Sunday, November 11th, 2018 - Am - Perverted Government, Part One (Rev. 22:16-17)

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Rejoicing Through Revelation  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  46:10
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How have you decided to respond to the Bible’s Great Invitation for you to “Come…take the water of life freely?”

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Pre-Introduction:
For those joining us online, you’re listening to the Services of the Broomfield Baptist Church. This is the Pastor bringing the Sunday Morning message entitled "Perversions Amidst Government Are No Match for the Power of the Gospel!". We invite you to follow along with us in your Bible in the Book of Revelation, chapter twenty-two, and verses sixteen through twenty-one.
Revelation 22:16–21 KJV 1900
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Introduction:

[Start Low]
Some of our most influential and duly elected governmental leaders are live openly reprobate lives and have threatened to force their godless agenda on the whole of society.
John wrote this passage, of which some of the words are his, some are Christ's, some are the Spirit's, and some are the Church's. It was originally written to the local churches in Asia Minor in the last decade of the first century churches while John was in exile on Patmos. The message of the Book concerns what John was shown to be the things that are, were and, are to come. It was written to encourage believers, some of whom were persecuted for following Christ, others who had compromised themselves, to look for the appearing of our Lord and Saviour, the Almighty and the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Main Thought:
While governmental powers may seek to enslave souls to godlessness, the power of the Gospel can still liberate souls to Christlikeness!
But, the responsibility of responding to the Gospel is placed upon the hearer; the outcome is determined by the soul's decision.
Sub-introduction:
Here is the final closing of the entire Bible. The parallels to the Introduction of Revelation are everywhere: Jesus Is Coming Quickly, He is Alpha & Omega, the promises to the churches, Morning Star counters Balaam's doctrine, Root and Offspring of David counters Nicolaitians, the angel and the angels of the churches, etc.
As the book began by introducing a revelation of Jesus Christ so it ends with the same thought that He is coming again. Probably no other book of Scripture more sharply contrasts the blessed lot of the saints with the fearful future of those who are lost. No other book of the Bible is more explicit in its description of judgment on the one hand and the saints’ eternal bliss on the other. What a tragedy that so many pass by this book and fail to fathom its wonderful truths, thereby impoverishing their knowledge and hope in Christ Jesus. God’s people who understand and appreciate these wonderful promises can join with John in his prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus.” [BKC]
Three Main Thoughts: First, Remember the Seven Churches from chapters two through three (v. 16); Second, Respond favorably to the Great Invitation and take care how this Revelation is handled (vv. 17-19); Third, live life in a manner that is looking for the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ (vv. 20-21).
The visions of the Seer have closed, and closed with a picture of the final and complete triumph of the Church over all her enemies. No more glorious representation of what her Lord has done for her could be set before us than that contained in the description of the new Jerusalem. Nothing further can be said when we know that in the garden of Paradise Restored into which she is introduced, in the Holy of holies of the Divine Tabernacle planted in the world, she shall eat of the fruit of the tree of life, drink of the water of life, and reign for ever and ever. Surely as these visions passed before the eye of St. John in the lonely isle of Patmos he would be gladdened with the light of heaven, and would need no more to strengthen him in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. Was it not too much? The Epilogue of the book assures us that it was not; and that, although the natural eye of man had not seen, nor his ear heard, nor his heart conceived the things that had been spoken of, they had been revealed by the Spirit of God Himself, not one word of whose promises would fail (22:6–9). [EB Eph-Re]
This passage reassures of Christ's person, invites to the Gospel, warns about tampering with His Word, and encourages persecuted believers. When rough days lie on the horizon, it is important to remember just who Jesus is, and experience the life-giving Gospel, enjoying the benefits of His Words, and live one day at a time in light of the promise of His quick return, and the provisions of His grace.
Body:

I. Messiah’s Messenger (Rev. 22:16)

Revelation 22:16 KJV 1900
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
[Go Slow]

