Understanding who is the Alpha and Omega (Part 2)
Before we look at each individual verse it needs to be brought to attention that verses 1 to 8 are the opening to the Book of revelation. The prophecy given to John doesn’t start until verse 10
Verses 4-7 is God addressing John. John was sent TO the seven churches .John is being referenced as being John to the seven churches which are in Asia. this is his title in this book.
Just as Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and Peter an apostle to the Jews.
Romans 11-13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Galatians 2-8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Revelation 1-4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
It isn’t until verse 9 that John even starts to speak
Revelation 1-9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
And then the prophecy starts when John is in the spirit on the lord’s day.
Revelation 1-10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
So we need to go back to the first verse used to show Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega
Revelation 1-8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
verse 8 is however confirmation of who has given the Revelation and given the introduction from verse 1 to verse 8. This is God and not Jesus.
What should be noted is that revelation 1-8 ends with the Almighty. The speaker of the verse is claiming to be the Almighty.
Almighty Παντοκράτωρ. Pantokratōr it means ruler of all, ruler of the universe, the almighty.
Appears 10 times in the NT
2 corinthians 6-18 , revelation 1-8, revelation 4-8 , revelation 11-17 , revelation 15-3, revelation 16-7, revelation 16-14 , revelation 19- 6, revelation 19-15 and revelation 21-22
Every single time it is referring to God. God most certainly is the Almighty. Therefore as the one who claimed to be the Almighty also claimed to be the Alpha and the Omega God must be the Alpha and the Omega.
It is actually the statement “which is, which was and which is to come” that is used to link Jesus here in this verse . Those asserting this is Jesus, claiming Jesus is the one who was, is and is to come. And therefore must also be the Almighty who we have already seen is also called the Alpha and Omega.
If we look carefully at verses 4-5 again we will see that Jesus is separated from the one who is , was and is to come. Jesus is NOT referred to by this title.
4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
This term is never actually applied to Jesus It is simply assumed that because Jesus came and will come again that this term is referring to Jesus.
The Bible does tell us that it is God Almighty who is the one who was , is and is to come not Jesus.
Revelation 4-8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 11-17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
This is NOT Jesus as we have already seen that it was God Almighty that spoke the words in verse 1-8
It can be implied that Jesus is God Almighty but it CANNOT be argued that this was Jesus saying I am the Alpha and Omega in the verse without already saying that Jesus is Almighty God and that is circular reasoning.
So we now have the second verse used to show Jesus is the Alpha and Omega
Revelation 21-6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
The assumption that this is Jesus based on the the words it is done which are claimed are the same or similar to what Jesus stated on the cross when he declared it is finished in John 19-30 .
The Greek word used for finished is Τετέλεσται, Tetelestai and the word for done being Γέγοναν. Gegonan. They are not the same at all.
It is also implied that the water of life is also a reference to Jesus. But if we look at the wording we see that the Alpha and Omega gives OF the fountain of the water of Life. Jesus may very well be that fountain but this isn’t Jesus saying I will give them me. This is God saying he will give them Jesus.
In the very next verse we are told that the Alpha and Omega will be our God and we his son
Revelation 21-7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
This is NEVER a relationship that is used between Jesus and believers. We are brothers and sisters
Matthew 12- . 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
John 15-14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Matthew 23-8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
1 Corinthians 5:11 – But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
We are the Body of Christ
1 corinthians 12- 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1 corinthians 10-17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Romans 12- 4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
It is never described in the Bible that Jesus will be our God.
However this is a relationship between believers and God.
Romans 8-14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
John 1-12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Matthew 5-9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Ephesians 1-5 Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Luke 6-35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
We then have the third verse revelation 22-13
Revelation 22- 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
In this verse it is the use of I come quickly and my reward is with me that is used to connect Jesus to the Alpha and Omega. But this is just assumption.
Who is coming quickly?
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Most people asserting Jesus is the referent in this verse say that verse 7 is Jesus talking. When the verse is put back into context we will see that this is actually the Angel saying the HE is coming quickly and NOT Jesus. The angel is speaking as and for God.
