Those who are victorious will inherit all this
Rev_L7_GLEF2024_M_PKim_08_04_2024
Revelation 21-22
Key verse 21:7
“Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”
Thank God for his mercy on GLEF 2024 through the Revelation bible study. Since last fall, our International bible study team began GLEF preparation with Revelation Factual Study, Question-Making, and Bible Study Material Making. After that, message team began to write 7 messages from December last year. Since then, there had been numerous revisions of the questions and messages until GLEF 2024. For the book of Revelation could cause many controversial arguments about its sings, we had tried hard to focus on the Bible, find core messages and examples of those who lived victorious life of faith even to the point of death. Then, God had truly blessed GELF 2024 through powerful and heart moving messages and testimonies. Each message had clearly testified who Jesus is and how God’s people became victorious even in the time of troubles.
Beginning with the first martyr Stephen, we have learned what it truly means to live by faith through countless examples of faith such as Polycarp, Antipas, Paul, Peter, Bonheoffer, Charles Lwanga and 20 young followers, John Rogers (the first protestant martyr under the Queen Mary’s reign), Robert Thomas (killed to bring the bible to Korea), and Hetty Tracey (died died at the age of 25 in Korea – who expressed a deep love for Korea and its people in her letter ; “Even if I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for Korea.”), and the Late Dr. Paul Chung. What motivated and empowered them to give even their lives in such away? Did they have something we don’t? They had the living hope of the kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem. They had Jesus’ promise, “I am coming soon.” In the midst of affliction, they turned and fixed their eyes on Jesus, and ran the race of faith to the end.
Among 7 lessons, this last passages reveals the New Jerusalem, the living hope in Christ for all believers, and also Jesus’ promise, “I am coming soon.” This living hope and this promise are the reason for us to live by faith to the end. This hope gives us the purpose and strength to be His Witnesses in the end times. May God fill our hearts with this living hope and His promise.
I. New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5)
God’s righteous judgment has been completed through the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls judgments. All his enemies, including the devil, the beasts, and even the death, had been thrown into the lake burning sulfur. All their followers were killed by the sword of the Word of Jesus and devoured by the fires from heaven.
Finally, here is what Jesus has prepared for His people those had been faithful. Look at verses 1-2. “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first haven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” The first haven and the first earth refer to what God created in the beginning. (Gen1:1) It was very good. However, because of sin, it had been transformed into a place of rebellion, a place of corruption, and then became the object of God’s wrath. Then, the first haven and the first earth had passed away by God’s righteous judgment. Where would His people go and dwell? For His people, God has prepared a new heaven, a new earth, and the holy city, the New Jerusalem. How does the New Jerusalem different from the first one?
First of all, it is the Holy City, like the new and pure bride. The great city Babylon, thought it had such great wealth, gold, precious stones, was called the mother of prostitutes for she was full of demons, impure spirits, and immoralities. But the New Jerusalem is the holy city. Nothing impure will ever enter, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful. (27) Since there is no sin, there will be no chaos, no conflicts, no troubles, no darkness at all. Rather, it will be full of the glory of God, the peace from God, and the spirit of God.
Who can enter this Holy City? God’ holy people! Look at verse 7. “Those who are victorious will inherit all these.” Who are the victorious? This book of Revelation is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ given to all the believers. It is the word of God about what must take place soon, but also about how God’s people overcome the time of tribulation. Throughout the book, we can see Jesus’ heart desire for His people to be victorious. What can we find about who are the victorious? They are those who are washed by the blood of the Lamb; those whose sins are washed by the power of the blood of Jesus. God will make them (us) a new creation without sin; especially he will give them new hearts, fresh and pure. They will be clothed with the white robes and will enter the Holy City not with their old-self, but with their new-self; a new creation in Christ Jesus. They are the people who triumph by the power of the blood of Jesus. They are the people who have been crossed over from death to life by faith in the blood of Jesus.
Secondly, in the New Jerusalem God will be our God and we will be His children. Look at verse 3. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Sin cut mankind off from God, the very source of life. As a result, they became restless wonderers with insatiable hunger and thirst. Though they longed for God, there was always the barrier. But, in the New Jerusalem, there is no longer a separation from God for Jesus removed the barrier by tearing his own body on the cross. God will dwell with them and they will live in deep and eternal fellowship with him. We will enjoy this life-giving relationship with God without fear.
