Jesus says: I am from eternity to eternity, I am the destroyer of the works of the devil as well as the creator of all things. John was writing in Greek, so he includes the whole Greek alphabet, of which Α alpha and Ω omega are the first and last letters. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 I am your companion in tribulation, suffering under persecution along with you on the isle of Patmos, a small, rocky island belonging to the group called “Sporades,” in that part of the Aegean known as the Icarian Sea. Because of its rocky, barren and desolate nature the Roman government used the island as a place of banishment. “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9 We find a wonderful lesson in these verses for ourselves today. John would have been shipped out to Patmos – against his will – as a result of a decision made by unbelieving Governmental authorities. They sent John there “to get him out of the way” and to “teach him a lesson as to who has the last say.”Their authority did not bargain on the higher, greater authority OF GOD in a Christian believer’s life! John turned the negative into a positive. Instead of life becoming somewhat one of despair, to the point of overwhelming him, he used those negative circumstances and that foreign place to continue his superb relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia…” Revelation 1:10-11 If John could rise to such great heights in the Spirit in the midst of tribulation, suffering and despair, then surely WE CAN TOO. When we are in the Spirit we are able to SEE, HEAR AND KNOW. John received a revelation of Jesus Christ that was awesome. It was so clear and real that he was able to write it down so we are able to benefit from his experience! “And Jesus said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty the fountain of THE WATER OF LIFE freely.” Revelation 21:5-6
JESUS IS THE FIRST AND LAST, THE BEGINNING AND THE ENDING…
-Bill Stockham