Behold, I am coming quickly

Kim Alexander

Understanding the End Times • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

Eschatology

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The three "I am coming" statements of Jesus Christ in Revelation 22.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction: Does anyone know today’s date? It is 10/2/2022. It is October 2, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand twenty-two. Keep this date on your mind for a few minutes. I’ll get back to it shortly.

When I was a teenager we had CB radios – it was a thing back in the day. Radio Shack was a place we visited often and where we purchased all our accessories. My CB handle was the KAJC5125 Captain Nemo! (On a side note, the first church I pastored was in a small town in South Dakota called, Nemo) I find that interesting. Getting back to the CB radio we had to use the code when we talked with one another. Here are some samples of the code:

10-1 - Receiving poorly (I can’t hear you)

10-2 - Receiving well (I can hear you)

10-3 - Stop transmitting (aka shut up)

10-4 - Affirmative/Message received

10-6 - Busy/Hold on

10-9 - Repeat message

10-10 - Transmission completed (I’m done talking)

10-13 - Weather/road conditions

10-17 - Urgent business

10-20 - Identifying location (often adapted to “What’s your 20?”)

10-27 - I’m moving to channel [insert channel]

10-33 - Emergency traffic at this station

10-38 - Ambulance needed at [insert location]

10-45 - All units within range please report

10-62 - Unable to copy; please use phone

10-99 - Mission completed

10-100 - Bathroom break

10-200 - Police needed at [insert location]

In this introduction, I asked you what today’s date was, and you responded by saying that it is 10-2. Well, in code 10-2 means: Receiving well (I can hear you).

As we investigate God’s Word together, I hope that every one of you will be able to respond with 10-2 – Pastor Kim, we are receiving well (We hear you).

This will be our last message in this series: Understanding the End Times. And the passage we are studying is the final section of the book of Revelation. It is an epilogue to this book. These are the final closing remarks. It has been said that sometimes the most important words are the last words. We want to look at these last words together.

Three times in this final section Jesus Christ reminds the writer, the recipients, and future saints of His soon and quick return (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20).

I. Behold, I am coming quickly – 22:6-11

What do we discover in these verses?

A. God’s Stamp of approval– 22:6

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

God’s word is trustworthy and true. All of it. We don’t get to pick apart the Bible. We don’t get to decide which parts of the Bible are true and therefore acceptable, and which parts are untrue and therefore unacceptable. Either all of it is true, or you don’t accept any of it as true.

Circle the words “faithful” and “true” and then turn back to Revelation 19:11. There we read,

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

Note in this verse that “Faithful” and “True” are both capitalized. Why? Because it speaks of the character and nature of Jesus Christ. Faithful and true is what He is! Don’t miss this.

Throughout the Bible, God told His servants the prophets what He was going to do. And everything He shared with the prophets has or will come to pass – 100% of His word will be fulfilled.

In Daniel 2:19, we read,

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.

In Daniel 2:28a, we read,

But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets,

Underline the word “must” in this verse. It doesn’t read, maybe, or might, or could. No, it reads “must”. All of God’s word must shortly take place.

Remember that God is not on our schedule. God is outside of time. 2 Peter 3:8 reads,

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

B. A reminder of His coming – 22:7

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

If you have a red-letter Bible, you will see these words are in red. This is telling us that Jesus Christ is speaking. He is telling the reader of this book that He is coming quickly.

Pastor Chuck Smith wrote, “The word “quickly” here doesn’t mean “shortly” or “immediately.” There are those who would scoff at this and say, “Jesus said He would come quickly, but it has been two thousand years and He still hasn’t come.” The idea here is that when He comes, everything will happen quickly. Paul said that it might happen “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”(1 Corinthians 15:52). When the time is right, things will happen quickly. It will be almost instantaneous transformation.” (The Word for Today Bible).

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “When John’s words begin to be fulfilled things will happen very quickly.”

Now, look at the words,

“Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

The Greek word for “keeps” is “tereo”, and it means, to guard, watch over, to preserve intact. We are to watch over the words of the prophecy of this book. We are to guard the truth of the coming of Jesus Christ.

Our lack of understanding how to read the Bible doesn’t affect the coming of Jesus Christ. He is coming again!

Consider what this truth produced in John’s life.

C. Ecstatic worship – 22:8-9

8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Worship God! Here is the ultimate purpose of every message I have preached in this series: Understanding the End Times. We are called to Worship God. John heard and saw these things and fell before the feet of the angel (the messenger) and was quickly rebuked by the angel. No, we don’t fall before fellow servants, we Worship God, and God alone.

Look carefully at what we have in these verses:

· Servants are to Worship God.

· Angels are to Worship God.

· Those who guard this book are to Worship God.

Jesus is coming and we ought to get so excited that worship is the outflow of this exciting news.

D. Revelation is an open book – 22:10

10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

There are a lot of people who don’t read this book because they say, “It is too difficult to understand.” But it’s not. Revelation is an open book. And everything on God’s calendar of events is recorded for us in the book of Revelation.

There is no seal on this book. Therefore, we must…

· Read it.

· Hear it.

· Keep it.

· Share it.

What will you do with the words you are hearing today? Knowing that Jesus Christ is coming quickly? Well, this brings us to our next point in the message.

E. Everyone must decide – 22:11

11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

What decision have you made? Have you called upon Jesus Christ to save you? Are you among the justified? Just as if you never sinned. Or are you among those who are filthy and who have rejected Jesus Christ’s offer for salvation?

