There’s a moment at the end of a great play when the author walks onstage. The curtain’s drawn, the story complete, and now the playwright himself steps into the light, reminding us that everything we’ve just witnessed came from his mind, his hands. As C.S. Lewis once reflected, that’s how you know the play is over—the author appears.
And in the final pages of Revelation, we find just that: the Author of history stepping onto the stage.
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12–13)
Jesus—our risen Lord—doesn’t just pen the introduction or write the final chapter. He is the story. Every word, every letter. Alpha to Omega. The first and the last. He is the Author, and He has a word for us.
The Reality of the Story We’re In
We live in a time that’s lost its story. Modern philosophy—rooted in Descartes’ “I think, therefore I am”—has shifted our focus inward. And that’s led to what we now call deconstructionism: the belief that there is no grand story, no meta-narrative, no Alpha and Omega. Everyone has “their truth,” but few are asking what’s true.
The result? Confusion. Division. Tribalism. One story pitted against another, each competing for dominance. But Revelation reminds us that there is a story—one written from the foundation of the world. And it’s not ours to edit.
Jesus says, “I am coming soon.” Whether we embrace the story or try to rewrite it, the Author will return—and He will hold us accountable. Not to punish, but to set things right. To bring clarity. To heal what’s broken.
Two Responses
On that day, there will be two responses to the Author’s appearing.
One is found in those who have “washed their robes”—a symbol of redemption, of sinners made clean through the blood of Christ. These are the ones who will eat from the tree of life and enter the city by its gates.
But there’s another group. It’s a sobering image: “Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:15)
This verse often gets left out. It’s uncomfortable. It’s not “nice.” But it’s honest—and necessary. Because the love of God tells the truth. And that truth is this: either you let Jesus wash your sins, or you choose to carry them yourself.
Lady Macbeth once cried out, “Out, damn’d spot!” as she imagined blood on her hands from her guilt. But no matter how much she scrubbed, the stain remained. Shakespeare, like the prophets, understood something deeply human: we all want to be clean, but we cannot cleanse ourselves.
Only Jesus can.
Don’t Change the Story
The final warning of Scripture is a plea: don’t add to these words, and don’t take away from them. Yet how often do we do just that? We add extra writings. Or we delete the difficult parts. We want a god who sounds more like us—more tolerant, more relaxed, less demanding.
But that isn’t the Author. That’s a counterfeit.
The real Author offers not just judgment but grace. “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17) This invitation—wide open and full of mercy—is spoken by both the Spirit and the Bride (the Church). It’s not exclusive. It’s not narrow. It’s generous. And it’s for you.
No matter your story, Jesus wants to redeem it. He wants to write you into His story—one of cleansing, restoration, and purpose.
One Prayer, One People
In His final prayer before the cross, Jesus prayed for us:
“That they may all be one… I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20–23)
Our unity as believers isn’t based on preference or personality. It’s grounded in truth. When we cling to the Author’s story, we become living witnesses to the world—a people marked not by confusion, but by conviction and grace.
The final words of the Bible are not threats. They’re promises.
“Surely I am coming soon.”
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
That’s the heart of the gospel. A warning and a welcome. A righteous Judge and a loving Savior. A story that invites us in, just as we are—and transforms us.
Blessed are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
