A Year with Jesus

Note from Jesus

Dear Beloved Disciple,

Today, we finish our journey through the New Testament that we began a year ago. If you have been with us throughout the year, you have relived My earthly ministry when I was in human flesh. You have read My words. You have examined My ministry. You have read about the birth of My church and the power of the Holy Spirit that empowered and sustained My people. You have looked into the letters of Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude as well as the "word of exhortation" you call Hebrews. Over the last few days, you have been reading from My Revelation to John. This year's cycle ends today.

Today's message is not only a great way to end the book of Revelation, but it is also a great way to finish the whole collection of books you call the Bible, the Holy Scriptures. Yesterday (from Revelation 21 and Revelation 22:1-5) you saw how sin, death, and evil would be completely defeated by My returning in glory. You heard about the great celebration known as the wedding supper of the Lamb of God (Me) and My bride (the church). This celebration awaits you in My presence. The awful results of the Fall and the impact of sin, evil, and death will be fully conquered and their power fully removed from My people when I return in glory. Victory and reunion are assured for My disciples from every age as they join together before the throne!

Today, you will read some words of promise, blessing, and warning about the importance of the visions I gave to John and the words he used to write down these visions. These were important for the folks who were facing critical challenges when I revealed this message for them. They have continued to be important to My people throughout the years of suffering because of their faith in Me. My early disciples needed an immediate dose of comfort, encouragement, correction, and hope.

These words from Revelation are important for the people of every generation if they - and you - are to remain faithful and hopeful in times of oppression, persecution, and martyrdom. I will indeed bring My victory for all who are My disciples so that they can share in the joyous and victorious celebration.

I sent My messenger to John so that you would not be afraid when you are facing the fiery trials that can sometimes befall My people. Believe this message, this Revelation, I shared with John. Obey the truth that you know has come from the Father and through Me. Let these words stir you to faithfulness. My coming is on the horizon. Live each day without fear and with great joy as if this could be THE day of My coming.

Verses to Live

The last sentences of Revelation, the last verses in your Bible and in this book of Revelation, finish with an invitation for Me to return in My glory for you. I want you to pray for My coming: hasten My arrival with your words of anticipation, praise, and invitation.

Guide (speaking to me [John]):
These words are faithful and true.
And the Lord, the God Who inspired the prophets, has sent His heavenly messenger to show to His servants what must soon take place.

The Anointed One [Jesus]:
Look now, I am coming soon! The one who remains true to the prophetic words contained in this book will truly be blessed.
I, John, am the one who heard and witnessed these visions. And when I heard and witnessed them, I fell prostrate at the feet of the heavenly guide who showed them to me. But he refused.

Guide:
You must not do that! I am a servant with you, with your brothers and sisters the prophets, and with those who keep the words contained in this book. Worship God instead!

(continuing) Do not seal up the prophetic words contained in this book for another day, for the finale is near. Let the one given to evil continue down evil's path and the one addicted to filth continue to be its servant. But let the one who is righteous journey along the righteous road, and let the holy continue in holy ways.
The Anointed One:
See, I am coming soon, and I will bring My reward with Me. I will pay back every person according to the deeds he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First One and the Last One, the beginning and the end.
Blessed are those who wash their garments. In the end, they have rightful access to the tree of life and will enter the city through its gates. The dogs, the sorcerers, those who commit immoral acts, the murderers, the idolaters, and all who love and practice deception must remain outside the gates for all eternity.

Jesus:
I, Jesus, have sent My messenger to show you and guide you so that you in turn would share this testimony with the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star.
The Spirit and the Bride:
Come.
And let everyone who hears these words say, "Come."
And let those who thirst come.
All who desire to drink, let them take and drink freely from the water of life.
Beware, everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book. Know this for certain: if anyone adds to these words, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone subtracts from the prophetic words of this book, God will remove that person's access to the tree of life and to the holy city which are described in this book.

The One Who testifies to these realities makes this promise:

The Anointed One:
Yes. I am coming soon.
To which we say, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

May the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, be with all the saints [His disciples]. Amen.
(Revelation 22:6-21)

Response in Prayer

O Father, send the Son to deliver us from the evil that surrounds us, from those who would seek to harm us, and from the pull of the flesh that tempts us. Refresh, restore, and renew us with the love, hope, and anticipation that come through the power of the Holy Spirit within us. May You be glorified and Your people brought to share in glory with You soon! In the name of Jesus, my Lord, Savior, Friend, Deliverer, and Shepherd, I pray. Amen.