Revelation 22:20-21 (NKJV)
Revelation 3:3 (NKJV)
Matthew 24:42-44 (NKJV)
I Peter 3:10 (NKJV)
Malachi 4:2-3 (NKJV)
John’s Revelation also included a certain promise.
I Am Coming Quickly was written by John in Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, and for a third time preceded by the word ‘Surely’ in Revelation 22:20. Emphatically, through John, Jesus is promising He will not forget us in our pain and suffering of this world.
The word for the number three in Hebrew is Shelosh or Sheloshah which means harmony, new life, and completeness. In scripture the number three is repeatedly used. To name a few examples in the Old Testament, Moses was the third born child, in the Holy place in the Hebrew Temple there are three pieces of furniture...the menorah, the Table of Shewbread (presence), and the Altar of Incense. It is the number of the Trinity...Father, Son, and Spirit. To name a few examples from the New Testament, there were three gifts from the Magi, three days from death to the resurrection of Jesus, and in Acts 10 Peter sees a sheet descending from heaven three times (https://graceintorah.net/2015/06/15/hebrew-numbers-1-10/).
In the final chapter of Revelation, God repeated the phrase ‘coming quickly’ three times. It was no accident.
Also, the structure of Revelation 22:20 is interesting. It reads, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
In a script for a play it seems it would read:
John: He who testifies to these things says,
Jesus: SURELY, I am coming quickly.
John: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus
John makes it clear that Jesus is “He who testifies”.
Then, even though the phrase, “I am coming quickly” was used three times in Revelation Chapter 22, this time the phrase was preceded by the Greek word, Nai which can mean Yes, certainly, even so, or surely.
I remember Seminary Professors who were some of the best educators I’ve had the privilege of knowing. I saw them ‘watch’ the faces of the students for our ‘AHA’ moment and with great fervour say, “YES!” It was as if they were saying, YES, yes, yes now you’ve GOT IT!
In Revelation 22, Jesus was saying YES. Surely YES.
It was a solemn promise.
YES...get this.
I AM.
I AM Coming.
I AM Coming QUICKLY.
Earlier in Revelation 22 we discussed the Greek meanings of the word quickly. The Greek Adverb, tachy can mean quickly, speedily, (or unexpectedly). In our culture we are all about getting things done quickly (especially at work) so the word quickly to us often equates to TIME. However, I would assert quickly does not always necessarily equate only to time. It can mean whenever it happens, it will come.
Earlier in Revelation 3:3, John wrote, “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”
In Matthew 24:42-44 we read, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
We also read in 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
I suppose at this time, a confession is in order. I’ve always been a bit of a rebel. I’m not sure if that’s because I am 4’11” tall or because I’m an ol’ debater who I majored in Communication (University of Missouri, Columbia), I love making good solid arguments.
Contrary to what many translations say, I believe this text is saying we do not know the time, but we do know from scripture that it will come unexpectedly.
In the final book of the Old Testament, in the final chapter, we read in Malachi 4:2-3,
“But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the Lord of hosts.”
In the final book of the New Testament, the final words say, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” God leaves us with a promise of grace, and closes with the Greek word AMEN means certainly or so be it. In Hebrew the word is Amen and the meaning is truly or certainly. The English word is Amen and it means truly, certainly, so be it. Amen is an enduring word.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Amen
Spend time with God thanking Him for certainty, truth, and the enduring promise of His word. From Old Testament to New, we are promised “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His Wings” (Malachi 4:2a).
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com
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