There are only two types of people in the world – the saved, and the lost. Which are you?

On Earth – the lost

He who is unjust, let him be unjust still

He who is filthy, let him be filthy still

On Earth – the saved

He who is righteous, let him be righteous still

He who is holy, let him be holy still

To which group do you identify? The lost or the saved?

Jesus has told us once that He is coming back quickly – Revelation 22:7.

II. Behold, I am coming quickly – 22:12-17

What do we have in these verses about the second “I am coming quickly” statement of Jesus Christ?

A. A message when He comes – 22:12-15

1. He will come to reward – 22:12

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Never forget that whatever good you do here on earth will be rewarded when you stand before God in heaven.

2. He will come to complete – 22:13

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Jesus Christ will complete what He began. What Jesus starts; He finishes! Everything stated in the word of God will be completed!

In Hebrews 12:2 we read,

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6,

Being confident of this very thing, that he who begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Even Jesus’ life ended with the words,

“It is finished!” (John 19:30)

What God sets into motion will be completed!

3. He will come to receive – 22:14

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Jesus Christ will receive all those who “do His commandments”. Are you an obedient believer? Remember, His commandments are not the ten suggestions!

Someone penned, “If we believe that Jesus will come again, it ought to make a difference in our lives today.”

Saved believers will eat from the tree of life. And saved believers will enter through the gates into the city. The New Jerusalem will be their home.

4. He will come to judge – 22:15

15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Here we have a list of those who refuse to “do His commandments.” Instead, they choose to live according to the dictates of their hearts – everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).

This verse is telling us that all of those who refuse the gift of salvation will not enter the New Jerusalem. They will be separated from the God and face the second death.

B. A message before He comes – 22:16-19

1. In the Churches – 22:16

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

The whole Bible only has one message – the redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ (from Genesis 3- Revelation 22).

Adrian Rogers used to say, “The Bible addresses one problem–sin. The Bible has one villain–Satan. The Bible has one hero–Jesus. The Bible has one purpose–to glorify God.”

In the churches we preach Jesus Christ – will you receive Him? He is the rightful King, and He is the bright and morning star. This star announces that dawn is approaching. Well, Jesus Christ is coming. Will you be ready my friend?

2. Through His Spirit – 22:17

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Come is an important word used here in this verse. It is used three times in this verse. The Spirit and the bride (the Church) say, come. When the Holy Spirit calls you, you had better heed. When the Church, God’s bride extends an invitation to you to come to Jesus Christ you should heed what you are hearing. Are you thirsty? Are you lacking meaning in your life, as if you are missing something? Well, you are. It is a relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Therefore, COME.

3. In the Book of Revelation – 22:18

18 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; 19 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.

There is only one book in the New Testament that is prophetic, and that is the book of Revelation. God in His providence has provided us with a book of 22 chapters to tell us what His overall plan through the ages will be.

Don’t Add to or Take Away from the Book of Revelation

· We don’t add to this book, or we will add to ourselves the plagues written in this book.

· We don’t take anything away from this book, or God shall take away our part from the Book of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.

III. Surely, I am coming quickly – 22:20-21

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

What do we have in these verses about the third “I am coming quickly” statement of Jesus Christ?

A. Jesus said so – 22:20

Did you catch it? For a third time Jesus spoke about His coming. He didn’t use the word, “behold” this time. No, this time, He used the word “surely”. Why? Because the first two times Jesus wanted to grab your attention, and now He wants to provide absolute assurance of the reality of His coming. This word expresses strong affirmation. Underline the word “surely”. This is something you can count on.

B. John prayed so – 22:20

John prayed,

“Amen”

The word “Amen” means, so be it. John agrees with what Jesus said about His coming.

John prayed that Jesus’ coming would be quick. Look at the words,

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

John was ready for the return of Jesus. Are you ready? Am I ready? Can we like John pray,

come, Lord Jesus!

C. You can know so – 22:21

21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

How can you know that Jesus Christ is coming? Through grace – through Jesus’ unmerited favor. What John writes here in this last verse is a powerful invitation to anyone reading or hearing these words. John writes, “The grace “unmerited favor” of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Accept Jesus’ grace to you. It’s the only way to become a part of His forever family.

Do you see the final word of Revelation 22:21? It is “Amen”, and again it means, so be it.

Salvation cannot be earned, bought, or received through good deeds, or praying through a bunch of beads. It is a gift given to you by God. By grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Will you take hold of salvation today? Will you make yourself ready for the coming of Jesus Christ?

Conclusion: How would you respond to this message today if you heard it over a CB radio? Would you say, 10-4 (message received)? Have you received the message today? Three times we have been told that Jesus is coming. Will you be ready for His return?

Do you know that you are a part of God’s forever family? Get the issue of salvation settled in your life once and for all. Make sure that you have received Jesus Christ into your life to be your savior and Lord.

Application Points

Allow me to remind you of the many application points that were mentioned as we walked through this text together. Here they are:

1. Believe in the faithful and true word of God.

2. Live in the light of Jesus Christ’s coming. All prophecy was meant to make a difference in our lives today.

3. Watch over, guard, and preserve intact the prophecy of this book.

4. Worship God. The ultimate responsibility.

5. Share this prophecy with others.

6. Decided today whether you want to be forever lost, or eternally saved.

7. Serve God now and reserve your rewards in heaven.

8. Thank God that He completes what He begins.

9. Do His commandments. Just simply obey.

10. Accept Revelation as complete and don’t add to this book or take anything away from this book.