The Alpha and the Omega

Saturday 14 October 2023

I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the One who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1.8

The Alpha and the Omega

This expression taken from the Bible uses two letters of the Greek alphabet, the first and the last. In everyday language, this formula expresses the totality, as well as the beginning and the end. In the Scriptures, these two letters symbolize the person of God.

For example, in the Old Testament, the Lord presents himself thus to the prophet Isaiah : Thus says the Lord, the king of Israel, his redeemer, the Lord of hosts : I am the first and I am the last, besides me there is no God (Isaiah 44.6).

In the New Testament, the Lord reveals himself to John using these two Greek letters (see the quote and suggested reading). The same terms are used to speak of the Father as of the Son. Other references complete this divine unity, as in the book of Revelation : Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Revelation 21.6 and 22.13). Another way of speaking about the divinity of the Lord Jesus.

This is how we join in the heavenly praise taking place before the throne : To him who is on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor, glory and power for all eternity! (Revelation 5:13)

Jean-Michel Guerche

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Proposed reading : Book of Revelation, chapter 1, verses 4 to 20.

Source (Live Today)