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12 "See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 16 "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. 20 The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen. (Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 NRSV)
These are the words that close out the entire Bible! I hope you have read the Bible from cover to cover at least once in your life; it's quite the experience! I've shared how my nephew when he was five years old was going through a scary time in his life, thinking there were monsters under his bed, etc., and so he called me and knowing that I was a pastor and had always said that if anyone needed a Bible I could get them one, and he asked me for five! "Why five, Mijito (my child) I asked?" "Because I'm really scared. I told him if he received the one I could give him and if he promised to read it, he would be fine." Some time later I checked on it and asked how he was doing in his Bible reading? "I read Genesis and most of the other books, but when I came to Job I couldn't figure out if the man needed a job or wanted a job and I felt like giving up!" Thankfully, his fears went away. As will ours if we trust God's word.
I know some people who will read the first and last chapters of novels they buy so they can have an idea of what's to come in between. I also once heard of a man who in the early days of satellite tv had on his dish, the Eastern coast feed, meaning while he lived in Hawaii, he could watch shows from New York on satellite, then later on regular television feed. One day his favorite college football team was playing and he watched the game on the satellite then re-watched it at home and his wife was bothered by his yelling and screaming and loudly worrying about how his team would fare! "Honey," she said, "You already know how the game ends! We win!" Many are those who have read the Bible and still worry about how it all ends; more are the ones who have not read and really do not know how it all ends; we do! Jesus wins! We win! As we examine the text again hear the highlights; Jesus is coming back, and that, soon. He is returning with His reward; meaning what we sowed we will reap; the good things will be rewarded; the bad things not. Jesus reminds us that He is the beginning and the end. Those of us who had our "robes" washed, means those who have surrendered to Jesus and His washing away of our sins, we will be allowed to enter the city by the gates, and we will have the right to the tree of life. Jesus again identifies Himself again and declares that He is the Messiah who will say to those allowed in, "Come," and we will be allowed in. The thirsty will be allowed entrance and access to the living water that will satisfy our thirst; and again Jesus says, "Surely I am coming soon." We should say as did the narrative, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" His grace will be with all the saints (you and me if we are in Him). This as a yearning for restoration, a desire to see all things made new. It’s also a commitment: to live each day as people who believe He is coming soon. All of this is a message of hope, not fear; in Jesus we will have life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we hear Your promise and echo Your invitation: Come. Teach us to live with watchful hearts and hopeful hands. Remind us that You are the beginning and the end of all things, including our own stories. Help us walk in Your grace as we await the fullness of Your return. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Live today as one who believes the final word belongs to Jesus. Extend the invitation: “Come.” Let your life speak hope to the thirsty.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
