The River of Life (Revelation 22)

Let’s now look at the joyful conclusion of all things, pictured in a pure river of water of life, and the tree of life, access to which will be regained. We also read the last written words of Jesus, “Surely I am coming quickly.” All this is recorded in Revelation 22.

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

This is reminiscent of the inspired words written by several ancient prophets (Isaiah 35; Ezekiel 47; Zechariah 14). The water of life is pictured in the rivers springing from the garden, the water from the rock which Moses struck, prophecies of streams in the desert, and the living water that Jesus promised (John 7:38).

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Access to the tree of life is restored.

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

The curse which began at Eden will be over (Zechariah 14:11).

Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

This is the diametric opposite of the mark of the beast, the name of God, which will be in their foreheads, in their thoughts.

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Whereas before we knew that the light was on the city. Here it is on them.

Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

When we read the word “shortly” we must understand that God counts time differently to us.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

How quickly? It will come quicker than expected. Why do we keep the sayings? While many may be tempted to avoid Revelation because of its mystery and frequent misuse in wild speculation, keeping these words in observation and memory is a blessing. It symbolically reveals the victory of Jesus and His saints over all evil.

Revelation 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

John was once before rebuked for doing this (Revelation 19:10) where he previously specifically worshipped the angel. Here he seems to be worshipping God in front of the angel’s feet, but still it is too close to idolatry for comfort.

Revelation 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

If we have ever had any doubts about bowing down before the saints of history, this angel teaches us a valuable lesson.

Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

However long the gospel age may continue, it is the end. Whereas the words of Daniel were sealed until the end (Daniel 12:4, 9), these words are for the end. The time is at hand for this sequence of prophetic events to be fulfilled. Though they are a continuity of evils existing in ancient empires, they will culminate in heaven’s victory.

Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

For those of us that are concerned about immorality in the world and heresy and apostasy within the church, these words are exactly what we need. Let it be! Let people choose and so be it.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Though salvation is a free gift, we show our faith by our works and the size of our reward depends on what we do (Isaiah 40:10; 62:11).

Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Jesus Christ is God plain and simple.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

This literally says, “Blessed are they that wash their robes.” How are they washed? They are washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). This is the last beatitude spoken by Jesus, after a long list of beatitudes throughout His earthly ministry.

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Dogs may picture spiritual predators. Sorcerers used drugs and magic. Next refers to anyone who practices sexual immorality. Any kind of murderer is meant, of the born, unborn, through poisoned food, reckless driving, pollution or any other kind of disregard for human life. Idolatry is the worship of any kind of false god, serving images, money or materialism. The last of these is intentional and conscious love of falsehoods.

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

The words “root and offspring” refer to Jesus being before David as the Lord God and also his descendant. The morning star pictures the beginning of a new day after a long, dark night for all humanity. The original Greek omits “and” simply saying “the offspring of David, the bright morning star.”

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Deep understanding of all the mysteries takes a lifetime, but the invitation from the Spirit and the Church is open. All who hear pass on the invitation. Those who are thirsty and willing are invited.

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Verbal or written commentary is not adding in this sense, but following the example of those who “helped the people to understand … So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:7-8 NKJV) It is dangerous to add man-made rules about vain traditions and fads not taught by Christ, the apostles and prophets, and all churches have been guilty of this. May God have mercy on us.

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Treating the book of Revelation or any part of the Bible like a menu, where we pick and choose only those parts that we like, and ignore or delete those parts we don’t like, is just as bad as adding dogmas not taught by the Scriptures.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The true Christian looks forward in great joy to receive Jesus now and at His second coming.

Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

May the kindness and favor of our Lord be with us all. Amen!

In this chapter, we have seen a vision of the joyful conclusion of all things, a river of the water of life, and access to the tree of life regained. May our Lord come quickly and show us His grace!

In this book of Revelation, we have seen the mysteries of Christ revealed in symbolism that shows the end of all evil and the dawning of a new time of supreme joy. May He come quickly! May He grant us that blessed eternal life contained in these prophecies!

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New Heaven & Earth (Revelation 21)

Now the good news continues. After the defeat of all corruption and evil, a new heaven and a new earth are described in Revelation 21.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 65:17), foreseen by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 40-48), and alluded to by Jesus (Matthew 19:28), all things will be new. Whether this means brand new or renewed during a symbolic thousand years of peace, remains an open question.
New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Jerusalem above is symbolic of our mother, the church (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22-24). She is populated by the saints. A significant hill in Jerusalem is mount Zion and also symbolizes the church (Hebrews 12:22-24). The church is the Bride of Christ (Matthew 25:1-13; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:21-24; Revelation 19:7-8). This Bride is not dressed for a worldly fashion parade, but for her husband.

