September 30, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

AMEN AND AMEN

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Loving Lord, I pray for an unhindered view of Your majesty, and an assurance of Your power working in me.

Read REVELATION 22:1–21

[1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. [3] No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. [6] The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” [7] “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” [8] I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. [9] But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” [10] Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. [11] Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” [12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. [13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. [14] “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. [15] Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. [16] “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” [17] The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. [18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. [19] And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. [20] He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. [21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Near the Cross I’ll watch and wait, / hoping, trusting ever, / till I reach the golden strand, / just beyond the river” (Fanny Crosby, 1820–1915).

I recently buried a Christian lady from Papua New Guinea. She lived many years in Canberra city in Australia, but for her, her family chose to sing, “Shall we gather at the river, / where bright angel feet have trod, / with its crystal tide for ever / flowing by the throne of God” (Robert Lowry, 1826–1899). This beautiful hymn remains popular among indigenous Christians in Australia and the Pacific (they live predominately in small villages and rural areas). For them, a river speaks more clearly of eternal peace than a city. Some say human life began in a garden and ends in a city—but for me, the symbol of a river flows more deeply. This river is for the people of the world, for by it grows the tree of life with leaves “for the healing of the nations” (2). There is mystery here. John’s heaven has never been just for a faithful few, but for an infinite number (Rev. 7:9–17). Now I see dimly; one day I shall know (1 Cor. 13:12).

 

The Bible ends with both sternness and joy. We are reminded again that evil, its source having been destroyed, is “outside” (15). It cannot enter, for it no longer exists. We are warned about watering down this text or adding to it (18,19), but the ecstasy, the wonder, the joy break through. Here is God, the beginning and the end; here is Jesus, the bright morning star (Rev. 2:28; 2 Pet. 1:19); here is the water of life, here is the Spirit, calling us to come. The book which began with Jesus also ends with him, with deep longing for his coming and with the prayer that he will be with his people. The final word is ours to say: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (20).

Apply

How are you preparing yourself for Christ’s second coming? How has this study helped you in your preparation?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, gladly I give You my living and dying. You are the living water, the bright morning star. Envision me for eternity.

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