Revelation 22:21

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.  Amen.”

So the Revelation concludes.  In some ways the book is a kaleidoscope of images and sightings, sounds and silence, darkness and blazing light, war and peace.  So, lest we get lost in the profusion of pictures and events, our brother in Jesus, the Apostle John, brings us back to a simple but profound truth. I find it to be one of the most comforting of all words for the heart – THE GRACE OF GOD.

The emphasis is on grace!  Not punishment and fear and destruction and disappointment but on one of the most wonderful aspects of the love of God – the gift of grace.  It is a gift, no doubt about that, because it is known only  by those who are washed by the blood of the Lamb and those who experience the Spirit of God in their lives. Grace is a mystery to those who are not born again from above, but it is a flood of marvelous light for a believer.

We are not born with his grace. It is a gift of God that we receive by faith, the faith that is possible for the saved sinners.  The root meaning of grace is “karis” or gift, something quite undeserved.

A cursory reading of the Book of Revelation might leave the reader frightened or confused.  Those feelings are put to rest for those who have given themselves to Jesus Christ.  John calls such, “God’s people.” v 21  So we are left with an invitation to enter the ranks of “God’s people” refereed to in the Revelation as those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life and similar encouraging pictures and illustrations.

I think I can say, if the reading the Revelation strikes terror in me I am probably not a follower of the Lamb who loves me beyond words.

So the words that conclude the Revelation fall like refreshing dew on the believers. “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.” v 21 That is me and you, lovers of Jesus Christ.

This gives special meaning to the last word in the Bible – “Amen.” It means, “So be it or so let it be!” It is a word of agreement – I, too believe as I say my own Amen.

The Spirit of Jesus always answers “Amen.” Let that be your expression, and mine.