Jesus is Coming Soon – Me From the Inside Out

Week 2, Day 4 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come – (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: Revelation 22:12-13 (SOAP: 12-13)

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 22:12-13 NLT

Simple Observations and Findings

“SOON”: While we have covered this word before, I believe it is worth repeating for a fuller understanding or clarification. According to BibleRef.com, the word is from a Greek word that more accurately means “quickly”, and has more to do with ‘how’ He’s coming than ‘when’. His return will be sudden and unpredictable (Matthew 24:36)
“My reward is with me …” My best understanding of this is that Christ comes with the power to reward both the saved and the lost – according to the choices they have made. The lost, those whose deeds reveal their denial of Christ, will receive the “punishment” they deserve, the reward of God’s wrath. The Saved, those who have, by faith alone, trusted in Jesus Christ to save them from their sins, will receive their inheritance of eternal life, the reward of God’s grace.
- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18)
- For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast.(Ephesians 2:8-9)
“pay each one according to what he has done.” What have you done? Have you chosen Jesus or have you chosen the world? We know that there is evil in our world, but we also see the “fruit of God’s grace in His people” throughout the world as well. Do your “deeds” identify you as one who is evil or do they reveal God’s grace? Whatever they reveal the one path leads to eternal punishment and the other to eternal life.
- For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23)
- For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Perhaps this one seems self-evident but I found it helpful to truly observe it and not just take it for the popular phrase that it is.
- Jesus has always existed.
- He’s eternal, no true beginning and no end.
- He was with God in the beginning
- He is God
  - He identifies Himself as the God of the Old Testament (Isa 41:4, 6, Isa 44:6, and 48:12)
- He is the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2; John 1:1, 14; Matthew 5:17; and Ephesians 2:8-9).

Response to God’s Word

Jesus, what a wonder You are! The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Not only will You reign forever but you will come back soon and pay each one according to their deeds. Send a revival through our land Father so that the lost will know life rather than the eternal punishment of death. Open their eyes and ears, their hearts and minds to the message so that they might believe and by faith be saved. Cause us to be alert to those around us who need to hear the message so that they might share in the inheritance of eternal life that You have promised to those who believe. We wait on You Jesus, we wait on You. –

Your Turn: Reflections

Knowing that you will one day be rewarded for how you lived your life, are you motivated or concerned? Why?

I Am Coming Soon: Week 2, Day 3 (A Love God Greatly Study)

Today’s Reading: Revelation 3:10-11(SOAP verse 11)

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
Revelation 3:10-11 NLT

Observations Only

I am by no means an adept student when it comes to the book of Revelation. However, as is the practice of SOAPing Scripture I can make observations and pray for Him to give enlightenment through His Spirit who was sent to teach us and to remind us of everything Jesus said.

There is a “testing” (a great tribulation) that will come upon those who belong to the world.
The church of Philadelphia obeyed Christ’s command and persevered.
Christ will protect [them] from the great time of testing.
Christ encourages the believers that He is coming soon.
He encourages them to “Hold on to what [they have]”
- They [we] have JESUS!
- He is the Way, the Truth, and the life (John 14:6)
- With Jesus on their side their crown is protected
  - because Jesus cannot be overcome for He has already overcome the enemy
He is [our] Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)

So How Do We “Hold On”? (Application)

To endure, it seems we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart – or as He said of Philadelphia – so you will “endure steadfastly
Like the Psalmist we must set the LORD always before us, keeping Him at our right hand so that we will not be shaken (Ps. Ps 16:8)

Response to the Word: (Prayer)

Father- Thank You for Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The One who is the way, the truth, and the life. He is my righteousness, my crown, and joy! Help me (us) to hold on to Jesus – t be diligent in our faithfulness – to keep our eyes on Him who is our righteousness and salvation and eternal life! This is my prayer in Jesus’ Name –

Your Turn: Reflections

What do you believe Jesus means in Revelation 3:10-11?
Why do you believe this?