Greg Boyd concludes the series on Revelation by exploring the final words of the book’s epilogue. The main point is that Jesus is coming soon! Greg explains what this means and how we can respond to this announcement.
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Anticipation
• Greg Boyd
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This is the final sermon in the Revelation series, which we called The Unveiling. This last section in the book is the epilogue. Greg Boyd explains that the dominant message is an announcement that Jesus is coming soon. This was a primary message in the opening chapters of the book, and now is reiterated to wrap things up.
The Jesus-returning language is metaphorical imagery that builds off the theme that the Church is Christ’s Bride. In ancient marriage, there was a betrothal period between the pledge to be wed and the actual wedding. We are living in the time between the ascension and the return of Christ. Another way to describe this coming of Jesus is “He will appear,” or “He will manifest.” This speaks to the fact that Christ is with us now and we are longing for the final unveiling of this presence. From Revelation, we know that this will entail the world going through a terrible purging. This purging will result in truth being revealed, lies being exposed, deceptive powers of evil being vanquished and evil being rooted from creation.
Five times in this epilogue we are told that this world-changing event will happen “soon.” This seems odd since this book was written almost 2000 years ago. Scholars teach that this language applies whenever people are undergoing “end-of-the-world-as-you-know-it” experiences. The “end” has come many times, while also the ultimate end of all things will come. For that we are still waiting.
Greg ends the sermon by asking: What does it look like for the Bride to expect her Bridegroom to return soon? First, live with hopeful anticipation. In the midst of sorrowful conditions now, followers of Jesus need not be in despair, suffer anxiety, or be wracked with depression. These are labor pains, yet we hope for the grand birth of the New Heavens and the New Earth.
Secondly, we must have a sense of urgency for action now. The New Testament often calls the Bride to make herself ready. We are to live now in this time as it will be in the future. All our relationships—to God, self, others, Earth and the animal kingdom—are to be characterized by humble, servant-like, self-giving love. This is what Jesus demonstrated on the cross, and it will be the nature of all things when he returns. Now is the time to practice this life.
Finally, invite others to join in on this life. Jesus is always saying “come.” The cross is the ultimate expression of open hospitality. The table is long and there is room for all. This welcome is shared by Jesus through us. We can participate in giving away the endless love of Jesus and see how lives can be transformed by it.
Thus ends the series on Revelation.
Hide Extended SummarySermon Series: The Unveiling, The End Is the Beginning
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Focus Scripture:
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Revelation 22:6-21
The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
