Maranatha

Most of us don't realize it, but the book that we call "Revelation" is not actually named that. It is, explicity, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Rev 1:1). That means that He is the one doing the revealing and He is the one about Whom it is written. We associate it with John, the Apostle, but he was more like the secretary taking notes. He was told, "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things" (Rev 1:19). So, for instance, he records seven letters to seven churches from Jesus (Rev 2-3). At the end, then, it is Jesus "who testifies to these things" and says, "Yes, I am coming quickly" (Rev 22:20).

We have, then, from the mouth of Jesus, the Christ, the promise that He is coming and He is coming quickly -- without delay. Nothing will impede Him from coming suddenly and on time. That's quite a promise. We, bound by human timing, might get a little tired of God's version of "quickly," and we can discuss exactly what "quickly" means, but let's not lose sight of the absolute certainty that He is coming.

I talked to my father this week while he lay in his hospital bed. He is tired and feeble and fading. But he said, clearly, "I wish He would come now." That's something that all true believers can echo. We can agree with John. "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev 22:20). Paul used the term, Maranatha (1 Cor 16:22). "Our Lord comes." Amen! Come!