THEIR FINAL WORDS - WHAT THEY WANTED US TO REMEMBER

THE HEART REVEALED IN THE FAREWELL

When someone knows they're saying goodbye—whether temporarily or permanently—they don't waste words on trivialities. Jesus wrote through the New Testament authors, and each one of them pinned their farewell, their most important message to remember.

The FINAL WORDS speak what matters MOST.

In each NT book or letter, the FINAL paragraph is where JESUS’ HEART is fully revealed by the author, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Prophecy.

The FINAL words are what JESUS wants you and me to HEAR and remember.

"For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

Think about it: If you knew you were writing your last letter, your final message, your closing testimony—what would you say?

You wouldn't ramble about secondary issues.

You wouldn't fill space with pleasantries.

You would distill EVERYTHING down to the CORE MESSAGE—the one thing you most desperately need them to understand, believe, and live by.

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)

This is precisely what we find in the New Testament.

Twenty-seven books.

Twenty-seven authors (or collections of authors).

Twenty-seven FINAL PARAGRAPHS.

And in those closing words—those last breaths on parchment—a unified message emerges that the modern church has almost completely overlooked.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2)

Like archaeologists carefully brushing away centuries of dust to reveal ancient treasures, we're going to excavate the final paragraphs of every New Testament book, looking for the CORE MESSAGE that runs through them all.

We're not imposing our theology.

We're not cherry-picking verses.

We're simply asking: What did each author emphasize at the END of each letter or book?

What was so important that they saved it for their FINAL WORDS?

"The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting." (Psalm 119:160)

The answer will shock you.

The pattern will amaze you.

The message will transform you.

Because hidden in plain sight—in the closing benedictions, the final doxologies, the last exhortations—is a unified proclamation that reveals what the New Testament is REALLY about.

THE QUESTION THAT STARTED IT ALL

Consider this: What did Jesus teach about, mainly?

Himself? NOPE!

His mission? NOPE!

His purpose? NOPE!

Jesus' main purpose is, was, and always will be about His Father’s Business—which is our Father's DELIGHT, PLEASURE, and perfect Will–which is clearly His Father's Kingdom, where His Father, our Father, has restored PEACE, making HIS JOY FULL in us.

"To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)

For FORTY DAYS after His resurrection, Jesus taught about ONE THING:

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Not church growth strategies.

Not self-help principles.

Not prosperity formulas.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

This was and is Jesus' ONLY PRIORITY.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

And if that was Jesus' primary message AFTER the resurrection—during those precious final days with His disciples—shouldn't we expect to find that same message woven throughout the closing words of every New Testament book?

The answer is: YES.

And we do.

THE LORD'S PRAYER: THE BLUEPRINT

Jesus gave us the pattern for all prayer, all theology, all Kingdom living:

"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'" (Matthew 6:9-10)

Notice the PRIORITY:

FATHER (addressing the King)

HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME (Father's glory)

YOUR KINGDOM COME (Father's Kingdom)

YOUR WILL BE DONE (Father's will)

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN (Father's reign extended)

Everything is about:

The FATHER
The FATHER'S name
The FATHER'S Kingdom
The FATHER'S will
The FATHER'S glory

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." (Matthew 7:21)

Jesus consistently pointed to THE FATHER.

JESUS' FINAL PRAYER: ALL FOR THE FATHER'S GLORY

Before the cross, Jesus prayed one final prayer. Listen to His heart:

"Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You." (John 17:1)

"I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do." (John 17:4)

"Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." (John 17:5)

"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24)

Even Jesus' glorification is FOR THE PURPOSE of glorifying THE FATHER.

The SON'S glory points to THE FATHER'S glory.

THE KINGDOM is THE FATHER'S KINGDOM, ruled by THE SON, empowered by THE SPIRIT, for THE FATHER'S GLORY.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)

THE DISCOVERY AHEAD

In this archaeological excavation of the New Testament's final paragraphs, you will discover:

1. THE KINGDOM IS THE CENTRAL MESSAGE

Not salvation as an END in itself, but salvation INTO THE KINGDOM.

Not grace as an ESCAPE from hell, but grace as ENTRY into the Kingdom.

Not peace as COMFORT only, but peace as KINGDOM REALITY.

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17)

2. THE FATHER'S GLORY IS THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE

Everything—EVERYTHING—is designed to bring glory to GOD THE FATHER.

"just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6)

Three times in Ephesians 1, Paul declares: "to the praise of the glory of His grace" (v. 6), "to the praise of His glory" (v. 12), "to the praise of His glory" (v. 14).

3. GRACE THROUGH THE SPIRIT IS THE METHOD

The Kingdom doesn't come by human effort.

It comes BY GRACE.

It operates THROUGH THE SPIRIT.

It works IN THE INNER MAN (spirit).

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:11-13)

4. WE ARE BEING ESTABLISHED/PERFECTED FOR SOMETHING

God is PREPARING us.

Establishing us.

Perfecting us.

Completing us.

Equipping us.

FOR WHAT?

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

For THE COMING OF THE LORD.

For THE KINGDOM.

For REIGNING WITH CHRIST.

For STANDING BLAMELESS IN HIS GLORY.

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

5. THE KING IS COMING - MARANATHA!

The cry of the early church: MARANATHA!

"If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha!" (1 Corinthians 16:22)

The closing of Scripture: "Come, Lord Jesus!"

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." (Revelation 22:20-21)

This is not ESCAPISM.

This is KINGDOM LONGING.

The Bride crying out for the Bridegroom.

The sons are crying out for the Father's Kingdom.

Creation groans for the revealing of the sons of God.

"For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God... For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:19, 22-23)

ALL pointing to ONE EVENT:

THE APPEARING OF THE KING.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM.

THE TRANSFER OF ALL DOMINION TO THE SAINTS.

THE GLORY OF GOD FILLING ALL CREATION.

THE EXTREME IMPORTANCE OF JOHN 1:1, 14-17 IN THE CONTEXT OF "THE FINAL WORDS"

THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING

In the context of excavating the final paragraphs of the New Testament to discover what the apostles wanted us to remember MOST, John 1:1, 14-17 provides the THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION for understanding WHY every closing paragraph points to the same unified message: THE KINGDOM, THE FATHER'S GLORY, and GRACE.

Let's break this down systematically:

JOHN 1:1 - THE ETERNAL WORD

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

Why This Matters for "The Final Words":

JESUS IS THE LIVING SCRIPTURE

When the New Testament authors close their letters by pointing us back to "the Word," they're not just referring to written Scripture—they're pointing us to JESUS HIMSELF, THE LIVING WORD.

Every final paragraph that emphasizes:

"Guard what has been entrusted to you" (1 Timothy)
"The word of prophecy" (Revelation)
"Preaching the kingdom of God" (Acts)
"The mystery now revealed" (Romans)

...is ultimately pointing to JESUS, THE WORD INCARNATE.

"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." (Colossians 2:9)

THE WORD WAS WITH GOD = JESUS ETERNALLY WITH THE FATHER

This establishes that Jesus' entire mission—emphasized in every closing paragraph—is about THE FATHER.

When Jesus says in John 17:5, "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was," He's referencing this eternal relationship.

EVERY FINAL PARAGRAPH THAT SAYS "TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER" is pointing back to this eternal reality: The Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God.

The Son's glory IS the Father's glory.

The Kingdom IS the Father's Kingdom ruled by the Son.

THE WORD WAS GOD = JESUS IS FULLY DIVINE

This means that when the final paragraphs cry out:

"Maranatha!" (1 Corinthians)
"Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation)
"At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians)

...they are crying out for GOD HIMSELF to return and establish His Kingdom.

The King who is coming is not just a man.

He is THE WORD WHO IS GOD.

"looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13)

JOHN 1:14 - THE WORD BECAME FLESH

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Why This Is CRITICAL for Understanding "The Final Words":

THE WORD BECAME FLESH = THE KINGDOM HAS COME

This is the INCARNATION—the moment when the eternal God entered time and space to establish His Kingdom on earth.

When Acts closes with Paul "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28:31), it's because THE KINGDOM ARRIVED IN THE PERSON OF JESUS, THE WORD MADE FLESH.

"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matthew 12:28)

The final paragraphs aren't pointing to some abstract theological concept.

