CONFRONTING THE MYSTERIES IN THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS OF REVELATION

The Bible offers up a bouquet of mysteries without apology and explanation. Some of these mysteries permeate the entire Bible and are also revealed at the end of the Book of Revelation. These verses present us with a medley of wonders, which John presents without explanation:

• And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:6-8 ESV)

The first mystery isn’t really a mystery at all. John encountered “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” who then identified Himself as “God.” Who is this Alpha and Omega? Fortunately, we are introduced to Him earlier:

• When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, 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.” (Revelation 1:17-18)

This “first and the last” is the same as the “Alpha and Omega,” the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. He can be no other than our Savior Jesus, who died and now is “alive for ever.”

Here is what I see as the greatest mystery - Is salvation an absolutely free gift, which doesn’t require works or our merit (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-28)? However, in the above, salvation is promised as a free gift “without payment,” but they must also “conquer” by avoiding a list of “detestable” behaviors. But how can salvation be free if we have to pay the price of avoiding these broad assortment of sins?

This same perplexity is mirrored in other verses in the next chapter. On the one hand, salvation is granted “without price” or cost:

• The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17)

“Without price?” However, here to, there seems to be a price or cost required in terms of moral purity:

• "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)

This suggests that sin can disqualify them from receiving salvation, as many verses suggest (Matthew 5:20; Ephesians 5:5; Galatians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 6:9). So which is it - Salvation by good deeds or by the pure mercy of God?

I think that both sets of verses have something significant to teach us. Both truths are necessary but in a different way. But how can we reconcile these truths? While it is true that we are saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), it is by a faith that is not alone. Instead, it is by a fertile and living faith, which both saves and produces obedience (James 2:14-18; 1 John 1:6-7; 2:3-5). Therefore, James wrote that he could demonstrate his faith by his obedience, suggesting that faith and works are distinct but inseparable. Consequently, where there is faith, there is also obedience, and where there is obedience to the Word, there is also faith - a package deal.

This is how God can judge us in regards to our deeds and obedience. These reveal our faith in the same way that apples are a sure indication that they are the fruit of an apple tree, even if some of the fruit may not be of good quality. Consequently, where there are apples growing on a tree, we can safely judge the tree to be an apple tree.

Since faith and obedience accompany one another, Jesus can say:

• “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)

Though salvation is a free gift of God given by faith, Jesus will “recompense” (save) us according to the fruit, the inevitable evidence of faith - obedience (however imperfect it might be). Therefore, to judge according to obedience is also to judge faith.

However, this leads us to another paradox. Some verses have been misinterpreted to mean that all will be saved:

• “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.” (Revelation 22:3)

If none will remain accursed, doesn’t this mean that all will be saved, as the universalist contends? Instead this promise pertains only to those who have obediently turned from their sins:

·       “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 22:12-13)

Later, the text makes reference to those who obediently “wash their robes” in contrast to those who have refused to do this and, instead, love falsehood:

• Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:14-15)

As a result of their love of falsehood, Revelation concludes that the unrepentant will disqualify themselves from the Tree of Life:

• “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

It is the worst kind of deception that would motivate someone to tamper with the Scriptures. It is better to entirely reject the Scriptures than to distort it.

In light of the many verses that warn against the consequences of unrepentant sin, it would be uncaring and unbiblical to extend to them the false hope of salvation apart from repentance.

One last mystery: The Book of Revelation mentions that the prophecies of this Book “soon take place” (Revelation 1:1; 22:10, 12; 20). Could we consider 2000 years as “soon?” Perhaps in God’s reckoning? Perhaps, instead, “soon” should be construed in terms of each one of us individually. When we die, these prophecies will become reality for each of us as we meet Jesus and either flee from or to His Presence. However, I remain skeptical of both of these alternatives.