Jehovah Witnesses: Who is the Alpha and Omega in Revelation?

Question

Refers to Jehovah God. (Awake! August 22, 1978, page 28)

Refers to Jesus Christ. (Watchtower, October 1, 1978, p.15)

antwan13.. thanks for the answer, but that is an answer to a different question.

Answer 1

Funny how they change their minds once per decade....

May the Lord Jesus Christ be eternally praised!!
Who is the eternally blessed God!!

John 8:58
John 10:30
Romans 9:5
Titus 2:11-12
Colossians 2:9
Hebrews 1:1-8

Read 'em and weep.....

Answer 2

I'm not a JW but I happen to have the contentious issue of "The Watchtower" that has given rise to this semantics debate here. The October 1, 1978 issue, page 15, has already been quoted by several JWs who also have it. They seem confident that it does not say Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega of Revelation. They need to take a closer look at the scripture references given instead of insisting that the words "Alpha and Omega" were never even printed by their Society in 1978.

One of the scripture references given is Rev. 22:7,12,20. Now, all good Bible scholars know the dangers of taking a verse here, a verse there, and another verse elsewhere. Flitting like a butterfly over isolated verses is NEVER a good idea. But this is what has been done on page 15 of this Watchtower magazine. If JWs simply open their Bibles and read the entire 22nd chapter of Revelation (to get the context right - to know who is saying what, and to whom) they will agree with whoever printed that article that Jesus is the one stressing to the Apostle John the suddenness with which he comes. That is why they PARTIALLY quote from chapter 22, as on page 15. However, they chose to miss out verse 13. Why? Because sandwiched inbetween Jesus' statement, "Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me..." and "Yes; I am coming quickly" we have the statement, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

It's crystal clear that Jesus is saying he is the Alpha and the Omega. But you'll never read that in any JW publication, or hear it uttered from their lips, for that would be blasphemy to them as that is what Jehovah also says - it's scriptural confirmation that Jesus shares the same throne in heaven as the Father (another evidence for the Trinity; Rev 5:6-14). So they jump through hoops to wriggle out of this one. They certainly convince themselves. Bystanders are not impressed.

Answer 3

Check out Revelation 1:18 AFTER you read Revelation 1:8. Verse 8 - The Alpha and Omega refer to God Almighty. Verse 18 - I am the First and the Last means the same as the Alpha and Omega. I am the Living One means the only true living God. I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever means the risen Jesus.

JESUS APPLIED THE TITLE OF ALPHA AND OMEGA TO HIMSELF. THEREFORE BOTH JEHOVAH AND JESUS ARE THE ALPHA AND OMEGA. Which doesn't suit their theology at all.

Now, with regard to the remarks that the magazines you referred to did not say what you claim, I would like to point out that there have been occasions in the past when words quoted from individual articles appeared in the Society's BOUND annual volumes of the magazines, they were CHANGED. You need to specify whether the articles were printed in the original magazines or whether they appeared in the bound annual volumes. I'm going to check it out myself and email you asap.

You have interpreted the 1 October,1978 Watchtower article accurately, Will. The response given by answerer 25 below shows clearly that the Witnesses were saying Jesus was the Alpha & Omega - it's just that they have failed to read the whole chapter to see it in context. Sorry I couldn't get hold of the 1978 Bound Watchtower volume.

Answer 4

There are two angels in the chapter 22 of Revelation. The first is sent by Jehovah the Alpha and Omega at verse 6. The first angel is the one talking to John. The second angel is sent by Jesus to the congregations there at verse 16.

V. 1-3 Jehovah and his son the lamb
V. 4 Jehovah's seal
V. 5 Jehovah is the light, Jesus is the lamp
V. 6-15 Jehovah and his Angel (slaves)
V. 16-21 Jesus and his ANGEL

Who gave John the Revelation? Jehovah
Who is Revelation about? Jesus

Rev 1:1 This is the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, which God (Jehovah) gave (John)...

John is talking to Jehovah's Angel V. 6-15 who is giving him the book of Revelation about Jesus.

Answer 5

The Alpha and Omega:
The Creator and rightfully,
the Sovereign Ruler of the universe.
Jehovah.
Yahweh.
Father and God to Jesus.
The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
The One True God.

I'm back.
Ha! Eureka! I found it.
The answer to ur Q is....
Jesus said "I am the first and the last"
Jehovah is the Alpha and the Omega.
First and Last // Alpha and Omega are two different things;
1st & last // beginning and end.


As for the articles u listed, I'd have to go read them, to make a comment on these specifically. It doesn't sound as tho' u read them correctly. I say this before reading the articles myself, because look @ the dates u gave; to close together to say, 'the Alpha & the Omega' are two seperate ppl.
As if 1 was a corrected print.
I have to go read....I'll b back.