They're pointing to A PERSON—JESUS, THE WORD MADE FLESH, WHO IS THE KINGDOM INCARNATE.

DWELT AMONG US = EDEN RESTORED

The Greek word for "dwelt" is (eskenosen) — literally "tabernacled" or "pitched His tent."

This is EDEN LANGUAGE.

God walked with Adam in the Garden.

God dwelt with Israel in the Tabernacle.

God TABERNACLED with us in Jesus.

And the final paragraphs point forward to the ultimate fulfillment:

"Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them." (Revelation 21:3)

EVERY FINAL PARAGRAPH POINTING TO "THE COMING OF THE LORD" IS POINTING TO EDEN RESTORED—GOD DWELLING WITH HIS PEOPLE FOREVER.

This is why "DO NOT BET AGAINST GOD—EDEN IS THE PLAN" is so critical.

The Word became flesh to RESTORE EDEN.

The Word will return in glory to COMPLETE EDEN.

WE SAW HIS GLORY = THE FATHER'S GLORY REVEALED

When the final paragraphs say:

"To Him be the glory forever" (Romans 16:27)

"To the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:6)

"To Him be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority" (Jude 25)

"Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13)

...they are pointing back to this moment: "We saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father."

THE SON'S GLORY IS THE FATHER'S GLORY MADE VISIBLE.

"He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature." (Hebrews 1:3)

When Jesus returns, we will see THE FULL GLORY OF GOD filling the entire earth—just as we saw a glimpse of it when the Word became flesh.

FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH = THE METHOD OF THE KINGDOM

This is WHY GRACE APPEARS IN ALMOST EVERY FINAL PARAGRAPH.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (1 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, etc.)

"The God of all grace" (1 Peter)

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord" (2 Peter)

"Grace be with you all" (Hebrews, Titus, Revelation)

Because THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH WAS FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.

The Kingdom comes by GRACE.

Transformation happens by GRACE.

Sanctification is completed by GRACE.

The coming of the Lord is prepared for by GRACE.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:11-13)

GRACE IS NOT JUST A DOCTRINE—IT'S THE NATURE OF THE WORD MADE FLESH.

JOHN 1:15-17 - GRACE UPON GRACE FOR THE FATHER'S GLORY

"John testified about Him and cried out, saying, 'This was He of whom I said, "He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me."' For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." (John 1:15-17)

Why This Completes the Picture:

OF HIS FULLNESS WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED

This explains why the final paragraphs emphasize that GOD IS DOING THE WORK:

"Now to Him who is able to establish you" (Romans 16:25)

"The God of all grace...will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10)

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely" (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling" (Jude 24)

"Equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight" (Hebrews 13:21)

WE RECEIVE FROM HIS FULLNESS.

We don't work to achieve.

We don't strive to earn.

We RECEIVE from the fullness of the Word made flesh.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

GRACE UPON GRACE

This is the ABUNDANCE OF GRACE theme that runs through the final paragraphs.

Not just grace—GRACE UPON GRACE.

Not just enough to save—ABUNDANCE OF GRACE TO REIGN.

"For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

This is TRAINING FOR REIGNING.

This is why the final paragraphs point to:

"Kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

"Stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy" (Jude 24)

"The kingdom and priests to His God and Father" (Revelation 1:6)

GRACE UPON GRACE IS PREPARING US TO REIGN WITH CHRIST IN THE KINGDOM.

THE LAW WAS GIVEN THROUGH MOSES; GRACE AND TRUTH WERE REALIZED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

This is the OLD COVENANT vs. NEW COVENANT distinction.

The Law demanded but never helped.

Grace empowers and transforms.

When the final paragraphs warn:

"Guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter" (1 Timothy)

"Guard yourselves from idols" (1 John)

"Be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of lawless people" (2 Peter)

...they're warning us not to fall back into LAW-BASED RELIGION (like the Pharisees did) instead of living in GRACE AND TRUTH THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

"For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." (Romans 10:3)

THE ONLY BEGOTTEN GOD WHO IS IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER, HE HAS EXPLAINED HIM

THIS IS THE KEY TO EVERYTHING.

JESUS EXPLAINS THE FATHER.

When Jesus taught for 40 days about THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Acts 1:3), He was explaining THE FATHER'S KINGDOM.

