Why Did Jesus Say, 'I Am the Alpha and Omega'?
In three places in Revelation, Jesus refers to himself as the 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).
Alpha and Omega: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which was used to write the New Testament.
Beginning and the end: Jesus was present at the beginning of creation and will be present at the end of all things.
Eternal: Jesus is God, and he is present from the beginning to the end of time.
Comprehensiveness: The term "Alpha and Omega" means that God includes "all that can be."
Jewish origin: The term may have originated in Judaism, based on passages in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 44:6 and Psalm 90:2.
Rabbinic literature: In rabbinic literature, the word emet ("truth"), which is made up of the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, is considered to be "the seal of God".
For a persecuted people, knowing that God was before the pain and that God will be after the pain, serves as a balm for the soul. It is an anchor to hold onto in the midst of the storms.
This, of course, can also serve as a warning to not only those who are persecuting God’s people but also it serves as a warning to those who might be tempted to let go during the storm. The storm will not last. God will.
In Revelation 21:6, Jesus’ being the Alpha and Omega is connected to giving drink to the thirsty. He is “the end” for the thirsty. What does this mean? It means that in Jesus, the thirsty have finally found full satisfaction.
Jesus is the stream that will never run dry. He is an infinite source of fulfillment for those who are thirsty for Him.[/b]
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).
Alpha and Omega: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which was used to write the New Testament.
Beginning and the end: Jesus was present at the beginning of creation and will be present at the end of all things.
Eternal: Jesus is God, and he is present from the beginning to the end of time.
Comprehensiveness: The term "Alpha and Omega" means that God includes "all that can be."
Jewish origin: The term may have originated in Judaism, based on passages in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 44:6 and Psalm 90:2.
Rabbinic literature: In rabbinic literature, the word emet ("truth"), which is made up of the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, is considered to be "the seal of God".
For a persecuted people, knowing that God was before the pain and that God will be after the pain, serves as a balm for the soul. It is an anchor to hold onto in the midst of the storms.
This, of course, can also serve as a warning to not only those who are persecuting God’s people but also it serves as a warning to those who might be tempted to let go during the storm. The storm will not last. God will.
In Revelation 21:6, Jesus’ being the Alpha and Omega is connected to giving drink to the thirsty. He is “the end” for the thirsty. What does this mean? It means that in Jesus, the thirsty have finally found full satisfaction.
Jesus is the stream that will never run dry. He is an infinite source of fulfillment for those who are thirsty for Him.[/b]
