Jesus Is The Authority

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) 
 
There are four characteristics or descriptors of Jesus we need to focus on in today’s key verse so that we can better understand the authority Jesus has in our lives and in our world today.  
 

1. Alpha and Omega

In verse eight, the Lord describes Himself as the “Alpha and the Omega.” That is a picture of authority. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In essence, He is saying, “I am the beginning. I am the end. I hold the bookends. I am the authority.” 
 

2. Who is, Who was, and Who is to come 

The second way Jesus describes Himself is the one, “Who is, who was, and who is to come.” In other words, He is describing every aspect of any dimension you have ever lived in, or will ever live in, during the past, present, or future. He is the authority. No government is the authority. No political power or country is the authority. It is Jesus and Jesus alone! When we choose to align ourselves with Him, we are saying, “Lord, I don't want to live separate from your authority. I want to live underneath your authority.” 
 

3. The Almighty 

Unless you are familiar with the Greek language, you will miss this next descriptor. There is a small article that is used three different times in the first chapter of Revelation. It is rarely used like this, but in this passage, it is used with great emphasis three times. As you know, “three” is a description of the Trinity. You don't have to know the Greek text here, but if you could read it, you would see this phrase, “ho pantokrator,” which translates “The Almighty.” To keep it simple, this is the way Jesus is letting us know He is The Almighty. He is Lord. 
 

4. The First and the Last

Once again, Jesus is emphasizing that He is the Lord, God. And God is totally in charge. He is in total control, regardless of what anyone says and regardless of what is happening around you right now. If you think this world is out of control, and your life feels like it’s going haywire, you need to understand that it is not. He is in total control of everything. Everything and everyone comes underneath His authority.