3. THE OF JESUS Revelation 22:12-16 12 And my reward is with me.--This verse is a repetition of verse 7 with assurance that each one will be rewarded according to his works. See notes on verse 7. On being judged according to works compare 2 Corinthians 5:10. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega.--The text explains these words as first and last, beginning and end. Christ was with the Father in the creation (Colossians 1:15-17), has been in the plan of salvation, and will be at the judgment, and in the new Jerusalem. It is wonderfully encouraging to know we have one with such power to make us promises of rewards he will make no mistakes. 14 Blessed are they that wash their robes.--The promise made to such is that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Adam because of disobedience was denied this right; through Christ man by obedience may come to it. Washing robes means to be pardoned through the merits of Jesus' blood. Other texts show that the blessings of the eternal city depend upon faithfulness unto death. (Revelation 2:11.) 15 Without are the dogs.--This verse contains substantially the same thought as Revelation 21:8. To the Jews the dog was an unclean animal and was a fit emblem of the abominable characters here named. "Without" means that such persons will not be allowed admittance to the heavenly city. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel.--In these words Jesus directly confirms the testimony of the angel as being his own. His words were sent to churches then existing--the seven named --but are intended for all others in like conditions or subject to the same sins. I am the root and the offspring of David.--Being a descendant of David, he was what the prophecies demanded he should be; without this lineage he could not have occupied the throne of authority. This fact was mentioned in the first chapter of the New Testament and confirmed by Jesus here in the last chapter. As the offspring of David, he now rules at the right hand of God; at the judgment he will be sitting on the same throne; in eternity he will still be in association with the Father. (Verse 2.) 4. AN AND A WARNING Revelation 22:17-19 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.--The invitation is to come to Christ, and is based upon his right to our devotion and service. This right rests upon his character as Creator and the legal Ruler in the "tabernacle of David." The Holy Spirit entreats us to come by the teachings of the apostles and prophets. These contain the motives of mercy and rewards, as found in this book and other parts of the sacred record. The church, which is the wife (Revelation 21:9), invites by preaching the word and proper Christian living. Those that hear (heed) are authorized to say, Come. Those who desire and are willing may take the water of life freely--that is, can have an abundant "entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:11.) With such invitations no earnest and honest soul need be lost. 18 If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book.--This is probably the language of John himself. He warns of the disasters that will come upon those who tamper with the divine record of this book. The same principle applies to all God's laws at whatever time they are in force. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Galatians 1:6-9.) John, however, is here speaking of Revelation; the expression this book is sufficient proof. Being a prophetic book with the fulfillment of its symbols yet future when John wrote, there would be more temptations to change its words to fit supposed fulfillments. The desire to add other predictions would need to be curbed. The opposite danger--leaving out what might seem to conflict with views already taken--would also be strong. Those rejecting any part of the book would lose their inheritance in the heavenly city. This will condemn not only actual mutilation of the book, but also its perversion through teaching to support a false theory. No book should be studied with more caution or care.