Who can enjoy this amazing relationship with God? Those who are victorious! Look at verse 7 again. Who are the victors? Those who put their faith in Jesus and are bought by His blood; those who followed him in his footsteps by obeying one words and by serving one sheep; those who did not defile themselves with lustful desires and remain spiritually pure and loyal to Christ; those who remained blameless before God. (Rev 14:1-5) They will be fully restored as children of God. They will see him face to face and serve him without fear as his servants.(22:3-4) What a beautiful picture it is! This is the complete restoration of paradise, the Garden of Eden. “God will be our God and we will be his people.” What makes the kingdom of God truly the kingdom of God is not gold or precious stones, but the completely restored relationship with God.
Thirdly, in the kingdom of God, everything will be new. It is the old order of things has passed away and God is making everything new. Look at verses 4-5. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new.”
As we know, death is the root of our sorrow and misery. It brings mourning, crying and sorrow.
But, in the New Jerusalem, God will wipe every tear from our eyes; for there will be no more death, there is no reason to mourn, cry or tear. Since God is making everything new, under the new order, there will be No more pain; No more parting; No more evil. Rather, we will enjoy the eternal life, drinking the water of life, and eating the fruit of life in the kingdom of God.
Look at verses 9-21. Here John describes the glorious the City of God, New Jerusalem God has prepared for His people. Most of all, it is filled with the light of the glory of God and the Lamb, so that there is no need for the sun and the moon. Even there is no need for the temple, because God and Jesus Christ is our temple. Its wall is great and high with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates and the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles. The New Jerusalem is a cube which is 12,000 stadia, which is around1400 miles, wide, long, and high. This city would cover more than half the land surface of the USA. This city was decorated with all kinds of precious stones and the street is made of gold. All these reflect the perfection of God’s new creation, the glory and splendor of God.
The final vision of the New Jerusalem in 22:1-5 reflects the full restoration of the Garden of Eden. The river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. God is the source of the river of life, so it flows constantly, never stopping, and never running dry. This water of life will fully satisfy all hunger and thirst of our souls. On each side of the river stands the tree of life. It bears twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruits every month. All curses have been done away with by the blood of the Lame and replaced with a totally new sinless, redeemed, restored relationship with God. In the New Jerusalem, we will serve him, seeing him face to face. The New Jerusalem was a perfect city where all believers worship God and have fellowship with Jesus our bridegroom.
Again, who will inherit this amazing God’s blessings – New Jerusalem? It is those who victorious. Look at verses 7. “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.” Who are the victorious? They are those who repent of their sins and remain faithful to His name. They are those who obey his words to endure patiently; those who hold fast the gospel of Jesus; those who believe in Jesus and obey his words; those who triumphed over Satan, sin and death by trusting in the blood of the lamb; those who do not give in to fear and compromise with the corrupted world, even in the midst of the great tribulation. Simply man and woman of faith will inherit all theses.
This New Jerusalem is the living hope for God’s people. Because of this living hope, all martyrs we heard in 7 messages had been faithful to the Lord Jesus to the end. David Brainerd was born 1718 in Connecticut. In1738 after he accepted Jesus as the Lord, he devoted his life as a missionary to Native Americans. For 4 years, he travelled over 3,000 miles on horseback through Indian villages in the the central NJ, NY, and PA. Until he died at his age 29, he obeyed, and served God’s purpose like Job in spite of his sickness, extreme hardship, and loneliness. Cuffing and vomiting blood due to tuberculosis, he still continued his work of preaching with determination and dedication. Because of the hope of the New Jerusalem, he refused to be a church minister, but became a missionary to native Indians. Through him, at Crossweeksung NJ, God brought spiritual awakening to the American Indians. They built native churches and raised native Indian ministers. Later his diary – “The Life and Diary of the Rev. David Brainerd” -which is filled with his physical and spiritual battles – like the Psalms of David – inspired many future missionaries to devote themselves for world mission including William Carey, John Eliot, John Wesley, and Jonathan Edward.
