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Introduction: Read the Book of Revelation Prayerfully
6. The Alarming and Imminent Return of Jesus Christ
The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is emphatically and with increasing intensity revealed in the seven church letters. His coming, according to chapters 2 and 3 of the Revelation to John, has both three positive, encouraging elements, as well as three fearful, negative aspects.
The three shocking announcements of the coming of Jesus, which were intended to lead to repentance, were addressed to the church leaders in Ephesus, Pergamos and Sardis:
The leader of the church in Ephesus had to hear: “I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5).
The preacher in Pergamos read: “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them and against the members of your church who are engaged in other religions with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:16).
Jesus called to the spiritually dead pastor in Sardis in His power to raise the dead, “If you will not wake up from your self-complacency, I will come upon you as a thief and will take from you the last remembrance of your salvation (Revelation 3:3).
The three encouraging promises about the coming of Jesus were directed to the leaders of the churches in Thyatira, Philadelphia and Laodicea:
The responsible shepherd of the church in Thyatira, who was called to repentance, was to say to the faithful members of his church in the name of Jesus: “Hold fast to what you still have of faith, love and hope till I come, and do not let those who communicate with unclean spirits and those who are feminists rob you (Revelation 2:24-25).
The shepherd in Philadelphia heard the consoling promise, “Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Open your eyes. Know the signs of the time. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have of power, gifts, experience and knowledge, that no one may rob you of your crown” (Revelation 3:10-11).
To the most indifferent church leader of all, the leader in Laodecia, was given the most beautiful and direct promise about the coming of Jesus. He said to him: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. I wait until you open to me, that I might make my home in you” (Revelation 3:20).
One church minister alone received no revelation about the coming of Jesus: the responsible man in Smyrna, who stood in danger of being arrested and killed. Why? Jesus was already with him, just as David confessed: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). Jesus forbid the one under attack from fearing anything, and summoned him to be faithful until death, that no one might take his crown (Revelation 2:10).
The coming of Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit to save His church leaders and His churches, as well as His visible coming in glory, are the mystery of the New Testament. We live from the coming of Christ! When evil comes to its full ripeness and the church suffers in the last days under growing temptation and persecutions, the remaining believers shall stretch out their arms all the more and call: “Come soon, Lord Jesus”. His reply to the church leaders in Smyrna and Philadelphia became the subject of the whole revelation: “Behold, I am coming quickly!”
PRAYER: Trier of hearts and minds, we worship You because You told most of the church ministers that You come quickly, not only in the future, but also today for punishment and judgment if they would not repent. Help us to repent sincerely and immediately, to long for Your second coming in glory, and to receive the freely promised blessings for the sake of our loving faith and certain hope.
QUESTION:
- How many times did Jesus write about his coming to educate and punish the seven churches? How many times did He promise to reach us personally to fulfill His many blessings in us?