Verse of the Day 3/30

Verse of the Day 3/30

Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. 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."  English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's passage from Revelation 1 is another one that takes on special meaning following Easter.  Jesus had been arrested and crucified because He was accused of proclaiming Himself to be a king and in opposition to Caesar.  Though there was no guilt in Him, He was crucified and on  the cross the label "King of the Jews" was put upon the cross by Pilate.  Truly, he did not know who he was dealing with.  Pilate thought that he was in control, but then as now and in the final days leading up to His return, God is in control, He is not dead, He is surely alive.

Reading the passage in The Message below, I like the way Eugene Peterson translates this:  The God Who Is, The God Who Was, And The God About To Arrive.  It is written in bold writing, making a declaration that we should remember, take to heart and never forget.  With all the political, social and religious unrest around us, including the terrorism, it is hard to think how so few people see that He is "about to arrive".  He is coming again, He said it will happen and He will see to it and when He does all will see it.  The "all" includes those who have mocked Him, falsely accused Him, denied Him, pierced Him, slandered Him and ignored Him.

He is coming and He will rule all kingdoms as King of Kings and Lord of Lord's.  Do you believe this?  We should then live our lives to honor Him as such here and now, today.  May it be so in our lives.

I'll quote the final stanza to the song "In the First Light" which makes the declaration.  May it be our song.

Hear the angels as they're singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will our song be when he comes again to earth
Hear the angels as they're singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will our song be when he comes to rule the earth!

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Revelation 1:4-8The Message (MSG)

His Eyes Pouring Fire-Blaze

^4-7 I, John, am writing this to the seven churches in Asia province: All the best to you from The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive, and from the Seven Spirits assembled before his throne, and from Jesus Christ—Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings.

Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us,
    who blood-washed our sins from our lives,
Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father,
    forever—and yes, he's on his way!
Riding the clouds, he'll be seen by every eye,
    those who mocked and killed him will see him,
People from all nations and all times
    will tear their clothes in lament.
    Oh, Yes.

⁸ The Master declares, "I'm A to Z. I'm The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I'm the Sovereign-Strong."