Coming Soon!

Can you imagine a world entirely lacking in death, mourning, pain, and suffering? Adam and Eve, the first parents, are the only ones to not only imagine such a world, but also for a while could remember it vividly. They knew a world completely absent of sin. They could recall the way God intended the world to be: without a curse, without toil, and without death.

The world today only slightly resembles God’s original creation. C. S. Lewis could say “that this is a good world that has gone wrong, but still retains the memory of what it ought to have been” (Mere Christianity, rev. ed. [1952; reprint, New York: Macmillan, 1984] 48). The recollection of what the world ought to be is to think prophetically regarding eternity, because when God restores creation, His redeemed people will be able to know His presence and serve Him directly, just as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eve. There will be no hindrances to direct fellowship with the Lord.

The day is coming in which “there will no longer be any curse” (Rev 22:3). Present sufferings (vv. 18-28) are merely a small aspect of what is occurring cosmically. The entrance of sin into God’s originally perfect (good) world is affecting all creation (cf. Gen 3:14-19; Rom 5:12), which is depicted as suffering with the believer. Both the believer (Rom 8:23-28) and the creation (vv. 18-22) currently suffer. Verses 18-22 focus upon the suffering of the physical world.

Creation anxiously awaits “the revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19), because it “was subjected to futility” (v. 20). All creation “will be set free” (v. 21), even while presently it “groans and suffers” (v. 22; cf. 2 Cor 5:2). The effects of humanity’s Fall are as extensive as all creation (cf. Isa 35), because the destinies of humanity and nature are inseparably related. Thus, the restoration of paradise will not occur until every human being is reconciled to God (cf. 2 Cor 5:19). Consequently, the ecological problems of our world will not be resolved entirely until Christ (Messiah) returns.

The consequences of sin are all too readily apparent today, yet the believer is promised a better world to come. God’s people know the final chapter of God’s purposes for humanity. The believer has no reason to be anxious regarding the future. The fact that “the Lord is near” is reason to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil 4:5b-6a). The Lord is “standing right at the door” (Jas 5:9b). He is ready to come and right the wrongs of the world, and then “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab 2:14). Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming quickly,” to which the believer can say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).

PARADISE RESTORED

(Rev 22:1-9) Revelation 22 indicates that what was lost will be regained. For instance, “the tree of life,” which has been absent from humanity since Genesis 3, is present (Rev 22:2). Adam and Eve were banished from the tree of life as a consequence of sin, and were introduced to death. From the precise moment of their sin, they died spiritually and would eventually succumb to physical death.

Revelation 22 shows paradise restored in the holy city. The Bible begins with events in the garden and concludes with the eternal city. The atoning work of Jesus Christ is the most important work to occur, between the accounts of the garden and the holy city. His saving work can alter the destiny of humanity from death to life. In His eternal presence, the final destiny of redeemed humanity, with “a river of the water of life” and “the tree of life” (Rev 22:1-2), will far surpass all the splendor of Eden.

Revelation 22 provides the fulfillment of 2:7b (“To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God”). The curse upon creation (Gen 3:16-19; Rom 8:19-22) will be entirely undone. Subsequent to the Fall, God declared how matters would be far worse if humanity were to “take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Gen 3:22b). Now that the curse is gone in Revelation 22, the one “who overcomes” may eat freely. As drinking from the river of life symbolizes everlasting life, eating from the tree of life represents all God’s blessings in eternity. Ezekiel 47:12 refers to the life-giving impact of the “river of the water of life,” and Revelation 22 shows that fulfillment in the tree of life.

The presence of “the throne of God and of the Lamb” is unique to the eternal state, making the city ever more excellent than the original paradise. The curse first entered the garden of Eden; however, “there will no longer be any curse” in the eternal state (Rev 22:3). Absent the curse, only blessing remains.

While some may imagine heaven as doing nothing forever and eternal life to be something boring, the Bible reveals an active existence as opposed to being lethargic. God’s people will serve and worship the Lord throughout eternity, in addition to enjoying the blessings of His creation (v. 3). Removal of the curse provides access to God: His servants “will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads” (v. 4), meaning the Lord will forever be identified with His people. The presence of God eliminates the need for the light of a lamp or the sun; moreover, no longer will there “be any night” (v. 5).

