The Beginning and the End
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Notice, these things were to be given to the churches.
Ephesus forgot their love for Christ.
Thyatira tolerated sin.
Sardis was spiritually dead.
Laodicia became self-righteous.
Churches that were just a few years away from the ascension of Christ.
God help us today! We mustn’t let our guard down for even one minute church!
The title Alpha and Omega may be one of the most significant names or titles ever given to our Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s important to note that it’s mentioned four times in the Book of Revelation:
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
This title signifies that our Lord is the Complete One…Nothing existed before Him, nothing supersedes Him in time, and in every matter of eternal truth, He will have the final word!
The Bible begins with God:
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
and it ends with Christ:
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
All roads in between in Scripture lead right to the Savior!
Alpha ( α) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega ( Ω) is the last letter.
The word "alphabet" comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet... alpha , beta.
Christ is saying, "I am the first and the last, the beginning and the ending." It is interesting that this title is put at the very beginning and end of Revelation.
The title of Alpha & Omega teach us some great truths about Jesus Christ.
He is the Beginning and End of Creation
He is the Beginning and End of Creation
Creation had a beginning. Civilization had a beginning. Time had a beginning. Jesus Christ had no beginning because He has always been. He is Alpha, the beginning.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Jesus Christ is all you and I need. He is A to Z. A man or woman truly begins to live when Christ comes into their life. The Lord is to be number one in our life. He is to be our Alpha.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
It’s interesting to note; back in the introduction, I give you two verses at the beginning and ending of Revelation that refer to the Alpha and Omega..
The first reference is for God, the second for Jesus - at the beginning and end.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Jesus and God are not equal - Jesus wasn’t just a good person, or teacher, He was God in the flesh.
When we know Christ we will never be at a loss. Christ is the key to wisdom and knowledge. In Him, we understand our past, present, and future.
4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Christ is the beginning and the ending. He is the final goal or destination in which all life is moving either to be saved by Him, judged by Him, or ruled by Him.
The world began with the Lord and will end with Him. What was started in Genesis ends in Revelation.
In Genesis 3:17 we find the Ground Cursed, but in Revelation 22:3, there’s No more curse
3:17 Daily Sorrow 21:4 No more sorrow
3:18 Thorns & thistles 21:4 No more pain
3:19 Death returns us to dust 21:4 No more death
3:15 Satan opposing 20:10 Satan banished
3:24 Man kept from the tree of life 22:14 He's given access to the tree
3:23 Banished from the Garden 22:14 Free entry to God's city
1:4 Division of light and darkness 21:25 No more night
1:10 Division of land and sea 21:1 No more sea
1:16 Sun & moon created 21:23 No need of sun and moon
2:8,9 Man in a prepared garden 21:2 Man in a prepared city
2:12 Gold in the land 21:21 Gold in the city
3:15 Redeemer is promised 5:9,10 Redemption is accomplished
Christ is the Alpha and Omega! Trust Him with your life!
He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith
He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Everything we are and have, belongs to God!
True faith begins in Heaven, comes to repentant people, and then returns to the place it came from.
Christ loved us, sought us, found us and saved us, and one day will make us like Himself.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Alpha and Omega gives us God's relationship and influence on time.
Author and Finisher reminds us of God's task.
Notice He is called Author in Hebrews 12:2, yet, He wrote nothing except a message in the dirt (John 8:6-8). He is, however, the author of the Word of God. He moved men to write His Word!
Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Greek word for "Author" means "one responsible for commencement; originator, pioneer, example, leader, prince or captain."
This Greek word is also used in
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
As the Author or Captain of our Salvation...
He’s our commander...
He’s our champion...I’m thankful that a champion is victorious! He never loses! He doesn’t lose us! He doesn’t lose to death! He doesn’t lose to the devil!
He’s our Creator...
He’s the Clearer of the way, He’s the pioneer of the Path…He cleared the path of salvation for you and I!
He is the Alpha and Omega of revelation
He is the Alpha and Omega of revelation
I give you the references in the introduction, but it’s interesting to note that the name “Alpha and Omega” is found twice at the beginning of Revelation and twice at it’s end.
When the Lord spoke to John, He said:
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
When John was almost finished with his commission and the book was almost complete, the Lord repeated his statement:
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
He then says:
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Christ was the beginning and end of the revelation God gave to men.
Everything that God had to communicate with us, everything that God wanted us to know, is found within the pages of His Word.
It’s up to us to listen, to trust, to obey His Word!
Cults down throughout the years have either substituted other volumes or denied the accuracy of the Scripture, but the ancient statements of God have never been proven false, and they never will, because they are the truth!
His Word is Truth, Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life!
The Bible is a well from which sincere people draw refreshment to meet every need of their thirsty souls!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Right before the warning we just read in Revelation 22:18-19, the Bible says:
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
This is an open invitation to receive salvation from Jesus. He will not exclude anyone who comes to Him.
An invitation is both an opportunity and a responsibility. If we decline an invitation, we have only ourselves to blame.
Today, we are to put our trust in Christ, why?
Because He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
We need four basic things to survive. Water, Air, Food, and Light.
Jesus, being complete, being the first and the last, He is the Living Water, The Breath of Heaven, The Bread of Life, and The Light of the World...
He has all authority, all power, and He can take care of our every need, including our greatest need, which is salvation!
Come to Him today for whatever you need!