tgandy

Jesus is walking among the 7 churches. Jesus walks among our churches today. He is moving about in our pews and through our sanctuaries. As we carry in His light so He comes also. No matte what we face, our persecutions etc. Christ will always move among us and strengthen us. Our church is a source of strengh to the believer. We have "safety" in numbers and feel stronger and our souls are filled in the church. Of course he is with us outside, but the church is a source of strenght and strenght in numbers. Jesus will never leave us. He will be just a whisper away...

The image we see of Christ is that of a Father. He is the "head of the family", the one we would go to for advice, help, etc. He now has the look of wisdom aquainted with one who is in charge. This "aging" is important because our faith cannot remain in the "manger of Bethlehem" forever. Our faith grows and matures as did our image of the Carpenter. He has taken his seat and is ready to wage war, and to judge.

The theme of testimony and witness of Revelation is God is Sovereign. He is greater than any power in the universe. This is a book of hope. He was, is, and always will be. Jesus, His son, is witness to the fact. He walked among us, he died and rose again. He knows the Father. He is the Father. This gives us hope. Jesus freed us from all of our sins. We are afraid to be witness because we are persecuted! No prayer in schools, no Bibles, wanting the 10 Commandments out of the courthouses while still swearing or affirming on the Bible. No we are persecuted. But we are afraid to witness because of what people will think of us or what they will say. The only one we should be concerned about is our Father in Heaven. "Faith without works is dead.." according to James and so it is. God will judge us.

Christians all over the world are experiencing tribulation and persecution for their beliefs. Bibles are not allowed into certain countries. Prayer in our schools here in the USA. Trying the remove the 10 Commandments for the courthouses while still swearing or affirming on the Bible. Persecution is everywhere and in many differen forms. The Book of Revelation is a book of hope. After our journey here on earth, we will join the Father. That is our quest. We have faith and we work and spread that faith. Our reward is heaven with Him. No matter what happens here, it is only for a short while and The Father will never leave us alone.

Revelation 1:8 states beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord God is the beginning and the end. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Father is eternal! He restates this in 21:6. Jesus also states in 1: 17 and in 22: 12 - 13. We believe in a triune God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three are one. And the Alpha and Omega. Jesus is the Son of God, but he is also God and the Holy Spirit.