Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to reward each one as his work deserves.”
Verse 12 is in the context of a great vision given to the Apostle John regarding God’s coming kingdom on earth. The highly symbolic language describes “a river of water of life” to show that His kingdom will bring life to a sin-sick and dying world. The previous chapter says that God will wipe away all tears, and there will be no more death (21:4). It is truly an amazing prophecy of the many blessings God’s kingdom will bring to this world.
Earlier in the book of Revelation, the saints of the gospel age are prophetically recorded as asking, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10) After Jesus’ first advent, many faithful Christians were severely persecuted for not conforming to the religious system then in power. The Lord responded to their cry for justice in the following verse. “…they were told that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brothers, who would be killed as they were, was completed (verse 11). In other words, the evil done to the saints would be dealt with at some later time.
Revelation 22:12 describes Jesus’ second advent as the time all past injustices would finally be dealt with. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” It may seem unusual that the Lord would allow faithful believers to be persecuted and not immediately deal with the offenders. However, there is a purpose in allowing evil to prosper for a time. God knew the experience with sin and evil would eventually help mankind understand the consequences of disobedience. His purpose is to teach the world to love what is right and good and never again be tempted with evil. It is part of the education of our race.
In Matthew 5:12 Jesus said, “rejoice and be glad, because your reward in the heavens is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” A heavenly reward is God’s promise for Christians who remain steadfast in their commitment Him and to righteousness. As explained in Revelation 20:4, this group will reign with Christ from heaven for 1,000 years.
Back in Revelation 22:14, Jesus goes on to describe the initial stages of God’s earthly kingdom. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Although Jesus’ death guarantees a resurrection of all mankind (See Acts 24:15), the promise of inheriting eternal life will be contingent upon the growth and development of each individual. Those who come to love God and hate sin will be granted entry into the New Jerusalem, a symbolic reference to the eternal kingdom of God. They will receive the gift of eternal life on a perfected earth. That will be the great work of the Millennial Age.
Additional Resource:
PDF Booklet: “Revelation: How to Study & Have it Make Sense”
