I am Alpha and Omega
4 From John to the seven churches in Asia. I pray that you will be blessed with kindness and peace from God, who is and was and is coming. May you receive kindness and peace from the seven spirits before the throne of God.
5 May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins
6 He lets us rule as kings and serve God his Father as priests. To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds. Everyone will see him, even the ones who stuck a sword through him. All people on earth will weep because of him. Yes, it will happen! Amen.
8 The Lord God says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the one who is and was and is coming. I am God All-Powerful!” — Revelation 1:4-8 | Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition (CEVIE) The Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition Bible is © American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Cross References: Exodus 3:14; Exodus 19:6; Psalm 51:2; Proverbs 14:5; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 19:1; Isaiah 41:4; Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 12:10-11; Acts 2:9; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:6
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Notes: Revelation 1:4-8 is an introduction to the book that serves as a greeting to the seven churches of Asia, offering them grace and peace from the triune God, and the Holy Spirit using a seven-fold description (The Spirit of the Lord, of Wisdom, of Understanding, of Counsel, of Power, of Knowledge of Reverence). It describes Jesus as the faithful witness, the first to be resurrected, the ruler of earthly kings, and the one who frees believers from sin, making them priests. The passage concludes by affirming Jesus's future, visible return to Earth, which will be witnessed by all.
