Jesus is God
A study of Revelation's divine titles: Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, First and Last.
Isaiah 48:12 - Alpha and Omega, the Divine Title Given to Jehovah, Almighty God
Isaiah 48:12
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
NWT: “I am the same One. I am the first; I am also the last.”
Revelation 1:8-18
Each verse is set forth in its entirety so the reader can see the title sequence and the identity of the speaker in context.
Revelation 1:8
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.
Revelation 1:8 equates Alpha and Omega with Beginning and Ending and with the Almighty.
Revelation 1:9
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.
Context: John introduces the vision and its connection to Jesus.
Revelation 1:10
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Context: John hears the voice that introduces the vision.
Revelation 1:11
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.
Revelation 1:11 equates Alpha and Omega with the First and the Last. Some argue that the divine titles are not in the original manuscripts. Even so, Revelation 22:13 expressly states that the One who is the First and the Last is also the Alpha and Omega. (See Revelation 21:5-7 and 22:12-16 below.)
Revelation 1:12
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Context: John turns to see the speaker.
Revelation 1:13
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Context: the figure in the vision is “one like unto the Son of man.” Clearly this is a reference to Jesus.
Revelation 1:14
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Context: the glorified description continues.
Revelation 1:15
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Context: the vision emphasizes majesty and authority.
Revelation 1:16
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Context: the speaker is Jesus who is here exalted over the churches.
Revelation 1:17
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
The speaker shifts from John to one who identifies himself as the First and the Last, who verse 18 clearly reveals to be Jesus.
Revelation 1:18
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
The First and the Last is the one who was dead and is alive forevermore. This can only refer to Jesus, not the Father.
The key verse that identifies Jesus with “Alpha and Omega” and “the First and the Last” is Revelation 1:11, and Revelation 1:8 identifies the Alpha and Omega as “the Almighty.” However, for those who believe that verse 11 does not include those words, they only have to go a little deeper into Revelation. Revelation 21:5-7 equates “Alpha and Omega” with “Beginning and End,” and Revelation 22:12-16 brings all three titles together: “Alpha and Omega,” “Beginning and End,” and “First and Last.” Thus, Revelation 22:13 expressly states that the One who is “the First and the Last” is also “the Alpha and Omega,” which Revelation 1:8 identifies as “the Almighty.”
Revelation 21:5-7
These verses clearly equate the title “Alpha and Omega” with “the beginning and the end.” Revelation 1:8 expressly identifies the Alpha and Omega as “the Almighty.” This point is not disputed; the dispute concerns whether Jesus is included in those titles.
Revelation 21:5
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Context: the speaker is seated upon the throne.
Revelation 21:6
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.
Revelation 21:6 identifies Alpha and Omega with Beginning and End.
Revelation 21:7
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Context: this passage shows the divine title “Alpha and Omega” joined to “Beginning and End.” Revelation 22:13 then joins those same titles to “First and Last.”
Revelation 22:12-16
This section provides the title-equivalence that remains even if Revelation 1:11 is set aside.
Revelation 22:12
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
The speaker announces his coming and his reward.
Revelation 22:13
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Revelation 22:13 equates all three titles: Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, and First and Last. These three titles express the same A-to-Z idea from different angles: “Alpha and Omega” uses the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; “Beginning and End” states the first and final point; and “First and Last” is the plainest way of saying the same thing.
Revelation 22:14
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.
Context: blessing is pronounced on the obedient.
Revelation 22:15
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Context: exclusion of the wicked.
Revelation 22:16
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.
The speaker is now expressly identified: “I Jesus.” That confirms that the closing words of the passage are not detached from Christ. At minimum, Revelation 22:13 has already joined the titles Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, and First and Last, so those titles should not be separated when First and Last is applied to Jesus in Revelation 1:17-18.
Some who deny that Jesus is Almighty God may claim that when “the First and the Last” is applied to Jesus in Revelation 1:17-18, it means something different and more limited than when the same title is applied to Jehovah. But that claim is inconsistent with Revelation 22:13, which treats the three expressions as equivalent.
Therefore, once Revelation 22:13 equates the titles, it is unreasonable to argue that Jesus is “the First and the Last” in Revelation 1:17-18 while excluding him from the titles clearly attributed to the Almighty: “Alpha and Omega” and “Beginning and End.” Revelation itself identifies these titles as equivalent. Some, such as the Watchtower, separate them only when “the First and the Last” is applied to Jesus. That is not a faithful interpretation of the text — it is an inconsistent interpretation required to avoid the conclusion that Revelation’s use of these titles points to Jesus as truly divine and included in the identity of the Almighty Godhead.
Isaiah 48:12 identifies Jehovah as the First and the Last. Revelation later joins that title to “Alpha and Omega” and “Beginning and End.”