The End is where we begin
Closing out Revelation, we have these last words from Jesus:
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
To which John replies:
Revelation 22:20-21
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen.
Revelation 21-22 has given us an incredible look at the ultimate destiny of mankind – to dwell with and partner with the Creator of the Universe throughout Eternity! The mind swims with the possibilities and the opportunities…now that the silent longings of our heart have been confirmed. Sin, selfishness, and death will be permanently removed. Relationships will be restored and never broken again. Creation will be liberated and allowed to flourish. Best of all – we will have a direct, unhindered relationship with the God of Everything.
When we live with the End in mind, we make choices that make absolutely no sense to the “rational human mind”. Non-Christians won’t get it. In fact, Christians who are living with the main goal of being happy in this life won’t understand it, either. We choose to love even when we’ve been hurt deeply and repeatedly. We purposely shun sexual immorality. We choose to quit bad habits and unhealthy lifestyles we’ve been living in for years. Our words are used to encourage, not tear down. We find focus and purpose in this life by knowing who God is and how much He loves us. We do these things because He did them all for us, even when we didn’t deserve it. So we look forward to the day that Jesus makes good on His promise to come back for us.
But it’s been a little while since He made that promise, hasn’t it? He didn’t come yesterday, might not come back today…or even in the next 10 years. He didn’t say when, He just said that He would. Do we trust Him?
Fortunately, we’ve got some help and direction for what to do when this question comes up:
2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-15
Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, saying, “Where is His ‘coming’ that He promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation”…Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on His promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in His sight, at peace. Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…
Our Lord’s patience means that others still have time to learn about Christ’s death on the cross for the sins of humanity, that God loved them so much that He took the bullet that would have meant Eternal Death for them. Our Lord’s patience means they have more time to consider who Jesus is and whether or not they accept His free offer of Eternal Life. So on behalf of our future brothers and sisters, we patiently endure this broken world and look forward to Jesus’ promised coming.
But we’re not to be sitting around, waiting on our rooftops and watching the clouds. Oh no, we’ve got plenty of work to do – to partner now with Jesus – so that we will be qualified to partner with Him in Eternity Future. We are alive now because of Christ’s sacrifice; we now live with the aim of eternally working side by side with Him, and working like Him.
Keep Pressing,
Ken