Omega
“The great O (final letter)”
Summary
Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, used with Alpha to describe God and Christ as the beginning and end of all things.
☩Meaning and Usage
Omega (Ω) is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, as Alpha is the first. In Scripture, it is used metaphorically to denote the end of anything, paired with Alpha to express totality and completeness. The declaration "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending... the first and the last" appears in Revelation, applied both to God the Father and to Christ. This may be compared with Isaiah's prophecy where God declares, "I am the first and I am the last, and beside me there is no God." The phrase signifies that Christ accomplishes finally what He begins, being the source and goal of all creation and redemption.
☩Symbolic Use
In early Christian art and symbolism, the letters Alpha and Omega were combined with the cross or the monogram of Christ (Chi-Rho), expressing faith in Christ's eternal divine nature. The Hebrew equivalent uses Aleph and Tav, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This symbolism emphasizes that Christ is always the same: before all the church's foes and continuing after they are no more. He comprises all between the beginning and the end, uniting Genesis and Revelation in His person.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Omega," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Omega," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Omega," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).