ALPHA AND OMEGA, FIRST AND LAST

 

ALPHA AND OMEGA, FIRST AND LAST

The Significance of Alpha and Omega

The title “Alpha and Omega” (Greek: Alpha Kai Omega) appears three times in the book of Revelation. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which suggests a meaning akin to “the A and the Z,” or “the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). This title resonates with the messages in Isaiah, where God refers to Himself as the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12) using the Hebrew words Rishon (ree-SHONE) for "first" and Acharon (ah-cha-RONE) for "last."

Jesus, present at the world’s beginning, will also be present at its end, when his work is fully revealed. When you pray to Christ as the Alpha and Omega, you are reaching out to the one who is eternal—who was, who is, and who is to come. He is our all-sufficient Lord, committed to completing the good work he has started in us.

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Praying to the Alpha and Omega

One of my children’s favorite books was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, a playful alphabet story that begins with the line, “A told B and B told C, ‘I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.’” The lowercase letters scramble up the tree, only to overload it and tumble down. Fortunately, the uppercase letters come to the rescue, dusting off the little letters so the fun can begin anew.

What does this children’s book have to do with Jesus’ title as the Alpha and Omega? Consider this: the word “alphabet” comes from “alpha” and “beta,” the first two letters of the Greek alphabet. When Jesus calls himself the Alpha and Omega, he implies he encompasses not just the first and last but all the letters in between.

Letters facilitate communication; they tell stories. Through his life and death, Jesus perfectly communicates God’s love, revealing his nature and intentions. As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus is still alive and actively writing our stories, using our individual lives to contribute to God’s grand narrative of redemption.

Cherish the words Jesus has spoken to you. Let them shape your life. When you do, you fulfill the message Paul shared with the Corinthians: “You’re our letter of recommendation, written in our hearts, that everyone knows and reads. It’s clear that you are Christ’s letter, written as a result of our ministry. You are a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, a letter written not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End of everything that matters. Plant your word in my heart and bring it to life through the power of your Spirit. Make me a letter, advancing your message as I live for you.

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Promises Associated with the Name

“This is what Yahweh says: I am the first and the last, and there is no Elohim except me.”
— Isaiah 44:6

“Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. Every tribe on earth will mourn because of him. This is true. Amen. ‘I am the A and the Z,’ says the Lord God, the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, the Almighty.”
— Revelation 1:7-8

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Reflection

The title Alpha and Omega encapsulates the entirety of God’s purpose and plan for humanity. In Jesus, we find the beginning and end of our faith, the assurance of his presence through every season of life. As we engage with his word, we are transformed into letters of hope, love, and grace, embodying his message to the world.

Let us embrace our identity in Christ, knowing that we are part of a larger story, called to share the transformative love of God with those around us. As we live out our faith, may we reflect the beauty and truth of the Alpha and Omega, bringing light to a world in need of hope.