THE LAST WORDS

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22:21)

HERE ARE THE FINAL words of the Bible – the last written words to Christ's body, which is the church. They are found in a book many have disassociated from "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." NO small number of people consider the book of Revelation to be filled only with lamentations and woes, accounts of unspeakable tribulations, and dreadful judgements that cause men to tremble in fear. It is true, such things are found in this book – but that is not all that is there.

REVELATION CONTAINS WONDERFUL PROMISES to those who overcome (2:7,10,11,17,26-28; 3:4,5, 10,12,21; 7:16-18; 11:18 21:3,4,6,7,24; 22;4-5). Who we are in Christ Jesus is proclaimed (1:5-6; 5:9; 7:14; 14:3-4). There are blessing pronounced upon those in Christ (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14). This book contains words like "salvation" (7:10; 12:10; 19:1), "redeemed" (5:9; 14:3-4), "washed" (1:5; 7:14), "faith" (2:13,19; 13:10; 14:12), "love" (2:4; 3:19), and "inherit" (21:7). The death of Christ is mentioned (5:12; 13:8), and His resurrection as well (1:5,18).

SETTLE IT IN YOUR MIND, therefore, the final words of this book are suitable, and in full harmony with the message it contains. Such a word could not be a fitting conclusion for a book devoid of grace, which was only filled with gloom and fearful events.

COMPARE THE WORDS of our text with the final words of the Old Testament prophets: "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Mal 4:6). Malachi spoke of the introductory ministry of John the Baptist, affirming the necessity of a fundamental change in the character of the people. If this did not take place, the Lord would "smite the earth with a curse." Behold the effectiveness of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus! Rather than speaking to people that need to be reconciled, and of a need for moral and spiritual change, John addresses those who ARE reconciled, and in whom a fundamental change has already taken place. He can therefore bequeath a blessing upon them: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you ALL. Amen" (Rev 22:21).

IN THE REVELATION, the grace of God has been vividly depicted in the care and sustenance of the church, the overthrow of all of her enemies, and the proclamation of the glory of her future state. A place was prepared for her to be "nourished from the face of the serpent" – while she was in the realm in which Satan worked (12:14). For those who would hear His voice, and open the door to Him, Jesus promised, "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev 3:20). To the faithful who were fatigued with fierce warfare He affirmed, "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev 3:10). Three times Jesus speaks of His love for His people (1:5; 3:9,19). There is a lot of grace in this book!

WHY IS IT CALLED "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ?" Most of the time, we read of "the grace of God" (24 times). But ten times we read of "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 16:20,24; 1 Corm 16:23; 2 Cor 8:9; Gal 6:18; Phil 4:23; 1 Thess 5:28; 2 Thess 3:18; Phile 25), and one time of "the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 1:12). Once the Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of grace" (Heb 10:29).

THE FINAL WORDS of Scripture, however, associate "grace" with the Savior in all of varied capacities. He possesses and dispenses grace in the capacity of "Lord." When He gives it, none can reverse, delay, or void it. He also possesses and dispenses grace in the capacity of "the MAN Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). He gives it in tender consideration of those with whom His humanity identified Him. The grace is tailored for their situation by One who is touched by the feeling of their infirmities. He also possesses and dispenses grace in the capacity of "the Christ" – the One anointed to effect the great salvation of God. He gives us grace in strict accord with the will of God, and in keeping with the work His Father gave Him to do – bring many sons to glory.

IT IS CHRIST'S GRACE because He is the Cause and Dispenser of it. He alone has given God the Father a just reason to bless us, lavishing His love and favor upon us. It is ever true, "God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph 4:32). God has been favorably impacted by the death of His Son, and so can you! He is "well pleased" with the Son, and you can be also.

AS ETERNITY ROLLS its ceaseless cycles on, God will "show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:7). Throughout eternity, in honor of God and His great salvation through Jesus Christ, the saints will shout: "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" (Rev 7:10). In this world, we come to believe and embrace that truth. In the world to come, we will see more fully the grandeur of what we have now known only in part. Just as our vision expands, so will our expressions–and it will all be to the glory of the conquering Lamb. It is He that satisfied God, destroyed the Tempter, and brought unspeakable joy to us. So after you have read the Scriptures, taken in its promises and solemn warnings, and determined top believe it all, don't forget the last words that are spoken!

– Given O. Blakely