Continually in Faith

Rev. 22:6-21 has interesting markers that indicate the setting of this Epilogue is very near the end of time as humanity understands it. First we read the self-identifying statement of  Jesus—“I am the Alpha and the Omega” (v. 13), which places what is written in the book of Revelation under the full authority of the King. “If anyone adds to,” or “takes away” (vs. 18, 19) from this book distinguishes the completion of the prophetic word it contains. Further, v. 11 is an unexpected theme that indicates the end of time is near,

Revelation 22:11 (CSB)

11 Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy still be filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; let the holy still be holy.”

The command is to allow people to continue in the existence they already have. It can only make sense if the end of time is very near and there is no time left for change (Mounce, 406). Christians are exhorted to leave people as they are when it is close to the end of time, because the character of a person has been determined by their lifetime of acts. This places tremendous weight on what we do with our recovery, one day at a time, should we find ourselves continuing the planet when Christ returns.

 The reason for attending to our responsibilities one day at a time is found in v. 14,

 Revelation 22:14 (CSB)

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.”

The participle “those who wash” is present tense (v. 14), which indicates an ongoing action. The Christian who is continually in faith, in an ongoing way, one day at a time, will have the right to what the “tree of life represents,” immortality (v. 14).

 We made it to the end of Revelation. Check out next months post for a short summary of recovery highlights in this great book of the Bible. Until then, keep the faith, and see you on a Monday night!