A. The Angelic Purpose (v. 16a)

Note - “I Jesus”
The combination “I Jesus” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Here Jesus used it to stress His role in producing this book and so to strengthen its authority (cf. vv. 7, 12). [Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible]
Note - “Angel”
The angel thus mentioned may in fact be John. Once again, the word translated as angel (aggelos anggelos) literally means ‘messenger’ or ‘envoy.’ [Sorenson, UTB, IBC, Vol. 11: Heb-Rev]
Note - repetition of “witness” in this passage
Illustration: “Not Home Yet”
An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for many years and were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension. Their health was broken. They were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered that they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions. No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the president’s entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man.
As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife: “Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service to God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us.”
“Dear, you shouldn’t feel that way,” his wife said.
“I can’t help it; it does not seem right.”
When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the president. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of news about the president’s arrival, but no one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.
That night the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this. God is not treating us fairly.”
His wife replied, “Why don’t you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?”
A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?”
“The Lord settled it with me,” he said. “I told him how bitter I was that the president should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said, ‘But, my son, you are not home yet!’ ”10
This is evidently what the book of Revelation is all about. It is intended to remind God’s people throughout history that this world is not their home. As Christians go through the hardships of life, experiencing oppression and fierce opposition because of their loyalty to Christ and to the gospel, they must keep in mind that they are not home yet. The day is coming, however, when they will be welcomed home. The whole of heaven will be there to greet them.
Yes, indeed, come, Lord Jesus! [10 By an unknown author. [Ranko Stefanovic, Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary on the Book of Revelation, Second Edition. (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2009), 623–624.]]
Note - “Church” in Revelation:
This is the first reference to [the churches] since Rev. 3:22, and is also the twentieth and last reference in Revelation. The Lord addressed the audience, not as “the Church,” but as churches.... As noted in Rev. 1:4, the NT seven assemblies of Asia, representing all NT immersionist churches, were given the exclusive eschatological unfolding of the future. [TSC:CAJC]

B. Christ's Ancestral Promises (v. 16b)

[Climb Higher]
Note - “I Am”
This is the seventh and final use of [ego eimi] by Christ in Revelation (cf. ... Rev. 1:8, 11, 17; 2:23; 21:6; 22:13, 16). [Strouse, TSC:CAJC]
The Gospel of John is well known for its seven “I am” sayings of Jesus. Revelation has four: 1:8 (“Alpha and Omega”), 1:17 (“the First and the Last”), 2:23 (“I am he”), and this one. As in John, “I am” becomes a title of Jesus and designates him as [Jehovah] of Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12.4 [Osborne, R:VBV]
Note - “Root & Offspring… Bright & Morning Star”
Our Lord’s titles in Revelation 22:16 are most interesting. The “root” is buried in the ground where no one can see it, but the “star” is in the heavens where everyone can see it. In “the Root and Offspring of David” we have Jesus’ Jewish, national name, but in “the Bright and Morning Star” we have His universal name. One speaks of humility, the other of majesty and glory.
As “the Root … of David,” Jesus Christ brought David into existence. As “the Offspring of David,” Jesus came into this world, born a Jew from David’s line. Both the deity and the humanity of Jesus are evident here. For a parallel, see Matthew 22:41–46.
The “morning star” announces dawn’s soon arrival. Jesus Christ will come for His church as “the Morning Star.” But when He returns to judge, it will be as “the Sun of righteousness” in burning fury (Mal. 4:1–3). Because God’s people look for their Lord’s return, they keep their lives clean and dedicated to Him (1 John 2:28–3:3). [Wiersbe, BEC]
Note - Jesus is both that from which David sprang (Root; his Creator), but also that which sprang from David (Offspring)!
Numbers 24:17 KJV 1900
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth.
Malachi 4:2 KJV 1900
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise With healing in his wings; And ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Luke 1:78 KJV 1900
Through the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
John 8:12 KJV 1900
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Illustration - Morning Star
‘Nor would I vex my heart with grief or strife,
Though friend and lover Thou hast put afar,
If I could see, through my worn tent of life,
The stedfast shining of Thy morning star.’ ~William Watson.
In Dr. Andrew Bonar’s diary for Sept. 18, 1849, there is this entry: ‘This morning early I had awakened and looked out. It was about four o’clock. The morning star was shining directly before our window in a bright sky. One part of the window was misty with frost, the other clear, and through the clear part the star shone most beautifully. I thought of Christ’s words, ὁ ἀστὴρ ὁ λαμπρὸς ὁ πρωϊνός (Rev. 22:16). Christ is all this in this world to me till the day break. I fell asleep, and when I next awoke the sun was shining through my room. Shall it not be thus at the Resurrection? Our shadowy views of Christ are passed, and now He is the Sun of Righteousness.’ [James Moffatt, ed., The Book of Revelation, Literary Illustrations of the Bible (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1905), 152–153.]
Application:
Jesus ties His claim to authority in revelation to His claim to Messiahship and His right to inaugurate the kingdom promised to David: ...As David founded the first Jerusalem, Jesus will be founder of the new Jerusalem (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12–16; Ps. 132:11; Isa. 11:1, 10; Jer. 23:5; 33:15–16; Ezek. 34:23; 37:24–25; Hos. 3:5; Amos 9:11; Zech. 3:8; 6:12; Rom. 15:12) (Moffatt, Caird, Hailey). ...Jesus is both the ancestor (hē hriza) and the descendant (to genos) of David, the beginning and the end of the economy associated with David.46 Consequently, He fulfills all the Messianic promises associated with David’s family (Charles)....
In this role He satisfies the promise to the Thyatiran overcomer (2:28). This is Christ’s interpretation of His own earlier utterance where He calls himself “the morning star,” but here He features the characteristic brightness of that star ...He is the one whose return will remove the cold and dark hour before the sunrise and bring in the perfect day of God (Moffatt, Beckwith). [Thomas, EC]
Transition: We’ve contemplated who Messiah is, and why He sent us His angel, now notice:

