I am Coming Soon!

Here in New Jersey, yesterday was the darkest day of the year. The sun rose after 7:16 am and set at 4:32 pm, lasting a mere 9 hours and 15 minutes. After enjoying the long warm days of summer, sunset at 4:30 is depressing. I often find myself driving home in the dark, getting up in the dark. Even now as I write this, it is dark. 

But starting today, the tide has turned. The days will become lighter. At first, just a fraction of a minute, but it is happening. 

The Creator of the Universe, who set the sun and moon in place, scheduled a day when light was to return to the earth. They call it the winter solstice. Unlike Easter, the scriptures do not point us to a specific date for the birth of Christ. Church fathers chose this date to celebrate it, some say partly because of this phenomenon, and it is certainly fitting. 

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." (John 12:46, 3:19)

Now that all evil has been destroyed, we are ready to live in God's light, in the perfect garden He has created for us.  

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. (Revelation 22:1,2,5) 

In this garden, God has created not only the extravagant beauty explained in Revelation 21 but He will also abundantly and constantly provide for all our needs: water, food, healing, light. The cycles of darkness will be over. Seasons of famine and drought and cold will be over. Times of war and violence will be over. God has cast all evil outside of His kingdom. 

Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to approach the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14 AMPC) 

Again God reminds us no one has the right to the tree of life on our own. We must come to Jesus for forgiveness, for His righteousness. By His mercy, He has already accomplished our atonement and He invites us all to come to Him. The gift is free. 

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17) 

God doesn't answer all of our questions in this book. I read the last chapter of Revelation and react like I do to one of my novels wondering about the main characters because the author does not wrap up their lives entirely. God also does not give us all the details. I still have questions. When will this happen? Will believers be present during the entire tribulation? What will we be doing for eternity together? And of course, will by dog Fudge be there in heaven when I get there?

Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. (Revelation 22:10)

The angel tells us the time is near, but this was written 2000 years ago. I believe the point is this prophesy is relevant to every generation. It is vital for us all to read it and understand it's message: 

• God wins and He invites us to be on His side. He desires to provide us a perfect home where we can live with Him forever.
  
• There is evil in the world and it is seductive and deceptive. It looks lovely but desires our destruction.   
• In order to win eternal life, we must choose God, stay alert and close to Him.
  

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

Jesus Himself signs the letter. This is a gift to His church. It does not tell us everything, but we can trust His goodness and that He has told us enough to prepare us. His Holy Spirit has been given to us to understand what we need at the important time. 

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)