Revelation 19 A Righteous God

In chapter 19, God will deal with the beast, the false prophet, and the armies of the world system. He has already judged the harlot/whore.

Verse 1... And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: Verse 2.. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

(PC) All the way through we have had this affirmation that the judgments of God are true and righteous. And I think that this has been declared all the way through, because this is one of the areas that Satan constantly challenges concerning God, the fairness of God's judgments when he deals and meats out His judgments upon man. There are always those who are ready to challenge the fairness of it. There are always those that say, "What about the people that haven't heard? What about little babies?" and so forth. God is going to be fair and just. This is the declaration that is made all through the period of judgment, "true and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord".

The concept that Satan brought to Eve in the Garden of Eden was that God was not fair, that God was trying to hold her back from something that was beneficial, that God was somehow trying to protect Himself. He had His own self interest at heart when He told Eve not to eat of the tree. That God is holding back something good and He really isn't fair to you was the insinuation behind Satan's remarks. All the way along the fairness of God's judgment has been challenged.

I don't know what God is going to do in a lot of cases. I do know that whatever He does will be absolutely fair. "True and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord." Never worry about the righteousness of God's judgments. You can be worried about the righteousness of my judgments. I sometimes make snap judgments. I sometimes judge without having all the facts in hand, and so my judgments are often wrong. And I have to apologize sometimes for my judgments. That is something that God will never have to do, apologize. It will never happen. "True and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord."

Verse 3.. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. Verse 4.. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

Verse 5.. Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" Verse 6.. And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

Verse 7... Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. " And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

(PC) Now the Lord in the end here is really putting a lot of emphasis upon the fact that these are true sayings. Over and over we will find this repeated as we approach the end of the book, these are the true sayings of God. You can believe this. You can trust in this that these are the true sayings of God.

It is interesting to me how that God took such pains to protect the innocence of Jesus Christ at the crucifixion. Judas returned the money to the priests saying, "I betrayed innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). Pilate said, "I find no fault in Him. I have examined Him. I find no fault in Him" (Luke 23:14). The thief said, "We are here because we deserve to be here, but this man has done nothing amiss"(Luke 23:41). God is making sure that you know that Jesus is innocent as He hangs there on the cross. It is not for His crime or guilt. It is for your sin that He is dying.

So we see the proper wedding garment is to be fine linen, clean and white. We are also told that the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. Romans 3:21-22 says But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: And 3:25 Whom God hat set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26.. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. So the fine linen is the righteousness of Jesus Christ which is imputed to us when we believe. When we trust in, when we rely upon, when we cling to Him!

In Matthew 22:11-14 it says... And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Apparently someone showed up without the fine linen which is the righteousness of saints or Christ in us and was escorted out from the marriage supper.

(PC) What is the righteousness of the saints? Paul, the apostle said as he was recounting to the Philippians his past credits as a Jew, "Hebrew of the Hebrews, circumcised the seventh day, the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, concerning zeal persecuting the church", but he said, "Those things that were gain to me", those credits that I had, those brownie points, "I counted loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, for whom I suffer the loss of all things and count them but refuse that I may know Him and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which was of the Law", circumcised seventh, eighth day and so forth, not having that righteousness which was of the law, "but now having the righteousness which was of Christ through faith" (Philippians 3:5-9).

So, it is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that is imparted to me through my faith in Jesus Christ. God accounts my faith for righteousness. So, I will be clothed in linen, pure and white and clean. And the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. That righteousness that God puts on my account because I believe in Jesus Christ. So it is imputed righteousness given to you by your faith in Christ. It is not a righteousness of works. It isn't that you have been faithful in your devotions, and you have witnessed to so many people, and read so many chapters of the Bible, and spent so many hours in prayer, and you have done all of the religious devotional things, not that at all. I am accounted righteous by God because I believe and trust in Jesus Christ. There is the basis for my righteousness. That is good. If my righteousness were dependent upon my keeping the Law, or keeping rules or regulations—

Let's say that we said that every day you should be reading five chapters out of the Bible. Every day you should be spending twenty minutes on your knees in prayer. Every day you should witness to at least two people. Every day—and we set up these rules for righteousness. Then you may be very good all week long, and you put your little star behind each of the categories each evening. Yes, all my gold stars, but Friday you blow it and you didn't get your prayer time in. Too bad, your unrighteousness Friday night. Just hope the Lord doesn't come Friday night. You might get left. No. My righteousness is not on such a tenuous thing as my faithfulness to devotions or works or whatever. My righteousness is something God accounts and imputes to me because of my faith in Jesus Christ. Thank God.

