Life for Evermore

Brendon Johnson

When John addressed to the churches the record of his prophecy, he was very careful to emphasize that the words he wrote were not his own. Apostle though he was, his message could not depend on his authority alone; it had to be sent under the name of him from whom it came. It had to be signed and witnessed by Jesus Christ himself.

So, right at the beginning of his book, before he gives his name, John tells us what he is writing. The title is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It came from God, and it is for all of God’s servants to read and to know what is about to happen. It was conveyed by the hand of an angel and is in very truth “the word of God” and “the testimony of Jesus Christ,” the sum of all that was revealed to John. So much the Apostle says by way of preface.

But that is not enough. He goes on and reverently brings a greeting from the Eternal and from the Spirit in heaven—and, most particularly, from Jesus Christ. It is his Revelation, after all, and he must again and again be identified as its source. It is only worthy of attention if it comes from him. So John names him: “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.” Yes, the first begotten of the dead. The one who raised himself up on that morning so many years ago—six decades, was it?—still so fresh in John’s mind. The mention of the resurrection moves John first into doxology for the one who died for us and then to a vision, so many years into the future—not quite so many, now—of his return in the clouds.

Next, the voice of Jesus Christ himself comes directly into the record. He tells us, as if in confirmation of all that John has said, who he is: “the beginning and the ending,” the Eternal Lord, this resurrection. It is a book of life because those whose names it contains shall live. And they shall dwell in that city where the river of life flows out from God’s throne to revive and refresh all who drink from it. That river never runs dry, and those who taste it never thirst. It cleanses and heals. It springs out of the life of God and pours that life into the souls of his servants. This it can do because the Lamb died and lives again.

Now, on the last page of the book, that voice which spoke at the beginning speaks again: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” He has a blessing for those “that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” He told John before that he has the keys of death and hell. Now we see that he has also the key to the holy city, whose gates he opens wide to us.

He himself speaks once more to verify that the message of the Revelation is indeed his message for the churches. And then, lest there be any doubt about the way into the life of the city, comes the invitation: Come!—Come!—“And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” And all who come may live, and that for ever, because Jesus Christ lives and died, and, behold, he is alive for evermore!

Amen.

Brendon Johnson is a graduate student at Bob Jones University. He is completing a Master of Arts in Bible in a few weeks.