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

When we speak of going to heaven when we die, we often overlook the time when heaven and earth will be one and God will dwell with men.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

We may ask questions about lost loved ones, children who died in infancy and people groups whose ancestors died without even knowing about Jesus. There is plenty of speculation, but one thing is sure, that if there will be no more tears, there will be no more reason for tears. Beyond speculation, we don’t know the answers, but we do know that God is a God of grace and mercy and His justice is righteous.

Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15).

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

The task of making all things new is finished and access to eternal life is still available to those who want it. One crucial task was done on the cross and that work is finished completely by this renewal. It is completed in the Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension return and renewal of heaven and earth.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Cheap grace without a life of overcoming is not a Christian life. The “double cure” of forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39) to make overcoming possible, is the Christian life.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This list of sins begins with fearfulness. Fear is the opposite of faith. The second death results after a resurrection and is the final destination of all sinners. Some take this as a literal death, and others take it as eternal suffering that is like a death. Either way, there is a bad and a good eternity. Let’s choose the good eternity.

Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

This pure woman is the bride of Christ, and is a contrast to counterfeit religion, apostasy and heresy.

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Zion is actually a small hill in historic Jerusalem, but the true church has the stature of a “great and high mountain” spiritually speaking. So many are redeemed in the church that they fill a whole city, new Jerusalem which will come down out of heaven.

Revelation 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

The splendor or “kabowd” of God has been experienced before in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 40:35; 1 Kings 8:11).

Revelation 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

New Jerusalem, the church, will have traffic in and out. The twelve gates signify the ancient stamp of physical Israel upon spiritual Israel, the church.

Revelation 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

As Israel camped in the wilderness, with three tribes on each point of the compass surrounding the tabernacle, so this echoes that arrangement.

Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

This echoes the description of the church “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV).

Revelation 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

This is similar to an ancient vision of a new city and a new temple (Ezekiel 40).

Revelation 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

These symbolic measurements may picture perfection more than reality. The distance is 12,000 times the distance an ancient runner would run to win a race. We all run the Christian race to obtain our prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Revelation 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Though this may be the height of the wall, it could also be its thickness.

Revelation 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

The masonry of the wall was like a translucent stone or quartz, possibly red, brown or green.

Revelation 21:19-20 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

One can research the details and original meanings of each stone, or one can just grasp the general picture of a foundation far more beautiful than anything adorning the counterfeit religion of the whore of Babylon.

Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

This reveals that our home in eternity will be fabulous.

Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Local churches from our world will be united and absorbed into the heavenly congregation. We who are united with God, are also part of that temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16)

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

A brightness that we cannot see while in this earthly body will be visible when in our heavenly body.

Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

A precursor to this is found in the prophecy of Isaiah 60:3-14. There will still be kings and nations in eternity (Revelation 2:26-27).

Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

There will be no need for the shutting of gates, for the holy nations are welcome and there is perfect security. Eternally rejuvenated, there is no need for bodily rest, but eternal rest (Hebrews 3-4), in a different manner to our rhythm of daily physical rest on earth. There is peace and safety and no spiritual darkness, no heresy, calamity or distress.

Revelation 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

What greater gift can any nation among the redeemed offer but themselves to God!

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Where only those made holy live, nothing unclean or unholy will be. Where only those who smell good to God will live, no immoral stench will exist. Where only truth exists, no falsehood can be found. David was inspired to write, “all men are liars.” (Psalm 116:11) Yet, with repentance, confession, and forgiveness is life forever in Jesus.

This present earth is filled with corruption of every kind, but there will be a new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem where peace and rest from all evil will last forever.

The Thousand Years (Revelation 20)

The time of world peace will finally come. Whether it is a literal or symbolic period of a thousand years is not as important as its arrival. It will be here at last, as described in Revelation 20.

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

The ultimate cause of all world problems, the chief of rebellious angels will be dealt with by a powerful angel who has the key to the abyss, the place of restraint (2 Peter 2:4).

Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

He is bound for a time, symbolized by a thousand years of peace, prevented from deceiving the world.

Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Apocalyptic literature is symbolic. It is therefore not wise to be dogmatic whether the thousand years is literal or not. What is plain is that after this period of peace, the evil one will be allowed a short period to test humanity and its loyalty to God.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The resurrected saints are those who do not worship this world’s ways, nor are marked in their thoughts or deeds by beastly world ideals, but the opposite, the sign of God, the seal of the Holy Spirit marks their lives. They will rule with Jesus.

Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

This points to the first and not the second resurrection. The righteous and unrighteous will be resurrected at different times. The first resurrection is to life, a thousand years before the second resurrection.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

This first resurrection of the saints takes place at Christ’s return as the thousand years begin. They do not die again, by the death of the soul in eternal separation from God. One theory states that they will reign with Christ a thousand years “upon the surface of” the earth (Revelation 5:10). Another possible meaning is that they will reign “over” the earth, but from heaven.

