FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2024
(PART 3)
ALPHA AND OMEGA
November 8, 2023
John wrote to the seven churches in Asia. In the book of Revelation he writes, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.’” (Rev 1:8). Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Thus Jesus is also referred to as the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Jesus is the one who was, the one who is, and the one who is to come. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This reality gives us some wonderful assurances.
First, we need never thirst, as God satisfies our thirst with life-giving water. Jesus has said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.” (Rev 21:6b). We will have what we need in life, to be able to live our lives for Jesus. It will come from a gushing and never-ending spring.
Second, we need never be afraid. Jesus has said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.” (Rev 1:17b). We can go through life in this world and look forward to life beyond this world. Though we will die, that is just the passageway to life eternal. There will be suffering in this life, but Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer.” (Rev 2:10a). There will be oppression and persecution, as “the devil will throw some of you into prison” (Rev 2:10b), but this will be just part of testing and formation. Looking to the end, Jesus assures us, “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev 2:10d).
Jesus had told John, “Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.” (Rev 1:19). As for us, we are to look to what has been, to what is now, and to what is to come. This is looking to the continuum that is Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever, and the consistent action of God in the life of the world and of the Church.
We live our lives for Jesus. He had come into the world to win for us our salvation, he walks with us through his Spirit who guides and strengthens us, and he will return in glory to live with us eternally in heaven. Jesus assures us, “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Rev 22:20a). To which we say, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20b).
