December 30-31, 2010
Revelation 22
Pastor Jeff Allen
It’s not always easy to recognize how fast time is going - or will be going in the future.
When my family is on vacation, it seems that it takes forever to arrive at the destination. While there’s building anticipation and excitement about what’s to come, it’s in the middle or latter part of the trip that time seems to crawl and those four special words that parents have the privilege of hearing (as if it’s a rite of passage) repeat from the back seat: “Are we there yet?” When we’re on our way back home, the trip seems much quicker.
A good movie or book series will always leave us in suspense or excitement about what may happen next. As the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22 leaves us in suspense about the timing, since the story is not over yet. Yet Scripture is clear about what will happen next, since Jesus Himself tells us:
- “I am coming soon!” (verse 7)
- “I am coming soon…” (verse 12)
- “Yes, I am coming soon.” (verse 20)
I’m not a genius, but something tells me that the story will continue with Jesus’ return. Call it a hunch if you will.
Here’s the rub: we don’t know when Jesus will return, and there are moments when it seems like it’s taking forever. However, we must not get lulled to sleep, become apathetic or live in denial, thinking that Jesus won’t return in our lifetime. No one knows the day or time when our Savior will return, and we know from studying other Bible passages that we are getting closer to His arrival based upon what was foretold about the world.
So what does this mean? When Jesus comes (verse 12), He is bringing a reward to repay everyone according to the way they lived their lives.
Another year is almost over. What have we done? How have we used the time? Did we sleep through this section of the trip or are we awake and alert, ready for the big moment? What about 2011? Living right doesn’t happen on accident. If we’re not planning to do what’s right, we’re bound to do what’s wrong because of our sin-nature.
Take some time to pray and think through the goal or goals that you’d like to accomplish in 2011. I’m not talking about “New Year’s resolutions,” but asking God what He would have you accomplish…and then staying focused and committed to that mission. It will not only change your life, but the world in which we live.
