Dear Refiner's Fire...

Could you guys please elaborate on the Alpha and Omega, or the "Alef Tav"; the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last?

Our Response...

There is a wonderful footnote in the Aramaic English New Testament to Revelation 2:8, which says: 8. I am Alap, also Taw, says the Master YHWH, Elohim; who is, and was, and is to come, the omnipotent. The footnote says:

Alap-Taw holds a universe of meaning; each Hebrew/Aramaic letter holds many specific values. Aleph speaks of the absolute Unity of YHWH; Taw is the Perfection of YHWH; this is a remez (hint) of the Urim and Thummin. This also reveals "YHWH is Salvation" as the First, Last, Beginning and the End.

The Ten Commandments begin with the letter Aleph, "Anochi (I) am YHWH your Elohim who has brought you out of the land of Egypt..." Exodus 20:2. The Father YHWH is Ain Sof (without end) He is infinite; therefore, "the Arm of YHWH" (Mashiyach) spoke and appeared to Moshe.

Taw reveals the Perfection of Mashiyach; Taw is the first letter of Tefilin (prayers), Torah, Teshuva (turning to YHWH) which speaks of the transformation of the natural man into a Tzadiq, spiritual man.

Alap-Taw speaks of Alap/Head (Keter) and Taw/Feet (Malchut) of the sefirot and both the government of Mashiyach and the harmony of all things; and there are countless other Hebraic connections. These words and letters are important to reveal the nature of Mashiyach, which is why such a sober warning is given in Revelation 22:18-19.

It’s sad to note that James Murdock simply translated "Alap–Taw" into the Greek "alpha and the omega" rather than restore the original; however, Murdock had a propensity to Grecianize the Aramaic NT.

Much more revelation of the Kingdom is available to Bible students who consider the original language, and the application of the four basic levels of interpretation: peshat (simple), remez (hint), drash (allegory) and sod (hidden) as they study. The Greek translators either did not realize the prophetic significance of each word and letter, or perhaps the revelation was far too controversial in the religio-political system of their day.

Alap-Taw speaks of Truth (emet) which is the basis for the true Faith (emunah) "which was once delivered to the set-apart believers."