How is Jesus the Alpha and the Omega?

TL;DR:

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega because He is a member of the Holy Trinity. From creation to the end of history, Jesus is the beginning, the end, and the eternal hope we can trust.

In the Old Testament, the use of first and last as marking the beginning and the end of something is seen in passages like 1 Chronicles 29:29, which refers to the “acts of King David, from first to last.” Jesus calls Himself the Alpha and the Omega three times in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). In Greek, , Alpha is the first letter of the alphabet and Omega is the last. Calling oneself the Alpha and Omega, is equivalent to an English speaker saying "I am the A to the Z." Jesus elaborates the meaning of this phrase in Revelation 22:13, where He refers to Himself as, "The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (also mentioned in Revelation 21:6). As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus connects Himself with statements of God from the Old Testament such as Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 48:12, which refers to the eternality and pre-existence of God before the dawn of time. Theologically, as the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus refers to Himself as eternal God (John 8:58; Exodus 3:14).

from the old testament

The context of 1 Chronicles 29:29 indicates the phrase "from first to last" means "from beginning to end.”
Isaiah 44:6 says, "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God” and Isaiah 48:12 states, "I am he; I am the first, and I am the last." When Jesus calls Himself the Alpha and Omega, He is drawing a link of equality between Himself and God.

from the new testament

In Revelation, Jesus alludes to Himself as the Alpha and Omega three times (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). The meaning of this phrase is clarified in Revelation 22:13, and Revelation 21:6.
Jesus equated Himself with God the Father in His earthly ministry, telling the religious leaders, "before Abraham was born, I am" (John 8:58 NIV), which they understood as a claim to be the Lord, the "I AM" of Exodus 3:14. From beginning to end, Jesus has always existed and always will exist, which is unique to God.
John 1:1 affirms Jesus’ deity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

implications for today

The first time Alpha and Omega is used in Scripture summarizes it best: Revelation 1:8 reads, "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" Jesus is the eternal One and the Almighty who will one day return to fulfill the remaining prophecies of Scripture. As the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus has an eternal nature. He had a role in creation, and currently sustains the universe and is the Messiah. When we read the words of Jesus referring to Himself as the Alpha and the Omega in Revelation, we find One who refers to Himself as Lord and who will one day make all things new (Revelation 22). Jesus is the future we can rest our hope in.

Knowing who Jesus is matters as He is the only One who was worthy to die for the sins of humanity. Placing faith in anyone or anything else–money, our works, charismatic leaders—is fruitless. Jesus asked His apostles, “But who do you say that I am?” May we answer as Peter did: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

understand

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, so using those terms means “first and last.”
Jesus identified Himself as “Alpha and Omega,” another indication of His deity.
As the eternal Son of God, Jesus alone could and did atone for humanity’s sin.

reflect

What are some ways you acknowledge Jesus as Lord each day?
What spiritual disciplines do you practice to ensure you continue to place your trust in the Lord rather than in any person or thing?
How does recognizing Jesus as the Alpha and Omega impact your trust in Him?

engage

How might passages about Jesus as “Alpha” and “Omega” be used to reveal Him to those who reject the Trinity (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarians, Muslims, etc.)?
How does Jesus being “Alpha” and “Omega” make Him much more than merely a “wise teacher” or “good man”?
How can understanding Jesus as the Alpha and Omega deepen our confidence in His promises for the future and guide our decisions today?