"Revelation 18-22"
Watch
Listen
Read
Have you ever waited to see a movie or TV show, only to have the ending suddenly revealed by a coworker or friend? Where was the "spoiler alert" before you learned that Rosebud was a sled, the astronauts never left earth, or the villain is actually the hero's father?
As we come to the final week of our Into the Book reading plan, we'll wrap up the last five chapters of the Bible in Revelation. And — SPOILER ALERT — you won't want to miss John's vision of the ending of history itself.
The Good Guys Win
On Monday (Rev. 18), we hear the angels announce "Babylon, the great" city's destruction (Rev. 18:2). Since it was full of immorality and luxurious living, onlookers marvel as it burns to the ground in a single day (Rev. 18:2-8). Then a voice cries out to the faithful, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities" (Rev. 18:4-5).
- If God can destroy evil nations, what else can he accomplish in your life today?
Happily Ever After
After the fall of the evil city, on Tuesday (Rev. 19), the multitudes in heaven shout their praise and worship to God (Rev. 19:1-5). With great anticipation, they announce a wedding feast for the Lamb and His Bride (Rev. 19:6-8). Just then, a rider arrives on a white horse, with eyes like fire, wearing a blood-dipped robe, and commanding the armies of heaven (Rev. 19:9-16). Who could this be? It's the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16)!
- How does God's victory over evil earthly establishments help you trust him and praise him more?
To Be Continued
On Wednesday (Rev. 20), we watch an angel lock up the ancient dragon — the devil — into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. But "Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive” the earth (Rev. 20:7-8). And once his deceptions are over, he's thrown into the lake of fire to suffer eternal torment (Rev. 20:10). But the story continues with a fantastic judgment scene, as all the dead stood before the throne when the great books were opened (Rev. 20:11-12). "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15).
- Is your name found in the book of life (Rev. 20:12-13)?
On Thursday (Rev. 21), a new heaven and earth appear, as the holy city — the new Jerusalem — descends from heaven as the Bride for her Husband (Rev. 21:1-2). Now, God dwells with man, taking away all our sorrows, pain, and fears (Rev. 21:3-7). In vivid detail, John describes the Bride's beauty as he watches the heavenly city descend from above (Rev. 21:10-21). It's simply breathtaking to imagine! There's no sun or moon to shine over the city because God's glory gives it light, illuminating all who live there (Rev. 21:23-26). Praise God that some things will continue forever!
- What will not be in that great city, and why is that comforting for John's audience to hear?
Finally, as we close out our yearlong New Testament readings, on Friday (Rev. 22) we find a life-giving river flowing from the Lord's throne through the great city (Rev. 22:1-2). And along the river, there's the tree of life, like the one we saw in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9), bringing life and healing to all who ate it (Rev. 22:2). We're reminded that the prophecy of this book "must soon take place" and how Jesus is coming soon in judgment as a bright and morning star (Rev. 22:6-16). And as John closes, he warns us not to add to or take away anything written in this prophecy (Rev. 22:18-19).
- Can you say, along with John, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20)?
