“Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. “Behold I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:6-7 NKJV)
And he said to me, “do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” (vs. 10-11)
These words of John, as the angel of the Lord showed him around heaven, revealing as he went the mysteries of the end, should give us reason to examine our own relationship with God. They are a clear indication that God has indeed done all that is necessary to give us every opportunity to live for Him and with Him. He also gave us free will; and because of that we may choose to live apart from God and to do as we please. It is our choice; to live wicked and filthy lives, or to live righteous and holy before God.
Reality says there is a day when you and I will stand in judgment before God. If we are among those that have been forgiven our sins through our faith in Jesus Christ we will be judged for our works to determine our just reward. If we have not trusted in Jesus for forgiveness of our sins, then we will stand before God and be judged guilty of our sins, with the penalty of eternal damnation. There is no appeal, no second chance, the judgment is final, eternal, (Mark 9:48) .
John’s words are as clear as the “river of water of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb”(verse 81). We are rushing towards that day at light speed, we don’t know when we will be there, only that we will, shouldn’t we be ready?
Verse 11 reminds us that judgment is coming, regardless of our relationship with Him, our sinfulness will not delay it, neither will our righteousness rush the day of judgment. It is a time to be yourself, if God’s then you are righteous and holy, if not, you are unjust and filthy.
