Last Words

A person’s last words should probably be considered important, especially when they know it is the last thing that will be recorded. When God closes His Book with The Revelation, He gives us some last words to which we should take particular heed. Before delving into those, let’s just be clear that they are the last words. John is the last living apostle, and as such, is qualified to tell the church what belongs in the New Testament or not. It is not up to a committee, nor are there “lost” books of the Bible to be discovered. John also gives the warnings of not adding to, or subtracting from, the words of God. Psalms 12:6-7 lets us know they are preserved words, and Psalm 138:2 gives us the knowledge of how important God says these words are. The last words of this all important document are: (Revelation 22:20-21) “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. {21} The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Two things stick out: we are to be longing for the return of Christ, and the grace of God will be there to help us in the wait. This longing for the Lord’s return is the primary hope of the Church [Titus 2:13]. We are not looking for the Lord’s glory, as some of the newer versions state. We are looking for Jesus Christ Himself. As the last words of the Bible, this is paramount. Over and over, in commands and parables, the Lord admonishes the saints to be watching and ready. We are not to be distracted by the things of this world. Which includes the troubles and trials AND THE TIMES YOUR SIDE WINS. No matter how bad or good this life gets, our longing to see Jesus Christ should never wane. The Lord even gives a reward at the Judgment Seat for those Christians who were longing for, and love, the return of Christ. (2 Timothy 4:8) “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” I am extremely thankful when the good and right actually win a conflict. I am usually hopeful and tend not to think the worst of people [yes, I am quite gullible]. But even winning the occasional battle does not replace the hope of Jesus Christ’s return. Our Messiah has not come back yet and all the world’s problems are not going to suddenly end because … The Rapture is not an insignificant doctrine, nor is it new. One of the first arguments of the early church was whether to take the Scriptures on the return of Christ literally or not. The Chiliast said to do so and I certainly agree. Hymenaeus and his buddies would also agree now since they were turned over to the devil for discouraging the church concerning the return and resurrection of the saints [I Timothy 1:19-20 and II Timothy 2:17-18]. The world, the flesh, and the devil will use anything to distract us from what God said and the hope He gave. They will even use earthly “blessings” if that will work.