Revelation 22:20-21 (ESV Strong's)
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Truth: Christ's return with judgement is an act of His Grace.
In the last chapters of the Book of the Revelation we have the final judgment on man, Angels and Satan himself. God is going to judge them for their rejection of His Son and the Son will be the one who does the judging (along with the Saints who believe in Christ). The torment that will be inflicted upon man is hard to read. If we believe it to be true we can't help but think of our loved ones who have rejected Christ and stand to be inflicted by God's wrath. Yet, John ends the book by saying He is coming soon and "grace" be on all. There are some difficulties with the text in regard to who the grace is spoken to. Some translate it "all" as in "all mankind" and others translate it "all" as in "all believers." (The issue with the interpretation of "all mankind" is argued that all mankind are not receiving grace ... Just read the way God's wrath is being poured out on them.). The key to understanding the phrase however, is to realize the God's wrath is an expression of God's grace. It is grace that defeats evil. It is God's grace that carries fourth judgement. If God were not to carry forth judgement the world would destroy itself with evil. If God were to allow evil to prevail, that is not a gracious act. So, God's judgement is an act of His grace. When a father punishes a child (for the own good), it is an act of grace. Christ is coming to defeat evil and to rule in perfect grace. That includes His perfect judgment.
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