Yeah, I love thy church, O Lord, and I hope you love the Lord of the church, his Son, Jesus Christ. And that is who we see in the text before us today. I'm gonna ask you to please remain standing, take your Bibles, and turn to Revelation chapter 22. Revelation chapter 22, I'm gonna begin reading at verse 16, and I'll read to the end of the book, verse 21. That's six verses before us, verses 16 through 21 of Revelation chapter 22. God's word says this, I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. 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 wishes take the water of life without cost. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life. and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come Lord Jesus, the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Let's pray. Father in heaven, how grateful we are to have gone through this book. Lord, we are grateful because we know your word is truth. Lord, as difficult as this book has been, we thank you for it, knowing that it is exactly how you want it to be. Lord, we pray that now as we finish this book, we ask, Lord, that you would give us understanding of this book. We ask, Lord, that Christ would be glorified and your people would be fed. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. May you please be seated. And I'm going to take you back to just a little over 50 years ago. Many of you will remember June 17, 1972. That was the date that two people, two men broke into the office of the Democratic National Committee located at the Watergate office complex right there in Washington, D.C. A night watchman caught them. And then what followed was a very, very difficult time in the life of this country. Because many people wonder, well, who were they? Who were these burglars that broke in there? Why were they there? What were they looking for? Who sent them? And of course, the big question was, what did the president know, and when did he know it? And for two years, this country was consumed with what became known as the Watergate scandal. Nobody, in June of 1972, nobody could have imagined that a third-rate burglary would end up with the resignation of the President of the United States. But on August 9th, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned. He resigned the presidency, and Vice President Gerald Ford became president. And immediately after he was sworn into office, President Ford gave a speech from the East Room of the White House to the American people, and he said this. Many of you will remember that speech, because he famously said, my fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. I think you know why I'm referring to that speech today, because today is the last message in this book of Revelation. And so I can look at all of you and say, my fellow parishioners, after today, our long biblical nightmare is over. Because I know, believe me, I know that the view of this book that I have preached to you for the last year and a half has rattled cages. And I know this book, and especially our interpretation of it, has been very frustrating to many of you. I know that what we have said for the past year and a half is not what you're used to hearing about the book of Revelation. But one last time, I'm gonna say to you that this book is indeed profitable. And one last time, I want you to see the main takeaway of this book, and that is the comfort and the promise and the certain future that all of you who are in Christ have. And there's six verses, six verses to end this book. And I'm going to have five points. First point is the assurance. We have the assurance of the trustworthiness of this book. And by the way, that is appropriate because remember our theme today, the theme of our worship today is the sure foundation of scripture. Well, that's gonna be the first point that we see. How assured you can be that the things we have read in this book are true. Second, we will see an appeal to God. an appeal that the church makes to God. Then the warning, very important warning, and then the promise, it's a great promise, and then the application. And when I say the application, I don't mean the application of these six verses. I mean I'm gonna try to apply this whole book to your life today. And so first, the assurance of trustworthiness. Look at verse 16, the very beginning of the verse. It says, I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things for the churches. Notice, Jesus says I, have sent my angel to testify to you. One more time. One more time, one final time actually, we see another indication that Jesus is God. Because remember in the very first verse of this book, God sent his angel. But now here, Jesus sends his angel. Why? Because Jesus is God. And he sent his angel, sent him to do what? Well it tells you right there, to testify. That word testify appears three times in these final verses. It appears right here, then in verse 18, then in verse 20. And that word is martyral in Greek, and it refers to the act of bearing witness. And the purpose is to confirm these things that we have seen, to confirm that these things that we have seen, they are indeed true. You can bank on them, you can count on them. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you to testify. Does that sound familiar? That's similar to how Paul begins his letters. Remember, Paul usually begins his letters, I Paul, and then he adds an apostle of Jesus Christ. In other words, what he's doing is kind of giving his credential. You know, I'm an apostle. Here's why you should listen to what I have to say, because I'm an apostle sent by God. Well, here in verse 16, notice what Jesus says. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star. Jesus doesn't say he's an apostle sent by God. He says he is God. I'm the root and descendant of David. That phrase comes from Isaiah 11. And of course it refers to the Messiah. And he is the bright morning star. Remember in Numbers 24, we see a star will come from Jacob. And in chapter two of this book, verse 28, remember Christ is speaking to the church of Thyatira. And he says, to the one who overcomes, and among many other things, but to the one who overcomes, I will give him the morning star. Men and women, once again, we can trust the witness of this book because the very authority of it is Jesus Christ himself. Now, the second thing we see is an appeal to God. What do I mean? Well, look at verse 17. Look at just the beginning of the verse. It says, the spirit and the bride say, come, and let the one who hears say, come. Who's the bride? It's the church. This is a prayer. The spirit inspires the church to call for Christ to come in salvation and in judgment as we have seen as we've gone through this book. Let the one who hears say come. Well, who are the ones who hear? Well, we saw it in chapter 1. Remember? Verse 3 of chapter 1. