Ready Or Not ... Here I Come

Introduction

Good morning. You know an all time favorite game was hide-and-seek. It’s interesting to see how kids still play that same game today. My favorite part of the game was the count down. When you got to “10” then said ready or not … here I come. Thinking back it was, once you said ready or not … here I come, you could always tell the ones in the group who know what they were doing early in the count down. Then there were the ones who always took it right up the edge. And even when the words were said “ready or not … here I come” there were always ones who were still trying to hide and scramble.

When you came out to the shoot, the ones who were still trying to hide were low hanging fruit and the easiest to get out. Kids love the excitement of these games. Another fun one is star gazing, especially when you are far enough away from city lights. It’s awesome how the night sky light up in the early morning hours. All this talk about looking into the sky gets me thinking what Jesus’ second coming will be like. Whether its during the day or at night, could you imagine what it would be like to see heaven open and the king of kings making is way back for those who are on this rock. This will be a world event unlike no other. Every news stream could be blowing up from news to social media trying to cover every detail of the event. Let me ask you this morning, if Jesus were to make His return right now - are you ready to meet the King? Perhaps yes. Perhaps no. Do you think you would be one of the ones in scramble when you learn Jesus is right on your door step.

Some will realize, that crazy pastor or that young pup or that small group teacher, who kept telling me to turn to Jesus while he can still be found, will know what we meant. This morning we’re going to turn our attention to some of Jesus’ words John records in Revelation. Turn with me into your Bibles to Revelation chapter 22. We will be reading from verses 12 through 17.

Revelation 22:12–17 ESV

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 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.

Pastoral Prayer

I can’t highlight this here, perhaps your Bibles might. These first two verses are the words of Jesus Christ. These are what we would consider the red-letters of Christ. You have to love how Jesus starts here with “behold.” In this context, the word behold is a verb. It’s a call for action. It’s trying to get out attention to see or observe. This is an alert to us. It’s like that sound of the emergency broadcast system, when an important message is about to hit the air waves. This is alerting us about he coming of the Lord. It’s like saying, “look at that blinking light on your phone trying to get your attention because some has sent you a message.” Jesus is sending us a blinking to get our attention. But for what?

He is trying to get our attention to announce he is coming soon. Some might question what is the time frame of soon? If you’re talking soon as meaning sometime within the next hundred years - like everyone else is talking. Or is soon within the thousand years or so. Soon means eminent, now! Some may say now? Ok - I’ve waited, so where’s Jesus. Jesus is infinite. What we know as time does not apply to Jesus. What we have come to know as days and years is proof of God grace allowing sinners to become justified through the centuries.

Jesus taught this in:

Mark 13:33–37 NLT

33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! 34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Although Jesus’ return in eminent, Jesus mentions he is bringing his recompense to repay each one for what he has done. Recompense is a strong word and should not be easily dismissed. Jesus will deal with each person for what he/she has done. Paul teaches this in:

Romans 2:6 ESV

6 He will render to each one according to his works:

This is where recompense takes on two flavors. For the believer, the reward will be spiritual blessedness based on their faithfulness in serving Christ in this life. The non-believer will receive punishing judgement, eternally separated from God. This should be sobering and a major wake up call. I’ve had people tell me, pastor - people have been talking about Jesus’ return as long as the scriptures are old. Here’s the thing.

We, people, have invented the calendar. The calendar helps us keep track of many important types of anniversaries. The problem of our calendar lies at it’s root. That root is what we call time. Mankind developed and defined the unit measure of time. We are comparing apples and oranges. Mankind uses the calendar to chart and predict future events. Jesus, on the other hand, does not use the what we have come to know as time. Jesus is infinite. But! Jesus gives something we can comprehend in verse 13.

Jesus applies 3 titles where he says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Jesus is once again using a context which the readers of the time would be able to grasp. The words Alpha and Omega point to letters of the Greek alphabet. Alpha is the first letter, and Omega is the last letter. Jesus is using this illustration to show He is both the beginning and source of all things.

