In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, how should we as Christians live? The book of Revelation offers us a powerful reminder and call to action. Adrian Rogers once said, We ought to be living as though Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back this afternoon.
Revelation, often misunderstood as merely a cryptic prophecy of end times, is actually an unveiling of Jesus Christ and a pastoral letter to seven churches. These churches, representative of all churches throughout history, faced intense persecution and societal exclusion. From Nero’s cruel scapegoating to Domitian’s demand for emperor worship, early Christians put their lives on the line for their faith.
Exiled on the island of Patmos, the apostle John writes to encourage and strengthen the church. His message? A guaranteed future and a guaranteed present that should shape how we live today.
The Guaranteed Future
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
This isn’t a distant, static promise. John emphasizes that Christ is already coming – He’s actively working in human history, drawing people into His Kingdom. One day, in a moment, Jesus will return bodily. This won’t be the destruction of the earth, but its restoration – the removal of sin and the establishment of perfection.
For believers, this return will be a moment of indescribable joy. We’ll experience Christ’s presence fully and know that our faithfulness was worth every sacrifice. For those who reject Christ, however, it will be a moment of deep regret and mourning. They’ll see themselves as they truly are in the light of the righteous Judge.
This guaranteed future isn’t meant to spark idle speculation or fear. Instead, it’s a call to perseverance and hope. It reminds us that our current struggles, no matter how intense, are temporary in light of eternity.
The Guaranteed Present
While we await Christ’s return, John doesn’t sugarcoat reality. Things may get worse before they get better. We shouldn’t be surprised by hardship or opposition – Jesus Himself warned us. But before outlining future challenges, John anchors us in present truths that can sustain us through any storm:
- Grace and Peace: More than a greeting, this is a promise of God’s enabling power to persevere and the inner calm that comes from trusting Him.
- The Eternal God: “…who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:4). Whatever we face, it’s under God’s sovereign control, part of His perfect plan.
- The Perfect Holy Spirit: Symbolized by “the seven spirits,” we’re reminded of the Spirit’s complete work in our lives.
- Jesus Christ:
- The faithful witness (trustworthy in all He says)
- The firstborn of the dead (our hope of resurrection)
- The ruler of kings on earth (already reigning, even when it’s not obvious)
- The Alpha and Omega (all-knowing and all-sufficient)
- Our Identity: We are a “kingdom and priests to his God and Father” (Revelation 1:6). This fulfills ancient promises and reminds us of our high calling.
Living with Urgent Faithfulness
How then should we live in light of this guaranteed future and present? With urgent faithfulness. This isn’t about panic or constant anxiety, but a persistent focus on what matters most eternally. Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) illustrates this principle. Both groups fell asleep, but the wise were prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival.
Here’s what urgent faithfulness looks like:
- Go to work: If you’re confident you’re doing what God has called you to do, be faithful in it. Do your job excellently for Christ, so that if He returns at 10 am on a Tuesday, you’ll be glad He found you being diligent.
- Go to church: As the world grows colder, we need the warmth and encouragement of Christian community more than ever. We’re called to exhort one another and proclaim Christ not just to the world, but to each other.
- Pursue purity: If we truly believe and hope in Christ’s return, we won’t be indifferent to personal holiness. We’ll actively work to purify ourselves, knowing we’ll soon see Him face to face.
- Suffer with joy: When God calls us to walk through suffering, we can do so with an eternal perspective. Our present trials are producing an eternal weight of glory, and our joy in Christ now will only intensify when we see Him.
The message of Revelation isn’t meant to scare us or promote endless speculation about the end times. It’s a call to live faithfully now, anchored in the unshakeable truths of who God is and what He’s promised. In a world of uncertainty, we have a sure foundation – the eternal God who holds all of history in His hands.
As we go about our daily lives – working, worshiping, loving our neighbors – may we do so with an undercurrent of joyful expectation. Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. This isn’t just a creed to recite; it’s a reality that should transform how we approach every moment. The King is coming! May He find us faithful.
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Click HERE to watch the sermon.
MichaelStovall 