Easter Series Pt 5
“Consequences of His Coming”
Revelation 22:1-21
Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Over the last four weeks we have followed the a timeline for the last 50 or so days of the Lord’s life here on earth culminating with His ascension into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father where He waits for the command to return as He himself promised on so many occasions. Today we will consider His second advent based on three verses found in the very last chapter of the Bible. These verses have some things in common and some things that are not.
First: There is a beatitude for those who have obeyed the Gospel?
I. The Comfort at His Return
Just like in Matthew chapter 5 where we find the Sermon on the Mount the word blessed means “happy!” Why are those who obey (…keepeth…) happy?
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
A. Because of what obedience produces
Obedience produces joy.
B. Because of what obedience promises
Those who obey have both the Father and the Son according to the Apostle John.
Second: There will be a thorough accounting when He comes again.
II. The Calculation at His Return
The word reward is often translated “wages.” We all know what wages are. If you have worked a job you received wages. Here in this life it is not uncommon for someone to work and to receive less or perhaps more than they are entitled to. We’ve all heard horror stories about workers who have slept on the job or not showed up and got paid anyway and on the other side we know about situations where people have felt pressured to work overtime or off the clock without compensation. Verse 12 states that the Lord is bringing “wages” …to give to every man according as his work shall be.” Two things are apparent.
A. It will be comprehensive
B. It will be correct
Finally: No matter you expect concerning His coming; He is coming again!
III. The Certainty of His Return
The last word we will examine in closing is the word “surely.” This is a word of strong affirmation, of truth and assurance. It is sometimes translated yea, yes or verily. How many of you played a game of “Hide and Seek” when you were growing up? Do you remember that you had a group that would hide and one that would seek! When we played the one designated to seek would hide their eyes and count to 10 or 100 and then cry out “Ready or not here I come!” Well the first thing that stands about this last verse is that there will come a day when it will be “Ready or not here I come!”
Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
A. He will come visibly
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
B. He will come victoriously
ILL - Under the leadership of Napoleon, the armies of France won some stunning victories. They extended control well beyond their borders, but that wasn't enough for Napoleon. He knew there was one thing, one force that stood in his way. It is said that one day he gathered all his top officers together around a large table. Laid across that table was a map of Europe with a big red spot on it. That spot was England. Pounding his fist on the table, Napoleon raged: "If it weren't for that red spot, I could have it all!"
That's a great story, but I can think of one even better. Can't you just picture it? Satan gathers his demonic lieutenants around a large table in hell, looking at a map of the world - a map with a big red spot on it. That spot marks a little hill in Israel, just outside the city of Jerusalem. On that hill stands a cross, stained with the blood of Jesus Christ. Satan knows he's gone as far as he can. In a blinding fury, he shouts, "If it weren't for that red spot, I could have had them all!" Jim McComas
Thankful today, and every day, for the Crimson Cross of Calvary! Thank God for the empty tomb! Thank God for the ascension to the right hand of the Father and the indwelling of the Comforter and thank God that someday soon Jesus will come again!
