When you give don't make a big to-do over it; don't play the Halleluia chorus and do cartwheels. It is plain that they are not in this city. Indeed the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of the hope we have: "who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." It is true that the Christian life is a spiritual conflict. "Blessed are they that read, hear and practice the words of this prophecy, putting them into practice in their lives." * None, however, can be exempt from being manifested before the judgment-seat of Christ, or from giving an account of all done in the body. It is certain that we ought to read (not "upon" but) "and* the beast." Now, Jesus said, "If we do our works to be seen of men then we have our reward now." Is there proof for the inspiration of the Bible. All the dispensational names of God disappear. Thus the difference is complete between past history (if we look at the extinction of the empire and the rise of the ten kingdoms) and the certain fulfilment of the prophecy in the future, when we look at what God has really told us. on the other, she had, when she could, gone on increasing in both, until at last the blow of divine judgment came. When we come to the full application of the prophecy, we must look onward to the latter day. HE FULFILS HIS PROMISE TO EVERY CHRISTIAN IN DAILY LIFE. Is There An Answer for David Hume on Miracles? It is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God; the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of the gospel. This interpretation is consistent with the rest of Scripture. If any one shall have added to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if any one shall have taken away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God . Kingdom, Covenants & Canon of the Old Testament, Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology, He Gave Us Scripture: Foundations of Interpretation, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It is all plain and simple "the beast that was, and is not, and shall be present.". "The ten horns which thou sawest AND the beast" would give unquestionably the right form of the verse. Then comes the glory. God's servants shall see his face. . It is only God and man now. In doing so they contravened the law itself: You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. And he said unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand ( Revelation 22:10 ). them. We briefly referred to this promise in the Study notes on this chapter under "5"--"WORDS OF HIS COMING. "These shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered. Conclusion: Revelation 22:18-19 is a warning: If you reject God's offer of life, you will experience God's wrath. For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book ( Revelation 22:18-19 ). (i) There is the invitation of the Spirit and the Bride. It says that if you are a It must remind us of God's great invitation, "Ho, every one who thirsts come to the waters, and he who has no money; come, buy and eat! Still closer is Ezekiel's picture of the river which issued from the Temple ( Ezekiel 47:1-7). How appropriate. "Let him that heareth," then, "say, Come." He used deception right? It isquick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetratingas far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, andis able tojudge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.". Romans 8:28-30. Who is the called? But all this will be a great reversal of man's history and political maxims. Can You Lose Your Salvation? The writer of Hebrews Babylon had once heard the varied testimony of God; for what had she not heard of truth? In short, Babylon, the disgusting counterpart of the holy city, in earthly ambition seeks the kings and the masses for her own present objects, while the other suffers now and will reign then. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Accordingly, "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me." On the contrary, it proved the immediateness of communion. It may be that John is deliberately sounding again many of the themes which run through his book, and bringing on the stage many of the characters for a final message. we do not repent and come back to Jesus, we could suffer the consequences for all Here it would seem we have just what answers to that: this name none knew but He Himself. and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. I do not, of course, complain of particular persons, but of the general vagueness in which the passage has been taken unless, indeed, the more common course be not to ignore it. Gal. We do not mend matters by hasty conclusions, we only complicate the truth. If alive before the thousand years, he will live after the thousand years; in fact, literally he will never die, though I do not doubt, on general principles, that the saints of the millennial earth will be changed at the very time when the heavens and earth disappear. There is, however, a great deal more than this on the subject, and given with great precision in scripture, because this is merely the principle of sin in one or other form from the beginning. There is no uncertainty whatever in the case. The sun has disappeared, dissipated, gone. 21:6-8). "The day is nearly over and He hasnt come." One final word must be said about this passage. THE GREAT INVITATION ( Revelation 22:17 ). Whether it were the Old Testament saints and the church, or the Apocalyptic saints, if I may so distinguish them, it was in an instant that each were raised, but there was some space between them. Does Revelation 3:5 Teach One Can Lose Their Salvation? Yet to this heavenly city, after Christ comes, the kings of the earth bring their offerings and their homage; but there is no excitement of the nations, no filthiness of fornication, no abominations, no blood-guiltiness. God's Word of life is unchanging and unchangeable, and verse 19 warns that the punishment for anyone who tampers with the words in this book of prophecy will have their names removed from the Book of Life. there is no sword proceeding out of our mouth; nor are the saints or heavenly hosts said to be arrayed in such a sort as the Lord. was not attempting to write some kind of "crypto-Greek" for his readers (then To my mind the warning concerns adding to the prophecies of the Book of Revelation, because the