Title Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8)
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In any case, the beginning is very important. How do you start work in the first place
Because it determines the attitude and direction of the work. As the saying goes
Often we see things around us where the beginning was good but the end was shaky.
it will be
“Know that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ Jesus.
We hope that Paul's confession of "(Philippians 1:6) becomes our confession."
The declaration that he who began a good work in us must finish
It is possible because it is the first and the last.
"I am Alpha and Omega".
'Alpha ( // )' is the first letter of the Greek language and 'omega ( // )' is the last letter.
We confess, "God is our first and our last." Our
In prayer, we see him calling on the Lord, "Lord, the first and the last."
can. But what is the specific meaning of the words that Christ is the Alpha and Omega?
What is it? Read the text for the specific meaning of the words that Christ is the first and the last.
Let's think about it in four ways.
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1. Christ, the Lord of history (Rev 1:7)
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This is a declaration that Christ will come again. We call this day a 'history complete'
It's called 'Holy Day'. The writers of the Bible call this day 'the day of Christ Jesus'.
call it. This day is also the Christian's 'Victory Day'.
We use the word D-day or V-day, which originally meant World War II.
words related to In other words, Normandy, who gave the Allies a decisive victory
The date of the start of the amphibious operation is called D-day, and the date on which the victory in World War II is confirmed.
It is referred to as V-day. If the Christian's funeral was D-day, that
One minute can be said to be a Christian's V-day. Jesus came to this earth
He opened the way for atonement by bearing our sins on the cross, and this work of salvation is
It promised the decisive victory of Christians and the decisive defeat of Satan. he is
He will come again and complete all these things.
Theologians refer to the first and second comings of Christ as the <歷史極點>.
It means that all events are the most important turning points that make history. historians
Some of them will not take the coming of Christ, nor the Second Coming nor the hope, seriously.
I say. But these two events are the two most important watersheds in history.
All. God's work can only be accomplished through the two pillars of Christ's first and second coming.
will be heard. The Second Coming is the very day of completion.
Remember. The day of the Second Coming is approaching. The day of the Second Coming is approaching.
The fact is that in the first chapter of Revelation, which unfolds the panorama of the last history,
will be declared.
“Behold, he is coming with clouds” (verse 7).
Also look at 22:12 and below in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation.
“Behold, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to each one for his work.
I will repay you accordingly. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
(Verses 12, 13) “Closing the last stanza of the Revelation, the last stanza of the Bible, alpha once again
And it confirms the coming of Him who is the Omega. the last five of history
mega! He is coming for the final consummation. On that day, the saints were rewarded
It's the day to go. And the day our lives that we lived for him come to an end
is. As the fact is declared once more, the last chapter of God's Word is closing.
will be
It was >. Massive persecution of Christians begins and
It was at this time that my worship was compelled. Nations under Roman rule
Everyone turned to this statue of Domitian and said, "Caesar (Emperor) is Lord."
I was forced to confess. But for Christians there is only one Lord
is not in They could not make this confession as well as worship the emperor. That
Christians confessed, "Jesus is the only Lord."
That word has the meaning of "Caesar is not Lord." Caesar
It was a confession that Jesus Christ was Lord, not the Lord. this confession
As a result, Christians began to suffer persecution for disobeying the emperor's orders.
I did. They are expelled from their jobs, expelled from society, martyred, and
Faced with countless threats, we had to go through a dark, long tunnel. then God
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, as I am and as I was."
Here, too, simply 'The Lord is the first and the last. He is the creator and last
It does not just emphasize the fact that you will become a completer. in this confession
The important emphasis is on the one who will make the first first and the last one
This is the person who still rules. Not only 2000 years ago, but he is still in history.
He is the Lord who rules.
2. Christ Helps in Tribulation
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“I, John, are your brother and sharer in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus.”
I was on an island called Patmos because of your words and the testimony of Jesus” (verse 9).
was a partaker of Jesus' tribulation. The incident on the island of Patmos is the Lord's
Sidious John confesses that suffering was a partaker of suffering. But that
Even though I did this for the Lord and because of the Lord, to him
would still be a fear.
“How long do I have to continue this exile? Do I have a tomorrow?
Can't my life end here in an instant?"
Many of these fears must have gripped the heart and soul of the apostle John.
