My Saviour is “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come.” * This title, which — like many others belonging to him is as remarkable for its condescending simplicity as for its majestic sublimity, occurs only four times in the sacred volume, and that in the Apocalypse of St. John. On each occasion, it is assumed by my Saviour himself. I cannot, therefore, possibly err, in appropriating it to him. Eternity is the date of his existence. The * Rev. i. 8. eternal past and the eternal future are his. Though his human nature had its origin, and, as the Son of man, he became an infant of days, yet even that nature is to share the eternal futurity of the Godhead. In my Saviour's will, and through his wisdom and power, all things have their beginning; his glory is their end. For "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."* "For of him, and through him, and to him are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen."† He is that all-comprehensive circle in which the universe lives, and moves, and has its being. In similar language he revealed himself to his ancient people, by his evangelical prophet, Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." "Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." § "Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and * John i. 1-3. Isa. xliv. 6. Isa. xliii. 10. my right hand hath spanned the heavens.” * How perfect is the harmony of Scripture, in its testimony to my Saviour ! Is the Lord Jesus Christ, then, the Alpha and Omega of my soul ? Does he hold precedency in my affections? Is he the more than magic circle drawn around my heart, which meets me and is most welcome wherever I turn my eyes? Is he at once the centre and circumference of my happiness, the point to which all my desires tend, and the limit beyond which they would never stray? If so, I am blest indeed. This title of my Saviour is thrice adopted by him, in close connection with the prospect and announcement of his second advent. He may occupy the last place in human thought. . The roving eye and the vagrant affections of man may now seldom or never rest on him. But, behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him ; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." + O my soul, canst thou answer, “Even so, Amen"? Look, therefore, at the , transporting view which the glowing pencil of prophecy has depicted: “I saw a new heave 66 * Isa. xlviii. 13. + Rev. i. 7. |