Revelation - Alpha and Omega

Some years ago I made a prayerful study of the Book of Revelation.  I remember writing about it in my blog, but have been unable to find those posts. We are studying the Book again in Sunday School, which is fitting for the last Sunday of the year. I thought it to be a good time to revisit John in the blog.

Somewhere between 80 and 100 A.D., John, the only member of the original apostles still alive, was living on a tiny island in the Aegean see. Patmos was a penal colony to which John had been sentenced. 

On the first day of the week, the Christian Sabbath, John was in the Spirit. Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind him who says I am Alpha and Omega*

John turned to see who has spoken to him and he saw 7 golden candlesticks and in the midst of them, a Man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sounds of many waters. (Revelation 1: 12-15)


I wonder what John felt seeing the Savior in this iteration.  The last time he had seen Jesus was when He ascended into Heaven, a resurrected being, but looking very much as he had in life.  Now John sees this amazing glorious Christ whose speech thundered like the roar of a waterfall and with a radiance that glowed as bright as the sun at noon.  It is no wonder that John was so astonished that he fell at His feet as dead. (Revelation 1: 17)

How will Christ look when I see Him again? I am sure that I, too, will fall upon my face at His feet. He is the first and the last, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12: 2) He is one whose shoe latchet I am unworthy to loose. (John 1:27)

Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made. When I look up at lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.  Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art!**

The Book of Revelation is, first and foremost, a book about Jesus Christ. I see Him on every page. I look forward with anxious anticipation to the day when I will see Him and fall at His feet and worship.

© December 23, 2019, Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson

*Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last.
** Christian hymn included in the LDS Hymnal in 1984 - one of my favorites.