Even So, Come, Lord Jesus

Revelation 22: 6-21

"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:   And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.   He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Since the beginning of the church, Christians have believed the return of the Lord Jesus Christ was at hand.  Each successive generation has seen in their cultures the signs of the proliferation of evil and evil influences.  Each generation of Christians feels that surely theirs is the one that has reached the point of being "as in the days of Noah" during which   "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually," (Genesis 6:5.)

I have often pondered what will be the precipitating factor to cause the Lord to return.  My thoughts have often turned again and again to this passage of Scripture.  I am especially struck by verse, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come," as well as the last "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."  

I am reminded of how my brother and I used to ask our father to take us to a local swimming pool.  Once we even went to the extreme of sitting in the hot car during midday of summer so we would be all hot and sweaty when he arrived home.  Sometimes our cajoling, begging and pleading worked.  Sometimes it didn't.  Sometimes I think he gave in just so he didn't have to listen to us anymore.

Perhaps the moment of the Lord Jesus' return will be when the children of the Lord have cried out enough "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Maybe we as Christians just haven't gotten sick and tired enough of this world yet.  One thing we can know for certain,  just as the Lord  heard the cry of the Israelites "by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;" He knows our sorrows as well.  He knows the world in which we live.  He knows the battles we face each day and He hears our cries to Him.  

Thankfully, one day that trumpet will sound and our lips will no more utter the prayer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."