O.K., I haven't found the articles yet, to read them, but , I did do some research, the subject matter of Rev. 18:1-19:10 speaks of the fall and destruction of Babylon the Great; the marriage of the Lamb. "After these things I saw another angel desending from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lighted up from his glory. And he cried out w/ a strong voice, saying: 'She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen' "
It is the 2nd time that John hears that angelic announcement.
This time, however, its significance is emphasized by the magnificence of the heavenly angel, for his glory lights up the whole earth! Who can he be? Centuries earlier the prophey Ezekiel, reporting on a heavenly vision, stated that "the earth itself shone because of His [Jehovah] glory." (Eze. 43:2)
The only angel to shine with glory comparable to Jehovah's would be the Lord Jesus, who is "the reflection of [God's] glory and the exact representation of his very being." (Heb. 1:3) It is fitting, then, that he should announce the fall of Babylon the Great.--Matt. 25:31,21

I'm still gonna go look for and read the articles u presented.

Rangedog did u find it?

Answer 6

These are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and are used as a title three times in the book of Revelation. The additional occurrence of this phrase in the King James rendering of Revelation 1:11, however, does not receive support from some of the oldest Greek manuscripts, including the Alexandrine, Sinaitic, and Codex Ephraemi rescriptus. It is, therefore, omitted in many modern translations.

While many commentators apply this title both to God and to Christ, a more careful examination of its use restricts its application to Jehovah God. The first verse of Revelation shows that the revelation was given originally by God and through Jesus Christ, hence the one speaking (through an angelic representative) at times is God himself, and at other times it is Christ Jesus. Thus Revelation 1:8 (RS) says: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Although the preceding verse speaks of Christ Jesus, it is clear that in verse 8 the application of the title is to “the Almighty” God. In this regard Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament (1974) observes: “It cannot be absolutely certain that the writer meant to refer to the Lord Jesus specifically here . . . There is no real incongruity in supposing, also, that the writer here meant to refer to God as such.”

The title occurs again at Revelation 21:6, and the following verse identifies the speaker by saying: “Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son.” Inasmuch as Jesus referred to those who are joint heirs with him in his Kingdom as “brothers,” not “sons,” the speaker must be Jesus’ heavenly Father, Jehovah God. Mt 25:40; compare Heb 2:10-12.

The final occurrence of the title is at Revelation 22:13, which states: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” It is evident that a number of persons are represented as speaking in this chapter of Revelation; verses 8 and 9 show that the angel spoke to John, verse 16 obviously applies to Jesus, the first part of verse 17 is credited to “the spirit and the bride,” and the one speaking in the latter part of verse 20 is manifestly John himself. “The Alpha and the Omega” of verses 12-15, therefore, may properly be identified as the same one who bears the title in the other two occurrences: Jehovah God. The expression, “Look! I am coming quickly,” in verse 12, does not require that these aforementioned verses apply to Jesus, inasmuch as God also speaks of himself as “coming” to execute judgment. (Compare Isa 26:21.) Malachi 3:1-6 speaks of a joint coming for judgment on the part of Jehovah and his “messenger of the covenant.”

The title “the Alpha and the Omega” carries the same thought as “the first and the last” and “the beginning and the end” when these terms are used with reference to Jehovah. Before him there was no Almighty God, and there will be none after him. He will bring to a successful conclusion the issue over Godship, forever vindicated as the one and only Almighty God.

Answer 7

Finally, at Revelation 22:12, 13, we read: “Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” This quotation appears among others that are ascribed to an angel and to Jesus Christ. Before these words are quoted in the book of Revelation, the angel who was instrumental in presenting the revelation to the apostle John spoke. (Rev. 22:8, 9) Then, after the quotation that begins with Revelation 22:12 and ends with the words of verse 15, we find the statement: “I, Jesus, sent my angel.” (Rev. 22:16) Since the context does not necessitate our attributing the words of Revelation 22:12, 13 either to the angel or to Jesus, they could have originated with another speaker. Consistent with the rest of the book of Revelation, “the Alpha and the Omega” must be the Almighty God. He is the One who comes in the capacity of a judge to reward and to punish individuals according to their works. Awake August 22, 1978

Revelation 22: is not discussed in that particular article of the Watchtower that you cite. Could it possibly be another article you are thinking of?

