Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:8

What does Revelation 1:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:8 means

God declares Himself the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the One who is, was, and is to come, the Almighty. He encompasses all time and reality and lacks nothing. His purposes do not falter. In Revelation, titles applied to God also appear on Jesus, underscoring Christ’s divine identity. This self-revelation grounds every promise and warning: the Lord who speaks is supremely able to fulfill His word. For embattled churches, this is strong comfort—history and their present trials are in the hands of the eternal, omnipotent God who will bring His plan to completion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I am the First and the Last, says the Lord God who is and was and is to come, the Ruler of all.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith [the] LordGod, he who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Context

Following the proclamation of Christ’s visible return, verse 8 anchors the reader in God’s eternal nature and absolute power. It concludes the initial theological overture of the chapter. From here, the narrative turns personal and situational: John describes his circumstances on Patmos (v. 9), the spiritual state in which he received the vision (v. 10), and the commission to write to specific churches (v. 11). The shift moves from grand declaration to concrete revelation in space and time.

v.7Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.

v.8This passage

v.9I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich arein Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  • Genesis 43:14

    and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto you your other brother and Benjamin. And if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:18

    And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

  • Revelation 4:8

    And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, isthe Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

  • Revelation 19:15

    And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.

  • Isaiah 41:4

    Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 1.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 1:8.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary