Watch the Devotion
Based on Revelation 22:12a, 13-14
I Am Coming Soon
He was scheduled to come back into his home port of San Diego the final week in October. He had even arranged a special base pass for me so that I could be there on the dock when his shipped rolled in. Here it is . . . November 21. He’s still underway. I’m hoping that I’ll see him for Christmas, but even that is questionable.
Not that long ago, 6-month deployments used to be 12-month deployments. Even due to OPTEMPO, the actions of near-peer competitors, and a whole host of other factors, redeployment back home rarely is on time. This creates strain in marriages, disappointment for family members and friends, and frustration. People say things like, “You said you were coming back soon . . .” It’s hard waiting. It’s hard to practice patience in those situations.
It reminds me of someone who is kind of important in my life and I’m guessing in yours too—someone who said that he was coming soon to visit me and you and the whole world in order to bring us home, to our eternal home.
In the apostle John’s revelation of Jesus Christ, our Lord makes this promise: “Look, I am coming soon! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:12a, 13-14).
Jesus said those words almost 2,000 years ago. When he says, “I am coming soon,” it moves us to ask, “What is soon for you, dear Jesus? It’s been quite some time for us here on earth.” The waiting and practicing patience—this is hard for us who have same-day delivery and expect our cheeseburger to be ready when we roll up to the drive-through window.
When Jesus refers to himself as the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, we begin to see that first of all, he is the eternal present. He is not bound by space or time. When he spoke those words, it was as if he had already made good on that promise. And so, when Jesus says, “I am coming soon,” it’s as good as done. Trust him that he will do what he promises you.
When he comes again—and he will—he will bring us through the gates of the city, the holy city, the new Jerusalem, heaven itself. The special pass he gives you even now is that robe that has been washed in his blood, through the waters of your baptism. You have this special pass right now to get into heaven. So wait. Be patient. Trust his promise. He will come again. He will come soon for you, just as he promised, and what an amazing homecoming that will be for us.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, come quickly, as you promised, and bring us home to be with you, where we will wait no more for anything. Keep us patient and diligent in the reading, studying, and sharing of your lifegiving words so that we are ready when you come for us. You know those who are waiting for their loved ones to redeploy. You know the deployment schedules and for whatever reason you in your infinite wisdom sometimes allow them to delay. Remind us all that our times are in your hands. Bring our loved ones home from deployment safely, in your time and in your way. Amen.
Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.
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