May I, this morning, take just a single verse and comment on it? Well, having asked the question, you know I’m going to go ahead and do it, don’t you? John begins, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place” (1:1). Here we are at the end of the Bible but not yet at the end of history. Nevertheless, from Genesis and the creation until now, it is clear that our God is Lord over all of history. Even the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, came to realize this truth and “blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him” and testified that “all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35).
John writes not only about the churches and situations in his day but also informs us about the things that God is about to do. The time is approaching when all will be made manifest, blessing and judgment will be given, and the Lord will have his final victory over all his enemies. In the meantime, the urgent invitation is given to all: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (22:17).
The King shall come when morning dawns
and light triumphant breaks,
when beauty gilds the eastern hills
and life to joy awakes—
not as of old a little child
to bear, and fight, and die,
but crowned with glory like the sun
that lights the morning sky.
Then let the endless bliss begin,
as heav’n with praises rings.
Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:
come quickly, King of kings! -- John Brownlie (1907)