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 19 of 20

JESUS IS THE GRAND OBJECTIVE--THE END

Ultimately, everything will be gathered together in Christ--united in Him! That is the Divine objective. Whatever or whoever cannot be joined in perfect harmony with Jesus will be thrust from the presence of the Lord. All Divine activity is pointed in this direction: oneness in Christ. Things in heaven and things on the earth are included in the objective. "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him" (Eph 1:10).

Sin brought disharmony and confusion into the world, but it did not abort God's purpose. The salvation of God is the appointed means to the realization of that purpose, which has never been forsaken or modified by the Lord.

Anything that takes us from Christ removes us from the will of God. Whatever promotes or enhances our relationship to the Son puts us in the center of the Lord's will. Morality, while essential, is not the fundamental thing; fellowship with the Son is! God has, after all, called us "into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). This is the gathering point for everything accepted by God. The Son is the place of acceptance and of perfection. He is the Environment in which human fulfillment and Divine purposes are realized.

Everything was made for Jesus

This is a grand truth! The earth and the fulness of it belong to the Lord (Psa 24:1). It was made by Him, and it is owned by Him. Beyond this, however, everything was made FOR the Lord Jesus. "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, or powers: all things were created by Him, AND FOR HIM" (Col 1:16). God "hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed HEIR OF ALL THINGS, by Whom also He made the worlds" (Heb 1:2). "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and FOR THY PLEASURE they are and were created" (Rev 4:11).

Here is a worthy subject for meditation: all things are FOR Jesus. They were made "by Him, and FOR Him!" They have no real use apart from Him. When these "things" become an end of themselves, they have been abused. They are not "for" us, they are "for" Christ! He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Objective of them, and they are for His use and glory. Those who crave them obtain them at the expense of their own souls.

The spiritual awareness of this reality prompts us to glorify Christ in everything we do. Thus it is written, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col 3:17). While we are in the world, we are custodians of "His goods." That condition confirms all things have really been made for Christ!

In the end, everything will openly revert to Jesus. He is the appointed "Heir of all things." Those who remain in Christ will be "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). However, without Him, they would be heirs of nothing, for He is the "Heir of all things." This is the Father's reward to Him for reconciling the world to God (2 Cor 5:18-20)!

The Lord Jesus uses this world now to accomplish His purpose, and He will preside over the new creation as the grace of God continues to be demonstrated in the saved (Eph 2:7). Do not miss the Father's interest in His Son! All things were created for His "pleasure." It is not as though these were play things, to be enjoyed like a child enjoying meaningless and unproductive toys. The good pleasure of Christ is lofty! It focuses upon the fulfillment of the "eternal purpose" of God. Our Lord relishes marshaling all creation for the realization of Divine intent!

The perception of this aspect of Jesus liberates the soul from covetousness and discontent. There is no reason to be envious of the wealthy. All things were made for Christ. In the world to come, we will share in this abundance. As it is written,"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son" (Rev 21:7). Until then, we joyfully "acknowledge the truth," confessing Jesus to be the "End," as well as "the Beginning." Persuaded that our labor in the Lord is not vain, we trust that the King will execute His reign in order to our salvation. We are willing to wait for reward and recognition. "Those who go forth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come rejoicing, bring their sheaves with them" (Psa 126:6)! The power of this confidence is for every believer.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through the Lord Jesus I thank You for revealing the real intent of all created things.

-- Tomorrow: Conclusion to Series --
-- Tuesday, New Series: CITIZENS OF HEAVEN --