In the first chapter of Revelation we read:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev 1:8)
Then in the 21st chapter we read:
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Revelation 21:5-7)
The above is unambiguously about God.
But then, in the next, 22nd, chapter, it appears to be Jesus speaking when it says “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev 22:13) The full text is as follows:
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes,[c] so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:8-17)
Since all of this is the angel speaking it is possible that the angel speaks on behalf of God in 12-13 but “Behold I am coming soon” would more naturally introduce words of Jesus and from 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel…” makes this explicit.
The point is though that the this section still speaks in terms of delegated authority. It does not contradict Jesus’ repeated statements “my God” referring to his God. So it is more natural to see verse 13 “Alpha and Omega” as simply another instance where Jesus takes on many of the titles of his father. This was explained by Paul in Philippians:
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
When Jesus took on some of his father’s work, he also took on his titles, and even says Paul God’s name – although in fact Alpha and Omega is a title not a name.
For a related topic see also : What about language applied to God in the Old Testament but applied to Jesus in Revelation?
Isaiah the prophet says, “And His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isa.9:6 NKJV Another example of God giving Jesus these wonderful Godly titles.
Rev 22:12-13 is referring to Jesus Father.
Isaiah 44:6
Rev 1:8
Rev 21:6
Revelation 1:8 states: “The Lord God says, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty!’” (The New American Bible) Clearly, the reference here is to the Most High God Jehovah.
While Jesus Christ is referred to in the previous verse as “coming with the clouds,” the words of Revelation 1:8 and the surrounding verses show that he could not be “the Alpha and the Omega.” In the Scriptures, only the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of as “the Lord God” and as the “Almighty.” Jesus Christ even refers to his Father as “my God.” (John 20:17; Rev. 3:12)
The next occurrence of the title “the Alpha and the Omega” is found at Revelation 21:6. In the following verse, the One who applies this title to himself says: “Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son.” Since Jesus Christ speaks of himself as a “brother” of these conquerors, it is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is referring to himself as “the Alpha and the Omega.”—Compare Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:10-12.
The thought expressed at Revelation 22:12 also harmonizes with what the apostle Paul wrote. He stated: “According to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of the revealing of God’s righteous judgment. And he will render to each one according to his works: everlasting life to those who are seeking glory and honor and incorruptibleness by endurance in work that is good; however, for those who are contentious and who disobey the truth but obey unrighteousness there will be wrath and anger, tribulation and distress, upon the soul of every man who works what is injurious, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory and honor and peace for everyone who works what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Rom. 2:5-10) Of course, the judgment will be expressed by Jehovah God through his Son, for the apostle also says: “This will be in the day when God through Christ Jesus judges the secret things of mankind.”—Rom. 2:16.
The fact that Jehovah God speaks of himself as “the Alpha and the Omega” gives us the assurance that what he has purposed will come to a successful realization. This should prompt us to do our utmost to be found approved by him. Our reward will then be certain, for the Bible tells us: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name.”—Heb. 6:10.
Might Jesus be speaking of himself as the beginning and end of the Church Age?
Jesus IS YHWH – he speaks the same words in Isaiah. And for the person claiming it is not Jesus speaking as Alpha and Omega – well follow this logical trail and see.
Isa_44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
This establishes the first and the last is God
Revelation 1 – I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: … And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; …And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man
So here the first and the last is also the Alpha and Omega – one and the same ( F & L = A & O) and also called the Son of man
Rev_1:17 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:
So here is the Son of Man saying he is the first and last ( = A & O )
And to prove it is is Jesus here in chapter 2
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
When was YHWH the Father ever dead? only the Son died on the cross
And again we have Jesus saying –
Rev_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.
Refer to
Rev_7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The Lamb is in the midst of the throne – we have already seen that the First and Last, Alpha and Omega are the same person – the one who died and now lives for ever more
In all previous chapters Jesus makes promises to those that overcome
This is the final promise
Rev_21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God
So there is no other way to read this, except Jesus himself says he will be our God (to those that overcome)
How do you become an “overcomer”?
1Pe_1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Rev_7:14 …These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev_12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
You overcome when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and receive the Holy Spirit. Then —
1Jn_4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:13-16 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him
Be an overcomer dear reader and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour
I love Him!! And atheist think they don’t need Him. I love hearing or seeing stories of people going from 0 to 1000% in a nanosecond calling out to God for help when something horrific occurs. Father, thank you for loving us unconditionally.