March 13, 2024
Praying Friends,
We have finally come to the last book of the Bible: The Book of Revelation. This is an apocalyptic book, which means it is providing truth that is still yet future.
The key to understanding this great revelation is that it is a revelation of Jesus Christ. While there are lots of events, judgments, and symbols in this book, my focus will be on this one, singular, outstanding person: Jesus Christ. The next four articles will examine several of His titles that are seen in Revelation. Today’s is the Alpha and Omega.
These two words are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. Five times in this book Jesus is called the “Alpha and Omega” or the “First and Last.”
In the first, John says, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Revelation 1:8).
“Alpha and Omega” is linked with His eternal nature. In antiquity, these words were often used together to describe the wholeness of a thing — from beginning to end. John is reminding us that the Lord Jesus is the one who encompasses the entirety of time, space, and matter. His self-description is the one “who is, and who was, and is to come.” There is no place or space that He does not fill.
As Moses describes Yahweh, he says, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God (Psalm 90:1-2).
Next, as John sees in a vision the magnificence of Jesus, He says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17).
The posture of John falling at the feet of Jesus is one that characterizes all of us as we behold the beauty and greatness of our Savior. The tenderness of Christ is what brings power to this scene, for He, “the first and the last,” puts His right hand upon John and lovingly tells him not to be afraid.
Our wonderful Savior desires to show us how truly awesome He is and at the same time draw us closer and closer to Himself.
He wants you to feel His right hand upon you. That’s the hand of power and authority. He wants you to hear His voice whispering in your ear, “Do not be afraid.” That’s the voice that will calm you in those times of great distress and trouble.
Closely linked to this thought is the message of God to the church at Smyrna. He says, “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again” (Revelation 2:8).
The one who is able to sustain you in times of suffering is the One who experienced it Himself. “The First and the Last” is the one who suffered upon a cruel cross and entered into the dark caverns of death.
Not only did He experience death, but He rose to life again. He went through the trial and came out victorious on the other side. The resurrected Savior is at your side to supply all you need for what you are facing. This is what the believers at Smyrna found out.
Near the end of the book, John says, “He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:6).
This is, after all, the judgments of the tribulation period. It is after the enemy is fully defeated and eradicated. It is after all things have been made new and perfect. All the tears are wiped away, death is no more, and the old order of things is passed forever (Revelation 21:4).
Jesus says to John, “It is done, I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.” What we learn is that Jesus is always true to His Word. He has never failed and He never will. It is all done, exactly as He said it would be.
Life is not perfect for you at the moment, nor is it for me. Today we live in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), but as we think of “the Alpha and Omega,” who will in His time bring everything to perfection and wholeness, may our confidence in Him grow and deepen.
In the final reference, He says, “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).
What a glorious promise! He is coming and He plans to reward His faithful followers, and He confirms it by repeating his title in three different ways: “the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, and the Beginning and the End.”
Thank you for praying today for our prodigals and for revival among us.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel