Encouragement for Today

April 9, 2025 The Beginning and the End CAROLE HOLIDAY Lee en español

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” Revelation 1:8 (CSB)

My friend teaches high school English. So when his birthday approached, I thought it would be fun to make him a card with first lines from famous novels. Why would I be surprised, then, when he cleverly countered with a birthday card for me including famous novels’ last lines?

The first and the last. They stick in our minds, right?

Maybe God knew they would stick in our hearts as well.

In Revelation 1:8, the Lord God announces that He is both the first and the last: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

Both beginning and end. The divine bookends of the universe. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last letter — so our key verse encapsulates God’s eternal nature with one stroke of the pen.

God’s story, as told in the Bible, is varied, complex and difficult at times. Hmmm … sounds like our lives. But on either end of the tumult sits the Alpha and the Omega — anchoring the promise that what He has begun, He will complete. His story has starting blocks and a finish line. It ends with an exclamation upon which we can plant our flag of faith, a reminder of His sovereign title: “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

When life feels uncertain and stormy, I remind myself I’m living in one volume of a very long story. The injustice, heartache or grief I’m bearing, bound in tears and toil, has an end.

And you, friend, who are living in a script you didn’t want or imagine, can count on an ending penned by the Almighty, who will finish the story with justice and the wiping away of your tears (Revelation 21:4).

When I feel depressed or sad, I try to find something to look forward to … a grandchild’s birthday, a friend’s visit, a rainy day to simmer that yummy soup I’ve been dreaming about. It’s a good thing to anticipate something that makes me smile.

God wants us to anticipate the good that is coming too. I think that’s the whole point of Revelation, this incredibly dynamic last book of the Bible.

Read with me, again, the last part of Revelation 1:8: The Apostle John, the author, wrote a description of God as “the one … who is to come.” Our longed-for, holy Father reminds us there is more on the horizon.

The One who is to come is what we can look forward to. He is who we can look forward to, anticipating that with one sweep of His hand, the world will be set right.

Heavenly Father, remind me that my story is not over. I see so little of it. But You know the whole story and how it will end. Remind me that one day, everything will be set right. I give all of this to You, at Your holy throne. You are eternal — the Alpha and Omega. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

It’s sometimes hard to believe the sad endings to our stories can be rewritten. It was for Carole, but her faith urged her to believe for more. Her debut book, I Don’t Know Who I Am Anymore, outlines the steps she took to regain her identity in the face of overwhelming loss. Purchase your copy here!

ENGAGE

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near” (CSB).

Revelation 22:7, “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (CSB).

John was exiled on the island of Patmos as he wrote these verses. He likely understood loneliness and isolation, yet he was able to assure us of God’s coming and the blessings that will accompany His return.

John pronounces that God is intentional in His blessings to us. How do we bless others in light of His promise to bless us? Share your thoughts in the comments!

© 2025 by Carole Holiday. All rights reserved.