When?

Revelation 22:6-7 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
 
NOTICE there are two messages. Verse 6 is from the angel who has been revealing God’s victory come to earth. Verse 7 is from the Lord Jesus. The angel affirms the truth has been delivered. The described events will “soon take place.” The Lord then confirms, “I am coming soon.”
   This messenger pattern is the way God has worked in history and is working now. The patriarchs and then the prophets of old were his first messengers to prepare the world for God’s incarnation as a man and his ultimate victory over sin. Then Jesus came. In his incarnation, the Lord taught he had come to prepare the world for the Kingdom of God. He prophesied he would come again.
   After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles became the messengers to prepare us for God’s Kingdom come in Jesus’ second coming. The angel affirms that all John has seen and heard is from the sovereign Lord. John assures the church this is God’s word, not his own. Today God’s messengers are pastors, teachers and other Spirit-anointed people God has chosen to evangelize the gospel.
   “But,” you might ask, “what do both the angel and Jesus mean by ‘soon’?” Do you wonder why the Lord hasn’t come “soon” since that day?
   All prophecy must be seen from the Lord’s perspective. “Soon” can mean to immediately appear. He will appear soon – suddenly without warning. “Soon” can also mean a short time within God’s eternal plan. Peter helps us understand the “soon” question in 2 Peter 3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
   God’s pattern to reveal himself to his creation has been and is very purposeful. We can trust these words are trustworthy and true. The Lord Jesus Christ is indeed “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
   Do you confess his authority over your life? Then rejoice that you are his messenger to tell, “Jesus’ words are trustworthy and true. He is coming suddenly one day. You will have no ‘next day’ to decide.” It is God’s gift that he has told you the way of salvation. He has warned the unbelievers of his judgment. He has promised his salvation to the believers. Receive the promise and live.”
 
Prayer: To you, O Lord, I lift my heart in praise. I consider your message and am overwhelmed with gratitude. I pray I worship you to faithfully be your messenger. Amen.