In the Book of Revelation we find the phrase, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” three times. Those two Greek letters represent something quite significant in God’s Word.
We’re not just talking about the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. We’re talking about the First and the Last of all creation. The Beginning and the End of all existence.
Moses proclaims in Psalm 90:1-4, “Lord, you have been my dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, O sons of men.’ For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”
Let me tell you about something exciting happening in Santa Barbara. This past fall, Community Covenant Church of Goleta conducted ALPHA for the first time in many years in our community, and the church plans a second ALPHA session early this spring.
If you have any interest in learning more about the Christian faith, this series — running from Jan. 26 through April 5 — is something you should consider attending.
Founded 30 years ago in Great Britain, ALPHA is a nonthreatening approach to learning about Christ. If you have questions about faith and want to get some answers, here’s your chance to start a meaningful journey with others who also have similar questions about life.
Let’s get back to this discussion on God’s Word claiming He’s Alpha and Omega. You see the whole Bible deals with His Story — it’s the history of the world as told in 66 separate segments from the beginning of the world as we know it through the life of Jesus and the early church.
That’s where the book stops, but the story continues. His Story goes on as the Holy Spirit comes onto the scene in the Book of Acts. It also lives on in the lives of all who have believed, presently believe and will someday believe until Christ’s imminent return. It will even remain once Christ returns.
These days, we continue to discover more and more archaeological proof that the accounts found in the Bible actually did happen. Unfortunately, not much is communicated on these findings. Apparently, most news sources would rather spend their energy on what they feel sells — human interest stories (whether verified or not) that will increase readership and promote their agenda, whatever that might be.
What’s beautiful about God’s Word is the way it all comes together in painting a magnificent mural of God’s Plan for His creation as we witness the trials of those who went before us, culminating in Jesus becoming incarnate (the God Man) for our sake.
I know some of you out there prefer to believe that life ends at death. Let me have you consider a few questions: “What if you’re wrong? What if life continues forever? What if your destination is either Heaven or Hell? Why would anyone want to choose a life totally void of their Creator?”
These are questions you may not want to consider, but they are real questions that deserve consideration.
Programs like ALPHA are designed to let you ask the tough questions about life and death. We all deserve answers to these questions, regardless of whether we want to address them. So, please consider checking out ALPHA through Community Covenant Church and see if it fits into your schedule.
It just might be one of those life-changing experiences that you’ll never regret.
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at jim@fourthquarterstrateies.com for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.