Revelation | May 15, 2026

Start your day with a short, Scripture-centered devotional from Paul Michael. In about seven minutes, you will hear the Word, reflect on its truth, and be encouraged to live it out in everyday life.

Revelation | Any Day Now

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Transcript

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Welcome to your daily devotional with me, PMB. Well, we are down to our last three teachings through the book of Revelation. And as this series ends, I plan to take a break from the daily devotionals and do one each Monday, so one a week for a little while, while we reset and look at approaching this teaching ministry a little differently. My desire is to get more content out in the future, but we want to make sure we're doing it in the most efficient way that helps reach the most people. Okay, with that in mind, now on to the book of Revelation. Welcome to your daily devotional with me, PMV. Today is our next to last teaching through the book of Revelation. Can you believe it? But before we get into our passage today, I want to give you a brief recap of the entire book of Revelation. And we'll do this briefly. Okay, again, this is just meant to give you a broad overview. Chapters 1 through 3 are the message specific to the seven churches in Asia Minor. In chapters 4 and 5, John is caught up into heaven where he sees the worship of God. Chapters 6 through 16 are the tribulation as represented by the opening of the seals, the blowing of the seven trumpets, and the pouring out of the seven bowls. Chapters 17 through 20 give us a more detailed account of the seventh trumpet and the events that immediately follow. These include the fall of Babylon, the return of Jesus, and the millennial reign. Finally, Revelation 21 through 22 describes the heavenly state and the promise that Jesus will return and take us home. So with that in mind, let's look at Revelation chapter 22, verse 6, which reads, Then he said to me, These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show his servants the things which must shortly take place. Okay, the one who speaks to John here is the same angel of Revelation 21 9 that we've been seeing. He tells John that the book of Revelation is God revealing what must shortly take place. The phrase must take place reminds me of the beginning of the book of Revelation. The very first verse, Revelation 1.1, reads, the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants, things which must shortly take place. And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John. Okay, so God has not only revealed what will take place in these days, but he has revealed what must take place. In other words, you can count on it. It's certain God will see to it. It also says that these things must shortly take place. Now, 2,000 years of waiting doesn't seem like it's very short, does it? But let me remind you of two things. First, every day that passes where Jesus does not return is another day where we are closer to his return. Second, every day that Jesus does not return is God's mercy in giving people a time to, a chance to repent, time to turn, believe, and be saved. Next, Revelation 22, 7 are the words of Jesus, which read, Behold, I'm coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. So Jesus' return could be at any moment, and when he does return, it will be swift. It will happen suddenly and quickly. There will be no time for you to change your mind or change sides. When he returns, it's all over. In this verse, John gives the sixth of seven beatitudes in Revelation. Blessed are those who keep the words of this prophecy. To keep the words of Revelation is to obey him. So this is really an idiom, a figure of speech. But also notice how Jesus refers to the book of Revelation. It's a prophecy. As we discussed in chapter 1, it does have elements of an epistle, and at times it's a narrative. But the predominant genre of revelation is prophecy, specifically Jewish apocalyptic prophecy. Now, verses 8 and 9 read, Now I, John, saw and heard these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, See that you do not do that, for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God. Okay, that's pretty straightforward. John was overwhelmed by what the angel showed him. He fell down in humility and worship, but God alone is worthy of worship. Even the mightiest and most glorious angel does not compare to him. Notice how the angel described himself. He saw himself as a servant, just like we are. And how are the servants of God characterized? They are the ones who keep his word. His servants obey him, they worship him, and it flows out of their worship that they would obey him. Their obedience is worship. That brings us to a principle that we really see throughout scripture, which is this true servants of God are known by their worship and obedience. True servants of God are known by their worship and obedience. To worship is to ascribe worth to something. To know God is to worship him. This is the proper response. But also, as we discussed multiple times before, a true relationship with God results in obedience to him, specifically obedience to his word. Many people struggle with this concept of obedience because they've been abused by the dead religion of legalism. Jesus himself stood against the legalism of the Pharisees. If you haven't suffered, if you have suffered under legalism, please know Jesus doesn't like it either. In fact, it made him angry. Others believe the forgiveness of sin and the hope of heaven mean you just need to try to do good, and God will understand a little sin here and there. That's a misunderstanding of grace at its basic level. Yes, we will all sin. We're not perfect this side of heaven, but it is also clear from the book of Romans that God's grace is not an excuse to sin, but actually a motivation to righteousness, to obedience. Moving on, Revelation 22, verses 10 through 11 read, and he said to me, Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him be righteous still. He who is holy, let him be holy still. Okay, these verses don't mean that if you're sinning, just keep do it. It's saying that Jesus could return at any moment, and when he does, there will be no time to change. You'll be judged as you are found. You're either his or you're not. One commentator said this is a rhetorical warning rather than a prophetic predestination to judgment. Also, the angel told John not to seal up the book. Because the time is short. This word is to get out to as many people as possible. This is in contrast to Daniel chapter 12, verse 4, where Daniel was told to seal up the prophecy he received until the end of time. Verse 12 reads, And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me to give to everyone according to his work. This is the second time in this passage that Jesus says he's coming quickly. But here he adds that his reward is with him, and he'll give to everyone according to his work. As we bring it to a close here, I want you to know the Greek word that's translated here as reward could also mean pay. While many people have taken the doctrine of rewards too far and fallen into a name it and claim it type theology, the Bible clearly teaches there will be rewards in heaven. But here is the simple point: nothing that you do in your service of God goes unnoticed. Yes, God sees and knows every sin we commit, think, and harbor in our hearts. He also sees everything you do in the spirit, in worship, in obedience. He sees it all. And while God does not owe us anything, he delights in blessing us. And one day he will shower us with the blessings through rewards of eternity. Thank you for joining me today. For more information, go to pmvministries.org. As always, I hope you have a great day.