punishment referred to concerns the plagues that are written in this book [my emphasis] that is the Book of Revelation, which outlines the principal plagues that shall befall all people, except believers (who have been raptured to heaven), in the Last Days. Another example are the Jews, whom Paul points out are distant from God. It is no longer a question either of celebrating the ways and counsels of God, or of the war with the beast and king. Salvation?". For those of you who saw me coming in here with the cane. Those that downplay, falsify or add to these prophecies shall suffer the same fate as the prophecies foretell, that of being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20, 21; 20:14,15). to a particular people from a familiar teacher dealing with real difficulties with which We find a decree going forth that all the world shall be enrolled. "The Lord God is the temple of it, and the Lamb as far as we can speak of any. We must remember that this was first a letter to follow Christ are then blotted out. Finally they will destroy her. When he says that a "Don't do that." "Living waters," says Zechariah, "shall flow out from Jerusalem" ( Zechariah 14:8). But John is overwhelmed again; he is just wiped out, overwhelmed that the guy tells him that, so he falls down at his feet again to worship him. Again, death and hades are said to come to their end, personified as enemies. In short, one may be described as corruption, and the other as violence. I will tell thee the mystery of the woman." So far they were right. We may have a special task in it, but this is not the work for us, as it seems to me. Start for FREE. If the person who corrupts Revelation is an unbeliever, he or she will have no part (share) in the blessings of the new creation. He is no longer to be allowed to prowl about the world ensnaring and destroying. . The beloved city is Jerusalem; the camp of the saints, I presume, is a larger circle and embraces all of Israel and the Gentiles who, being converted, refuse Satan's deceit. That is the sin against the Holy Spirit. Q&A: Loss of Salvation in Revelation - Thirdmill Hundreds more are waiting to be brought to completion with the Rapture of the Church, the Great Tribulation, the return of Christ Jesus to set up His Millennial Kingdom on earth reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords, and the making of a new heaven and a new earth where sin and death are gone forever. Those that add or take from Scripture are those that deny Christ; thus are unsaved. "Flesh and blood," we know, "cannot inherit the kingdom of God." For two thousand years Israel was like dead, but now they have revived. Heavenly Father, as I reflect on Psalm 138 where You say, "I have exulted My Wordabove My Name," I start to understand how important these two warnings in Revelation 22 are. Nothing more is to be done. And it appears to me that here we are bound to account for the presence of these others that are at the marriage-supper of the Lamb, but appear as guests, and not at all in the quality of the bride. Verse of the Day , Revelation 22:19 Treasury of Scripture Knowing, Words and Meanings - Growing In Grace (23). Besides the bride thus arrayed, "He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb." For instance, Abraham kept the whole Law from aleph to tau. I would suggest to you that the Bible does not teach eternal salvation, although it In other words, a believer who perverts the teaching of this book may lose part of his or her eternal reward. Let me know how they sit with you. Must Marriage be Legal to be Blessed by God? It is an amazing future God has in store for all who accept Salvation through the only atonement for our sins; belief in Christ Jesus for our Salvation (John 3:18). The consequence was one of physical discipline, and most likely loneliness, sickness or physical ailment; it was not a loss of salvation. He certainly leaves us in no doubt that worship of angels is wrong and that worship must be given to God alone. The simple fact of conquering far and wide, and of exercising vast political power in the earth, does not constitute any title to such a name. So be it. Objections and Solutions to the Problem of Evil. Revelation 22:19 Interlinear: and if any one may take away from the 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 ( Revelation 22:14 ). This is the first resurrection.". To practice in this instance means More than that, this would recall the great Messianic prophecy: "A star shall come forth out of Jacob" ( Numbers 24:17). "He who comes to me shall not hunger; and he who believes in me shall never thirst" ( John 6:35). eternity. (and the If it looks like the interpretation of passage is in conflict with another, it is always the person at fault not Scripture. This picture has many sources in the Old Testament. The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation by Bruce Demarest. We have created different types of hybrids and different kinds of resistances and so forth.In fact, they have created a tomato plant now in Israel at the Beersheba University, a tomato plant that you can irrigate with seawater. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. God shall take away his part out of the book of life - Perhaps there is here an intimation that this would be most likely to be done by those who professed to be Christians, and who supposed that their names were in the book of life. "At the last day" does not mean merely an instant of time. Scripture provides examples of men who have added to or taken away from the Word of God. He gets his power and they get theirs for one and the same time. Whatever the case, Jesus made the warning with a purpose and that is for sure. and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations ( Revelation 22:2 ). Skeptics would be found in this category. She will despise everything really divine; she will only use whatever of God's word she can pervert for increasing her own importance, and gaining a greater ascendancy over the consciences of men, and enjoying herself more luxuriously in this world; for she will go far to obliterate all remembrance of heaven, and to make this world a kind of paradise which she embellishes, not with pure and undefiled religion, but with the arts of men and the idolatries of the world. to be replaced with one that will never wear out. It does not say that their names are blotted out from the Book. and his name shall be in their foreheads. I do not deserve it. "Five are fallen, one is, the other hath not yet come." At the same time you will mark that these are not said to be executors of judgment as Christ is. 22:16 I, Jesus, sent my angel to you to testify to these things for the sake of the Churches. But what is also of consequence to observe is, that John saw souls the souls of those beheaded on account of the witness of Jesus, and on account of the word of God. They are glorified saints, and not angels. "This is the first resurrection. