One of my favorite phrases in all of Scripture comes from the book of Revelation. While it is common for people to skip over their study of Revelation, giving in to the myth that it cannot be understood, I find the book fascinating. Recently, one of my podcasts (episode 8) focused on the island of Patmos and on the heavenly revelation John received. The reason I chose to endeavor on such a subject on my podcast is the same reason I am writing today: because the book of Revelation is full of messages that we so desperately need to implement into our lives.
The text I want to examine today is one that I always find so much comfort in, and that is Revelation 22:18-21.
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
The closing of the book of Revelation, and subsequently the entire cannon of Scripture, ends on a beautiful, hopeful note.
First, we see the promise: If you add to God’s word, plagues will be added to you. If you take away from the words of the book, heaven itself will be taken from you. Wow. How much more minutely should we examine Scripture, to make sure that we are accurately teaching and living the things that the Holy Spirit has preserved for us! Surely none of us want any amount of plagues to be added to us, nor do we want heaven to be taken away from us. And yet, Revelation 22 tells us that it is imperative to adhere exactly to what God has said. Veering to the right or left isn’t an option.
Next, we see the proclamation: Jesus, the One who testifies, says, “surely I am coming quickly.” This beautiful Scripture tells us that Jesus will not forsake us. He will come, He will claim, and He will conquer. We do not have to question God’s plan; on the contrary, Jesus Himself has said that He will come. We know that time means two different things to us and to God, and so while ‘quickly’ may not mean on our time frame, it does still mean that Jesus will come. He will claim His own. He will call us to meet Him in the air, and He will take us home to that holy home.
Finally, we see the pleading. At the end of this great book, John says, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”. This has to be one of my absolute favorite phrases in the Bible. How often should we utter these words? Last week, we talked about a phrase we should implement into our daily prayers, and today I urge you to add another. As God’s people, as Jesus’ disciples, we should be living our lives in such a way that we are longing for heaven. We should be pleading that Jesus come, and soon! We should anxiously await that home with God, more so than anything this earth has to offer! Like John, we should be excited! We should be anticipating! And if we aren’t, perhaps we should be questioning ourselves, and making a change within our lives.
Anytime I find myself in the book of Revelation I like to read this passage. And every time I read this passage, I like to ask myself if I can say these words with all certainty: “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” If I can, good, but I need to keep pressing to new heights. If I can’t, I need to fix my fate. I need to confess my sins before the Almighty Father, begging Him to forgive my trespasses and shortcomings.
Today, the question is simple. Can you say it? Do you mean it? I pray you do.
