The Coming Bridegroom

Lift up your head. Don’t be discouraged.

We’re closer to the end than we’ve ever been. We can see the evidence. We’ve been in the end times for centuries, and humanity might be in the end times for several more centuries—we don’t know—but we are closer to the edge of the story than we’ve ever been.

Revelation chapter 1 is our reminder to keep pushing forward. Remember Him in everything because the day is near, and in the darkest of times, He will remain our constant light. The Apostle John tells us, “... His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance” (Rev. 1:16).

When you’re afraid of your enemies and you’re lost in a crowd of your accusers, He’ll have His hand on your shoulder, leading you through the crowd and the chaos because He can see above you. He sees beyond you. You’re His child, and no child of the King will be lost on His watch.

Though there’s a looming shadow of death and disarray, there’s no need to be afraid. Jesus says in John chapter 11, “...The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (verses 25-6). Though we die, we live. How? Because our Lord is holding the keys of death. Romans tells us that since Christ was resurrected, death no longer has dominion over Him (6:9), and now, we too may walk in this newness of life (6:4).

Don’t live in defeat today. We win in the end, so the message we can glean from Revelation is this: don’t be worried—be ready. Just be ready.

In Matthew, we’re told, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (25:13). Let us live with the integrity and character that we see in our Father. Let’s wear the crest of heaven proudly because that’s our homeland and our destination.

Could we be found eagerly awaiting His return? Could we be found, dressed in our spiritual best, burning for Him, giving Him every day that we have—the best that we have?

May He not return to find us busy, but rather, let Him find us ready. Don’t be late for the Bridegroom. Keep your lanterns burning; lift your head up, and don’t go to sleep, because John’s message to us in this first chapter of Revelation is a call to prepare ourselves. Our Deliverer is coming back for us soon.