Title: Truly I Will Come Soon
Contents
Truly I will come soon (Rev 22:6-21)
Dear saints, Christmas is approaching. According to the church calendar, Advent is the four weeks before Christmas. Advent is a season to give thanks for the Christmas of Jesus Christ incarnate and come into this world and prepare with a reverent heart. And more importantly, it is the season of preparation while waiting for the Lord to return. Jesus Christ came to Bethlehem as prophesied in the Old Testament. He will come again as prophesied in the New Testament. This morning, I would like to share the word with the subject of the Lord's promise, 'I will come very soon.'
I. Hope of the Second Coming
What is our true hope? - The presidential election day is approaching. If you look at the pledges of the candidates, they say that no matter who becomes president, we will completely solve all our problems today. But everything they say is vain. Whoever becomes president will not be able to completely solve all problems at once. No one can radically solve our problems today.
So, is there no problem in the so-called developed countries? Switzerland has a high GNP and the best social security system. However, Switzerland has the highest suicide rate in the world. There is no place in the world without problems.
Everyone! There are so many problems on this earth that humans cannot solve on their own. ①The problem of war - I thought that war would cease if Soviet communism fell. However, they are still suffering from the threat of war, including the Middle East war. Karl Barth visited the UN and said this. 'The United Nations can be a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven. But true peace cannot be made here. True peace will be brought about by God at the end of this world.
② Food problem - It is fortunate that there is still rice in Korea. However, many people, including North Koreans, are starving. It is said that one-third of the world's population does not have dinner. The United Nations Food Organization cannot solve this problem.
③Environmental problems - The problem of global warming, the problem of ozone layer depletion, and the problem of air pollution are all serious problems. In the end, it is said that this earth will become an environment in which living things cannot survive. Who can solve this problem?
④The most serious thing is morality. According to global statistics, the chance of encountering a robber is 1 in 5 and that of being sexually assaulted is 1 in 5. Korea is not a safe zone either. Who can solve this problem?
Only Jesus Christ can solve it. No one can solve it but Jesus Christ, who is the Creator, Redeemer, and Judge. Jesus Christ is our only true hope. The second coming of Jesus Christ is our hope. Because these times are hopeless, we hope more for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Dear all! The godly saints of the Old Testament waited for the Messiah. The more difficult and difficult times, the more we waited for the Messiah. Everyone! How is this time today? I pray that you will become a godly saint who believes in the Lord's promise, "I will come very soon," and hopes for the Lord to come again.
II. Preparation for the Second Coming
The words “I am coming very soon” are telling us today to prepare for the Second Coming. The second coming of Jesus was very imminent. This is because the signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ prophesied in the Bible are being fulfilled. Now we must be preparing to meet the Lord. What must we do to prepare to meet the Lord?
First, repentance. "Blessed are those who wash their robes" (14) What is the washing of one's robe? - It means repentance. As the Second Coming is imminent, it is a message to repent in preparation to meet the Lord. Then what can solve the problem of sin? It is only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. The phrase “the one who washes the scroll” is in the present tense. It doesn't just mean one time, it means continuous, day after day sucking. We must repent daily. “This is so that they may have authority to come to the tree of life of the Lord and to enter the city through the gates” (14). Why do you have to wash your robe every day? <Walking to the tree of life>- This is the word of gaining life. <The authority to enter the city>- This is the visa that allows you to enter the heavenly, New Jerusalem.
Everyone! With sin, we cannot welcome the Lord who returns. You cannot enter the kingdom of heaven without repenting of your sins. So you must repent. "---they will be outside the city" (15) This means that those who continue to commit these sins and do not repent will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "---I shall be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). This is the terrible punishment that the unrepentant will receive. The Bible clearly says it. ㆍIf you repent, you will be forgiven, you will receive eternal life, and you will have the right to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Dear all! I pray that you will become saints who are always preparing to meet the Lord by repenting while always remembering the words of the Lord, “I will come soon.”
Second, it is to live a life of keeping the Word. Children of God must keep the Word. Keeping the word of God is the way to receive blessings. He said, "If you listen carefully to the word of the LORD your God and keep all his commands I am giving you today, you will be blessed" (Deuteronomy 28:1-). He said that you will be blessed.(7)
Dear all! It is the last days. The Lord said, "I am coming soon." I pray that you will become saints who are preparing to meet the Lord by living the life of keeping the Word.
Third, it is to do the Lord's work with more effort. He says, “I have a reward to give.” (12) The Lord said that He would come with a reward to give us. He said that he would give each individual what he did and worked for.
Dear all! The Lord said I will come soon. He said, “The time is near.”(10) But how can you be indolent? Coming soon refers to a very near time. It also refers to a time when no one expected it. That is why the Bible says that He will come as a thief. The unhappy person works hard all the time, and then sits down and rests when the master appears. What are you going to rest then? How embarrassed would you be if you met the owner while resting? Everyone! Faith always demands the present. It matters what I'm doing now. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, you get bored. The job right now can be boring. You may want to take a little break in the new year. Also, the circumstances we are in may not allow us to be able to do church work with peace of mind. But think of the saints of the first century. They lived a life of faith under much more difficult conditions than we do today. I felt threatened in my life and lived my life of faith. The economic hardship was even more indescribable. However, he lived a life of faith. diligently did the Lord's work.
Dear all! The Lord speaks. He says, "I will come very soon, and I have a reward to give you. You have a crown. Work hard, diligently, and do your best. Even if it is difficult, be even more zealous. You will find me in the field where you are working while you are working." I pray that you will become saints who have the hope of the Second Coming and prepare to meet the Lord.