Revelation 1-5; 19-22

We’ve come to the end of the story. 

At the very beginning was the Garden of Eden and the perfect creation of our world. Perfect didn’t last long, though, as man sinned against God. This led to the long story of Israel trying to follow God and live as His chosen people, but messing up over and over again. 

Then there was Jesus, the perfect Son of God. He came and lived the perfect, sinless life that we were supposed to live. He also died the death we were condemned to die to pay for those sins. After being buried, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating death, and returned to be with God in heaven. After returning to the Father, the Holy Spirit was given to all who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

Next,  the early church began meeting together, teaching others about God and how to live as a disciple of Christ.

At the end of the Bible, John, the author of Revelation, says “Look, he is coming on the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him…”. (Revelation 1:7)  Jesus is coming again. When the End comes, all people will experience eternity: with God, or without Him.

Take a minute to read Revelation 4.

Revelation is written by John the Disciple on the Island of Patmos. No, John didn’t get a beach house with a view for following Christ as a faithful disciple. Instead he ended up being exiled here by the Roman emperor Domitian. Why? John said “because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” John was telling everyone about Jesus, and Domitian didn’t like that. Domitian sent him away to an Island to die, but God used this punishment for good and gave a vision to John about what happens at the end of all time.

In Revelation 4 we see descriptions of a throne, trumpets, rainbows, gold crowns on heads, beasts with six wings and covered with eyes, 24 elders… this is a busy scene! Believe it or not, each of the items described are imagery for something very specific. But, let’s stay a little closer to the surface and point out two truths from Revelation 4:8.

The first truth is this: in the end, we will be worshipping God. It is clear in reading through Revelation that we will meet the most Holy and important, yet loving and caring God and Father of all. God sits on his throne and ALL creatures, creation, and living things are bowing down to Him. They are saying “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty.” (Revelation 4:8) There is no one like God. He deserves our eternal praise and worship, and our future will include that if we are followers of Jesus!

The second truth is this: the story of God redeeming his People through Jesus will continue to be echoed throughout all of eternity. The second part of verse eight reveals this truth by saying “who was, who is, and who is to come.” It’s a flash of the Gospel! 

Who was - God has done something for us through Jesus Christ. 

Who is - God is continually doing something in us through his Holy Spirit. 

Who is to come - God will continue doing something through us and our worship for all eternity.

There is another side to this story. Although everyone will experience eternity, not everyone will experience it with God. Heaven is only for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Only Jesus can save us from our sin and its punishment.

Revelation should do something in our hearts: It should reignites the call and command of the Great Commission.

“God does not want anyone to Perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) We are God’s most important piece of creation, and he loves each and every one of us! God wants to spend eternity with you! But, no matter who you are or how good you’ve been, eternity with God requires a life saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 

That’s the final call to action as we read these words of Christ from the Bible:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)