November 21st Reflection by Bill Lynch

Revelation 1:4b-8

 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds;
   every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
   and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.

 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Reflection
This is a photo that I took this fall. It reminds me of this passage. A passage that is so complete. Considering the unique meaning of the number seven being complete. We have a blessing from perhaps Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father. Some believe that the seven spirits being the complete spirits signify the Holy Spirit.

We see a vision of the coming of Jesus on the clouds returning. This is where the picture comes in. With this picture I am reminded of the beauty of the coming of Jesus in the first place. The beauty of the roses reminds me of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, both have come to this earth to dwell with us. God became flesh and in all beauty of love and life came to save us from our sinful self, death and the devil. The Holy Spirit was sent to lead and guide us as the Church lives and grows and carries out the call given by God to tell that story of Jesus, to live that love of Jesus and to be God's people in this present world.

And the beauty of the clouds above and behind the roses, reminds me of the hope we have in this passage. One day Jesus will return to settle things. Return as a "Rose" on the clouds in that wonderful glory. What a beautiful sight this will be. A sight much more beautiful than this picture. The rose will pale in contrast to the beauty of Jesus return for his people. All complete... Alpha and Omega... Seven... dominion for ever and ever. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you give us eternal hope in all that you have done. It's awesome to be yours and I look for your return. But until then I know of your presence here and now, for you have said you are with us always. May I serve you in the love you have placed in me and do your will... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen