Bookending the chiasm of Rev. 22:6-21, Jesus promises to return soon, and He is faithful to keep all His promises. Faith is trusting that He has and will keep all His promises. There is blessing for the obedient and faithful, and grace is given to the saints. However, succeeding and preceding the promises and blessings, we are warned to have fidelity in our worship, and to be justified by Christ alone–who is the beginning and the ending of all things. There is just judgment for those who are outside of Him. Therefore, the Church must guard the truth and word of Christ faithfully, the mishandling of which is infidelity, and liability to judgment. Finally, at the center of this chiasm, the emphasis emboldens the call for all the world to drink the living water of Christ. This call comes from Christ's Holy Spirit and His body the Church, calling the world to come and be satisfied in Him. We all are thirsty, and will find that thirst quenched only in Christ. We must eagerly and expectantly look for His return, when He will consummate His kingdom and satisfy our thirst forever. |