Behold, I Come Quickly, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye

There is a kind of excitement that overwhelms us whenever we hear or know that a loved one is visiting soon. How we always wish that such a day will come quicker. One’s mind will just be going over all the things you anticipate will happen, even when the person had not arrived.

As the ministry of Jesus was coming to an end, He began to let His disciples know that He will soon depart. This was not good news to them. But in John 14:1-3, Jesus gave them a word they could rejoice about. This became the disciples’ source of faith, hope, joy and strength.

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2″In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

As time progresses, many of the disciples began to die, many through martyrdom and few through natural causes, yet the promise of Christ coming back had not happen. So, Jesus revealed to John the beloved that He will be coming, even quickly.

As believers, we are still waiting for this promise, knowing fully well that the thought and the way of God are different from ours. So His timing will obviously be different. But if God says He will come, be sure He will. If He says quickly, we better believe that as well.

Jesus statement was ‘Behold, I come quickly’.

Behold would mean, ‘see, observe, view, watch, etc. (something or someone, especially that which is remarkable or impressive).

‘I come’ is an unusual word to express the urgency of visit. People visiting will say ‘I am coming’, but they may later change their mind. For Christian not to think like that, Jesus said ‘I come’. Jesus has come for your rescue.

He also gave them an understanding to Whom He is that has come. The Alpha and Omega; the First and Last; the Beginning and the End. That tells us that He knew what has happened before and He know what will be in the future. So that tells us that He knows what is going on now.

Quickly would mean at a fast speed, rapidly, swiftly. May God visit you quicker than you think in Jesus name.

In John 11:1-7, the sisters of Lazarus were expecting Jesus to visit them soon as their brother was gravely sick, but Jesus not only stayed 2 days more where He was, but even travelled further away!

Jesus must have tarried for a number of reasons, one of which was to aid the disciples believe (verse 14-15). Are you going through certain hard stuffs, it could be that God wants to help you believe more. Whatever it is, will not be unto death in Jesus name. But for Jesus to be glorified.

So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.

You know, sometimes we think we know much about God, but we don’t. The disciples had been with Jesus for about three years around this time, yet Jesus said He was not going to heal Lazarus straightaway to aid them believing more. But how, I asked? So I consider their statement in verse 13-16. When Jesus already said the sickness is not unto death.

Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.

How can you die with someone Jesus already said its not unto death?

The disciples understood the power of Death, but not the power of Resurrection and Life. What do you understand of Jesus? Do you understand Him to be the Resurrection and Life? Do you understand He is coming quickly for you?

The Children of Israel were in Egypt for about 430 years. More than half of which must have be spent in slavery. But one day, God decided it was time to visit them (Ex. 3:7-8). The same God they thought had forgotten them said He has come.

The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. 8″So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.

God sees your state, hears your cry and know your pains. He has come down to deliver you from those who are mightier than you. He will also bring you to a large, comfortable and lovely place in Jesus name.

Jesus had to tell John three times that He is coming quickly so we can know it’s not a joke. Verse 7a, 12a, 20a show this.

Revelation 22 is the final chapter of the bible, and a summary of God’s word to us. It requires our keen attention. It is similar to Eccl 12:12-14.

Note that whenever God visits, it is usually for two reasons:

It is to give rewards for His own.

It is to give judgement for those who are not His own.

(Rev 22:11-12).

How to enjoy visitation of God

Be made righteous and be holy (Rev 22:11-12).
Don’t forget His promise (John 14:1-3).
Ask again, if you have forgotten (Gen 12:1-3; 15:2)
Confess God visitation till He comes (Rev. 22:20b).

Altar call

If you have not been made righteous and/or you are not living holy, then God visit to you will be very unpleasant. But you can make things right now.

Prayers

Heb 10:36-37

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.

Father, help me to do your will

Father, help me to persevere as I try to do Your will

Father, help me to receive what You have promised

Father, do not tarry in helping me.

Behold, I come Quickly, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye was delivered on Easter Sunday 5th April, 2015