Written by Paul J Bucknell on April, 11, 2026
Revelation 22:8-15 For the Time is Near: How Revelation 22 Calls Us to Live Now
Christians, people who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, have become part of God’s eternal kingdom. Revelation 22 highlights the importance of aligning our perspective with this eternal realm. He broadens our understanding by allowing us, like Job, to look beyond the heavenly curtains and see critical spiritual truths.
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 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.” 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. (NASB)
But how do we increase our understanding of this invisible kingdom? In real life, we can gain insight through the eyes of others, whether through their photo or, in this case, through John the Apostle. The Book of Revelation provides a startling view of the world and time from God’s throne room. The phrase “I saw” appears forty-five times in Revelation’s twenty-two chapters. Throughout the book, we see God moving John’s eyes from scene to scene, in a way far more dramatic than any Star Wars movie.
The Book of Revelation is God’s urgent message for us, who are still living through the last moments of the earth’s existence. Daniel saw a series of scenes, but at one point was told to seal them up, keeping them top secret, away from others. It wasn’t that they were irrelevant, but that the people weren’t ready for them. However, this is not what we find here in Revelation 22:10, where the angel told him, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” Truly, this message is relevant—even urgently so. (The angel’s message seems linked to Daniel’s.)
An accurate vision of the world is only gained through the Word of God and the Spirit’s illumination. We gain a clearer picture of God and His present and future eternal kingdom by spending time with God in His Word.
Let’s clarify our understanding of the eternal kingdom by improving our eternal perspective from viewing our lives from God’s throne in three areas: our salvation, sanctification, and service. John unfolds these three areas in Revelation 22:11-12.
A. An Eternal Perspective of Salvation (Rev 22:11a)
“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.” (Rev 22:11)
In Revelation 22:11, John says, “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong?” We can see the point of instructing the righteous to continue serving God, but most of us feel most uncomfortable with why they are told to “still be filthy.” The reason relates to timing. The issue is not that God is not calling people to repent and be saved now. He is! God would love for people to cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” But when we view salvation from an eternal perspective, we see these words in a different light. As time passes into eternity, the issues become more settled.
Time is short and fleeting and just a brief moment in eternity—a dot on a long line. When we evaluate things with eternity in our minds, our viewpoints often change. It’s common to hear someone say that they saw their whole life flash before them. That happened to me once when I had an apparent heart attack. My whole life rushed before my eyes.
When Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming quickly,” He points to the eternal world, when all that in time will be settled. This is why His words should no longer be sealed. But instead, they should open our minds to what counts most, what lasts forever. You can hear this in Peter’s warning, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
They laughed, saying, “Sure, when is He coming?” They do not believe Jesus is returning. They do not think the time is near. How do we know this? Because they do not repent. This is where John’s words in verse 11 become clearer: “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy.” The issue isn’t that the gospel message isn’t relevant today, but from eternity’s perspective, we know this age is almost over. “For the time is near.” When we turn the page of Earth’s history, there will be no chance for people to be saved. Like the ark, the door will close. The lost will truly be lost. These individuals refuse to see their lives as sinful from God’s perspective and deny that what they are doing is wrong. They don’t want salvation; they must face their rightful judgment.
This is the point of verse 11. If you are satisfied with the world, then you will die with the world. It doesn’t matter whether you raised your hand in a crusade or an evangelistic meeting; the key is that if Christ is not in your heart, you do not truly have Christ at all.
Time changes perspective. “Let the filthy ones still be filthy.” Once He comes, your religious bluff is up. Your wickedness will become exposed at judgment. There is no longer room for “I hope to do better next year.” He is not going to ask what you will do after you graduate. The time is coming when you will no longer hear the gospel message. Your life will be over. No more time. No more chances. The dice are rolled for the last time. You gambled with your soul. Your life was evaluated, and you lost it.
Application
One of the biggest self-deceptions is that I will focus more on spiritual matters in the future when I am not so busy. Another, with similar results, is like Esau, who set aside God’s love for a bowl of red bean soup. “He ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Gen. 25:29-34).
The time is ripening. Be careful, for around the next corner of life, at the next intersection, during the next exam, or in the next shower, you might be called to a full, unfiltered view of your life before the awesome and holy God. Your unrepentant heart will lead to eternal judgment. The wrath of God will come violently upon you.
