Alpha and Omega

“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
And 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 from the spring of the water of life without payment.”- Revelation 21:6
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”- Revelation 22:13

There are three instances in the book of Revelation where we are presented with the phrase, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” The phrase is consistently followed by a crystal clear definition, so that there is no possibility for further interpretation. Regardless of the depth of study or theological experience, the first reading of the phrase “Alpha and Omega” is referring to God as the Beginning and the End, the One who was and is and is to come, the First and the Last. He is the Author and the Finisher. He is Creator and He is Judge.

In the book of Isaiah, He refers to Himself as the “first and the last; besides me there is no other god.” (Isaiah 44:6) The placement of this phrase in the book of Isaiah is purposeful and enlightening to us because of where it is in the story of Israel. In the first half of the book of Isaiah, Israel is being warned, and then the warning comes to pass in the form of exile. In chapter 40, there is an announcement of HOPE and COMFORT. The return to Jerusalem has begun! In this message of hope there is the reassurance, “I am the first and the last.” This ultimate truth and description of God’s character and of His name assures the reader:

He IS the beginning and the end; therefore, He KNOWS the beginning from the end. (vs. 6)
There is no comparison to Him; therefore, His faithfulness is all consuming and unquestionable. (vs. 7)
No one is like Him, and because of that, He alone has the power and authority to accomplish His word and His work. (vs. 8)
He, as the ALPHA and OMEGA, has a redemptive plan for His Creation that allows us total restoration with the Restorer, Jesus. (vs. 6)

What privilege we walk in to not only be assured of hope, but to be living in the hope—who is a person—Jesus Christ. We can walk, not just in the promise of hope, or in the comfort of an eternity, but in the reality of those who know that exile will never be our portion when we hold fast to the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and the Finisher of our redemption and of our faith. HE is the beginning and the end and HE is unshakable, unchangeable, immovable. We stand on the solid rock of HIM in us and through us. What can come against us?

- by Jessi Schwertferger, missionary with Overland Missions
jessi@overlandmissions.com