Jesus – The Alpha and the Omega

1. Read: Revelation 1:8

2. About the Text:

1) Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last letter.

2) The meaning of these two letters together is to show that Jesus is divine.

3) Isaiah 44:6 – ““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.”

4) Jesus identifies Himself as the God of Israel, Yahweh, in these verses.

5) What else do these verses say about the identity of Jesus?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. God gave the revelation to Jesus Christ (v.1).

2. Jesus gave the revelation to John the apostle (v.2).

3. We have the revelation to read now (v.3).

4. Consider this process as given in John.

1) John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

2) John 16:13 – “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

5. This means that the words of the apostles and prophets are the words of Jesus.

1. The greeting is from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (v4).

1) Him who was, is, and is to come – the Father.

2) The Seven Spirits before His throne – the Holy Spirit.

3) Jesus Christ – the Son.

2. The work of Jesus Christ (v.5-6).

1) He is the faithful witness.

2) He is the firstborn from the dead.

3) He is the ruler over the kings of the earth.

4) He loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

5) He has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.

6) To Him is the glory and dominion forever.

3. The future of Jesus Christ (v.7)

1) He is coming with the clouds.

2) Every eye will see Him.

3) They who pierced Him will see Him.

4) Every tribe of the earth will mourn because of Him.

4. The identity of Jesus Christ (v.8).

1) He is the Alpha and the Omega.

2) He is the beginning and the end.

3) He is the one who is, was, and is to come.

4) He is the Almighty.

5. All these truths focus on the central truth that Jesus is the Uniter.

1) He unites God and man in His person – “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14).

2) He unites the rulers of the earth under His kingship – “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

3) He unites those who are washed in His blood – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph.2:13).

4) He can do this because His identity is God.

1. John was on the island of Patmos for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. He was “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s day and heard a loud voice.

3. The voice was Jesus’ voice. He said . . .

1) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.”

2) “Write what you see in a book.”

3) “Send it to the seven churches of Asia.”

4. John turned around and saw a vision.

1) Seven golden lampstands.

2) In the middle, one like the Son of Man clothed with a garment.

3) His hair was white like wool and snow.

4) His eyes were like a flame of fire.

5) His feet were like fine brass that has been refined.

6) His voice was as the sound of many waters.

7) He had seven stars in His right hand.

8) He had a sword coming out of His mouth.

9) His face was like the shining sun.

5. Jesus is the motivator.

1) He writes to us through His apostles to give us instruction – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

2) His appearance awes us – “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

3) His presence encourages us “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

4) This imagery is designed to motivate us to do Christ’s will.

1. John’s response.

1) He fell at His feet as dead.

2) He listened.

2. Jesus said:

1) “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.”

2) “I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.”

3) “I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

4) “Write these things that . . .

a. You Have seen.

b. Are.

c. Will take place after this.

5) The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.

6) The seven lampstands are the seven churches.

3. Jesus starts the conversation regarding our need to change.

1) He is the standard of perfection for mankind – “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).

2) He has the keys of Hades and Death because he has overcome them – Matthew 16:19.

3) We can get started because he has these keys.

4) Here he is beginning the conversation with the seven churches of Asia.

5) He expected them to change/repent and be faithful to him.

6) “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

1. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.

1) He is the Revelator – he gives us the words we need.

2) He is the Uniter – he brings us together with God and one another.

3) He is the Motivator – he encourages us to change.

4) He is the Initiator – he begins the process of change.

2. Invitation