Thursday, July 9, 2009

Alpha And Omega

Using the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Published by the Watchtower Society), read Revelation 1:8. It states that Jehovah is the Alpha and the Omega:

“I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”


In any other Bible Translation, Revelation 1:8 is referring to Jesus. Other Bible translations simply render the verse as follows:

New International Version - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

New American Standard Bible - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

English Standard Version - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

New King James Version - “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, ”says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Young's Literal Translation - `I am the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is coming -- the Almighty.'


Remember though, according to the Watchtower Society’s translation of the scripture, it inserts the name Jehovah into the verse. Despite the fact that the Tetragrammaton does not appear in any of the Bible scrolls for this Bible verse. Nonetheless, for argument sake, let’s stick with the notion that the Watchtower Society is right respecting Jehovah and not Jesus being spoken of in Revelation 1:8.

Then, turn to Revelation chapter 22. If you read the entire chapter it is speaking about Jesus – the one who is coming quickly. Even if you read Revelation 22 from the New World Translation, it plainly shows that Jesus is the one being referred to and he is the Alpha and the Omega as stated in Revelation 22:13. To show such is not being taken out of context we will site from verse 10 onward of chapter 22:

"10 He also tells me: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the appointed time is near. 11 He that is doing unrighteousness, let him do unrighteousness still; and let the filthy one be made filthy still; but let the righteous one do righteousness still, and let the holy one be made holy still.

12 “‘Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. 13 I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Happy are those who wash their robes, that the authority [to go] to the trees of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie.’

16 “‘I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to YOU people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.’”

17 And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.

18 “I am bearing witness to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; 19 and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.

20 “He that bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes; I am coming quickly.’”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”

21 [May] the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ [be] with the holy ones."


By its very definition only God can be the Alpha and the Omega (‘The First and the Last’ of everything).

So which is it? If you believe most other translations of Revelation 1:8 including: The New International Version, The New King James Version, The English Standard Version, New American Standard, Young’s Literal Translation, etc., Jesus is the Alpha and Omega at both Revelation 1:8 and Revelation 22:13.

Again, the Alpha and the Omega by its very definition (‘The First and The Last’ of everything) can only be God. That of course would be a huge problem for Jehovah’s Witnesses as they are taught Jesus is not God according to their Organization's Governing Body.

If you believe, the New World Translation of the Scriptures as published by the Watchtower Society, then at Revelation 1:8, Jehovah is the Alpha and the Omega, and at Revelation 22:13, Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. How can that be so? How can both Jehovah and Jesus be the Alpha and the Omega?

Is not it interesting too that the Bible ends speaking of Jesus Christ and not Jehovah?