◄ What Does Revelation 1:17 Mean? ►

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,

Revelation 1:17(NASB)

Picture courtesy of Brian Jekel

Verse of the Day

Scripture tells us all that we need to know of God's wonderful plans and marvellous purposes for our salvation and eternal security, which is only found in Christ. And the book of Revelation gives a précis of Who God is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in time to come.

It was the beloved John, that fiery son of thunder who, in his twilight years, was selected to be the final mouthpiece in God's amazing revelation of Jesus Christ to the Church and witness to all humanity, of things that are shortly to take place.

John had walked, talked, and lived with Jesus. He had rested his head on Christ's bosom. He had listened to all His teachings, and John's love for Jesus had multiplied with his passing years. But such was the magnificent wonder of the vision of the risen, glorified Christ, that John fell at His feet as if he were dead.

Familiarity with and love for our precious Saviour must never deflect our reverence of Who He is, nor must the dreadful awe of His eternal Presence prevent us from resting our head on His bosom and walking and talking with Him in the cool of the day. For He laid His right hand on John, just as He does with each of His fearful children saying, "Fear not, it is I, don’t be afraid."

The gentle touch of His right hand and the comforting words that fall from His lips, are for all God's children. He is to be first and last in every area of our lives just as He was with John, for He is the beginning and the end of creation, and we are that new creation in Christ.

He is the beginner and finisher of our faith, for in Him we live and move and have our being. He is the Alpha and Omega of our hope for He is our resurrected Lord Whose soon return floods us with that blessed hope which quickens the heart of all who trust in His name.

At the end of Revelation, Jesus reiterates this glorious truth that should gladden and comfort every child of God: "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful revelation of Jesus and the glorious hope that I have in You. I pray that Jesus may be first and last in every area of my life as I wait in glorious anticipation of His return. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.