Chapter 22 is the last in the sequence of showing what happens to the chosen ones. At the beginning, John is finishing up on describing the new world and the things he saw. In verse three he brings out the fact that we are under a curse by saying that the curse will be lifted and exist no more.
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. Rev 22:3 |
The curse will be removed after all of the events named in Revelation take place and not before. While the bible doesn't tell us exactly when the curse started, we can come close to what we believe is a start time by placing a little thought on when God first condemned mankind, it appears to have taken place in the Garden of Eden.
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. Gen 3:15 |
If you take notice, in verse 8 you can see where John made the same mistake as he did in chapter 19. He fell down at the feet of an angel and started to worship him.
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Rev 22:8 |
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10 |
I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel ... Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant ... And he said to me, "Do not seal the words ... I am the Alpha and the Omega," Rev 22:8-13 quotes |
After learning not to worship angels, John was told not to seal up the prophesies he was just shown. This is so we, who are now 2000 years later looking at them, can understand and see what is to be expected.
And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand." Rev 22:10 |
This next verse is somewhat confusing if you don't understand that both God and Jesus spoke to the angel at different times. Here Jesus is speaking to John and letting him know his position.
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. Rev 22:16 |
Now it's time for an explanation, star means angel in most of the terms in the book of Revelation. Then when you add to it that Jesus was speaking to John through an angel, and how that angel was then speaking to John, it can seem like Jesus is also an angel. This confusion may be why some religions claim that the term "sons of God" in the Old Testament are talking about angels and not true spirit sons of God. But for the record, Jesus was never an angel.
This verse explains why the angels said what they did and also explains that it really was God and no one else who said he is the Alpha and Omega.
And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. Rev 22:6 |
As in the beginning of chapter 5, God is the one who revealed all of these prophesies in the book of Revelation. He handed them to Jesus, who in turn handed them to his angel to show them to John. Therefore, this term Alpha and Omega is referring to God almighty and not Jesus Christ and most certainly no angel.
Jesus was not the one who said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," it was God who said it. That phrase, when interpreted correctly, also supports the fact that Jesus is not God. Something so many preachers and scholars cannot understand. Because they believe that God died on the cross and not his son, they cannot fully understand who Jesus is, or who God is.
The last chapter also places another curse on mankind, Jesus says he will take away the name of any person found in the book of life who takes away from the book of Revelation or adds to it. That means, if you are among the chosen, and change what is written, you will loose your salvation. So the quest is, hopefully Jesus will allow the Holy Spirit to teach you right so that you don't mislead others.
If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, Rev 22:18-19 |
You cannot change what is written even though you may not understand it. Saying what you believe is not changing it, even though what you believe can be very misleading to your self and others.
Then Jesus signs off at the end like a person signing a letter they wrote.
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Rev 22:20 |
We know his version of quickly isn't our version of quickly, it's been almost 2000 years now since he left. However, knowing that 7000 years must pass, and that there will be a 1000 year reign before another tribulation period after Satan is released, helps to understand why it has been so long since Jesus left and why it may still be many years before he returns.