These final words of testimony are yet another
declaration of the promise of Christ’s imminent return:
“Surely I come quickly.” With this announcement, in contrast
to those in verses 7 and 12, this declaration adds the word
“Yes,” to strengthen this even more, this declaration is
followed by the word “Amen.” With the word amen, John begins
his own prayer of response to this announcement, “Come, Lord
Jesus.”
Though the book of Revelation concerns itself with a broad
expanse of divine dealing with men including the time of
Tribulation, the millennium, and the eternal state, for John
the important event is the coming of the Lord for him at the
rapture of the church. For this, his heart longs, because
not only he is on the bleak Island of Patmos in suffering
and exile but also because of the glorious prospect of the
future that his eyes have seen and his ears have heard.
The Tribulation has stressed the wrath of a holy God.
However, for the true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ
there is only grace. The Old Testament ends with the word
“curse,” for it is the warning given an earth whose future
hangs upon that of Israel, upon the conversion of the
remnant and upon the receiving of the preaching of Elijah,
just before Christ should return. The law could make no
absolute promise, and so God’s Word by Malachi ends, “Lest I
come and smite the earth with a curse.” However, Christ has
come and put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Although
the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ has uncovered the
fearful rebellion of the earth, and the necessary and dire
judgments of God; yet upon those who have believed, to His
saints, the benediction of divine favor rests.
The good news, nothing less than God’s grace is required for
us to be overcomers and triumphantly enter the Holy City of
God, where we shall reign with him forever and ever. Let us
each draw near to our glorious Savior, who is revealed in
such dramatic ways in this awesome book, that we may
experience His power on our lives, represent Him faithfully
as His servants, and pray “Come, Lord Jesus.”
