EPILOGUE (Chapter 22:6-21)
I. This Section of the Book Seems to Be Unorganized:
. . A. Four separate references are made to the words of the book (6, 10, 16, 18-19).
. . B. Three separate references to Christ's Second Coming (7, 12, 20).
. . C. Two different references to the righteous/unrighteous (11, 14-15).
. . D. Possible repetition of the occasion of John's angel worship (8-9; see 19:10).
II. Chronological Sequence of Final Admonitions:
. . A. The angel (who had shown John the New Jerusalem) concludes his discourse: “These words are trustworthy and
. . . . true (see 21:5b). The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things
. . . . that must soon take place (see 1:1).
. . B. Jesus says: “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book!”
. . C. John describes (once again?) his falling down to worship the angel who had been showing him these things and the
. . . . angel’s rebuke. However, here the angel adds to the group of the angel's fellow servants “those who keep the
. . . . words of the prophecy of this book."
. . D. The angel continues: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” Contrast
. . . . Daniel 12:9: “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.” The
. . . . angel continues, saying that the wicked should continue to be wicked and the righteous continue to be righteous;
. . . . Christ's coming will be so sudden that there will be no time then to repent or to fall away.
. . E. Christ speaks: “Behold, I am coming soon!” He says that He will reward everyone according to what he has done.
. . . . He is the Alpha and Omega, attributes of God Himself in 1:8 and 21:6. He blesses those who continually wash their
. . . . robes, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and entrance into the City. But all kinds of wicked people
. . . . must stay out of the City. Jesus concludes with his qualifications: “I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the
. . . . Bright Morning Star.”
. . F. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come!’ He who hears says “Come. Whoever is thirsty (the unbelievers) may come
. . . . and take the free gift of the Water of Life."
. . G. Curses are pronounced on anyone who alters the words of the prophecy of this book (a common ending to books
. . . . in ancient times, as a warning to the copyist to be extremely careful and accurate).
. . H. Jesus, who testifies to these things, says: “Yes, I am coming soon!”
. . I. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”

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