Revelation 22:12; And, Behold, I Come Quickly (1)

Posted on Posted in Devotions Tagged with , ,

Revelation 22:12 (KJV)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

The substance of the statement of v12 reflects that Christ has suddenly begun speaking (Swete). This resembles the words introduced parenthetically at v7, but this time He apparently continues to speak through the end of v19.

An asyndeton beginning v12 emphasises the fixity of spiritual states just outlined in v11. The verse dwells on the fact that the two possible outcomes in v11. The verse dwells on the fact that the two possible outcomes in v11 depend on what a man has done in this present life – And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

As He has done in v7, Jesus promises His impending return in the words “Behold, I come quickly”.

This time, however, instead of promising a blessing as He did in v7 (cf. Revelation 16:5 also).

Revelation 16:5 (KJV)  And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 

He promises a judgment that will differentiate between the evil and the righteous (Beasley-Murray). He is coming as a rewarder in both a positive and a negative sense. When he uses “my”, He does so with the idea of the reward that it belongs to Me to give (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 11:6) (Swete).

2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

The allusion of my reward is with Me is Isaiah 40:10; 62:11.

Isaiah 40:10 (KJV)  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 

Isaiah 62:11 (KJV)  Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 504-505]