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Sunday School Lesson
In our common language, the thought of "hope" has been reduced to the idea of "wish." However, this word, as used in scripture embraces the "confident expectation, with the anticipation focusing on the source that brings about the desired end." As John recorded "the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1), the circumstances of his life were "less than ideal" as he was "in the isle that is called Patmos" (Revelation 1:9). The "first readers" were living under conditions that were hostile to the testimony of Jesus Christ. However, the record of the revelation brought encouragement to them - and to us - as they read of the victory that would result in an eternity with the heavenly father - the creator of the universe. The one, who was giving John the last of his "guided tours" around the heavenly realm, said to the apostle, "These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things that must shortly be done." Revelation 22:6. This heavenly resident gave John a message from the one who is to come - "Behold, I come quickly..." Revelation 22:7a. This assurance was followed with the pronouncement of a blessing - "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." Revelation 6:7b. The apostle, again, declared the fact of his receiving this divine message. "And I John saw these things, and heard them." Revelation 22:8a. His "human response" to the divine revelation showed the reverence that had been instilled into his being. "And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things." Revelation 22:8b,c. However, his "worship" was in the wrong direction - "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..." Revelation 22:9a,b. This heavenly one gave John a specific instruction - "Worship God." Revelation 22:9c. This directive has neither been amended nor deleted. John was to understand the "openness" of the message that had been given. "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." Revelation 22:10. Since sin entered the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6), humans have attempted to "cover their sins" with all kinds of manmade systems. Only the divinely-designed plan is sufficient. For those who desire "to do his or her own thing" rather than accept the heavenly-prescribed plan, there is a directive - "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still..." Revelation 22:11a,b. For those who would follow the divine plan, instructions were given - "and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11c,d. The divine message is delivered by the faithful apostle. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12. Only a faithful God could make this kind of promise. Jesus Christ, again, identified himself. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13; 1:8. The promise to the faithful ones is stated in the same manner in which the master gave the "beatitudes." "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." Revelation 22:14. This means of entrance is in contrast to that of the "thief or robber." John 10:1. The divine description of those on the "outside" shows the degraded nature of those who have "elected" to look with contempt on the heavenly invitation to "come." "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whatsoever loveth and maketh a lie." Revelation 22:15. In order for one to be part of this group, he or she must purposely reject the divine plan of salvation that is open to all who will accept. John 3:16. The son of God makes an appeal to all readers. "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." Revelation 22:16. Both of these word pictures were clear to the "first readers." These people understood the significance of the reference to David, since it was through this family line that the messiah would come. The "bright and morning star" was a direct reference to the promised one. Numbers 24:17; 2 Peter 1:19. No person can truthfully say that he or she has no "invitation" to partake in the divine plan. A three-fold invitation is given. "And the spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst (Isaiah 55:1; John 7:37) come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17. A stern warning is given to all who would "edit" the divine message. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of 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: 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." Revelation 22:18,19. The divine declaration is simple - "Surely I come quickly." Revelation 22:20b. Do you anticipate this event? While you wait, is there a sense of expectation? Are you declaring to others the message of the gospel, so that they, too, can have hope of eternity with God?
We must be faithful to our divine assignment. Acts 1:8.
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