BOOKENDS

December 29

Bible Reading: Revelation 22

Revelation 22:1-5, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

I’ve noted before that the message of the Bible can be summarized in four simple words: man sins, God saves.  And, of course, He does that to His glory.  It is by His grace and mercy that He intervenes on our behalf to rescue us from our sin predicament.  As we come to the last chapter of our study, it’s good to keep that in mind.  If the early chapters of the book of Genesis serve as one bookend to the Bible story, then the final chapters of Revelation serve as the other.

What we should note here is the fact that God is great at turning things around.  That’s true in both the micro and macro realms.  He can do that when it comes to our personal troubles, be they big or small!  He can also do that with the sin curse that’s afflicted mankind since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden.  Our passage notes that “no longer will there be anything accursed” (Genesis 22:3).  As horrific as were the consequences of the curse, it is not difficult for God to reverse them.  He is a redeeming God, always working to bring good out of our bad!

Note how God worked to reverse the curse, working to redeem His creation: The fall brought a curse to the ground, but in the new heavens and earth there is no longer any curse (Genesis 3:17; Revelation 22:3).  The curse brought sorrow, but there will be none in the redeemed world (Genesis 3:17; Revelation 21:4).  Then there was sweat on the face, but then there will be no more tears (Genesis 3:19; Revelation 21:4).  Then there were thorns and thistles, but then there will be no more pain (Genesis 3:18; Revelation 21:4).  Then there was the eating of the plants of the field, but then there will be twelve manner of fruits (Genesis 3:18; Revelation 22:2).  Then there was the returning to dust, but then there will be no more death (Genesis 3:19; Revelation 21:4).  Then there were coats of skin for covering, but then there will be fine linen, white and pure (Genesis 3:21; Revelation 19:14).  Then there was Satan opposing, but then Satan will be banished (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 20:10).  Then they were kept from the tree of life, but then they will have free access (Genesis 3:24; Revelation 22:14).  Then they were banished from the garden, but then they will have free access to the city (Genesis 3:23; Revelation 22:14).  Then a redeemer was promised, but then redemption is complete (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 5:9-10).  Then there was evil continually, but then there will be nothing that defiles (Genesis 6:5; Revelation 21:27).  Then there was the promised Seed of the woman, but then there will be the Root and offspring of David ruling over all (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 22:16).  Then there were the cherubim guarding, but then there will be the angels inviting (Genesis 3:24; Revelation 21:9).

If God can redeem like that, imagine what He can do in your life.  There’s no trouble so big, no problem so debilitating, that He cannot work to intervene in your life for good.  There’s no sin so big that He cannot forgive.  No life so desperate, that He cannot save.  No situation so hopeless, that He cannot work to bring good out of bad and reveal His glory!  God is in the business of saving.  The cross is the great testimony of God’s ability to do that!  The simple requisite is that we come to Him in our brokenness, trusting Him to do the saving work.  Praise God for His redemptive power.  He’s got a plan to reverse the curse, both in your life, and in the entirety of His creation!

There’s no situation on earth so desperate that God cannot work to turn things for good!  If we will but trust Him!

I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me;
Faint was I from many a fall;
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.
Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s paths I often tread,
But the Savior still is with me;
By His hand I’m safely led.

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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