Why Tetelestai?

If you have ever read one of my books you have no doubt seen the word TETELESTAI written in bold at the end. I am sure people have often wondered what it meant or why I chose that for an ending instead of the usual "The End."

The answer is this, Tetelestai is the English translation of the Greek word or phrase meaning " It is finished." This is one of the last things Jesus said on the cross before he died. We Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross for us and our sins and by his death, all who believe will be saved.

The word comes from the verb teleo which means "to bring to an end or to accomplish." Tetelestai is also an accounting term from the time of Christ that means "Paid in Full." Once a bill or account was paid in total it would be marked Tetelestai to note that the account or bill in question was paid and complete.

My personal belief is this, before Christ died on the cross he proclaimed, TETELESTAI for two reasons. I believe he meant to exclaim to the world, My work here is done, AND that by giving his life on the cross for us ... OUR debt of sin has been paid in full.