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<h3><span style="font-size: x-large; color: #0000ff;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong>Alpha &amp; Omega Argument for Trinitarianism</strong></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde';" data-mce-mark="1"><strong><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Issue Presented</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" data-mce-mark="1">Can God be the Alpha and Omega, and Jesus be the Alpha and Omega, and Jesus not necessarily be God? In other words, can the same title be used for Jesus and God, without signifying Jesus is God too?</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Let's Address Another Familiar Title Used for Both Jesus and God &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">When God is called Lord, and Jesus is called Lord, does this mean Jesus is God?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">No, unless the word Lord necessarily means God.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">This is because the word Lord in the NT - the Greek word KYRIOS -- equally applies to humans such as lords over servants, lords over nations, and lords over slaves. See the article <a href="/topicindex/688-trinitarian-fouls-to-the-bible-text.html">Trinitarian Fouls to the Bible Text</a> on our website.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">Hence, just because God has the attribute of Lord does not mean Jesus being called Lord means Jesus is God. The attribute Lord equally applies in the NT to land owners, slave owners, and the Emperor of Rome. Hence, this attribute of Lord can be shared in common by God and Jesus without necessarily implying Jesus is God.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong>Why Does This Answer The Alph Omega Argument?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">The same issue comes up about God affirming He is the Alpha and Omega, and Jesus equally affirming he is Alpha and Omega. (<a href="http://biblehub.com/kjv/revelation/1-8.htm">Rev. 1:8</a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+1%3A8&amp;version=NIV">,</a> the "Lord God" says he is the Alpha and Omega; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+22%3A13&amp;version=NIV">Rev. 2:13</a> "<span data-mce-mark="1"></span><span data-mce-mark="1">I am the Alpha and the Omega,</span><span data-mce-mark="1"></span><span data-mce-mark="1">&nbsp;the First and the Last,</span><span data-mce-mark="1"></span><span data-mce-mark="1">&nbsp;the Beginning and the End." <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2022&amp;version=NIV">Rev. 22:12</a>, Jesus says "I am the Alpha and Omega, <span data-mce-mark="1">the First and the Last,</span><span data-mce-mark="1"></span><span data-mce-mark="1">&nbsp;the Beginning and the End</span>.")</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">The first problem with this argument that Jesus is God apart from the Father is this time, unlike with the word LORD, we do not know for sure what is meant by Alpha and Omega. Many theories abound but none are decisive. See the excellent article on Revelation 1:8 at Biblican Unitarian at <a href="http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/verses/revelation-1-8">this link</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span data-mce-mark="1">I personally believe the Alpha and Omega means one who speaks Prophecy. This is based upon <a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10.</a>&nbsp;For Alpha is the beginning of the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the end of the Greek alphabet. The spirit of prophecy is described in Isaiah 46:10 in the same manner: "<span data-mce-mark="1">I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" Jesus was not just any prophet, but&nbsp;</span></span><span data-mce-mark="1">the Prophet of Deuteronomy 18:16-19 whose every word comes from Yahweh. Peter explains this in his speech in Acts chapter three. This title of Word of Prophecy is likely described by the Metaphor of Alpha and Omega.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">Regardless, even if this is not convincing, one can see that the solution, whatever it is, proves one cannot claim this title proves Jesus is God unless one knows what Alpha and Omega means. And no one has a convincing answer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">As a result, rather than Alpha and Omega meaning Jesus is God apart from the Father, it is as equally likely that Alpha and Omega means an attribute that two different beings can share without being the same being, in particular God, just as the attribute Lord can apply to both God and Jesus without implying Jesus is God. Trinitarians suppose incessantly this is not possible about the words Alpha and Omega, but this relies upon using the mysteriousness of the words Alpha and Omega to their naive readers' disadvantage.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">However, it turns out we can exclude as a possibility for Alpha and Omega that it could mean Jesus was God. For Jesus clearly says in Revelation 1:18 that he, the "first and the last" -- which is equated in Revelation 2:13 &nbsp;and 22:12 with the Alpha and Omega, <strong><span data-mce-mark="1">died</span></strong>. As a result, because we know from Deuteronomy 32:40 ("I live forever") and many other passages that God is immortal (incapable of dying), that Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, is inconsistent with a meaning that necessarily means one is God Apart from the Father. &nbsp;Here is Revelation 1:17-18:</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">&ldquo;<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Do not be afraid.<span data-mce-mark="1"></span>&nbsp;I am the<em><strong> First and the Last</strong></em>.<span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">18&nbsp;</span>I am the Living One; <em><strong>I was dead</strong></em>,<span data-mce-mark="1"></span>&nbsp;and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!<span data-mce-mark="1"></span>&nbsp;And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%201&amp;version=NIV">Rev 1:18 NIV</a>.)