Coffeeville First Baptist Church By Craig Baker, Pastor 8/28/25

By Marie | August 26, 2025 |

This week we have come to the end of our study of Revelation. From the letters to the seven churches of Asia to the wonderful creatures and elders worshiping in God’s throne room to the account of the tribulation period to the return of Jesus to the appearing of the new heaven, new earth, and new holy city it has been, as expected, a very exciting and revealing journey through this great book.

I always enjoy studying any part of the Bible, but I have thoroughly enjoyed studying Revelation. It has been a blessing to me, and I pray God has shown you new things and brought to your recollection things you already knew. I know He has for me. As we consider this final chapter, we will see that Revelation ends much like it begins.

While John’s physical location did not change from chapter 1 to chapter 22, he was still on the Isle of Patmos, the location in his visions has changed dramatically. John’s vision began in chapter 1 by recounting an angel that was a messenger of Jesus appearing to him. We are not told what, if anything, John saw around the angel, where he was, or what it was like. When we come to the final chapter of Revelation, John has been transported in his visions through space and time and was inside the new Jerusalem, the holy, eternal, capital city of heaven that is the dwelling place of God, the Lamb, and all the saints.

The scene John describes for us in the opening of chapter 22 seems to depict a garden within the eternal city. The new holy city has at least some similarities with the Garden of Eden. They both contain a river and the tree of life and God dwells there among His people. However, do not make the mistake of thinking this is just Eden recreated for there are some notable differences. In this new city there is no mention of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because all knowledge has been gained and all evil has passed away. Satan has been cast into the lake of fire for eternity, so sin and the temptation to sin have been erased from existence. In addition to God, Jesus also dwells in this new city among the saints, those who have received salvation through their faith in Him.

Revelation 7:6 tells us that in the presence of God the sun will no longer shine on the saints, and in this eternal city we are told there is no need for the sun for this place is illuminated by the light of God. In this new holy city, a pure river of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb through the middle of the street, and on either side of the river stands the tree of life. This tree seems to be a mixture, a grafting if you will, of twelve trees. Again, the association with the number 12 is an indication of perfection. Each month the tree yields its fruit which are twelve fruits. The purpose of the fruit is not to satisfy our physical hunger for Revelation 7:6 tells us there will be no hunger or thirst, but it appears this fruit will sustain the saints by satisfying our spiritual hunger. It is a continual taste of God’s goodness, glory, love, favor, fellowship, and covenant. On our foreheads will be His name which also symbolizes the relationship we have with God. We are His people, and He will sustain us for eternity. We are told the leaves of this tree also bring healing to the nations. This does not mean there will be war or sickness, but it means such things will no longer exist. The nations have been healed once and for all.

John’s vision then shifts to the final message. As I mentioned, what John is told here at the end of his visions is very similar and, in some ways, the same as what he was told when his visions began in chapter 1. Just as he was told in chapter 1:1, John wrote in 22:6 that he was told to record these things that must shortly take place for they are faithful and true. What is the faithful and true event that is to shortly take place? Jesus answered that question three times in these closing verses proclaiming that He was coming quickly. Twice he told John to “Behold” meaning to watch out or watch for His coming. The final time Jesus said He is “Surely coming quickly” meaning that it is a certainty. The return of Jesus is a certainty that we should be watching for and looking forward to.

Some argue against and reject Jesus’ coming saying Jesus told John He was coming quickly. It has been about 2000 years since the New Testament was written. If Jesus really was coming quickly then He should have been here by now. Well, those who question this simply need to be reminded of what Peter told us in 2 Peter 3:8-9, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” We say it has been 2000 years since Jesus proclaimed He was coming quickly, but to God it has been 2 days.

“Behold, I come quickly,” is Jesus’ warning, but He does not just give us this warning and leave it at that. He tells us precisely how to prepare for His arrival. Similar to chapter 1:3, in chapter 22:7 we find a proclamation of blessing at His arrival for those who keep the words of this book. Jesus went a step further here at the end though and issued not just a blessing but also a warning. It is a stark warning of eternal condemnation to those who would take away or misuse the words of this book. Now some will argue as to whether this blessing and warning apply to the entire Bible or only to Revelation. I believe it is both because I believe in His sovereignty and providence God knew that the Book of Revelation would end up as the last book of the Bible and these words of warning and blessing would be a fitting end to this final book and the entirety of His Word.

What does that mean to keep the words of this book? There is so much truth, wisdom, and instruction in this book that we will never fully know or obey it all in our lifetimes, but throughout the Bible we find a common a thread that links it together like no other book. That thread is Jesus. How do we begin to keep the words of Revelation and the Bible as a whole? We could get into the deep theology of that question, but in simple terms, we keep the words of this book by call upon the name of Jesus for salvation, confessing our sins before Him, and accepting Him as our Savior. Jesus is coming quickly! Are you ready?

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