Revelation 1:11 YOUR ALPHA AND OMEGA

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REVELATION 1:11 YOUR ALPHA AND OMEGA 

Revelation 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

Jesus is Alpha and Omega.  He's not only THE Alpha and Omega but he is YOUR Alpha and Omega.  Both are Greek words meaning beginning and end or first and last.  Jesus isn't just the beginning or just the end.  In your own life, don't just start well with Jesus without finishing with Jesus because he isn't going to abandon you. He's going to stay with you through it all! He isn't going to begin with you and then tire of your relationship, nor is he going to give up on you when the going gets tough.  He's the author of your faith and he's the finisher of your faith and he's doing a perfect work with and in you.

Hebrews 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him...

Hebrews 12:1,2  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Recognizing Jesus as the author of our faith, we recognize our faith was his idea.  Just coming to him to be born again means we lay all of our burdens at the foot of the cross.  We enter into a race in which we run with him. Our goal is the same as his, the joy set before us.  Our joy is in him.  Our new life is in him and although there are trials and temptations, finishing the race means we endure in-between the obstacles that come our way and cross the finish line.  Our life on earth is just the beginning.  While there's a finish line, which is our eternal destination, our life doesn't end there! Praise God we live forever in a place with no more tears and no more sorrow...a world without end! Let's therefore take the advice in Hebrews and lay aside sins and weights.  Let's lighten the load and place every burden at his feet.

Jesus is not just the author and finisher of our faith as individuals but for the entire body of Christ. He mentions the 7 churches and names them one by one.  Later, he will address each one according to their present state.  He will speak his Word in a way that will minister directly to their most desperate need.  We all will find ourselves somewhere in the Words to his church and the Word that ministered to them will minister to the intimate places in our hearts.   Although he is risen from the dead, ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of God the Father, he is present by his Spirit. John was "in the Spirit," and heard a voice and SAW what he spoke.  Jesus named the churches one by one!  He didn't say the letter was only FOR those churches but he said to distribute them there.  He knew that through this distribution, this WORD, the prophecies of THIS BOOK would reach the entire body of Christ, becoming part of the Canon of Scripture. God is intimately aware of his church; his bride; his love and he is the author and finisher of HER faith.  He is ever present and ever making intercession.  What a comfort to know Jesus sits at the right hand of the father and there, he is praying for me! There, he is praying for you!  He ever lives with that purpose, to see his bride come home!   His Word is alive and well as he is and he is with us! He will never leave us or forsake us. He will bless us and correct us.  He will make his bride ready. He is not only our author, our starter, and our companion.... he is our finisher!  When we as his body, lay aside our weights and look unto him, we will walk through this life and one day we'll step across that finish line and be with him forever! Amen and glory! It excites me to think about that!

Jesus is also not only the author and finisher of our faith, he is the author and finisher of this world. The bible says by his Word, the earth both came into existence and is held in existence.  One day, every Word of this prophecy will come to pass and we'll see the end of the story of earthly creation.  May we find ourselves "in Christ" on that day!  If "in Christ," the story ends well.  If not, the ending isn't so great but we'll leave that for another study.  Just know he is the beginning and the end.  The Word of God opens with the phrase, "In the beginning," and ends with these words:

Revelation 22: 20-21  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

Everything in between is all about him and the joy set before him. He is gathering all things to himself but the choice is ours whether we will be gathered and end in his joy or will we have that undesirable end? The choice is ours! May we be found in his grace!  Won't you accept his grace today? Won't you lay your burdens down at his feet? Won't you hear his voice calling you to run your race with him by your side?  If you've never asked Christ to be your author and finisher, please do so today with a simple prayer, "Lord I give myself to you! Mold me and make me! Precious Lord take my hand!"  Amen!