Kalev Creative

 3/1/26

22

In this final class, we discussed 22:6-21. One of the angels with the seven bowls talks to John, who attempts to worship the angel. The angel admonishes him to worship God, telling John, that he, the angel, is a fellow servant. As heaven meets earth, Genesis 1’s rulers in the heavens meet the rulers in the land, both as servants of God. The angel tells him “do not seal up the words of the prophecy…because the time is near,” recalling Daniel 12, in which the angel told Daniel he should seal up the prophecy until the time of the end.

The angel tells John in couplets recalling the style of Psalms or Proverbs that the people who do evil must persist in evil, and the holy ones to continue to be holy. The doubled pairs of unrighteousness and righteousness likely signify emphasis and finality, that the way things are at this point is the way they will forever remain.

In poetry, Jesus declares his intent to repay according to what each has done and in a triplet that he is the first and the last.

He declares those who wash their robes blessed and says that immoral ones will remain outside. We discussed the meaning of “outside.” Is it outside the city, the new creation, or something else? In context, it appears to be outside the city because that is the immediate precursor, but taking a step back, it may be accurate to say we don’t know because we don’t have adequate information.

Recalling the language of the early chapters of Revelation, Jesus says he sent an angel to the churches and identifies himself with David and the bright morning star.

He warns against adding or subtracting from the book and promises that he is coming soon.

Thanks to all who’ve attended and read online over the last two and half years. It’s been a life-changing, meaningful experience as we’ve rejoiced over new life and mourned over death, shared each other’s food and homes, sought the Spirit’s insight, and puzzled over mysteries together. We appreciate you all and hope to continue to study together.