“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
Dear Ones:
Why is it that we have the recurring theme in the Bible of the unchanging, everlasting character, presence, and power of God? There are at least two reasons, the first of which, is that it is the truth. From before the first words were penned by Moses concerning the creation, God has revealed Himself to man, in particular to sinful man. Despite the effects of sin, and the working of Satan, the revelation of God has been consistently the same, though amplified and expanded, throughout history. Christ is indeed, as the Scripture says: “…the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Why is this knowledge of God so very important to man? It is the very basis for the second reason for which God specifically reveals Himself in this manner. Since the Fall, the only thing, or Person, in this universe which does not change is God, and that which God ordains to not change. The unchanging character, ways, person, and mind of God, is unveiled to man in order to give to him, a rock upon which he can put his foot. In this ever changing world, the sands of culture, perspectives, and philosophies are ever shifting. There is NO stability or consistency in them when it comes to facing the reality of death, perspective of eternity. God has, in Christ, put before man the only solid ROCK upon which he can take his stand with assurance, in the face of the great “unknown.”
So, why is it that in the last book of the Bible, we are confronted with the revelation of the glorified Christ, this same God of Abraham, Moses, the patriarchs, the apostles, and the church? It is because the specific revelation of His unchanging Person, revealing His sovereignty, power, and love, is essential to faith. Secondly, this revelation of God is designed, and intended to be a personal one. The Apostle John begins by speaking of the individual, and his or her personal response to the revelation: “Blessed is HE that reads, and THEY that hear the words of this prophecy.” (1:3) John then speaks of the churches, and how they were to be the recipients of His specific revelation concerning redemption. He wrote: “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins, in His own blood.” (1:5) These words reveal to us the unchanging love and grace of God, the wisdom and power of God, in His provision in Christ to save all who will believe. When we see that the revelation is meant for the individual, groups of believers, and the churches of all ages, we are brought face to face again with the reality that He has not changed from the creation of the world, is the same today as He was in John’s day, and will always be. In that present revelation, He is unveiled in His glory that He had with the Father, as the Alpha and Omega…the first and the last, …that One that was living, died, and is NOW alive forever more. He thus, has the keys of hell and of death, for He has won them on Calvary. Christ has not changed; He is the same this day. How does this knowledge apply to us?
The revelation of the glorified Christ brings our existence into perspective, as God sees it. We are nothing, and so little, in comparison with Him, and yet, He loves us. He is almighty and all-powerful, and yet, He stoops to speak to us, work in our hearts, to save us, bringing us into conformity to His perfect purpose and will. He is TODAY that One who is still speaking in power, as the “Faithful Witness,” who cannot lie, and who will bring ALL His will to pass. The revelation is given so that present faith can be exercised with certainty in the One who is beyond all the uncertainty of this earth.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see the greatness of Thy present and unchanging glory, the bedrock of all true faith. Then we shall not be moved. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad