The End is the Beginning . . .

 

 

READ Revelation 19–22

Finally, this revealing of the end comes to a close. In some ways, it is not pretty, only for those who love Jesus and hate sin. Chapter 19 begins with Hallelujahs raised — because that “great prostitute” who corrupted the earth is judged and the blood shed because of her immorality is avenged. A great multitude cries out . . .

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. (Revelation 19:6–8)

John saw heaven opened and a white horse whose rider is “called Faithful and True” and “The Word of God” in righteousness judges and makes war along with the armies of heaven following Him on white horses. A sharp sword comes from His mouth (indicating words) that strikes down the nations. Then an angel standing in the sun calls out to the birds “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” (Revelation 19:11–21) This is not the supper I expected!

After that, John saw throne of judges and the souls of martyrs who were resurrected and reigned with Christ. “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4–6)

Then Satan is released from his prison in a final test for the nations and a final war where “fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7–10)

After that, all who did not make it into the book of life were judged. “Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12–15)

Finally, a new heaven and a new earth appear for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. The holy city came down, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” and a loud said, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

This voice said to John, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true . . .It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” (Revelation 21:1–7)

The angel who brought the seven bowls of plagues took John up to see the Bride, the wife of the Lamb, the holy city Jerusalem, radiant like jewels. It has no temple for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb, and no need of sun or moon for the glory of God gives it light and its lamp is the Lamb. By that light, the nations will walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. Nothing unclean will ever enter it . . . only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The water of life flows from God’s throne with the tree of life on each side.

Then the Lord says, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end . . . . I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. And John writes what my own heart wants to shout: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”