Alpha and Omega – Revelation 1: 4 - 8
Intro: I would be willing to be that most, if not all of us, have had the experience of meeting someone, perhaps at Walmart or on the street; but, you can’t remember for the life of you who it is. --- Lady Diana Cooper, an elderly British socialite wrote of just such and experience. She was attending an official reception when a friendly woman approached her and greeted her by name. The woman seemed to know her well, so Lady Diana spoke warmly with her while trying to remember who she could be. When Lady Diana saw the magnificent diamond jewelry the lady was wearing, she suddenly realized she was talking to Queen Elizabeth. Overcome with embarrassment, she curtsied and stammered, “Your Majesty, I’m sorry? I didn’t recognize you without your crown!” (from the sermon “The Son of May by K. Edward Skidmore – Sermoncentral.com)
I How many of us would recognize Christ Jesus if we came face to face with Him today? Today is Christ the King Sunday, a day on which we are to recognize and celebrate the Lordship and Kingship of Christ Jesus.
A Christ the King Sunday began when Pope Pius XI created it as a Sunday on which Christians could celebrate the Kingship of Christ Jesus as a way of combating the destructive forces of his age. The intent is to recognize Jesus as the ruler of the kings of the earth and as such possesses ultimate authority over all creation.
B For Christians, the church year begins with the anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Theologically, this Sunday marks the end of the church year.
C Today, we begin our anticipation and preparations for the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus as the Messiah.
II The scripture reading for this Sunday is appropriate. For our full comprehension of the text we need to look at the word “revelation” as it appears in VS. 1.
A The word “revelation” is one of the translations of the GK word ?p???????? / apokalupsis / other translations of the word are possible, including: uncovering / unveiling / disclosure / appearing / coming / to be revealed.
B The word apokalupsis is used in VS. 1. It is the first and only time that it is used.
C An apocalypse is a peculiar for of writing. It is a collection of images that persuade by appealing to the imagination and emotion of the reader.
III VS. 4b – “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come . . .” By beginning with “who is,” John departs from the linear order of past, present, and future.
A There are 3 main themes in this passage:
1) The power of the “Almighty” God who stands at the beginning
and the end of history.
2) The significance of the Christ event for the church.
3) The consummation of God’s purposes for creation.
B VS. 5 “…Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. In this verse John gives three distinct titles for Jesus. These titles tell us all we need to know about Jesus.
C It is no accident that John begins with “Who is.” It is his way of emphasizing the fact that God’s rule has been made visible on earth not only in the past; but, NOW! through those who hear and obey, now.
Concl: As the church, we are called to witness to the lordship of God by our opposition to all earthly powers that seek to usurp the place of God. We are all responsible as God’s ministers to care for the suffering people of our community and the world by embracing the kingdom of God in and with the most marginalized of our world. John is telling us that God created a kingdom long ago. It is a kingdom that exists now and will exit until Christ returns. We sing “Onward Christians Soldiers” but I am not sure how many are marching. There are those who “play” at church, who seek to be entertained in complacency. Do we have a vision or concern for a lost world out there? Are we standing on the promises or sitting on the premises? We must discern what it means to be a “faithful witness” in today’s world.
Hear the word of God as given to us by John in VS. 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.
