Discover how Revelation 22:12–13 proves that Jesus is God, along with other biblical texts, Church Fathers, historical witnesses, and Catholic teaching affirming Christ’s divinity.
Introduction
One of the most debated questions in Christian theology is: Is Jesus truly God, or merely a prophet or great teacher?
In Revelation 22:12–13, we read these words:
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev 22:12–13)
Here, the speaker claims divine titles exclusive to Yahweh in the Old Testament—“Alpha and Omega,” “the First and the Last.” This is powerful biblical evidence that Jesus Christ is truly God.
1. Revelation 22:12–13 and the Divine Titles of Christ
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“Alpha and Omega” → The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing eternity and absolute sovereignty. In the Old Testament, this title belongs only to God (Isaiah 44:6).
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“The First and the Last” → A title Yahweh uses of Himself (Isaiah 41:4; 48:12). Applied to Jesus, this confirms His eternal nature.
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“Coming soon…to repay each one” → Only God is Judge of all (Psalm 62:12; Romans 2:6). Yet here Jesus claims this authority.
Thus, Revelation 22 directly equates Jesus with God.
2. Other Biblical Proofs of Christ’s Divinity
| Scripture | Key Teaching |
|---|---|
| John 1:1 | “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” |
| John 8:58 | Jesus says: “Before Abraham was, I AM,” echoing God’s name in Exodus 3:14. |
| John 20:28 | St. Thomas exclaims: “My Lord and my God!” to the risen Christ. |
| Colossians 2:9 | “In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” |
| Philippians 2:6 | Christ, “though in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” |
| Hebrews 1:8 | Of the Son it is written: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” |
| Titus 2:13 | Refers to “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” |
These passages leave no doubt: the earliest Christians confessed Jesus as true God.
3. Witness of the Apostolic and Early Church Fathers
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St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD): “Our God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by Mary according to God’s plan.” (Letter to the Ephesians 18:2)
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St. Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD): “The Word, who is the first-begotten of God, is Himself God.” (Dialogue with Trypho, 63)
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St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 AD): “He is Himself in His own right, beyond all men who ever lived, God, and Lord, and King Eternal.” (Against Heresies, III, 19,1)
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St. Athanasius (4th c.): Defended the Nicene Creed affirming Christ as “true God from true God.”
Thus, the belief in Christ’s divinity was not a later invention but the original apostolic faith.
4. Church History and Councils
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Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Condemned Arianism; declared Christ “consubstantial with the Father.”
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Council of Constantinople (381 AD): Reaffirmed Nicaea; finalized the Nicene Creed.
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Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): Declared Christ fully God and fully man in one divine Person.
The Councils preserved what was always believed from the Apostles: Jesus is God.
5. Catholic Teaching (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
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CCC 454: The title “Son of God” signifies Jesus’ unique and eternal relationship with the Father; He is of the same divine nature.
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CCC 468: Christ is acknowledged as true God and true man.
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CCC 469: Jesus is inseparably true God and true man—one with the Father in divinity, one with us in humanity.
The Church has always proclaimed the full divinity of Christ.
6. Comparative Table
| Doctrine | Biblical Proof | Fathers & History | Catholic Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus is Eternal (Alpha & Omega) | Revelation 22:13; John 1:1 | St. Justin Martyr – Christ is eternal Word | CCC 454 |
| Jesus is “I AM” | John 8:58; Exodus 3:14 | St. Irenaeus – Christ is Lord and God | CCC 469 |
| Jesus is Judge of All | Rev 22:12; Matt 25:31–46 | St. Augustine – Only God judges the nations | CCC 1038 |
| Jesus Worshiped as God | John 20:28; Hebrews 1:6 | Ignatius – Jesus Christ our God | CCC 468 |
Divine Titles of God in the Old Testament Applied to Jesus in the New Testament
| Divine Title / Attribute | Old Testament (Yahweh) | New Testament (Jesus Christ) | Apologetic Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha and Omega / First and Last | “I am the First and I am the Last; besides me there is no god.” (Isaiah 44:6) | “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” (Rev 22:13) | The eternal nature of God is directly claimed by Christ. |
| I AM (Self-Existent God) | “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) | “Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58) | Jesus applies God’s personal name (YHWH) to Himself. |
| Judge of All the Earth | “You will render to a man according to his work.” (Psalm 62:12) | “I am coming soon… to repay each one for what he has done.” (Rev 22:12) | Christ exercises divine judgment, a prerogative of God alone. |
| The Shepherd | “The Lord is my shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1) | “I am the Good Shepherd.” (John 10:11) | Christ takes on Yahweh’s shepherd role. |
| Light of the World | “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” (Psalm 27:1) | “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12) | Jesus identifies Himself with God’s saving light. |
| The Rock / Savior | “There is no God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior.” (Isaiah 45:21–22) | “Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) | Paul explicitly calls Jesus God and Savior. |
| Receives Worship | “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” (Deut 6:13) | “They worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matt 14:33; Heb 1:6) | Worship due to God alone is given to |
📌 Apologetic Note:
This direct parallel shows that the divine titles, prerogatives, and roles of Yahweh are fully applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The early Christians did not “invent” His divinity—it is deeply rooted in Scripture and consistently upheld by the Church.
Conclusion
Revelation 22:12–13 is a clear and powerful proof of Christ’s divinity, affirming Him as the eternal Alpha and Omega who comes to judge. Alongside numerous other biblical passages, the witness of the Church Fathers, and the infallible teaching of the Catholic Church, it is evident that:
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Jesus is not merely a prophet or teacher.
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He is true God and true man, the Second Person of the Trinity.
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This has been the faith of the Church from the Apostles until today.
As St. Thomas confessed: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), so must every Christian recognize that Jesus is indeed God.
READ ALSO:
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