The Eschatological Gospel – Come!

The gospel is exceedingly personal. It is God’s invitation card. Jesus stated, “Come unto Me!” Mankind is helpless in a lost condition at enmity with God (Romans 8:7; Eph. 2:15). Yet, in Christ Jesus, there is a personal invitation and divine rescue from sin provided for in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus stated clearly, “Come unto Me, all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Scripture declares, “Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The gospel is also eschatologically prophetic. Okay, you may stumble on this. “Eschatologically prophetic?!” Yes. God alone can remedy the sin problem. In the instance of “original sin,” committed by Adam and Eve’s disobedience and deception, in grace, God prophetically promised His remedy for sin when stating that enmity, curse, and toil would mark all human and spiritual relationships, only remedied in Christ Jesus (Genesis 3:15-21; cf. Romans 16:20).

The gospel looks back to mankind’s rebellion and forward to the full accomplishment of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone. Jesus stated unequivocally, “Come unto Me,” for the sole remedy of the sin-sickened soul, for He alone is the “I Am, the way, the truth and the life.” Declaring, “No man comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). This is the same unaltering and unalterable message established and proclaimed by Christ from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation.

This brings us to the eschatological aspect of the gospel. In Revelation 22, Jesus again declares the divine invitation to the divine provision, exclusively in Himself. Through the Holy Spirit, the sovereign Savior from glory proclaims His clarion call again, “Come unto Me.” The eschatological evangelistic invitation of Jesus Christ is personal, priceless, and prophetic. Revelation 22:12-21, in outlined form, unfolds as follows:

It is Personal…yet exclusively from Jesus Christ alone as sovereign Savior and judge.

12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. ~ Revelation 22:12-15

It is Priceless…yet exceedingly precious at the cost of Christ’s sacrifice alone (1 Peter 1:19).

16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.~ Revelation 22:16-19

It is Prophetic…yet urgent by Christ’s imminent return (Luke 19:9-10; 2 Corinthians 6:2)

20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.~ Revelation 22:20-21

All Scripture references are from the New American Standard, 1995, The Lockman Foundation. All Rights Reserved.