We assume that Revelation was written by John the Apostle as a letter to the churches concerning a vision he had of end times. Now it's also famous for being a prime example of apocalyptic literature. Essentially, John was sitting in prison in Patmos (I think...) and an angel came to him and took him up into the spirit realm.
And he saw Jesus in His full glory. Which would explain why John 'fell at His feet as though dead'.
But God had a plan and a purpose for him, and gave him courage. 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.' He continues in v18 to say 'I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.'
As often as life is a series of choices, so is it a series of perspectives. When we're afraid, we totally lose perspective. We can get paralyzed by a problem and fall down. The perspective I'm trying to impart today is the one that reminds you the God you serve is the Alpha and Omega. The Jesus you believe in is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end, the Living One who suffered and died for you, but now lives as you can live forever and ever.
He is Lord and Master of all, including death itself.
So don't be afraid. This is the God you serve. And this is the God who loves you, who has a plan and a purpose for your life that surpasses all understanding.
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