This post
begins with a statement of an important biblical principle.
Revelation 22:11 “He that is unjust,
let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and
he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him
be holy still.”
Though man was given freedom of choice,
there comes a point in time when there are no more opportunities for grace and
forgiveness. At that time, if you have chosen to be unjust (actively do
wrong morally, socially, or physically; hurt, injure, be an offender) and/or
filthy (associate with dirt and depravity…to become morally dirty), then your
eternity will be with those likeminded—all who have rejected Jesus and chosen
to follow Satan in rejection and disobedience. On the other hand, if you
choose to accept God’s gift of salvation that clothes you in His righteousness
(innocence, holiness) and holiness (purity, being morally blameless), you will
continue in that state for eternity in fellowship with the Savior.
Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I
come quickly; and my reward is
with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
This can only be the Messiah talking. This is the one about whom
the revelation was given—Jesus Christ. He is coming
quickly/suddenly. When He comes, He will reward (pay for service—good or
bad) every man (each individual who has ever lived) according to his works.
This sounds at first hearing like salvation by works. I think the
following two verses shed the best light regarding Jesus’ perspective as He
uttered these words to John.
John 6:29 “Jesus
answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on
him whom he hath sent.”
The work of the believer is to believe on Jesus, the Son of God.
This will result in eternal fellowship with the Savior.
John 3:16 “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The work of the unbeliever is revealed when measured against the
law. Our work in the flesh can never measure up and will only bring forth
death, separation from God forever.
John 3:18-19 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
Isn’t it
sad that most men reject God because they love their evil deeds so much and
can’t stand the thought of giving them up to serve God!
Revelation 22:13 “I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Jesus is still speaking; identifying
Himself in the same way that God is identified, as shown in the following
verses. The Word of God is clear and consistent in presenting the Father
and Son as two yet one.
John 1:1 “In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the
LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no
God.”
The introductory phrase to the next
verse again seems to say that we can earn our way into eternal fellowship with
the Savior and all its privileges.
Revelation 22:14–15 “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. For without are
dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and
whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
The book of James was given to help us understand saving faith.
Our faith is proven by our works. If we say that we have faith, but our
actions do not match what our lips say, we are only deceiving ourselves.
True faith will produce action—obedience to His word.
James 2:14-17 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and
have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and
destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye
warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are
needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone.”
The Apostle John also addressed this truth in his first epistle.
1 John 2:3-4 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we
keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Dogs
– This was a term of humiliation and designated one as bad or evil.
Sorcerer – One who gives spell-giving
potions, a posioner, a magician
Whoremongers – Prostitutes, fornicators
Murderer – One who commits intentional
homicide
Idolators – Image worshippers
“whosoever
loves and tells lies”
All those that fall into these categories will be separated from God
forever!
(to be continued…)
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