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Sunday, June 24
Pastor Oliver R. Blosser, M.Div., Ph.D.
Faith Community Church
Pipestone, MN
Revelation 22:20; Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord
Jesus.
In the last chapter of the Bible, the last prayer of the Bible is prayed. It is prayed by the waiting Bride of Christ in response to the last promise of the Bible. This last promise of the Bible is made by the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ; He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly, Revelation 22:20a. Here our Lord Jesus is referring to His pledge and promise to return for His Bride-to-be at His Second Coming.
The Apostle John records this promise and prayer after having received the Revelation of Jesus Christ. John received the Revelation during a time of persecution when the Apostle himself experienced exile on the island of Patmos. Because of the religious persecution by Rome, the early Christians were eager for Christ’s return.
The Roman emperor worship became obligatory for Christians. This generated persecution when Christians refused to obey the law and worship the emperor as a deity. The Revelation of Jesus Christ was a needed encouragement for believers to stand firm.
The Lord is in control, no matter how things may look. Jesus Christ, not the Roman emperor, is Lord. Jesus Christ is the Lord of history. He holds the key of destiny; Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death, Revelation 1:17c-18. This Jesus is coming again to execute justice. This world and all that happens in it is in God’s hands. His love and care for His people is unfailing. The Revelation reveals that there is a glorious, wonderful future for every faithful believer; and especially for those who lay down their lives for Christ, and for those who were forced to hard labor in Patmos’ quarries.
This is the background for the last promise of the Bible; I come quickly, and for the last prayer; Even so, Lord Jesus, come! Revelation 22:20.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is equally vivid to Christians of every age. Believers around the world are still enduring the pressures of totalitarian regimes. The victory of Christ and His people is vitally relevant today, when the machine, or the state, so often takes the place of God.
There is nothing speculative about the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is John’s source and the Revelation of Jesus Christ is his subject. Our Lord draws back the veil on future events for John to make them known. The vision of Christ is at one and the same time for John’s immediate audience; the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (western Turkey) and for believers down through the ages.
Jesus said that in every generation His followers would face tribulation; These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, John 16:33. During difficult times, no true Christian group is ever alone and abandoned. Jesus always stands among His people offering them His peace. Believers can have the confidence that the living Christ with all of His power and glory is the Master of both life and death and human destiny.
The trials and troubles of life impact believers to pray the last prayer of the Bible. It is also God’s will for the Church, Christ’s Bride, to watch and to pray for her Bridegroom’s return. The whole concept of the Lord’s return has an impact on the Church, as we prepare our hearts. It keeps us aware of the impending return, and that helps keep us motivated to work for the Lord, win others, and keep our own lives in line... like the virgins waiting with their lamps. The Second Coming is also a special blessing for those who will escape the experience of death.
Like Enoch, in Genesis 5, the last generation of Christians will escape death. Those who are alive in Christ at our Lord’s return will escape death as Paul affirms in I Thessalonians 4:16-18; For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The last prayer of the Bible; Even so come, Lord Jesus, contains a blessed hope for the Christian. It is because of the last promise of the Bible that Christians pray the last prayer of the Bible with great expectation.
The events described in the Revelation of Jesus Christ will soon happen. Our Lord’s coming is imminent. Listen to the words of Jesus in the theme verse of the Book of Revelation, Revelation 1:7; Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
The next event following the Church Age in the Revelation of Jesus Christ is that of Christ coming for his Bride, the Church. Through a vision, John himself also experiences this event; After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne, Revelation 4:1-2.
It is the
event, which Christ as the Bridegroom has been waiting for. There are three
factors, which delay the Lord’s return;
1) The completion of the Bride of Christ.
2) The completion of the rooms for the Bride in the Father’s
House, i.e., the completion of our Heavenly home.
3) The approval of the Father, following the completion.
Mark 13:32; But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
For this great event, we must pray that the Church will make herself ready; Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not, Luke 12:40. It is also important that we pray for souls to be saved as the end times approach. Realize that the Lord’s return means that He will deliver us from the power of sin. Pray that you will be ready, and that you will be pleasing to the Lord. Pray that He will find you doing His work and will.
No matter if the Lord comes soon, or if it is many years, we know that He will come. And if He doesn’t come before we die, we will still have to face Him at the time of our own death. Either way we must be ready.
Are you ready for the answer to ‘The Last Prayer in the Bible?’ The Jews prayed for the first coming of the Messiah, and then were not ready when it happened. Are you ready for the answer to the ‘Last Prayer in the Bible?’