Apocalipsis 1:8

The Alpha and the Omega

(το Αλφα κα το Ο). The first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet, each with its own neuter (grammatical gender) article. This description of the eternity of God recurs in Apocalipsis 21:6 with the added explanation η αρχη κα το τελος (the Beginning and the End) and of Christ in Apocalipsis 22:13 with the still further explanation ο πρωτος κα ο εσχατος (the First and the Last).

This last phrase appears also in Apocalipsis 1:17; Apocalipsis 2:8 without το Αλφα κα το Ο. The change of speaker here is unannounced, as in Apocalipsis 16:15; Apocalipsis 18:20.

Only here and Apocalipsis 21:5. is God introduced as the speaker. The eternity of God guarantees the prophecy just made.The Lord God

(Κυριος ο θεος). "The Lord the God." Common phrase in Ezekiel (Ezequiel 6:3; Ezequiel 6:11; Ezequiel 7:2, etc.) and in this book (Apocalipsis 4:8; Apocalipsis 11:17; Apocalipsis 15:3; Apocalipsis 16:7; Apocalipsis 19:6; Apocalipsis 21:22).

See Apocalipsis 1:4; Apocalipsis 4:8 for the triple use of ο, etc. to express the eternity of God.The Almighty

(ο παντοκρατωρ). Late compound (πας and κρατεω), in Cretan inscription and a legal papyrus, common in LXX and Christian papyri, in N.T. only in 2 Corintios 6:18 (from Jeremias 38:35) and Apocalipsis 1:8; Apocalipsis 4:8; Apocalipsis 11:17; Apocalipsis 15:3; Apocalipsis 16:7; Apocalipsis 16:14; Apocalipsis 19:6; Apocalipsis 19:15; Apocalipsis 21:22.