What did Jesus mean when He referred to Himself as “the Alpha and Omega” in Revelation 1:8 and Revelations 22:13?
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Asked January 23 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the alphabet of the Greek language in which the New Testament was written (similar to A and Z in the English alphabet). By applying that designation to Himself, the glorified Christ was saying (as no other human ever could, can, or will ever be able to) that He is eternal -- that He has always existed, and will always continue to exist. The phrase also refers not only to Jesus' eternal existence, but also to the purpose of that existence -- that is, of Jesus being the One (and the only One) who -- as both true God and true man -- brings (or could ever bring) to completion God's plan of reconciliation, redemption and salvation for fallen humanity. As Peter said of Jesus in Acts 4:12, there is no other Name given under heaven among men by which we must be saved.
Jack Gutknecht
Tim was right when he said that the New Testament was written in Greek and right also when speaking of the Greek alphabet. But John wrote the book of Revelation for Jewish readers who also would be familiar with the Hebrew alphabet of the Hebrew language which they wrote and spoke. And therein lies the importance of Christ’s claim, “I am the Alpha and Omega.” In Jewish thinking, a reference to the first and last letters of an alphabet, aleph (א) and tau (ת) in Hebrew, was regarded as including all the intermediate letters, and came to represent totality.
Ben Jones
Isaiah 41:14 "Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” Can there be two "Firsts and Lasts?" No. there is only One. So either Jesus was wrong about Him being the First and Last OR it means that He is God Almighty.
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