January 1

THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA

" 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.' " (Revelation 1:8, NKJV).

It is appropriate that we begin this new year with a passage that adequately portrays the Lord of time and space. This fascinating biblical portrait of Christ appears four times in the Bible and only in the book of Revelation. The title is drawn from the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet--alpha and omega. As the Alpha, Christ is the source and giver of life. He is the spring from which the river of truth and grace flow. As the Omega, He is the fulfillment of all our hopes and aspirations. Everything in life finds its answer in Him who is the first and last. In this self-designation, Christ vividly portrays Himself as the supreme "I AM." In this timeless attribute, Christ assures His people that He is the all-sufficient, ever-present, and available Saviour.

Implicit in this portrayal is the recognition that Christ is more than the Alpha and the Omega. He is also all the other letters of the alphabet! Jesus Christ is the center and circumference of all things; the past, present, and future are under His control. How appropriate to begin this new year with the powerful affirmation that all history centers on the One "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8, NKJV). In this affirmation, we are reminded of Christ's radical break-through into human history, His full and complete salvation, His presence in our lives today, and the confident assurance that He is coming back soon as the indisputable Lord of the universe.

As we contemplate this arresting portrait of our Lord, we are reminded of the inspired comment: "From Him [Christ] has come every ray of heaven's brightness that has fallen upon the inhabitants of the earth. In the plan of redemption, Christ is the Alpha and the Omega--the First and the Last." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 367.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may the Alpha and the Omega be with me as I face this new year. Amen!