Observation: These verses conclude not only John's vision of a future heaven, but the book itself, and the Christian Bible. What stands out to me are:
1) the words "do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near"
2) the names for Jesus found here: Alpha and Omega, First and Last, Beginning and End, Root and Descendent of David, Bright Morning Star.
Application: It's hard to find a simple, plainspoken life application for a cosmic text about the fate of the universe like Revelation. What does it mean for my daily life that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the Root and Descendant of David? What bearing does a truth of that magnitude have on the ordinary patterns of my existence?
I'm reminded in this new era of space exploration, with the James Webb telescope beaming back mind-blowing images of grandeur, and a moon exploration craft speeding back to us as we speak, that there needs to be a place for awe in our daily lives. We can't get so wrapped up in our busy schedules that we don't take a little time for "wow" in the presence of an infinite God.
We shouldn't seal up the words of wonder that we hear from Jesus, the Lord of creation. Let's share them, and reflect on them. There needs to be more awe in our world. And our times of wonder can help fuel us up for the daily tasks: "let the righteous still do right; let the holy still be holy."
Prayer: Jesus, Alpha and Omega, you are indeed awesome. Give us moments to pause and take in all that you are, and all that you have done for us. By these moments, give us hope and faith to carry on. in your name, Amen.
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