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Revelation 1:8
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
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Interpretation

Revelation 1:8 shows a alpha omega that is lived within concrete decisions—see "who" and "alpha". Align alpha omega in boundaries we honor—season power with mercy. Apocalyptic Vision connects here: Symbolic visions portray God’s ultimate victory and faithful endurance amidst suffering.

Context

Revelation speaks here as apocalyptic writing, highlighting alpha omega. Within ch. 1, a small unit frames the emphasis. It edges toward apocalyptic vision. Watch the terms “who” and “alpha”.

Authorship & Historical Background

Early attribution points to John for Revelation. Modern scholarship on Revelation sees John of Patmos (not the Gospel author, per many scholars).. Scholars commonly date Revelation AD 95. Revelation seems aimed at Seven churches of Asia Minor.. This verse leans into apocalyptic vision. Jewish‑Christian apocalyptic; heavy OT allusions. Apocalyptic symbolism speaks pastorally under imperial pressure.

More details
Traditional:John
Modern scholarship:John of Patmos (not the Gospel author, per many scholars).
Date:AD 95
Audience:Seven churches of Asia Minor.
  • Jewish‑Christian apocalyptic; heavy OT allusions.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in over 5,800 manuscripts, more than any other surviving ancient work. Early papyri from the 2nd-3rd centuries like P46, P66, P75 provide text within 100–150 years of composition. Major uncial codices (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, 4th century) contain complete or near-complete texts. The Byzantine text family represents the majority of later manuscripts. Textual variants exist but are mostly minor: word order, articles, spelling. No central Christian doctrine depends on any disputed text. Modern critical editions compare all manuscript families to determine the most likely original reading.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46