Verse 10.. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. All of creation and history points to Jesus. The future is in His hands. So the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

(PC) Now, John like so many people, we want to worship the instrument that God uses to bring His knowledge or love or grace to us. One of the great dangers of being in any kind of ministry where God is using you, one of the great dangers of exercising any spiritual gift, is that people so often look at the instrument that God uses. They begin to admire the instrument. They begin to worship, in a sense, the instrument that God has used. And here is John falling on his knees before the angel that is giving him all of this revelation and he is so overawed and thrilled with what is in store for him he falls at his feet to worship him. And he says to him not to do that because he is a fellowservant, but to worship God.

(PC) You see it is a apart of man to need and want to worship something, and man seems to find it easier to worship an object that he can see rather than an object that he cannot see. And so this is the hang-up of man as Paul said in Romans one, "They worshipped and served the creature more than the creator." Man gets hung up and he stops short. He sees the glorious creation of God and he worships the creation, rather than the creator.

And so John is making the same mistake and the angel corrects him and says don't do that. I am a servant of God just like you are. You worship God. And if you are wise and involved in any kind of ministry at all when attention and adulation and these kinds of things come your way, you will be wise as the angel and say, "Don't worship me. Worship God." God doesn't want you taking credit for the work that He does, receiving glory for His work.

Verse 11... And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12.. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. A name that no man knew could mean that no one has power over him. Ancient magicians claimed that they could influence someone if they knew their name.

13.. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  14.. And the armies which were in heaven followed  him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15.. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16.. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

(PC) Now, this vesture dipped in blood is probably a reference to Isaiah sixty-three. It is not his own blood, but the blood of his enemies that he tramples as he tramples out the rebellious. Isaiah sixty-three says, "Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?" And that is the question the prophet asks and Jesus answers, "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." The prophet asks, "Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like those that have been treading in the wine vat?"

It used to be that they put the grapes in the vat and then they would crush them with their feet. They would have a big dance and party, as they would crush all of the grapes, they would get the juice out of them. And you could imagine the grape juice stains all over your clothes after having spent a day treading the wine vat therein. The wine vat actually with your feet pressing down all of these grapes, you can imagine what your clothes would look like.

"Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like the ones that have been treading in the wine vat?" He answers, "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come"(Isaiah 63:3-4).

(PC) So, He is coming to bring an end of man's rebellion. He is coming to trample the wine vat. There will be here upon the earth millions of people who have gathered together to war against Him at His coming. The whole Middle East area of Israel all the way through the land from the Valley of Megiddo clear on down to Edom will be crowded with the vast armies of the world. They will probably number into the hundreds of millions. There is a scripture that would indicate maybe two hundred million.

And that is when the blood will flow to the horses bridle all the way through the Valley of Megiddo clear on down to Edom through the valley of Jehoshaphat as they gather together against the Lord and His anointed. And there will the second Psalm come into play. "Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing, for they have gathered together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, Let us break His bands asunder, let us cast off His law from us; but He who sits in the heavens will laugh for He will have the nations in derision."
And so here we see Him, clothed in a vesture dipped in blood. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword by which these rebellious armies are destroyed. That is He destroys them with His word.

Verse 17.. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

In Ezekiel it says that it will take 7 months just to bury the dead from a great slaughter. That is different from the slaughter of Revelation 19:17. The slaughter of Ezekiel 39 happens at the beginning of the tribulation period. The slaughter of Revelation 19:17 happens at the end of the tribulation period.

So now the end of the beast and the false prophet both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. The rest are prepared to be dinner for all the fowls. It doesn't say that they were cast into the lake of fire at this point. So their judgment is still future. This will happen at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ when death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Rev. 20:14

Revelation 20 Thousand Year Millennium

In Revelation 20:1 - 3 Satan is bound for a thousand years. He is cast into the bottomless pit and shut up. During this time he is not able to deceive the nations as before. Nations do exist at this time. There will be those of every nation who survive the tribulation period and enter into the thousand year millennium period.

In verse 4, John sees thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. These would have to be the ones of Revelation 11:18 who are to be rewarded before the bowl judgments. The servants, the prophets, and the saints, and them that fear the name of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 also speaks of these.  They will rise at the shout of the Lord. And verse 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The souls that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God are a different group, These are tribulation saints which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands. Their fate is to be beheaded. They will also be resurrected and will live and reign with Christ a thousand years. 

