Wrapped up my reading plan this morning. And, as has been the case throughout this past year, God, by His goodness and through His Spirit, stirred my heart as I read the Lord’s plea through Malachi to “Return to me” (Mal. 4:7) . . . as I eavesdropped on the Lord’s conversation with Peter and personalized the thrice asked question, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17) . . . and as I beheld the New Jerusalem, it’s inner workings, and heard the Lamb echo throughout these final words of prophecy, “Behold, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7,12,20). And then my eyes fell upon the final words of this book we call the Bible,

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

Sixty-six books written over 1,500 years by various authors. Ancient writings divinely preserved through the ages . . . covering a myriad of topics . . . from creation to new creation . . . from the problem of sin to the solution for sin . . . from God’s promise of “land, seed, and blessing” to a man told to leave his people to the fulfillment of that promise through countless descendants, both physical and spiritual, who reside in a city from heaven — the true land flowing with milk and honey. And throughout this amazing book there is a thread which connects it all . . . for those with eyes to see, the glory of God is evident in all The Story. And so, how do you conclude such a volume? Not really appropriate to write “The End” . . . for the end is just the beginning.

But it seems fitting that, just as the glory of God, is the theme of the Book, that you might consider concluding the narrative with a reminder of the active agency of the Book . . . that which is at the heart of redemption . . . that which is forms the foundation for reconciliation . . . that which is ever present as the sustaining measure for enduring relationship . . . the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound!

The Lord Jesus is coming soon . . . until then, the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all who by faith will receive it.

The same grace that sent the Son of God to be born of virgin so that by His spotless, perfect, pure life He might be offered up on a Roman cross for the sins of all mankind. The same grace that sent the Spirit of adoption to a world lost in sin to woo men and women to Himself that they might respond with but a mustard seed of faith to the revealed truth that God so loved the world that He sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice . . . that we might be called the sons and daughters of God. The same grace which is actively enable the work begun to become the work completed . . . that through the transforming of the mind there might be a conforming of the person to the very image of God’s blessed Son. The same grace that will, whether by death’s dark vale, or by the coming of the King in the sky, receive His own to Himself . . . that where He is, they may be also.

Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

What a fitting, magnificent way to conclude the Book. What a taste to leave on the tongue . . . what an aroma to let waft through the room . . . the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

O, that I might be like John and fall down to worship . . . needing in some way to respond to such wonderful grace . . . and hear the angel pointing me towards the throne saying, “Worship God” (Rev. 22:8-9). Might I never step far from His grace . . . might I always be satisfied in His grace . . . might I always wonder and worship . . . because of grace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun!

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! (2Corinthians 9:15 ESV)