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

At the end of this period of restraint and the resulting world peace, times of trouble are about to return from the four directions of the compass, symbolized by Gog and Magog, once ancient enemies of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39).

Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

This futile battle is similar to the evil angels who tried to invade heaven, utterly useless.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The good news at this point is that the devil is done, forever.

The Judgment

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

This great white throne is elsewhere described as the throne of His glory (Matthew 25:31). This is a throne of pure, blinding judgment.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

What books? This is difficult for those who reject parts of the Bible that they do not like. If we are saved by faith, how can we be judged by works? We are saved BY faith, but saved FOR good works. Those who show no fruits of good works do not have a saving faith, because faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26).

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

What is meant by hell here? It is translated from the Greek word “Hades” which means the realm of the dead, and in this context, simply refers to the grave.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Here is the definition of the second death. It is the lake of fire, symbolizing eternal separation of all not found in the book of life.

This is the only place in the Bible where the thousand years are mentioned. It is not wise to be overly dogmatic, taking it literally in a genre that is largely symbolic. It can be interesting to speculate, but what we DO know is that God is in control, He has a plan to save the world from sin, He will reward the faithful and punish the unrepentant.

Alleluia! (Revelation 19)

Now begins the rejoicing. The good news for a grieving world is near. Revelation 19 begins with praise for God and joy that this world’s corrupt ways, symbolically referred to as Babylon and the beast, have finally ended.

Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

What a shout of joy! The evils of this world are finally ending. Humanity has tried every variety of political, religious and scientific method, and none brought the salvation available only in God. Rather than a polluted world caused by human mismanagement, we have glory. Rather than the honor of scoundrels and dishonor of the weak, true honor is given to God, who only has the power to bring salvation to the world.

Revelation 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

No longer will there be the miscarriage of justice, but God’s righteous judgments. Fair punishment will come to a corrupt Babylonian system, apostate religion, blood-guilty oppression and one-sided injustice.

Revelation 19:3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

Babylon’s smoke “rises” up forever, similar to a prophecy of the destruction of Edom (Isaiah 34:9-10), which was understood by Jews as symbolic of their oppressors, pagan Rome and its eventual destruction.

Revelation 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

God “sits” on the throne, present tense. The angels at God’s throne join in this anthem of praise.

Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

A voice invites the church to a time of praise.

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

All heaven and all saints join in praise of our God. This is a time of great joy for all, humanity and angels alike.

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

The marriage of Christ to His bride the church is consummated. This metaphor of a marriage covenant between Savior and church, seems to be pictured in various stages throughout history and this is the final culmination.

Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

As white symbolizes purity in many cultures, so too does it symbolize the righteousness of the church, through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; Romans 4:5; Romans 4:9; Romans 4:13; Romans 10:6; Romans 10:10; Galatians 3:6; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 11:7).

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

The Lord’s Supper is a small picture of this great marriage supper. Recall the parable of the wedding feast, whereby many were invited but refused to come (Matthew 22:1-14).

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This is a wonderful example of loyalty to God set by an angel, a fellow servant! Angels and men work together as servants of God. The spirit or purpose of prophecy is to make God’s will known, and it is most fully known in Jesus.

The White Horse

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

No longer riding on the foal of a donkey (Matthew 21:1-7), but a white horse, Jesus comes to finally vanquish all evil, symbolized in the beast of antichristian governments, corrupt trade and the whore of counterfeit religion.

Revelation 19:12-13 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

This is obviously Jesus. The phrase the Word of God means many things, the spoken Word, the written Word, the Gospel, but when personalized, it refers to Jesus (John 1:1-3, 14)

Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Are there animals in heaven? Interesting! It seems that resurrected saints are part of that victorious army.

Revelation 19:15-16 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

World peace can come by no other means than to put down all evil with strong rule (Psalm 2:9). This will not be a democracy, where the worldly will of the people decides what is right or wrong. On the other hand, by our actions, we do vote for or against Jesus’ reign in our lives.

The reign of heaven will not be a self-serving kind of monarchy, where kings take from a peasant class and make them landless serfs. It will not be communism whereby party bosses become billionaires and ordinary people suffer in poverty. It will be divine rule by the only one qualified, with righteous justice for all.

Revelation 19:17-18 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

This is the end of all corrupt wordly systems symbolized by Babylon, whereby the powerful prey on the weak, and men seek only personal gain without love of neighbor. Instead, the birds will symbolically feed on them.

Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

The antichristian instinct of those caught up in a worldly, Babylonian system of selfishness and greed, is to fight against God in one last ditch, futile effort to prevent the reign of Christ.

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Antichristian politics, wealth gained through exploitation, abominations of the earth, and counterfeit religion will cease permanently, symbolized by them being cast into a volcanic lake of burning sulphur.

