Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 (NRSV)
Read Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12"See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. Verse 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Verse 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Verse 16"It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." Verse 17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
Verse 20The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Verse 21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
Devotion
For the third time this week, our reading proclaims the exclusive claim that God has upon our lives and upon our world. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (v. 13) It is far too easy to say that Jesus is the beginning and the end of our lives. It is a much different thing to live out the reality of those words.
God has given us work to do. (v 12) I am a great fan of my church denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s theme vision: “God’s work. Our hands.” These simple phrases remind us that God works in this world through means. Our greatest blessing is to be one of those means.
Prayer
Lord, let us not only lift up your Name on high, but empower us by the Holy Spirit to be living examples of those who have been washed in Holy Baptism, in your precious and Holy Name. Amen!
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