Revelation 1:7-8; Even So, Amen.

Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 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.

Verse 7 ends with a double affirmation of the certainty of the fulfillment of the prophetic oracle just given. “Nai” in Greek means “Yes”, rightly translated “Even so” is the usual word of affirmation in Greek, and it is followed by the Hebrew word of affirmation amen. Combined this way, the two words constitute the figure of speech called synonymia, whose function is to strengthen the certainty of what has just been prophesied [Bullinger]. 

As though not satisfied that he has made the prophecy’s certain fulfillment plain, in verse 8 the prophet adds the emphatic declaration of God the Father as further verification of this fact. The implied thought is that the prophecy of verse 7 is just as sure to be fulfilled as is the credibility of the speaker who identifies Himself in verse 8, by these significant titles. The sentence can be paraphrased,  “I, the Almighty Lord of hosts, the unchangeable God, will accomplish all My will, fulfill all My word, and execute all My judgments”. [Bullinger]

The Alpha and Omega is the self-description by Jesus in Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Jesus is thus the Speaker of these words. The first and the last letter of the Greek alphabet, to emphasize the consummation of Christ’s work upon the earth when He comes to bear rule. The certainty of Christ’s coming again is thus emphasized.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

May the Lord bless the truth of Christ’s return to the strengthening of the hearts of God’s people. Amen.