202. REV 22:20. LONGING FOR CHRIST

Rev_22:20. Longing for Christ

PART I

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."’97Rev_22:20

Christ is the Alpha and Omega, both of revelation and of the Christian’s experience. The Christian lives by Christ, and to Christ. Christ is his life, strength, salvation, yea, all and in all. He loves Christ, delights in Christ, and longs for the full enjoyment of his presence, in the heavenly world. His heart continually aspires after him. He says, "Even so; come, Lord Jesus." Let the text be considered as breathing the desires, I. Of the Penitent Inquirer. II. Of the Believer in the various circumstances of life; and, III. Of the Christian, when approaching the gates of death.

Let us consider the text,

I. As the Language of the Penitent Inquirer.

Such as have felt the bitterness of sin, and have seen the importance of salvation, and who are ardently desiring the enjoyment of his grace. Such desire Christ to come,

1. As the Sun of Righteousness, to chase away their spiritual gloom.

They know their darkened state and deplore it. They pray, Lord Jesus, that we may receive our sight. Open our eyes &c. Arise with healing, &c. "Even so come, Lord Jesus." Such desire Christ,

2. To come as their Deliverer, to free them from the bonds of guilt.

They are the captives of the wicked one. Fast bound in fetters. Groan to be released. Cannot deliver themselves Ready to perish. Therefore they cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus," &c. Burst our bonds’97remove our load’97give us rest’97make us free, and we shall be free indeed 3 Such desire Christ to come as their Teacher, to reveal to them all the lessons of his grace.

God has appointed that they should hear Christ. His doctrines only can give comfort, and joy, and hope. His gospel is he power of God, &c. His truth makes free. At his feet only can they learn the way of life. He opens to the mind the way of salvation, and the only path to immortality and eternal glory. "Grace is poured into his lips," &c. "Grace and truth," &c.

4. Such desire Christ to come as their great High Priest, to bless them with the tokens of his favor.

He has atoned for their sins by the shedding of his precious blood. He has sprinkled the mercy-seat Opened a way of access to the holiest of all. Penitent souls long therefore that he would come forth and bless them with the knowledge of salvation, &c. That he would send down his purchased blessings into their hearts. That he would sprinkle their consciences with his blood. Renew their souls into the Divine likeness’97and cause his Spirit to dwell in them forever.

5. Such desire Christ to come as their Lord, and to establish his gracious empire in their souls.

Sin has reigned’97Satan has ruled within them’97but now they desire grace to reign, and Christ to be the Lord of their affections, and constantly to sit on the throne of their hearts. They are now willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord. They are now determined to forsake all and follow him. They are now resolved to know nothing but Christ, &c.

6. Such desire Christ to come and be formed within them the hope of glory.

This is the believer’s privilege, that Christ dwell in them. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col_1:27. "Begotten again to a lively hope," &c. This is the foretaste of heaven. Glory in embryo. Paradise regained. Salvation begun. For we are saved by hope, &c. Rom_8:24.

Application

Let penitent inquirers thus seek for Christ’s spiritual coming into their souls. Let them earnestly’97with persevering fervor’97and with holy expectation and confidence say, "Even so; come, Lord Jesus."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS