ALPHA AND OMEGA

ALPHA AND OMEGA

4/5/2012

 

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” Revelation 1:1a. Here in the very first verse of the book of Revelation we’re told whose revelation it is. The Geek word “apokalypsis” means a disclosure of truth. Jesus Himself is revealing the truth to us. Almost immediately he explains to the reader the truth of just exactly who He is. “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.” Revelation 1:8. There are many scripture verses throughout the Bible which proclaim Jesus’ deity. Why then do so many of His professed followers dismiss the fact that He is God? For the most part, professing Christians have no problem with Jesus being the Son of God, but when the Son of God says He’s God Almighty (as the verse above plainly states) why is that so hard to believe? We are admonished over and over again to believe on the Son of God for everlasting life. “I and my Father are one” John 10:30. Jesus is not speaking metaphorically here; Jesus and the Father are one and the same God. In a moment you’ll understand why I declare this truth, and why we must believe it.

 

When we first say yes to the Son of God we are, for all intents and purposes, saying “Lord Jesus, I believe every single word of Yours.” The Bible is His word. He is God. He is telling us that He is the beginning and the end of all things. The fact is we must believe everything Jesus says, including all His claims of being God “…that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16b.

 

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. This Bible verse, as awesome as it is to read, has a buried meaning. Only by digging into the Hebrew language can that meaning be brought forth into the light of day. In the very first verse of our English translated Bibles we get a glimpse of how the English translation obfuscates the true meaning “…God created the Heaven and the earth”. In my heart, soul, and mind there is nothing to dispute concerning the fact that God did create the Heavens and the earth. When we read our English translated Bibles that verse represents a flowering bud, but when we seek the depth of the meaning of the Hebrew words being used, that same verse grows and becomes as a beautiful spring morning after God has sent the sun’s rays and that bud has opened into an awesome flowering display revealing God’s glory. There is so much more to grasp in that verse when we study the Hebrew words.

 

There’s one word in that verse that stands out above all others, and when fully grasped it will enlighten the reader leading him/her to a new depth of understanding. To me it was one of the highlights of my study of the scriptures when God taught me His deeper meaning of that verse. The Hebrew word for “God” is “'elohiym”. Elohiym is a plural masculine noun; pay attention now, “a disclosure of truth” is about to occur.

 

As we move through the Old Testament we find the word “Elohiym” repeated many times. In the book of Genesis alone the Hebrew word “Elohiym” is used 189 times. In the first chapter of Genesis, God refers to Himself in the plural so that there would be no mistake about the fact that He is a Triune God. In the book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 26, God appears to be speaking to others. Many believe He’s speaking to angels who had already been created in some past era. But that is simply an erroneous interpretation of the Hebrew language. Here’s the conversation “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” Genesis 1:26a. Again the word used here for God is “Elohiym”. We won’t find in the scriptures where God proclaims that He made the angels in His image nor after His likeness. That being the case, who is God speaking to? It becomes obvious that God is speaking to the other two personages who make up the Trinity.

 

In chapter 46 of Isaiah there is a very interesting statement made by our Triune God. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,” Isaiah 46:9. In English we see nothing significantly different in those two uses of the word God. The Hebrew word used in the first part of that verse translated into our English word God is “El” and it is a singular masculine noun. God is telling us that He is only one God. Nothing confusing there. Then God goes on to say “I am God and there is none like me.” This time the Hebrew word for God is the same as in Genesis chapter 1 which is “Elohyim” and, as we’ve already learned, its meaning is plural.

 

So what is God telling us about Himself here in Isaiah? Just this, He is one God “El” who has an ability that no human being can comprehend, that He (Elohyim) can manifest Himself in three different personages. When God says “I am God and there is none like me” He’s putting out a challenge to all the false gods of this world. He and He alone has the ability to manifest Himself as a Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. You will encounter many who will dispute this truth because they refuse to believe our Creator God is a triune God. 

 

“I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry:” Isaiah 46:13. Jesus Christ is our Salvation and He is not far off. Within the pages of the Apostle John’s Gospel, we’re told much more about who Jesus is. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. The entire Bible is speaking of Jesus and His deity. From the Hebrew “Elohiym” in Genesis to the “Alpha and Omega” of the book of Revelation Jesus’ deity is declared. Jesus’ own words in chapter 8 of John’s Gospel affirm His Godhood. As He was addressing the people and Pharisees He made a bold statement, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58. Jesus was laying claim to the fact that He was that voice that spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). Jesus is the Great “I AM”

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3. Here the Apostle John declares that the “Word” (Jesus the Christ) is God Almighty. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the beginning and the ending. He was with God in the beginning because He is God. All things were made (created) through Him. Jesus Christ is our Creator God. These verses which indicate the attributes belonging to Jesus the Christ are not to be taken lightly, nor should they ever be dismissed as nonessential. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” John 1:14a.

 

Anyone who desires to know Christ must believe in who He is as well as what He did for them. But many people have allowed themselves to be led astray; most of the time it’s our own foolish inclination that keeps us from learning the truth. Many simply sit and listen to a pastor’s sermon every Sunday with their Bibles open on their laps, and to many folks this is more than enough Bible study. Others never even crack open their Bibles; to them seeking the truth for themselves is nonproductive, thus they convince themselves that they have enough biblical knowledge while remaining as ignorant as sheep being led to the slaughter. Anyone who thinks they’ve secured a place in Heaven while ignoring or dismissing the truth of who Jesus is has fallen for a widespread satanic deception which will only lead them into Hell. 

 

The enemy’s lies are abundant and Jesus tells us to be ever vigilant so that we are not deceived. “…Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4b. Deceived by men? Yes, in many cases the deceptions are propagated by men. This same admonishment is presented throughout the New Testament scriptures. Many Bible teachers neglect teaching that Jesus is God, and others simply don’t believe that He is God Almighty; therefore their teaching is horribly flawed.

 

The Apostle Paul exclaims to the Ephesians “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6. It must be understood that our Lord Jesus, as well as Paul and the other Apostles, knew that false teachers would arise, and with deceptive techniques they would adversely influence folks. They knew that people are easily swayed and led astray. The Bible teachings of today are, in many cases, grossly replete with errors, and many teach out and out lies. Satan has many willing emissaries among man, especially in these, the last days.

 

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last…” Revelation 1:10-11a. John heard Jesus speaking to him and what did he hear first? Jesus declaring His Godhood. The Alpha and the Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They are significant in that Jesus is using them as a beginning point and an ending point to embody who He is (He’s the first and the last). What He’s saying is that nothing existed before Him and there will be nothing after Him. Jesus Christ has always existed and He will always exist – He is God, and there is only one God.“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega and He alone holds this title.

 

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. There was no doubt in the Apostle Paul’s mind as to just exactly who Jesus was. Nor should there be any doubt in the mind of a born again believer in Christ as to who Jesus is. 

 

One last verse “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24. There are many ways in which this current and last generation will reject the Son of God. One way is by attempting to void His deity. Jesus said that He is God; the Pharisees hated Him for who He claimed to be and they continually tried to stone Him. Finally they saw to it that He would die on a cross. God Almighty died for His creation, yet HE IS ALIVE! HE IS RISEN! We’d all do well to believe that truth, as He’s returning soon but for only those of His “ekklesia”. 

 

God bless you all,

 

Ron Graham

All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed