SCRIPTURE:
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:12-13
OBSERVATION:
It’s an exciting and also sobering reminder that Jesus is coming, and that He is the first and the last, exists from the beginning to the end of time, and therefore has seen and knows every detail of our life, including the times that we were the most carnal and sinful. Exciting, because we look forward to spending eternity with Him. Sobering, because we have to be prepared.
It is contemplative to realize that He will give to everyone according to what we have done. So, how have I done in my relationships with Jesus and doing His will? What will I/we reap if we’ve sown much carnality? How does His grace and forgiveness factor in? What is the reward that He brings? I truly believe that the key lies within the heart of man and that the interpretation of “according to what he has done,” refers to what we do each and every day in seeking Him in His Word and will, and therefore, repentance for our sins rather, than the act and sum of our sin. If we focus on the act and sum of our sin, it can be overwhelming; but knowing that Jesus covers ALL of our sin and transgressions is heart-filling. The world would want us to believe that we will receive His wrath knowing what we’ve done in the past and therefore misinterpret what He will give us according to what we have done. However, His reward is eternity with Him and all we have to do to tip the scale in receiving His love, grace and riches of heaven is to believe in what He did on the cross, His word, and therefore our call to action in obedience. Then, “according to what he (we) has (have) done is counted as glory rather then gory sin.
APPLICATION:
I need to remember to be mindful of what the Word says about how I live my life, my words, my actions, and my closeness to Jesus. That as I fall short throughout the day, that I turn and fall to His grace and love. If I have the His Word in my heart, I have the shield and sword to do battle with the enemy; in my mind and subsequently, in my actions. Truly, as Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end; He is everywhere. It is so simple to walk with Him and close to Him, which quells my heart that I am ready and prepared for His return, as He sees and knows all.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for making a way that I can turn the tables on the scales of spiritual justice to be a gem in your eyes rather then a sinner by condemnation of the enemy. I pray that you will always guide my heart and mind to hold onto your promises of love, grace and mercy; and therefore to act and move upon your Word.
