“I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Alpha and Omega, the Aleph and the Tav. Throughout the Bible, this theme of God’s nature repeats like a comforting refrain through time, anchoring us in the timelessness of the Trinity. From Genesis to Job, from Isaiah to Revelation, the identity of God as the Beginning and the End deepens with each reprise.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions?” Job 38:5-7

“Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first and last; I am He.” Isaiah 41:4

As I continually encountered this Name of God in the Scriptures, I knew He was leading me to paint this diptych of His character next. It wasn’t long before images representing this theme began to take form around the first and last letters of Greek and Hebrew letters on my canvases. Ruach, the Holy Spirit, hovering over the creation of the world; a baby forming in the womb; an hourglass with the sands of time; Jesus the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world; galaxies forming from a simple word from His mouth; all conveying the dawn of creation and time. An empty tomb and red moon rising, signaling the finished work of Jesus and the expiration of this earth—just a prelude to eternity with a new heaven and new earth. And all this tied together with a depiction of His Word, the Old and the New Testament, which together chronicle God’s relationship with humanity, going from promise to fulfillment.

While these visions came to life on the canvas in vivid colors, my heart and mind kept ringing with many more verses which first prompted these paintings:

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:10

“..He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all the fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

As these truths percolated in my mind, I began asking God why this weighty aspect of His identity was being brought into the foreground of my awareness at this specific time. For many years I have wanted to paint these Names of God, but it wasn’t until now that I felt impressed upon to do so. Why was this? Listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, this is what I sensed Him speaking:

There is a time and season for everything and the reason why I am revealing my nature as the “Beginning and the End” in this season is so that my people know that their times are orchestrated by my hand. They must know this even more so in the days to come. If you do not remain anchored in this truth, you will think that I am absent from your timeline and have not already worked it all out for your good. I AM the First and the Last and I will fulfill every promise which I have spoken. You need not be afraid when the enemy comes in like a flood, because I will raise a standard against him. From the beginning of time, I have already won every battle you will face because of the stripes I bore on the cross. When I rose from the dead, death was defeated forever and I signed the new covenant with my blood. If I have done all this, do you think even one small detail escapes my notice? Know then that I am the One who is, who was and who is to come—everything in between is under my watchful eye. I hold your past, your present and your future in My all-powerful hands. I was there at your conception and will be with you when you enter my glory. Remain then in Me and lay every concern at my feet. The world had it’s beginning in Me and in the end, all of creation will find it’s fulfillment when at last I come again!