Merciful Monday: Alpha & Omega

⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” ⁶ And He said to me, “It is done!^[c] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things,^[d] and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving,^[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

-Revelation 21: 5-8

¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” ¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments,^[v] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But^[w] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

-Revelation 22:12-15

There are so many varying interpretations of the Book of Revelation. Some believe that it was written by John the Baptist, others John the Apostle of Jesus, and even others another John—John of Patmos. Some believe that the events listed within the book depict broad historical events, others believe it mirrors the fall of the Roman empire, some say it depicts future events, and even others say that it does not describe any particular event(s), just the constant spiritual struggle between good and evil.

Despite these varying interpretations, there is one fact within Revelation that is blatantly obvious upon finishing the book (as we did today), and that fact relates to the phrase “Alpha and Omega.” This phrase is mentioned multiple times within the book. You may recall the following scriptures: Revelation 1:8, 1:11 (not in all translations), 21:6 & 22:13.The same exact phrase is mentioned in each instance, so I think it is safe to say that there was a purpose for the repetition. What was this purpose? What does it mean?

The word Alpha comes from the ancient Greek for “first” or “one,” while Omega in ancient Greek means “last” or “end.” Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last, and this phrase is mentioned only at the beginning (chapter 1) and end (chapters 21 & 22) of Revelation. God not only started all things, but he will finish all things. That is like saying that God is everything from A to Z. He is:

• Alpha
• The Beginning
• The Cornerstone of the church
• Our Deliverer
• The Ending
• The First
• The Giver of salvation
• Our Healer
• Infinite
• Jesus
• The King of all nations
• The Last
• The Manuscript for life
• Not Dead
• Omega; Omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (all-present), & omniscient (all-knowing)
• Perfect
• Our Salvation
• Truth
• Unhindered
• Victorious & Valiant
• Worthy of praise
• eXpolsive
• Zealous

God is all of these things and more! “To him belongs eternal praise” (Psalm 111:10). If we trust on him and fully believe that he is EVERYTHING we will not only see his glory revealed here on earth, but we will “inherit all things,” drink freely “of the fountain of the water of life,” “have the right to the tree of life,” and “enter through the gates into the city (Heaven).”

Merciful Mondays: Jael

^“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.” Deuteronomy 4:31