Today’s devotion is based on Revealed: Week 6 – Forever Revealed! (WATCH HERE)
Do you remember the first time you were old enough to be left alone at home? Usually there were two types of communication before mom and dad left. Here’s what you are to do and the expectations and here’s what will happen if you don’t follow those expectations. They would leave with the words, “We’ll be back soon” and then walk out the door voicing the words, “We love you!”
What ensued after the door closed could go one of two ways, especially if you were in charge with younger siblings. First you could play the power trip and make life more difficult for your siblings by claiming more authority than was given to you. This may manifest in adding more rules, having your siblings clean your room, or other tasks before they can enjoy the evening treat mom and dad said they could have. Or second, you could simply do nothing and let your siblings do whatever they wanted and just check out and do your own thing. As a result the house gets to be a mess and crazy things happen.
Or you can simply communicate accurately to your siblings what your parents had said and maintain a calm household guided by the words of your parents, you simply being the messenger and guide with them.
In a very similar way, Jesus leaves his last words to his people before he leaves. The Spirit of God gives them to the Apostle John:
Revelation 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Jesus has given his words before he left the earth. We don’t need to add to them or take away from them, just read them, believe them and live them. He is up front with the consequences because he loves us enough to warn us. We have a tendency to let our pride and power want to add to things Jesus said to make us “more religious” or “more perfect” than someone else. As a result, we just place ourself under the law, not grace and doom ourselves to live under the curses given to law breakers. We can also become lax on our love for the Word and use just the words we like. As a result we lose grace. We lose Christ. We lose eternity.
Jesus left ALL his words for us to enjoy and put into practice while he is gone. They are for our blessing and for his glory.
He’s coming back soon. On his way back to heaven, he says, “I love you!” “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.” He wants us to wait with anticipation, a focus on his word and confident of his grace.
And when he comes back, it will be a joyous day, not one of condemnation, but one of grace and welcome into his kingdom!
Apply: Jesus is coming back. What will you resolve to do while you wait for him?
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, come! AMEN.