Daily Scripture Reading Revelation 22:6-21
Humans have a tendency to worship many things. Some people order their lives around the pursuit of money and things. For other people, the pursuit of pleasure is that thing that dictates their behavior. Then there are those who are obsessed with entertainers, athletes, or political leaders, and give all their loyalty to them.
Today’s passage concludes the book of Revelation. The final chapter reminds us that there is only One whom we should worship.
The 21st chapter of Revelation describes the new Jerusalem. It will be large, beautiful, and perfect. No sinner will reside in it. God Himself will light the new city.
Rev. 22:6 ¶ And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His slaves the things which must soon take place.
The pronoun “he” refers to one of the seven angels having the seven bowls (see Rev. 21:9). This angel was sent to John to show the slaves of Jesus what will take place in the future.
Rev. 22:7 ¶ “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Rev. 22:8 ¶ I, John, am the one who was hearing and seeing these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Notice the word “angel”. John fell down to worship the angel.
Rev. 22:9 But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers the prophets and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”
Look at the term “fellow slave”. First, this means John and all believers are slaves of Jesus. Second, it means angels are slaves of Jesus.
Even though the angel brought a great message and was a spokesman for God, only God Himself deserves worship.
Humans have a tendency to worship many things: money, power, possessions, and famous people. Just as the angel was good, and perhaps deserved credit for being good and bringing a good message, ultimately, only God deserves worship.
Likewise, there are many humans who are excellent people and do extraordinary things. Artists create great art. Business people build businesses and produce excellent products. Every once in a while there is a political leader who care about people and does things that benefit society. While all those people deserve credit for their positive accomplishments, only God deserves worship. Our ultimate loyalty must always be to God.
Rev. 22:10 ¶ And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
Rev. 22:11 Let the one who does unrighteousness, still do unrighteousness; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still do righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
Rev. 22:12 ¶ “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his work.
In this verse the pronoun “I” refers to God.
Rev. 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, the beginning and the end.”
Rev. 22:14 ¶ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the authority to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.
Rev. 22:15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Most Christians look upon sorcery, sexual immorality, murder, and idolatry as being gross and unacceptable. A sin that is often not considered as being abominable is lying. However, we see in this verse that practicing lying is included in a list of those who will be excluded from the new Jerusalem. Lying is something Christians should strenuously avoid.
Rev. 22:16 ¶ “I, Jesus, sent My angel to bear witness to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Rev. 22:17 ¶ And 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 wishes receive the water of life without cost.
Rev. 22:18 ¶ I bear witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
Rev. 22:19 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.
Rev. 22:20 ¶ He who bears witness to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Rev. 22:21 ¶ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Humans have a tendency to worship many things: money, power, possessions, and famous people. Just as the angel was good, and perhaps deserved credit for being good and bringing a good message, ultimately, only God deserves worship.
Likewise, there are many humans who are excellent people and do extraordinary things. Artists create great art. Business people build businesses and produce excellent products. Every once in a while there is a political leader who care about people and does things that benefit society. While all those people deserve credit for their positive accomplishments, only God deserves worship. Our ultimate loyalty must always be to God.
In what ways does our society offer worship to things or people other than God?
Can you honestly say you only worship the Creator of the universe?
If not, what do you need to change in your life so that God receives all of your worship?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”