Revelation · Chapter 1
Revelation 1:8 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"“I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”"
KJV · King James Version
"I1473 am1510 Alpha1 and2532 Omega5598, the beginning746 and2532 the ending5056, saith3004 the Lord2962, which3588 is5607 3801, and2532 which3588 was2258 3801, and2532 which3588 is to come2064 3801, the Almighty3841."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses beginning, ending, saith, which, while the WEB renders these as says, god, who. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Revelation 1:8 in Revelation 1
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Revelation 1:8 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Revelation 1. Read the full chapter →
- v.6 and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- v.7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
- v.8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
- v.9 I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- v.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
Book background
About the Book of Revelation
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Apocalyptic prophecy
- Author
- John the apostle
- Date written
- c. 95 AD
- Audience
- Seven churches in Roman Asia (Asia Minor) facing persecution
- Chapters
- 22
Revelation is the Bible's closing book — a series of dramatic visions given to John on Patmos. It opens with letters to seven churches, then unveils the throne room of heaven, the lamb who was slain, judgment cycles of seals/trumpets/bowls, the final defeat of evil, the millennium, the great white throne, and the new heavens and new earth. Christ's final invitation closes the Bible: "Come, Lord Jesus" (22:20).
Setting: Written from John's exile on the island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian.
Key themes: victory of Christ · judgment · worship · perseverance · new creation
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Revelation 1:8
Revelation 1:8 contains 24 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
“I am the Alpha and the Omega
IATAAT
- 2
” says the Lord God
STLG
- 3
“who is and who was and who is to come
WIAWWA
- 4
the Almighty.”
TA
Frequently asked
FAQ about Revelation 1:8
What does Revelation 1:8 say?
Revelation 1:8 reads: "“I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”" — from the New Testament, Revelation (Apocalyptic prophecy). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Revelation 1:8 in?
Revelation 1:8 is in the book of Revelation, traditionally attributed to John the apostle and written around c. 95 AD. Revelation is apocalyptic prophecy in the New Testament, originally addressed to Seven churches in Roman Asia (Asia Minor) facing persecution. Best known for the lamb who was slain and the new heavens and new earth.
What is the difference between Revelation 1:8 in WEB and KJV?
Revelation 1:8 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "“I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "I1473 am1510 Alpha1 and2532 Omega5598, the beginning746 and2532 the ending5056, saith3004 the Lord2962, which3588 is5607 3801, and2532 which3588 was2258 3801, and2532 which3588 is to come2064 3801, the Almighty3841.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Revelation 1:8?
Revelation 1:8 is 24 words in the WEB translation (106 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.
How can I memorise Revelation 1:8?
To memorise Revelation 1:8, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Revelation 1:8 matter in Revelation?
Revelation is the Bible's closing book — a series of dramatic visions given to John on Patmos. It opens with letters to seven churches, then unveils the throne room of heaven, the lamb who was slain, judgment cycles of seals/trumpets/bowls, the final defeat of evil, the millennium, the great white throne, and the new heavens and new earth. Christ's final invitation closes the Bible: "Come, Lord Jesus" (22:20). Revelation 1:8 sits within this larger story — Revelation as a whole emphasises victory of Christ, judgment, worship.
How can I apply Revelation 1:8 today?
Many readers use Revelation 1:8 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Revelation 1:8 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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“He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first th…”
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Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”
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Revelation 21:3
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Revelation 21:5
“He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.””
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