Yes, Come, Lord Jesus

The final chapter of the Bible completes the picture of new creation. The angel shows John a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. On either side stands the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Genesis began with a garden, a river, and the tree of life, which humans lost when they were sent out of Eden. Revelation ends with the way to the tree of life opened again. There will be no curse any more, recalling the curse of Genesis 3. God’s servants will see his face, something even Moses was not allowed to do.

The angel assures John, These words are faithful and true. Three times in this chapter Jesus says, I am coming soon (verses 7, 12, and 20). He calls himself the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, and also the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star. Once again John falls before the angel, and once again he is told to worship God alone. Revelation also includes a solemn warning not to add to or take away from the words of this prophecy, showing how seriously these words are to be treated.

The book closes with an invitation. The Spirit and the bride say, Come! He who hears, let him say, Come! He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. The whole Bible ends not with fear but with welcome and hope. Jesus promises, Yes, I am coming soon, and the book answers, Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus. The final words are a blessing: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.