1. I AM series Revelation 1:1-8 and 22:12-16
“I am the Alpha and Omega” α Ω
ἰχθύς = Ichtus = fish
Matthew 4: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

2. Greek alphabet

3. as well as the events preceding that climactic/apocalyptic moment.
Book: Revelation Author: John Date: A.D. 95 Genre: Prophesy, Apocalypse Summary: In this book, we learn of Jesus Christ's return to the earth,
as well as the events preceding that climactic/apocalyptic moment.
Read Revelation 1:1-8
1The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
1耶稣基督的启示，就是　神赐给他，叫他把快要发生的事指示他的众仆人。他就差派天使显示给他的仆人约翰。2约翰把　神的道，和耶稣基督的见证，凡是自己所看见的，都见证出来了。3读这书上预言的人，和那些听见这预言并且遵守书中记载的人，都是有福的！因为时候近了。
Who is revealing what through whose story?
God
Jesus’ return
John’s

4. Which phrase have the verses 4 and 8 in common?
4John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits. That is, the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 7“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Which phrase have the verses 4 and 8 in common?
who is, and who was, and who is to come
To whom is this prophesy revealed?
seven churches in Asia

5. The book of Revelation is about the future
What did Jesus Himself teach about his future return?
Matt. 25: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

6. The apostle Peter gives insight in when the end will come and teaches about the punishment for the ungodly in 2 Peter 3:3-10
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (God’s timing is different). The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief (suddenly, unexpectedly). The heavens will disappear with a roar (the way life is organized now will not continue), the elements will be destroyed by fire (cleansing of all evil), and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare (secrets exposed at the final judgment).”

7. 12“看哪，我必快来！赏赐在我，我要照着各人所行 的报应他。13我是阿拉法，是俄梅格；我是首先的，
Read Revelation 22:12-16 in Chinese
启示录 22
12“看哪，我必快来！赏赐在我，我要照着各人所行
的报应他。13我是阿拉法，是俄梅格；我是首先的，
也是末后的；我是创始的，也是成终的。”14那些洗净
自己袍子的人是有福的！他们可以有权到生命树那里，
也可以从门进到城里。15在城外，有那些狗，那些行
邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，以及所有喜爱
说谎的和实行说谎的人。16“差遣了我的使者、
为众教会向你们证明这些事的，就是我耶稣。
我是大卫的根，又是他的后裔，我是明亮的晨星。”

8. Revelation 22:12-16
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs,
those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

9. Let’s focus on Rev. 22:12. “Look, I am coming soon
Let’s focus on Rev. 22:12. “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done”.
What could soon mean? Look at 2 Peter 3:9 for an answer
What reward is Jesus promising? It could be judgement. See Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 16:27 and Romans 2:6.
So, has what you do effect on the reward, including salvation? If not, then the reward talks about judgement for the saved alone. Right?

10. Now try to understand Rev. 22:13
Now try to understand Rev. 22:13. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”.
Jesus’ claim is about the beginning and the end. What about Jesus’ role in between?
What does He say about that in Matthew 28:20?
What views have you heard about how human history will end? And what is your thought knowing that Jesus will be one who brings the human story to the conclusion He desires?

11. As we are at the end of the “I AM claims of Jesus” series
recall the nine claims for yourself. Take a minute for that.
Which claim has blessed or encouraged you most?
Explain why?
Now we will split into two groups to discuss a couple more questions.

12. Read verse 14 again. Who are the people who are granted access to the tree of life and the city?
Remember what the tree of life is?
Which city is meant? Find details in Revelation 21:1-7
Is that city attractive to you?
Read verse 15 again. What does Jesus’ description of those who are excluded from the city tell you about their spiritual condition and relationship with God?

13. Focus on the first part of verse 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.”
Remember what a testimony is?
Who sent an angel to whom to do what? Look at Revelation 1:1-2
Who is “you” and who are “the churches”

14. Look at the second part of verse 16 “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
How can someone be the “root” and the “offspring” of somebody at the same time? Look at prophecy in Isaiah 11:1 and 10. There it’s spoken about the Root of Jesse, who is the father of king David. See also the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1.
Mornings stars refer to angels. The bright Morning Star refers to Jesus, the non-created angel, the Light of the World, unlike the created fallen angel Satan (Isaiah 14:12), who isn’t bright at all.