May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries.” “‘Then the woman is to say, “Amen. So be it.”
- Numbers 5:22
“Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
- Deuteronomy 27:16
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
- Matthew 14:33
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
- Revelation 22:21
Revelation 22:20-21 “’The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.’ The Old Testament ends with a curse; the New Testament ends with a benediction of grace upon the believers. Grace is offered to all, but if any man (regardless of his merit) refuses the offer which is extended, he must bear the judgment pronounced in this book.
Grace is still offered to man. It is God’s method of saving sinners.”
- J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.
- Apostle’s Creed
The Message
Why have a vespers service about one word?
Because it is an important word. It is the last word in the Bible.
And because a lot of people do not know what it means.
I have even copied what others have said in error.
“Amen” is of Hebrew origin. When found in Greek, and usually pronounced ”ah-MEEN”, it is a transliteration from the Hebrew. “Amen” means truly, verily, so be it, let it be so, it is true.
Looking at the Scriptures above, when Moses wrote that the woman must say “So be it Amen,” then they are repeating the statement, making it emphatic. This is part of the test of an unfaithful wife, which I find both interesting and bizarre. But when God’s hand is in it, justice will prevail.
In the thought of repetition providing emphasis, I have heard many pastors end their sermon with “amen and amen.” This is for emphasis. It also means that they are placing a stamp of “this is true” and they are inviting the congregation to affirm the truth in what they said. But it could mean “nothing more needs to be said.” That brings a whole new meaning to a very long, long sermon.
In the Scriptures, I have one verse with “truly” used. In the KJV, Jesus is said to have used “verily, verily.” These are alternate words to “amen.”
The point is that Jesus was saying that we can count on what has been said, or what is about to be said.
The prayer at the US Congress years ago that was ended, “Amen and a woman” was borne of ignorance. The Hebrew words referring to man are Adam and Ish. Amen cannot be divided into “a” and “men.” There is no masculine attribute to something that is Truth. Truth applies whether man or woman.
So, we come to the last verse in the Bible, Revelation 22:21.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
My Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. God offers Grace to all who trust and believe in Jesus. Let it be so. Amen.
Amen and Amen.
And now let us sing.
Here is Amazing Grace sung by Celtic Thunder.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
We believe in You. We trust You. You speak the Truth for You are the Truth. Nothing more needs to be said, Amen and Amen.
In Thy name we pray,
Amen
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
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