Everything according to His Word
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:17-21
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). In the beginning there was only God and in the end there will be one Lord over all and His name alone is to be worshiped. This means that He cannot be defeated in what He had set out to do in accomplishing His purpose for this world and its people. “And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped” (Zechariah 14:9). In the time being, God is working out His plan of reconciling the people to Himself. John, in the Book of Revelation especially the last two chapters, provided the readers a glimpse of what to expect when Jesus returns. Those who placed their trust in Him will be ushered into the presence of God and will be brought to the never-ending glory that was described in His word. “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Cor. 4:17). Included to the revelation of the life to come were an invitation and a stern warning. “Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life” (Rev. 22:17). Since the Bible was already a completed work by God, there is no need to add from what already had been said if one wishes to obtain salvation. Everything that was written in God’s word had already provided what man should know about God’s plan of salvation. John in the gospel mentioned that there was no need to add to what was provided in the written word if one would desire to respond to God’s offer of salvation. “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). Of all the promises that God gave, there is nothing more precious than to hear that He will come. As Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon!” (Rev. 22:20). Peter provided a description of what the coming of Jesus was to all those who made Him Lord and Savior of their lives. “...we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). It is fitting to know that heaven and earth began by His spoken word and everything will end through His act of saving grace.
