Tellout Evangelism Resources and HiVu Antique Photos Galleries
| Next | Previous | Contact Ron | Ron's Blog | Index | Tellout Home |
Alpha and Omega Day 8
"Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."(Revelation 1.7-11)
The Lord's Day
This vision occurred appropriately on "the Lord's Day," which was the first day of the week, or Sunday. "The Lord's Day" commemorated for the Early Church, the Day of Jesus' Resurrection. Early Christians replaced the Jewish "Sabbath" on the seventh day with "the Lord's Day" on the first day, the day of Jesus' Resurrection.
Alpha Beginning
As important as the Sabbath was, the Day of the Resurrection became more vital to Christians. It was entirely appropriate that "the Beginning" and "the End" should be responsible for effecting such a major transition in the calendar of the Jewish nation.
Jesus' Servant John
According to tradition, the Apostle "John" (see painted icon of John from the Middle Ages to the right) was the only one of the original twelve Apostles who died a natural death and was not martyred for his faith. He suffered terribly however at the hands of the Romans and even survived being plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil during the persecution of the Roman Emperor, Domitian. Legend has it that poison was placed in John's wine goblet but he was alerted by a snake-like head that rose out of it.
Omega End
John was not alone, for many other Christian believers were suffering too during this empire wide persecution, and large numbers were being killed for their faith. John seeks to encourage them to persevere in their faith.
Meditation
Is the Lord Jesus, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega in your life? (See Greek letters for Beginning and End above called Alpha and Omega.)
Prayer
We praise you, Lord Jesus. We glorify you, Alpha and Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Amen
"The Lord's Day" on the first day, the day of Jesus' Resurrection.
| ^ Top Page | Next | Previous |