Revelation 1:7&8

“Look! He comes with clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him – even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!”

“I am the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am and the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One.”

**In verse 7 above John is announcing the return of Jesus to earth. Jesus’ second coming will be visible and victorious. All people will see him arrive, and they will know it is Jesus. When he comes, he will conquer evil and judge all people according to their deeds. John saw Jesus’ death with his own eyes, and he never forgot the horror of it.

I remember being around 15 years old and standing outside with my parents and the neighbors talking one summer evening. We lived out in the country, very secluded. All of a sudden there appeared a burning cross in the sky. We all were taken aback for a moment as we watched what appeared to be a burning cross in the sky. We found out later there was a big fire a few miles down the road and the way the wind was blowing and moving the clouds and the smoke it make it appear to be a cross. But before we knew that, when I first looked up and saw it, I remember going into the house and praying… I was worried that it was Jesus coming back and I didn’t know if I was ready. After all I was a slightly rebellious teenager at times who still saw faith as the “rules” I sometimes broke and not understanding on my own I could never keep all the rules and be good enough. It wasn’t about what I had or had not done, it’s about what God had done. He had sent his son Jesus to die on that cross for my sins. For your sins. And if we truly grasp that we fall in love with Him as we seek Him. As we see Him answer prayers and fight our battles that we surrender to Him we build relationship with Him. Once we build relationship it’s no longer a list of things we can’t do – it’s things we don’t want to do as we strive to live a holy and acceptable life pleasing to him.

I’m glad that today I have that relationship with God and no longer fear his return, but look for the day of His appearing. My biggest concern is for my family, my friends, for those in this world who don’t know Him. What a scary and sad day that will be for those who have not given their life to Him when He returns. If that’s you I encourage you to seek Him.

When those who crucified Him realized what they had done they were pricked in their hearts and they said “What have we done?!? What can we do now!?!?” To which Peter replied “Repent and be baptized, each of you for the remission of your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. And then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38) It’s not too late to repent (turn from sin) – to be baptized into Christ (That’s your death, burial and resurrection with Christ) And then you will receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and understanding and helps us as we follow Christ. Once you see the sky open up and Jesus return, it will be too late. I personally feel like Jesus has the angels saddling up the horses and God’s about ready to say “Gabe, blow that horn! It’s time to go back.”

**Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. The Lord God is the beginning and the end. God the Father is eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present and future. Without him you have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life, nothing that can save you from sin. Is the Lord your reason for living, “The Alpha and Omega” of your life? Honor the one who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom and power.

**commentary from the Life Application Study bible