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star. Just as the city of man's confusion was seen in her vile, degraded, and degrading relations with the beast, this city is seen in her pure and glorious relations with the Lamb. Since then the world has not seen the imperial power to which all bow. THE GUARANTEE OF TRUTH ( Revelation 22:16 ). I am concerned lest we overlook the present fact taught in Johns Revelation that Christ does come to the Christian NOW. It is reigning. They do not like it, so they change it. When the Lord takes His own throne, they take theirs by grace. John takes his picture of the tree of life from two sources--from the tree in the Garden of Eden ( Genesis 3:6); and even more from Ezekiel. It is a gift of God. The book must not be ignored because we find its language unfamiliar. Away from me, you evildoers!'". Salvation is by Grace Alone Only by trusting in Jesus' work (paying for our sins, conquering death, and opening the way to the Father) is anyone saved. ". The point is this. question about Hebrews 6 being difficult to reconcile with a "once saved, always It is written to be believed, not to be ignored or explained away. Or they may simply discard some of the prophecy as rubbish, because they, in their infinite wisdom, assume that a loving God would not act in such a manner. What Is the Book of Life in the Bible? In Daniel's time, and even to Daniel himself, the book was sealed. There are certain things to note about this solemn warning. Not only are they supposed to be coexistent, but united in their change of feeling against Babylon. The problem is that even the majority of Christian church religions do not preach on the Book Of Revelation nor Bible Prophecy at all. In short, it is as we saw in Revelation 17:1-18, after Babylon had been brought before us in the course of the prophecy. In Daniel's time it was not at hand. Consequently they sat upon the thrones at once; while the two latter classes, described in the rest of the verse, were still in the separate state "and the souls." 34. I am still learning a lot about the bible and I am very fascinated.. So, there will be a medicinal value in the leaves of the tree. NO! What does that mean for this grim warning? Also, there may have been some previous history of teaching between the two that The first were such as came out of heaven after Christ, being already raised from the dead and glorified. of Life means that they had a claim to it previously and now lost it. there is a truth here every believer must hear and understand. Now manifestly, if the Lord does not come before this, there is no world to come to; for the earth and heavens are fled. Guess we better get back." However, the command was simple: Dont do it.. Is Christian Exclusivism Really Reasonable? believe this interpretation in these verses because of 1 John 1:19. In Christ alone the longing of the soul can be satisfied. He equally expresses what God is. During the Tribulation Period the Antichrist will be doing everything he can to deceive the people on Earth and that includes those who have become believers on Christ during this horrible period of time. The three-fold promise of the last words of the Bible "I am coming soon" is fulfilled in part when individuals open their lives to receive Christ not only as Saviour but also as an abiding friend, guide and helper. For we are so unworthy and undeserving that we should reign forever and ever in His glorious New Kingdom and New World and new age. Paul demonstrates here that he is talking about the way we relate to God. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. oneself from Christ, Paul says, "I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after The living creatures are, from Revelation 5:1-14 coupled with the elders, as we find them in the beginning of Revelation 19:1-21. Bible verses about Lose Salvation. We have seen that these follow the Lord out of heaven, and are next seen enthroned. It will be observed that in this case it is one of the angels that had the seven bowls who comes forward and says to John, "Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore (or harlot) that sitteth upon [the] many waters." Sow a character and reap a destiny." Sow an act and reap a habit. Those who accept will not tamper with the message, liberating them from the books terrible prophecies. Therefore the messages John received came from the same God as inspired the great prophets of the Old Testament, and must be treated with equal seriousness. The reason is given at the close; not only "by thy sorcery were all the nations deceived," but above all "in her was found [the] blood of prophets and saints, and of all the slain upon the earth.". 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. This brings in idolatry, real shameless idolatry too, not merely that subtle working of the idolatrous spirit that every Christian has to guard against. Thank you again for taking the time for this discussion and I appreciate your Christ comes to His church in its witness and need. Tzemach David, par. For her sin., have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." In this verse we see the book of life is mentioned. The key to these verses is found in Chapter four where Paul Likewise Paul speaks of being shipwrecked when a believer runs astray which is not losing one's salvation (1 Timothy 1:19), but an act of loving discipline by the Father. To the church the end is always near. It was the barbarians who brought in the prevalent ideas of liberty as well as feudalism, and accordingly it is they that have firmly stood for freedom; so that all the efforts to reconstitute the empire which have been tried over and over again have hitherto issued in total failure. The absence of a temple is therefore