Then, what does this hope mean for us? Why does God show this wonderful vision of the New Jerusalem to us today? When we look forward the New Heaven, we will not be lost. This living hope of the kingdom of God will lead us, and empower us to keep the word of God, so that we become victorious. Every day, we make decisions or choices and bear theirs consequences. However, all choices we make – even little choices – become tremendously important for it brings eternal consequences. Reading Bible, praying, sharing testimony, teaching the bible, serving others, forgiving others, welcoming strangers, giving a cup of water to the hunger – all these choices have eternal consequences for us. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made their decision to live in tents as pilgrims on the earth, for they looked forward the city, the New Jerusalem. Though they lived in the wilderness, he lived as the Kingdom people who belonged to the Kingdom of God. Looking forward the Hope of the Kingdom of God, we may live as God’s holy people by obeying and teaching the word of God. As Jesus’ disciples, enduring patiently and being faithful to His word, we may live for the eternal kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem. Holding on to the Word of Jesus, we may overcome the world and be victorious as Jesus, our Lord, was victorious. We may inherit the New Jerusalem and sit with Jesus on His throne. (Rev3:21)
II. I am coming soon (22:6-21)
The Angel concluded the revelation by providing assurances to John. The first assurance given is the assurance of the word of God. The words given to him are trustworthy and true because it is revelation from God himself. The second assurance is the assurance of Jesus’ coming again. Look at verse 22:7. “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” “I am coming soon” is repeated throughout Revelation, 3 times in this part. (7, 12, 20) “I am coming soon.” This is the word of Jesus – the promise of Jesus – for us. Repeating “I am coming soon,” Jesus wants his people to live with the great expectation of his coming again and faith in Him. Jesus will come like a thief who comes at the very hour when we do not expect it. So, he urges us to stay awake and remain clothed with Christ.
How would you respond to His Promise of coming back? There are two different respond to Jesus’ imminent return. Look at verse 11. On the one hand, there are those who suppress the truth by not repenting of their sins. Deliberately, they continue to be vile. They are dogs who abide in their sin. They ignore the word of the prophecy in the book of Revelation. Then, destruction will come on them suddenly and they will be thrown outside the city. On the other hand, there are those who are preparing the day of the Lord. They keep the words of prophecy in this book. Not just heard the word, but they take the words of prophecy to heart by obeying them in their lives. They live a righteous and holy life before God.
As we witnessed, the first century Christians went through fiery persecutions from the Roman Emperors. They had lived as if Jesus would really come soon in their life time. By holding on this living hope and his promise, they endured such severe persecutions and sufferings. Though they were falsely despised and accused from everywhere, still they remained faithful to Jesus, expecting him “to come soon.” For His people, Jesus is coming with the great reward on his hand, the New Jerusalem. Those who hold on to His promise will be blessed to have the right to the tree of life and to enter into the holy city. (14-15)
The final words of Jesus is in verse 20. “Yes, I am coming soon.” Again, how would you respond? John replied, “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.” “Maranatha” is the Aramaic expression of “Come, Lord Jesus.” The first century Christians went into the Arena, where they were executed by this “Maranath” faith, praising the Lord Jesus.
In verse 22:13, Jesus identifies himself -“The Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the beginning and the end.” It reveals that Jesus is the Creator who created the heavens and the earth. Also, Jesus is the Almighty who will bring the end of all things. The end will come through God’s judgment upon the world. All evil of the world together with unbelieving will be thrown into the fierily lake. However, God’s holy people will be lifted up into the New Jerusalem, the kingdom of God. This end will come with Jesus’ coming again. The day of Jesus’ coming will be the day of judgment for the evil, but it will be the great day of God Almighty for God’s Holy people.
Look at the key verse 22:7 again. “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my people.” Thank God for blessing Revelation Bible Studies since the last fall. We have learned such amazing visions what must take place soon. We have learn the vision of the New Jerusalem! Now, here we are living on the earth – in America which is full of temptations under the rule of the beasts, the devil, the false prophets, and under the power of death. We are surrounded by the enemies, the followers of the beasts and the devils. It seems like they are given authority and power to wage war against God’s holy people. (Rev13:7)
How can we be victorious against all the enemies? How can we overcome the patterns of the world which are like “Tsunami.” Our situation is not much better than that of the early believers. The book of Revelation, the words of prophecy, is given to us. We should hold on to the living hope of the New Jerusalem. We should hold on to Jesus promise “I am coming soon!” With this living hope, we should stay awake and remain clothed with Christ Jesus.
Do you want to be the victorious who will inherit all these? Yes. Then, who are those who devote themselves to the study and observance of the word of God, and to teaching it? (Ez7:10) Who are the wise –shine like the stars and lead many to righteousness? (Da12:3) Who are those who prophesy the word of God as God commanded? (Ez37:10) They are Bible Teachers, Shepherds for God’s flock. They are those who hold fast the gospel of Jesus. They are those who follow Jesus. They are the victorious. Let us grow to be Bible Teachers and shepherds for God’s flock in campuses. Let us love Jesus’ spiritual discipline – Bible Study, Prayer, Daily Bread, Bible Teaching – and grow to be spiritual leaders for this generation. That is how we can actively become victorious in this end times. God will surely give us the crown of life and the New Jerusalem. Let us read the Key verse 21:7.