Revelation 22:10-16

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 73

Text Revelation 22:10-16

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. 12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work Isaiah 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.

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

Initial Questions Revelation 22:10-16

1.

The angel told John that the time is at hand. At hand for what - Revelation 22:10?

2.

What is the relationship between being righteous and doing righteousness - Revelation 22:11? (The same for the filthy.)

3.

Does this imply the finality of a man's spiritual condition at the coming of Christ?

4.

What is the basis of Christ's reward - Revelation 22:12?

5.

What do the names given in Revelation 22:13 tell us about the one coming quickly - Revelation 22:12?

6.

What is the basis of discrimination for those who would come to the tree of life - Revelation 22:14?

7.

Will anyone be excluded from the City of God - Revelation 22:15? How does the content of this vs. harmonize with universalism?

8.

Does Revelation 22:16 make it very plain that Jesus is not to be identified with the angel messenger?

Revelation 22:10

Daniel (Daniel 12:4) was told to shut up the words, and seal the book, but John is commanded seal not (me sphragisçs - the not is the first for emphasis - certainly do not do it. The word seal occurs 18 times in The Revelation. It signifies to confirm or to seal up for security) the words of the prophecy of this scroll; for the time is near (eggus - means close at hand). The prophecy contained in The Revelation was (and still is) relevant. It is to be studied. We are to read and hear its message. It is a time for opening up the sealed mysteries of the book, not for sealing them up.

Revelation 22:11

This is a clear refutation of the doctrines of purgatory and second chancism. John claims that the state of both the righteous and the unrighteous will be fixed. There will be nothing nor anyone who can modify their state. The one acting unjustly, let him act unjustly (adikçsatô - 1st aor. imperative - signify that the condition of the person is categorically sealed) still; and the filthy one, let him act filthily (this is the same form as above and signifies the sealed condition of the filthy one); and the righteous one let him do righteousness still; and holy one let him be made holy still. The force of this verse is crystal clear. This verse is a complete refutation, from the biblical view point, of universalismthe doctrine that everyone will ultimately be saved.

Revelation 22:12

The reward bearer is coming! He will render to each man as his work (collective noun) is (estin- present tense - as his work is when the reward comes).

Revelation 22:13

These titles of the reward bearer have been discussed in the Special Study on The Titles for Christ in The Revelation.

Revelation 22:14

Blessed are (not in the text) the ones washing (plunontes - present participle) their robes, in order that (hina - purpose clause) their authority will be over the tree of life, and they enter by the gates into the city. Every Christian has a robe of righteousness. We weave it by the thread of our thoughts, words, and deeds. There is no power in the entire universe that can cleanse a dirty robe, except the foundation of blood which was opened up on Calvary to cleanse the filth of sin from our souls. Its purging power is adequate I Thanks be to God that we have had recourse to the constant cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. Only those who continually come to the cleansing foundation have a right to the tree of life which is within the walled city of God.

Revelation 22:15

John says again what he has already stated in Revelation 21:8; Revelation 21:27. Will anyone be excluded from the city? Emphatically the answer is Yes. We have a new outcast in this verse that has not been mentioned before - dogs. The dog is an image of the lowest, most defiled object in the East. (The dog in the East is like the frog - hated and despised).

Revelation 22:16

Jesus Christ provides the divine attestation of The Revelation. He has authorized John to write down the vision and send them to the Churches. Who is the one who gave the divine stamp of approval? He is the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star. (See the Special Study on Titles for Christ in The Revelation)· The Messiah - Redeemer has authorized this this work be sent to the Churches in the name of the Lord of the Universe.

Discussion Questions

See Revelation 22:20-21.