We just finished reading the three prologues of John at Bering as a part of the new summer series called "A Kingdom of Signs" (John 1:1-18; First John 1:1-7; Revelation 1:1-8). I am moved by the ways each of them speak of eternity that brings everything into the here and now. Even in Revelation, which is mistakenly reduced by many to the ruble of confusion about the future, the main point is encouraging Christians today who have a hard time enduring in their faith.
(Can I get a witness? Ever have a hard time enduring in your faith?)
And no matter where we start with John's writings, Jesus is. Period. Jesus is not just an historical figure, nor is he merely a landlord of our future eternal home. Jesus is. Revelation 1:8 reads, "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,'" says the Lord God, "'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'" The verse is not like our linear thinking where everything lines up in an A-to-B fashion we seem so desperate to conjure at every turn. Instead, Jesus is referred to first as the one "who is." Yes he "was"; and yes, he "is to come." But foremost, Jesus is.
Eternity will begin the day after yesterday.
