Of the hundreds of names and titles given to Christ throughout the Bible, the Alpha and Omega is mentioned only in three chapters in the book of Revelation, which deals mostly with prophecies of things yet to be fulfilled. This alone shows that the purposes of the book of Revelation are begun and completed by the Alpha and Omega. Since Revelation is the book of consummation, we see here Christ as the Omega finishing all that He as the Alpha began. Let us now look briefly at each occurrence of this marvelous Alpha and Omega in the Scriptures.

Alpha and Omega as REVEALER

Revelation 1:7-11—"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him … I am Alpha and Omega … which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty … What thou seest, write in a book."

The book of Revelation centers around the truth of the coming of Christ, so here John is given visions of all that is to come. As the Alpha and Omega, God sets His seal upon the revelation of Christ coming to judge the world and to establish His kingdom. It is communicated and confirmed as authentic by the great Revealer of all wisdom and knowledge. One has said, "He means far more to Revelation than the alphabet does to all literary records."

In the Alpha and Omega we have the whole revelation of truth from God to man, from "A" to "Z," not partial, but the sum, substance and summit of all that God has communicated. Within the compass of the alphabet lies all the wealth of knowledge that it is possible for man to know. Christ's omniscient deity is alone able to express all that letters, in unlimited combinations, and language were meant to make known of His divine truth and purposes for the world and for men. The Alpha and Omega is thus the Revealer.

Alpha and Omega as RECONCILER

Revelation 21: 5,6—"And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new … And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

Here we see the Alpha and Omega as the One who brings all the purposes of God to fruition in the new creation, when all is made new and forever ageless in heaven and earth. He will execute the divine will "to reconcile all things unto Himself" (Colossians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:10,11). All sin and evil and their consequences will be completely done away with by the Alpha and Omega, who is the end, the goal, the consummation of all things, through whom all is put into suitability with Himself. Verses 1-8 of this chapter present for our eyes a glimpse of the eternal state of surpassing blessing and glory. Only the Alpha and Omega is able to accomplish what man's "new world order" has and will miserably fail to do—usher in the perfect society, the city of God, through Reconciliation.

How beautiful to see the Alpha and Omega express His desire of love to all men that they may be included in His eternal home of glory (vv.6,7). The gospel invitation is given to any who know the thirst of a life without Christ to drink freely the water of life and never thirst again (John 4:14).

How dreadful is the eternal end of those who do not accept Christ's message of reconciliation: "The fearful, and unbelieving, … and whoremon-gers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (v.8).

Alpha and Omega as REWARDER

Revelation 22:12,13—"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

The final reference to the Alpha and Omega brings before us the awesome truth that the eternal God will reward everything done for Him or against Him. His great Revelation and Reconciliation will have its affect upon every person who ever lived upon the earth, either for good or evil. The verses just before and after these quoted (see vv.11,14,15) solemnly present to us but two classes to whom rewards are given by the Alpha and Omega. He who knows fully the condition of every man's heart and works will pronounce His righteous judgment upon all when brought before Him, whether at the judgment seat of Christ for the believer (1 Corinthians 3:14), or at the great white throne where the unbeliever will receive the reward of unrighteousness and iniquity and eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Peter 2:13; Acts 1:18). There are only two classes today—saved and lost. There will only be two classes in eternity—blessed and happy in Christ's presence or weeping and wailing in the lake of fire. What reward will be given to you from Alpha and Omega, the coming Rewarder?