Christmas was never meant to be the end of the story—it was the beginning. The manger was not the conclusion; it was the introduction.

OPENING SCRIPTURES:

“Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation 22:7 NIV)

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me” (Revelation 22:12 NIV)

“Surely I am coming quickly.” (Revelation 22:20 NIV)

• Jesus repeats Himself here 3 times for:

1. For emphasis – What God repeats, He wants remembered
2. For assurance – So believers would not lose hope
3. For urgency – So we would live ready, not careless

Repetition is God’s way of underlining truth.

• “Quickly” does not mean immediately, but: Suddenly, Unexpectedly, Certainly
• This is certain. This is important. And you need to live ready.

#1: Live in Watchful Obedience

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who KEEPS the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:7 NKJ)

• The word “keeps” does not mean simply reading or knowing, but it means: to guard, to treasure, to obey.
• Stay faithful, Press on through the hard times, Worship Christ alone, Refuse to compromise

WATCH therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42 NKJ)

• Living watchfully: guarding our spiritual lives, avoiding procrastination, living consistently and not conditionally.

#2: Live with Eternal Purpose

Jesus reminds us that His return is not only an event to anticipate—but a moment of accountability and reward.

And behold, I am coming quickly, and MY REWARD is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Revelation 22:12 NKJ)

• This means: God sees every act of faithfulness; Nothing done for Christ is ever forgotten.
• The word reward does not point to salvation, but to recognition and responsibility in eternity.
• Salvation is a gift of grace; rewards are expressions of God’s justice and faithfulness

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJ)

• The judgment seat (bēma) is not a place of condemnation, but of evaluation and reward—like an awards platform at the end of a race.
• This judgment seat is not about salvation, that was settled at the cross.
• This judgment seat is about stewardship, faithfulness, and obedience.

#3: Live with Hopeful Anticipation

The final response of the church is not fear nor pressure—but hope.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly”. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21 NKJ)

• These are the last words we can read in the Bible. It contains Christ’s final promise and the church’s final response

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJ)

• The word looking implies: anticipation, focus, and direction.
• The blessed hope is a confident expectation.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?