“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Revelation 22:1
Dear Ones:
Why did God give the book of the Revelation to John on the isle of Patmos? What was His purpose? There was, as in the present day, a very real need among the seven churches located in Asia Minor, to have a renewed, and crystal clear perception and vision of the person of Christ. The glorified Christ is revealed as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the God not only of creation, but the Sovereign God of history, for He was, and is, and is to come. As such He is the “Almighty” God. No occurrence in history, no change in heaven and earth, affects the fact and reality that TODAY, Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is the beginning point of the revelation. As God always gives the precise revelation for a specific purpose, we discover that His purpose is to meet the needs of the different churches of John’s day, and ours, so that He can reveal His glory then and now. Hence, He addresses the seven churches, each with a specific message particular to that church. However, the overriding power and authority of each letter, or message, is the revelation of the glorified Christ, who “…walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks,” the churches. But, why is the revelation specifically written for the churches?
We always need to realize that Christ’s overall objective is the glory of the Father, the revealing of that glory in the greatest, and clearest manner. He reveals Himself in this way, so that faith will be strengthened, and the response to His commandments will increase, and be more consistent. With regard to the churches, we also need to remember that ever since Pentecost, Christ has chosen to dwell in the hearts of believers by the Spirit. Thus, He has chosen to reveal His glory TO THE CHURCHES, that He might reveal His glory THROUGH the churches to the world. What are the specifics of this revelation that the churches needed to see?
We have already mentioned the vision of Christ glorified, the Almighty, sovereign God. There is also the specific revelation of Christ to the individual churches, as seen in separate letters. The revelation then takes us into heaven, there to behold the Father on the throne of heaven, and then slain Lamb of God, seated at His right hand. This entire vision is permeated with the truth of the dominance of God’s holiness and worth. The churches, if they would rise up, walk by the faith that overcomes this world, need to see the overarching reality of God’s eternal holiness and worth, power and might, so that faith will look beyond the temporal to the eternal.
The revelation then takes a turn to address God’s works in history, both in the past, the present, and the future. Again, the overall reality of His sovereign power, might, and love, are revealed. He will bring to pass His perfect will, purpose, and realization of redemption, in spite of the spiritual opposition of Satan, and the plans of men. He will reveal the final blow to all the enemies of Christ, their judgment and end. God brings before the churches the picture of the final victory over all that pertains to sin and Satan. The churches need to see and know that, regardless of what they face on this earth, Christ’s victory will be completely revealed.
But what of the final words to the churches, and also, to all who would thirst after God, to be met by God and saved? The vision begins with a “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb.” (22:1) Christ came to give men LIFE in abundance, perfect and without sin. To those who hear, come, and thirst, comes the invitation: “…let him take the water of life freely.” (22:18)
Dear Father, Sovereign God of heaven, open our eyes to see Thee as Thou art, and receive Thy Life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Love, Dad