Revelation 1:4-8 (NRSV)
Read Revelation 1:4-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4John 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, Verse 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, Verse 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Verse 7Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. Verse 8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Devotion
John's letter to the seven churches of Asia clearly states the life, death, resurrection and lordship of Jesus. In the name of this Lord, John sends a greeting of grace and peace. It is a name that holds grace and peace for us because it signals Jesus' power and authority over all other rulers. Now Jesus uses the power in that name to love us and free us from our sins. Jesus makes us part of his kingdom, calling us to be priests who serve his God and Father.
"Look!" the writer calls us (Revelation 1:7). See Jesus as your Lord coming to you now, turning you from your wailing, revealing to you his love and forgiveness. This Jesus will also be the one who will continue to come to you, for he is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end of everything.
Prayer
Alpha and Omega, as your word went out to the churches of Asia, send your word to our churches so that we know your love, your forgiveness, and your calling into your kingdom to be our Lord. In the name above all names we pray. Amen.