What more does the church need to see before we realize that we are nearing Christ's return? A lot of the times when people think about the last days, people think of signs like wars, earthquakes, pestilences, the antichrist, and that's correct. We should be mindful of those things.
But there are other signs that are much less talked about, but just as important. You see, before false prophets begin to appear on the world stage claiming to be the Messiah, before famines and plagues ravage countries, before nations and kingdoms rise against each other, here is what Jesus said when warning his disciples in Luke 21 11-17. There will be great earthquakes and there will be famines and plagues in many lands and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.
So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you. For I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you. Even those closest to you, your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will betray you.
They will even kill some of you. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish.
By standing firm, you will win your soul. An increase in persecution will take place because Jesus warned the church that before he comes, the enemies of God will lay hands and persecute Christians. In Christian history, there are many stories that have been told of persecution.
I'm reminded of Richard Wormbbrand, a man who was persecuted by the communist regime in Romania in the early 1900s. He was imprisoned, beaten, starved, interrogated, and threatened for 14 years. All because he would not give up Jesus Christ.
While in prison, he continued to preach to the inmates and guards. And by the end of his life, a lot of the guards who had interrogated him and tortured him and beaten him, a lot of them became Christians. They saw Jesus Christ in Richard.
I'm reminded of Corey Tenboom, a lady who was mightily used of God during the Second World War. This lady went through horrific things and suffered unimaginable loss. But at the end of it all, she said something powerful, something I'd like to share with you today.
She said, "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God, you'll be at rest.
How many of us are prepared to suffer for Christ? According to the warning in Luke 21, Jesus told us that they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons and bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake. He warned us that you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends.
If a soldier stood in front of you and asked you to lose your life or save it by rejecting Jesus Christ, what would you do? If an institution told you, "Hey, we can't treat your children. We can't give them any medicine unless you denounce Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
" What would you do if a banker knocked on your front door and told you that you have two options? Either you face eviction or you denounce Christ and keep your home. What would you do?
There are Christians around the world who have had to face this reality. And many chose to suffer for Christ. Those who did, the Bible assures them that there will be a heavenly eternal reward.
Now, for a moment, I want you to consider the last words of Jesus recorded in the Bible. His final words in the book of Revelation can be found in chapter 22 20, which reads, "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly. Amen.
Even so, come Lord Jesus. " Final words are important. A person laying on their deathbed will always have some significant, emotionally significant, final words to say to their loved ones.
We cherish the last words of departed loved ones. We place great weight on the last words of important people. Even apart from death, we emphasize last words.
If a speech is to be meaningful, it must have a powerful conclusion. A great book can be ruined with a poor ending. Yes, last words are important.
How much more important are God's last words? Now, God is not dead or gone, but God's revealed will has been completed. God has delivered in scripture all things that pertain to life and godliness.
The Lord has equipped humanity with access to the knowledge that is needed for forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life. The process of giving us his word was no small task. God used dozens of men across 15 centuries to write the scriptures.
So how did God choose to end this monumental work we call the Bible? Undoubtedly, the last words of the Bible are of great significance. When we turn to the end of God's word, the final verses of the final chapter of the final book in the Bible, we find something old yet new.
We find a concept present from the first pages of the Bible. Yet this time with even greater significance. We find a promise and a warning.
A promise of blessing or a curse. An invitation to life yet a warning of death. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus says, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me to give to everyone according to his work.
" Given that these words are nearly 2,000 years old, we may wonder about the Lord's promise of coming quickly, of course, we must remember our reckoning of time is far different than the Lord's. As 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us, "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. " Not only that, but eternity does come quickly for all of us.
Many have been caught by death unaware. The years race by for all of us. Even if the Lord delays his second coming, our appointment with eternity is not far away, there is there must be an urgency with which we listen to and obey the Lord.
Jesus promises he is bringing his reward. This can be a great comfort or a great terror. The word reward can refer to a wage.
For those who are faithful to Jesus, the reward will be blessing and life. Those who persist in rebellion will receive their wages of sin, eternal death. The inspired apostle John helps us understand who will receive a blessing or curse.
Revelation 22 in:es 14-15 he writes blessed are those who do his commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city but outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idoltors and whoever loves and practices a lie. Everyone wants to be blessed. The closing verses of the Bible remind us of the path to blessing, faithfulness to Jesus.
When the Lord returns, he will restore access to the tree of life, but only for those who followed him. Those who persist in worldliness and sin will not be blessed, but will be left outside. For this group, there will be no access to the tree of life and no entrance into the heavenly city.
Their fate is outside forever separated from the goodness of God. Following this, Revelation 22:17 contains one final and beautiful invitation. And the spirit and the bride say, "Come," and let him who hears say, "Come," and let him who thirsts come.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. No one makes it into a king's palace without an invitation. Thankfully, the King of Kings has issued an invitation open to everyone.
Any who is willing to hear the Lord's invitation is welcome. Any who thirsts for righteousness can accept the invitation. Anyone who desires eternal life can have that desire fulfilled.
What a fitting invitation here at the end of scripture. From Genesis forward, the Bible records man's downfall and God's plan to reconcile all things. It took centuries and great sacrifice, but God lived up to his promise in the garden to crush the serpent's head.
Where the story begins with an angel guarding the tree of life from man, it ends with an invitation to man to enjoy the tree and water of life once again. But this invitation comes with a warning. God has illuminated the path to eternal life through his word.
Should we decide we can walk a better path, we are gravely mistaken. Revelation 22 18 and 19 warn that if we add to God's word, he will add to us the plagues written about in the book. And if we take away from the word, then our invitation to the tree of life and God's presence will likewise be taken away.
God's word ends with a beautiful invitation but also by underscoring the importance of the word. If we want blessing and eternal life, we must truly trust the Lord. We must trust his word and do our best to obey it.
To ignore God's word, to live our own way by our own rules according to our desires is to decline God's gracious invitation. The final words of Jesus in all of scripture are, "Surely I am coming soon. " That promise will elicit either joy and hope or fear and dread.
When John heard that promise, he proclaimed, "Amen. Come Lord Jesus. " Those are words of hope.
But what if Jesus fulfilled his promise today? For those unprepared, their final words will be regret and despair. But for the faithful in Christ, their final words in this life would surely be proclamations of joy, the celebrations of realized hope and deliverance.
If Jesus returned today, what would your final words [Music] be? If Jesus returned today, what would your final words be? This is not a hypothetical question meant for casual reflection.
It is a deeply urgent question that every believer and non-believer must face. Jesus has promised to return and his return will not delay forever. Many live their lives as though they have unlimited time, as though the world will continue spinning indefinitely, and as though repentance can always wait for another day.
But scripture tells us clearly in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. " That means his return will be sudden, unexpected, and irreversible. Being ready for the return of Jesus is not simply about believing in the event itself.
It is about living a life that is aligned with his will and prepared for his arrival at any moment. It means walking in daily repentance, examining your heart, and surrendering your sins to the one who can forgive them. It means nurturing a relationship with Christ that is not shallow or mechanical, but deep, vibrant, and alive.
It means living as though he could return today because he might. One of the dangers in today's world is spiritual complacency. It's easy to become distracted by the noise of daily life, careers, entertainment, relationships, social media, and endless tasks.
Without realizing it, people slip into a routine where God is sidelined and spiritual priorities are set aside. But the Bible calls us to stay awake, to stay alert, and to live with the expectation that at any moment the sky could split open and Jesus could return in power and glory. Are you watching?
Are you waiting in joyful anticipation? Or have you let the things of this world distract you from the most important reality? Being ready means evaluating your priorities.
What consumes your time, your energy, your heart? Is it the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, status, or comfort? If your heart is bound up in the things of this world, the return of Christ will shake you to the core.
But if your heart is set on Christ and his kingdom, then his coming will be the culmination of everything you have longed for. It also means loving others with urgency. If we truly believe Jesus could return at any moment, we will not waste time harboring bitterness, hatred, or division, we will seek reconciliation, extend forgiveness, and boldly share the gospel with those around us.
There is no time for petty arguments or lukewarm faith when eternity hangs in the balance. Be merciful to those who doubt. Save others by snatching them from the fire.
Every interaction, every relationship becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ and point others to him before it is too late. Another key aspect of readiness is holiness. The Apostle Peter asks in 2 Peter 3:1, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives. Holiness is not optional. It is the natural fruit of a heart that has been transformed by Christ.
It means turning away from sin, not because you fear punishment, but because you love the one who redeemed you. It means pursuing purity in thought, word, and deed. Knowing that when Jesus returns, he is coming for a people who are prepared, devoted, and surrendered.
