“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I (Jesus) am coming soon.’” (To which we respond), “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Then comes the Bible’s final benediction), “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21
Dear Lord Jesus, how fitting, awesome, and encouraging—the entire Bible, concludes with these three affirmations: 1. You are coming “soon.” 2. We “Amen!”, crave, and rejoice in the arrival of that Day more than any other. 3. Until the perfectly timed moment of your return, you won’t just give us “hang-on-grace,” but grace to thrive, grace to become more like you, grace to live and love to your glory. Thank you… Hallelujah, and thank you.
I used to be troubled by the promise of the “soon-ness” of your return—as though “soon” had to mean pretty soon after you gave me the gift of knowing you in 1968. Then I thought of it as a “metaphor” for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. I now rest in the trustworthiness of your heart, the beauty of your plan, and the perfection of your timing.
Jesus, you aren’t slow in keeping your promises—not any of them, including your second coming. The calendar of mercy and grace measures time differently than we do—1000 years are like a day, and vice versa (2 Pet.3:8-9). I now understand “soon” to mean “certainly.” And along with your whole church, I “look forward to the new heaven and new earth you have promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (Rev.21:1-22:6).
Until that Day, hope—life in you and life on mission—is the order, privilege, and calling of this and every day. In your name, loving and serving whoever is in front of us; and for your glory, showing and telling the Gospel until the Day of all things new. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.