Jesus' Promise to Come Again

Scripture: Revelation 22:7-21(NIV)

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 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.

Devotional

With this we come to the end of the year-long study of the life of Jesus. But it’s not over. Our lives continue in Him, always leaning forward into His calling and purpose. One day He will come again and, if He tarries, all of us will one day die and come face to face with Him.

This is reading #260 in this year-long journey. But never think that you have completed the course, as if to say, “I had some good meals this year; I will never need to eat again.” Conversely, feast daily on the Word of God. Make time in Scripture and prayer and other spiritual disciplines a part of your life until you draw your last breath.

And remember that there is a difference between reading the Bible for knowledge and doing so for transformation. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

In the very first devotional for this study I wrote:

My prayer is that you will not only know more about Jesus, but you will know Jesus more intimately than ever before and be willing to follow wherever He leads.

That remains my prayer for you. May the Lord bless you on the journey!

Poem

O, Who Will Comprehend My Love? 

For days and weeks and months
I've pined
For this awaited time
Each detail, planning,
Purpose, thought
To speak My Love sublime
With each sight,
Will you see My Love?
With each melodic tune?
Will every taste and smell and touch
Declare deep passion true?

With water clean,
Each soul kept pure
Each frame bedecked in white
With prayer and longing,
Counsel strong
For you whom I desire
Each future brighter with each day
This is My Vow to you
The work of faith in each begun
My Glory will display

Is there a space enough to hold
All I desire for you?
Will wine and joy now overflow
A miracle full true?
O, who will comprehend
My Love
Of water into wine?
O, who will know The Best shall come
To mutually consume?

Podcast: Week 52

Sermon: Week 52

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