</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">In Genesis 3:22 et seq., God said he had to keep man from eating the fruit of the tree of life, or otherwise, man would become like God - immortal. In Deuteronomy 32:40, God says "I live forever."</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Furthermore, God revealed His nature always was permanent life eternally, incapable of death when Moses revealed: "<span data-mce-mark="1">The <em><strong>eternal</strong></em> God is your refuge, and underneath are <em><strong>the everlasting</strong></em> arms....&rdquo; (</span><a href="http://ebible.com/query?utf=8%E2%9C%93&amp;query=Deuteronomy%2033%3A27&amp;translation=ESV&amp;redirect_iframe=http://www.AllAboutGOD.com/bible.htm" target="_blank" class="vl-anchor" style="color: #1c70bf; font-family: Arial, san-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" data-passage="Deuteronomy3327">Deuteronomy 33:27</a><span data-mce-mark="1">). God cannot die. God is eternal - both in the past, present and future. (Psalm 90:2.)</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Paul even said so. Paul, familiar with Jewish prayers that always addressed the father as "Eternal King," wrote Timothy about the<em><strong> unseen invisible one and only God</strong></em>:</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span><span data-mce-mark="1">Now to the King eternal, <em><strong>immortal,</strong></em> <strong><em>invisible,</em> the only God</strong>, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (<a href="http://biblehub.com/1_timothy/1-17.htm">1 Timothy 1:17 NASV.</a>)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">Cf. Col.1:15 (Paul says Jesus is the "image of the <strong><em>invisible</em> </strong>God").</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">The New Living Translation is more emphatic on what it means to say the "only God" is "immortal." This God is one who can "never die."</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen <em><strong>one who never dies</strong></em>; he alone is God. Amen &nbsp;(<a href="http://biblehub.com/1_timothy/1-17.htm">1 Timothy 1:17 NLT</a>.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Even if you had no passages to read, please imagine if God truly died at any point. Who then would resurrect God? He would be dead. So immortality of God is not only in the Bible, but no other outcome makes sense. Hence, when Jesus said he was the Alpha and Omega, and says in the same context that He died, then Jesus could not be claiming in context that "I am God, and I died and now am alive again." That would be nonsense.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Trinitarians avert this problem by saying God "willingly subjected himself to death" but "his spirit never ceased to exist." (<a href="http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=12&amp;article=3566">E. Lyon's Apologetics Press</a>.) This is a contradiction. If God was alive the entire time, then God never died. Jesus the man died, but God himself never could have died. God is eternal, immortal (as even Paul recognizes), and incapable of death. The universe is held together by an everlasting eternal God. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Trinitarians' solutions to dilemmas always end up in self-contradictions yet they accept them due to the compulsion of their erroneous assumption that God is three persons of separate minds and wills who each are God yet are one Being.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">The Angel Says "I am Alpha and Omega" Too</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">However, there is one more problem saying that "I am Alpha and Omega" means one is proclaiming they are God. For it is clear at the outset that Apostle John has met and sees an Angel who reveals the words and message of Jesus to John. In <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+1&amp;version=KJV">Revelation 1:1-2</a>, we read:</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p class="chapter-1" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-30699" class="text Rev-1-1" style="font-size: 18pt;">1 and he sent and signified it by<strong> his angel</strong> unto his servant John:</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-30700" class="text Rev-1-2" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">2&nbsp;</span>Who <strong>bare record</strong> of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">This means that the angel may be quoting Jesus, but sometimes is speaking on its own. This is what we find clearly in Revelation 22. First, we need to read <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+22&amp;version=KJV">Revelation 22:6-9</a> to see the angel is clearly speaking words that if you didn't know better, you would think are Jesus speaking:</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31087" class="text Rev-22-6" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"></span>And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets<strong> sent his angel</strong> to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31088" class="text Rev-22-7" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">7&nbsp;</span>Behold,<strong> I come quickly:</strong> blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31089" class="text Rev-22-8" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">8&nbsp;</span>And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, <strong>I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel</strong> which shewed me these things.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31090" class="text Rev-22-9" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">9&nbsp;</span>Then saith he unto me, <strong>See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant,</strong> and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: <strong>worship God.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">So the Angel said "I come quickly." And that is meaningful for earlier various angels come with cups of God that have different judgments. But at first, we might think it is Jesus speaking. Yet, it is clear from verse 9, it was the angel speaking, and not differentiating itself from Jesus.