Memory Verse

"Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."  Revelation 22:12-13

Lesson

Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project^® for Kids. Can you feel it? We are so very close to the end of the Bible, but it is certainly not the end of God’s plan to save sinners. Today’s Bible story teaches kids about John’s vision of Jesus in the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible and it tells about things that will happen in the future. A glimpse of the future kingdom of God gives believers hope and compels them to remain faithful to Christ and to tell others about Him.

The apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation from the island of Patmos. John was likely sent to Patmos as a prisoner, arrested for preaching the gospel. The Book of Revelation opens with John’s description of a vision. In the vision, Jesus warned seven local churches in Asia. In most cases, Jesus commended the church for their good work, warned them about the areas in which they needed correction, and urged them to return to Him. Each time, Jesus promised to reward those who remain faithful to Him.

Jesus loves the church. The church is made up of people who have trusted in Jesus, who are committed to one another, and who meet together to worship Jesus and share the gospel. Jesus loves the church as His bride. (See Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7-9.) Jesus’ message to seven local churches called them to turn away from their sin and remain faithful to Him. The Lord is slow to anger (Ex. 34-6-7) and patient, wanting everyone to repent (2 Pet. 3:9).

The early churches faced some problems. They did not love like they should, they believed false teaching and did wrong things, and they were lukewarm—useless to the cause of Christ. Churches still face these problems today. We can pray for our churches to be faithful, effective instruments in spreading the gospel.

Jesus is “the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 1:8). In the Greek alphabet, alpha is the first letter and omega is the last. Jesus is the A to Z. Jesus is the beginning and the end, but not just those; He is everything in-between. Jesus made all things. (John 1:3) He is in control of all things. He holds all things together. (Col. 1:17) And He is coming back someday!