A reflection on 1 Corinthians 16:22 and Revelation 22:20
©️2022 by Gloria M. Chang
If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Marana tha.
1 Corinthians 16:22
The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20
Marana tha!
Between the first and second coming of Christ, his disciples cry, “Marana tha!” Appearing once in the Pauline letters, the Aramaic expression means “O Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22). Persecuted Christians under Roman rule greeted one another with this yearning hope in place of the peaceful salutation, “Shalom.”
In the book of Revelation addressed to the early church, the risen Christ assures them he is coming soon. Their response in Greek, “Erchou, Kyrie Iēsou!” (“Come, Lord Jesus!”) translates the Aramaic “Marana tha!”
Come, Lord Jesus!
During Advent, the Church prayerfully awaits the return of the Prince of Peace (Shalom), who will make his people whole (Isaiah 9:5(6)).
Marana tha!
Come, Lord Jesus!