Purifying Yourself [Book of Revelation]

UNDERSTANDING THE 2ND COMING OF CHRIST is important for our heart condition.
First of all, the prominence of His Return is seen in the amount of Scripture that is dedicated to it…. Christ’s Return is referenced over 300 times in the NC whereas Water Baptism is mentioned only 19 times in all NC Scripture, and The Lord’s Supper but a half dozen times.

The Lord Jesus will soon appear, His Bride with Him …when the nations shall be gathered up against Israel and He will cause the Israelites, who then will receive Him, to be triumphant and elevate them in the eyes of all the Gentile Nations Revelation 19, Zechariah 12-14.
Then Jesus Christ will gather the Tribes of Israel that are scattered throughout all the Nations and will bring them again unto Israel, He shall once again establish the Throne of David and put His prince upon that throne, he will build Ezekiel’s Temple and he will be King and Priest in the expanded Nation of Israel, a theocracy that will rule over all the Nations of the earth for 1000 years Ezekiel 37-45, Isaiah 62:1,2,3 Isaiah 2:2-5, Joel 3:17-21, Amos 9:11-15, Rev 20:4-6.

There are special blessings accompanying the hope and prayer of His Return.
The Book of Revelation reveals a blessing in its reading, discernment and appropriation 1:3… likely not far from the blessing related to us in 1 John 3:2,3 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is.”
And so we echo the prayer of devotion from the Apostle John “yes even so come quickly Lord”… adding simultaneously “and do a work of worthiness in me!”

A fuller understanding brings a greater awareness and a more living faith…
Christ’s 2nd Return equates to a ongoing finishing Work that spans 1000 years.
When He Returns at the end of the Tribulation Period there is yet a Millennium set aside to accomplish the fullness of His Atonement Work Revelation 20:7-22:21 with 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 wherein Christ’s Millennial Kingdom merges into The Kingdom of God.

The prayer of Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” This the only place in the NC that documents a specific prayer by The Holy Spirit…and its for The Lord’s soon Return …additionally it is the prayer of Bride corporate, those who are dead as well (Rev 6:10)  ….and thirdly it is the prayer of the individual living who’s hearing must be that which equates to Over-Coming Revelation 1-3.
These prayers are naturally understood to apply and be in force in this current dispensation of Grace and Mercy, and are reflective of heartfelt desire for oneness in resurrection, restoration and relief, that which coincides “…. along with the whole Creation that groaneth and travaileth in pain”  with “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: ……..the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered…..” “…..even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:22,26,23
…relief realized in the Return of Christ at the end of The Tribulation…and so it is the prayer/appeal to this point  in the verse directed to Jesus Christ personally for His Return and reign.
But then the prayer/appeal switches from being directed to Christ in the last part of that verse 17…  to whosoever will thirst… “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”… undoubtedly an ongoing appeal with the fullness of its impact into and through the Age of Righteousness, that is to say throughout that 1000 year reign of Christ as King in His Kingdom as well… the promise and prayer peculiar to Israel and through Israel to the inhabitants of that age.

When Christ instructed His Disciples to pray…. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy KINGDOM come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven….” He must have had these 4 steps in view to obtain unto fullness of that prayer… First step: His Death and Resurrection into Glory, 2nd step: His Return to establish the Millennial Kingdom, … 3rd  step: to bring final judgment and closure to this cursed place,…. And the culminating  fourth: to establish a new heaven and earth bringing God’s Kingdom finally to this realm.
It is between step 2 and step 3 we should understand the establishing of a new government ruling for 1000yrs from both a first heavens spiritual sphere and in the material earth through restored Israel…. based upon righteousness and justice. Satan and his fallen are incarcerated in the Great Abyss unable to tempt man until the end of step 2. The promises to the living of that Age are resurrection and eternal life and access to the New Jerusalem.
Torah and its ministers now elevated to their preeminent place, a light unto the Gentiles. Some Blood offerings for sin covering, some Feast and ritual observances…. as God then establishes His Abrahamic Covenant of promise on the earth…. Peace reigns as Righteousness in Justice against the flesh nature is swiftly administered faultlessly.
The first heaven rulers and earth’s subordinates working in perfect harmony, prosperity abounding as the earth flourishes under the guidance of God’s revived Israel. The promises of Abraham fulfilled.
Now at the end of the 1000 years satan is loosed for a short season and deceives the nations of the earth and war is declared and they gathered together against the saints and the holy city Jerusalem…and fire comes down from God and devours them. Satan and his are cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
THEN THE SECOND RESURRECTION OF ALL THE REMAINING DEAD
For it is only at the end of that 1000 year period at the 2nd Resurrection and Great White Throne Judgment that those who had remained among the dead at Christ’s pre-millennial appearance, together with those who joined them during that Millennium, are then disqualified or qualified and invited into the Bride’s City where the Throne is occupied by God and The Lamb.
Then a untainted new heaven and a new earth are finally realized (Rev 21:1) then the complete curse will be removed (22:3), its only then that death completely loses its sting, and then only the invitation to the New Jerusalem is sent out, where then access to the tree and water of life is finally and fully realized…. for abiding servants and visiting subjects.