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Read Introduction to Revelation

 

“Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book‘”

 

The conclusion and epilogue of the book of Revelation begin at verse 6. Assurance is the theme.

22:6

Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.”

At the conclusion of the book of Revelation, John receives the ratification of the certainty of Christ’s coming – “These words are faithful and true.” God is not in the business of bewildering believers. He is in the business of faithfully keeping His promises. He makes sure that John knows that His promises of prophecy have God’s own veracity to back them. God’s promises always depend on God’s character.

God Himself guarantees that we can believe the words of the book of Revelation. God’s Word depends on God’s character. God never goes back on His Word.

And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

We should translate the words “must shortly take place” as “must quickly come to pass.” John is dealing with future events here.

22:7

Behold, I am coming quickly!

“Behold” is a term intended to grab our attention. “Give this your undivided attention!” When Jesus comes, it will be quick (1:7; 22:12,20).

The Greek word for “quickly” means soon. Jesus will give no warning when He comes. He will come suddenly. It will be unexpected. That is why we need to be alert to His coming.

The phrase “I am coming quickly” occurs three times in conclusion to Revelation.

Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

God gives a special blessing for those who keep “the words of the prophecy of this book.” More promises of blessing occur in this book than any other book of the Bible (1:3). This is the sixth declaration of blessing in Revelation. The seventh and last blessing is in verse 14.

If we read, study, and apply the book of Revelation to our lives, God assures us that He will bless us by it.

The word “keeps” means to guard, protect, pay attention, or give heed. We are to guard God’s Word by applying it to our lives.

Principle:

We should be on the alert for the rapture.

Application:

We should regard the coming of Christ as imminent. The rapture can occur at any time. We should be on the alert to His coming. The imminent coming of Christ means that there are no signs that need fulfilling before He comes. When He comes, it will be speedy and swift.

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