“Behold, I come quickly…I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:12,13
Dear Ones:
It is apparent by Jesus’ own words that, what He desires that we begin and end with, as a result of this revelation of Himself, is that He IS the beginning and ending of all things. What does this mean? If we go back to the creation, and hear what the Apostle Paul says about Christ, we clearly understand that, “…by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.” (Col. 1:16) Not only is He the Creator, but He is that one who maintains, or sustains the existence of all things. What are the implications of these truths? They reveal to us that specifically all wisdom, knowledge, power, love, goodness, holiness, etc., resides in Him. In other words, He is the only Sovereign God, and our existence, and salvation, is found in Him alone, and this forever.
Though the book of Revelation is not a historical book, there is found therein a great deal of history. Much of it is a compilation, and more complete unveiling, of future events which God alone could know, and bring about. And yet, He has chosen to reveal some of this knowledge concerning the “latter days” to us. Why? Like the prophetical books of the Old Testament, God would through the mouths and hearts of the prophets, reveal what He was going to accomplish in the future. Only a Sovereign God, with supreme power and authority could do this. Here again, He lays before us the testimony of past events, present realities, and future circumstances in order to make us SEE and understand that He IS God, not only the God of the Bible, but the God of all flesh, whose gospel is wonderful news indeed.
The Lord Jesus, in the first chapter of Revelation reveals Himself to be the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He concludes the book by declaring the same thing. Why? If we are to believe God in the historical present, in the difficult atmosphere and culture of these “latter days,” then we must see Him as He is, Glorified and Sovereign. He WILL bring His will to pass…and no one can thwart it. His admonition is: “Behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be.” (22:12) It is a wonderful truth that Christ came to meet us individually, not only in our “creation,” but redemption. He ever desires and wills to meet us in our need, that we should be enabled to honor and glorify Him.
Dear Father, Sovereign Father, order our steps, strengthen our hearts, and instruct us in the way in which we should go. Order our days, that, by Thy Spirit, we may redeem the time, serving Thee, being filled with the Spirit, and the knowledge of Thy will. Bring us into conformity with Thyself in mind, heart, soul, and body, with Thy eternal purposes for Thy glory. We praise Thee and thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad