He that testifies these things says, Yea, I come quickly. Amen; come, Lord Jesus.
Read Full Chapter →Commentary for this Verse
The Bible's last chapter closes with a short exchange: a promise from the Lord, and an answer from the one who heard it. The visions, the judgments and the city all end here, at one promise and one prayer.
The Closing Note of the Whole Book
Just before this, the book warns against adding to its words or taking any away. Scripture does not end there.
William KellyHe has kept the best wine until last. He had already spoken of His coming in judgment, and of His coming for the church in full grace. Now He could not leave us on a note of sorrow. He must bring our hearts back to gladness and joy at the thought of His coming again... At once John answers for the church, "Come, Lord Jesus." It is the ready reply of his heart to the Lord.
The One Who Testifies
That warning and its penalty come from Christ Himself. Here He names Himself as the One who testifies.
Frederick W GrantThis announcement of penalty is Christ's own word: "He who testifies these things says, 'Surely, I come quickly.'" When His Word is treated this way, may we not expect Himself more than ever? When people invalidate and deny the testimony of Scripture, is that not when we may most expect the Faithful and True Witness to testify in person?
What "Quickly" Means
Older translations read "quickly" here, where the ESV reads "soon." Two thousand years have passed, so the word raises a question.
F. B. HolePerhaps we have taken this word too much as a matter of time and centuries. Its main meaning here may be swiftness — no gradual unfolding when He comes, but swift as a flash of lightning! When He comes, He will bring everything to a triumphant conclusion.
Another writer weighs the wait against God's own reckoning.
Walter Scott"Quickly" He comes. Ah, it seems long. But by God's reckoning the Lord has not been away quite two full days (2 Peter 3:8). "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise."
Nothing but Himself
Earlier in this chapter the same promise came with something attached. This one comes bare.
J. G. Bellett"Surely, I come quickly," is again the word (v. 20). This is a simple promise. It is neither a warning nor an encouragement. Nothing comes with it, as in the other cases. It is simply a promise to bring Himself with Him on His coming again. But it is the highest and the dearest thing. The heart may be silent before a warning and before an encouragement... But this promise of the simple personal return of Christ gets its answer from the saints.
The Answering "Amen"
The Lord speaks first, and the church answers with a word of its own.
Walter ScottThe Yea and Amen, Greek and Hebrew affirmatives, are united in the introduction to the book (Rev. 1:7). Here they are separated. The Lord assures us that His Coming is certain: "Yea, I come." The Church rejoices that His word never changes: "Amen; come."
Notice also where this answer falls in the whole span of Scripture.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinIt is the last time our Lord speaks from heaven. The next time His voice sounds will be on the day He descends out of heaven with a shout... It is the Church which answers His positive and certain announcement. It is the last word recorded in the Bible coming from the lips of man.
Why He Says It
The promise is not just information. Love is behind it.
J T MawsonIt is as though He said, Nothing will satisfy Me until I have you with Myself. It is His love that makes Him say that, and so we must read words like that not with the head but with the heart... From the heavens there sounds this great "Amen," and then, "Even so, come Lord Jesus."
Waiting for It Today
The promise shapes how a believer lives only if it stays undated in the mind.
J. N. DarbyThe Lord considers it important that His people should always expect it as a present thing, and wish for it as a present thing. I say expecting it as a present thing, not knowing when it will come... Now, if we knew for certain that it must be two or three thousand years off, would that not affect this state of mind?
Summary
- He speaks. The last voice from heaven in Scripture is Christ's own, and He refuses to leave His people on a note of warning.
- He promises Himself. Earlier announcements came with something attached. This one offers only Himself, and that is what reaches the heart.
- He comes quickly. The word may point to speed — not a slow unfolding, but action swift as lightning. By God's reckoning He has not been away two days.
- We answer Amen. His "Yea" and our "Amen" are the same word; the closing prayer is the last thing a human being says in the Bible.
- We wait today. A promise pushed off for centuries shapes nobody. Held as today's hope, it turns the Bible's last page into a prayer.