The last section of the book of Revelation is a complex interweaving of concluding material. Understanding its structure requires paying close attention to repeated words and phrases.
Consider first the direct statements of Jesus. “Behold, I come quickly’ (v. 7) which he repeats in verse 12 and varies slightly in verse 20. That is the basic message of the passage and of the book; our Lord is coming quickly for our deliverance. But also, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (v. 13). He governs all things to the ends ordained by his Father. “I Jesus have sent my angel to testify these things in the churches” (v. 16). He lets us know what he has planned. “I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star” (v. 16).He is the fulfillment of all the promises of God. “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book…” (vv. 18–19). All his words are important; do not change them.
Another thing to notice is the words “and he said unto me” (v. 6). Similar words appear two more times (vv. 9 and 10). These mark off the main divisions of the section. Verses 6–7 deliver a message about the truth of the prophecies of the book and the need to keep the words of it. Verses 8–9 warn John against worshipping the messenger of God rather than God himself. Verses 10–22 command that the revelations contained in the book be made public and that no one add to or take away from them.
John exemplifies both good and bad responses to these things. On the one hand, he hears and believes (v. 8). On the other hand, he falls down and worships the messenger rather than God (vv. 8–9). There are also those who hear and believe and say, “Come” (v. 17). Then there are those who hear and do not believe but instead add to the words of this book (v. 18).
The phrase “these things” (just one word in the Greek) occurs five times (v. 8 twice, vv. 16, 18, 20). It refers to all the visions John saw and all the words he heard, the things he recorded for our consolation in the book. This passage is particularly concerned with our response to “these things.” We must receive and obey them.
John uses the Greek word “logos” (an important word in the Gospel of John) six times. The occurrences are in verses 6–7, 9–10 and 18–19. Each time it refers to the words of the book of Revelation. In fact, five times we find a phrase similar to “the words of the prophecy of this book” (v. 6): “the words of this book” (v. 9), “the words of the prophecy of this book” (v. 10), the same again in verse 18, and something a little different in verse 19—“the words of the book of this prophecy.” We cannot mistake the urgency of the message. This book is prophecy, its individual words are important. We should hear. John heard (v. 8). Those who hear must say, ‘come” (v. 17). Those who hear must not add to or take from the words (vv. 18–19).
Only two other “I’s” occur, and they are not nearly as important. In verse 8 John says, “I John saw these things and heard,” and in verse 9 the angel says, “I am your fellow servant.”
There is a rudimentary chiasm in verses 9–19. It begins with two references to the words of this book (vv. 9–10) and ends the same way (18–19). In the first pair of verses he talks about keeping and not sealing the words, in the second about not adding to or taking away from them. In the center of these pairs of verses is the declaration, “Blessed are those who do his commandments…” (v. 14). All of this pertains directly to our response to the book. God has revealed it to us, we must keep it, there is blessing in that keeping. The Lord Jesus himself has said so.
There is strong condemnation of wickedness in three places.1) John fell down and worshipped the angel (unwitting idolatry), but the angel forbade it and commanded him to worship God (vv. 8–9). 2) The time for repentance is running short: “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still…” (v. 11). 3) Outside the city are dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who love lies. The Spirit and the bride call them to come and drink of the water of life freely (v. 17).
We can sum up the whole passage in this way: The angel showed John (cf. vv. 6 and 8) “these things.” John has written for us the Book of Revelation which testifies (cf. vv. 16, 18 and 20) truthfully (v. 6) them. They are things about the coming of the Alpha and Omega, the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord himself says, “Behold, I come quickly.” The time is at hand (v. 10). His reward is with him (v. 12). Therefore, we must receive his words, not add to or take from them, and obey them until he comes. Blessed are those who do so. They will eat of the tree of life and enter the gates of the city (v. 14).
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (v. 20).
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