It is not an issue that your good deeds were not good enough. None of our lives is that perfect. The point is that you did not care to turn from it. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” You never had faith, which is, in essence, a vision of the real eternal world.
B. The Eternal Perspective of Sanctification (Rev. 22:11b)
“And let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.” (Rev 22:11b)
Is there a message from eternity’s shores for the Christian? Yes, there is. “For the time is near.” The shadow of death is already spreading across the globe. It is not easy to remain holy and live righteously. So, in light of eternal counsel, the Christian is advised in verse 11, “still practice righteousness” and “still keep himself holy.”
The Lord desires consistency from us, urging that we never abandon our holiness. Being good only part of the time and then turning away demonstrates a lack of genuine love or devotion to God. For example, if your parents’ wise guidance kept you on the right path only until twelfth grade, but you act wildly in college, where does your true loyalty lie?
Critical moments often reveal the emptiness of one’s faith. People think all is well because of their “Christian faith of the past.” But God looks at the present, focusing on what you are doing now, not on past deeds. Are you someone who showed the emptiness of your faith when you went to college by engaging in ungodly activities? Did you move to another city and fail to seek out a church, instead hanging out with party-goers? Or did you get so caught up in studies and research that you didn’t make time for God? You have abandoned eternal principles of righteousness and holiness for temporary pleasures!
Philippians 3:17-20 shows us this clear contrast,
“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:17-20)
If there is any life remaining in you now, and if you can sense even the tiniest movement of repentance in your heart, please turn away from these sinful lifestyles and return to the Lord today. Do not say it doesn’t matter. Do not be fooled by the devil. John the wise apostle advises you to be very concerned about your faithfulness to God. Abandon the idea of a Christian life without holiness. This is the empty tomb; this is the road to hell, and the most terrifying one at that. Let’s heed the angel’s words to Daniel, “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand” (Dan 12:10).
Application
Practice righteousness; pursue living a godly life. There will be trials and tests. There will be confusing times, but it is better to give up everything than Christ, for in the end Christ is all to your soul. Long for Him. Seek His face and be one who has insight and understands.
C. The Eternal Perspective of Service (Rev. 22:12)
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Rev 22:12).
Many Christians struggle to accept the Scripture's teaching about rewards. They don’t realize that those who serve God faithfully on earth will be richly rewarded in eternity. Most Christians seem unaware of this, judging by how they devote their time, gifts, and money to worldly pursuits. They are self-centered, trying to gather possessions on earth without considering eternity.
I’m not suggesting that God will ignore our pursuit of holiness in relation to these rewards. Clearly, this is an important part of how we will be judged for rewards. But Scripture teaches more than that. We all have the same amount of time each day. What have we done with it? Have we prayed for our neighbors or played a computer game? Have we truly labored for the Lord? The church needs not only restoration but revival.
“In 1737, when Whitefield was only twenty-two years old, he was preaching to crowded churches in London and thousands were turned away because there was no room; he had not yet begun preaching in the open air. At this time he said of the congregations, ‘They were all attention, and heard like people hearing for eternity.’” (Revival by Edwards, p. 43).
I like that phrase, “They...heard like people hearing for eternity.” “They...heard like people hearing for eternity.” They had a view of the world from God’s throne and were transformed. Christianity was not just a religion or a profession but a way of life.
Application
And what about you, my brothers and sisters? How much have you invested in the Kingdom of God? Do not think that God has a big welfare system up in heaven where everyone gets equal. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Summary
We need to affirm our true citizenship in heaven. Every morning, speak to our King and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even more, along with Paul, we must live our lives in full hope of its fulfillment. Paul states in Philippians 3:20-21,
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformance with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
John says in Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” The Spirit of God says, “Come.” The bride of Christ says, “Come.” Are you saying, “Come!” “Come!” “Come!” Are you someone who sees the eternal picture and longs for Christ to return more than you do for staying here? Can you honestly say, “Come”? Perhaps we cannot because we have never seen the eternal world, or we simply do not care, or we do not think it is that urgent, or we just do not believe.
John, in his final words, says, “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” You may not have been able to say it before, but can you say it now in your heart, “Come”?
Maranatha!
