The Alpha and Omega

What does it mean to be the Alpha and Omega? Does this title apply to God alone?

Revelation 22:
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

In Revelations we see that Jesus calls himself the Alpha and Omega. Many Trinitarian Christians claim this is a title of divinity that belongs to God alone.

Throughout the bible we see that Jesus is not God, but is the Son of God; A man brought forth from God. Jesus being a man is extremely important to the whole concept of salvation. So why does he use the Alpha and Omega title?

First we have to realize that no where in the Bible does it say that only God is the Alpha and Omega. This very concept that it belongs to God alone is a tradition of men and has no Scriptural basis. God is the Alpha and Omega because He was before all things and He lives beyond all things. He truly is the beginning and end of all.

Jesus uses the term in another way; Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus goes on to say "blessed are they that do his commandments", not his own, but the commandments of God. He is not claiming deity, even in the resurrection. Jesus glorifies God in all things.

Hebrews 12:
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

In this way is Jesus the Beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus was chosen before all things to be the end of all things.

As we can see, this isn't a title of Godhead, it is a phrase to describe a position of authority and power. It has to be understood within the context of its use. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega of our faith and salvation.