In the last chapter of the Bible, we discover a description of what is to come. After Jesus’ return, He will usher His disciples into an eternal paradise where the featured attraction is none other than Him. I’m sure the streets of gold are impressive. I cannot imagine what the heavenly ensemble will create for a worship service. I’m eagerly awaiting reunions with people I have long missed. But there is nothing or no one that I crave to see more than Jesus. He is the centerpiece! Once we see Him, we will agree with the psalmist: “Whom have I in heaven but You?” (Ps. 73:25).
As the Apostle John archives the vision he received from Jesus, he also includes the instruction to avoid sealing the prophecy away from people. Why? Because the time is near.
10 Then he said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. 11 Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy still be filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; let the holy still be holy.”
12 “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Revelation 22:10-13
When John wrote that Jesus’ return was near, that was nearly 2,000 years ago. While Scripture teaches that our timetable does not match how God sets the pace (2 Pet. 3:8), it still seems that this return must be late. If it was near centuries ago, was he mistaken? Not at all. It just means that we are even closer now than how close John was then. Jesus’ return could happen at any time. We need to live as if any day’s schedule might dramatically change.
Since the time is near, Jesus ensures that people will continue to act in line with their identity. Unrighteous people will continue unrighteous things. If someone is filthy, they will act filthy. But on the other hand. Those who are righteous and holy will act according to their character. It is a reminder that the change Jesus makes in us once we receive the gospel has a lasting effect. We gradually become who He has called us to be. We should not be surprised that the world acts like the world, but we should expect that the Church behaves differently.
Jesus is coming soon. He will repay all people according to their works. And their works are determined by who they are. Jesus is the first and the last. What He commanded in the beginning will endure to the end. Since His return is nearing, continue living according to who He has called us to be.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
