And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

City Of God Made New

There is much we can take much time on in the vision of New Jerusalem. We could break down the symbolism of the colors of the stones that make up its walls and foundations or the great single pearls that each make up one gate. We could get lost in its dimensions, 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles in length and 1500 miles high into the sky. An impossible city to build outside the power of God.

We could tell you that it comes down from heaven, perhaps because it has been waiting in heaven for this day. Perhaps it’s up there right now. We could spend time telling you why it is described as a bride, but now called the Lamb’s wife. We could study its 12 gates and cast our eyes over its 12 foundations of precious stones. We could try and describe transparent gold streets.

How could I add anything to the description of these marvels of the handiwork of God. Do I have better words than John? I am more inspired? No. I can’t really make it more amazing than John’s description of the river of water of life, clear as crystal that flows from the throne of God.

Can I make the tree of life that stands in the middle of this river, with branches that seem to reach from one bank to the other more vivid? Should I make up names from the 12 kinds of fruit or try to explain to you how the leaves bring healing to the nations?

I can only repeat that there will be no temple there, no night there and no need of a lamp or even the light of the sun. For the Lord God gives them all the light they will need for all eternity.

We could take another 2 or 3 hours and bury ourselves in the wonder that will be the new Jerusalem, but instead I just want to focus on the last phrase that follows all these descriptions. “Revelation 22:4-5 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads… and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

That what is really important. This we can fully grasp and understand. We shall see His face. We shall behold the face of God, We shall see the face of our Savior, Jesus Christ and we shall reign and live with God for ever and ever. And we will be seen as His for all eternity. That is better than the gold, better than the precious stones, even better than a city so big it will take a continent just to hold it. We will be with God the Father and God the Son who loved us, sacrificed for us and made us an eternal home with them.

Conclusion: Renewed Assurance and Invitation - Revelation 22:6–21

Final Assurances in the Epilogue
The Epilogue of the Book of Revelation is chapter 22:6-20. In it we have the final assurance of the prophesies and promises given to John. Now Jesus once again speaks directly to John and to us, just as he did in the opening chapters. This is the last time we will hear him directly until He returns. Listen to what He says

Faithful and True. Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

This is the final time this phrase is used and it is here to undergird and bind up all that has gone before.

There is no doubt, not even a shadow of a doubt about what John has recorded because the God of the prophets, the god of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, Joel and Zechariah, who wrote the OT prophecies has now sent his angel to shew it to John, the last apostle and the last prophet until the Tribulation.

Behold, I come quickly is the next phrase. Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly

Three times in the epilogue Jesus assures us by saying, “I am coming quickly!” (vv. 7, 12, 20). “Quickly” here as the idea of swiftly. When the great events of the Tribulation begin, it will be only a very short 7 years until Jesus returns, I come quickly. Three times he says, “I come quickly.” Three times He is telling us, “Listen carefully, watch faithfully and be ready at all times.”

Blessed Is He. I also want you to notice the last assurance as the book closes. “blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Seven times in the book of Revelation we hear the words “Blessed is or Blessed are.” These are the beatitudes of the Epistle of Jesus, and they give us the assurance of God’s blessing if we read and if we believe.

The first beatitude was in Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

We read them again 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6 and then here in 22:7 and finally, Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

The blessed are those who read the word of God, keep the word of God and those who obey the Word of God. There is no other more blessed life and that is God’s assurance.

Finally, there is this last firm assurance and then a tender invitation filled with the grace of God in Revelation 22:16-17 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. 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.

The Lord, the Spirit and the Bride, say come. If you are hearing this, come. If you are thirsty for the true, the real, the lasting. If you are searching then come. And whoever you are, wherever you might be in your spiritual life, however lost you may be, Still you may come and take the water of life freely!

Is there any better way to end a 17 sermon series on Revelation than by hearing the invitation given by Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Church? I can only think of one and that is to respond to that invitation.