BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY!
by David Hocking
Scripture: Revelation 22:6-21
Introduction:
The words “I come quickly” are found in Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20. We also have the words “I will come on thee as a thief” in Revelation 3:3 and “Behold, I come as a thief” in Revelation 16:16. II Peter 3:10 also says: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” The Apostle Paul added in I Thessalonians 5:2: “the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” The idea of coming “quickly” is that which is sudden, soon, and surprising! No time for additional preparation!
There are eight grammatical forms of the word translated “quickly.” The noun tachos refers to speed or quickness and is only used with the preposition en – and speaks of that which is of short duration, or soon, or suddenly – used in Revelation 1:1 and 22:6 – translated often in the King James Bible with the word “shortly.” This noun form is found 7 times in the New Testament.
Two forms of the word are used as adjectives: the word tachos found once in James 1:19 – “let every man be swift to hear” and the word tachinos which is used twice in II Peter 1:14 and 2:1.
Five forms of the word are used as adverbs. The word tachu used 11 times and in Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:7, 12, 20. The word tacha is found twice in Romans 5:7 and Philemon 1:15.
The word tacheos is found 10 times in the NT; the word tachion is used 5 times and is a comparative form of the words meaning “more quickly” as in Hebrews 13:19, 23. The final form of the word is tachista and is a superlative of the other words meaning the “quickest” or the “soonest possible” and is found once in Acts 17:15 and translated in English as “with all speed.”
These eight forms of a Greek word are used 39 times in the New Testament and refer to speed, suddenness, and surprise.
1A. THE IMPACT OF THE BOOK – Revelation 22:6-9
1B. The RELIABILITY of its message – “These sayings are faithful and true” – cf. 21:6
2B. The RESPONSE we should give to its message – “keepeth the sayings of the
prophecy of this book”
3B. The REACTION of John – “I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel
which shewed me these things”
4B. The REBUKE of the angel – “See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God!”
2A. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK – Revelation 22:10-15
1B. It reveals the CLIMAX of God’s plan of the ages – vv. 10-11
NOTE: The words “seal not” remind us of Daniel 8:26; 12:4, 8-10.
1C. Notice that any desired CHANGES in the eternal state of believers and non-believers is impossible! (marked by the simple word “still”)
2C. Notice the enormous CONTRAST in
the destiny of believers and non-believers – “filthy” vs. “righteous” and “holy.”
2B. It reveals the COMING of Yeshua HaMashiach – v. 12
3B. It reveals the Divine CHARACTER of our Lord Yeshua – v. 13
4B. It reveals the CONSEQUENCES of the gospel – vv. 14-15
3A. THE FINAL INVITATION OF THE BOOK – Revelation 22:16-21
1B. The PERSON from Whom the invitation
comes – v. 16 – “I Yeshua (Jesus)…”
1C. He is the ROOT of David – Psalm
132:11-12; Isaiah 11:1; 53:2
2C. He is the STAR of Bible prophecy –
Numbers 24:17-19; Revelation 2:28
2B. The PEOPLE who give the invitation –
v. 17a – “the Spirit and the bride”
3B. The PREREQUISITE in this invitation – v. 17b – “him that is athirst” and “whosoever will”
4B. The PROMISE of this invitation – v. 17c – “the water of life”
5B. The PRICE of this invitation – v. 17d – “freely”
NOTE: The word “freely” is a translation of the Greek word dorean. Its usage in John 15:25 translates as “without a cause.” It makes an interesting point in connection with our justification as in Romans 3:24.
6B. The PUNISHMENT for rejecting the invitation – vv. 18-19
7B. The PROPHECY that makes this invitation so important – v. 20
1C. It is an EVENT that will happen quickly!
2C. It is the EXPECTATION of every believer!
“Even so, come, Lord Yeshua!”
