JESUS CHRIST, the BEGINNING and the END

"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" (Rev 21:6). "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev 22:13).

Devotion 4 of 20

THE BEGINNING

There are at least three perspectives in the word "beginning." First, there is the sequential view; i.e., the FIRST one. In the case of Jesus, the chronology of His humanity is not the focus. He is not the "first man," or the beginning point of humanity. Adam is, in this sense, "the first man" (1 Cor 15:45). Jesus is declared to be "the second man" from the standpoint of kind; i.e., the second type, or order, of man. "The Beginning" contemplates Christ as the first Person positioned in the dwelling place of God. He is "the Beginning" of God's temple, or building.

Second, the term "BEGINNING" carries the idea of preeminence. We will find it used in this manner frequently in the Word of God. By nature, Jesus is Lord; i.e., over all things. He is "the Beginning," or first in order of supremacy (Col 1:18; Rev 3:14).

Third, we find the concept of SOURCE in this view of Christ. He is the Author of everything created. The universe and all personalities, with the exception of the Father Himself and the Holy Spirit, owe their existence to Christ Jesus. He is "the Beginning."

The technical meaning

The word "beginning" is translated from a word meaning, a commencement, or chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

Thus, Jesus is "the Beginning" of a new order, or new creation: the Firstborn among many brethren. He is also "the Beginning" in the sense of priority or preeminence. He is also "the Beginning" in the sense or origination. Anything of eternal value must have Christ at the center, revolving around Him as the preeminent One. All things that are pertinent to life and godliness have had their genesis with Christ Jesus. He is, truly, "the Beginning."

PRAYER POINT: Father, I believe the record You have given of Your Son, and therefore confess Him to be the First of the new creation, the dominant One in all things, and the Source of every good thing.