The last words or the final statement of the Bible provide a fitting end to staying true to the Word of God; it reads, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” These were written by the Apostle John as a benediction, which is a brief prayer asking for God’s blessings on all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
The last words of the Bible are found in the Book of Revelation. Within these words, John provides comfort that they come directly from Christ as His testimony. Jesus offers salvation to anyone who is willing to accept it, saying:
- “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
- “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)
- “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Understanding the Last Chapter of the Book of Revelation
Since the last words of the Bible are found in the Book of Revelation, it is essential to have a basic understanding of this book, too. This way, we can understand the context of the last words and what they mean to us.
The Book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible that deals specifically with the end times. Jesus Christ also reveals Himself to His people in this book and shows what will happen in the future. This book was written by the Apostle John around A.D. 95 while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. It is a letter to seven churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. This book can be divided into two main sections:
1. The things that happened in the past. This section takes up the first three chapters of the book, giving a general overview of what has happened in the past, including Jesus’ victory over sin and death and the establishment of His kingdom.
2. The things that will occur in the future. Taking up the majority of the book from chapters four to 22, this section describes the things that will happen in the future. This includes a time of great tribulation, followed by Jesus’ return, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
The last words of the Bible are found in Revelation 22:21. In this chapter, John witnesses the river of the water of life. The biblical city of New Jerusalem is described as a place where the river of the water of life flows and where there is a tree of life. This contrasts with the pollution and decay seen during the tribulation. It also echoes the original state of the Garden of Eden.
Water and life are frequently connected in Scripture, particularly in the epistles of John.:
- “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
- “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)
The Book of Revelation also details John’s vision of the end times (Revelation 22:6-9). The angel leading John through his vision of the future makes it clear that what John has seen is based on truth—The time is near. Jesus will come back soon! Revelation 22:12–14 12 declares, “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.”
Therefore, since the return of Jesus Christ signals the end of days, it is essential to be ready and to stay faithful to God (Revelation 22:16-21).
Why Is the Book of Revelation Important?
The Book of Revelation is the final book in the New Testament and is considered by many to be one of the most important books in the Bible. This book is full of symbolism and imagery that can be difficult to interpret, but there are a few things that are clear. One of these is the tribulation’s role in the end times.
The tribulation is a time of great upheaval and judgment, and it is clear from the Revelation that those who are left on earth after the rapture will suffer greatly. The book details 21 specific events that will take place during the tribulation, including the breaking of seven seals, the blowing of seven trumpets, and the pouring out of seven bowls.
Each of these events represents a different judgment that will befall humanity, and it is clear from the text that this will be a time of great suffering. But it is also clear that those who can stand up to this suffering will be saved from eternal damnation and will receive eternal life in Heaven.
The final four chapters, however, make it clear that the book’s overall message is hope and triumph. In these chapters, we see Christ’s future victory over evil and His recreation of the world for the redeemed. This ultimately leads to a final victory for truth and goodness, which is what we all hope for. Without Jesus’ work being finished, as told in Revelation, we would have no hope for the future.
There Is Hope for Those Who Are Faithful in Christ
Many people mistakenly believe that the Book of Revelation is all about doom, gloom, and the coming of judgment. But there’s also a lot of positivity there. The Bible begins and ends with hope, through Paradise. And Revelation is the conclusion to remind us that despite any pain we experience now in our lives, God promised that we will live in eternal joy, peace, and love soon.
According to Revelation, a new heaven and a new earth will come into existence, replacing the present one that is filled with pain, sorrow, and death.
When Jesus Christ died for us on the cross, He conquered sin and death. This means that we no longer have to be afraid of either of these things. We can rest assured that because of Christ’s sacrifice, we will one day be able to live in a perfect world where there are no more sufferings. Until then, we can hold onto hope, knowing God is always with us.
And yet, what does it mean for those who have not accepted Christ into their lives? Revelation says that they will be judged according to their deeds. This means that all of the evil they have done will be brought to light, and they will be held accountable for it. They will be cast into the fire lake as a symbol of eternal separation from God.
So, if we want to live with God in paradise, we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Repenting from our sins is helpful as it shows God that we are genuinely sorry for what we have done wrong and that we want to change our ways. This way, we would be given a chance to spend eternity in paradise with Him.
Bottom Line
Even though the Book of Revelation is perceived as a book of dark forebodings, the last words in the Bible, which are found in the Book of Revelation, talk about hope. This hope pertains to our faith that God will make everything new, casting away death, sorrow, or pain. Therefore, even if we live in a broken world, there is a promise that things will eventually be made right in His Second Coming. For this reason, being prepared when that time comes and staying faithful to God will surely guide our souls towards eternity.