Verse 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. The first resurrection is an on going event which ends when the beheaded tribulation saints are made to live again. It started with Christ who was the first fruits and the saints of old whose graves were opened and their bodies arose as told in Matthew 27:52. And they came out of the graves after the Lords resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many. It continues with the rapture of the believers referenced in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The first resurrection concludes when the beheaded tribulation saints are made to live again. Revelation 20:4.

The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. People will die of natural causes during the thousand year reign and will be judged at the end of that period along with the rest of humanity from all the ages. Revelation 20:12.

Verse 6.. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. These resurrected saints will have no part in the final judgement at the end of the thousand year millennium.

In verse 7, Satan is loosed once again. Verse 8.. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Verse 9.. An they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Verse 10.. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever an ever. Satan finally gets his due. He takes his place along side the beast and the false prophet who were dispatched at the beginning of the millennium period.

Verse 11.. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. The awesome power of God holds an atom together. Such tremendous force pushing against itself. Only the hand of God keeps it in check. Look what happens when an atom is split. That tremendous force is released. That is just one atom. Imagine what will happen when God releases his grip on creation. Heaven and earth will indeed flee away.

Verse 12.. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those thing which were written in the books, according to their works.

13.. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14.. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15.. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

In Revelation 13:1 we found that the sea of humanity gave power to the beast. It could be that this same sea is being referred to in verse 20:13.

Revelation 21 A New Heaven, A New Earth

Verse 1.. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. So there will come all things new. The earth is not necessarily destroyed but redesigned. 

Verse 2.. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The new Jerusalem is a physical place. Separate from the earth. Possibly in orbit around the earth. 

Verse 3.. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. God's promise is finally realized. He is dwelling among His people.

Verse 4.. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. The human condition has greatly improved. Death, sorrow, crying, pain all cease to exist.

Verse 5.. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful. We can take it to the bank. God said it. It will happen.

Verse 6.. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. What has been promised for thousands of years is now accomplished. From progressive sanctification springs forth absolute glorification. 

Verse 7.. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Inherit what things? No more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Co-existence and fellowship with God the Father. 

Verse 8.. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Verse 9.. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Believers are the Lamb's wife in Revelation 19. Now the Lamb's wife is the New Jerusalem.

Verse 10.. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. In Revelation 16:20 all mountains are removed from the earth. At the time this is revealed to John there are mountains. John was taken away in the spirit to a high mountain. 

Verse 11.. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12.. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written theron, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel; 13.. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14.. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Israel is restored. Each tribe has access to the city. The twelve apostles which include Paul will govern the twelve tribes. (Matt 19:27-30) King David will be over the twelve tribes. (Ezekiel 34:23-24, 37:24-25) The apostles also represent the church.

Verse 15.. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall therof. 16.. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17.. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Twelve thousand furlongs equal about fifteen hundred miles. Fifteen hundred miles wide, long and high are the dimensions of this city. This could accommodate one billion believers with each able to have a 14,000 square foot apartment and room left over. 

Verse 18.. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19.. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, and emerald; 20.. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 

Verse 21.. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of on pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. So gold in it's purest form is as transparent glass.

22.. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. God is no longer housed in a temple. The temple is housed in God!

Verse 23.. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. This doesn't necessarily mean that sun and moon don't exist but they are not required to light the city because the glory of God will lighten it.

Verse 24.. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. Ethnic differences will fade away during this period.

25.. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26.. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 

27.. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. This verse leads one to think that the New Jerusalem must come down at the beginning of the millennial kingdom. Why else would you talk about a problem that cannot exist.

After the creation of the new heaven and earth, there will be no more wickedness on earth. During the millennial kingdom, however, people will still have the opportunity to choose between good and evil.

Revelation 22 The River of Life

Verse 1... And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. The quality and supply is unending because it proceeds from the throne of God.

Verse 2.. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Verse 3.. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: Verse 4.. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. So there will be nations on the earth. The earth will receive healing from the leaves and experience a lifting of the curse. If the New Jerusalem is in orbit around the earth one could imagine the river of life flowing out of it and spilling down upon the earth.

Verse 5.. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Notice it doesn't say that there is no sun but it is not required because the Lord God Himself lights the city. Reigning for ever and ever is the God given privilege of those who trust in His salvation.

Verse 6.. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. It seems beyond our ability to comprehend; so the Lord reiterates that these sayings are faithful and true.

Verse 7.. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. When Jesus comes, it will be suddenly and without warning. With this in mind, how much more important to keep the sayings of the book.

