Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. Revelation 22:12
My husband and son surfed television channels looking for a movie to watch and discovered that their favorite movies were already in progress. As they enjoyed watching the final scenes, the search became a game. They managed to find eight of their favorite flicks. Frustrated, I asked why they wouldn’t just choose a movie to watch from the beginning. My husband laughed. “Who doesn’t love a great ending?”
I had to admit I too look forward to the endings of my favorite books or movies. I’ve even skimmed through my Bible and focused on my favorite parts or the stories that seem more palatable and easier to understand. But the Holy Spirit uses all of God’s reliable and life-applicable words to transform us and affirm that His story will end well for believers in Jesus.
Christ declares Himself to be “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). He proclaims that His people will inherit eternal life (v. 14) and warns those who dare to add or subtract from “the words of the prophecy of this scroll” (vv. 18–19).
We may not know or understand everything in the Bible, but we do know Jesus is coming again. He’ll keep His word. He’ll demolish sin, right every wrong, make all things new, and reign as our loving King forever. Now, that’s a great ending that leads to our new beginning!
Read: Revelation 22:12–21 (NIV)
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 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, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 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.
18 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. 19 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.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
INSIGHT
- How does the certainty of knowing Jesus is coming again help you live for Him today?
- What excites you the most about Christ’s promised return?
Revelation 21–22 speaks of the beginning of our life with Christ in the eternal state. As Jesus ushers in the new heavens and earth, He reminds us that He’s “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (22:13; see also 21:6). This was the same proclamation John heard at the beginning of his vision (1:8, 17). In revealing Himself as “the First and the Last,” Jesus is saying that He’s God. For God Himself has declared, “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6; see also 41:4; 48:12).
PRAYER
Come, Lord Jesus! Come! AMEN!!
Read: Revelation 22:12–21 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Psalms 123–125; 1 Corinthians 10:1–18
