WEEK 22 MEMORY VERSE:
”And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Revelation 22:13-21
“Amen, Come Lord Jesus”
In this final passage of the Revelation, several of the most important truths revealed in the book (and indeed, in the whole Bible) are restated. The eternal authority and immutability (unchanging nature) of Christ (vv.13, 16); the separation of the redeemed to eternal life (v.14); the consignment of the unrepentant to hell (v.15); the longing of the Holy Spirit and the Church for the return of Christ (v.17a); the free offer of forgiveness and eternal life to all (v.17b); and the imminent return of Christ (v.20). If we believe all these things to be true, then the only logical response we can make to our reading of the Book of Revelation is a commitment to live for Christ as never before, to seek to contribute to the spread of his Kingdom like never before, and to look eagerly for his return as never before. Perhaps now, as your reading of this book draws to a close, it is a good time for you to freshly commit your own life to these pursuits. Are you right now living as if Christ is the unchanging King of the universe; as if heaven and hell are real eternal destinations; as if the return of Christ is both the highest good for his followers and a soon coming event; and as if there is a free offer of a future in paradise still on the table for multitudes in our world today?
Prayer Starter:
Lord, after reading through this book I am struck by the gravity of the drama in which the human race is involved. Help me to take seriously the pursuit of following you with my whole heart and life, living my life and making an impact for you more intensely and intentionally than I ever have before. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.