II. Invitational Imperatives (Rev. 22:17-19)

[Take Fire]

A. Receive His Free Gift (Rev. 22:17)

Revelation 22:17 KJV 1900
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Note - Missions from Genesis to Revelation - Gen 3:9- “where are thou Adam?” --> Rev 22:17 – “Come.” *From cover to cover, the Bible is a missionary book; God is a missionary God!
...after warning man of the coming judgment, God closes this book with another invitation… Concerning [Christ’s] titles, Dr. H. A. Ironside comments:
"It is noteworthy that when the blessed Lord introduced Himself by His personal name and declared His official title in connection with Israel and His special title in connection with the church, the Spirit and the bride alike are aroused to send up the invitation shout Come. We read, I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David. (16) He is the root of David because David sprang from Him—David's Creator and Lord, who called him to guide His people Israel. And He is the offspring of David, for as man He was born from a daughter of David. And He is the bright and morning star."
With these titles the Lord Jesus Christ associates Himself with the nation Israel. He is the Saviour of all—He died for every man. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) Time and time again the Bible emphatically declares Jesus to be the only way to Heaven. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5) Speaking of Jesus Peter declared, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the one Who paid man's sin debt and He is the one who saves. Without Jesus Christ and His atoning work there would be no invitation to be saved. He is the Person of the invitation.
1. The Power Behind the Invitation
The power of the invitation is the Spirit. (17) My friend, no one gets saved without the Holy Spirit's involvement. Just before completing His earthly ministry Jesus said, Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:7-11) The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin. The word reprove means to charge with a fault to the face; to chide; to reprehend. One of the main ministries of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind of sin—mainly the sin of unbelief. Herein lies one of the missing elements in today's soul winning methods. Too many are going forth with a program, but they have no power. Where the Holy Spirit is not at work to convict of sin there will be no souls saved. When the Holy Spirit is present and working there will be conviction of sin. When a sinner repents it is the result of the Holy Spirit's work—not some slick, super salesmanship, plan of scoreboard evangelism. The Bible declares that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3) The Holy Spirit calls the sinner, condemns his sin, and converts his soul. The whole process of conversion begins with and is carried out by the Holy Spirit.
2. The People Invited
The people involved in winning others to Christ are identified as the bride. (17) While no one will be saved without the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is equally as clear on the fact that God uses His people to witness to the lost. Every Christian is commanded to be a soul-winner. I often hear people talk about the so called gift of evangelism. My friend, evangelism is not a gift—it is a command. One of the most important things that any Christian can do is to win souls to Jesus Christ. Contrary to popular opinion, soul winning is not just the preacher's business. It is the duty of every Christian to be occupied with the heavenly business of bringing souls to Jesus Christ. The command of Christ to His Church is, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19) The go ye applies to every child of God. It is the command of God that we go with the Gospel! Dear Christian, if you are not consistently involved in getting the gospel out—you are a disobedient Christian. When our Lord said go ye, He was not simply making a suggestion—He was issuing marching orders for His people—He gave us a command to win souls. Solomon said, he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
3. The Prerequisite for the Invitation
The invitation is given to And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life... (17) This has been the call of God to sinful man throughout the ages. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1) In the Bible thirst is sometimes used symbolically depicting spiritual poverty. As a man who is physically thirsty looks for something to drink, so the man who is spiritually thirsty seeks God. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) Jesus is the answer to man's spiritual thirst. Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified) (John 7:37-39) Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14) Eternal life, like an eternal spring of water, never runs dry and ever satisfies the thirsty soul of the redeemed. As God's children we may have a lot of needs, but once saved we will never need to be again—it is eternal.
4. The Promise of the Invitation
What a precious promise! He that is athirst may take of the water of life freely. The promise is precious—the water of life is freely given. If God were to charge for salvation, no one could afford it. Let us not forget that it was with the shed blood of His only begotten Son that God Almighty purchased our salvation. The Bible says, ye are bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:20) Salvation is free to us, but to the father it was the most expensive thing He ever bought. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19) What kind of a dollar amount could be put on the Blood of Jesus? The human mind couldn't even comprehend such an astronomical amount. Almighty God, Who created and owns all things never had to make a purchase of any kind until it came to lost man. It was then that God paid the ultimate price for our salvation—He gave His Son Jesus, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7) [Dr. Glen Jr. Spencer, The Expository Pulpit Series: Revelation (WORDsearch, 2013), Re 22:16–17.]
The Bible does not close without giving sinners one last appeal to come to Christ and be saved. The Holy Spirit says, “Come.” The Bride (God’s people) says, “Come.” Everybody who hears the Gospel is supposed to invite sinners to “Come.” God Himself says,
“Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
The Lord wants to save you from your sins more than you want to be saved! He provided for your salvation on the sacrifice of His Son and in His resurrection from the tomb. You will be saved if you will come to Jesus, and let Him save you. That is saving faith. Won’t you come? [Dr. Rick Flanders, Revelation]

