The Alpha and the Omega

[Carborendum]

I have wondered since I was a child what this phrase meant.  Answer given: The beginning and the end (referring to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet).  I considered this.  It is essentially saying: I am the A and the Z.  That makes no sense.

The argument goes further to say that Jesus was at the beginning of creation and will be there at the end of the world.  Again, this still feels hollow to me.  What is the point?  We were also at the beginning and will be there at the end.

So, I figured there was something about this phrase that must have been a figure of speech in Greek that we're not aware of.  That brought me to the theory that IAOmega is a transliteration of YHWH.  I'm looking at both alphabets and the meanings, etc. and I find it unconvincing.  But what do I know?  I'm just a hack.

A dozen other theories I've read that don't seem to "click."

*********************************

I did finally come across a theory that made sense to me.

The Hebrew word אֶמֶת /emet/ = truth starts with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph) and ends with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet (tav).  The letter in the middle happens to be equal to our "M", and it is in the middle of the alphabet.  So, it implies that truth is the beginning, middle, and end.

The word "the" in Hebrew is "et" (את) which is literally comprised of aleph and tav.

This made me think about when Jesus said," I am the way, the truth, and the light."  We may not know exactly what He said since he spoke in Aramaic (most likely).  And we have the history written in Greek.  But to think of the idea that He would combine "I am" with the word "truth" and list three things that He is "the" ...X ... makes me think he was playing 4D chess with languages.

But how does this line up with the verses in Revelation that actually use the Alpha & Omega verbiage?

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Rev 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

This is the only one that clearly points to a time/calendar because of the use of the forms of "to be" (I am, I was, I will be = first, middle, & last like "truth"/emet/).  Then it ends with "the Almighty."  That's curious.

What about the other three?

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Rev 1:11

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

This seems more like a status.  But the first and the last sounds different in the Greek.  What would we think if He said He is the most important (first place) and the least important (last place)?  That's a very different meaning.  He is the Great I AM.  He also decended below all things.  He who is least among you...

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Rev 21

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 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.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

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Rev 22

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Each of these in some way seems to allude to the fact that because Christ (the Greatest of All) descended below all things (became the least) and opened the gates of hell, so that we might enter in at the strait celestial gates, we can drink of the water of life (the water that Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well), partake of the Tree of Life, and inherit Eternal Life.

Edited March 12 by Carborendum

[Traveler]

It is my understanding that the term alpha and omega is a reference to all things being encompassed and overseen.  I personally like this reference better than the standard religious notion of divine omnipotence.  

 

The Traveler

[Carborendum]

2 hours ago, Traveler said:

It is my understanding that the term alpha and omega is a reference to all things being encompassed and overseen.  I personally like this reference better than the standard religious notion of divine omnipotence.  

 

The Traveler

I perceive your meaning. 

But for the standard Christian, the meaning of omipotence is the same as (or nearly the same as) "all things encompassed and overseen."

[Traveler]

39 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

I perceive your meaning. 

But for the standard Christian, the meaning of omipotence is the same as (or nearly the same as) "all things encompassed and overseen."

The problem I have with the standard Christian meaning of omnipotence it that it does not include agency or freewill of mankind.   If anyone has the power to determine their destiny then G-d is not omnipotent.

 

The Traveler

[Carborendum]

4 hours ago, Traveler said:

The problem I have with the standard Christian meaning of omnipotence it that it does not include agency or freewill of mankind.   If anyone has the power to determine their destiny then G-d is not omnipotent.

Regardless of you having a problem with it.  You seem to want to have your cake and eat it too.

[Traveler]

13 hours ago, Carborendum said:

Regardless of you having a problem with it.  You seem to want to have your cake and eat it too.

Actually, I think it is the other way around.  Many religionists want to strictly define G-d with philosophical terms (that are not in scripture) like omnipotence and then claim that it is not just (or correct) to blame G-d for many of the things that happen.  It is such nonsense from religionists that drives a lot of deep thinkers to become atheists and agnostics.

I am so delighted with LDS theology that understand G-d is aware of all possibilities and is wise or smart enough to take advantage of it for the good of all regardless of their agency or free will.

 

The Traveler

[Jedi_Nephite]