If we look at verse 20 it tells us that the one who testifies of these things is the one saying they will come quickly
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Notice that the one speaking even says “Even so come Jesus Christ”, if this is Jesus then he is saying to himself to come.
So Who is the one that testifies of these things?
Verse 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
We see that the lord God had sent his angel.
When we look at verse 8 we see that the HE who said to John and shewed him these things was indeed the angel (John is the one speaking, telling what the angel said)
8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
John is told NOT to worship him as he is just an angel.
Jesus even states that he sent his angel to testify the things
Revelation 22-16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
If we go back to revelation 1-2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw
John bare record of the testimony of Jesus, John was given the testimony by the angel.
Revelation 1-1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John
It is the angel in this passage that declares “I come quickly”
If you assert that it is Jesus who is the one saying “I come quickly” then Jesus is the one whom Jesus sent to and then does bare testimony these things, that also makes Jesus the Angel and therefore also states NOT to worship him.
To assert Jesus is the speaker of verse 7 completely backfires here.
So now having demonstrated that Jesus is not the referent in verse 7 but the angel who is the “speaker” in verse 13.
Verses 9, 10 and 11 is still John telling what the angel said.
Revelation 22- 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Verse 12 as we have already seen is the angel again , the one who states I come quickly
Revelation 22-12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be
Verse 13 cannot be the same “speaker” as verses 14 and 15
Revelation 22-14 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. 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The speaker in verse 14 refers to the speaker of verse 13 as he (his) commandments. If this was the same speaker it would be MY commandments. Clearly then there is a change of speaker in verse 13. Verse 13 is a stand alone verse.
Before we come back to verse 16 when Jesus starts to “speak” and where he tells us that he has sent the angel to testify.
Revelation 22-16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
And so we are left with the final verse
Revelation 1-11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. KJV
Stephanus TR 1550
λεγούσης Ἐγώ ἐιμι τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω, Ὃ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος· καὶ ὁ βλέπεις γράψον εἰς βιβλίον καὶ πέμψον ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις ταῖς ἐν Ἀσίᾳ, εἰς Ἔφεσον καὶ εἰς Σμύρναν καὶ εἰς Πέργαμον καὶ εἰς Θυάτειρα καὶ εἰς Σάρδεις καὶ εἰς Φιλαδέλφειαν καὶ εἰς Λαοδίκειαν
This verse can ONLY be used by those that affirm a superior text. As i stated earlier most versions of the Bible do not include the words Alpha and Omega they are based on the Nestle Aland Text
Nestle GNT 1904
λεγούσης Ὃ βλέπεις γράψον εἰς βιβλίον καὶ πέμψον ταῖς ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαις, εἰς Ἔφεσον καὶ εἰς Σμύρναν καὶ εἰς Πέργαμον καὶ εἰς Θυάτειρα καὶ εἰς Σάρδεις καὶ εἰς Φιλαδελφίαν καὶ εἰς Λαοδικίαν.
Revelation 1-11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” NIV
Revelation 1-11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
NLT
Revelation 1-11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” ESV
Revelation 1-11 saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” NASB
Revelation 1-11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
ISV
Revelation 1-11 saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
ASV
Verse 11 is pretty simple. It is a perfect declaration of the line in which the testimony was given.
God declares he is the alpha and the Omega, John turns to see who is talking. It is the angel (as already shown) He declares to be the Alpha and the Omega (which obviously is not the angel but God)
This is John being given the revelation by the Alpha and the Omega. Although the actual revelation was given by the angel who was like the son of man (Jesus). The Angel acts as and represents both God and Jesus. He announces himself as God then after John sees that it is an angel the angel then speaks for Jesus. Once we understand that God speaks through others but when they speak for God they speak AS God this “line” is as if God was speaking directly to John.
There is a line of command.
The angels are subject to Jesus which is why they are HIS angels and why states he sent HIS angel to testify in revelation 22-16
1 Peter 3-22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
but Jesus is subject to God.
1 corithians 15-24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
The angels although subject to Jesus, ultimately are God’s angels. Which Jesus himself declares
Jesus (speaking through the angel) states
Revelation 3- 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
There is not one use of the Alpha and Omega in Revelation where the referent is Jesus.
God Almighty is the Alpha and the Omega.