“21 Days of Prayer” – WHO HE IS – ALPHA AND OMEGA

“Alpha and Omega” – The First and Last/ Beginning and End”
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. When Jesus revealed Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, it was His way of saying He had the first word at the creation of the world. (Genesis 1:1) and that He will have the last word when He renews the new heaven and earth. Every moment in between, He is at work in our lives and in our world.

Scripture:
Revelation 1:8 ~ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Isaiah 41:4 ~ “Who has performed and done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, with the first of them and with the last- I am He.”

Isaiah 44: 6 ~ “This is what the Lord says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:‘I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no god.’

Isaiah 48:12 ~ “Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first and I am the last.”

What does this name mean? I have to admit that it’s been one I’ve heard in certain worship songs and it sounds somewhat mysterious and poetic. But I’m not sure I’ve ever had a full grasp or understanding of the significance of this name.

The Book of Revelation is the only place where the name Alpha and Omega occurs, and it is there three times. It’s not only describing the beginning and the end in this “A to Z” name, but everything in between. We see the term “first and last” repeated in Isaiah, but the actual name, Alpha and Omega, is only in Revelation. It’s mysterious, because it is saying God is in the “beginning” and the “end,” but we know that with God, there is no beginning and end.

So what is John describing in Revelation? The first time we see the name Alpha and Omega is in Revelation 1:8, and John also says that God is ALMIGHTY. God is with us in times of hardship and persecution.  He is all-mighty and powerful!

In Revelation 1:9, John identifies himself as a “brother” and “companion in suffering.” ”I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

The second and third times “Alpha and Omega” are found in Revelation are in: Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13.

Revelation 21:6 ~ “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 22:13 ~ “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

These are powerful declarations from Jesus to John, declaring He is eternal, divine, the provider of eternal life! Jesus has the authority to give “living water” from the “spring of the water of life” because of His victory on the cross and resurrection from the dead!

There is a lot wrapped up in this name Alpha and Omega than we may initially recognize! But just saying the name can give us hope and courage, no matter where we are or what we’re going through!

John was fearful when He first was given the words to write in Revelation. He fell at Jesus’ feet as though dead. Imagine yourself in John’s place and Jesus puts His hand on you and says these words: “Do not be afraid: I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” ~ Revelation 1:18

Prayer:
Jesus, Thank You for being Alpha and Omega. This is such a comfort when it seems like the enemy will have the last word. Thank You for your continuous work from beginning to end. Not only are You the Word that was with God in the beginning, You have the last Word. You, the Alpha and Omega are an anchor we can hold onto in the midst of the storms of life.

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