Apocalipse 1

Apocalipse 1

Calvin - The everlastingness of which Moses speaks is to be referred not only to the essence of God, but also to his providence, by which he governs the world. He intends not merely that he is, but that he is God. Martin Luther - Such a God (he says) have we, such a God do we worship, to such a God do we pray, at whose command all created things sprang into being. Why then should we fear if this God favours us? Why should we tremble at the anger of the whole world? If He is our dwelling place, shall we not be safe though the heavens should go to wrack? For we have a Lord greater than all the world. We have a Lord so mighty that at his word all things sprang into being. And yet we are so fainthearted that if the anger of a single prince or king, nay, even of a single neighbour, is to be borne, we tremble and droop in spirit. Yet in comparison with this King, all things beside in the whole world are but as the lightest dust which a slight breath moves from its place, and suffers not to be still. In this way this description of God is consolatory, and trembling spirits ought to look to this consolation in their temptations and dangers. PANTOKRATOR ~ EL SHADDAI "ALL POWER" The Almighty (pantokrator) - NET renders Jesus as "the All-Powerful." NLT has "the Almighty One." This Name of Jesus is His "militant" Name, the Name which assures His victory over ALL anti-God forces! In other words, this Name speaks of Jesus' final victory over the enemies of God as John describes in Rev 19:15+ "From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty (pantokrator)." The Septuagint translates the Name EL Shaddai - God Almighty (El Shaddai written and sung by Michael Card) with pantokrator. Shaddai means the "All Sufficient" One, and is identified by John as the Lord Jesus Christ, Who Alone is sufficient to carry out the fulfillment of God's great plan of redemption! 🙏 THOUGHT - Jesus is sufficient or enough for our every need beloved! Sing it out to the great Alpha and Omega (then live it out)... Christ is ENOUGH for me. Christ is ENOUGH for me." Everything I need is in You. Everything I need! In light of the fact that 9/10 NT uses of Pantokrator are in The Revelation, clearly Pantokrator is the characteristic title for God in the book which records the consummation of God's victory over sin and the evil one Satan and His awesome control over all the universe and all history. In this final chapter of God's plan of the ages, God brings to consummation His initial covenant promises made and affirmed to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as He revealed Himself to them as El Shaddai some 4000+ years earlier in the book of beginnings, Genesis (see Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:9; 48:3; Ex 6:3). Although, EL Shaddai - God Almighty is not translated (in the Septuagint) with Pantokrator in these 6 uses in Genesis or in Exodus 6:3+, it is nevertheless notable that the Name EL Shaddai by which God first revealed Himself to the patriarchs is related to the same Name, Pantokrator, by which He brings to final fulfillment the covenant promises made to the patriarchs! God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Names El Shaddai and Pantokrator undergird the assurance every believer should have that He is able to fulfill every one of His promises, so that "not one word of all the good words which Jehovah spoke has failed" (Joshua 23:14) 🙏 THOUGHT - Have you experienced the sufficiency of Jesus Christ as your pantokrator, the Almighty God, Who is also your Covenant Defender? Whatever attacks, afflictions, trials, etc you are experiencing beloved, Jesus is sufficient. Jesus is enough! Run to Him (by faith, by trusting His Word, by prayer in the Spirit) and take shelter in the Strong Tower of this great Name of Jesus and He will be your "safe place" (Person) (Pr 18:10+). My times are in Thy hand: I’ll always trust in Thee; And, after death, at Thy right hand I shall for ever be. Tony