At first, verse 11 seems confusing: “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; …” And, it seems inconsistent with the message in verse 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, …”
But, verse 11 makes us pause, wonder, and consider more deeply Who Christ is and what He has done in the heart of today’s Scripture which are verses 12 and 13. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
When we cross-reference verses 12 and 13 with a similar passage in Isaiah 44:1-8 and with a similar passage in Isaiah 40:10-11, we understand.
In regards to Who Christ is: “the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end”, we read:
“1 But now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
And Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you,
‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;
And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
And My blessing on your descendants;
4 And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.’
5 “This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;
And that one will call on the name of Jacob;
And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the Lord,’
And will name Israel’s name with honor.
6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the first and I am the last,
And there is no God besides Me.
7 ‘Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it;
Yes, let him recount it to Me in order,
From the time that I established the ancient nation.
And let them declare to them the things that are coming
And the events that are going to take place.
8 ‘Do not tremble and do not be afraid;
Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
And you are My witnesses.
Is there any God besides Me,
Or is there any other Rock?
I know of none.’” Isaiah 44:1-8.
In regards to what Christ has done: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”, we read:
“10 Behold, the Lord God will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him
And His recompense before Him.
11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:10-11.
In other words, as we come to the end of the Book of Revelation, as we come to the end of the Bible, and we come to the Last Judgment, our focus should be on Christ and what He has done. In comparison, man’s alleged free-will (to be filthy or clean) really doesn’t matter. God will save His elect whom He has chosen.
““1 But now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
And Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you,
‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;
And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
And My blessing on your descendants;” Isaiah 44:1-3.
“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 