we see this clearly (21:3, 22; 22:4, 5). What makes heaven so glorious is that we get to be with God forever. We get to be in His presence like no one every could before, not even Moses.

Finally, the river of life brings healing.

We can trace the river of life throughout the Bible, but here are a few examples of a list that could be much longer:

The river in Eden (Genesis 2:10)

Draw water from well of salvation (Isaiah 12:3)
Thirsty invited to come to the waters (Isaiah 55:1)

Water flowing from temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

Living waters flowing from Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8)

Living water Jesus mentions to Samarian woman (John 4:10-14)

Heart overflows with living water for those who believe in Jesus (John 7:37, 38)

When Jesus' side is pierced water comes out (John 19:34)

Lamb will guide His people to living water (Revelation 7:17)

The river of life in Revelation 22:1 reminds us that one day God will restore the splendor of what once was before the fall and give us what we could never attain on our own—perfect fellowship and life with God forever. God has pursued us and desired to heal us despite our rebellion and sin. He fulfills His promise to extend healing and life to those who drink deeply of Him. 

Since Jesus is the Lamb and King, He reverses the curse and makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). The life believers will experience one day with Jesus in Heaven is more glorious than we can fathom. If we persevere in our faith by clinging to our Savior and King, we belong to God forever and get to drink deeply of Him without end (Revelation 21:6, 7). Cue the grand finale fireworks. Nothing will ever surpass this guaranteed future moment in beauty or power. And it will happen because God will do it. Believers are compelled to worship this incredible God who has redeemed us.

The continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament has been strikingly showcased in Revelation. So much captivated my attention as we finish studying this book, but Psalm 46 provides an excellent summary of these chapters:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. 

Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.