“[The angel] said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.’
“‘And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’
“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’
“And he said to me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.’
“‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’
“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” [1]
Last words are generally seen as significant within our culture. Beyond being interesting at the level of mere curiosity, it is generally accepted that final statements reveal what is important to the one uttering those final words. We receive the Bible as the written Word of God. We accept this to be true because we know that the Spirit of the Living God inspired those who wrote Scripture to write what was beneficial and needful for a broken, fallen race. One would imagine, then, that the final words of Scripture would be freighted with significance. What God said in this final communication must be especially meaningful.
The text for this day is an epilogue. We don’t use the term epilogue that much; but an epilogue is “a concluding section that rounds out the design of a literary work.” [2] The Risen Saviour has revealed what lies in the future, perhaps in the immediate future, through a series of revelations given to the Apostle John while he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. John had been sent into exile because of his faith in the Son of God. He doesn’t write of other aspects of the sentence, but we are reasonably certain that the banishment was accompanied by severe trauma to the aged saint. Nevertheless, he worshipped the Saviour and looked in anticipation to His return as Christ had promised.
Now, the things that the Lord had revealed were committed to paper, ensuring that future generations of those who follow the Christ would know what was going to take place. The angel had faithfully delivered the message he was directed to deliver; now he spoke, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place” [REVELATION 22:6]. What follows will speak of how the message of the Apocalypse relates to those who follow the Christ.
PROMISE — “Behold, I am coming soon” [REVELATION 22:7a]. Our Lord has promised that He is coming again—soon! This is the promise that has encouraged believers that is given in Paul’s Letter to Titus. There, the Apostle has written, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” [TITUS 2:11-14]. The promise of our Saviour’s return is surely “the blessed hope” for all who follow Him. We live in the promise of His return to receive us to Himself.
It is interesting to note that the promise of Christ’s return is featured prominently throughout this final book of the Bible. In REVELATION 1:7, we hear the promise as the Book opens: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Amen, indeed!
Then, having delivered the message intended for the Philadelphian assembly, Jesus promises, “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” [REVELATION 3:11].
Again, as final judgements pour out on this fallen world, readers are warned, “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed” [REVELATION 16:15]!
Then, as though to emphasise the reality of His coming again, the Word of God points to this promise three times in this final chapter of the Book. Of course, in VERSE 7, as we’ve already seen, the promise of His return is delivered. Then, in REVELATION 22:12 this promise is iterated when John writes, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
Ensuring that the book concludes with this knowledge, Christ says one last time, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon’” [REVELATION 22:20A].
That divine promise, Christ’s final call, if you will, consists of three parts. We are called to obedience, called to labour and called to love. With this call that the Lord delivers through His servant, we will discover the warning that is issued. John, in the verses preceding the text, issues a call to obedience. That call begins with a promise: “Behold, I am coming soon!” The repeated promise emphasises the certainty of fulfilment—Christ Jesus is coming soon.
The divine promise as given is meant to produce a specific result. Knowing that someone is coming to your home for a visit will likely produce a specific activity. I can assure you that my wife is organised, and the knowledge that someone is coming will eventuate in a flurry of activity. The house must be cleaned, and “cleaning” means something quite different to her than it does to me. If company is coming to share a meal, it may mean a trip to the grocery store to ensure that the menu items planned are available. The thought of company staying overnight, or staying for a few days, will precipitate an entirely different preparation. The knowledge that someone is coming is, therefore, practical; such knowledge produces results.
In a similar fashion, knowing that our Master will return momentarily will produce tangible and meaningful results in the life of each follower of the Master. If we believe Jesus is coming shortly, our lifestyle will be affected in a positive manner. We will be faithful to His Body, to the congregation wherein He placed us. We will be busy fulfilling the tasks He appointed each of us to perform. We will be eagerly telling the lost of His return, just as He commanded. If the lifestyle witnessed among professed saints in this day is any indication, we might be tempted to conclude that many professing Christians do not believe the Saviour is coming!
The Lord pronounces a blessing; it is a blessing linked directly to obedience and faith. John writes, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” [REVELATION 22:7b]. Believers don’t want to be embarrassed by being unprepared for His return. The Apostle of Love writes in his first missive, “Little children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming” [1 JOHN 2:28]. It is astonishing to realise that there will be believers who will shrink in shame when He comes, yet that is clearly what is stated.
I don’t want to stretch a parable to fit the argument, but one parable assuredly deserves serious consideration in light of this point. Jesus was preparing His disciples for His exodus by teaching them with seemingly new intensity. One of the parables He told them was a parable about ten virgins. This is what the Master said. “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” [MATTHEW 25:1-13].
