I have to be honest. I have spent too much time in recent weeks hanging my head in discouragement. I have been overwhelmed by the problems I see and the problems I face. I have been busy, stressed, wishing for rest, and finding little.

I remember reading in the Old Testament about how God had set apart certain days of the year for the nation of Israel to all gather together to worship God. All the people would leave work or home to come and pray, worship, and celebrate what God had done. It was a time of reflection, rest and rejoicing.

Because God is so gracious and sees our very need, and because I go to this amazing school that loves to worship God, I got to have a day like this just last week. Our whole school, staff and students, left our work in the office and classroom. We gathered together to have  Day Set Apart for fasting, praying and worshipping God.

During some of our time, we were given a Bible passage to read, study, and reflect on. The passage was Revelation 1. If I’m honest, at first glance, this passage seemed pretty random and irrelevant. Boy was a wrong! I want to share with you what I learned from reading this. May it encourage you and inspire you to put your trust in Jesus:

[It might help to read Revelation 1 first]

What does God say about himself in this passage?

“Twice the Lord describes himself as the God WHO WAS, WHO IS, and WHO IS TO COME.

He is the “Alpha and Omega” (The Beginning and the End).

This shows God’s timeless presence, power, and rule over the universe.

He reigned in the past. He reigns now. He will reign in the future. He is the ruler from the beginning and will be until the end. He is the beginning and the end.

His reign and authority is constant, eternal, everlasting.

Then comes Jesus, who is described as,

the FAITHFUL WITNESS. That is, a witness to all of us of who God, the Father is and what He is like.

He is the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD. Jesus is the first person raised from the dead and is now alive forever.

He is the RULER OF ALL THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. He reigns over all things. He is even king over all the kings over all the earth! He is the ultimate authority and ruler.

He LOVES US. Passionately loves us.

He FREED US FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD. He sacrificed Himself to save us, His people.

In order to MAKE US A KINGDOM AND PRIESTS. Why? To serve God, the Father.

After setting us free from the reign of sin and self, Jesus has established us as people under His authority, in His kingdom, that we might serve Him as our King.

He is the FIRST AND THE LAST. He is from the beginning and will be until the end. He holds all existence in His power, dominion, authority, and control.

He is the LIVING ONE who is fully alive, active, and well and will be forever. He was ONCE DEAD, but is NOW ALIVE FOREVER.

He is fully able, strong, complete, mighty, and powerful to reign.

HE HOLDS THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES. He has authority over all things, even death and hell are at his disposal.

He can snatch us from hell, or sentence us there. He can condemn to die or raise to life because He holds the access and power over all. ”

Revelation was written to churches that were living in the midst of pain, suffering, violence and rampant persecution.

This was God’s message to his hurting people:

God has not lost His grip on things. He has not lost His control over the situation.

He is reigning. He is powerful. He is able. And all things are in His hands.

Rest assured, we can trust Him.