Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20-21

A ‘mic drop’ is a figurative expression used when someone says something so powerful that nothing more needs to be said.

Think of an attorney concluding her argument with a particularly compelling point. Or a speaker finishing his presentation with such an unforgettable statement that the room is left silent.

The Bible ends with such a moment.

More accurately, it closes with a ‘mic drop’ prayer: “Come, Lord, Jesus.”

The Apostle John’s prayer is a variation of the Aramaic prayer, “Maranatha,” meaning, “Our Lord, come.” For first-century Christians, “Maranatha” wasn’t a routine, meaningless prayer. It was a lifeline amid persecution because Christians were often cut off from the local economy, harassed, beaten, and even martyred for their faith. “Come, Lord Jesus,” was a desperate cry for the Lord to rescue His people and establish His kingdom on earth.   

Notice the prayer is in response to a promise.

Immediately before John prays, Jesus makes a ‘mic drop’ declaration of His own:“Yes, I am coming soon.” Honestly, there’s a lot in Revelation I don’t understand, but I do understand that Jesus’ return will be a joyous day for God’s people and a dreadful day of judgment for non-believers. (See Revelation 2:10, 11:18, 22:12) And He could come at any moment.

That’s what “soon” means in this context: sudden, imminent, without warning. One day soon, the skies will open and Jesus will descend as the triumphant King of all creation. It will be the most magnificent, most epic mic drop in human history.

But if we think Jesus’ return pertains only to the future, we’re wrong.

Jesus’ imminent return draws a line in the sand and reveals where our loyalty lies. Either we echo John’s prayer, saying, “Yes, come, Lord Jesus,” or our hearts are exposed as being more in love with our own little kingdoms than His coming Kingdom. 

There’s no middle ground.

So, whose side are you on: yours or Jesus’?

If you belong to Jesus, then wake up from your slumber. Don’t drift through life, pretending eternity isn’t real. You’re meant to live in a way that reflects Christ, not the culture. As Theodore Epp aptly stated, “Live as if Jesus died yesterday, rose from the dead today, and is coming back tomorrow.”

You see, John’s prayer is a call to action. It beckons us to focus on what truly matters, to stay alert, and remain steadfast in the faith. It’s a rallying cry for us to get busy being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16).  

Because let’s be honest.

Our world is filled with wickedness.

Every day, we’re confronted with yet another headline about a murder, school shooting, or senseless act of violence. We wonder when it will ever end. It’s disheartening, enough to bring us to our knees.

But maybe that’s right where we need to be.

Because on our knees, we’re reminded that one day soon, evil and injustice will end.  

Today, may we echo the prayer of Christians through the ages: 

“Come, Lord Jesus.”  

“Come, right every wrong.
Come, shine Your light and overcome the darkness.
Come and conquer the enemy once and for all. 
Until that day, help us live lives that profess that
You, and You alone are our King.  
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.”

Mic drop.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Jesus is in Control Until the End” by Bryant Wright