Then someone approaches. When I opened my eyes, it was so amazing. mental
I lost it and fell to the point of getting black. Before Jesus, who is so holy
Standing, he was even more afraid and fell on his face. This scene is from Isaiah to the Lord
I see you." Woe to me, for I am ruined. I am a man of unclean lips, and my lips are unclean.
for he dwelt among a people, and saw the king, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).
reminiscent of the look. At that moment, the warm body temperature of the Lord's hand is transmitted, and a benevolent message is sent.
I hear Ram's voice.
"Don't be afraid!"
You are the Lord. Oh my Lord! I can't control my heavy chest. all fear
The sadness and remorse are gone, and hot tears of joy are flowing in my heart.
come down Lord help us in trouble! The Lord who speaks of Alpha and Omega!
It is closely related to the Old Testament. To better understand the background,
Let's look at some verses from the Old Testament.
(Isaiah 48:12 and below) // Here, too, the word 'the first and the last' appears.
However, this is an expression used only for God.
(Revelation 1) // Jesus said, 'I am the Alpha and the Omega; I am the first and the last'
In other words, Jesus is God. (Revelation 1:1,8) Yes
Jesus is the creator. Not only that, but he is the King and the Redeemer of Israel.
is. When the people were unable to stand where they should have been, they paid the price and
God the Redeemer who bought and put it back in its place!
These unique expressions of God are surprisingly found in Revelation 1 in Jesus
Used for Christ. He who personally approached the apostle John was the Creator
He is the Lord, the Redeemer, and the King.
Classmates! When I'm in the middle of a lot of pain, I come to you and hold your hands
If you pray and say, "Don't be afraid," it will still give you some comfort.
All. If people's words can be comforting like this, then the Creator, Redeemer, and King
How comforting are the words of Jesus? That's not usually the case. Earl
Mana is a surprising declaration? Although he is the Creator, the Redeemer, and the King, he is
If someone is dead, it's of no use. Of course, God is dead.
No one will think. But we are like God is dead.
Isn't there time to live in prosecution? John in despair, fear, discouragement and fear
The Lord who has come to you says:
"I am a living being! I can still work." How much
Would it be a great proclamation? We often forget that God lives
do. Therefore, God told His people that He was alive.
This is something you need to be reminded of often. Lord speak to you at this moment
is. "I'm still alive!"
(Deuteronomy 32:40) contains the message that God proclaimed to the people through Moses.
It is locked. It is a message like the last testament revealed through Moses.
“I lift up my hands to heaven and say, As I live forever, I swear
ni." This is God's message. How long has God been alive? It's forever.
In the Rimal Revised Version of the Bible, it was said that we swear by 'everlasting life', but according to today's grammar,
It is 'I swear by eternal life'. However, humans as creatures too often
Because we forgot this fact, it was necessary for God to proclaim this.
"I swear by my eternal life!"
God also swears. When people make an oath, they risk a higher authority than themselves.
I swear. This is what the phrase "I swear by heaven" means.
"You may not believe me, but I swear by the sky because the sky is true.
"When God made a promise to Abraham, he has more to take an oath than himself."
Since there was no one great, he swore by himself, saying, “Rather than God” (verses 13 and 14).
There is no higher authority. So when God swears, he swears by himself
You have no choice but to do it. That's why he said "I swear by my eternal life"
is. Christ who helps in tribulation and suffering! This living Lord is with me
Do you really believe that you are a God who can really help me by doing this?
3. Christ who gives victory in the end
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Christ is the ultimate victor of our saints. Revelation 1:18
The last part says he has the 'key'.
"Behold, I live forever and ever, and have the keys of death and Hades."
There are several interpretations of it. But the simplest and most important plane
It means the place where the dead dwell. The end of life is the grave. Death.
Anyone who contemplates the grave and death cannot help but feel lonely.
"Is it the end? Is it really the end of our lives?"
makes you tremble in loneliness and fear. The apostle John, who wrote these words, died slowly.
He may have felt on the Isle of Patmos that the shadow of
"Should it end like this? Is the grave the end of my life?"
The word of the Lord appeared to John at that time!
"I am the Alpha and the Omega. The first and the last, and death and the heat of hell.
I also hold the iron."
The One who rules not only the realm of death, but also the realm beyond! on the other side of the tomb
He is not the only one who lives to guide me, but even beyond the tomb.
The living God in control of life! If this confession is true, who are you afraid of?
would you like What would you be afraid of?