Revelation 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

The sword is the Word of God, and symbolizes the criterion whereby their lives are judged. The word “remnant” is a hopeful description that at least some of them may finally repent and be converted (Romans 9:27; Romans 11:5).

For those suffering around the world under oppressive governments, employers antagonistic to people of faith, abandonment by relatives, abuse from spouses and courts, and maltreatment in apostate churches, this gives hope of final justice. It requires a hope that endures. It requires a faith that stands strong. Those on the side of Christ will win, and a wonderful eternity awaits.

Jesus Indicts the World

Prelude: Have we been walking right past Jesus without recognizing Him?

Purpose: Let’s find Jesus.

Plan: Let’s look at the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25:31-46.

Story: Disaster Response

A fellow pastor helped after a national disaster. Some crews repaired church buildings, packed up and left, a woeful example. His crew stayed to repair people’s lives, not just buildings. Matthew 25 prioritizes the needy over buildings. The street is also a holy place, where Christians truly live the Gospel.

Sheep and Goats

Matthew 25:31-34 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

The judgment seat is here called the Throne of His Glory. It is judgment of all the nations, not just the Church. The judgment is: how all nations handled human suffering. Do we see suffering people as brothers and sisters like Jesus does? Jesus Christ is Savior of the world.

Sheep are gentle and quiet. Goats are not as easily herded, they stink, and bully the sheep. They are not predators, so may flock with the sheep for separation later. That’s what Jesus will do at the judgment. So, selfish and stinking people can stay in the church until then.

The Needy

Matthew 25:35-36 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Do we see Jesus in the poor and needy, the suffering of Jesus in the hungry and thirsty, being rejected as a stranger, and naked on the cross? Do we see Jesus in the suffering, anxiety, pain, rejection, loneliness and depression of a prisoner? Jesus suffers with all who suffer.

Matthew 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

We are not saved BY good works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5), but FOR good works (Ephesians 2:10). A living faith is accompanied by good works (James 2). Dead faith is just a show, not accompanied by good works. Faith that saves shows love to our neighbor.

Depart

Matthew 25:41-43 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

Jesus is with us always (Matthew 28:20, John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17). We sit with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6). Jesus came to the poor and needy and served them. Identifying with them He said, “I was” the needy.

Social Gospel

Matthew 25:44-46 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

The terms “social gospel” and “social justice” are an indictment of Christian extremes, those who “love” their neighbors but disobey God and those who claim to love God but neglect the needy. Good deeds light up the world (Matthew 5:13-16) and we ought to love God AND our neighbor.

Research: Causes of Poverty[1]

Overpopulation, deficient distribution methods, rising costs, poor education, unemployment, underemployment, environmental degradation, individual responsibilities, medical costs, sickness, greed, the cost and devastation of war, natural disasters, industrial changes, recessions, discrimination, pregnancy out of wedlock, disability, crime and unjust incarceration, immigrant status, and gang presence cause poverty. People without a high school diploma are 3-5 times more likely to be poor. Fatherless families are 3-4 times more likely to be poor. Two thirds of disabled people are unemployed. Domestic abuse victims are twice as likely to be unemployed. Women, minorities, children, immigrants, the disabled and female-headed households face far greater poverty rates. Christians ought not to just blame the victim, but do something!

Righteous National Leadership

Psalm 72:4, 12-14 … He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor… For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight…

Is caring for the needy an individual or national responsibility? The Messiah’s reign is a standard for all national leaders.

Ezekiel 34:4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.

Ezekiel condemns evil national leaders. What is our society’s collective responsibility towards the needy? What kind of a barbaric society refuses to defend the poor, the life of a helpless unborn baby, or distressed and homeless immigrants? Do we see in the needy an inconvenience or do we see Jesus?

Amos 2:7; 4:1; 5:12; 8:4 They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way … Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!” … oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts … rob the poor and trample down the needy

Amos gives a dire warning to any nation which would trample and shove the oppressed, making excuses for greed and selfishness while the poor suffer, taking bribes and depriving the poor of justice in the courts, robbing the poor and trampling down the needy. Such nations are cursed by God.

We are disappointed with human governments. Monarchs became rich and made people serfs. Democracies are hijacked by monopolies. Atheistic Communist predators become billionaires. The ideologies may be different, but human systems have one thing in common: the strong bully the weak. Jesus says He will come back and bring justice.

Postlude: Jesus identifies with the poor and marginalized. Do we identify with the needy as Jesus does? When we do, we have found Christ.

Most Bible quotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*Amos quotes: Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[1]Rynell, Amy. CAUSES OF POVERTY: Findings from Recent Research. The Heartland Alliance. Mid-America Institute on Poverty. 2008.