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Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:4b-8 NIV)
The pressures of life here on earth sometimes cloud our vision of the realm we call Heaven. Our prayer time and our worship is meant to take us there every time we do either. Sometimes we worry so much about what is to come in the here and now that we forget that we are not of this place; we are truly pilgrims in a foreign place. We are of God and from God we came, and to God we shall return. And when we are there we shall see Him as King there.
The writer of thsi book, John greets us with a message of grace and peace from God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ Himself. Each of these divine persons is a source of strength and assurance, setting the stage for the grand revelation of Christ’s sovereignty.
Jesus is described as the "faithful witness" and "the firstborn of the dead," emphasizing His role in God's redemptive plan. He is not only a witness to the truth but also the ultimate testimony of God’s power over death. As the "ruler of kings on earth," Christ stands above all earthly powers and authorities. No matter the chaos or uncertainty we may face, we can take comfort in knowing that Christ reigns supreme.
Moreover, we are reminded that through His sacrificial love, Jesus has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to God. This remarkable transformation means that we are called to serve Him and others, participating in His mission of reconciliation and love. Our identity as His kingdom reflects His glory and dominion, compelling us to live out our faith actively and authentically.
The passage culminates with a powerful promise of Christ's return: "Behold, he is coming with the clouds." This reminder stirs our hearts with hope and anticipation. Every eye will see Him, and every tribe will acknowledge His authority. This is not just a future event; it is a present reality that should inspire us to live with purpose and integrity, knowing that our King is coming back.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for the incredible truth that Jesus is our King. Thank You for His sacrifice that has freed us from sin and made us a part of Your kingdom. Help us to live in a way that reflects Your love and authority in our lives. May we actively share the hope of Christ with others and be reminded of His glorious return. Empower us to be faithful witnesses and to bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' strong name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Consider how you can reflect the love and authority of Christ in your daily interactions. This week, find one way to serve others, share the hope of Christ, or exemplify His grace in your community.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
