Day 39
Today’s passage
Revelation 22:12-16
Experience
What would you say if you knew you only had a few minutes to live? Would you tell your family you loved them, give your friends words of wisdom? Let’s look at the last words of some famous people:
“Go away. I’m alright.” – H.G. Wells, novelist, d. 1946
“I die hard but am not afraid to go.” – George Washington, US President, d. 1799
“Am I dying or is this my birthday?” – Lady Nancy Astor, d. 1964
“That was the best ice cream soda I ever tasted.” – Lou Costello, comedian, d. 1959
“God will pardon me; that’s His line of work.” – Heinrich Heine, poet, d. 1856
“A dying man can do nothing easy.” – Benjamin Franklin, statesman, d. 1770
“How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?” – P.T. Barnum, entrepreneur, d. 1891
“They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…” – General John Sedgwick, Union commander, d. 1864
Finals words can be humorous, meaningful, or silly, but Jesus’ final words are powerful and leave us with a sense of expectation. He begins with the word behold, a commanding word that should grab our attention. Jesus wants us to listen, because He’s about to tell us that He’s coming again. If we know anything about Jesus, we should be both excited and nervous. Jesus warns us that He’s coming back to judge us and hold us accountable for all we’ve done. Yes, there is a hell, and yes, some people will go there. But for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we can expect the blessing of eternal life.
Jesus’ last words to us are a reality check. People who have refused God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus will not be accepted into heaven, but blessed are those who choose to believe what Jesus says about Himself in verse 16: “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Jesus clearly says He is the Messiah and our Salvation. His last words aren’t a joke, aren’t kind words that leave us feeling warm and fuzzy, and aren’t to be taken lightly. He’s coming again, and He’s coming soon.
Before Jesus was crucified, He gave His disciples an incredible promise. He told them that one day He would return.
Some day in the future (no one knows when) Jesus will appear in the clouds above the earth. Then, as quickly as you can blink your eye, everyone who has been born again – those who are alive and those whose bodies have died – will suddenly be lifted up into the air to meet Him.
Can you even imagine how fabulous that will be? How wonderful to actually see Jesus!
After we all meet Him in the air, He will take us to heaven, God’s heavenly kingdom, to live with Him forever. Heaven is more beautiful than anything you have ever seen. It is filled with light, but there is no sun – no glaring heat. All the light in God’s kingdom comes from Jesus, the light of the world. God’s heavenly kingdom is golden and filled with precious things.
In God’s heavenly kingdom there is no sickness, no death, no suffering of any kind. It is filled with joy beyond your wildest dreams and never-ending peace. Love is everywhere, in everything. Everything is perfect, everything is eternal.
Jesus said He was going to prepare a place in heaven for us to live. If you are a part of God’s kingdom, Jesus has created a special place for you. It is a place that is more beautiful and more wonderful that anything you can imagine. It is an ideal place where you can live in perfect peace, love, and joy forever with Jesus.
Jesus said He would rise again, and He did. He also told us He will return from heaven and take all God’s people to live with Him there. You can be certain Jesus will do exactly as He said. He will come again!
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Just knowing and believing that Jesus will come again is something that just blows me away!! I mean seeing him break out of the clouds and lift up all his believers, the forgiven, and the people who he gave eternal life to, it’s going to be AMAZING. I can’t wait to see the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit. Can you?
That just sounds amazing..now to actually see and whitness it well that is unbelievable beyond words. I cant wait to get there! awsome devo im going to miss these things because tommorrow is the last one. i love these devos, some totally just touched my heart like his one,there also so full of wisdom. Thanks PSM!
I’m fairly sure that Benjamin Franklin died in 1770, definitely not 1970.
Ha Good catch Eli.