Verse 8.. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Verse 9.. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. With the revelation of such awe inspiring events, we would be inclined to worship the messenger. But again, our worship is to be directed towards the creator.

Verse 10: And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. If the time was at hand 2,000 years ago, how much more so today?

Verse 11.. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. If one has determined to remain unjust and filthy; If one has determined to reject God's offer of salvation; then, as stated, one will remain in that condition for ever.

Verse 12.. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Wait a minute. We're not saved by works. Galations 2:16.. Man is not justified by works but by faith of Jesus Christ. Wait another minute. James 2:17 says "Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. Is this a contradiction? Of course not. What this means is that we are not saved by works but our salvation will be evidenced by our works. In Acts 26:20 Paul says that people should repent and do works befitting repentance. What kind of works are befitting of repentance? In John 6:28 they asked Jesus "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." So works that are befitting repentance; works that will be rewarded; works that are of God involve believing on Him whom He hath sent. Believing on Him means that you cleave to, trust in, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger.

In Revelation 14:13 Jesus says "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. So our works done here are going to account for something in the hereafter.

Jesus says that He will give reward to every man and woman according as his or her work shall be. Some will have a greater reward. The woman of Luke 7:36 has a great reward in that she loved the Lord immensely and was overcome because of what He had done for her. Jesus said that she was forgiven much and that translated into a great love for God. Many have followed since a very young age. They have labored day in and day out. They have done the work. They have continued to trust in the Lord. They will have their reward. But some come later in life after experiencing darkness and dryness of soul and spirit for a long time. Then they experience the forgiveness of the Lord. They discover the joy and quality of life available to them through Him. Their love of the Lord is great. Their thankfulness can't be measured. Their reward is great. I think this is why Jesus said that those who are first will be last and the last first. Matt. 20:16.

Remember the prodigal son. Luke 15:11. The Father was overwhelmed with joy over the return of His lost son. So much so that he killed a fatted calf and hosted a great celebration. The other son whom had served his Father faithfully over the years received no such attention and was jealous. So just as there are different degrees of relationship here; so shall there be different degrees of relationship in the hereafter.

How do we become great in the Kingdom of Heaven? Luke 9:48 "For he who is least among you all will be great." We are rewarded not with silver and gold, but with a degree of relationship. Relationship is the currency of the Kingdom. We should be working on our retirement account, drawing closer to the Lord, increasing our holy bankroll so to speak.

Hebrews 11:6 says "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Some will have less of a reward. 1 Cor. 3:11.. says For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Verse 12.. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Verse 13.. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Verse 14.. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. Verse 15.. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

What type of works might be burned up? Well Jesus tells us how to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. "He who is least among you all will be great." So if we are all powerful and lord it over one another; these works will be burned up. If one is skilled in controlling and manipulating people and practices such instead of serving them; these works will be burned up. If you do works to be seen by others; to receive recognition for your works; these works will be burned up. Matt 6:5.

Let's say that you are partial to what you eat. By eating a certain way you feel that your relationship with the almighty is enhanced. That is good. For you. But when you try and manipulate and control others based on your convictions instead of God's word, then you impose a burden and a yoke upon others that Jesus died to release us from. Matthew 15:16 .. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17.. Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18.. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Acts 10:11.. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12.. Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13.. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14.. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15.. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16.. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Let's say that you are a respecter of the days of the week. Saturday for instance. You feel that you are closer to God because of certain rituals you practice on a Saturday. That is good for you. But when you try and manipulate and control others based on your convictions instead of God's word, then you impose a burden and a yoke upon them.

Matthew 12:3.. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4.. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5.. Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6.. But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7.. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8.. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

We will also be rewarded with different degrees of responsibility. In Luke 19:11 Jesus tells us that we will receive authority to rule and reign in the hereafter based upon how we have managed that which we have received in this life. I hope I here the words of 19:17 "Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities."

Verse 13.. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Verse 14.. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Verse 15, For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Without has to refer to outer darkness which Jesus often spoke of. Matt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30

Verse 16.. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. We're to be talking about these things in the churches according to Jesus.

Verse 17.. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. This is an open invitation to all. Come and enter into a blessed relationship with the creator of heaven and earth. Blessed peace and recreation to the soul is accessible through Jesus Christ.

Verse 18.. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Verse 19.. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. In other words, we can count on the things in this book happening as recorded. To deny the recorded account of this book is to stand with those who loveth and maketh a lie. Rev. 22:15.

Verse 20.. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Verse 21.. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.