While the coming of our Master is certain, the timing of that return is uncertain. For the moment, focus on the uncertainty of the timing of His return. Though many professed followers of the Lord loudly proclaim secret knowledge of the timing of Christ’s return, the Master Himself cautioned believers, “Concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” [MARK 13:32-33].
Wouldn’t you think that this statement would settle the issue of the timing of Christ’ return? It should be obvious that it is an impossibility to determine the time of the Saviour’s return. Yet, people invest incredible effort trying to determine when Jesus is returning. These experts in watching the signs almost always fail to watch for the Son. Here is excellent advice for the conscientious saint—stop looking for the signs and begin looking for the Son. Jesus is coming, signs or no signs. Jesus is coming, and His coming will be sudden, momentary, perhaps today.
Jesus emphasised that those who are blessed are those who are obedient. In other words, some people obey Christ’s commands, and others are disobedient. Obedience to Him ensures that we will receive the Master’s blessing. That should raise the question, “What are the Master’s commands?” Perhaps it is surprising to learn that there are few commands that Jesus delivered to His disciples. One great command is perhaps the least practised among professed Christians today, and that should give each of us pause.
In JOHN 13:34, Jesus is recorded as saying, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Loving our neighbour is as old as the Law, so the command to love isn’t particular new. What is new is the standard for love—we are to love our brothers in the same total, absolute, self-sacrificial manner in which Christ loves us. This is the standard that is set, and which is too often neglected among the professed followers of the Master. Underscore this command—we are to love our brothers as Christ has loved us.
The other command that we should acknowledge is the command to make disciples of all nations. You will recall the command of the Master as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” [MATTHEW 28:19-20]. It is important to note that the imperative in this instance is the charge to “make disciples.” Christ assumes that the disciple will go. The discipling process consists of teaching and baptising.
Thus, we see two commands that Jesus issued—to love one another and to disciple others. Anyone who claims to follow the Master and yet fails to embrace these two commands is disobedient to the One they call “Master.” Allow me to be pointed in my application of these divine commands. When a congregation, or when an individual, becomes exclusive, refusing to accept others who are fellow believers, they cannot be said to be obedient to the command to “love one another.” Petty snits that cause a congregation to treat fellow believers harshly, demanding that they do as we want rather than being kind to one another is nothing less than disobedience to the Risen Saviour.
Just how should we reveal love for one another? We are provided the answer to that question when Paul writes, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light” [EPHESIANS 5:1-14].
It becomes apparent that love is revealed through the way in which we interact with others. Sexual immorality and impurity are inconsistent with love. Greed does not exhibit love. Even tolerating such attitudes and actions reveals a failure to love. Let’s recognise that, as revealed in the Word, sexual immorality, impurity and greed are “unfruitful works of darkness.” These actions are not loving.
Another example of how we are to love fellow followers of the Lord is provided in ROMANS 14:13-17. “Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Love is revealed through consideration for the one loved and through accepting the one loved. In fact, the Apostle will summarise the love that is sought when he writes, “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” [ROMANS 14:19]. Seeking what brings harmony and what builds up others demonstrates love. When an individual exalts himself, believing that he is more important than the assembly, that man, or that woman, reveals that they know nothing about love! Is it really necessary to say that this is not licence to sacrifice purity for peace; we must never act unrighteously in order to obtain temporary peace? “Harmony” means that we are working together for the common good, for the glory of the Master, for building up the church.
In this context, we should consider one other portion of the Word which is given in the First Corinthian Letter. The Apostle to the Gentiles admonishes believers, “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up” [1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-5].
Christians are gifted people, each one having been gifted by the Spirit of God. The gifts we have received were given for the benefit of all within the assembly. Genuine Christian love will seek the benefit of all within the assembly rather than being focused on personal benefit. This is a major reason why what is ofttimes paraded as the “gift of tongues” reveals a lack of love—the emphasis is on personal benefit rather than the benefit of the assembly. God entrusts divine gifts to those who follow the Saviour so that “the church may be built up!” That is love.
Let me touch on another of the few commands Jesus issued to His disciples. Each of us is, of at least should be, familiar with the Great Commission. The best-known iteration of this command is undoubtedly that which is given in the closing verses of Matthew’s Gospel. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” [MATTHEW 28:19-20]. The imperative is, “make disciples.” Each follower of the Master is charged with the responsibility of making disciples. The method of discipleship is through baptising those who believe and instructing them in the truths of the Word.
The Saviour expects that each believer will be engaged in the business of making disciples. We make disciples as we deliver the message of life which, when one has believed the Risen Lord of Glory results in salvation. Those who are saved are brought into the fellowship of the assembly through the act of baptism. Then, those who have obeyed the Lord by receiving baptism are to be instructed in the things of God. Let’s break this down so that there will be no question of our responsibility.
First, we tell others of the salvation that is offered in Christ the Lord. This is not some difficult task that requires years of study before we tell others of Christ; evangelism is, as someone has said, “one beggar telling other beggars where to find bread.”
While Jesus' commands are not grievous, they are specific, and they are challenging. Followers of the Master must know that we are responsible to obey Him, especially loving one another deeply, from the heart, and through discipling those whom we encounter as we pass through this life.
INVITATION — “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” [REVELATION 22:17].
With these words, all mankind has received a loving invitation delivered by the Son of God. However, this gracious, loving invitation must never be construed as merely weak sentimentality. Notice that Jesus’ invitation is followed by a solemn warning in the verses following. There, we read, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” [REVELATION 22:18-19].
God is not to be trifled with. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked” [GALATIANS 6:7a]. None of the voluminous material in Scripture about the love of God is to be interpreted in such a way as to suggest that God will not judge persistent sin, especially sin which an unrepentant and unsaved person may carry with him out into eternity.
Focusing again on the invitation the Lord issues, you will note it is one of several invitations recorded in the last chapter. For instance, in an earlier verse, we read, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates” [REVELATION 22:14]. And in agreement with the pattern in these final verses, immediately after this gracious invitation is a warning: “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” [REVELATION 22:15]. Listed are several classes of sinners that are forever excluded from the presence of the Saviour.
I must emphasise that these people are not excluded from Heaven because they once participated in these sins; neither are these sins so heinous that they cannot be forgiven. Rather, those excluded reached the end of life having never repented, having never sought the mercy of the Master, having never confessed the Lord as Ruler over their life. Therefore, these lost souls entered into eternity without the forgiveness of sin.
The warnings and the invitations that are recorded in this final chapter are reminiscent of the words recorded in Paul’s Letter to the Christians in Corinth. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you” [1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11a]. If the Apostle had stopped there, the sentence would be applicable to each of us. However, the Good News reaches beyond our sin to draw us to life, to lead us to the forgiveness of sin. “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” [1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11b].
In this final chapter, our God delivers an invitation, an invitation that is echoed by those who know Him, who are born into His Family through faith in the Son of God. Throughout the Word of God are repeated invitations calling people to life. Early in my walk with the Master, I learned one of the invitations that I have often presented to the lost. God, through Isaiah, invites those outside the Faith with these gracious words.
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live.”
[ISAIAH 55:1-3a]
Here is life, if you will but come. Here is freedom and goodness, if you will receive it. God is calling those who are willing to receive His invitation to come to life. It is my constant prayer that this gracious invitation is accepted by all who hear my voice.
What is JOHN 3:16 if not an invitation to life? No doubt, each of us has heard, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Surely, it is evident that God extends peace to anyone willing to accept His offer. Surely, it is apparent that God does not seek the death of any sinner. The Lord offers life to anyone willing to receive His mercy as it is extended in the Person of His Son. None are excluded from the grace of God which is offered in Christ the Lord, if the individual will but receive the mercy that is extended.
God has no pleasure in the death of lost people. If someone should stumble into eternal damnation, if an individual should drop into the terrible fires of hell, she will do so only by stepping over and around Christians as they echo the invitation of the Lord. For an individual to be turned into hell, he must ignore the mercies of God and the love of the Saviour. God pleads with lost humanity, “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die” [EZEKIEL 33:11]?
Listen to the gracious invitation Jesus delivered to anyone willing to accept it. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” [MATTHEW 11:28-30]. Anyone? That includes you! No one is excluded, if you are willing to come to Him in faith.
In the Word are repeated invitations to receive life through faith in the Saviour. God calls lost souls to receive eternal life. And those who now possess this divine gift are impelled by the Spirit who lives within each follower of the Saviour to echo that invitation to all who will receive it. The heart of God is revealed in Peter’s words, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” [2 PETER 3:9].
Is not the Apostle’s statement to Timothy, the young theologue who served with him, strong encouragement for all to receive the Saviour as Master over life? The Apostle has written of us who follow the Master, “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe” [1 TIMOTHY 4:10b].
I delight in emphasising the invitation God has delivered to any who will receive it. Salvation is not the preserve of one nation; neither is God’s grace restricted to a single race or tribe or linguistic group. No particular denomination has a corner on God’s grace, for He shows mercy to all who are willing to receive it. The hymn writers of long ages past had it right when they wrote “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy.”
