JESUS CHRIST, the BEGINNING and the END

"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev 21:6). "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev 22:13).

Devotion 8 of 20

JESUS IS PREEMINENT

The word "preeminent" is more a moral word than a legal or political one. By that I mean it is associated more with character than mere position. Specifically, Jesus is preeminent because of WHO He is, and the Father, who has placed Him above all things. He is the "Holy One of God," and has been appointed by the Father to accomplish His "great salvation." There is no power or person that can successfully challenge Christ's preeminence. Eventually, "every knee" will bow to Him, and "every tongue confess" that He is "Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Rom 14:11; Phil 2:10-11).

The Preeminent One

This word translated "Beginning," comes from the Greek word ar-ke, and is sometimes used to denote principalities or rulers. It is of particular interest to see this use of the word in Scripture. A few verses will suffice to introduce this aspect of the term.

"And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto MAGISTRATES (ar-ke) and powers . . . " (Luke 12:11). "And they watched Him . . . that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the POWER (ar-ke) and authority of the governor" (Luke 20:20). "For I am persuaded . . . PRINCIPALITIES (ar-ke), nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come" (Rom 8:38). "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all RULE (ar-ke) and all authority and power" (1 Cor 15:24). "Far above all PRINCIPALITY (ar-ke), and power, and might, and dominion . . . " (Eph 1:21). "To the intent that now unto the PRINCIPALITIES (ar-ke) and powers in heavenly places . . . " (Eph 3:10). "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES (ar-ke), against powers . . . " (Eph 6:12). "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or PRINCIPALITIES (ar-ke), or powers . . . " (Col 1:16). "And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all PRINCIPALITY (ar-ke) and power" (Col 2:10). "And having spoiled PRINCIPALITIES (ar-ke) and powers . . . it" (Col 2:15). "Put them in mind to be subject to PRINCIPALITIES (ar-ke) and powers . . . " (Titus 3:1).

In all of these cases, the "principalities" or "powers" possessed subordinate dominion. That is, they themselves were under the authority of another--specifically to Jesus Christ, Who is "the Head of all principality (ar-ke) and power" (Col 2:10). It is in this sense that Jesus is called "the Beginning."

As "the Beginning," Jesus is the First in order; the dominant One, preeminent in all things. There is no subordinate power that comes into existence without Him, or is not answerable to Him. This is particularly refreshing to those who have taken seriously the mandate to "fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12). In our fight, there is no adversarial power that is not ruled by Jesus. There is also no power required in the good fight of faith that is not dispensed by Him. He is the Beginning!

As the Beginning, He is the focus of the Gospel (Rom 1:16). The testimony of Him is truly the "Spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10). Take Him out of Scripture, and it will contain no message. Christ is to the Bible what the spirit is to the body. No person, however astute or learned, is properly focused until the Son of God is comprehended as "Over all!" He is absolutely preeminent-- "The Beginning!"

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for a glorious Savior to whom all other powers answer, and to whom they are subject.

-- Tomorrow: BE NOT TROUBLED --