John recognizes this in the next verse:

Revelation 22:14 ESV

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

This verse is considered the seventh and last beatitude of the book of Revelation. Technically it means “blessedness.” In this context “blessed” means to have divine favor. We can experience the blessedness of God by living a life in close proximity to God, where we can experience forgiveness, the love and favor of God. To be in the favor of God, our sins must first be washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed at Calvary.

In a few moments we are going to have the Lord’s supper as a family. When Jesus chose to go to the cross for you and for me, He went there out of love for all of humanity, for every human being. I want you to understand, intimidate death would have been to easy. Jesus had to suffer and shed blood. The sin payment was heavy and required more than just a quick easy death. There is nothing we could every do enough of to satisfy the payment required for sin. Jesus was the only one who could make the payment.

When we turn from sin and place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation from the hell fire, we are washed by the blood of Christ. We are then justified before God. We now have the favor of God. And, by having this favor - John tells us in the last half of verse 14 what the benefit will be. By the grace of God, believers will be able to enter city, have access to the tree of life, and be in the presence of God himself. This is going to be awesome! But! It will not be a joyous time for everyone. Verse 15 tell us, not everyone will be invited.

Revelation 22:15 ESV

15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Verse 15 brings contrast to the surface. This verse describes those who will not have access to enter. Here’s the beauty of the good news of the gospel. You do not have to be on the outside looking! You can be invited in. The good news of the gospel is that former prostitutes, liars, idolaters and others can be washed clean by the blood of Christ.

Now if you’re taking notes this morning, you can a list that encompasses verse 15 and more in Revelation-21-8. This list are those who deceive and reject God’s Word.

Do you believe God’s Word to be true? I can hear some of you saying - absolutely yes. Other might be saying no, or perhaps weeelll - I’m on the fence you see. The first half of our next verse, verse 17 addresses this.

Revelation 22:16 ESV

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

We have the exact words of Jesus. Jesus is telling us His angel has essentially come to verify, to testify these are correct and true. If you notice about in the middle of this verse the word “you.” The word you here is in plural. This means it was intended for others besides John. It helps to stress that revelation is not a private, or intended for only one person, it is meant for the entire church. And that is you and I.

Continuing part of the proof text - Jesus identifies himself as the root and descended of David. He is the fulfillment promise that the messiah shall:

Isaiah 11:1 ESV

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:10 ESV

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Jesse is the father of King David. We learn of Jesse back in 1st Samuel chapter 16 when David is being anointed as King.

The bright morning star. This second image echoes to Numbers-24-17 to 19, where it is said that “a star will rise from Jacob … A ruler will rise in Jacob” who will lead Israel in victory. This makes it clear that Jesus is the promised ruler.

Jesus has given us what we need to know what is here is true. And no matter what you have done. Jesus extends an out reached arm to you. We the church body extend an out reached arm to you. We are not a perfect people. We are just like you who have the same struggles and concerns. Are my kids safe. What are we going to eat this week because all I have is 50 bucks for the week and the light bill is due. I wish my husband and I were closer. We have a lot going on here on Sunday. We also have activity on Wednesday night. I like seeing you on Sunday. I would love where I could see all again on Wednesday night. This is another way where we can continue to get into shape spiritually, because its hard to get in shape spiritually if we only work out on Sunday.

Conclusion

Revelation 22:17 ESV

17 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.

This is where verse 17 leads us. This verse is two fold. It’s a prayer and an invitation. The prayer in this verse is addressed to Jesus. The prayer is for Jesus to come. If Jesus were to walk through those doors, are you ready for Jesus? Do we have a strong personal desire to welcome Jesu? Some yes, some no.

The second part of this verse is an invitation to sinners. It the last call for sinners to come to faith in Jesus Christ. This is the grace of God standing on the door step of your heart, giving you a chance to change your final answer. I know some of you in this room right now can feel the pull on your heart. That’s the Holy Spirit trying to get your attention. All you have to do is “come.” For the believer this a call to invite lost sinners to trust Christ and drink the water of life.

Before we sing and partake in the Lord’s supper, let’s consider the Bible’s last prayer:

Revelation 22:20–21 ESV

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

The alter is open. All you have to do is come. I would be happy to pray along with you. If you haven’t received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. I’d love to talk with you.

Closing Prayer