Books

Bible Basics

By Bill Dillon

The Last Things in the Bible

Introduction

Thank you and good morning to all. This is the “Words of Life” gospel broadcast, and we are coming to you live from this radio station. I hope and trust all is well with you today.

On the broadcast this morning, I am going to take an unusual and different approach to this Bible lesson. Unusual and different it is, but also effective and interesting.

We are going to study this morning some of “The Last Things in the Bible.” We are going to begin and end in the very last chapter of the very last book in the Bible — Revelation 22. Revelation 22 tells of the last things done in the Bible, and this morning’s time will be spent considering the various last things of the Bible.

But first, however, allow me to invite you to the worship services of the Mountain Home Church of Christ. Our church building is on the corner of College and North Streets. We meet at 9:30 and 10:20 AM and 6:00 PM and each Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.

Come with:

A Bible in your hand

A friend by your side

A smile on your face

A song in your heart.

Discussion

The first of the last things we will talk about this morning is the Bible’s last picture of Jesus. When we read the final verses of the book of Revelation, the New Testament is drawing to a close. All the apostles, except John, are dead. John has written the life of Christ, and the three short epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John; now he comes to his last book and the last book of the Bible. Revelation is God’s final word — His last production. When John completes this book, divine revelation will cease. Surely the last of final things God says to us will be emphatic and important things.

Throughout the book of Revelation, Jesus is pictured in dramatic ways. The Lord is pictured as:

the faithful witness (Revelation 1:5; 3:14)

the first begotten of the dead (Revelation 1:5)

the One who loved us and washed us from our sins (Revelation 1:5)

the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:11)

the Son of Man (Revelation 1:13)

the One who lives forever more (Revelation 1:18)

the One who walks amidst of the churches (Revelation 2,3).

These are just a few of the many pictures of the Savior in just the first three chapters of Revelation alone. The rest of the book divulges many, many more. But after all those different depictions, what will be that last picture of Jesus?

The last, final picture of Jesus in Revelation is in 22:16 — a two fold picture. First, the root and offspring of David, and secondly, the bright and morning star.

As the offspring of David, Jesus was the appointed Messiah (David’s Greater Son). This meant Christ would come and rule upon the throne of David as the fulfillment of prophecy.

In Isaiah 9:6 prophecy said:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.”

Prophecy said David would have a ruler on his throne. David’s own reign flourished like a bountiful tree, but after Solomon’s death it appeared that the tree was cut down. Then from the trunk a shoot sprang from the roots and that shoot began a great tree all its own. That was Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ sits and rules today on the throne of David.

The Bible’s last picture of Jesus is that of the Eternal Ruler who came through the lineage of David in fulfillment of prophecy.

The Bright and Morning Star indicates Christ would be the one to outshine all others — His brilliance would be incomparable.

Jesus is truly the Alpha and Omega, first and last, and all-in-between.

The Bible’s Last Invitation

The very last invitation of the Bible is to “him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain of youth by whose waters he hoped to keep his youth and never die. Instead of finding that fountain, he found Florida! There is a fountain all right, but it is not of this world. This old world has no fountain of youth to give to anyone. Men lose their youth, grow old and die. This earth simply has no water of life.

The water of life in scripture is from the well of eternal salvation and men indeed need it most. Yes, men need other things, but not as badly as they need eternal life.

The Bible’s last invitation is to those who are thirsty: “Let him that is athirst come.” Deep within each and every one of us there is a deep-seated need for Christ. Only the water of life can quench such a parched thirst.

This last invitation is universal; it is to “whosoever will.” Jesus said in John 6:37:

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Whether you are white, red, black, brown or polka dotted, the water of life is for you. To all people: rich people, poor people, popular people, unpopular people, decent people, indecent people. The gospel is for all people.

The last invitation of the Bible just simply cannot be improved upon.

The Bible’s Last Warning

The last warning of the Bible is found in Revelation 22:18,19:

“For I testify unto every man that heareth 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; 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.”

The Bible contains many warnings: Luke 13:3,5. 1 Corinthians 10:12. Hebrews 2:3.

The Bible recognizes man has a constant need of warnings — for man is so often a victim of sin. The last warning given to man is about the danger of perverting or tampering with the Word of God. It is a warning about mutilating the Bible or tampering with any portion of the Word of God. 1 Peter 4:11 says:

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Severe penalties are attached to the wrong of violating God’s Word by adding or subtracting. This warning cannot be missed. How could God be any clearer on the subject?

Friends, we must understand, in view of the Bible’s last warning that doctrine makes a difference. False teachings should be treated as a deadly poison. What you believe does matter; does make a difference — if not, this warning would not be in the Bible.

The first sin that entered the world was a result of false teaching; the last warning of the Bible is a warning about false teaching. Only the Day of Judgment will reveal how many have erred from the truth knowingly and unknowingly.

The Bible’s Last Promise

The Bible’s last promise is from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself: “He which testifieth these things saith, surely, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20).

There are many today who do not believe this promise. The atheist doesn’t; the agnostic doesn’t; the modernist doesn’t; and many who go to church every Sunday do not! Yet, the fact of the Lord’s coming again is plainly set forth. You know, a few weeks ago if you had asked most anyone in town, “Is Santa Claus coming to see you?” — just about everyone would have said “Oh, yes. He certainly is.” Ask people, “Is Jesus Christ coming again?”, and the answer very well may be a stumbling, “Well, er . . . I don’t know.”

Friends, “He is coming!” Ready or not, believe it or not — He is coming! If you believe in the Bible, the matter is settled for you. Acts1:11 says:

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

This great promise is the crown jewel of all other promises. The promises of forgiveness, answered prayers, daily guidance, provision and care would mean precious little if the Lord is not to return one day.

God, it seems, has saved the best for last. We should praise Him for the hope of its fulfillment.

John prayed, “Even so come Lord Jesus.” So we say.

Conclusion

For the sake of our souls and eternity, let us make sure we are aware of these last things in the Bible.

Are you a child of the King? Why not obey God’s will by faith, repentance, confession and being baptized for the remission of your sins? Why not today?

Thanks for being with us.