Soon

What does it mean when Jesus says, "I am coming soon"? For many, those words spark fear, uncertainty, or confusion. But in Revelation 22, they are not a threat--they are a promise. In this Ascension Sunday message, Pastor Jason explores how "soon" is less about clocks and more about certainty and readiness.

With grace-fueled urgency and heartfelt honesty, we are invited to examine the condition of our hearts--not through fear, but through the cleansing work of Christ. The question is not when Jesus is coming...the question is: are we ready?

Whether you are new to faith or feeling distant from it, this message offers hope, clarity, and a call to live like the King is returning--because He is.

Linkoln shares his story on why he started coming to Ravenna Church of the Nazarene and shares why you should consider doing the same.

Ravenna Church of the Nazarene
530 Main Street, Ravenna, KY 40472

Chapters

• 0:00 Trailer [linktree link]
• 0:19 Theme song--"The Dirt Path" by Jeremy Edwards
• 1:22 Podcast Greeting
• 2:11 Introduction: The Tension of Soon
• 6:40 Reading of the Passage: Revelation 22:12-14
• 7:20 Context of Revelation 22
• 9:18 Verse 12 "I am coming soon"
• 13:22 Verse 13 "Alpha and Omega"
• 14:58 Verse 14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes"
• 18:46 What does this teach us?
• 24:18 How should we apply this?
• 28:46 Invitation: Be found ready
• 29:40 Closing prayer
• 31:53 Outro

Transcript

*not a word for word transcript, but the sermon manuscript*

SOON

     As we have embarked on Summer Break in the Barnett household, I have discovered something. My kids want to eat. Emrys especially. I can always count on her to at some point, usually right after she eats breakfast, ask, “Dad, when is lunch?”

     I usually respond with, “You just ate!” But sometimes I like to irritate Emrys. So I will say, “soon.” Which, that word could mean any time. It could be in five minutes or five hours. Emrys’ mind is never satisfied with that answer.

     The word “soon” seems like a timeline, but it is vague. Is “soon” now or distant? We tend to interpret the word as something we can put off. Homework, work deadlines, chores, and even spiritual growth.

     When we hear Jesus say, “I am coming soon”, we tend to think later. But what if later is now? What if Jesus is not talking about some future date, but at any moment?

Revelation 22:12-14 (CEB)

12 “Look! I’m coming soon. My reward is with me, to repay all people as their actions deserve. 13 I am the alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Favored are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right of access to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.”

This is the word of God

For the people of God

Thanks be to God

     As we were reading, you may have noticed that Revelation 22 is the last chapter of the Bible. These are the words of Jesus, His final words to the Church. Too often these words are treated as a horror story. While judgment is mentioned in Revelation, even in the verse after our reading, it is not a horror story. It is a message of hope for believers facing intense persecution and suffering. And our passage is not as much about judgment as it is an invitation.

     Verse 12 begins with Jesus saying, “I am coming soon.” There is that word, “soon”. That word is not about a clock or timelines, it is one that is about certainty and suddenness. Jesus is definitely coming back. When He does return, it will be in a blink of an eye.

     The verse continues with “My reward is with me.” Jesus is not coming back empty-handed. In Greek, the word translated “reward” means wages, like payment that is earned based on work done. Continuing in verse 12, it says, “My reward is with me, to repay all people as their actions deserve.” The decisions we make now matter. We may think spiritual things are secondary to real-life decisions, but they are real-life decisions with eternal consequences.

 Jesus continues in verse 13 with, “I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” We know Jesus is human, God in the flesh. But He is also God. This statement affirms as much, with Jesus claiming the same honor as God. As God, Jesus has the authority to pay each person their wages.

     This verse is extremely important for us. Jesus says, “Favored are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to access the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.” “The tree of life” is referencing the same tree in the Garden of Eden, meaning Eden is restored because the issue of sin is dealt with completely. And only those who have washed their robes will have access. “Robes” is not physical clothes, but spiritual clothes. Without Jesus, our best efforts leave us in robes that our filthy, tattered, and torn. But when we place our faith in Jesus, His grace through His blood shed at the Cross makes our robes white.

     What does this passage teach us? Soon is not a word that is tied to a clock, it is one tied to the eternal God both inside and outside time. It is a word that means Jesus’ return is a certainty, a fact more certain than the sun rising tomorrow. But His coming is not about fear, getting us to repent out of need for spiritual life insurance. It is about grace-fueled urgency.

     Jesus is coming soon. But when Jesus gets here, He is not going to ask how many times you have been to church, read your Bible, or how much you paid in tithe. He is going to ask, “Have you let Me make you clean?” His blood can cleanse and purify our hearts, and renew our minds. Faith enables us to live in grace and live out that grace in freedom. No need to fear measuring up or having done enough good. Just as certain as we can be about Jesus’ coming again, we can live ready with our robes washed.

     How do we do that? What does this look like? Examine your robe. Are you trusting Jesus or your own performance? Has your heart been washed or just the stench covered up? Live in readiness. Do not let the world dull your sense of urgency. Live like you expect Jesus to return. Also, extend the invitation. Who do you know that needs to hear this truth? Share it—not to scare them, but to wake them up. Do not worry if there will be enough space, this is not like scrambling for the lifeboats on the Titanic. In my Father’s house are many mansions, there is more than enough space for you and everyone else.

     Jesus is coming soon—not a vague someday, but in a moment we are not expecting. And when He comes, the question will not be how busy we were, how successful, or even how spiritual we felt. The question will be: Did we respond to the invitation to be washed clean?

     This is not a threat—it is a gift. It is a loving invitation from the One who wants us to be ready. His return is certain. The time is short. Are we washed? Are we ready?