Jesus is the Alpha and Omega
To the angel of the Church of Smyrna, (the persecuted Church) write, These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life."
Jesus-the first.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13)
Jesus is everything. He is in everything. He was and He always will be. He spans eternity. As my good friend says, Jesus IS!
The root word for Smyrna is "mir", which means "bitter". To the one who is suffering, Jesus reminds us that He IS everything. He offers hope in persecution.
Is there bitterness in your life? Where do you need to apply and believe these words of Christ in Revelation? For there's more.
Jesus also reminds us that He was dead and came to life. He was faithful in His suffering for us. We may think of Stephen as the first martyr. (Acts 6) But what if Christ is the true picture of martyrdom? For although He knew the plan set before Him, He remained faithful to death. And having died at the hands of those He came to save, Jesus kept His promise and has risen from the dead. (Philippians 2: 5-11)
In these words to the Church of Smyrna, Jesus reminds us that He is everything. He also encourages us by pointing to His own journey, which included persecution and death.
But . . . Jesus conquered death! He rose again! There were countless eyewitnesses! The Book of Acts records many stories of this newly formed group of believers in Jesus. And although the Church may have its issues, we have been here for more than 2,000 years.
Church of Smyrna, those who suffer persecution today, there is hope! For the First and the Last, the One who died as the ultimate sacrifice for you, He conquered death! You will too.
Do not fear that which you are about to suffer. Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
There is much persecution of the Christians throughout the world today. Hold fast, my precious brothers and sisters in Christ. May He give you the strength to endure. May He remind you that though you suffer now, He's with you in glory.
Dear Lord, breathe upon your persecuted church today. Give them the strength they need. Speak hope into their spirits. Awaken the passion within them so that they can endure as they rest in You. Thank you that You are the Alpha and the Omega. You are the beginning and the end. We praise you for your faithfulness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
If you want to read more about martyrs of today, here are a few links.
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