From A - Z, or Zed, or O

Revelation 1:4b-8

In a recent lecture on the book of John the speaker helped us to better understand the Greek language. He did his best and I have to be honest to say that unless I refer to my notes I can't recall much about what was said. There is one thing, though, that stuck with me. I want to ask forgiveness if I get the intended message wrong, but again, I'm not reviewing my notes.

Let me begin with the understanding of the English, or Euro, alphabet. When used to measure time we see it as a place to start and finish. In other words A-Z means from beginning to end. It's a journey that may have checkpoints in between, but is meant to have an end sooner or later.

In the Greek alphabet, when used as time, Alpha to Omega is meant to be all inclusive; beginning, end, and all points in-between, then beginning all over again. The middle alphabets aren't merely checkpoints but is, and always will be, part of the journey.

Today's passage fits in well with the week's theme of remembering what we are thankful for in our lives as well as what we want to take with us into the new Christian year. It purposely calls all people to be witness of the coming of Jesus into the Kingdom he made. In the theology of John, one people united, true witnesses to God.

We don't really know who wrote Revelation, and I'm sorry to have opened that can of worms, but if we get past the argument of who wrote it and look at the message of this great book we'll see that it calls for unity and unconditional acceptance. It also calls for us to be vigilant in how we live our lives in Christ's name.

In this passage, at least, we're asked to gather as one people to be witness to the coming of Christ into the world, and to recall how his life is a culmination of everything from before time began and into a time not yet known.

Wrap your selves around that for a while.