Be Ready, He Is Coming

Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
“I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let him that heareth say, “Come.” And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  He which testifieth these things saith,
“Surely I come quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 22:14-21

Far too many pastors and too many people in the pew are afraid to read  The Revelation of Jesus Christ.  It is a book of encouragement, hope, and comfort for those who belong to our Lord.

This text begins with the seventh and final Beatitude of the Revelation.  The first “Blessed” is found in the first chapter verse three.

Note the words of Jesus.  “I am the Root, and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.”  These words of the Revelation were probably written 20-40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus is still speaking, and we are not to add to or take anything away from this book.  The ones who add to it are trying to make themselves appear intelligent, or because they think it does not say enough.  The same can be said of those who take away or diminish though they try to say that it is lessor than it  really is.

Then Jesus said, “Surely I come quickly.”  “Well, it’s been two thousand years since He spoke these words. Where is the  promise of His coming?”  Be ready, because no one can know the time of His coming.  The word “Imminent” means “It could happen any time” and that is as God chooses.  So be ready.

If you are not ready for the coming of the Son of God in the  clouds then turn your life over the One who died on the cross, by calling on His name in faith and repentance,  believing that He died for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again, and you will be ready.

The heart of every Christian, the follower of Jesus Christ calls out, “Come Lord Jesus.”

Hearing His Word

Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:14-21 (KJV)

Here we have our final of seven Beatitudes of the Revelation. Our final word of solace and encouragement.

Those who “Do His commandments” are those who love Him (John 14:`15, 21). Their garments have been made white by the sacrifice of Jesus precious blood. The greatest motivation to love Him is His love for us (1 John 4:19).

The “Blessed” are given access to the “tree of life”, and may enter into the city. The unregenerate are kept from the city and the tree of life.
Jesus Himself testifies to the truth of the angel’s testimony. The root is the unseen – the Deity, Creator of David. The offspring is the Son of David – Jesus is the root and the offspring of David. Jesus is the bright and morning star.

“The morning star announces dawn’s soon arrival. Jesus Christ will come for His Church as the ‘Morning Star’. But when He returns to judge, it will be as ‘the Sun of righteousness’ in burning fury” (Malachi 4:1-3). Warren Wiersbe BE Commentary Vol. 2 pg. 626.

Here is the last invitation in Scripture. When the last page is fulfilled the invitation closes forever.

The invitation is from the Bride [Church] in which the Spirit abides. It is just as sure as if we were already there. Read Ephesians 1.

The invitation remains opened until God closes the door (Consider Noah and the ark; Gen. 7:16).

The Church today is responsible for inviting the condemned to faith and righteousness – salvation in Christ Jesus.

There is a final warning in these glorious pages of Holy Scripture. This prophecy is not to be trifled with by attempts to explain it away or by adding to it – thus, treating it with contempt and little or no respect, holding the teachings of men over the glorious and the clear doctrines of God.

The saved of God hold God’s Word in reverence and awe. It is taught with a passion for truth and for Jesus Christ as the only Savior, Lord, and King of kings, and Lord of lords. The curse cannot apply to the redeemed of God because of the above statement. We must keep in mind that as we grow in maturity, in Christ, there are some things we believe that we will change because we discover we were wrong. This curse applies to those who set out to deliberately deceive and to purposely hold the Word of God in contempt; by those who are deceiving and being deceived.

A testimony of John and the words of Jesus speak volumes for faith. Testimony and prayer. The testimony belongs to Jesus – “Surely I come quickly. Amen”. John’s prayer – “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Twice in this chapter Jesus says, “I come quickly” (vv. 7, and 20). John’s prayer and ours, if we are in Christ is, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus”. Come quickly. Come, Lord Jesus. AMEN.

In conclusion, all through this study, I have tried to show how this book, this Revelation of Jesus Christ, is exactly as it is titled; The Revelation of Jesus Christ. And, He in all His glory. The Revelation is of Him from the first to the last.

Some of the things that are soon to happen are not pleasant, but Jesus is glorified forever more. “The Unveiling Of His Glory” has been my title for this study, and His glory is certainly witnessed in His judgment upon the wickedness of the men of earth and in the resurrection of His saints.

What Jesus began back in the garden of Eden, He will bring to completion for His glory. “I COME QUICKLY.” AMEN.

A CLOSING QUOTE:

“Though not stated in detail, the point of these two verses (vv. 18-19) is that a child of God who reveres Him will recognize at once that this is the Word of God”. John F. Walvoord from The Revelation of Jesus Christ pg. 338.