“’Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” (Revelation 22:12-14)
The ideals of the United States and most of the nations of the world focus on freedom from oppression, want, hunger and fear. Rulers, politicians, and governments maintain that they seek to provide and maintain justice and equality for all people. Yet all their efforts, all their striving to produce a peaceful and perfect world fail. Those elected or appointed to positions of trust and responsibility fall victim to greed, succumb to pride, and give way to corruption. Though successful by worldly standards, they are really losers for they think they are in control, not God.
True freedom or joy is found not in laws that are designed to foster equality for all or promote autonomy and self-determination, or the ability to make free choices. The source of joy and true freedom is found in these closing words of the Book of Revelation: surrender and total submission to God who loves us. Here we encounter vital words of admonition and encouragement from the Lord Jesus. He encourages us to remain faithful, to persevere in loyalty to the Lamb of God in the midst of persecution, suffering, sacrifice and loss. God’s outpouring of wrath upon sinful humanity will shortly occur. These dark times we will endure in this period of pain and suffering will be difficult unless we hold fast to the light of Christ and that vision we have seen of our reward. If we persevere, we will receive blessings and joy beyond what we have ever imagined that will more than make up for what we have lost for the sake of faith in Christ.
Jesus Christ alone has the only true and permanent solution for all the world’s troubles. And He has entrusted that key to us, His church: the gospel of salvation found only in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. May we ever be faithful to uphold and preach this truth.