Good morning,
Revelation 1 is the gateway to a book containing challenges for the present and the future. This week’s Scripture song comes from verse 18. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Today John is given instruction by the Lord Jesus Christ to write in a book what he sees and send it to the seven churches. Again, look for the pictures of Christ.
Salvation to the Churches (7-18)
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
How is Jesus portrayed today? The Alpha and Omega, beginning and the ending, which is, was, and is to come, Almighty, one like the Son of man, hair white as wool, white as snow, feet like brass, voice like the sound of many waters, out of mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, He that liveth, was dead, and is alive for evermore, and He has the keys of hell and of death.
That is all John’s earthly mind could comprehend. It was much more glorious than words could describe.
Jesus tells John to fear not. When we obey the Lord Jesus we have nothing to fear.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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