Final Words

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)

My Musings – “He who testifies to these things” is none other than Jessus, attesting to what John has written with the all-embracing affirmation: “Yes, I am coming soon.”  John, in turn, replies to the Word of the Lord with a grand and simple prayer: “Amen; come, Lord Jesus.”  The phrase “Come, Lord Jesus” is the Greek equivalent to the Aramaic expression Maranatha (Our Lord, come – see 1 Corinthians 16:22). This became the rally cry of the early Church, particularly as it began facing persecution under the Roman Empire. It was an acknowledgment by early believers in universal recognition of Jesus’ deity, long before any Church council or creed affirmed it.

John’s benediction of grace may seem an unusual ending for the apocalypse that details so much of God’s wrath. But it is suitable for one that was meant to be read in the churches (Revelation 1:3). Elsewhere, grace is a typical benediction, especially in the Paul’s letters (see Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 16:23; Galatians 6:18). 

For those who believe that Christ in His first coming provided salvation, there is the wonderful promise of His coming again to bring full and final deliverance and reward. As the book began by introducing a revelation of Jesus Christ, so it ends with the same thought that He is coming again.

As John concludes his writings, it might be helpful to remember what the very first verse of the book says about it. It is a revelation that God gives to His Church, a revelation of Jesus Christ. The greatest purpose of the book is to show us Jesus Christ. A suffering Church does not need a detailed forecast of future events. It needs a vision of the exalted Christ to encourage the weary and persecuted believers. We see Jesus Christ standing in the midst of the churches. We see Him portrayed as the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world. We see Him as one who rules and reigns. He is the one who takes His Church to be with Him in the new heavens and the new earth, where we will worship Him forever and ever.  The Church must have ears to hear what the Spirit has said (Revelation 22:16–17). The people of God must, by His grace (Revelation 22:21), persevere in the hour of tribulation (when the gates of hell appear to be prevailing), knowing that Jesus will soon return in triumph.

My Advice – The “grace of the Lord Jesus,” belongs solely to “God’s people.” But it is offered to everyone. For, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NIV 1984). And “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NIV 1984). If you have not called on His name, my prayer is that having read this far, enough has been revealed to prompt you to do so now. If you among those who have called on His name, let’s join with John, “amen. Come, Lord Jesus!“

Resources:

Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 399). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 22:20-21). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Re 22:20). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Re 22:21). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 990). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Sloan, R. B. (1998). The Revelation. In D. S. Dockery (Ed.), Holman concise Bible commentary (p. 680). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Dockery, D. S., Butler, T. C., Church, C. L., Scott, L. L., Ellis Smith, M. A., White, J. E., & Holman Bible Publishers (Nashville, T. . (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (p. 804). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.