Chapter Forty-Four -Revelation and You

Only those anointed  Christians who truly "wash their robes" so as to be clean in Jehovah's eyes are privileged to "go to the trees of life."  That is, they receive the right and title to  immortal life in their heavenly position.  (Compare Genesis 3:22-24; Revelation 2:7; 3:4, 5) After their death as humans, they gain entrance into New Jerusalem by resurrection. The 12 angels allow them in, while keeping out any who practice lies or uncleanness though claiming to have a heavenly hope.   The great crowd on earth also have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" and need to maintain their clean standing.  This they can do b y avoiding the vices that Jehovah here warns against, as well as by taking to heart Jesus' admonition in his seven messages to the congregations. -Revelation 7:14; chapters 2 and 3. 

After Jehovah, Jesus speaks. He addresses words of encouragement to righthearted ones who read Revelation, saying:  "I, Jesus, send my angel to bear witness to you people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and he bright morning star." (Revelation 22:16) Yes, these words are primarily "for the congregations."  This is a message, first of all, for the congregation of anointed Christians on earth.  Everything in Revelation is addressed primarily to anointed Christians, who will inhabit New Jerusalem.  Through that congregation, the great crowd is also privileged to gain understanding of these precious prophetic truths. -John 17:18-21. 

Jesus Christ was entrusted with conveying Revelation to John and through him to the congregation, Jesus is both "the root and the offspring of David." He descended from David according to the flesh and is qualified to be King of Jehovah's Kingdom. He will become David's  "Eternal Father," and thus David's "root."  (Isaiah 9:6; 11:1, 10)  He is the permanent, immortal King in David's line, fulfilling Jehovah's covenant with David, and "the bright morning star" foretold in Moses' day.  (Numbers 24:17; Psalm 89:34-37)  He is the "daystar" that rises, causing the day to dawn. (2 Peter 1:19)  All the wiles of the great enemy of Babylon the Great were not able to prevent this glorious rising. 

Next time: Chapter Forty-Four -Revelation and You - Say: "Come!" 

From the book of Revelation