Take These Words to Heart
Scripture Reading — Revelation 22:6-21
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
The closing words of Revelation 22 provide a fitting conclusion to our study of Jesus’ letters to the churches—and all of this applies to his worldwide church today.
The churches in Revelation 2-3 were praised according to their faithfulness, and they were challenged to continue in spite of opposition and persecution to the point of death.
Here Jesus blesses his followers and urges them to await his glorious return. “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
The Revelation of Jesus Christ has been given to supply the church with courage and hope, grounded in the One who is the Son of God. He gave his lifeblood as payment for our sin, and he is the Son of Man who sits at the right hand of God the Father, reigning over the church and ruling over all the kings of the earth. Jesus is Lord over all. Nothing has happened or will happen apart from his rule. The church, by faith in Jesus Christ, will gather at the banquet of the kingdom and will live forever with him in the new heaven and new earth.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
Lord Jesus, thank you for your letters to the churches, encouraging us and giving us hope, calling us to repent, serve, and stand strong in you. Guide us into your future for your church today. Amen.
About the author — Evan Heerema
Evan Heerema is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington state and in Michigan. He was also on the teaching staff at Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for ten years. He and his wife are the parents of two daughters and the grandparents of two grandsons.
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