Come Lord Jesus

• 1^st – Jesus is coming… vs. 12-13
  • 1^st – Our Command… vs. 12
    • Behold – I am coming quickly!
    • The CLIMAX of the book of Revelation – and the Bible as a whole – comes down to one WORD…
    • BEHOLD [imperative] – the command to LOOK because…
    • Jesus is coming SOON [ταχύ] – He could come for His church at ANY moment!
    • The headlines this week have been filled with NEWS about the WAR in Israel…
    • Hamas [חָמָס] the Hebrew word for VIOLENT – killed 1000 Israeli citizens [including kids]
    • But their FUNDING comes from ONE place – Iran [biblical Persia]
    • And if the WAR spills over into Iran – and their ally Russia is pulled in – Ezekiel 38
    • No man can say WHEN Jesus will return – Mark 13:32
    • But we can know the SIGNS and the TIMES – Matthew 16:3
    • We can see the EVENTS around us unfolding just as the Bible says they will…
    • Telling us we need to LOOK up – because Jesus is coming SOON!
    • Luke 21:28 – “When these things begin to happen – look up and lift up your heads – because your redemption draws near.”
  • 2^nd – Our Reward… vs. 12
    • My reward is with Me – to give to everyone according to his work!
    • When Jesus comes – He will bring with Him our REWARD…
    • REWARD [μισθός] – better translated as our WAGE [according to His work]
    • We have all EARNED a one way ticket to the Lake of Fire…
    • Because the WAGES of SIN is DEATH – eternal separation from God – Romans 6:23
    • But the GIFT of God – is that He PAID our DEBT on the cross – Ephesians 2:8
    • There is a very LIMITED amount of time that we have to receive His GIFT- Hebrews 9:27
    • Knowing that Jesus is coming SOON – TODAY is the day to BELIEVE!
    • II Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold – now… is the day of salvation.”
  • 3^rd – Our Confidence… vs. 13
    • I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End – the First and the Last!
    • How confident can we be that Jesus is COMING – and that He will bring our REWARD…
    • For the FOURTH and final time Revelation Jesus uses the title – the ALPHA [Α] and OMEGA [Ω]
    • These are the FIRST and LAST letters of the GREEK alphabet…
    • But remember – this is NOT a new title – is a VERY old one!
    • Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
    • There are TWO letters that sit untranslated next to the word GOD [אֱלֹהִים] – the [אֵ] and the [ת]
    • They are the FIRST and LAST letter of the HEBREW alphabet!
    • The God who CREATED all things in the BEGINNING – is the same God who will END all things…
    • He was there FIRST – and He will be there LAST – He is the one in charge…
    • So when He says He is COMING – we can be absolutely CERTAIN He is on His way…
    • And when He says He has our REWARD – we want to make sure we have the right one!

• 2^nd – The choice… vs. 14-15
  • 1^st – Obedience… vs. 14
    • Blessed are those who do His commandments!
      • HAPPY [μακάριος] are the DOERS [present] of His commands – James 1:22
      • [NU] reads those who have washed their ROBES – Revelation 7:14
      • Because it is not enough to just say we BELIEVE – there needs to be a CHANGE…
      • We can read our Bibles – we might even agree with everything we hear…
      • But if there is no DIFFERENCE in our lives – then what EVIDENCE is there we are CLEAN!
      • James 2:17 – “Faith by itself – if it does not have works – is dead!”
      • Not that we WORK to be saved – but if we are SAVED our FAITH works [fruit]
      • Our lives after we BELIEVE in Jesus should NOT be the same…
      • Not that we are perfect – but we should NOT be the same person – I John 3:9
      • The PROOF of our FAITH is going to be seen in how we live our lives!
    • They may have the right to the tree of life – and may enter through the gates into the city!
      • The REWARD for those who have the FRUIT of SALVATION – Galatians 5:22
      • Is they have access to the TREE of LIFE…
      • A TREE that is forbidden to those who are living in SIN – Genesis 3:24
      • They will also have their names written in the Book of LIFE…
      • Because only those in the BOOK are allowed through the Gates of the New Jerusalem!
      • Revelation 21:27 – “Only those who are written in the Lambs Book of Life.”
      • So long as we are DOERS of the WORD – bear the FRUIT of our Salvation…
      • We can be confident that our REWARD will be LIFE…
      • And when Jesus comes – SOON – we will live forever with Him in the New Jerusalem…
      • If we are NOT sure – then we should examine our lives – our eternity depends on it!
      • II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you.”
  • 2^nd – Rebellion… vs. 15
    • Outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters!
      • OUTSIDE – not just speaking of OUTSIDE the city – this is OUTER darkness – Matthew 8:12
      • One of the euphemism is the Bible for the Lake of Fire [hell]
      • We are given a LIST of FIVE people who will end up there [not exhaustive]
      • DOGS – a generic term in the NT for those who practice EVIL – Philippians 3:2
      • SORCERERS [φάρμακος] – where we get the word Pharmacy – those who do drugs…
      • SEXUALLY Immoral [πόρνος] – where we get the word Pornography [extramarital relations]
      • MURDERERS – those who kill others – or HATE others – Matthew 5:22
      • IDOLATERS – those who put ANYTHING before God in their lives – Exodus 20:3
    • Whoever loves and practices a lie!
      • An uncomfortable LIST – perhaps it contains something we struggle with in our lives…
      • But struggling with SIN – is not the same as EMBRACING our SIN…
      • Those who are OUTSIDE – do not just SIN – they LOVE [φιλέω] to PRACTICE [present] sin…
      • Meaning it defines them – they embrace their WICKED ways!
      • John 3:19 – “This is the condemnation… men love [ἀγαπάω] darkness rather than light.”
      • It seems amazing to us that people CHOOSE not to come to CHURCH…
      • Or if they do come to CHURCH – they CHOOSE to not have good fruit in their lives…
      • They are HYPOCRITES – they just ACT like Christians one day a week [Sunday]
      • Because they would rather have their SIN – than OBEY the commands of God…
      • Why – because they believe a LIE [singular] – SIN is worth it…
      • Sadly – although it may be FUN for a season – they end up OUTSIDE!
      • Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right to a man – but its end is the way of death.”

