Tag: Alpha and the Omega

Morning Prayer: 29 Nov – Revelation 22:6-21 ~ Jesus is coming again!

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences

Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to secure me: against snares of devils,
against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

Revelation 22:6-21 (ESV) – to be read aloud

second-coming

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

Alpha and Omega

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Reflection

THE FOURTH VISION: THE NEW JERUSALEM (21:9-22:5)

Come-Lord-Jesus-Blog

Epilogue (22:6-21)

In this passage, we hear the voice of Christ… who sets forth two major themes: the authenticity of the book as a divine revelation, and the imminence of the end. (Mounce, p. 402)

The reliability of Revelation: The words that relate the visions of things to come… are worthy of belief because they correspond to realty…. The source of the revelation is the Lord, who is further described as “the God of the spirits of the prophets….” John insists that his visions of the end constitute genuine prophecy. Under the impulse of the Holy Spirit he has faithfully recorded what God has revealed concerning the end of all things (cf. 1:3; 19:10). Further, he attests that he has actually heard and seen all the things recorded in the book…. They are prophetic and intended to be heard and understood. (Mounce, 403-5)

The end is near: Since the time is near, the message of judgement and hope is to be proclaimed among the churches. This raises once again the problem of a postponed consummation…. One of the most helpful suggestions is that the Apolcolypse has a two-fold perspective: it is concerned with the struggle between Christ and Antichrist that comes to a climax at the end of the age, but this struggle also existed between church and state in the first century and has surfaced in history whenever the state has made totalitarian demands. Thus the time has always been at hand. The tension of imminence is endemic to that span of redemptive history lying between the cross and the parousia. (Mounce, p. 406)

Rewards in heaven: The distribution of rewards on the basis of works is taught throughout Scripture (see Jer 17:10; Rom 2:6; 1 Pet 1:17). The reward will be spiritual blessedness to the righteous but judgement for those who are evil. It is the quality of a person’s life that provides the ultimate indication of what that person really believes…. Eternal life is the reward of faithfulness in the face of the great tribulation. (Mounce, p. 406-7)

Jesus Christ: The “Alpha and Omega” sets him apart from the entire created order…. The “Root and Offspring of David” identifies him as the promised Messiah. The “bright Morning Star” is a promise that the long night of tribulation is all but over and that the new eschatological day is about to dawn…. It is the testimony of the church empowered by the Holy Spirit that constitutes the great evangelizing force of this age…. The threefold use of the present imperative (“come/let him come”) serves to extend the invitation until that very moment when history will pass irrevocably into eternity and any further opportunity for decision will be past. (Mounce, 407-9)

Maranatha: The longing for the Lord’s coming stands at the heart of the Christian faith; apart from Christ’s return, his redemptive work remains forever incomplete. His return is the only sure hope for the future of the world. (Ladd, p. 296)
__________

Jesus is coming, He’s coming again / Jesus is coming again
Jesus is coming, He’s coming again / Jesus is coming again

Just as He went, He’ll come back in a cloud
We’ll hear the sound of a trumpet loud
Heavenly warriors and angels of praise
Will sing of His glory that triumphant day

The groom is preparing a place for His bride
There for eternity close to His side
Awaiting the words His Father will say
Go get Your bride for the wedding’s today
__________

Canticle

Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Morning Prayer: 26 Nov – Revelation 21:1-8 ~ all things new

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences

Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to secure me: against snares of devils,
against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

Revelation 21:1-8 (ESV) – to be read aloud

all-new

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Reflection

THE THIRD VISION (17:1-21:8)

The New Creation (21:1-8)

Throughout the entire Bible, the ultimate destiny of God’s people is an earthly destiny…. Biblical thought always places man on a redeemed earth, not in a heavenly realm removed from earthly existence…. “Behold, I am making all things new,” suggests the renovation of what already exists.

