The Message from Patmos by David S Clark

Revelation 22:20

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly." And John responds: "Amen, Even so, come. Lord Jesus."

This coming has, in my humble judgment, no reference to the technical second personal coming of Christ, else it would not be described as "quickly," and as something which in John's day "must shortly come to pass."

We believe that Christ will come again, we believe that coming will be personal, but we submit that it is an inaccurate and unscholarly piece of interpretation to apply these passages in Revelation to that event. But the "coming quickly" evidently referred to events in John's immediate foreground, and which concerned the churches to which he addressed these words. True reverence for the Scriptures will seek to understand them in the meaning intended by the writer, and will seek to put upon them the construction that is evident and natural from the writer's viewpoint. The wise expositor will hold fast to this sound rule of interpretation.

The judgment upon the Jewish and Roman persecutors, and the vindication of the persecuted saints most naturally fall in line with the significance of "coming quickly," and with John's response: "Even so come, Lord Jesus."

Thus we close this book of The Revelation so full of solemn warnings, and dire judgments, fitted to fill us all with awe, and to strike fear into the heart of the impenitent sinner. But through all the thunder of doom and the smoke of judgment we read the lesson of hope and cheer. The loftiest optimism grows out of the study of these solemn scenes.

Who can miss the lesson that the enemies of God and of the church are doomed to fall; but that Christ's cause is always and everywhere triumphant, that the omnipotent God is on the side of his church and no weapon formed against it shall prosper; but through all the revolutions and persecutions and dissolutions of earth and time he will bring it off triumphant and present it to himself a glorious church not having spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing. Every judgment recorded in the book of Revelation spells victory for the church of God, and the end the beatific destiny of the new Jerusalem where they shall be his people and he shall be their God.

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The Message from Patmos by David S Clark

Revelation 22:20

Old Testament

New Testament