Page 26 - September 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Consequently, His witness was true to- Alpha and Omega
wards men. It was a perfect, full and reli- A further three highly significant titles
able witness which could be fully trusted. of the Lord Jesus are found together at
This is where Laodicea had grossly the end of the book of Revelation (22:13).
failed. The church should have been Here, the Lord Jesus declares Himself to
faithful and true witnesses to Christ (cf. be the Alpha and Omega, the first and
Act 1:8), boldly affirming the promises last letters of the Greek alphabet. It is the
of God in Him. But she had forgotten her Lord God Almighty who is described as
heavenly calling. Material wealth had Alpha and Omega at the beginning of the
affected her spiritual health; she did not book (cf. 1:8); now that honour belongs to
even recognise her spiritual deficiency Christ. He is the Lord God Almighty.
without Christ. No wonder the church is “Alpha and Omega” is a title which
called “wretched” and “miserable” (Rev indicates a “whole,” what is comprehen-
3:17) – a church on life-support, pathetic sive and complete. Here, Christ is the full
and pitiable. Sadly, the witness of many and complete revelation of God. All truth
a local assembly today is a similar story. is revealed in Him. As such He must be
And the saints are none the wiser. omniscient.
Furthermore, Christ is “the Beginning
The Beginning and the Ending.” As the Beginning (as
The title “Beginning” does not mean the in 3:14), He is the source and origin of all
Lord Jesus is a created being. In fact, it de- things, for all things were made by Him.
clares the opposite. The word “beginning” As the Ending, He is the purpose for
(archē) means “first cause” or “source.” which all things were made, for all things
The Lord Jesus is therefore “the Originator were made for Him (Col 1:16). This title
of God’s creation” (NET). Far from being highlights the omnipotence of Christ.
created, He is the Creator (Joh 1:3) – and Finally, as “the First and the Last,”
supreme over creation! Christ is before all things (in time) and will
In Colossians 1, Christ is presented remain after everything else has passed
as the Creator in two senses. First, He is away. He is unoriginated and underived.
the creator of the natural creation, being Christ is omnipresent.
pre-eminent over that creation because It is obvious to see why such precious
He made it (vv15-16). Second, He is the titles are used at the end of the book of
creator of the new (spiritual) creation, be- Revelation. This is a book which brings
ing pre-eminent over that creation because the 66 volumes of the divine library to
He is the Firstborn from the dead (v18). consummation. This same book makes
This new creation is in view in Revelation large promises about coming judgment, a
3:14. Christ is the Head of a new order of glorious future kingdom, and an eternal
spiritual manhood; “if anyone be in Christ, new heaven and new earth. Who is able
there is a new creation; the old things to fulfil such promises? Who can possibly
have passed away; behold all things have bring all this to pass? Only One who is
become new” (2Co 5:17 JND). Sadly, La- Alpha and Omega (omniscient), Begin-
odicea had set too much value on the first ning and Ending (omnipotent), and First
(material) creation and lost the distinctive and Last (omnipresent). He is God’s “yea”
mark of the new creation. and “Amen”!

282 TRUTH kTidings Sepember 2026