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I am the Alpha and Omega

Im am afraid that Mr. Meherally does not understand the meaning of the phrase Alpha and Omega. In Greek, Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the alphabet. "I am the Alpha and the Omega" (Revelation 21:6), indicates that God in Christ comprises all that goes between history, as well as the beginning and end. In Christ, the Book of Genesis (the Alpha of the Old Testament) and the Book of Revelation (the Omega of the New Testament) come together. The last book presents us with the scene of man and God reconciled in Paradise. On the other hand, the first book presents man at the very beginning - innocent and in God's favor in Paradise.

Meherally opens with his standard attack on Paul: "I am the Alpha and the Omega." (Rev. 1:8) Perceived by the "man of extraordinary faith": One who claimed this was Lord Jesus.

1. The entire text in N.R.S.V. reads: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Following the verses of Greetings to the Churches in Asia, which end with the word "Amen", this happens to be an opening statement of a fact praising the "Lord God - the Almighty". The testimony of Jesus begins with verse number 9.

Actually, John begins his narrative in verse 9: "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."

2. In K.J.V. the above phrase is repeated in verse number 11. Since this phrase has been removed from the majority of the revises versions, it shows it was a superfluous addition. The need of injecting this phrase in verse 11 gives rise to the indication that the phrase in verse 8 was not spoken by Jesus.

The revised versions are based on older and better manuscripts which uphold the authenticity of verse 8.

3. In chapter 21 the phrase is once again repeated. Before we examine this particular verse it is essential to note that the Revelation is written in "apocalyptic" form - a style of ancient Jewish literature wherein symbolic imagery is used to demonstrate the ultimate triumph of the Almighty God, to those who are under constant persecutions (author John was a Jew).

Revelation was written as prophecy - a detailed description of what would occur in the future.

The author saw the vision of God, God's angel and of Jesus besides other things. Upon the reading of the verse number 6 of the earlier chapter (20), we notice that the God and the Christ are "two" separate entities.

HUH?! Revelation 20:6 says: "Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." This passage says "priests of God and of Christ", NOT that some will be priests of God while others are priests of Christ!

And, in verse number 9 the author speaks of a fire coming down from "God".

Please read the passage carefully: "They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from HEAVEN and devoured them."

And, in verse 11 the author saw the throne of "God". And, the One who was seating on that White throne spoke the phrase and not Jesus.

The passage says: "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them." God sits on the throne and Jesus is stationed at the right hand of the Father. (See Acts 7:56, Luke 22:69, Mark 16:19, and Matthew 26:64). No problems here!

4. In 1:1 John clearly mentions, at the very beginning of his book, that the Revelation was of Jesus Christ which God gave him.

True.

5. In 1:2 John writes, he was testifying; the word of God and of Jesus.

God the Father and God the Son, along with God the Holy Spirit are One. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh (See the first chapter of the Gospel of John).

Study Supportive Passage: If John had seen, heard, known and believed that his Rabbi Teacher Jesus was the Almighty Alpha and Omega Himself then he would not have written (or allowed it to remain unaltered), that the sole aim of the writing of his Gospel was to prove that Jesus was the expected "Messiah", in John 20:31.

The passage says: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Where is the contradiction here? Jesus said in John 17:5 : "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." Jesus existed before the world began and will always exist, He is eternal, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

If Jesus was "Alpha and Omega" then it would also contradict the verse 1 Corin. 15:28 of the New Testament.

"When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all." There is no contradiction here! Jesus is voluntarily subordinate to, though co-equal with, God the Father. This passage is a prophecy of future events and describes a "mediatorial kingdom", in which the Son will be, in a manner, distinct from the Father. Now, His (Jesus) kingdom will merge into the Father's (God), with whom He is one. This does not affect His honor; for the Father wills "that all should honor the Son, as they honor the Father" (John 5:22,23 Hebrews 1:6). God is "all in all" and Christ is "all in all" (Col 3:11; Zec 14:9). Then, but not until then, "all things," will be subject to the Son, and the Son subordinate to the Father, while co-equally sharing His glory.

(The Verse Number 17 will be, God willing, soon added.)

I look forward to reading it and, God willing, I will provide an appropriate response.


Until then Mr. Meherally, may the Lord Bless you and keep you (Numbers 6:24).

Andrew Vargo

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