There’s something about reading Revelation 22 at this time of year . . . as the year comes to an end . . . a natural time of reflection . . . a time to assess . . . and a time to anticipate. Three times in this final portion of Scripture, Jesus declares, “I am coming soon” . . . and three times the Spirit infused Bride of Christ responds, “Come . . . Come . . . Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Talk about your anticipation! What will it be like when “His servants will worship Him . . . they will see see His face . . . and His name will be on their foreheads?” (22:3b-4) But what until then? What’s the “secret sauce” for living in the “here and now” as we await the “there and then?”

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21 ESV)

There they are. The last 10 words of the God-breathed Scriptures. Way too easy to gloss over as they are such a common benediction in the letters of the New Testament writers. And, at first glance, almost out of place given the apocalyptic visions of the preceding 22 chapters . . . given the face-to-the-ground insight to life before the throne of God and the Lamb. Too easy to skim over those ten words and almost not give them a second thought. But not this morning. This morning it is “full stop” . . . Behold! . . . Consider! . . . Let it sink in! . . . and then, . . . Worship!

Think of it . . . the last words of a future revelation. The last words of a compilation of writings inspired of God . . . written by men as they were moved by the Spirit of God . . . all with the purpose of revealing the Son of God. And when all is said and done . . . just before the page is turned on the final chapter . . . just before the final check mark is made on the reading plan . . . John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, pens, “The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!” (MSG)

And I respond, “Amen. Yes, Lord! Let me know the fullness of Your grace!”

Saving grace. The grace of the cross of Christ. Immanuel . . . God with us . . . God in flesh . . . God incarnate . . . come, that He might be the Victor over sin and death . . . and, in that victory, lead others victorious. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2Cor. 8:9). Saved not of any merit of my own . . . in relationship not because I first loved Him . . . but anticipating the wedding supper of the Lamb this morning because He first loved me . . . because of the grace that brought me out of darkness and into the marvelous light of the kingdom of God.

Sanctifying grace. I am His workmanship (Eph 2:10) . . . a work in progress, to be sure . . . but a work that He has promised to complete until that day He takes me home (Php. 1:6). And it’s not that the Potter has some exceptional clay to work with . . . not that I’m particularly “good material” in and of myself. But, in Him . . . in Christ . . . I am the material of adoption . . . received by Him as a blood-bought heir . . . and so, He says, “I’ll make you like my Son.” By grace transformed . . . by grace conformed.

Sustaining grace. Grace that casts doing life here on earth within a context of storing up treasures in heaven. All sufficient grace for the trials of the day. The abiding favor of God for pilgrims looking for a city to come. The rest and peace that comes from knowing that it doesn’t depend on my ability or efforts but upon His power and promises. Mine is to pursue the King . . . in the power of the Spirit . . . and He, in return, will faithfully provide strength for the day.

Amazing grace! Grace enough for my past . . . grace abounding for my present . . . grace that secures my future.

Grace . . . for His glory . . . amen?