Sunday, May 9, 2010

Revelation 1

3 comments:

Jude said...

So Revelation will be a challenge for me...symbolism is not my strong point in interpretation so I will need to pray a little more for understanding I guess.

v8" I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is , and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
I find great comfort in the fact that God has always been here and always will be. The world is such a crazy place but to know that his hand is guiding me and that he is ultimately in control just allows me to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Unknown said...

Intro: "Assured victory empowers an army. That may be the reason God gives us the book of Revelation. In it He assures victory. We, the soldiers, are privileged to get a glimpse into the final battlefield. All hell breaks loose as all heaven comes forth. The two collide int he ultimate battle of good and evil. Left standing amidst the smoke and thunder is the Son of God, Jesus, born in a manger- now triumphant over Satan.

Satan is defeated, Christ is triumphant. And we, the soldiers, are assured of victory. Let us march." Max Lucado.

Unknown said...

The imminently coming one. That's the theme that stood out for me here.

"... to show His servants what must soon happen." v1

"the time is near when all this will happen." v3b

"from the One who is and was and IS COMING." v4b

"Look, Jesus is coming..." v7

The Lord God says, "I am the One who is and was and is coming." v8b

Something new caught my attention this time. In verses 4 and 5 it says, "Grace and peace to you from the One who is and was and is coming, and from the seven spirits before the throne, and from Jesus Christ..."

At first when I read that I thought it noteworthy, because it looks like it references Jesus twice, The One who is and was and is coming, and then later "and Jesus Christ". I think this verse is a great verse pointing to the Trinity that I had never noticed before and the first "One who is and was and is coming is not specifically referencing Christ, but the Lord God. This is confirmed a few verses down;

"The Lord God says, "I am the Alpha and Omega." I am dht eOne who is and was and is coming. I am the Almighty." v8

This is fascinating stuff, because we know Jesus is coming. And we know Jesus is GOD WITH US. These verses just really caught my attention.

As for personal application. What can a person say but "come Lord Jesus. Amen."

Words from a favorite Steve Bell song;

Our hearts are empty without You
Barren and cold
But for the bold
Hope that You Yourself
Planted within

In the mighty name of God
In the saving name of Jesus
In the strong name of the Spirit

We come
We cry
We watch
We wait
We look
We long for you

Sometimes we long for the morning
For a refrain
From etchings in pain
Yet our loneliness
Draws us to You

In the mighty name of God
In the saving name of Jesus
In the strong name of the Spirit

We come
We cry
We watch
We wait
We look
We long for you.