Jump Start # 3971
Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.”
In many ways the pages of Revelation were written in blood. Over and over the message is of conflict and suffering. Antipas was dead. He was killed because of his faith. The others were warned not to fear what they were about to suffer (2:10). There was a message from slain souls underneath the altar (6:9). The dragon was intent on making war with those who kept the commandments of God (12:17). The image of war is repeated and repeated (13:7; 17:14; 19:19).
And, yet out of this dark and bleak picture comes blessings for those who continue on with the Lord. Seven times, the word “blessed,” is used in Revelation. Just like the Beatitudes that begin the sermon on the mount, these seven beatitudes of Revelation are beacons of hope. All is not lost. The wicked will not win. ‘Blessed are those’ is such a pleasant reminder to those suffering saints. They had not been forgotten. They had not been left behind. Heaven saw them. Heaven was aware of them.
Three thoughts spring from our Revelation verse today:
First, the blessing was to the suffering saints that had washed their robes. The Revelation letter opens with the reminder that they had been washed in the blood of Jesus. Notice how our verse is constructed. The blessing is for those who wash their robes. They washed. This is something that they did. Much too often, even among our people, the impression is left that God does it all. Grace covers and we just sit back and watch. Not here. Had they not washed their robes, there would have been no blessing. This was their responsibility.
Second, by obeying God, washing their robes, they would have a right to the tree of life. No one has a right some declare. That’s not what our verse says. Some do have a right. They have it because of God. They have it because of what God gifted and promised.
We understand the concept of rights to the tree. Those who do not have the rights or permission would be trespassing. And, when we see a NO TRESPASSING sign, it means just that. Stay out. You don’t belong. You don’t have the right to walk on this property. The owner can walk past that No Trespassing sign. He does that because he has the right to the land.
There are benefits to washing your robe. One is that it grants you the right to the tree of life. That tree was first mentioned in the garden in Genesis. Access to that tree meant eternal life. Blessed are those who have washed their robes because they now have permission or the right to that tree.
Third, yet another blessing layered in this passage is being able to enter by the gates into the city. What city? Which city? Obviously, the Heavenly city. The home of God. There’s been some sharing lately on social platforms saying that the NT doesn’t really talk about going to Heaven. Famous authors are quoted and people are lining up behind this idea. Jesus talked about going to His Father’s house. Where I am, there you may be, He promised. And, here in this passage, walking through the gates to the city sure implies going somewhere. It’s not here. It’s there.
But, let us not lose the big picture here. In the midst of trials, suffering and hardships, the people of God were to realize that they were blessed. What was going on around them was not an indication that they were on their own or that God had abandoned them. They were a blessed people.
We need this. Bad news comes to us often. Scary medical results. Divorce. Conflicts. Trying to squeeze every penny you can find, only to have the furnace go out. The dog is sick. The car won’t start. And, it’s Christmas time. We feel as if the walls are closing in around us. And, then verses like today, remind us that we are a blessed people. We see what only those from Heaven see. We know things that no one else understands. We have a faith in a God that will carry us through.
Blessed are those who have washed their robes… gentle reminders in troublesome times.
Roger