Theme: Amen and Amen
This week’s lessons bring these studies on the glorious doctrine of God’s grace to a fitting conclusion, looking at the last benediction of grace in the Bible.
Scripture: Revelation 22:21
So we come to the end, to the very last word of the very last verse of the very last book of the Bible. It is “Amen.” It means “firm,” “faithful,” or “true.” When uttered as a response to some declaration it means “so let it be.” In the New Testament “amen” is found in 127 verses, but in many of these it occurs twice because Jesus frequently prefaced his teaching with the repeated words, “Amen, amen, I say to you.” The King James Version translates this as “Verily, verily.” Other versions say, “Truly, truly” (NASB) or “I tell you the truth” (NIV). In any case, it is a declaration by Jesus that what he is about to utter is the very truth of God.
But here is the interesting thing. In 76 verses, the word “amen” occurs at the beginning of a sentence. In 48 verses it is found at the end. And it is always God who uses the word at the beginning, and it always man who uses it at the end. In other words, God says, “I solemnly affirm that what I am about to say is truthful. You may stake your life upon it.” We who hear him speak respond by adding our “amen” to his saying. It means, “We believe what you are saying and are prepared to act on it.” So, do we? Do you? Can you say your “amen” to the doctrines of grace we have been studying?
We have learned that although “the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Can you say “Amen” to that? Have you found Jesus to be the very embodiment as well as the only true source of grace and truth? Like Peter, can you say to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68)?
We have learned in these studies that salvation is by grace alone. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9). Have you said your “Amen” to that? Have you acknowledged that you have nothing to offer God in your natural, sinful state and that you can never be saved by your own good works or good intentions, that salvation is by grace alone? That is the very minimum of belief to be a Christian. It is the place to start, if you have never done so earlier.
We have seen that justification also comes by the grace of God alone, because “there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:22-24).
We have seen that grace has brought us into a new standing before God (Rom. 5:2), that grace is triumphant and abounding (Rom. 5:20, 21), that we can be strong in grace (2 Tim. 2:1), that the grace of God will be sufficient for us regardless of any specific burdens or hardships we may be given to bear by God (2 Cor. 12:9), that we may approach the throne of God’s grace confidently in prayer (Heb. 4:16), and that “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Pet. 5:10).
These are all great truths, the very greatest of truths. Can you say your “Amen” to them? God has already spoken his “Amen.” He tells you that you can count on his amazing grace now and always. Let your heart echo, “Amen and amen.”
Study Questions:
What does the word “amen” mean?
What is the significance of “amen” being found at the beginning or end of a sentence?
Key Point: These are all great truths, the very greatest of truths. Can you say your “Amen” to them? God has already spoken his “Amen.” He tells you that you can count on his amazing grace now and always. Let your heart echo, “Amen and amen.”
Further Study: To learn more about God’s overwhelming grace, download the free audio message, “Grace Abounding” by James Boice. (Discount will be applied at checkout.)
