“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
It is very rare that we reflect on the Book of Revelation on the Prayer Team. The Book of Revelation was written by St. John the Theologian, and is a vision of the Apocalypse, shown to him by God. There are many signs in this book which point to the end times. And there is a temptation to look at these signs and ask ourselves “Are we in the end times? Is the apocalypse upon us?” This is a dangerous line of questioning because if we conclude that we are not in the end times, there will be a sense of complacency that we don’t need to take our faith journey seriously. And if we are convinced, we are in the end times, there would be a temptation to be pushy or judgmental. The truth is that the end of our lives could come for us at any moment, as Jesus says in Matthew 24:43: “If the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.” We should live each day with a sense of purpose and urgency, seeing each day as a blessing and not an entitlement, and also realize that our life could end at any moment. That does not mean to live in fear, but to live prepared.
The Greek alphabet begins with the letter “alpha” and ends with the letter “omega.” Three times in the Book of Revelation, three times in this vision where Jesus is speaking with St. John the Theologian, He says “I AM the Alpha and the Omega.” (Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13) In Revelations 21:6, He says “It is done! I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” The context of this I AM statement is the revealing to John a new heaven and a new earth. The “it is done” refers to the new creation being complete. And the “Alpha and the Omega” refer to Christ as being part of the first creation and the new creation. He, along with the Father and Holy Spirit, created the world. And in the apocalypse, they create the new world.
Let’s focus on this phrase in Revelation 1:8, the beginning of this vision shared with St. John. Jesus says “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.” The phrase “Who is” is “O On” in Greek which is the name of God, the words “I AM” in English and the Hebrew word “Yahweh.” Jesus puts this description forward first to reveal Himself as God. The “Who was” is a nod to His eternal nature, existing from the beginning, uncreated, participating in the Creation of the world. And the “Who is to come” looks to the infinite nature of God going forward. He is without beginning and without ending. And the verse ends with another name of God, “the Almighty.” Jesus Christ shares in the divine nature and also the divine name of God.
When the “kiss of peace” is exchanged by the clergy at the Divine Liturgy (and when it was exchanged by the laity), the greeting that is offered is partly from Revelation 1:8. The greeting exchanged between two people begins by one offering the words “Christ is in our midst!” The response is “He was, He is and ever shall be.”
Think about how many descriptive things you could use to describe yourself, beginning with the words “I am.” I might say “I am a husband, a father, a priest, a homeowner, a resident of Tampa, a brother, a college graduate,” etc. I’m not sure how many things I could put after “I am” in describing myself. Maybe a hundred, maybe more. However, at some point, I would run out of things to say about myself. There are many things that I am not—I am not a lawyer, a doctor, perfect, etc. Even the list of things that I am not would run out at some point.
Christ’s revelation of Himself as “the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end,” (Revelation 22:13) is so powerful because it reveals the indescribable nature of God. God is beyond comprehension, there is not measure to His power or greatness, His love or mercy. All human descriptions run out at some point, just like human power has limits, as does human endurance, health and life. Eventually even the wealthiest, most powerful people on earth need sleep, have a health crisis, make a mistake, and pass away. God has no limits to what He can do. He is truly the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning, the end, and everything in between.
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them. Full of honor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear Him; He is ever mindful of His covenant. He has shown His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy, they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and terrible is His name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. Hi praise endures forever! Psalm 111
Because there are no limits to God, then there should be no limits to our love of God, our study of Him, our growth towards Him, and our desire to serve Him. While we are neither “Alpha” nor “Omega” our faith and our expression of it should reflect the words of Christ—our faith should be what is foundational for our lives and what is to come as we move forward each day.
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