Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Mar. 16, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE FINAL WORDS OF JESUS TO MANKIND

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Genesis 49:1, 28-33

Text: Genesis 49:33

Genesis 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

Introduction: In our scripture reading for this morning’s message we find a solemn scene. Jacob was about to die, and he gathered the family together so that he could speak to them one final time. These words have been preserved for all time and eternity in the Bible, the word of God. I am sure that Jacob’s sons cherished those final words of their father, part of which were prophecy, and part of which were burial instructions.

The final word of a man before he dies is His LAST will and testament. The latest will is the most authoritative will, for it is the man’s FINAL words. An argument that is supposed to settle a case is said to be the “final word” on the subject.

So, one’s final words are important.

They settle disputes.
They are saved by those who are loved ones.

This morning’s message is titled

THE FINAL WORDS OF JESUS TO MANKIND

If the final words of a man are important, used to settle arguments and saved by the loved ones, what were the final words of the Lord Jesus Christ?

There were seven different statements by our Lord on the cross before He died. They are sometimes referred to as the Lord’s last sayings or last words. Actually, they were NOT our Lord’s last words to mankind, because the Lord didn’t stay dead! He died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, but He rose again the third day according to the scriptures! Those 7 words from the cross were not His final words to mankind.

Jesus spoke with His disciples for 40 days after His resurrection. He spoke of things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and He told them to wait for the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Then before their eyes, He ascended up by a cloud into heaven

However, those were not His final words to mankind. In the book of Acts we find that the Lord spoke directly to Paul, to Ananias, and to Peter. Even those were not His final words, for later, on a lonely isle of Patmos, Jesus spoke to John. What He said to John was written in the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. The FINAL words of our Lord are found in that final book of the Bible, in the final chapter … where we read:

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

SURELY, I COME QUICKLY.

Those are the final words of Jesus to mankind.

I. THOSE WORDS ARE A SURE PROMISE

“Surely”

Christ’s promise to return are as sure as:

A. His death and resurrection

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

B. His departure from this earth

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

C. The dual witnesses at His ascension

Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

D. The declarations of the New Testament – MANY

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

II. THOSE WORDS ARE ABOUT A SPECIFIC PERSON

“I”

JESUS HIMSELF is coming again!

A. He sent the Spirit of God as our Comforter, but He is coming back personally!

B. He sends the saints of God with the message of reconciliation, but He is coming back personally!

Notice, “the Lord HIMSELF” —

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Notice, “this SAME Jesus” —

Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

III. THOSE WORDS ARE ABOUT A SWEET PROSPECT

“COME”

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

A. He will come in the air to call His body and bride home

B. He will come to correct and cleanse

C. He will come to conquer and rule the world for 1,000 years

IV. THOSE WORDS ARE ABOUT A SWIFT PERFORMANCE

“QUICKLY”

This is not just a reference to the NEARNESS of His coming, but that His coming is

A. Instantaneous

B. Important

C. Imminent

What wonderful FINAL words of the Lord Jesus Christ:

BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY!

Let us save this words in our hearts!
Let us settle arguments with these words!
Let us speak these words to one another in comfort and exhortation!