EDIT
I apologize, I was looking at the wrong article
here is the direct quote:
Also, in his final revelation concerning “the things that must shortly take place,” Jesus again stresses the suddenness with which he comes:
“I am coming to you quickly . . . I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have.”—Rev. 2:16; 3:11.
“Look! I am coming quickly. . . . Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me. . . . Yes; I am coming quickly.” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20)
In response to these last expressions of our Master, surely each one of us joins with the apostle John in saying: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”
Make no mistake! This world is fast moving toward its foretold end. It is in its death throes. It is openly stated that many of the great cities are dying. But Jehovah will put them out of their misery before they can die their natural death. We must remain alert, ready for the great day that so many of Jehovah’s prophets have described.—Isa. 2:12, 17; Jer. 30:7; Joel 2:11; Amos 5:18-20. The Watchtower 10/1/78
It is clear to me that both these articles refer to Jehovah God as the Alpha and the Omega.

Answer 8

Aug. 22, 1978 Awake

"Since the context does not necessitate our attributing the words of Revelation 22:12, 13 either to the angel or to Jesus, they could have originated with another speaker."

Please quote the articles accurately. 'Could have'

Unlike a 'Script for a Play' where each persons lines are clearly written

John: "What is this" as he picks up the key.
Sue: "It is my house key" turning quickly.

The book of Revelations has multiple persons who can be speaking at any time and no script to guide us.

Rev 1:1,2 God, Jesus, the angel, John, or other angels, 24 elders, etc.

Who is the Alpha and Omega? The scriptures are very clear.

Rev 1:8, God Almighty
Rev 21:6 The One sitting on the throne.

Does Jehovah come to bring vengence? Yes, by means of His Firstborn Son, the beginning of the creation by God.

I think it's funny that when Jehovah's Witnesses admit a mistake, we are labeled as false prophets and false teachers.

Yet, when I pointed to all the confusion among trinitiarians, to a "Biblical Christian" he told me this was proof that they had the truth. Even though disunity and wars (be they phyiscal or a war of words) are the works of the Devil.

edit:

Where in heaven does Jesus sit?

(Revelation 5:7) 7 And he went and at once took [it] out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne.



(Revelation 5:13) 13 And every creature that is in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: “To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb . . .



(Revelation 7:9-10) . . .. 10 And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation [we owe] to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.”



(Revelation 11:16-17) 16 And the twenty-four elders who were seated before God upon their thrones fell upon their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king.

Jehovah is the ONE on the throne.

Heb 8:1 Now as to the things being discussed this is the main point: We have such a high priest as this, and he has sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

When did the sacrifice (the Lamb) become equal to the God it is being presented to?

Jesus is at the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.

Answer 9

Sadly, trinitarians have proven again and again that they are uninterested in honesty and truth. Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that every instance of "Alpha and Omega" in the bible is a reference to Jehovah God, not to Jesus Christ.

Ironically, during the entire year of 1978, The Watchtower did not mention the word "alpha" even one time, and did not mention the word "omega" even one time, even in quotes from the bible.

Those interested in truth may be interested in reading the entirety of page 15 from The Watchtower of October 1, 1978:

[quote]
“Keep on the watch, for you do not know when the master . . . is coming.”—Mark 13:35.

“What I say to you I say to all, Keep on the watch.”—Mark 13:37.

“Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching!”—Luke 12:37.

“Keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”—Luke 12:40.

“Suddenly that day [will] be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth. Keep awake, then.”—Luke 21:34-36.

6 Also, in his final revelation concerning “the things that must shortly take place,” Jesus again stresses the suddenness with which he comes:

“I am coming to you quickly . . . I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have.”—Rev. 2:16; 3:11.

“Look! I am coming quickly. . . . Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me. . . . Yes; I am coming quickly.” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20)

In response to these last expressions of our Master, surely each one of us joins with the apostle John in saying: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”

Make no mistake! This world is fast
[unquote]


Perhaps anti-Witnesses pretend that the mention of Revelation 22:12 (as a bridge between vs 7 and 20) is some kind of "gotcha". Of course, verses 12 through 15 plainly quote Jehovah's speech, and Jehovah is "the Alpha and the Omega". Yet the entirety of this bible passage indicates that Jehovah and Jesus are both there together, and in fact verse 16 plainly shows that Jesus speaks about a "witness of these things" which Jehovah God the Father just said.

(Revelation 22:16) “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.”

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 10

Achtung:
The Alpha and Omega refer to both God the Father and Jesus.
If the Alpha and Omega refers to Jehovah, when did He die and come back?

Sadly, it is the JW's as an organization that are not interested in what the truth is.

Answer 11

Please check your source.

Jesus Christ being the Alpha and Omega is not on my Watchtower, October 1, 1978; page 15

Tsk, tsk, tsk........ if you are sure about it, please cut and paste the article and send it to me. I would love to read it!