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2. The Last Offer of Salvation (Revelation 22:10-15)
REVELATION 22:10-15
10 He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
The Time is at Hand: The angel asked the apostle John not to seal the sayings and images of the revelation or to keep them to himself. John was to announce them to all his churches in order that all followers of Christ bring their live and testimony into line with the revelations and their implementation. Time presses! The events prophesied in this Book of Revelation follow in rapid succession.
Many people are afraid of the future. The angel, however, encourages the believers as if he wants to say: When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and do not fall into despair, as our Lord comes sooner than we may think of (Luke 21:28).
The Wicked and the Good: The Book of Revelation states plainly: Many people do evil and continue with doing evil, as their hearts are poisoned by the spirit of sin. They are always prepared to protest against their Lord and creator. Whoever remains unclean, is a servant of his desires. He will continue to live unclean. His subconscious mind is depraved and filled with images of lust and self-satisfaction.
Jesus revealed this misery together with its remedy, “Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. ... If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:34.36). A sinner who accepts his justification by the blood of Christ will be considered as a justified righteous man by God. At the same time he will be called to walk in the works of righteousness which God had prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, we are to seek the grace of justification and to look eagerly for, to study and to do the 1000 commandments of Christ in the gospel. Here is a great fault among many Christians, who accept gratefully the granted justification of Christ but do not know or ignore his commandments.
Whoever wants to live a holy life has to strive after the will of his Lord and to swim against the stream of the indifferent general public. Whoever is sanctified through the blood of Christ and his Spirit is to become aware that his life does not belong to him any longer, but that he has become at God's disposal unquestioningly. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14). The fruit of the spirit are love and joy at first, then peace and goodness! Each saint is to beware of hypocrisy and is to regard himself as the lowliest. The joy of the Lord is his strength, not the fatuous proud of himself.
Behold, I Come Quickly! Jesus now challenges the wicked unrighteous as well as the righteous saints the second time: “Behold! Open your eyes! Please, understand now: I, the King of kings, your judge, I really come! I am on the way! I stand at your front door and knock” (Revelation 3:20). Change your life, if you had lived up to now without or against God. Please, be not so stupid and do not destroy yourself. It is still time of grace. Your sins have been atoned at Golgotha, but without repentance and faith in me, your Savior, will the accomplished salvation not become reality in your life! Return now, before I am to judge you according to your evil deeds. Don’t deceive yourself, nobody is good! You are, like all other people, depraved and lost in the judgment. Repent, because I come quickly!"
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You love sinners and hate sins. However, Your Son Jesus justified all men on earth on condition that they had believed in Him and accepted His salvation. Grant them repentance and change of their minds to love Your Savior and trust Him that Your accomplished salvation may be realized in God's seekers. We thank You for Your longsuffering with us. Amen.
QUESTION:
- The salvation that was accomplished, how is it realized in atheistic sinners?