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While I was online today, I saw a comment which noted that the Bible never says Jesus is the Almighty God. This position would be supported by Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims and others. But is this true?
No. A short Bible study in the Book of Revelation is very revealing.
Let's start with Revelation 1:8 (ESV) which says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." So here we have "the Almighty" call himself "the Alpha and the Omega". Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which was the language the New Testament was written in. It's akin to saying "I am the A to Z".
This is not controversial, God, the Almighty claims the title, "Alpha and Omega". However, this title is used 3 times in the Bible, all in the Book of Revelation. So can we gain any more information? Turn to Revelation 22:13-16 (ESV) which says:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches."
Did you notice? The Alpha and Omega identifies himself as Jesus! Only this time, Jesus is not claiming to only be Alpha and Omega, but also the first and the last. This is also a phrase that comes up three times in the Book of Revelation - interesting in a book that is big on symbolism! Can we get any more clarity?
In Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV) we read, "But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not,I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore". So now we can be even clearer - the first and last died, and is now alive forevermore. This same point is also emphasised in Revelation 2:8 (ESV).
So, who is the Alpha and Omega? The first and the last, who died and rose again, Jesus Christ - the Almighty Lord God according to Revelation 1:8 (ESV).
