One of the most used words in the English language is the word "amen." The word is not just indigenous to church language. It's used in all types of contexts. But consider the religious context of "amen." The word is directly related--in fact, almost identical--to the Hebrew word for "believe" (aman), or "faithful." In our time is has come to mean "believe" or "faithful." So with regard to our relationship to God "amen" is the Christian's affirmation of absolute faith and confidence in God. When one believes God, that person indicates his faith by an "amen."
When God makes a promise, the believer's response is "amen"--"so it will be!" In the New Testament, it is sometimes translated "verily" or "truly." When we pray according to His Word and His will, we know God will answer, so we close with an "amen," For many years in my denomination (United Methodist) we even sang our amen at the end of practically every hymn we sung!
In the book of Revelation Jesus himself is called the AMEN ("These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" Revelation 3:15).
AMEN is the strongest affirmation of a believer's life in Christ.
So it is profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an "amen." "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (Revelation 22:21), assuring everyone who reads these words that the whole Book is absolutely true and trustworthy. And to that I say - Amen!
The Methmusician
