Revelations 1:4-8
4 John, to the seven churches which 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, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
The Book of Revelation is a very deep book of God’s Holy Scripture, with many things to unpack when it comes to trying to understand it. The text assigned for today doesn’t fall short of containing such depth either. From St. John’s perspective, everything is seen from the heavenly view—and thus, Revelation is embedded with symbolic divine language.
Seven is a signifier of completeness or perfection, suggesting that the Book of Revelation was not just written for the seven congregations in Asia Minor, but rather, the book was written to the universal Church—including other small communities of faith that were in and around Asia Minor. While the language of Revelation does not resonate with today’s postmodern language, the letter was written to all believing Christians, and its ultimate message is “Be prepared!”
This falls perfectly in line within the threefold theme of Advent. Namely, Christ’s first coming (adventing) when taking on man’s flesh; Christ’s continued coming (adventing) through His Word and Sacraments; and His final coming (adventing) when He comes in glory. So, indeed, “Be prepared!” for Christ’s final advent on the Last Day! There really are no better words to prepare than those of God’s Holy Scripture: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
When working through His Word and Sacraments to keep the faith (that He created within you) fed and focused upon Jesus’ merits for you—prepared you are, indeed! Thanks be to God!
Let us pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
