THE END
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.’” Revelation 21:6, ESV
Theme: The Revelation—and the whole history of the earth and humanity—starts and ends with Jesus.
BIBLIOPHILE
This Scripture makes me giddy. It is the ultimate spoiler, the end of the story. Being a bibliophile, I can tell you I have read and loved many books. However, not once have I turned to the end of the book to read the last sentence. I have enjoyed re-reading favorite books while knowing what happens at the end. The Bible is one of those books. Whenever I feel hopeless, confused, or frustrated while studying Scripture, I remember Revelation and the amazing truth revealed to us. “It is done.” God will say this. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” This is the truth, even when we can’t feel it or see it. “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” That’s a promise. Boy, am I thirsty!
IT STARTS AND ENDS WITH JESUS
This sums up the Good News: Jesus at the beginning and end of time. He was there before anything else. He is here with me in the messy middle. He will wrap it all up for all of us with a perfect, redeemed, life-giving, free, complete ending. The last verse in the Bible is “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:21, ESV). This is why we are here, so that the grace of the Lord Jesus will come and save everyone who can be convinced to allow it. In the end as it is now, grace is for all.
When I am reading a particularly tense scene in an engrossing novel, sometimes it’s difficult to imagine the satisfaction of a good ending. When Pastors Sergey and Natasha spoke during Week Seven of this series, I was not only enthralled by their charisma and wisdom, but by their ability to persist in the face of uncertainty, unrest, violence, and war. The admonishment to follow God’s instructions to read His Word regularly, rest (take a Sabbath), and serve people relentlessly were so practical! Yet the Truth resonated with me – our circumstances don’t affect anything about the direction the story will go. In the end--just as it was in the beginning, just as it is today – Jesus provides for all our needs out of His abundance.
Make It Personal: How does knowing the beginning and the end of God’s story help you face the middle? Are you thirsty? What does that mean to you (to be thirsty)?
Pray: Jesus, You are the first and last. You provide, satisfy, comfort, and heal. Thank You for the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. Help me to have the end in mind as I live each day. Amen.
Read: Revelation 21:1-7; Daniel 12:1-3
Weekly Memory Verse: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21, ESV