Revelation 1:4b-8 (NRSV)
Read Revelation 1:4b-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
The author of Revelation reminds us that Christ rules over the kings of the earth, that he loves us and has forgiven us for all of our sins. He tells us that we have been made to be priests serving God. Our response to these great gifts is to love and serve God. We offer our worship and praise to the One who is and who was and who is to come by doing Christ’s work in the world. Ask God to open your eyes, that you might see opportunities to serve today and to open your heart so that you engage in that service.
Prayer
O Lord, Jesus Christ, you are the ruler of the kings of the earth. Rule in our lives. You have called us to be a part of your kingdom. You ask us to be your priests serving you. May the realization of the depth of the love you have for us and the sacrifice you made to win our forgiveness inspire us to become willing and eager servants. Amen.