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">The angel then tells John not to worship him, but worship God alone. In this passage, the Angel speaking of himself next says "I am the Alpha and the Omega":</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31091" class="text Rev-22-10" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span id="en-KJV-31091" class="text Rev-22-10">10&nbsp;</span>And <strong>he</strong>&nbsp;[the Angel who is a fellow-servant and not God] saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31092" class="text Rev-22-11" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">11&nbsp;</span>He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">12&nbsp;</span>And, behold, <strong>I come quickly [i.e., the Angel]</strong>; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [NOTE: Still the angel, who previously is depicted among angels bringing 'rewards' in the process of judgment on mankind. The <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Rev/Visions-Angel">IVP Commentary </a>notes: "<span data-mce-mark="1">This angel is 'one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues' (21:9; compare 15:1, 6),</span>]</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31094" class="text Rev-22-13" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">13&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #ff0000;">I am Alpha and Omega,</span> the beginning and the end, the first and the last.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31095" class="text Rev-22-14" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">14&nbsp;</span>Blessed are they that do <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">his</span> </strong>commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31096" class="text Rev-22-15" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">15&nbsp;</span>For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Here, the Angel says "I am Alpha and Omega," and refers to "his commandments," after having told Apostle John to "worship God," not the angel himself. Nor can "his" in this verse mean Jesus is being quoted by the Angel for Jesus would not refer to his own commandments as "his commandments." If they are Jesus' commandments, he would say "my commandments."</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Only after that statement does the speaker potentially change, and is no longer solely the angel's words. Next the angel once more transmits words from Jesus. To do that, the angel breaks in with "I, Jesus...." Let's pick up with the next verse:</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31097" class="text Rev-22-16" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">16<span style="color: #ff0000;"></span></span><span style="color: #ff0000;">I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you</span> these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31098" class="text Rev-22-17" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">17&nbsp;</span>And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31099" class="text Rev-22-18" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">18&nbsp;</span>For <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">I testify unto every man</span></strong> that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31100" class="text Rev-22-19" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">19&nbsp;</span>And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 60px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 30px; color: #000000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span id="en-KJV-31101" class="text Rev-22-20" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="versenum" style="line-height: 22px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; top: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">20&nbsp;</span>He which <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly</span></strong>. Amen. Even so, <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">come, Lord Jesus</span></strong>.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">Thus verse 16 is the first possibility that the primary voice is changing. But even then it appears to be a single statement of Jesus confirming the angel's testimony. The importance in any event is the "I am Alpha and Omega" was the angel speaking in the prior verse 13, not Jesus.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">It is likely possible we are to believe the angel resumes speaking at verse 18 for the notion of "testimony" or a "witness" is the primary role of the Angel, not Jesus, up to this point. So when verse 18 says "I testify unto every man" it appears to be a role of an angel, not Jesus, to testify of what the angel heard and saw. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">This is reiterated in verse 20 which certainly is not a saying of Jesus (the words "come Lord Jesus"), but the angel's words. The angel in the same verse says "he which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly" -- the angel who previously said "I come quickly" in verse 12 - which is part of the prophecy earlier in Revelation that the angels come quickly with cups of judgment. To repeat, the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Rev/Visions-Angel">InterVarsity Press </a>commentary notes: "<span data-mce-mark="1">This angel is 'one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues' (21:9; compare 15:1, 6)."</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">This strongly supports that Alpha and Omega cannot mean deity. Because the angel applied it to himself, and the angel denied he was God, it could not thus likely signify one who is claiming Deity.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1"><span data-mce-mark="1">END</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<hr />
