Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

Christ Lord and God to us

Revelation 1:1-8

Santhosh George

St. Johns MTC, NY.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” v.8

Early Christians faced persecution and needed assurance that God was in control. The book of Revelation is a warning, circulated to seven cities in the Roman province of Asia Minor. The purpose of the book is to challenge and encourage the believers in the midst of their opposition and persecution. It reminds them to lead holy lives as they await their final participation in God’s kingdom. We may not experience a similar physical persecution in our times, but, alienation and ridicule exists today for Christian beliefs.  

Worship leads to revelation:

Early Christians had already changed their day of rest and worship from Saturday (the Sabbath) to Sunday. The revelation began “On the Lord’s Day” (v.10) while he was in the “Spirit”. Worship that John is experiencing here is not merely reciting ancient liturgy with a chant or going through the routines of Sunday, but a deep desire to honor God for who He is and to experience God’s mercy and revelation. We must evaluate our attitude and approach for worship. Is it just a time of repeating liturgy? Is it simply a routine that we’ve built into our lives?

Christ is the beginning and the end:

The Bible centers on Jesus. Bible teaches us that Jesus was there in the beginning and he will be there at the end. Old Testament prepares our hearts and minds for the Messiah and He is revealed in the New Testament. Jesus is the one “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father” (v5b-6). He is going to come again and it will not happen secretly (v7). We must have Christ at the center of our lives and demonstrate this love in our dealings with others.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to worship You in truth and in Spirit and to experience Your revelation for us. Help us to serve You as the center of our lives. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

What is our attitude towards worship? Is there any behavior in our lives where Christ is not at the center?

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