In the Apocalypse, John shows us the redeemed as they are gathered around the Emerald Throne. He describes the redeemed in symbolic language, identifying them as “each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” The redeemed are holding the harp, indicating the spirit of prophecy resting upon them. I must wonder whether this is an indication of the eternal occupation of God’s redeemed—declaring the mind of the Lord to all creation. The redeemed are also said to hold “golden bowls, which are the prayers of the saints.” Again, I wonder whether this is suggestive of the fact that we shall be eternally engaged in offering up prayer and praise before the Lord Christ. I don’t know whether this can be accurate, but I am confident from the Word that we will be eternally occupied and fulfilled forever. The knowledge of God Who is infinite will never be exhausted by those who know Him; we will always be learning and filled with joy in the knowledge we gain concerning the Living God.
John continues by observing of the redeemed, “They sang a new song, saying,
‘Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.’”
[REVELATION 5:8b-10]
Take special note that those arrayed around the throne of God have all been ransomed “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Christ the Lord, by His mercies, has “made them a kingdom and priests to our God.” Now, “they shall reign on the earth.”
WARNING — “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” [REVELATION 22:18-19].
I have pointed out the warnings that are associated with the invitations of the Word. God invites people to life; but if His gracious invitation is refused, we may be certain that He will not plead forever. Long years past, when men first began to spread out over the earth and man’s fallen nature was becoming evident in every relationship, God warned, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” [GENESIS 6:3a NASB95]. It is a solemn warning that there is a limit to God’s mercy; we dare not tempt the Living God.
The Lord speaks through the angel sent to John, saying “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near” [REVELATION 22:10]. And what is the statement that “the time is near” if not an invitation? God’s invitation is followed by a solemn warning. The Risen Lord of Glory warns, “Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy” [REVELATION 22:11].
What we have here, especially in the first two phrases of this eleventh verse, is a bit of literary sarcasm. The Day of the Lord's return is to be considered so imminent, so tragically momentary, that it is almost as if the day of opportunity for change is already past. Clearly the time of the end is so close that opportunity for change of character is rapidly passing away. Character is being fixed even as life moves toward the final cataclysmic events. That knowledge should give all of us pause, but especially it should cause those who flirt with righteousness to reconsider choices they are making. Similarly, such knowledge should cause those who seek righteousness and the Lord’s honour to be moved with compassion on the lost.
Writing the Thessalonians, Paul compares the return of our Master to the coming of a thief in the night [see 1 THESSALONIANS 5:2]. To be certain, we do occasionally hear of eleventh-hour conversions, but such events are never the norm, they are always the exception. Therefore, “Now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” [2 CORINTHIANS 6:2b]. In this call to obedience we have a promise of the Lord's expected return, an invitation to respond, and a warning against waiting until it is too late.
There is genuine danger in failure to heed the warnings of the Living God. When one ignores His warning, they are gambling with far more than comfort, far more than this moment we call “now.” Those who do not respond to the warning of the Living God gamble with eternal damnation, and that is a cost from which none can ever recover. Jesus warns, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” [LUKE 12:4-5]!
Jesus’ warning anticipates the cautionary statement His half-brother would deliver, when he wrote, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy” [JAMES 4:12a].
Almost two thousand years have passed since John wrote this final book of the Word, and still the Lord has not returned. However, we must never forget! Peter cautions that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day. God's “quickly” and God's “soon” are not the same as our “quickly” and our “soon.” The point is that the Lord's return is always imminent, and therefore is to be a constant source of joyful anticipation. Because this is the case, we are called not to be careless; rather, we are to be always prepared. To this promise John eagerly responds, as should we all: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” It is as though John’s crowning desire is to see our Lord Jesus Christ. And this, followed by the brief benediction, concludes the Word of God.
We live in a day when many people say the signs are right for Christ’s return. You who hear me need to hear this truth today—Christ Jesus the Lord is coming, signs or no signs. He has promised, and His promise is certain. The Apostle anticipated the return of the Master momentarily; and we, also, must anticipate that He shall return shortly. Jesus promises, “Surely I am coming soon.” And those who know Him respond, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Are you ready? Have you prepared for what is certain? Do you live in the light of His return?
I cannot allow this message to pass without pleading with any who hear and who have not prepared for what is certain. Look to Christ Jesus the Master and be saved. God offers forgiveness of sin to all who come to Him in Faith. The Word of God is quite clear, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” [ROMANS 10:9-10]. Believe and be saved. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] Merriam-Webster.com, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epilogue, accessed 29 December 2018
