“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”
Revelation 22 and just before tell of a time when it appears no man will change except in one direction, and this will be just before the Lord returns.
Just a little nugget before we go on. Years ago the Lord revealed something to me in my study time, after a question came to me. (Rabbis teach by asking questions.) Look at the verse first.
Revelation 21:17 (NASB) “And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.”
It is a description of the wall of the New Jerusalem. “Angelic measurements which are also human measurements?”
Here it is. The wall is 72 yards high, = 216 feet. 216 = 6 x 6 x 6. Walls keep out; in this case, the former Arc Angel Lucifer (now Satan) and those who fail to separate themselves from him by obedience to Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Father God. (See Rev 13:18 “and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.” and 15:2 “and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name…”
This revealing of 6x6x6 was early in my walk. It was an appetizer for future unveiled understanding.
Back to Revelation 22:10-11 (NASB) “And He *said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
This is a warning and a sign loved ones. It is not to be sealed, or hidden away. Just before Jesus returns the one who does wrong, will still do wrong, the one who is filthy, will still be filthy, and also, let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy. There is no mention of “becoming” righteous or holy. We will stay as we are or get worse.
As we today observe the once unthinkable behavior of some let us understand that, just as we will, they are sealing their fate when at this certain point and are unchangeable, that is just before Christ returns. Jesus says in the next verse, Revelation 22:12 (NASB) “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
At His appearance there is no chance for repentance! Only in one case, apparently, can a person change the outcome and that is not good.
“Let the one..” In other words, “So if he wills,…so if we “still practice righteousness” or “still keep himself holy,” we too will remain the same at His coming. This is critical.
If because of the lawlessness or persecution we may see (Matthew 24: 4-14) we cease to endure, maintaining the righteousness He gave us to begin with, if the holiness we have walked in via that righteousness is forfeited as we surrender to the onslaught of attacks even those perpetrated on the television via the news, by mounting our own attack in our hearts, cursing others in our hearts, then we curse ourselves by failing to practice righteousness, failing to keep ourselves holy. Jesus cast no railing accusations from the cross.
In the movie Raiders of the Lost Arc, at the climactic end of the film, Indiana Jones and the heroin of the movie are tied to posts as the bad guys open the treasured Arc of the Covenant. Bad things start to happen. Swirling spiritual beings, (angels) start to attack the Nazis soldiers, power comes out like lightening and fire killing and consuming the enemies of God’s people. In the whirlwind, Indiana Jones cries out to his girlfriend, “Miriam, don’t look, close your eyes and do not look!” After catastrophic disaster for God’s enemies, the stormy event ends with a sudden peace. All the bad guys are gone and the Arc closed again. “Indy and Miriam (means obstinacy and rebellion, take no offense beloved reader) are standing there unbound and unharmed. She of course is now Indy’s gal. Do we see Jesus and us?
This is us loved ones. Jesus is trying to protect us! “Don’t look, close your eyes and just don’t look.” Protect yourself! Don’t judge, don’t curse. Do not be happy as we observe their utter destruction. Do not rejoice if we win a particular vote in Congress. We are to see the dividing, the sorting, and the sifting. The more unbelievable their behavior is, the more sure the signs of Jesus returning soon. You must “practice righteousness” and you must keep yourself holy. Jesus has shown us how.
Remember, intercede for those lost around the world and maybe mercy will come to them before it is too late; at the same time by your intercession mercy and grace will continue to flow to you.
“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”
Michael
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