This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.
Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.
All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Look! He comes with the 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 the Omega — the beginning and the end,†says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come — the Almighty One.†  Revelation 1:4-8 (NLT)
Lectionary texts: 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-12, Revelation 1:4-8, John 18:33-37
Of the four texts this week, the Revelation text speaks closely to what is in my heart when I think of Jesus Christ the King. Next Sunday many in the Church will celebrate “Christ the King Sunday.†It’s a puzzlement to me that any one Sunday is needed to highlight this concept of Jesus. Shouldn’t every worship be about our LORD and King, Jesus Christ?
Jesus was always there. Genesis 1:2 says God created and the Spirit hovered over the water. Then in verse 26, it says, “Let us create man …†God was always the Triune. Jesus was there; the Spirit of God was there. When I read the Old Testament, it brings an added dimension to my perspective to know that Jesus was there and involved in what was happening. There is no way to divide God into definable, neat pieces. God is.
Jesus paid the price and more. Jesus came as the blood sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice that covers my sins. I could not have the relationship that I do without what Jesus has done. He didn’t stop there. He came and taught and showed the plan for what it meant for me to be His disciple. He didn’t stop there. He sent His Spirit to remind me of His teaching and give me the gifts that I would need to serve in His Kingdom.
Jesus will be back. Jesus told us that He was going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2). The angels that stood in witness to Jesus’ ascension said He would be back in the same way that He left (Acts 1:10-11). Jesus confirmed that to John in Revelation that He would return for His bride. What an encouragement! What assurance in these uncertain times that our LORD was and is and will be with us every step. On my worse days, I am so very thankful for that.
Jesus – Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Creator, Teacher, Provider, Shepherd, Alpha, and Omega. From Beginning to End (of which there is no end!), Jesus my King is here.
Glory to the King written by Darlene Zschech and sung by the Hillsong Worship Team
