Maranatha

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.  Amen.  (Rev. 22:20, 21)

We conclude our study of Revelation with the same words John uses to conclude his book – i.e. a prayer and a blessing.

The prayer:  “Come, Lord Jesus.”  In the original Aramaic, this phrase is one word:  Maranatha.  It was the earliest Christian prayer.  It had a two-fold meaning or application:

1. It was a prayer that Jesus would indeed come (return) quickly to gather up His people, deliver them from the difficulties of life, and bring to consummation God’s full plan of redemption.
2. It was a prayer before Holy Communion.  John’s words were read/spoken in worship.  It is believed that as a part of the liturgy these words/this prayer was prayed just prior to receiving the elements of Holy Communion.  Thus, the prayer was:  Come, Lord Jesus and be present in this bread and cup, this holy meal, indeed made holy by your very presence.

Might I suggest that, if you don’t currently have a table grace that you use, or if you do, that you add this one to your choices:  “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed.  Amen.”  In so praying, we are doing two things: (1) sharing in the experience of the earliest church and (2) acknowledging Christ’s presence in your mealtime fellowship, making each meal a holy meal.

The blessing:  “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.  Amen.”

It’s been a joy to be on this journey through Revelation with you.  Amen.