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear. Remember, we said it back then. We said it in chapter one, that when Paul writes or John writes, whoever writes the letter, it goes to the church. One letter, it goes to the church. And then there's a person in the church who reads in front of the whole church. They read the letter. They're the one who reads, then the church are the ones who hear. They're the ones who hear. And the charge is this, let the one who hears In other words, let the church basically pray, come Lord Jesus. And again, in the context of this book, come Lord Jesus in your judgment, kind of an imprecatory prayer. And that is the very thing God does. He comes in judgment. upon first-century Israel for rejecting their Messiah and for persecuting his church. And so now the warning, verses 18 and 19. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words, of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. This warning is actually quite common in ancient literature, isn't it? I mean, remember, Moses warned Israel in Deuteronomy not to add or subtract from the decree and the laws that he gave them. Well, here, Jesus pronounces a curse. on anyone who distorts the message. And that doesn't mean someone who makes an honest mistake or a clerical error when they're copying this book. It doesn't mean anything like that. This is a warning to the one who deliberately distorts the text. And I could give you names of people that I believe deliberately have distorted this text for their gain. And that's quite a serious warning that Christ has given. And in case you missed it earlier, we have now the promise. What's the promise? Verse 20. We've been seeing it all through this book, but here it is. Verse 20, he who testifies to these things says, yes, I am coming quickly, amen, come Lord Jesus. Here, once again, is the clear declaration that indeed Jesus will come in judgment just as he promised in verse 12. And he will do it soon. He will come in judgment and he will do it soon. And so to these Christians, remember who have been suffering. We have verse 21. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Men and women, in just these verses, we have been assured by Christ that these words are true. We have seen that those who hear are to pray for Christ's judgment, basically kind of an imprecatory prayer, come in judgment upon our enemies. Third, we have seen a warning not to add or to subtract from these words. And we have seen one final time the promise that he will come in judgment soon. And so now the application. And on the first Sunday that we preached on this book, I read a quote to you. The quote was from William Perkins. He wrote over 400 years ago, and he said this, and I'm gonna read it again. He said, I am now committing these words to you. to be approved if they have any value, to be criticized and rejected if they have any inadequacies. If you are persuaded, walk on with me. If you have some doubts, inquire with me. If you begin to see points at which you have wandered, come back on the right path with me. If you see that I have strayed, call me back to the road that you are on. But if anyone has petty complaints, about these words, few as they are, my conscience is strong enough to fence against all criticism because my only concern has been to serve the church of God." End of quote. And men and women, I'm going to say the same thing. Today as we see this last message from this book, I will say really that has been my purpose as well. And that is simply to serve the church. How? Well, by seeing what great things this book declares for you Christians. By opening up this book and just looking at what is here. That is how we serve the church. Remember in the beginning of the message today I said that once again, once again you would see the main takeaway of this book. Because remember, most people say, well, you know, the purpose of this book is so that those of us living in the 21st century, those of us who are living, you know, in the end times, you know, we can see all these events unfolding and then we'll know that the time is near and so forth. I see all the Facebook posts because of floods and whatnot, oh, the time is near, this is, you know, you can see it's happening. And many people say that's the purpose of this book. In fact, they even say, and if it's written actually to people in the first century, if it's written for them, for their comfort, for their encouragement, well, then it doesn't apply to us today at all. Well, yes, it does. People, none of the books of the Bible were written to us. Remember, Galatians was written to Christians in a place called Galatia. It was written to them about issues that they were going through in Galatia in the first century. First and second Corinthians was written to Christians in a place called Corinth. And the issues they were going through, immorality and lots of other little problems within the church. Romans was written to Christians in Rome and on and on. But even though those books weren't written to us, the application, It is for us, and it's for all Christians through the ages. Well, okay. So what is the application? What is the application for us from the book of Revelation? What's the main takeaway for us? Well, I'm gonna say three things. First, You're not gonna like this, but in this view of Revelation that we have declared, I want you to see an alternative to the insanity that is out there. What do I mean by the insanity? Well, I noticed an interesting comment. The comment was on the back of one of the commentaries I have on Revelation. It was written by Dennis Johnson. Dennis Johnson was a professor at Westminster here in California. you know, on the back of the books, how they always