When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:17-18, NIV

 

“The splendour of the King, clothed in majesty; let all the earth rejoice …” The opening words of this worship song beautifully echo the awesome grandeur of “the First and the Last” of the verse today, “the Alpha and the Omega … 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.' ” (Revelation 1:8) This is at the heart of Revelation – the final book of the Bible – which brings to us the best news of all.

 

Though profound, and at times mysterious, in its visions revealed to John of what is to come, Revelation gives glorious and riveting images of God in his majesty, and the unfolding unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Constantly, the familiar, yet now glorified, figure of the Lord Jesus Christ emerges – radiant, victorious, and exalted.

 

There’s a wonderful sense of the Old and New Testaments coming together as a tapestry, as loose ends are arranged – fulfilment of promises seen, tying together of ancient prophecies – revealing Jesus in his divine splendour. He is the One “seated on the throne” who is “making everything new;” his “words are trustworthy and true”. (Revelation 21:5) The same Jesus who was present at creation, in the beginning, will also usher in the new heaven and new earth at the end; Jesus, our greatest hope! It’s all about him.

 

Jesus’ earthly life – his teachings, miracles, and sacrifice – cannot be separated from his divine identity. He was the Word in the beginning; He “was with God” and “is God.” (John1:1) And true to the words of Isaiah’s prophecy, (Isaiah 55:1) which also resonate in his words to the woman at the well, (John 4:10), He declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning, and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6)

 

John had witnessed that, “In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4) He knew that Jesus was the “Word became flesh” (John 1:14), who had promised, “Because I live, you also will live”. (John 14:19b)

 

But when, in Revelation, John encounters “the First and the Last … the Living One” he collapses, awestruck. Yet, despite Jesus’ glorified appearance, he is still the same compassionate Saviour John knew, who reaches out, comforting him with, “do not be afraid” – unchanged in his love, “the same yesterday and today and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Now risen and exalted, Jesus reassures him: “I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever!”

 

In perfect obedience, Jesus demonstrated God’s love for the world by dying to redeem and restore all humankind, and opened the way to eternal life for everyone who puts their faith in him. Through his life, Jesus revealed God’s love and grace in action – faithfully fulfilling the greatest commandments: to love God with all his heart, and love his neighbour as himself. (Matthew 22:38-40)

 

Jesus is, from first to last, God’s best news, and he is alive for ever!

 

Prayer: Eternal God, thank you for your best news revealed in and through Jesus Christ our Saviour, and for the beautiful promises in your Word to us each day. May we eagerly embrace it and cover the mountains with our footprints as we go far and wide to share this amazing gospel with all the world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen