Alpha and Omega (Christianity)
For other uses, see Alpha and Omega (disambiguation). |
The labarum or chi-rho symbol with alpha and omega |
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The coat of arms of the Anglican diocese of Trinidad |
Alpha and Omega (Gr. "το 'Αλφα και το Ω") is an appellation of
Jesus and
God in the
book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:16, and 22:13). Its meaning is found in the fact that
Alpha(Α) and
Omega(Ω) are respectively the first and last letters of the
Greek alphabet. This would be similar to referring to someone in English as "the A to Z". Thus, twice when the title appears it is further clarified with the additional title "the Beginning and the End" (21:16, 22:13).
The attribution of this title to both Jesus and God by the author of Revelation shows he believes there is a unique association between Jesus and God. Such exaltation of Jesus by ascribing to him deity is a common theme in the book of Revelation.
Therefore the letters Alpha and Omega in juxtaposition are often used as a Christian visual symbol (see examples).
This symbol was suggested by the Apocalypse, where Christ, as well as the Father, is "the First and the Last" (ii, 8); "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (cf., xxii, 13; i, 8).
Clement of Alexandria speaks of the Word as "the Alpha and the Omega of Whom alone the end becomes beginning, and ends again at the original beginning without any break" (Strom., IV, 25). Tertullian also alludes to Christ as the Alpha and Omega (De Monogamiâ, v), and from Prudentius (Cathemer., ix, 10) we learn that in the fourth century the interpretation of the apocalyptic letters was still the same: "Alpha et Omega cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula, Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, quaeque post futura sunt." It was, however, in the monuments of early Christianity that the symbolic Alpha and Omega had their greatest vogue.
This phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that Jesus existed from the beginning of time (as the second person of the
Trinity), and will exist eternally.
Emet (אמת), literally "truth", one of the
names of God in Judaism, has been interpreted as consisting of the first, middle and final letters of the
Hebrew alphabet.
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Catholic Encyclopedia
