5 questions every person should be Asking

 Read Revelation 22.

The closing themes of the Bible answer some of the most important questions humans need to be asking.

What is Life?
The Bible tells us about real life and how we can have it.  In the New Testament, eternal life is often simply called "life" as opposed to temporal physical existence.  Those who do not believe in Jesus "shall not see life" (John 3:36).  Jesus said, "Come to me that you may have life." (John 5:40).  "I came that they may have life." (John 10:10b).  "...by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31)

 

Chapter 21 closes stating that only "those who are written in the Lamb's book of life" will be living eternally with God.  The subject of life continues in chapter 22.  Here we are told that in the New Jerusalem there will be a river of the water of life and the tree of life.  That tree of life has not been seen since God banned Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3.

When will Jesus return?
Jesus said, "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again..." (John 14:3)  At his ascension back to heaven, angels announced, "This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)  In Revelation 22, three times Jesus is quoted as saying, "I am coming soon."  Concerning this book, the angel told John that these things "must soon take place" (v.6) and "the time is near" (v.10).  Indeed, the opening verses of Revelation state, "...the time is near." (1:3)

But it has now been nearly 2,000 since the Apostle John wrote those words.  Concerning these prophecies there is nothing preventing the next steps in God's future plans from taking place.  They are imminent and could begin at any moment.

Who is Jesus? (v.13)
Don't miss the clarity of Jesus' identity.  "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."  Compare that statement with Revelation 1:8.  "I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."  Jesus clearly claims to be God Almighty.  Those who say Jesus never said He was God have never read this book.

What is the warning? (vv.18-19)
Those who believe the Bible is God's written word understand that it has been supernaturally preserved for us as infallible, is complete, and is without error.  According to verses 18-19, there is no new revelation to add to it.  Beware of false prophets who claim to have a new "prophetic word".  One of the cults even claims to have "another gospel" of which Galatians 1:6-9 condemns outright.  There are no lost books of the Bible as advertised occasionally on television.

The punishment for such falsehoods is "God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

What should be our response to this book? (vv.17, 20-21)
The Holy Spirit speaks to every human heart, and the primary communication of God's people to the world, is "Come" to Jesus.  Every person has a crying need to deal with their sin and guilt.  That sin debt has been paid on the cross.  The spiritual thirst within every person may only be satisfied with the eternal life giving soul refreshment that Jesus offers to us.

"Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!"