READY…OR NOT?
“Behold, I come quickly…” — Rev. 22:7, 12, 20
There is much in this chapter which closes both the bible and the book of Revelation that provides food for thought, and it is difficult to pass some of them by. However, we have chosen this phrase for our “nugget” because it occurs three tie in this one chapter. It is interesting as well that the same phrase is employed three times in the opening of the book, in the letters to the seven churches; twice as a threat (2:5, 16) and once as an exhortation (3:11). It seems clear that the Savior wants His own to be on spiritual tiptoe awaiting His appearing. That would, of course, agree with his declaration recorded in Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
In the chapter before us the phrase as it is used encourages three things. The first, in v. 7, is to obedience to His word: “blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” In its context the exhortation no doubt relates to the text at hand, that is, the book of Revelation which God wills we should ever keep in mind as a roadmap for the future and a stimulus to holiness. We have a great tendency to become too earthbound and “horizontal” in our thinking. Reflecting on what is here prophesied will help to keep us from fixing our hopes on earth, for it spells out in some detail how “the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” It behooves the believer to focus on “that which is to come” and make our major investment accordingly. It may be, too, that the phrase is reflexive and applies to the whole “book” the Lord has given us, namely the Bible; as for example, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free [John 8:31].” In any dispensation obedience to His word is the key to blessing.
The second occurrence of this phrase, v.12, is a stimulus to fruitful service for Christ, which is of course a corollary to obeying His word: “…I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” There is almost a conflict today among bible teachers, some of whom seem inclined to emphasize grace at the expense of good works and others who emphasis works to the point where the works are essential to salvation. Both are wrong, and a key passage on the issue is Ephesians 2:8-10. There we read, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Our works add nothing to our salvation, but they manifest the reality of our professed faith and are an essential part of our testimony. It is the Savior’s intention that we should bear fruit for His glory, and we will be held accountable for that as is indicated by the “reward” he brings with Him when He comes. The Spirit of God instructs us through the apostle Paul, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [I Cor 3:11-15].”
Many years ago I heard one piously say, “I don’t want a reward; I’ll just serve Him for nothing.” However, let us remember that the believer’s rewards are symbolized as “crowns,” and in the day of His appearing the saints will cast their crowns at His feet as a love-offering for His redeeming grace. I should like to have many crowns!
Finally, He employs our key phrase a third time, saying in a kind of farewell and with emphasis, “Surely I come quickly (v.20).” And the child of God cries, “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” Those who remember His word and have engaged in His work will ever have as their supreme desire to see their King! Their theme song carries the line, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.”
His word is our roadmap, His work our preoccupation and Himself our aspiration. And it is “the hope of His appearing” that should motivate us throughout the journey from here to eternity
As an appendix, there remains the final verse, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” And it is, indeed, His grace alone that secures our redemption, enables us to keep going and assures us of our eternal destiny!
For a sustained pilgrimage,
"Pastor" Frasier
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