We Can Only Imagine
Rev 20 - 22
The Bible is a book about life. It gives us an indication of what life to
expect in the kingdom
of God
The last three chapters of Revelation refer to the book of
life, the water of life and the tree of life.
The Book of Life
Choices about Christ have results that follow them. ‘… and another book was opened, which is the
book of life..’ - Rev 20:12.
a) Results of
Fighting Christ. The Devil chose to fight Christ who is the life. In the
end, it took only one angel to come and chain him before locking him up in the
bottomless pit for a thousand years (20:1-3).
During that period, the millennial period, Christ ruled the world with
his saints. Truth triumphed over deception. However when he was freed for a
short time he showed his unreformed urge to deceive the nations and the
vulnerability of nations to his deception. We should always remember that the
spiritual battle we are a part of as Christians is for nations. No wonder Jesus
commanded that we make disciples of all nations. On his release from the
bottomless pit, satan deceived the nations and once more set them against
Christ and the saints. As a result, he was finally thrown into the lake of
fire, a place of eternal torment (20:7-10).
In the lake of fire or hell, satan will not be a king but a victim
(Mathew 25:41).
b) Results of
Receiving Christ. The saints choose to believe in Christ. As a result,
their design and destiny is to reign with Him forever and ever. They refused
the mark of the beast on their foreheads and so will have the name of God on
their foreheads (22:4-5). Life is not just a right relationship with God but
also reigning with Christ. Our life in Christ presently ought to reflect what
it shall be in the eternal Kingdom. The twenty-four elders representing the
church around God’s throne occupy thrones. During the one thousand years reign
of Christ John saw many thrones for saints to rule with Christ. God is secure
enough to allow other thrones in his kingdom (20:4- 6). He even calls us kings
and priests. The dead in Christ will be part of the first resurrection to reign
with Him. Sufficiency, peace, longevity, justice, and righteousness mark the
rule of Christ now and forever.
c) Results of Rejecting
Christ. The non-believers choose to reject Christ. They spurn the love of
God and His hand of mercy. They will be part of the second resurrection of
people that appear before the great white throne. John saw great and small
standing before the throne (21:11- 15). Record
books were opened and every person was judged according to his/her works. Among
the books, was one called the book of life. Anyone not found in the book of
life suffered a second death of the lake of fire. The tragic fact of this judgment
is that no one needs to have this destiny. Christ died for every one so no one
ends up in the lake of fire.
The Water of Life
‘… I will give unto
him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.’ - Rev 21:6
John saw a new heaven and a new earth and God living in
fellowship with His people in a New Jerusalem that excluded the disobedient
(21:5, 8; 22:15). In it, those who walked in obedience to his word receive
rewards, and comfort. They thirst no more for they have access to the spring of
the water of life freely. This picture is the experience of believers presently
(John 7:37-38).
The New Jerusalem was as a bride adorned for her husband
(21:2). The city of God
was a symbol of the bride of the lamb/Church (21:9-10; 19:7-9). It provides
lessons about the church’s relationship with God. The city was about 2,500km
square and high signifying how great the city was and how the Church is
unassailably secure in God’s presence.
It was made of precious stones signifying how precious the church is to
God and its sufficiency in Him. The streets were of gold. The walls were of
jasper and the quantities are astounding. The gates were of pearl and named
after the twelve tribes of Israel .
The twelve foundations named after the twelve Apostles were of twelve kinds of
precious stones as pure and clear as crystal. The twelve tribe of Israel wall
sitting on a twelve Apostles foundation signifies how the Old Testament sits on
a firm foundation of Christ gospel as represented by the twelve Apostles. The
prophetic ministry of Old Testament finds its fulfillment and authentication in
the work and life of Christ in the New Testament. The church is built on the
foundation of the prophets and apostles.
A life-giving river
flows from the throne of God and the lamb (Ezekiel 47; Rev 22:1-2). The gates
were not shut. All whose names were in the book of life could freely access the
water of life. The glory of God and the lamb were the light. The son of God is
the sun of God’s kingdom and there is no night there. The Church with Christ
shines in a dark world. God is the temple in His city. In the Old Testament, man
made the temple. In the Church age, the saints are the temple that carries
God’s presence. In the eternal kingdom, God and the lamb is the temple. The
believers will be like him and perfectly dwell in his presence.
The Tree of Life
‘Blessed are those who
wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life,’- Rev 22:14
The book of Revelation closes with life. The bible began
with life in a garden and ends with life in a city. Its first book ends with
life lost and the last book ends with the life restored. The first book ends
with humanity fallen and the last ends with humanity elevated (Rev 21-22). The
first book ends with man driven away from the tree of life. The last book ends
with an invitation for man to come and eat from the tree of life (22: 14). The
tree of life was on both sides of the river from the throne of God and the
lamb. It produced fruit in season and its leaves healed the nations (22:1-2,
14). Come Lord Jesus (22:7, 12, 17, 20). Make your choice/take your stand
(22:11). Will it be a day of celebration or despair?
Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg
Faith Life
Center
Ground and First
Floors Sunset
Bay Building
204B Bram Fischer drive,
Randburg, Johannesburg ,
South Africa
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