He is coming soon
Pray
Lord, there is much about You and about the future that we don’t understand. But we know that we can trust You and we know Your Word is true. You will come back soon. You will judge righteously. You will deal with sin, and You will punish Satan forever. You will right all the wrongs of this world. Thank You for the promise of Your glorious return! Thank You for the promise of redemption, salvation, and eternal life with You forever in Christ. Come Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Amen.
Read
Revelation 21:1-4 (NLT)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Reflect
Even though scholars disagree about how to interpret the book of Revelation, what can we be sure of as we read this apocalyptic book?
Many people consider the book of Revelation to be the most intimidating book of the Bible. It is full of symbolism, complicated imagery, strange visions, and prophecy. Because of this, it is difficult to interpret and scholars differ in their views about this book. So, you may be wondering, should I even bother reading the book of Revelation?
Yes, you should read Revelation, even if you don’t understand everything you read. Why? Because Revelation is a part of God’s Word. He revealed His Word to John with the intention that believers will read it. John was exiled by Rome to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. He was an old man by the time he received these visions and wrote them down (about 95 A.D.).
In Revelation 1:1-3, John gave us this introduction: “This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”
First, John addressed seven of the churches in Asia. Even in this first chapter, John made the main point of Revelation clear—that Jesus reigns and He will return soon. “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7). God revealed these things to John so that we can be assured that Jesus is coming back, and He will triumph over sin, Satan, and death once and for all. This is an important reminder to have in the face of earthly suffering and persecution!
Then, in chapters 2-3, John received and relayed messages from God to each of seven individual churches. These messages included commendations, rebukes, challenges, commands, and comforting promises for those who endure. While it is important for us to understand this section in its specific historical context, we can learn a lot about what God expects regarding the holiness and faithfulness of His church. His Word to the churches is still relevant to us today.
Chapters 4-22 transition to future prophecy. God revealed to John visions and images of the future judgments that are to come: the seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven bowl judgments, and the Great White Throne judgment. In these judgments, Christ righteously judges those who have rejected His offer of salvation and pours out His wrath on Satan, his demons, and those who follow Satan.
One of the most fascinating things about the book of Revelation is how it contrasts with the book of Genesis. Genesis is about the beginning of this earth while Revelation is about the end of this earth and the beginning of the new heaven and a new earth. Sin and death appeared on the scene in Genesis and sin and death are conquered in Revelation. Verses 1-4 of Revelation 21 describe the new heaven and the new earth that John saw. The earth that God created in Genesis passes away in Revelation. Just as Adam and Eve had once walked with God in Genesis, so mankind will walk with God and enjoy His presence once again according to Revelation. Everything that went wrong in Genesis gets made right in Revelation.
Friends, this is our great hope in Christ! This is what He has promised us! He is coming back and when He does, He will dwell among us! We won't suffer anymore. We won’t hurt anymore. We won’t cry anymore. We won’t die anymore! So read the book of Revelation for yourself. “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon. ‘Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book’” (Revelation 22:6-7).
Many people consider the book of Revelation to be the most intimidating book of the Bible. It is full of symbolism, complicated imagery, strange visions, and prophecy. Because of this, it is difficult to interpret and scholars differ in their views about this book. So, you may be wondering, should I even bother reading the book of Revelation?
Yes, you should read Revelation, even if you don’t understand everything you read. Why? Because Revelation is a part of God’s Word. He revealed His Word to John with the intention that believers will read it. John was exiled by Rome to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. He was an old man by the time he received these visions and wrote them down (about 95 A.D.).
In Revelation 1:1-3, John gave us this introduction: “This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”
First, John addressed seven of the churches in Asia. Even in this first chapter, John made the main point of Revelation clear—that Jesus reigns and He will return soon. “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7). God revealed these things to John so that we can be assured that Jesus is coming back, and He will triumph over sin, Satan, and death once and for all. This is an important reminder to have in the face of earthly suffering and persecution!
Then, in chapters 2-3, John received and relayed messages from God to each of seven individual churches. These messages included commendations, rebukes, challenges, commands, and comforting promises for those who endure. While it is important for us to understand this section in its specific historical context, we can learn a lot about what God expects regarding the holiness and faithfulness of His church. His Word to the churches is still relevant to us today.
Chapters 4-22 transition to future prophecy. God revealed to John visions and images of the future judgments that are to come: the seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven bowl judgments, and the Great White Throne judgment. In these judgments, Christ righteously judges those who have rejected His offer of salvation and pours out His wrath on Satan, his demons, and those who follow Satan.
One of the most fascinating things about the book of Revelation is how it contrasts with the book of Genesis. Genesis is about the beginning of this earth while Revelation is about the end of this earth and the beginning of the new heaven and a new earth. Sin and death appeared on the scene in Genesis and sin and death are conquered in Revelation. Verses 1-4 of Revelation 21 describe the new heaven and the new earth that John saw. The earth that God created in Genesis passes away in Revelation. Just as Adam and Eve had once walked with God in Genesis, so mankind will walk with God and enjoy His presence once again according to Revelation. Everything that went wrong in Genesis gets made right in Revelation.
Friends, this is our great hope in Christ! This is what He has promised us! He is coming back and when He does, He will dwell among us! We won't suffer anymore. We won’t hurt anymore. We won’t cry anymore. We won’t die anymore! So read the book of Revelation for yourself. “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon. ‘Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book’” (Revelation 22:6-7).