The One Who Is and Who Was and Who Is to Come

Revelation 1:4-8

Context
Revelation (also called "The Apocalypse" - "apocalypse" is Greek for "revelation") is the Bible's primary example of apocalyptic literature, a style which flourished in Israel in the time before Christ. In apocalyptic literature, an angel appears and takes a famous figure up to Heaven, where they observe the soon-to-come end of the world, the rewarding of the righteous, and the destruction of the wicked. Current political events are often described symbolically (see, for example, portions of the book of Daniel.)

Listening to God
Rather than carefully analyzing today's text, I invite you to meditate on the imagery. Grab a note pad or open a word processing program and be ready to take notes as you meditate:

“Grace and peace to you…” God has been before you. God is now. God will be, long after this world crumbles to dust. Meditate on eternity.

“The faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, ruler of the kings…” Pick one of these phrases and meditate on how Jesus fulfills the description.

Jesus loved us, freed us, made us a kingdom, made us priests. Pick one of these gifts Christ has given us and meditate on how it is a reality in your life, and whether God would have you experience this gift in a new way.

“He is coming with the clouds… every tribe will wail.” Judgement is a reality in this world: actions do have consequences. God’s love for us always provides forgiveness, healing, and a new way to proceed, but our actions can and do cause pain along the way. Spend time with God looking at your life and for anything that needs changing.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet; God claims to be the beginning and the end. Meditate on God as beginning and end of your life, of each year, of each day; of every moment? What specific acts (disciplined prayer times, readings, rituals) might help you grow in your awareness of God as beginning and end?

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