Revelation 22:11
“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
(a) Let the one who does wrong. Sinners sin because it’s in their nature to sin – they don’t know any better.
We will never educate the world into a place of goodness and wholeness, because the root problem is sin and for that there is only remedy (the blood of Jesus). Our job is not to try and modify people’s behavior; our job is to preach the gospel and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
(b) Practice righteousness. You are not righteous because you practice righteousness; you practice righteousness because the Righteous One lives in you (1 John 3:7).
(c) Keep himself holy. In other words, be holy because in Christ you are holy. See entry for 1 Pet. 1:15.
Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
(a) Coming quickly; see entry for Rev. 22:20.
(b) My reward is with me. The work that is rewarded is the work of believing in the One God has sent (John 6:29).
Further reading: “Rewarded for what we have done”
Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
The bright morning star is Jesus himself.
Jesus is speaking of his physical return to earth. We already have his Spirit within us, but when he returns we will have him in person. When that day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts, we will finally have our reward in full. No more sorrow, no more death. When Christ returns it will be the beginning of life such as we can only dream of.
Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
The bride refers to the corporate church. See entry for Rev. 19:7.
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
I am coming quickly. Only the Father knows when Jesus will return (Matt. 24:36). But when the Father gives the word, Jesus will come quickly, without delay. “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay” (Heb. 10:37).
Note that some Bibles erroneously translate Jesus’ words as “I am coming soon.” Since Jesus does not know the hour or day of his return, he cannot comment on its timing. Jesus also told many parables about servants having to wait a long time for their masters’ return.
Further reading: “Is Jesus returning soon?”
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