Revelation 22:15-21

(Rev 22:15 KJV)
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Outside of the New Jerusalem are all those who are unbelievers. The unregenerate will have no place in the New Heaven and the New Earth because sin will no longer have a place. These are the ones who will be judged according to the law of God. The believer was judged at Calvary and found not guilty. The unbeliever will be guilty according to the law of God.  This verse shows that there will be no annihilation of these unbelievers as they are in the lake of fire paying for their sins for eternity.

(Rev 22:16 KJV)
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Jesus is now confirming to John that the angel which testified to these things in the churches was indeed sent by Him. This declaration is stating that this book of Revelation is intended for all the churches, not just the seven which we saw in chapters 2 & 3, but it is for all churches right down to the last day. Then Jesus identifies Himself as the root and offspring of David. This teaches us that He was in the messianic line which culminated in His earthly birth. Then He refers to Himself as the “bright and morning star.” After a long period of darkness which the church has faced from the cross to the last day, Jesus now gives them hope by stating that when they look for light they will find the Lord Jesus Christ as the bright and morning star because now the long night of persecution is over. The day begins with Him and that day of salvation never ends. When the churches look to Jesus as their light, they too will experience that peace which passes all understanding.

(Rev 22:17 KJV)
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.

Many like to use this verse as an invitation to “accept Jesus.” This is not what it is teaching. This verse is teaching that all those Elect whom God named before the foundation of the world will thirst after the Gospel and they will be given the water of life freely, which means they will be saved by free grace. No one can will or work themselves into Heaven, it comes by the effectual grace of God. The key phrase in this verse is “let him that heareth say.” Only those who God qualifies to hear the Gospel will become saved. The word “heareth” in this verse in the Greek carries with it the meaning of “hearing with understanding.” Those who are saved will be the only who will hear the Gospel with spiritual understanding. It is not an academic understanding otherwise then it would be by “free will.” Those who hear the Gospel are those who have already become saved and are able to understand by means of the Holy Spirit indwelling them.

(Rev 22:18 KJV)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Here is one of the sternest warnings in Scripture that man is not to fool around with the word of God. For example, the Mormons claim their book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ which means they are adding to the word. The Charismatic movement which is replete with prophecies, tongues, and visions are claiming that God is still speaking today in these forms. This means they are adding to the word of God which means they will receive of the plagues written in this book, which simply means they are under the judgment of God. This verse does not only deal with the Book of Revelation, but it deals with the entire Bible. The Canon is completely closed and those who attempt to add to it are under God’s judgment. Then there are the modern versions which are paraphrases and they add thoughts and concepts which are not in the original languages.

(Rev 22:19 KJV)
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Then God warns man in the other direction, that anyone who removes anything from His word will be subject to eternal damnation. Those who are unbelievers were never in the holy city nor in the Lamb’s Book of Life. God is telling us that those who adulterate His Word are not worthy to be in the book of Life or the holy city. One of the most major attacks on the word of God today is the modern versions which actually remove verses and the portions of many other verses. This is one way they are taking away from the word of God. Then another way that teachings are removed from the word of God is by preachers and teachers who cast doubt on parts of the word of God. Many preachers do not believe in hell nor do they believe in the first three chapters of Genesis being literal. Those who take away from the word of God in any fashion are revealing that they are under the judgment of God and unless they become saved, will suffer the same penalty as all the rest of the unbelievers.

(Rev 22:20 KJV)
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus is witness to all the saying which are written in this book which means all will come to pass. Then He once again states for the encouragement of the believers that His coming will be quick and will not be delayed. It seems that John is in agreement by praying “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” This should be the desire of all true Christians.

(Rev 22:21 KJV)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The final verse in Revelation is that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all and the Amen means “it is so.” The grace that sustained us on earth will lead us home to glory and there we will be forever with the Lord. (1 Th 4:17-18 KJV) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. {18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words.