have the little blurbs, those little paragraphs, you know, from notable theologians or notable pastors or whatever, endorsing the book, and here's why you should buy the book. And I was looking on the back of that book by Dennis Johnson, and there was a quote from D.A. Carson. I really respect D.A. Carson. I like him a lot. And here's the quote, here's why why D.A. Carson said you should get this book. He says, Johnson knows how to write and his text is infused with a rare sanity, rare that is, amongst those who write at a reasonably popular level on the book of Revelation. What does he mean? What is the insanity that he is referring to? Well, he's referring to something that we said in the very beginning. It's called the this is that fallacy. That this thing you're seeing in the news right now, it is that fulfillment of that prophecy that we see over here. And maybe it will help if I read a quote to you. I kind of like it. Listen to this. I just saw this the other day. I was, oh, I gotta read this. I gotta read this to my church. Says in possible fulfillment of biblical prophecy, Chick-fil-A has just opened a new location on the Temple Mount. Now the Temple Mount is in Jerusalem. It's where the temple was built, Solomon's Temple, then the Herod's Temple is where it was built. It was destroyed in 70 AD. The Dome of the Rock is there right now. That's the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. While biblical scholars and end times experts are still unsure how exactly the development fits into timelines for the end of human history, all agree the new Chick-fil-A location is a herald of fulfilled prophecy. In the Psalms, David clearly says that God will arise and have pity on Zion. explained Dr. David Jedediah, who runs an End Times ministry radio station in the Bible Belt. How else are we to interpret this new Chick-fil-A location except as a blatant, obvious sign that God is favoring Zion and the appointed time has come? Yahweh has certainly heard the cry of his people and blessed them. Sources say the new Chick-fil-A is likely some sort of visible manifestation of God's presence with his people. Actually, there is no Chick-fil-A on the Temple Mount. in Jerusalem. That statement was put out by the Babylon Bee. If you're familiar with the Babylon Bee, it's satire. And what the Babylon Bee does is it writes things like that to show the silliness that there is in Christianity today. Their purpose was to show how insane much of this end time stuff can get. Because actually when I was reading it, I was thinking this was real. That shows you how insane it can get. I knew a few weeks ago when we bombed Iran, I knew that, you watch, here's gonna come the end times prophecy experts telling us that this is a fulfillment of prophecy. In other words, telling us that this is that. These bombings were a fulfillment of ancient prophecy, is indeed what people were saying. I knew it because we have been hearing that every time something like that occurs, we've been hearing that for over 50 years now. And one prophecy expert was interviewed by TBN about the bombing of Iran and he said this, quote, From a regular person's perspective, it was not that much of a big deal. But for those of us who study Bible prophecy, obviously it has huge implications. This is Ezekiel 38 and 39, that Turkey, Iran, and Russia will lead a coalition against Israel. Great glory, by the way, says God. somewhat the same thing. He asks this question, is Bible prophecy unfolding before our eyes? And then he goes on to say how Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is Russia, along with Iran and Turkey, how they're gonna form a coalition against Israel. In other words, this is that. Men and women, have we already forgotten? Wasn't that long ago, have we already forgotten that COVID was Bible prophecy unfolding before our eyes. Have we forgotten that the COVID shot was the mark of the beast? That's what many Bible prophecy experts were telling us. Have we forgotten, some of you that are old enough, 1980 when Mount St. Helens erupted? Have you forgot that that was Bible prophecy unfolding before our eyes? Have we forgotten that we were told the rapture would occur in 1981, seven years later, the return of Christ in 1988? When that didn't happen, the date was moved to 2008 by prophecy experts. Just to be clear, it's now 2025. That is the insanity that D.A. Carson was referring to. And I hope you see here, in the view of revelation that we have presented, I hope you see an alternative to that insanity. What we have done is just a sober look at who is the audience of this letter. How would they have understood these words? And the realization scripture interprets scripture and so forth. Secondly, you should see in this book the judgment of God, that he does what he has promised to do. And we see that in this book, because remember, in Matthew chapter 23, remember as Jesus comes out of the temple complex, remember, he comes out for the last time and he says to them, behold your house, that is your temple, this temple, is being left to you desolate. Remember in Luke 19, we've referred to this many times as we've gone through Revelation. Remember in Luke 19, Jesus said, your enemies will surround you, that's Jerusalem, and hem you in on every side and level you to the ground and will not leave one stone upon another. Why? Because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. That was a prophecy. That was a promise. This is what's going to happen. That was unthinkable at the time. Not one stone left upon another of this marvelous temple complex. And indeed, it all happened just as Jesus promised. And his book of Revelation has been referring to that very event. But this should serve as a reminder to all of you that God has also promised to judge sin. But in grace and mercy, he has also provided the way for us sinners to be justified in his sight. And that is through faith in his son, Jesus. And therefore, notice the call we have in this text. It was verse 17. We read only the first half of verse 17, and I'm sure there's two of you here that recognize, oh, you didn't read the second part of verse 17? Well, we'll do it now. But first, the first part of verse 17, remember, says the spirit and the bride say, come, and let the one who hears say, come. That's