Revelation 22
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly” (Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)). Three times in this chapter He makes this announcement (vss. 7,12,20). What a blessed prospect is unfolded to us!
During the little interval of waiting until He comes, what does our Lord expect of us here? This chapter gives the answer. We have pointed out the threefold announcement of His speedy coming, and now let us look at their different connections. The first is, “Behold, I come quickly; blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (vs. 7). Thus, He teaches us that obedience is what He prizes in His own while they await His coming, and this obedience is the proof of our love.
Who then, with such a word as this, will seek to excuse himself from obedience? Will not every true believer rather say, “What a privilege my Lord has bestowed upon me, to permit me to declare my love for Him whom man rejected, by keeping His Word!” His eye rests with delight upon those who, amid trials and dangers, make this the one object of their lives!
He speaks the second time and says, “Behold, I come quickly: and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (vs. 12). Here we are taught that He looks for faithfulness in His servants. Moreover, He will recompense them accordingly. (Compare Luke 19:12-2612He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. (Luke 19:12‑26).)
The last time, He speaks, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.” The response of John is, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” — a response which should flow spontaneously from the heart of every saint. Thus we are taught that during the little while we await, our affections are very precious to Him.
These are the three things which He looks for from us now: obedience, faithfulness and affection. The prospect of the Lord’s coming and what He values in His saints while they are expecting His return are for us to consider in the light of this truth.
E. Dennett