Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #5

Rev. 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Jesus here is called the Alpha and Omega, which, of course, are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The meaning is apparent in this verse: "the beginning and the ending," or "the first and the last" (1:17). He is the Alpha and Omega in at least three ways.

Alpha and Omega in Contrast. Jesus is many times in the New Testament compared to other things, showing his superiority to all. Here he is compared to the mortality of man. Verse eight tells us that Jesus is and was and is to come. This is quite different from any other human being on the earth. No one has ever lived forever in this life. Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: and, although two did not die, they did leave this world and were taken to Heaven without any resurrection on their own power. The mystery of Jesus is expressed in 1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. This is a unique quality in Jesus. That is why he is our Savior.

Alpha and Omega in Command. As our Great Commander, Jesus has the authority to give command to his servants. In verse 11 of this chapter, Jesus gives commandment to John and says, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia . . . . Thus Jesus is said to have authority to give his commission in 18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Alpha and Omega in Comfort. In verse 17 John is taken with grief as he sees and hears the Lord Jesus. But the Lord comforts him with the same thought before us. He laid his right hand upon John and said "Fear not, I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:17-18). Jesus is a great comfort to all who come to him by faith. He does this in part so that we may comfort others in the name of Jesus. 2 Cor. 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Remember that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). He is contrasted to all other human beings with superior qualities (Acts 4:12). He can command his children with commandments which are not grievous (I John 5:3). He also comforts us with a comfort that only he has (2 Cor. 1:3). What a great Savior we have!