for the church, the church to pray that Christ would come and judge their persecutors. But then notice, that call is turned around and it becomes now personal. The second part of verse 17 says, and let the one who is thirsty come. This is a call for the one who is thirsty to come and take the water of life. Well, who's the one who is thirsty? Sinners. Sinners who are burdened by their sin and they know it. The call is come to Christ and take the water of life. And notice, without cost. It's without cost to you because Christ paid it all. And so that takes us to the third takeaway from this book. I want you to see in this book the compassionate care of Christ for his suffering church. Remember, we have said that this book is a book of hope. It's a book of comfort and encouragement. And remember, the original recipients of this book were going through persecution. Can't say that enough times. They want to know how much longer. They want to know when are you going to judge our persecutors. And what this book does is it assures them, not much longer. Hang in there, not much longer. And yes, your persecutors will be judged, and it will be soon. They are assured that those who have trusted in him, that those who have trusted in Christ, have a glorious future. The new Jerusalem awaits them. And in that new Jerusalem, they will eat of the tree of life, as we saw just a week ago. And people, even though this isn't written to us, the application is for us. And I think it is a very timely thing for us to see. And by timely, I mean this. One of the main arguments against the existence of God is, well, you Christians say there is this all-powerful, good, and benevolent God. And if there is an all-powerful and all-good God, why do evil things happen? Why do bad things happen? Well, either, you can't have it both ways. Either he wanted to do something about the evil, he wanted to stop it, but he couldn't, in which case he's not all powerful. Or he could have stopped it, could have prevented it, but he didn't, in which case he's not all good. We prayed earlier for the families of the flood victims at Camp Mystic in Texas. a Christian camp, and it can't get much worse than the stories that we are hearing coming out of Texas. I saw an interview of one old, crusty rancher man saying that he could hear the screams of the kids as they're being taken down the river. and saying how that sound will be with him forever. Two of the kids that were killed were siblings, one year apart. My wife and I heard that and tore us apart. We have two kids, one year apart. And I was thinking about the picture. We sent our kids to a mission trip, I don't know, three years ago or so, for four days, four-day mission trip. And we're to meet the campers when they're coming back. We're to meet them in the high school parking lot. And of course, Gina got inflatable balloons with welcome home. One of my favorite pictures, I took a picture of her from behind. She's staring at this empty parking lot waiting for her kids. with those balloons. And as many of you know, buses came back from Camp Mystic. All these parents were waiting. Kids got off the bus and some parents ran and hugged their kids. Other parents realized, my kid's not on that bus. Men and women, where was God? Where was God when that happened? The teaching of scripture is, will not the judge of all the earth do right? Will not the judge of all the earth do right? And that's why I say this is a very timely message for us. Because the greatest message we have in this book is not that the COVID shot is the mark of the beast, Not that Russia and Iran are gonna join Turkey and attack Israel. I mean, they may very well, I don't know. But that's not the message of this book. The great lesson we see in this book is comfort and promise and certainty for those who belong to Christ. It's a message of hope. It's a message that tells us to look to the reward A few months ago, I was reading Table Talk magazine. The theme that month was hope. And one article by Dr. Neil Stewart refers to our certain future. And I want to remind you that that biblical word hope means a present assurance of a future reality. That we're presently assured of what the future holds. And in that article by Dr. Neil Stewart, Dr. Stewart refers to our certain future. Listen to what he says. He says, think of a Christian lady who has battled breast cancer for many years. The chemotherapy has failed. Her fight is almost over. She is about to breathe her last. What hope does she have? As she dies, she will not be alone. Her faithful Savior is with her. Death may wait in her hospital room, but death is there as a servant whose only job is to open heaven's door and let her in. And when he comes, Her soul is immediately at rest. Her striving stops. Her spirit bursts forth with never before felt freedom. Her soul is carried to heaven as God prepares to bring another of his beloved blood brought children home. She enters into the presence of the king who is there in all his beauty. Yet even here her best days lie ahead. Soon that glorious moment will come when Christ returns to make all things new, and to create a new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells. Then the now will swallow up the not yet, and our best days will be forever. What a hope! And if it is yours today, Christian, the fullness of this hope will be yours soon, and will be yours forever." That's the message of Revelation, this certain hope that we have. And so what do you do? You do what verse 17 tells you to do. Let the one who is thirsty come and take the water of life without cost. And again, it is without cost to you because Christ paid it all. Let's pray. Father in heaven, we do indeed thank you for your mercy. Lord, we thank you for this book. Lord, what great things we see here. What comfort. What encouragement and certainly what blessed hope we have. Lord, how we thank you that you are victorious. Lord, we know you keep your promises. And Lord, we know you have promised to judge sinners. And so Lord, we thank you for Jesus Christ who has paid it all. And because of that, we can come to you without cost and we can drink. Lord, we thank you and we pray your blessing upon your church as we seek to follow you. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.