This week Pastor G continues his ten-part series called “Hello My Name Is Jesus.” Today he digs deeper into the context surrounding the three times Jesus said “I am the Alpha and the Omega” in the Book of Revelation.
If you missed the previous week’s message in this series you can use the links below. Mahalo!
MESSAGE NOTES
THREE TIMES JESUS SAID “I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA”
1) Revelation 1:8
John to the seven churches that 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, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” ~ Revelation 1:4-8
I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. ~ Daniel 7:13
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” ~ Revelation 1:8
… having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. ~ Revelation 1:12-19
THREE TIMES JESUS SAID “I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA”
2) Revelation 21:6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. ~ Revelation 21:1-7
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:1-3, 14
Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; ~ Revelation 22:1-3
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” ~ John 7:37-38
… Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:13-14
THREE TIMES JESUS SAID “I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA”
3) Revelation 22:13
Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.~ Revelation 22:12-15
… But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. ~ 2 Peter 3:8-9
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” ~ Revelation 22:16
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. ~ Revelation 22:17
GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP QUESTIONS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Have you ever done a deep study of the Book of Revelation? How did you feel while studying it? Were you confused? Frightened? Excited? Encouraged? Depressed? Why or why not?
2) Why do you think Jesus chose to communicate these visions to John is symbolic ways? Why not just come right out in plain language and explain exactly what was going to happen when and where?
READ: Revelation 1:1-19; Daniel 7:14
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg mentioned the symbolic nature of certain numbers in Hebrew thought and literature, especially apocalyptic literature like the Book of Revelation. Were you aware of these specific numbers having such specific symbolism?
2) Considering this strong and intentionally symbolic language, what do you think it means that Jesus had a gold sash around His chest? What about His head and hair being white like wool, like snow? What about His eyes like a flame of fire? What about His feet like red hot, glowing, burnished bronze? What about His voice being like many waters? What about the two-edged sword coming out of His mouth? Can you think of any other Scriptures where these types of descriptions or symbols are used? Which ones?
READ: Rev. 21:1-7; John 1:1-3, 14; Rev. 22:1-3; John 4:13-14, 7:37-38
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Can you find Old Testament references to “living water?” How do they relate to some of what you just read? What do you think it means that the tree of life is growing twelve different kinds of fruit? What does it mean that “the leaves are for the healing of nations?”
2) He says there will no longer be any curse. What does He mean? What curse?
3) Why do you think it is so important to God for His tabernacle to be among us?
4) John says Jesus was with God in the Beginning and the Jesus was God in the beginning. Pastor Greg referred to the Trinity in His message as well. There is only one God, yet we know Him as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? How is that possible? If you had to explain the Trinity to a non-believing friend, what would you say?
READ: Revelation 22:12-17; 2 Peter 3:1-9; Matthew 24:1-14; Matthew 28:16-20
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What does it mean that God’s name will be on our foreheads? Why is it significant that we will “see His face?”
2) What do you think about what Peter says about the reason Jesus is delaying coming back? How does that relate to Matthew 24:14? What is our responsibility with respect to Matthew 24:14 and Revelation 22:17 and Matthew 28:16-20? What should be our primary purpose in life? Why don’t most of us work harder at fulfilling that purpose? How do you think God feels about that?