no loss but a gain for this city. Your email address will not be published. It is for every person, whatever race or religion or economic or social standing, believer or unbeliever. So, seal them up there will be a time that they will be understood, but they are not for you, Daniel. It is not what Christ puts on them, but a recognition even at this time of whatever has been of God the working I do not deny of the Spirit of Christ. Accordingly the resuscitated Roman empire will carry men away by a storm of wonder at its revival. For that which comes distinctly before us in this one verse is the twofold fact, that the ten horns here contemplated receive their kingly power for the same hour or time as the beast, and not subsequently, when his rule was extinguished. But He "treadeth the winepress of the fury of the wrath of the Almighty God" another character of judgment never attributed to the saints, that I know of. Not so good. All this description closes in verse 5. "And no curse shall be any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him." But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His The book of Prophecy in Revelation is very important to warn unbelievers and to show believers what will happen, as well as the blessing it will bring to Israel and those who become believers during the Tribulation period (the worst period of time to live within in all of history). Even when God was judging providentially in the beginning of the Apocalyptic visions (Revelation 4:1-11), associated thrones were seen. 1. fol. How Could Jesus be Punished as a Sinner When He's Pure? A mysterious lawlessness inherits the well-known name of Babylon when Rome is brought forward; and it does not merely embrace Christian times, but the end of the age after the church has gone, when the course of divine judgment comes. In Daniel we read: "The wicked shall do wickedly" ( Daniel 12:10). Edited 16 December 2022 To use this passage as an argument for verbal inspiration is an error. The action relates to their corruption of the gospel (Hymenaeus said the resurrection had already past 2 Timothy 2:18, and Alexander opposed Paul see 2 Timothy 4:14, and most likely Acts 19:33, 34). The Spirit of God regards it in its final shape and completeness, as far as it was permitted to attain it, "The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls." What remains of the last chapter of the Revelation is curiously disjointed. The warning pertains to the prophecy in Revelation. They had had the bitter experience of having all their highest hopes shattered. The bride represents those that are spoken of in the normal possession and enjoyment of their privileges. Again, the affirmation of the truth of what God is declaring for your skeptical mind that finds it hard to believe that God should do such a thing for us. For there follows another company of martyrs who suffered when the beast set up his worst and final pretensions. No one can understand it." 11. "For the gifts and calling of That is Christians will be taken to heaven to be with Him. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely ( Revelation 22:17 ). commandments." If only an imperial city, what has this to do with mystery? Again a thousand years to a day and a day to a thousand years. And he said to me, Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. (Revelation 22:10). Directly he had sinned, the word of God came, and he was called. Does Revelation 22:19 mean you can lose your salvation? He is urged to take up the same cry. New Living Translation It is for those who reject the invitation. Jesus taught us in John 14: 15 "If you love me, keep my According to the general scope of scripture, then, we may be quite sure that these saints, kept during this universal dissolution of the atmospheric heaven and the earth, will be translated to "the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness," in a condition new and meet for the eternal state into which they are ushered. fallen from the more perfect way of seeking God's will in his life to the more base This it is precisely which will bring out the indignant judgment of God upon the last phase of Babylon, so that the guilt of all the blood shed on the earth shall be imputed to her, and she may be judged accordingly. Learn to do things without drawing attention to yourself. Such is the hard bondage which mere historical tradition imposes on its votaries. The chief difference is that in man's case it is God who raises him, whereas in the empire's not God but the devil will raise it again. My reward is with Me.". 6:9; Gal. In Daniel, for instance, we read: "Seal up the vision, for it pertains to many days hence" ( Daniel 8:26). But what I particularly call your attention to is the exceeding importance of heeding the retrospect at the bride, or new Jerusalem here, and the consequent removal of the difficulty caused by taking the last vision of this book as part of the prophetic series which begins in Revelation 19:1-21. That is to say, there will be no more of the pollutions which harm the Christian life. Life is dark and tragic with despair for many troubled people on earth today. Eph. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Also, the warning in Revelation 22:19 is aimed toward unbelievers who would seek to tamper with God's message. That story of Tolstoys is not just a story. some texts aren't so clear cut. Scripture is clear that a true believer is kept secure by the power of God, sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), and of all those whom the Father has given to the Son, He will lose none of them: And this is the will of him that has sent me, that of all that he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up in the last day. (Jude 1:4). (ii) There follows the list of those who are debarred from the city of God. The consequence for adding to the words of the prophecy is suffering the plagues described in Revelation, thus that person goes through the Tribulation. Matthew 10:22 "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.". And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life ( Proverbs 10:11). You can have it back again." We note that this not the first time such a warning is seen in the Canon of God. It is very evident, therefore, that the saints in a glorified state are here represented as following the Lord out of heaven.