Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 22
It is very sad that people choose to live in an evil manner. However, God has permitted them to make that choice during their lives on earth.
God wants to show people his love; he even offers to forgive their evil deeds (Ezekiel 18:30-32). However, he does not force anyone. People can choose whether or not to accept his kindness. They can accept God’s message or they can refuse it (Ezekiel 3:27).
After death, a person has no further opportunity to turn to God. It is like when a tree falls to the ground (Ecclesiastes 11:3). The tree remains in the position where it fell. It can do nothing now to change its position. It is the same after a person has died. That person’s part in this world has ended (Ecclesiastes 9:6). They can only wait for the judgement of God upon their evil deeds (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Revelation 20:12-13).
It is very different for those people who decide to serve God. Formerly, some of them, too, lived in an awful and evil manner (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). However, God changed them completely (2 Corinthians 5:17). When they confessed their evil deeds to God, God forgave them. When they invited Christ into their lives, they became God’s people (John 1:12; Revelation 3:20)
When God’s people die, they will enter heaven immediately (Luke 23:43). Even the person who trusts Christ at the end of his life receives his full reward (Matthew 20:1-14). There, in heaven, they wait not for punishment, but for God to complete all his promises to them.
God already considers his people to be righteous (good) and holy. However, in this life, God’s people are not perfect; they still do many wrong things (1 John 1:8-9). So, God is still working in their lives. In heaven and in the New Jerusalem they will be perfect: completely righteous, and good, and holy, in every way.
Next part: Rewards for God’s servants (Revelation 22:12)
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© 2016, Keith Simons.