The Alpha & The Omega Series

Productivity experts advise clients on ways to efficiently operate to maximize effectiveness. Stephen Covey, in his work: “The 7 habits of Highly Effectively People”, in habit 2, notes that people should: “Begin with the end in mind”. He said that “if your ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step you take gets you to the wrong place faster”. If we don’t have a purpose and end goal for our actions, then regardless of how cleaver we are or how hard we work, our effort will not effect lasting change. We all need to understand our activities from the beginning to the end. (https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/habit-2.html)

In Revelation chapter 1 and 21, God identifies himself as "Alpha and Omega." Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last letter of the alphabet. In other words God is "the beginning and the end." But God isn't speaking about alphabets. He is speaking of reality. God is absolutely the beginning and absolutely the end. Everything that is originates ultimately in him. And everything will somehow end with him. Isaiah puts it like this: "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god" (Isa. 44:6). In other words, since everything comes from God and nothing will outlast God, therefore God has no final competitors. "Besides me there is no god!" God has the first word and the last word in history. All other attempts to have the last word will fail. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-am-alpha-and-omega)

We exist in time considering were we’ve been and were we are going. If we presumptuously make our plans assuming all the variables or arrogantly thinking we can control all the variables, we are destined for disappointment and ruin. Yet if we cower in fear thinking luck, world forces, or the evil realm will determine our path and problems we are mistaken. God’s sovereignly as the beginning and end, is the one who determines, controls and enables all His holy will. When we understand and submit to Him in this regard, we will lead more fruitful, satisfying and God glorifying lives.

In Revelation 1:7-8 John presents five truths of God that display His control and sovereignty over what was, what is and what will be. The beginning and the end can be seen through the: 1) Necessity (Revelation 1:7a), 2) Glory (Revelation 1:7b), 3) Scope, Response (Revelation 1:7c), and 4) Certainty (Revelation 1:8) of the Alpha & the Omega.

The beginning and the end can be seen through the:

1) The Necessity of the Alpha & the Omega (Revelation 1:7a)

Revelation 1:7a Behold, he is coming (with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.)

After the introduction and greetings (vv. 1–6), verse 7 begins the first great prophetic oracle in the book of Revelation. This verse is composed of two OT citations. The first is from Dan. 7:13, which in its OT context refers to the enthronement of the “son of man” over all the nations (cf. Dan. 7:14) after God’s judgment of evil empires (Dan. 7:9–12) (Beale, G. K., & Carson, D. A. (2007). Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament (p. 1090). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, UK: Baker Academic; Apollos.).

The exclamation idou (Behold) is an arresting call to attention. It is intended to arouse the mind and heart to consider what follows. Fittingly, the first thing John calls attention to is the glorious truth that He [Jesus] is coming. The present tense of erchomai (is coming) suggests that Christ is already on the way, and thus that His coming is certain. The present tense also emphasizes the imminency of His coming.

Please turn to Matthew 26 (p.833)

The “coming (or expected) One” was a title for the Messiah (Matt. 11:2–3; cf. Luke 7:19–20; John 3:31; 6:14; 11:27). There are many reasons why Jesus will return. The promises of the Father, Jesus, and the guarantee of the Holy Spirit all require that Jesus return. His program for the church, Israel, unbelieving nations, Satan and His reward for faithful service to Him, all require that Jesus return. But just his humiliation demands that He return. At His first coming, He was rejected, reviled, abused, and executed as a common criminal. But that cannot be the way the story ends. At His sham trial:

Matt. 26:62–68 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (ESV)