<P> Alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω) are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and a title of Christ and God in the Book of Revelation . This pair of letters are used as Christian symbols, and are often combined with the Cross, Chi - rho, or other Christian symbols . </P> <P> The term Alpha and Omega comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" (Koiné Greek: "ἐγὼ τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω"), an appellation of Jesus in the Book of Revelation (verses 1: 8, 21: 6, and 22: 13). The first part of this phrase ("I am the Alpha and Omega") is first found in Chapter 1 verse 8 ("1v8"), and is found in every manuscript of Revelation that has 1v8 . Several later manuscripts repeat "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11 too, but do not receive support here from most of the oldest manuscripts, including the Alexandrine, Sinaitic, and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus . It is, therefore, omitted in some modern translations . Scholar Robert Young stated, with regard to "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11, the "oldest (manuscripts) omit" it . </P> <P> alpha (Α) and omega (Ω) are the first and last letters, respectively, of the classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet . Thus, twice when the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" appears it is further clarified with the additional phrase, "the beginning and the end" (Revelation 21: 6, 22: 13). The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet were used because the book of Revelation is in the New Testament, which was originally written in Greek . </P> <P> This phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that Jesus has existed for all eternity or that God is eternal . Though many commentators and dictionaries ascribe the title "the alpha and the omega" to both God and to Christ, some secular sources argue otherwise . Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1974) claims: "It cannot be absolutely certain that the writer meant to refer to the Lord Jesus specifically here...There is no real incongruity in supposing, also, that the writer here meant to refer to God as such ." Most Christian denominations also teach that the title applies to both Jesus and his Father . </P>

Meaning of i am the alpha and omega