40 Names of Jesus in 40 days of Lent — Day 1

“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 ESVUK

The problem with taking a verse from the book of Revelation is that it is a picture book. Not a colouring book, but a book made up of pictures. The trick is not to be too hung up on the words but on the pictures it conveys. It means that instead of primarily using the logic part of your brain you have to use your imagination to interpret the pictures. The book even calls itself a vision, that is the big clue.

Throughout the Old Testament the Almighty One has been used as a name of the Lord God. At the beginning of Revelation, John, to whom the picture was given links the Almighty to the Lord God. Unlike Alpha and Omega, also linked to the Lord God here, we do not have to wait until the end of the story to see this name linked to Jesus, there are several places where the Almighty is linked to Jesus usually in passages modern translations mark as being poetry as well as being in the over all picture of Revelation. “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” (Revelation 11:17).

I recommend that you read the book of Revelation imaginatively, which for me also means reading it slowly, inorder to build up the picture in your mind. Warning: It is disturbing in parts, but you may come to understand why this book has been of comfort to the Church in times of persecution which is at odds of an over logical reading that is used in dispensationalism. Revelation is a book of comfort which says to those in distress and persecution that God has not forgotten them. Jesus is the Almighty, and the reign of Jesus is coming.

I shall finish with a passage from the Old Testament, which is also a song, set to music by Handel for his oratorio “The Messiah.”

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6