The One who is, and was, and is to come!

Rev. 1:1

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

 

The book of Revelation is the end of the story told by John who was visited by an angel sent by God. Whose story? It is the story of the word of God [Logos, Jesus the living word] and the testimony of Jesus Christ. He is the revelation and the revealer! He is all in all!

 

Verse 2 declares that there is a blessing [the first of 7 yet to follow] for the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, listens to it, and heeds it applying the message. Why? For the time is near! No doubt throughout all the ages since Christ believers have felt that the time was near. Just as I do now. In God's timing, the time is very near! John is writing to the 7 churches in Asia. Were there only seven? Not really. Certainly there could have been, but more likely it stands as the completed, perfect number of churches.  

 

John greets the churches with grace and peace from Him, who is and was and is to come, [Jesus Christ, the Savior and source of grace and peace], from the 7 Spirits who are before the throne, [Revelation presents the Spirit as one and as 7, the completed perfection of the Spirit], and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead [resurrected], and the ruler of kings on earth, this kingship is yet to come. 

 

To Him, Jesus Christ, who loved us, freed us from sin by His blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to God the Father, to Him, Jesus Christ,  be glory and dominion forever! This is the only way it can be in the life of everyone who loves Jesus. Then the clouds open, and He descends with every eye upon Him, even those who have pierced him, including all tribes of the earth. What will be their response? Wailing! They will see the One they have rejected. They will see with clarity who they denied. They will know they have blown it and only judgment awaits! Jesus declares Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is, who was, and who is to come, The Almighty![ the God Man] Here is His story from beginning to end. He will now claim all that is rightfully His.

 

Father,

How glorious is Your Son! The message is clear: read, listen, and apply. Send Your Spirit to teach me so that I might bring glory to You and to Your Son.

In His name,

Amen