God is the Alpha and Omega
Shared on May 26, 2024
Do you He is the Alpha and Omega? In this week’s lesson, Jesus has a final word to share which comes with hope and a warning. Join Pastor McCrary this week as we take a look at Jesus’ final message and what it means to all people.
Introduction
All quarter long we have been taking a look at the power and authority of Christ. We have seen Jesus’ power over the physical, spiritual, and even over death and the resurrection of the body. How did Jesus have such power? Because Jesus is God— God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As we saw last week, the Lamb, Jesus, is worthy to be praised.
Our lesson this week brings this quarter to a close. In our lesson this week we are going to take a look at the last chapter in the bible. In this chapter, we will see Jesus state that He’s the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End, the First and Last (Rev. 22:13). You have likely heard this phrase before but do you understand why this statement was made? Do you understand what it means for all people?
God’s Word is True and Faithful
Our lesson opens with John and the angel that had essentially been like his guide through heaven. The angel said to him, “These words are faithful and true (Rev. 22:6).” What words was the angel saying are faithful and true? The promise of salvation and the kingdom of heaven.
If you take a look at Revelation 22:1-5, the scripture speaks of how there will be no more curse- sin and its punishment. There is the promise of seeing God’s face and His name shall be on our foreheads. We cannot see His face today because we are imperfect, but to be in His kingdom, we will be like Him. There is the promise that we shall reign forever and ever.
Now, these are promises that we see spoken of throughout scripture. Jesus said it Himself that He will come again and receive us unto Himself so that we may be where He is (John 14:3). Continuing the teachings of Christ, Paul wrote that we will be raised up to sit together in heaven (Eph. 2:6). Many don’t believe in these promises, but these words are true and faithful.
Jesus is Coming Quickly
In Revelation 22:7, we will see the words of Christ “I am coming quickly.” Now, either Jesus spoke these words to John Himself or the angel was ministering these words to John. Personally, I believe the angel shared these words with John. I say that because in the next verse, we will see John fall at the feet of the angel to worship.
A warning and a hope
Now, the promise of the coming of Christ can be taken two ways: as a warning or a word of hope. Why do I say that?
Well let’s consider what the coming of Christ will mean. When we think of the coming of Christ, we often think of the end, but there will be two “returns” of Christ. The first time Jesus returns after His ascension will be for the church. This return is what we call the rapture – it is not the second coming of Christ (1 Cor. 15:50-54). The rapture of the church will kick off the period of Great Tribulation like none the earth has ever seen (Matt. 24:15-28).
The second coming of Christ will come after the rapture and the period of Great Tribulation. At the second coming of Christ, He will establish the Millennial Kingdom and separate the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:31-32). The sheep will be the Tribulation Saints that will have begun to believe in Christ after the rapture of the church. The Tribulation Saints will join the Church – the bride of Christ – and reign on earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4-6).
So, for me and other believers, the coming of Christ brings us hope and joy. Why? Because when we are called to meet Christ in the air, we will put on our incorruptible and glorious body. We will then go on to be married to Christ and live with Him forever and ever.
For others, the coming of Christ will bring a great amount of dread (Matt. 24:29-30). So, Jesus saying that He is coming quickly should be taken as a warning for man to get their steps in order. All people should make sure that they are walking by faith and trusting in the Lord. All people should desire to live with Christ for everlasting life.
If Jesus returned the very next moment, none of us should want to go through the period of Great Tribulation. Nobody should desire to suffer the punishment of eternal condemnation.
Take Jesus’ coming seriously
As dire of a warning as this would be for those who are not of faith, many make light of Jesus’ return. Why is that? Well, Jesus said, “I am coming quickly“. Well, it’s been over 2,000 years and Christ hasn’t returned yet. So, many are of the belief that since it’s been so long, Christ isn’t coming back.
With this thought in mind, some may believe Jesus was lying about His return. Now, some may actually believe Christ is coming back but they will definitely disagree about it being quick. So, let’s try to bring some understanding to Christ coming “quickly”.
When Jesus spoke of His return in the gospel, He said, “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matt. 24:44).” Jesus said that no one, not even the angels, knows the hour of His coming (Matt. 24:36). The only one that knows the time of His coming is the Father. The coming being spoken of here is the rapture, not the second coming.
As I said earlier, the rapture of the church sets in motion a set period of time that the Lord has outlined for us in scripture. Daniel prophesied that the period of Great Tribulation will only last 3.5 years— a relatively short period of time. So, the “I am coming” that Christ speaks of here is in relation to His return after the rapture of the church. When it comes to either of His returns, they should all be taken seriously.
After seeing all he saw and heard in heaven, scripture tells us that John fell to the feet of the angel to worship (Rev. 22:8). John was filled with great joy at all that he saw which is the same joy we should be filled with. Now, the angel, with great humility, tells John to get to his feet and stop worshiping him (Rev. 22:9). In fact, the angel says, “I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets.”
The Word Opened to All
The angel then tells John, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand (Rev. 22:10).” In fact, the fact that the book is not sealed means the Lord wants it made widely available for all people to know! This is how seriously the coming of Christ is— the world needs to know it!
God’s invite to all
After repeating that He is coming again, Jesus makes it known that His reward is with Him (Rev. 22:12). Again, what is His reward? Salvation— victory over death and everlasting life with God in His kingdom. This is a message that should be ministered all over, especially in the churches.
Notice in Revelation 22:17, that the Spirit and the bride invites however desires the water of life to “Come!” The bride, we should know, is the church – the congregation of sincere believers. Are we inviting others to come to Christ? Are you inviting others to come to Christ? We cannot become lazy nor bitter when it comes to sharing the invite to drink the waters of life in heaven!
There is then a very great warning as Scripture comes to a close. Jesus first warns those that add to the prophecy of the book of the Revelation of Christ (Rev. 22:18). Jesus warns that God will add to them the plagues written in this book. Jesus then warned those that would subtract words from the Revelation (Rev. 22:19). To them, Jesus warned that the Lord would take away their part from the Book of Life, the holy city, and the things promised in Revelation.
I just hope that you have paid attention to just how important the promise of heaven is to God. Nobody should be playing around with the promise of eternal life- it’s a serious matter! When it comes to sharing the promise of this book, it is gravely serious. So, we who minister this book should certainly be faithful to the prophecy. Frankly, we should always be faithful to God’s word.
So, at the end of this quarter, I ask you the same question from the start of this quarter: Do you believe? After all these spring lessons, I truly hope that you believe in Christ.