What does "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" reveal about early Christians' expectations? A Short, Powerful Plea “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20) is the final human utterance recorded in Scripture. • “Amen” affirms everything revealed—“Yes, so it is.” • “Come, Lord Jesus!” expresses an urgent longing for His visible, bodily return. • Pressed together, the words show that truth embraced (“Amen”) immediately flows into anticipation (“Come”). Eager Anticipation of a Soon Return Early believers expected Jesus to come “soon.” • He Himself had just said, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). • Paul echoed the same nearness: “The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5). • James urged, “The coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:8). These statements are taken literally; “soon” shaped daily outlook, not distant theory. Grounded in Jesus’ Own Promise The plea is anchored in promises Jesus gave throughout His earthly ministry: • John 14:3—“I will come again and take you to Myself.” • Matthew 24:30—“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” Because He always keeps His word, the early church spoke to Him as though His arrival could interrupt any moment. Shared Language of the First Churches “Maranatha” (Aramaic for “Our Lord, come”) appears in 1 Corinthians 16:22. This single-word prayer shows: • A common cry across diverse congregations—Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Asia Minor. • Unified expectation regardless of culture or location. • Confidence that the next great event in God’s timetable is Christ’s appearing, not a gradual earthly utopia. Hope That Strengthened Suffering Saints • Titus 2:13 calls the return “the blessed hope,” sustaining believers under Roman persecution. • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 promises resurrection and reunion, so “encourage one another with these words.” • 2 Timothy 4:8 speaks of “all who long for His appearing,” tying personal devotion to eternal reward. Expectation of Christ’s imminent arrival fueled courage to endure trials and resist compromise. Motivation for Pure Living • 1 John 3:2-3—“Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” • Romans 13:11-12—“Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed… let us put aside the deeds of darkness.” Looking for Jesus’ return was not passive waiting; it was active holiness, ministry, and evangelism. Certainty Rooted in Scripture’s Reliability • Prophecies of Messiah’s first coming were literally fulfilled; the same precision secures His second coming. • Revelation closes without loose ends: the risen Christ speaks, the church answers, and the canon seals the promise. Living Between “Amen” and “Come” Early Christians held two firm convictions: everything God has spoken is true, and Jesus could appear at any moment. Our own generation stands in that same gap—affirming His word, longing for His return, and living faithfully until the trumpet sounds. |
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