THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

“Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  (Revelation 22:20)

Tonight, around a million people will crowd into Time’s Square in New York City.  The ball will begin its descent on the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year.  10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and the lights on the ball turn off at the stroke of midnight and the numerals of the New Year “2016” will be emblazoned high above Times Square. Horns will blare, people will yell, “Happy New Year,” and confetti will be released from the rooftops of buildings, creating a colorful blizzard.  But, did you know there is another countdown on?  It is the final countdown, when God the Father looks over to the Son and says, “Go get my children!”  I’m looking up, watching for Jesus to drop from the clouds, and what a happy eternity that will be!  I believe with all my heart that Jesus is coming soon!  Three times Jesus says in these verses, “I am coming quickly” (v.7,12,20).  Seven times, the word, “come” or “coming” is used.  How then am I supposed to live in light of this?

I need to become a servant (v.6-9).  In verse six, God’s people are called, “servants.”  When Jesus comes, He is to find us busy, occupied with Kingdom work.  

My service is directed by the Word of God.  The words of the Revelation are declared to be, “faithful and true.”  That is the case with all the Word of God.  It is a solemn warning, because the last days are marked by a great departure from the faith.  In our day, entire denominations and churches are rejecting the authority of Scripture.  But, there is a  blessing for those who will be faithful and true to hold and heed it (v.7).  

My service is offered in the worship of God.  Not even this holy angel was worthy of worship.  A perverse spiritualism that has invaded America—even among Christians who are obsessed with angels rather than God.  Thank God for angels and their ministry to us, but Satan masks himself as an angel of light (2 Cor.11:13-14).  Muslims and Mormons have been deceived by angels (Gal.1:8).  Let us not fall prey to deception, but worship God alone!

I need to behave as a saint (v.10-17), set apart to live a holy life for God.  We ought to confess that we follow Christ.  Don’t shut up the Book, but share the Gospel!  It is time to tell people about Jesus.  John had seen the horror of hell and the happiness of heaven—and wanted us to tell about it.  We are born in sin, but we can be born again as saints.  Yet, this opportunity is for our lifetime.  There is no second chance beyond the grave—no purgatory.  You can’t straddle the fence.  When God weighs you in the scales will you be solid and summoned inside (v.14) or seen to be a sham and be shut outside (v.15)?

I need to embrace that I am a son (v.18-21).  Those born into God’s family are children of the King!  Every child needs the wisdom of a loving parent to guide them to get ready.  God has written down that wisdom in a Book to guide us. Then there is grace to lead us home!

In the first book of the Bible, God said to Noah, “Come into the ark.”  God spoke and Isaiah wrote it down, “Come now, let us reason together…”  Jesus invited, “Come you who are weary…” and now the last invitation is given in Revelation, “Come.”  Have you?