Revelation 22:11-16

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.  Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.  “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

One of the most important questions every person must answer it: who is Jesus?  The answer to the question followed to its most logical conclusion will determine the eternal destiny of every person.  Entrance into the New Jerusalem and citizenship on the new earth will depend upon what people believe about Jesus.

JESUS IS ETERNAL: When Jesus says, behold I am coming soon, it becomes obvious that the definition of the word soon is different for mortal and immortal people.  Since the Son of God is eternal, thousands of years can be considered soon.  He is Alpha and Omega.  These are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet so reiterate that He is the first and last, beginning and end.  Jesus always has been and always will be.  He had no beginning and will have no ending.  Many times, our anxiety, depression, and stress stem from the brevity of our lives on earth.  Jesus doesn’t feel these emotions because of His eternality.  We would do well to remember that because of our relationship with Christ, we will live forever in His presence.  This will help us have the perspective that Jesus is coming soon and we don’t need to worry so much about the present state of the world or circumstances in which we live.

JESUS IS JUDGE: When Jesus comes, He will have a recompense with Him.  He will reward those who have served Him faithfully.  He will perfectly discern the difference between those who have been cleansed of their sin through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and those who have rejected Him.  Believers will be given access to the tree of life and the New Jerusalem on the New Earth.  Those who have rejected Christ are still contaminated by their sins of idolatry, immorality, dishonesty, and violence.  They will have no place in the world that Jesus is ushering in.  They will be left out of the eternal blessings those who have placed their faith in Christ will experience.  Instead, they will be tormented forever apart from Christ.  None of us are capable of judging others in this way, but Jesus will do so perfectly.

JESUS IS KING: This revelation was given to John by Jesus who sent and angel to make these things known to the churches to whom John writes and to us.  He identifies Himself as the root of David, which establishes Him as King.  He calls Himself the bright morning star signaling the dawning of new day where all darkness will be expelled.  The rein of Christ in light will stand in stark contrast to the ruin and darkness into which this world has fallen.

APPLICATION: Don’t become impatient while withing for the return of Christ.  What seems slow and delayed to us, is only a blip for Jesus, our eternal Lord.  Be faithful in the brokenness of the world in which we live, knowing that Jesus will reward and judge perfectly.  Worship Jesus as King of kings and the source of eternal life in the light of His presence.

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