Alpha and Omega

I lead a Bible study on Saturday mornings, and I use the liturgical readings from the Catholic church as the basis. Whoever set up which scriptures were to be included, is to be commended, there is always a consistent theme. Typically they include an OT selection, a Psalm, a NT reading, and finally the gospel message. December 2 marked the beginning of Advent, and the verses that were chosen began with a prophecy from Jeremiah.  In essence it  proclaimed that the Messiah would shoot from King David’s family tree, the tribe of Judah.  The gospel reading was from Luke, but it did not deal with Jesus’ lineage, birth or the angel visiting Mary, in fact it dealt with end times.  In those days, certain cultures, the Greeks being one, believed that history merely cycled around.  Every 3000 years or so, it would repeat itself, with no end in sight. The nation of Israel, on the other hand, held fast to the promise that God would one day come to judge the earth’s inhabitants.  So, they believed in a world that was racing towards an end, not going around in dizzying circles.  In chapter 21 of Luke, Jesus gets the attention of his disciples by telling them that one day the, magnificent temple in Jerusalem would lay in a pile of rubble.  Immediately they asked when this would take place.  Jesus gives many clues, but no definitive date.  He wanted them, and all of us that followed, to be keenly aware of the signs.  Every Christian generation since, has looked for the signs.  Are you familiar with them?  It would be foolish not to know what to look for, after Jesus specifically informs us of them. Here are a few: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” Luke 21:8.  “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” v.10, and, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” v 25-28.  Jesus doesn’t tell us these things to frighten us, but to encourage, and remind us that he will return for us.  Read them, for yourself, don’t believe me, believe in Him, PLEASE!!! “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 21:6.