Revelation 22:12-21 – November 29

Thank you for joining this study with us in Revelation! As you reflect back on this accomplishment, remember from Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” That blessing is all yours! Please share with us in the Comments section on our website how you’ve grown through this study.

On December 1, we are starting an Advent study for the whole family. Hope to see you there! Please feel free to read and journal with us as often as you can, with the goal of getting to daily time at the feet of Jesus.

You can read the NIV version of today’s reading below or your favorite Bible version then spend some time meditating and journaling on the reading, letting God speak to you through it. We encourage use of the SOAP method of Bible study. Check out the What’s SOAP tab above for more info. Also, below today’s reading is a SOAP journal entry from our team to help dive into God’s Word. And we encourage you to share your SOAP journal entry, prayer requests, or questions in the Comments section on our website.

The Discover One Thing main website continues to follow the Life Journal Reading Plan which covers the whole Bible in one year. Click HERE to check out today’s Discover One Thing post.

Revelation 22:12-21 – Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

¹⁴ “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. ¹⁹ And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

 

Come | Becky Newman

Scripture

Revelation 22:17, 20(b)

Observation

I got through Revelation, now what? Should I sit idly by and just wait for Jesus to come (vs. 22:20(b))? NO! Verse 17 clearly defines my role in all of this. Here’s the breakdown: the Spirit and the bride are the Holy Spirit and the church, and “the one who hears” is the one who got through Revelation (Revelation 1:3) — that’s me. The Holy Spirit’s, the bride’s, and my role is to say, “Come!” We are to invite others into a relationship with Jesus through our actions, words, and prayers–we are to draw them in through example, relationship, and intercession. That’s a very active role, not a passive waiting. That’s the Great Commission–“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Come! Believe! My job is to say come, and their job is to come and take this free gift.

Application

I am humbled that my role in Your world is alongside the Holy Spirit and the church! I should live a life that invites others to draw closer to You.

Prayer

God, help me to work in tandem with Your Holy Spirit and the church to say, “Come!”, through my actions, words, and prayers. Help our churches re-focus on the Mission You have given us and our role in this world. In the name of Jesus I hear these words in Revelation and I pray. Amen, come Lord Jesus.