Things Past, Present, and Future

Scripture:

Revelations 1:12-20 (NASB)

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And 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. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Devotional:

John turned around and saw Jesus standing before him.  Verse 17 and 18says, “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.”  Jesus is the first and last, the Alpha and Omega.  Christ died upon the cross and was resurrected upon the third day.  Death has no hold upon Him.  He is victorious and through his victory we are given life.

John is instructed to write what he sees in his vision.  It is my impression that some of them have already happened as well as things that have not happened yet.  In verse 19, “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.”  Jesus is stating things you have seen, something that has happened.  Then write things that are, presently going on.  Finally write about things yet to come, future happenings. Also in chapter two we will find that Jesus is talking about seven churches, the lampstands.  That He elaborates on things that are going on at that time.  Revelations 2:4 states, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”  Each of the seven churches are named and given praise as well as their sinfulness.  

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.  He has concurred death.  We will either die, ultimately be thrown into the lake of fire, or reside in Hell, or we will live because of Christ.  It is through Him that we are offered life and given a place in Heaven.  Revelations is a book of warnings.  We are shown things from the past as well as what is to come.  We are given the chance to prepare ourselves.  No one knows when, but the time will come.  Where is Christ in your heart?  Are you ready for Him?