Revelation 22:16-21 – God’s Last Message – Bible study

Revelation 22:16-21 Gods Last Message The entire Bible is Gods Word, meaning it is filled with Gods messages to mankind. There are thousands of message and hundreds of stories that God wants us to know. For example, mans story is there: Man was conceived, created, sinned, and sank to the depths of depravity. Gods story is there: God not only did the concieving and the creating, but He also loved, came in the flesh, died on the cross, and provided redemption to the human race. Times story is there: Time began; time ran, and as this book is closing, it is about to be laid to rest. But this is Gods last message. What do you suppose God would want to be the last words that He spoke to mankind? The very fact that there are thousands of messages and hundreds of stories places a premium on this message, does it not? Lets see the last message by looking at six thoughts. I. Note the message Sender. Rev 22:16 I Jesus A. Jesus is the Sender of the message. B. Who is Jesus? 1. He is God. a. That is a big statement. b. There is only One God, but God is different from us. c. He manifests Himself in three distinct Persons. d. We refer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as the Godhead. e. Jesus is the Member of the Godhead who put on flesh. f. He did that so He could walk among us, show us God, and pay for our sins. 2. He is the Lamb that was slain. a. Jesus was born and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. (1) His birth into the world was very important. (2) It provided us with a sinless One who could pay for our sins. b. His life was also important. In His life, Jesus demonstrated that He was the sinless God. c. But it is Jesus death that pays for our sins. He came to be our Lamb. II. Note the messenger bearers. Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you. A. The word "angel" means "messenger." 1. That is really all the word means. 2. Most of the time, we think of an angel has a heavenly message, one of a unique being God created to serve Him. 3. However, you actually have to read the context to find out of the message is heavenly in origin or earthly for the word just means "messenger." 4. In this passage, the message is both heavenly and earthly. B. The Messengers: Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say. 1. \#17\ the Spirit a. That is Gods Holy Spirit. b. The Holy Spirit is not just a heavenly messenger but a God. c. He is the third member of the Godhead. d. Why is the Holy Spirit referred to as a Messenger here? (1) Because that is one of the Holy Spirits duties or roles in this age. (2) The Father has the role of the Architect. He is the Designer, the Provider, the Planner, the Organizer. (3) The Son has the role of the Sin Bearer. He is the Lamb who died, the Redeemer who Arose, the High Priests who atones, and the King who will reign. (4) But it is the Holy Spirit who connects man to God. He abides within us and is our means of communication with God. (a) If you have ever been convicted (b) If you have ever heard from God (c) If you have ever talked to God (d) If you have ever been called by God (e) If you have ever felt Gods enabling (f) They you have been connected to God by the Holy Ghost. e. All of Gods dealings with mankind goes through the Holy Ghost. f. So it makes sense that if God has a message to give to mankind, the Messenger will be Gods Holy Spirit. 2. the bride a. The Bride is another name for the church. (1) The church has many names. (2) Among them we are called Christs body, Christs vineyard, Christs house, and Christs bride. b. Why is the church referred to as a messenger? (1) Because that is our job. (2) We have been left here to bear witness of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for us. Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. III. Note the Message – Come A. In fact, the message is repeated three times in just a portion of verse 17. Rev 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. B. So the message is from Jesus, God, and it is to people, people like you and me, and the message is simply, "Come." C. I guess we had better ask, "Come where?" 1. The verse does not say, but it is implied. 2. Come to Jesus. 3. This is an often repeated message in the Bible. Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Lu 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. D. I guess we had better go a step further and ask why Jesus wants people to come to Him? 1. Again, these verses do not say but the Bible does imply it. Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Ac 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 2. To be saved from what? To be saved from sin: (a) from sins guilt, shame, and sorrow (b) from sins bondage (c) from sins wages (d) and from sins effects (separated, weak, corrupt) E. There are a good many things about which people who read the Bible disagree, but I do believe that most who are serious students of the Bible would agree on what Jesus meant when He said, "Come" 1. He meant come to Him. 2. And He meant come to Him for salvation. F. So of all the messages that God could have made His last message, the one He gave last in the Bible was a simple message of COME. 1. Does that not tell us something important. 2. Perhaps like this message is the most important of all messages? 3. What good does it do to hear of heaven if you do not get the invitation to come to Jesus? 4. What good does it do to hear about hell if you do not get the invitation to come to Jesus? 5. What good does it do to hear about sin, Gods love, Jesus identity, the rapture, the Ten Commandments, the origin of the universe and all of the other messages that the Bible contains if you do not hear the message to COME? 6. Frankly, it does not good at all. a. In fact, the message is so important that perhaps we ought to lead with it. b. When speaking to a person, perhaps we should ask, "Do you know what Gods last message of the Bible is?" G. Perhaps you do not think this message is directed to you. Well, it may not be; however, the passage itself will tell us. IV. Note the message recipients A. To whom is this message being sent? Rev 22:17 And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. B. Note to whom this message is directed is someone in particular. 1. It may be told to everyone but there is only one group of people to whom it is directed. 2. It is the people who meet two qualifications: a. "athirst" – They must be thirsty. b. Willing – They must be willing to come. C. To be athirst here does not mean to have a physical thirst. 1. It means to be thirsty spiritually. 2. How can I know if I am thirsty spiritually? a. If you crave to know God then you are thirsty spiritually. Not many are but if that is you, then you meet the qualification. b. If you are tired of your sin then you are thirsty spiritually. (1) Feeling guilty, ashamed, condemned? (2) That is spiritual thirst. c. If you are sick of this life then you are thirsty spiritually. (1) You may not have thought of that, but it is true. (2) There are a lot of people fed with this world and they are looking for something better. They may be looking at sex, pills, booze, drugs, thrills, money, power, fame, whatever; but what they are suffering from is a spiritual thirst. (3) That is spiritual thirst. d. So if you are looking for something better, tired of what you have, or sick of feeling guilty good news. (1) You meet the first qualification. (2) This message is to you. D. The second qualification is willing. 1. Willing to do what? a. To respond to the message. b. To come. 2. It is amazing how many meet the first qualification but not the second. a. They are so thirsty spiritually that they could die at any moment. b. But they are not willing to come to Jesus. 3. Why? Many reasons. a. Some want to try everything else first. b. Some think what they have might work. c. Some are just blind and dont know what they are doing. (1) Im afraid that some have been duped by Satans mirage. (2) Maybe you have heard how a person dying of thirst can see things that are not there? (3) Satan gives mirages to those who are dying of spiritual thirst. (4) They see happiness, satisfaction, a relationship with God, and other things that just are not there! 4. But if you are thirsty and willing, you are the person to whom Jesus sent this message. V. \#18-19\ Note the Messages Purity A. I am not going to take the time to read or speak on these verses but I will point out that Jesus Himself pronounced a curse on the person who attempts to corrupt this message. B. The short end of the message is that He is going to send you to hell. C. I dont think God wants anyone messing with this message. VI. \#20\ Note the Messages Limit A. This is a limited-time opportunity message. Rev 22:20 Surely I come quickly. B. Jesus is going to return to this world quickly and when He does, for a lot of people, the opportunity to respond to this message will be greatly curtailed. C. I hope you will hear Gods last message today.