The divine authority, certainty, and trustworthiness of Revelation’s message is evident in the parting words of the angel, John, and Jesus Himself (vv. 6-7). The threefold witness assures the authenticity and validity of the Revelation. The angel who guided John through his vision assured him that the “words are faithful and true” (v. 6a). The message is reliable, because it is received from “the [same] Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets,” who “sent His [mediating] angel” to John so that all “His bond-servants [would know] the things which must soon take place” (v. 6b).

When the Bible says prophesied events will occur “soon” or that Jesus will come quickly (2:16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:6-7, 12, 20), the Greek word tachos (τάχος) is an adverb of manner, not time. Emphasis is upon the haste or quickness in which the events occur, and the manner in which Christ will return. The doctrine of imminence means nothing hinders the coming of Christ and thus all days are “soon,” because He may appear at any moment. Believers are to be expectant and ready for His coming.

John was overwhelmed with the message he received, and wrongly “fell down to worship” an angel (22:8-9). Nothing created should ever be worshiped (cf. Rom 1:25). By contrast, Jesus did receive worship without rebuke (Matt 8:2; 14:33; John 9:38) and is worshiped by angels (Heb 1:6).

PARADISE READINESS

(Rev 22:10-21) John was instructed differently than the prophet Daniel, who was to seal the words of his prophecy (Dan 12:9). By contrast, John was to make his message known as readily as possible, because “the time is near” (Rev 22:10). What follows next is a four-part, corresponding warning. The initial two parts emphasize certain persons and serve as a rebuke to those who “still do wrong,” whereas the other parts declare the type of character that is pleasing to God (v. 11). Christ will come quickly, and it will be too late for repentance; now is the time (2 Cor 6:2).

Jesus declared, “I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me” (Rev 22:12a). The note of urgency and warning is unmistakable. Jesus’ “reward” is in accordance with a person’s works (v. 12b), which is not salvation by such (Rom 3:28); rather, saving faith will be accompanied by works (Eph 2:10; Tit 3:8; Jas 2:20). As popularly stated, “Faith alone saves, yet the faith that saves is never alone.” As an incentive toward a holy life, Jesus admonished His followers to be ready for His return by reminding them who He is: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last [cf. Isa 41:4], the beginning and the end” (Rev 22:13).

Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Gal 2:16). Those blessed with eternal life “have washed their robes” (Rev 7:14; cf. 22:14); they trust in the cleansing blood of the Lamb of God (Col 1:14; 1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9). However, retribution is pronounced for those who love and practice sin (Rev 22:15); they will be excluded from the eternal city and from fellowship with God, forever to remain in the misery and unhappiness of their fallen nature. Jesus then provided a word of verification that authenticates the entire book of Revelation (v. 16).

The nearness of Christ’s appearing means all people are invited to “come” and partake of His gift of eternal life (v. 17). A final warning is given for anyone who would distort the book of Revelation specifically, and the Holy Bible in general (vv. 18-19). Revelation concludes with emphasis upon readiness and watchfulness (v. 20), which is done by grace through faith (v. 21).

The Bible reveals the future to give proper motivation and perspective for the here and now. Scripture indicates the vast difference between passive and temporal attitudes regarding the future, and a wise perspective that makes eternal decisions. God wants people to live in view of His coming kingdom, resulting in a purifying hope, just as the Lord Himself is pure (1 John 3:3). Knowledge of God’s coming motivates one to live a godly (holy and pure) life in view of the future. Preparedness for the Lord’s coming proves whether one personally trusts and respects Him.

Jesus repeatedly emphasized the eternal destiny of those who are not faithful and true (cf. Matt 18:23-34; 20:1-16; 21:33-41; 22:1-14; 24:45-51), and then revealed the necessity to be ready for the time in which He will divine all humanity into two categories: sheep and goats (25:32-33). One’s eternal destiny will be determined and unchanged when standing before the Lord of glory (vv. 34-46). Awaiting the Lord’s coming demands faithful readiness and resolve—accomplishing what God has uniquely prepared for you to accomplish.

Midnight Call - 06/2025