• 3^rd – The Invitation… vs. 16-17
  • 1^st – From Jesus… vs. 16
    • I – Jesus – have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches!
      • Most of the book of Revelation has been from the perspective of John…
      • The WORDS he heard and recorded were mostly from ANGELS…
      • But here we are told – Jesus is the one speaking [I – Jesus]
      • He is the one who sent His MESSENGER [ἄγγελος] to those He has called out [ἐκκλησία]
      • His message – the book of Revelation – is an INVITATION to come to the New Jerusalem!
    • I am the Root and the Offspring of David!
      • Who is INVITED to come – the nation of Israel…
      • Jesus is the MESSIAH [מָשִׁיחַ] – He is the promised savior of the Jews – Psalm 20:6
      • Jesus is the ROOT of David – He created David [because He is God]
      • Jesus is also the OFFSPRING of David – He came from [son] David [virgin birth]
      • The Man who is the SON of David – has the desire to SAVE His people…
      • The God who CREATED David – has the power to SAVE them – Romans 11:26
    • The Bright and Morning Star!
      • Who is INVITED to the come – the Church…
      • Jesus is THE star – that shines BRIGHT early in the MORNING [ὀρθρινός]
      • This is a similar TITLE Jesus gave to the CHURCH of Thyatira – Revelation 2:28
      • MORNING star – is actually the PLANET Venus – that is brightest just before the DAWN…
      • When you see it in the NIGHT sky – you know the DAY is about to come!
      • Jesus is telling us the MORNING star has appeared – the NIGHT is almost over…
      • The DAY is about the BREAK – Jesus is coming soon for His Church…
      • But He is not here yet – we are still WAITING – looking for His RETURN!
  • 2^nd – Come… vs. 17
    • The Spirit and the bride say – Come!
      • The [Holy] SPIRIT is calling [present] for Jesus to COME [imperative]
      • The BRIDE [church] is calling [present] for Jesus to COME [imperative]
      • The two most excited people in a wedding – are the BRIDE and GROOM…
      • Although the ceremony has a set TIME and DAY when it will take place…
      • Both the GROOM [Spirit] and BRIDE [Church] – want it to happen NOW!
      • As excited as we are to get to heaven and see Jesus…
      • The Spirit – Jesus – God is just as excited for us to get there!
    • Let him who hears say – Come!
      • Anyone who HEARS the Word of this book – and believe they are TRUE…
      • Also must say [imperative] they want Jesus to COME [imperative]
      • We have spent the past TEN months going through the Book of Revelation…
      • We have seen the FUTURE – we KNOW what is going to take place…
      • From the RAPTURE of the church – the WRATH of God – to the RETURN of Jesus…
      • We know how the story ENDS – with the NEW Jerusalem coming from heaven…
      • That should get us excited for the END to BEGIN – we should want Jesus to COME!
    • Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires – let him take the water of life freely!
      • We want Jesus to come – because He brings with Him the water of LIFE…
      • Because anyone who is THIRSTY – must COME [imperative] to Him…
      • If they DESIRE to have their thirst satisfied – they have to drink from His water!
      • The same part of our brain that says we are HUNGRY tells us when we are THIRSTY…
      • As a result we often get CONFUSED – and EAT when we should DRINK!
      • It seems this also happens spiritually – we are THIRSTY for Jesus – Ecclesiastes 3:11
      • But we get CONFUSED – and try quench our spiritual THIRST – with physical things…
      • Then we wonder afterwards why we are not SATISFIED…
      • Which is why we pray for Jesus to come – so we can be FREELY drink the water of LIFE!

