According to what they have done

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Revelation 22:12)

 

It’s hard to understand generally the true meaning of the contents written in the Bible. The Book of Revelation is a prophecy on the end of the world, so it’s much harder to understand. One thing is for sure, all words the Revelation are trustworthy and true. This text tells about the revelation on Jesus’ second coming, the blessing of keeping the words of the prophecy, and the punishment of not keeping it. This revelation is a prophecy opened to anybody. All the deeds are made by one’s own judgment and decision, but one must take responsibility for anything oneself. The ultimate purpose of human life is to approach the Tree of Life and enter the eternal gate. The answer to that purpose is open to anybody, but the results will vary depending on how to do one’s own decision and behavior.

 

The Bible is the word of God recorded according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Bible cannot be properly understood ‘unless it is by the Holy Spirit’. Even among those who don’t believe in Jesus, there may be many who have extensive knowledge of the Bible. But those and Christians have different understanding of the Bible fundamentally. Christians accept the Bible as a ‘spiritual bread’ while non-Christians regard it as a myth or an allegory. Moreover, can a non-Christian realize the prophecy of the Revelation and accept it properly? It is written in the text, the prophecy of revelation is ‘the trustworthy, true words’. It means that a complete prophecy which can be absolutely trusted because it is given by God.

 

The words of revelation were given to the servants of God through angels. The Revelation was received by John the apostle on the island of Patmos, and the recorded book of revelation has been transmitted down by Christians the Lord’s servants. It is an object the revelation has is to make keep the written words firmly until Christ comes again. Faith is to do hearing and obedience, and the result of faith is a blessed life. And faith begins from listening to God, and faith grows through the deeds of obedience. If you don’t hear the words of Bible but want faith to grow, it’s a contradictory expectation. And even though listen to the words, if the faith does not grow, it is a proof that you didn’t listen to the Bible correctly.

 

The Second Coming of Jesus is a big occurrence of the world last that all Christians believe and wait for. As the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven, those who looked at Him heard the angel’s voice, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” as the written in Acts 1:11. John the apostle also heard the voice of Jesus, written in Revelation 22:7, “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” Hearing it, John was so moved that he fell down in order to worship at the feet of the angel who was showing the fantasy. Then the angel said to John, “Don’t do that! ~ (but) Worship God!”

 

The most important thing for a man is to know right who the object to worship is, and worship. If you do not know who Jesus, the Almighty, the Lord of creation and salvation is, anybody will be bowed to idol. Even though you are good intellectuals, you would be so if you don’t have the spirit of Christ in yourself. Even if you say it a sin done without your will, it’s no excuse rightly. Because not believing in Jesus is a sin itself. That is it the reason why anyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus has to be punished by judgment. People say that God judges or punishes, but that’s not right saying. Everything is fulfilled as oneself does. Thus you have to know the fact that any judgment and punishment are the results according to one’s deeds.

 

John heard a word, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll.” It means the door to salvation is open, so you can decide righteousness or injustice for yourself. Every answer is already in the book, but student must study and find the answer on one’s own. If you fail the test because you can’t find the answer, the responsibility doesn’t go to anyone else. To find the answer to salvation, you have to wash your robes of it. If the spirit is not cleansed by the blood of Christ, you will not be able to go to the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve, who sinned in the Garden of Eden, could not eat the fruit of the Tree of Life. Because God blocked their approach with a fire sword.

 

Salvation is to enter the gate of the eternal temple. The temple is the holy place where God is. Jesus opened the curtain of the sanctuary for people to enter there. When Jesus breathed the last, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom. That shows the death of Jesus opened the way of life for man. What we need to do now is to abandon the deeds of the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood, and enjoy the holy life of salvation by believing in Jesus.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on March 26th 2023)