In Revelation 22:16-21, the Lord Jesus gives his people some final words. In chapter one, John spoke of Christ’s coming in glory at the end of the last days, and the book ends with the same promise. His coming means his people will see his glory and enter into the full enjoyment of the salvation Christ accomplished for them.
In C. S. Lewis’ book, The Last Battle, his Christ-like character Aslan the lion says to the children who have followed him, “The term is over; the holidays have begun.” The term refers to the school term, a time of learning, discipline, and struggle. After the final exams, the holidays are a time of celebration and rest.
In the book, the children encountered many dangers, toils, and snares from their own folly as well as malicious enemies, yet they maintained their allegiance to Aslan. Lewis writes that now the adventure is just beginning. Life in this fallen world was just the cover and the title page; now the chapters begin, and each chapter will be better than before, says Lewis.
When Christ comes, many will grieve because of him. They will not be prepared for his coming and will suffer judgment for their sin and unbelief. But for Christ’s people it will be a day of joy and celebration, if we endure by faith until the end. Delight in God has a transforming power and gives consolation to the soul as it goes through the troubles in this world.
In Revelation 22:16, the Lord Jesus says, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches.” The testimony of Jesus means the book is more than reliable information; it is of divine origin. It is authoritative, its promises and warnings certain. The Lord uses his name “Jesus” to remind us he is truly man, the one who was from Nazareth and was crucified in Jerusalem, yet also more than man, truly divine, eternal Son of God.
The Lord says at the end of verse 16, “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation begins and ends teaching us about Christ. In the first chapter, John sees a vision of the exalted Christ in great glory; his eyes are like flames of fire, his voice like the sound of many waters, his face shining like the sun in full strength, and other descriptions of his majesty.
He tells the abased John at his feet not to fear, and says, “I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Christ’s majesty along with his sacrificial death is a combination that gives the thoughtful Christian assurance of Christ’s care and love in low times and troubled times.
Jesus being the descendant of David points to him being the Christ the prophets wrote of. In Isaiah 11, we read, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots that shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
When we see such accurate forecasting of the coming Christ, we should be thankful to have God’s sure word but also have wonder, praise, and love to the one foreseen, the Lord Jesus. If we would have wisdom, a true understanding of life and communion with God, we must study Christ.
The other name the Lord uses of himself in Revelation 22:16 is “the bright morning star.” The apostle Peter tells us to pay attention to scripture as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2nd Peter 2).
Reading Scripture with an aim to admire and love Christ will pay rich rewards. Be sure of this: the Christian faith is about knowing Christ. The number one message that Jesus preached was not about doing good or about love. No, the number one message Christ preached was himself. “I Am,” he says over and over. Once Christ is touched, the soul is healed to do good and to love.
What is it that Christ Jesus offers to you? He offers himself. He says, “If you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.” You see how he means to do you good. He gives another way than the way of death; Christ offers a way that ends in happiness and everlasting life.
