Revelation #15

The Destiny of the Redeemed

Revelation 21 & 22

The Destiny of the Redeemed Rev. 21 & 22

• There is a great contrast drawn between the destiny of the wicked and the righteous:

>only a few verses described the punishment of the wicked, cf. 20:13-15;

>while almost two chapters are given to the reward of the righteous, chps. 21 & 22!

• What conclusion is to be drawn from this?

Revelation is not a book for the wicked,

but the REDEEMED!

The Destiny of the Redeemed Rev. 21 & 22

• It was written to encourage the faithful, not necessarily to condemn the sinner.

• The heavenly reward is shown with 3 symbols:

1) a Tabernacle of God with men, 21:1-7

2) a Holy City, a New Jerusalem, 21:9-27

& 3) a Perfect Garden, 22:1-5• Heaven is also revealed from 3 angles:

Its Fellowship, Protection, and Provisions.• These will form our concluding lesson.

The Destiny of the Redeemed:Fellowship with God, Rev. 21:1-8

• The Tabernacle of God is with Men, 21:1-7-new heaven & earth, first have passed, v.1a >

2Pet.3:10-14

-no longer any sea, v.1b > it was that which formerlyseparated God and man, cf. 4:6; 15:2

-heaven appears as a bride prepared for her husband, v.2 > 2Cor.11:2 > Eph.5:22-33

-The presence of God is now with men!

-His dwelling place, or tabernacle is with the faithful:

there will be no more tears, death, or pain, v.4

all things will be “new” v.5

The Destiny of the Redeemed:Fellowship with God, Rev. 21:1-8

• The Tabernacle of God is with Men, 21:1-7-The Alpha and the Omega will give to the one who

thirsts the water of life! v.6

-Such is the reward for “he who overcomes” v.7

WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE OF THE FIRST/SECOND CENTURIES WHO WERE

ENDURING SEVERE PERSECUTIONS!

And for people of every generation who struggle to overcome the temptations Satan throws our

way!

The Destiny of the Redeemed:Fellowship with God, Rev. 21:1-8

• Interlude: the destiny of the wicked, v.8

A Lake of Fire & Brimstone for:Fearful/Cowardly- those who shrink back from the

conflict caused by Truth

Unbelieving- those who refuse to believe & obey

Abominable- those who practice Satan’s defilements

Murderers- those who kill (the saints)

Immoral- those who live to gratify their fleshly desires

Sorcerers- those who practice witchcraft & the like

Idolaters- those who put other things before God

Liars- those who deceive, either by tongue or action

The Destiny of the Redeemed:Protection by God, Rev. 21:9-27

• The Holy City, the New Jerusalem-as a bride adorned with the glory of God, vv.9-11a

-brilliance as a crystal-clear jasper, v.11b

-It had a great high wall for protection, vv.12-21a

Never again would Satan harm the faithful!

-The street of the city was of pure gold, v.21b

-There was no Temple there, v.22a

the Lord God was no longer separated from them! v.3

-No need of sun or moon- God is its light! vv.23-24

-Its gates shall never close- there is no need! v.25

-Only the righteous will dwell there, vv.26-27.

The Destiny of the Redeemed:Provisions from God, Rev. 22:1-5

• The Perfect Garden-has a river which flows with the clear water of life from

the throne of God Himself, v.1

-with the tree of life bearing fruit on both sides of theriver; 12 kinds of fruit; every month; leaves

for healing, v.2

-no more curse, v.3a:

on the ground, Gen.3:17-19;

or because of sin, Gal.3:10-13

-His bond-servants shall see His face! v.3b- 4 > Matt.5:8

-again, there is no night! v.5

Final Assurances & Warnings Rev.22:6-21

• “Behold I am Coming Quickly”-Some 7 times a similar statement is made of immediate

action, 22:6,7,10,12,20; 1:1,3.

Why if the major events of the Book are still yet future?

-Such makes no sense!

-People at the time this was written needed immediateassurance from the Lord….

and this message from proves they got it!

vv.6-7-John worships and is reprimanded, vv.8-9.

Final Assurances & Warnings Rev.22:6-21

• “Don’t Seal Up the Words of this Book” -for the time is near, v.10

-let things continue, for the time being, as they are, v.11

-for “I am coming quickly” v.12

-Blessed are those who wash their robes, v.14

-Outside are the evil, v.15

-Jesus Himself sent His angel bring these things to the churches, v.16

-the Great Invitation is made, v.17

-the Great Warning is given, vv.18-19

-and the Revelation is complete! vv.20-21

Conclusions:

• Revelation is a Book of prophecy….• but it is a book which had prophetic meaning to

the people of the first & second centuries!• Although it certainly pertains to and benefits us

greatly, its primary message was one of hope and assurance to persecuted Christians then.

• Its symbolism may be difficult in some places.• But its message is clear:

WE WIN!