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Another Solution to the Alpha and Omega Mystery</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Many people suggest it means the role of creator, that God is eternal, etc. &nbsp;May I add to the list what seems another possibility -- it means unsullied by sin, pure, etc. Here's why.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Twice, these are obviously explained as the "first" and the "last" in Rev 1:18 and 2:13.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">One time, but only in reference to Jesus, Jesus says he is "the beginning" and the "end" -- this is in Revelation 2:13.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">If one is simultaneously both the first and the last, and you suppose this is about geometry, then any point along a circle or eliptical shape is always both the first and last point equally. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">The <strong>small version</strong> of the Greek letter alpha and the omega each have round or eliptical shapes which you can obtain by stretching a straight line into an unbroken object, e.g., a circle, an eliptical, etc. Any point you fixate on in the lines of the letter is both the first and last point as they are identically the same to each other. For example, any point along a circle is both the first and the last point where a straight line meets when curved to form a circle.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">If this theory is correct, then an unbroken line that connects to itself, e.g., a circle, an elipsis, is the image we are suppose to see when we hear these words.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">The image of an unbroken circle really means the line is unbroken. Once you identify a beginning and end, and say it is there, it is truly nowhere, as the same is true of every other point of the circle. Just as the Alpha begins the alphabet, and Omega ends the alphabet, they are repeated in exercises starting over, and hence it is a circle, with no true beginning or end.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Hence, Alpha and Omega may symbolize an unbroken circle.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">What is unbroken about God? About Jesus? About the Angel who never fell who speaks in Revelation 1 and 22? What do they each share in common about unbrokenness?</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Jesus was "without sin" (<a href="http://biblehub.com/1_peter/2-22.htm">1 Peter 2:22</a>) which is equally true about God. As the author of Hebrews says, Jesus was tempted in every way which we are, but did not sin.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Hence, I believe the meaning of Alpha and Omega may be perfection -- an unbroken line formed inside the Alpha and the Omega. Any point along the lines are the first and the last, the beginning and the end. There is thus no true beginning or end of a circle. That unbroken line is because Jesus obeyed the command Jesus gave us - "be perfect even as your heavenly father is perfect."</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Hence, Jesus can be a human who lived a perfect life without being God. This is what Peter said about Jesus - "he committed no sin." (1 Peter 2:22.) By being tempted in the flesh in the same way we are, but resisting, as the author of Hebrews said, Jesus became the Alpha and Omega who died and is alive again, while God is eternally the Alpha and Omega -- a perfect unbroken line that encircles the soul or spirit of God.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Consider that a circle is a universal spiritual symbol, typically meaning perfection:&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">The circle is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, original <span style="color: #ff0000;"><em><strong>perfection</strong></em></span>, the Self, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, all cyclic movement, God ('<em><strong>God is a circle</strong> </em>whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere' (Hermes Trismegistus)). (University of Michigan, <a href="http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/C/circle.html">Symbolism Project</a>.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">This quote of Hermes' Trismegistus is from the <em>Book of the 24 Philosophers.</em> See <a href="https://dialinf.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/a-circle-with-the-center-everywhere/">link</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">Now consider that a sphere reflects perfection -- unbrokenness, and later we will return to the Greek letters Alpha and Omega after listening to this:</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">In Plato&rsquo;s&nbsp;</span><em style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; line-height: normal;">Timaeus&nbsp;</em><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">we read that the sphere is the <em><strong>most <span style="color: #ff0000;">perfect</span> and most uniform shape,</strong></em> because all points in its surface are equidistant from the center. ("<a href="http://www.filosofiaesoterica.com/ler.php?id=1355#.Vq2zv_krLZ4">Pascal's Sphere</a>," Philosofia Esoterica.)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">In the eastern religions, a circle likewise symbolizes perfection:</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">The term &ldquo;mandala&rdquo; comes from the ancient Indian language called Sanskrit and means circle, circular, round. The symbol of <em><strong>a circle symbolizes <span style="color: #ff0000;">perfection</span>, wholeness, oneness</strong></em>. A circle is a sign of the absolute, concentrated in itself with no beginning and no end.&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.mandalavaga.si/en/mandala/the-circle-symbol.html" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.3em;">http://www.mandalavaga.si/en/mandala/the-circle-symbol.html</a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">So the unbroken line of a circle is symbolic of&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><em>perfection</em></span></strong> -- here implying a moral perfection.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1"><span style="font-size: large;" data-mce-mark="1">END</span></span></span></span></p>
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