New Jerusalem: The New Testament conceives of a heavenly Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God, the true homeland of “the saints, and the dwelling place of the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:22; see Gal. 4:26; Phil. 3:20). While this heavenly Jerusalem is represented as the dwelling place of the departed saints, heaven is not their ultimate destiny, but only the temporary abode of the saints between death and resurrection (Rev. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 3:8; Phil. 1:23). In the consummation after the resurrection (20:4), the heavenly Jerusalem will descend from heaven to take up its permanent location in the new earth.

God with us: In the coming of Christ, God took up his dwelling temporarily among men (Jn 1:14)…. During the church age, God indwells his church, which is his temple (Eph 2:22); but this is a dwelling “in the Spirit,” which can be apprehended only by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:17). In the consummation, all this is changed; faith will be changed to sight, and “they shall see his face” (22:4).

This is a reality which we cannot visualize; but direct, unmarred fellowship between God and his people is the goal of all redemption…. The essential blessing is direct, untroubled fellowship with God. (Ladd, p.275-7)

Perfected Church: In John’s vision the first heaven and earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth…. The entire presentation stretches the limits of human vocabulary and thought to emphasize the glorious reality of God dwelling among his people.

John’s vision includes a new Jerusalem as well…better understood as a symbol of the church in its perfected and eternal state. The point is that Jerusalem is the site of the temple, the place where the Presence dwells. In 1 Cor 3:16-17 the people of God form the temple where God dwells: here (in Revelation) they are the city. The vision itself takes the form of a magnificent city symbolizing the eternal fidelity of those who follow the Lamb. The holy city (cf. Isa 52:1; Matt 4:5) is of heavenly origin. It comes down from God, that is to stay, the church is not a voluntary organization created by human beings but a fellowship initiated and given by God (cf. Matt 16:18). (Mounce, p. 381-2)
__________

__________

Canticle

Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Morning Prayer: 01 September – Revelation 1:1-8 ~ “Blessed is the one…”

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Revelation 1:1-8 (ESV) – to be read aloud

wpid-revelation-blessings.jpeg

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Reflection

PROLOGUE

“Blessed is the one…” (vs 1:3)

Revelation is intended to be a blessing to believers who are facing tough times. The condition of blessing is that God’s word is taken to heart and acted upon. John’s intention in writing Revelation was for it to be read aloud in the seven churches located in the Roman province of Asia (today part of Turkey and Greece). And, as prophecy, Revelation speaks today to the church at large.

“Jesus Christ the faithful witness…” (vs 1:5)

John reminds us that Jesus “loves us… has freed us… and made us a kingdom.” No matter what happens, no matter our circumstances… Christ’s love for us is permanent and abiding – nothing can separate us from it; Christ’s work on the cross is finished – we are forgiven and set free; and Christ’s mediation is complete – we are given full access to God – to participate in His Kingdom ministry here on earth.

“Behold he is coming…” (vs 1:7)

The second coming of Christ is the overarching theme of Revelation… which will be a public, visible event… accompanied by the judgement of God.

“…the Alpha and the Omega…” (vs 1:8)

“Behind the chaotic events of history, the believer recognizes that Jesus Christ… has in fact been exalted to God’s right hand where he sits as Lord, ruling over the rulers of the earth…. God is the absolute beginning and the end, and therefore Lord of all that happens in human history…. As the one who is to come, he will yet visit men to bring history to its divinely decreed consummation.” (Ladd, p. 25, 29)

Prayer

Almighty God, Ruler of all and Lord of history – I come into Your presence today at Your gracious invitation –

+ Forgive me my despair over the chaotic events swirling around me at home and abroad…

+ Cleanse me from my sin and set me free to live as Your faithful servant…

+ Thank You for Christ’s abiding love for me…

+ Thank You for the assurance that You are at work in me and around me, whether I recognize it or not…

+ Help me to live expectantly and hopefully in the light of Your immanent return…

+ Make me an minister of Your mercy and grace to all with whom I come in contact today.

I ask this through Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen
__________


__________

Canticle

Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.