Judgment ONLY comes to those who do NOT receive the GRACE of God – AMEN!

4^th – The Warning… vs. 18-21

1^st – Adding… vs. 18

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: 

If anyone adds to these things – God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book!

I TESTIFY [present] – to give a LEGAL argument – to be a WITNESS in a courtroom…

There is some question as to who is speaking [John – an Angel – or Jesus]

To all [πᾶς] who HEAR the words [prophecy] of the book of Revelation…

If [subjunctive] anyone ADDS to the book [prophecy]

Then God will ADD to him ALL of the PLAGUES of this book…

PLAGUES [πληγή] – used 15x in the book of Revelation!

When Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden – he quoted the Word of God…

But He added to what God said – they should not eat of ANY tree in the Garden – Genesis 3:1

His tactic was to cause CONFUSION by adding to what God said!

Times may have changed – but the strategy of our enemy has NOT…

If you ask a Mormon if they believe in the Bible – they will say YES…

But then they will tell you that we ALSO need – the Pearl of great price…

They ADD to the word of God – declaring it is NOT enough – causing CONFUSION!

2^nd – Subtracting… vs. 19

If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy.

God shall take away his part from the Book of Life – from the holy city.

And from the things which are written in this book!

If [subjunctive] anyone REMOVES any of the words [prophecy] of the book of Revelation…

Then God will REMOVE his NAME from the Book of Life…

And if their NAME is NOT in the Book of Life – they cannot enter the Holy City [NEW Jerusalem]

Meaning the will miss out on all the BLESSINGS written in this Book!

When Satan tempted Jesus – he quoted the Word of God – Luke 4:9-11

He told Jesus to jump from the Temple – and Angels would catch him – Psalms 91:11-12

But he did NOT quote the whole Psalm – he left out the most important part…

We are SAFE when we DWELL in the LORD [not jump from buildings] – Psalms 91:9

Times may have changed – but the strategy of our enemy has NOT…

I know of a BIG church that says they believe in the Bible – the Word of God…

But TEACH the Old Testament is not real – just Jewish stories written as moral lessons…

They REMOVE part of the Word of God – casting doubt on what God SAID!

3^rd – Coming Quickly… vs. 20

He who testifies to these things says – Surely I am coming quickly!

He who TESTIFIES [present] – no question here referring to Jesus Christ…

Jesus states unconditionally – that He is coming SOON [quickly] – I Corinthians 15:52

For the THIRD and FINAL time in this chapter – Jesus repeats this!

You may have noticed that the Bible often repeats itself…

The same message given in many ways – Jesus is COMING….

The reason is because often we MISS it – it does NOT sink in…

The Bible tells us over and over in the HOPE we will eventually get it…

It is too IMPORTANT for us not to get – we must REPEAT it as many times as needed!

Philippians 3:1 – “I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard [SURE] your faith.” [NLT]

Amen! Even so – come Lord Jesus!

John adds at the end of Jesus statement – AMEN!

The word AMEN is used 181x in the Bible – 30x in OT [אָמֵן] – 151x in NT [ἀμήν]

If the word is used at the BEGINNING of a sentence – it means it is the TRUTH…

If it is used and the END of a sentence – it means it will HAPPEN…

As this is used at the END of the BIBLE [second to last] – it will for SURE happen…

Yes [ναί] – the Lord [κύριος] Jesus who said this [vocative] will come!

That Jesus will come is NOT in question – it is the TRUTH…

What is in question – are we ready for Jesus to COME…

We might think – PLEASE come back NOW – I am in CHURCH…

But what if He came this AFTERNOON – or TOMORROW morning…

When we CHOOSE to live our LIVES – like Jesus could come at any moment…

It causes us to be READY – a BRIDE who is anxious to see our LORD!

I John 3:3 – “Everyone who has this hope in Him Purifies himself.”

4^th – Grace for All… vs. 21

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen!

The book CLOSES the same way that it OPENS – with GRACE – Revelation 1:4

GRACE [χάρις] – 156x in NT [important]

GRACE simply means GIFT – what GIFT does God give to us – our Lord Jesus Christ…

By FAITH we believe He died for us – and God gave us GRACE – Ephesians 2:8-9

I love that a BOOK known for the WRATH and JUDGEMENT of God – closes with GRACE…

Because God does NOT want to JUDGE us – He wants to give us GRACE – II Peter 3:9