Topical Encyclopedia
Omega (Ω, ω) is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and holds significant theological and symbolic meaning within the Christian faith. In the context of the Bible, Omega is often used in conjunction with Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, to denote the eternal nature and sovereignty of God, particularly in the person of Jesus Christ.
Biblical References:The most prominent references to Omega are found in the Book of Revelation. In
Revelation 1:8, the Lord God declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," signifying His eternal existence and omnipotence. This declaration is repeated in
Revelation 21:6, where God says, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." These verses emphasize God's control over the entirety of time and creation, from the beginning to the end.
In
Revelation 22:13, Jesus Christ Himself states, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." This assertion underscores the divinity of Christ and His integral role in the divine plan of salvation. By identifying Himself as Omega, Jesus affirms His eternal presence and authority over all things.
Theological Significance:The use of Omega in conjunction with Alpha highlights the completeness and perfection of God's nature. It serves as a reminder of His unchanging and everlasting character. In Christian theology, this concept is crucial for understanding the nature of God as eternal, transcendent, and immanent.
The title "Alpha and Omega" also reflects the belief in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. It assures believers of the certainty of God's plan and the eventual consummation of His kingdom. This assurance provides hope and encouragement to Christians, affirming that God is in control of history and that His purposes will be accomplished.
Symbolism:Omega, as the final letter, symbolizes the end or completion. In the context of Christian eschatology, it represents the culmination of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. The Alpha and Omega motif is a powerful symbol of God's eternal presence and His role as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
In Christian art and iconography, the symbols of Alpha and Omega are often depicted together, sometimes flanking the figure of Christ, to visually convey His divine nature and eternal sovereignty. These symbols serve as a visual reminder of the comprehensive nature of God's authority and the assurance of His eternal kingdom.
Conclusion:The concept of Omega, particularly when paired with Alpha, is a profound expression of the Christian understanding of God's eternal nature and His ultimate authority over creation. It encapsulates the belief in God's unchanging presence and the fulfillment of His divine purposes, offering hope and assurance to believers throughout the ages.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Omegathe last letter of the Greek alphabet; long O
ATS Bible Dictionary
OmegaThe last letter of the Greek alphabet. SeeA.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
Revelation 1:8), the last letter in the Greek alphabet. (See A.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The last letter of the Greek alphabet. See Alpha.
2. (n.) The last; the end; hence, death.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ALPHA AND OMEGAal'-fa, o'-me-ga, o-me'-ga (Alpha and Omega = A and O): The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, hence, symbolically, "beginning and end"; in Revelation "The Eternal One" inRevelation 1:8 of the Father, inRevelation 21:6 andRevelation 22:13 of the Son. Compare Theodoret, Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, iv. 8: "We used alpha down to omega, i.e. all." A similar expression is found in Latin (Martial, v.26). Compare Aretas (Cramer's Catenae Graecae in New Testament) onRevelation 1:8 and Tertullian (Monog, 5): "So also two Greek letters, the first and last, did the Lord put on Himself, symbols of the beginning and the end meeting in Him, in order that just as alpha rolls on to omega and omega returns again to alpha, so He might show that both the evolution of the beginning to the end is in Him and again the return of the end to the beginning." Cyprian, Testim, ii0.1; vi.22, iii.100, Paulinus of Nola Carm. xix0.645; xxx0.89; Prudentius, Cathem., ix.10-12. In Patristic and later literature the phrase is regularly applied to the Son. God blesses Israel from 'aleph to taw (Leviticus 26:3-13), but curses from waw to mem (Leviticus 26:14-43). So Abraham observed the whole law from 'aleph to taw. Consequently, "Alpha and Omega" may be a Greek rendering of the Hebrew phrase, which expressed among the later Jews the whole extent of a thing.
J. E. Harry
OMEGA
o'-me-ga o-me'-ga o-meg'-a.
SeeALPHA AND OMEGA.
Greek
5598. O -- the last letter of the Gr. alphabet... alphabet. Part of Speech: Indeclinable Letter (Noun) Transliteration: O Phonetic
Spelling: (o'-meg-ah) Short Definition:
omega Definition:
omega, the last
...Library
"My Word Will not Pass Away"
... GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO} {GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH
OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA} {GREEK SMALL...
Appendix (E). Text of the Concluding Scholion of victor of...
... 533) {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL
LETTER PI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA}{GREEK SMALL...
Division of Actual Grace
... GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH DASIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI...
Notanda.
... SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL
LETTER ETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA}{GREEK SMALL...
Connection of These Primeval Testimonies with Christ.
... which concur in Himself: so that, just as Alpha rolls on till it reachesOmega,
and againOmega rolls back till it reaches Alpha, in the same way He might show...
Appendix (F). On the Relative Antiquity of the Codex Vaticanus (B)...
... S. MATTH. XV.30. {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER CHI}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTEROMEGA}{GREEK CAPITAL
LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER UPSILON...
Early Christianity in Other Parts of These Islands. --Ninian in...
... The Chi Rho is found as early as 312 in Rome and 377 in Gaul, with Alpha and
Omega, 355 in Rome and 400 in Gaul. Hic iacet is found in 365....
Appendix (H). On the Interpolation of the Text of Codex B and...
... After {GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} [Cod. Sinait....
General Review of the Question: Summary of the Evidence; and...
... LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER PHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH
OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI...
Appendix (A). On the Importance of Attending to Patristic...
... LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL
LETTER THETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTEROMEGA WITH OXIA...
Thesaurus
Omega (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ALPHA AND
OMEGA.
... 8: "We used alpha down to
omega,
ie all." A similar expression is found in Latin (Martial, v.26).
...Alpha (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ALPHA ANDOMEGA.... 8: "We used alpha down toomega,
ie all." A similar expression is found in Latin (Martial, v.26)....
A (102073 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet,
asOmega is the last. These letters occur in the text of...
Omen (6 Occurrences)
Beginning (187 Occurrences)
... Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha andOmega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord,
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (KJV WBS YLT)....
Offices (14 Occurrences)
... of God (Revelation 3:14); Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4); Express Image of His
Person (Hebrews 1:3 the King James Version); Alpha andOmega (Revelation 1:8...
Omar (3 Occurrences)
Thirsty (38 Occurrences)
... heat; (WEB WEY). Revelation 21:6 He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha
and theOmega, the Beginning and the End. I will give...
Thirsting (7 Occurrences)
... I am the Alpha and theOmega, the Beginning and the End; I, to him who is thirsting,
will give of the fountain of the water of the life freely; (YLT)....
Thirsts (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thirsts (5 Occurrences). Revelation 21:6 And he said to
me, It is done. I am the Alpha and theOmega, the beginning and the end....
Resources
What is the Omega Point? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Teilhardism? | GotQuestions.orgOmega: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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