The Majesty of God - Pt. 4

[Jesus said] “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.” (Revelation 22:12-16 ESV).

 

In the final verses of the Bible, Jesus describes himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End; and, a verse or so later He says, “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (v. 16). He promises that he is coming soon, and he offers eternal life for all who wish to take the free gift of the water of life. This is no small declaration from Jesus. There are some things here that ought to cause us to stand agape in the knowledge that God has chosen and given us His love and mercy.

 

First, we must understand that He was before the beginning of creation. Because of His eternal preexistence He is also the Alpha, the beginning. As part of the triune God, he brought into existence the universe with its billions of galaxies filled with stars. Our Lord is the creator of all things visible and invisible; in him and through him and for him all things were made (cf. Colossians 1:16). He is the Alpha, the origin and source of all things.

 

Second, in Jesus all things converge in the universe. He is at the core of God’s divine decrees. He is the center in all of creation and redemption. He is the pivot of history itself. His influence and presence did not stop with the act of creation. He is the center of it all. Everything before the Incarnation and resurrection point toward Him or refer back to Him.

 

Third, Jesus is not just the first Word. He is the last. He is the Omega, the consummation and end of all things. When the curtain falls on cosmic history, Jesus will be there full of glory as the Omega, the end of all things. From everlasting to everlasting he is God himself, clothed with glory and majesty! As the whole of all there is, He is the “bright morning star”! This calls our attention to the wonder of our God. How can we but stand in awe of Him?