Three times in this passage, Jesus says, “I am coming soon!” Believers are called to keep the message of Revelation alive until Jesus returns.
Christ’s return is a promise for the entire world. He will bring a reward for His people and a rebuke for those who reject Him. Christ’s return is imminent. He will return soon. “Soon” does not mean immediately. God is not bound by time. For Him to say soon, it means Jesus will return in the Lord’s time.
How do we keep God’s Word alive until Jesus returns? We guard it and our time spent in it, we watch over it to be sure we don’t malign it, we don’t add to it, and we don’t subtract from it. Stand firm on the truth of God’s Word. After reading the prophecies in Revelation, we should become bold witnesses for Jesus.
In verse 6, an angel told John that everything he saw and heard in his visions of Revelation was true. Jesus told John that He is coming soon and blessed those who keep the words of this prophecy. Then John bowed down to worship the angel. The angel told John not to worship him because he is a servant like other believers. We should worship God alone.
The angel also instructed John not to seal up the words of this prophecy because Jesus is returning soon and people need to know about His return. As we wait for Christ’s return, we are to grow in purity and holiness. We must keep Jesus’ imminent return in the forefront of our minds, obey His Word daily, long for His return., persevere, share the truth to others, and serve God and others faithfully.
For a second time, Jesus told John that He is coming soon. He promised to bring His recompense with Him. He also promised to bless those who obey Him.
Jesus described two groups of people – the insiders and the outsiders. The insiders were washed by the blood of the Lamb; they will live in God’s eternal city. The outsiders rejected God and continued in their sins; they will not be allowed in God’s eternal city.
Jesus presented an invitation to come drink freely of salvation in Christ. Believers are called to offer this same invitation to others. We must share the fullness of the Gospel – Jesus is full of mercy and grace, but He also is a righteous Judge. If you receive Jesus, He will receive you; if you reject Him, He will reject you.
Finally, John warned us not to add to or subtract from God’s Word. And he tells us that God’s grace (verse 21) helps us keep the message of Revelation alive.
It is true that Jesus is coming back. Are you ready?
Things to Think About
- This year we saw the vision of Jesus, we read His letters that encouraged and rebuked the seven churches, we saw angels and saints worship God on His throne, we saw Jesus the Lamb in the center of God’s throne room, we saw the coming judgments on the earth and evil, and we saw God judge unbelievers and send them to the lake of fire and reward believers with an eternity with Him in the new heaven and the new earth.
- How are you living in light of Christ’s return?
- God’s prophecy is authentic and true. Those who obey God’s prophecy will be blessed.
- How will Jesus respond when He sees you – will He lovingly accept you or righteously reject you?
This Week’s Memory Verse