Conclusion of First Segment:

Note - How reassuring it is to consider the Person of Christ; and oh, how vital it is to heed the great Gospel invitation given here in the very last verses of Holy Writ.
Note - Believer, be encouraged, though the current powers that be over our state would seek to pervert even nature itself, God’s plea is still ringing out over the skies, calling sinners like you and me to repentance and faith!
Illustration: ...God’s favorite word:  "Come, come, come."
After the Lord had built the ark, in the face of the terrible storm, he said to Noah and his family, "Come, come into the ark" [Genesis 7:1].  It was the word of the great lawgiver Moses, when he made a division in the camp because of the idolatry sin of the people:  "Let him who is on the Lord’s side, let him come unto me" [Exodus 32:26].  It is the great gospel of Isaiah:  Isaiah 1:18"Come now, saith the Lord.  Come now, saith the Lord, let us reason together: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Or again, Isaiah 55:1, "Ho, ho, ho, every one that thirsteth, let him come, buy without money and without price."  It was the blessed word constantly on the lips of our Lord.  As He passed by, He saw the brothers fishing and said, "Come, come after Me; I will make you fishers of men" [Matthew 4:19].  It was the word of our Lord to little children, "Suffer little children to come, come unto Me; of such is the kingdom of heaven" [Matthew 19:14].
It was the word of our Lord to all of the heavy hearted, "Come, come unto Me, ye that are weary and heavy laden, and ye shall find rest unto your souls" [Matthew 11:28].  It was the word of our Lord to the rich young ruler, with the world in his heart, "Give it up," said our Lord, "and come, follow Me" [Mark 10:21].  It was the word of our Lord to the publican Zaccheus, "Zaccheus, today, today, salvation is come to thy house.  Make haste, and come down!  Come, come" [Luke 19:5].
It was the word of the gospel message of Christ, "Out into the highways, and out into the hedges, go ye," He said, "and constrain and compel them to come, come in" [Luke 14:23].  That is the great purpose of all of the gospel services, and prayer meetings, and worship hours, and efforts of the church of God for the minister and the people to lift up their voices and say, "Come, come, come to Jesus.  No need to argue, no need for pyrotechnics or forensics, no need for oratory; just a simple sermon from a simple text, giving a simple invitation.  Come, come, come to the blessed, blessed Jesus."
And in that invitation, all of them share.  And it’s not a violation of the text at all, that all participate in that invitation to the lost.  "Come.  The Spirit and the bride say, Come.  Let him that heareth say, Come.  Let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."  The Spirit of the Lord pleads with a man to come to Jesus.  Every time a [preacher] stands up to preach, every time an invitation is given, every time a song of appeal is sung, I always know and have this assurance:  that out there the Holy Spirit of God is tugging at a man’s heart, "Come, come, come." [W. A. Criswell, The Last Invitation]
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