“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (Revelation 1-3:22)
John is the only living Apostle when a messenger from Heaven arrives and tells him to scribe what Jesus is going to reveal. His visions were then to be sent to the churches of Asia where extreme persecution was taking place. Imperial Rome was attempting to wipe Christianity off the face of the earth, but admonition and encouragement sustained the faithful and the Church then and today survives triumphantly.
Revelations tells the story of a sovereign Lord engaged in battle with the forces of evil. It uses supernatural imagery, figurative language and symbolism that is not easy to fully understand, but we do know the number of completion, God’s signature, is seven. God’s omnipotent knowledge as Creator of the universe and Jesus as the fulfillment of righteousness is shown through love that conquers Satan. “Then all the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” Rev. 2:23b is evidence of the precious promises of eternal life for the believer and the agony guaranteed for the lost and rebellious.
Of the seven churches, two were blameless; Smyrna and Philadelphia. Two were spiritually bankrupt: Sardis and Laodicea, and three were accused of apathy for their tolerance of wrong teaching and immoral behavior among their members and leaders. Take heed!
God’s Word is to have a central place in the church and is designed to hold The Church to its mission. This final chapter is the consummation of God’s plan of redemption, established throughout the history of Biblical revelation. We are loved and our hope is in the promise and surety of eternal life.
Love,
Gretchen