When Jesus prayed, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" (Matthew 6:10), He was pointing to THE FATHER'S KINGDOM.

When Jesus said, "I glorified You on the earth" (John 17:4), He was fulfilling His mission to EXPLAIN THE FATHER.

EVERY FINAL PARAGRAPH THAT SAYS "TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER" IS ECHOING JESUS' MISSION: TO EXPLAIN AND GLORIFY THE FATHER.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.' Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, "Show us the Father"?'" (John 14:6-9)

THE SYNTHESIS: WHY JOHN 1:1, 14-17 IS FOUNDATIONAL TO "THE FINAL WORDS"

Here's how it all connects:

JESUS IS THE WORD (John 1:1): Therefore, when the final paragraphs point to "the word," "the truth," "the testimony," they're pointing to JESUS HIMSELF.

THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND WAS GOD (John 1:1): Therefore, when the final paragraphs give glory to God, they're giving glory to THE FATHER THROUGH THE SON, who is Himself God.

THE WORD BECAME FLESH (John 1:14): Therefore, THE KINGDOM HAS COME in the Person of Jesus, and the final paragraphs point forward to THE KINGDOM'S COMPLETE MANIFESTATION at His return.

AND DWELT AMONG US (John 1:14): Therefore, EDEN IS BEING RESTORED—God dwelling with His people—and the final paragraphs cry out for this restoration to be completed: "Come, Lord Jesus!"

WE SAW HIS GLORY (John 1:14): Therefore, when the final paragraphs say "to Him be the glory forever," they're pointing to THE FATHER'S GLORY REVEALED IN THE SON, which will fill the entire earth when Jesus returns.

FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH (John 1:14): Therefore, GRACE IS THE METHOD of the Kingdom, and the final paragraphs consistently close with "grace be with you" because ONLY GRACE CAN TRANSFORM US INTO HIS IMAGE AND PREPARE US FOR HIS RETURN.

OF HIS FULLNESS WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED, AND GRACE UPON GRACE (John 1:16): Therefore, the final paragraphs emphasize that GOD IS DOING THE WORK—establishing, perfecting, completing, equipping us—and we are RECEIVING FROM HIS ABUNDANCE.

GRACE AND TRUTH WERE REALIZED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (John 1:17): Therefore, the final paragraphs warn against falling back into LAW-BASED RELIGION and point us to GRACE-BASED KINGDOM LIVING.

HE HAS EXPLAINED THE FATHER (John 1:18): Therefore, EVERYTHING IS FOR THE FATHER'S GLORY, and the final paragraphs consistently point to the ultimate purpose: THE FATHER'S KINGDOM, THE FATHER'S WILL, THE FATHER'S GLORY FOREVER.

THE ULTIMATE ANSWER

Why is John 1:1, 14-17 extremely important in the context of "The Final Words"?

Because it provides the THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION for understanding that:

The final paragraphs are pointing to A PERSON (the Word made flesh), not just doctrines

The final paragraphs are pointing to A KINGDOM (Eden restored through the Word dwelling with us)

The final paragraphs are pointing to A GLORY (the Father's glory revealed through the Son)

The final paragraphs are pointing to A METHOD (grace upon grace from His fullness)

The final paragraphs are pointing to A PURPOSE (the Son explaining and glorifying the Father)

The final paragraphs are pointing to A CONSUMMATION (the return of the Word in glory to complete the Kingdom)

WITHOUT JOHN 1:1, 14-17, THE FINAL PARAGRAPHS WOULD MAKE NO SENSE.

WITH JOHN 1:1, 14-17, EVERYTHING BECOMES CRYSTAL CLEAR:

THE WORD WHO WAS GOD BECAME FLESH TO REVEAL THE FATHER, ESTABLISH THE KINGDOM, DISPLAY HIS GLORY, AND DISPENSE HIS GRACE—AND HE'S COMING BACK TO COMPLETE WHAT HE STARTED.

THAT'S WHY EVERY FINAL PARAGRAPH CRIES:

"TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER."

"COME, LORD JESUS."

"GRACE BE WITH YOU."

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

MARANATHA! THE TIME IS NOW. NOW IS THE TIME.

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