A Theological Analysis of Revelation 1:1–7
By Max Shimba Ministries Org | Originally published July 8, 2015
Introduction
The Book of Revelation provides a profound eschatological view—detailing the destiny of the wicked, the unfaithful, the righteous, and the faithful. However, beyond its apocalyptic imagery and judgment narratives, the book offers deep Christological insights, affirming the divine identity of Jesus Christ.
This theological treatise presents seven irrefutable evidences from the Book of Revelation and supporting Scriptures to establish that Jesus Christ is truly God—not merely in symbolic form, but in essence, power, and eternal being. These evidences contribute to a biblical understanding of the oneness and deity of Christ, showing clearly that to know Jesus is to know God.
Jesus Himself declared the critical nature of acknowledging His divine identity:
“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”
— John 8:24 (NIV)
This is not merely a theological opinion, but a matter of eternal life and death.
The Greatest Commandment and the Unity of God
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He affirmed the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
— Mark 12:29
This declaration by Christ, far from separating Himself from God, reveals His intimate and essential unity with God the Father. This theological tract will demonstrate that Jesus and the Father are one—not in cooperation only, but in essence.
1. First Evidence: Jesus Declares Himself “The First and the Last” (Rev. 1:8, 17–18)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
— Revelation 1:8
“I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”
— Revelation 1:17–18
This declaration mirrors the Old Testament revelation of YHWH:
“This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the First and I am the Last; apart from me there is no God.”
— Isaiah 44:6
Only God can make this declaration. Thus, Jesus’ self-identification proves He is the God of Israel.
The Gospel of John reinforces this in:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
— John 1:1, 14
This reflects the dual nature of Christ—fully divine and fully human. God became incarnate to redeem humanity through the shedding of His own blood.
2. Second Evidence: The Worship of the One on the Throne (Revelation 4:2, 6–11)
John sees a heavenly throne with One seated upon it, and all heavenly beings worship Him:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
— Revelation 4:8
Jesus uses this identical phrase in Revelation 1:8—again identifying Himself as the Almighty.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things…”
— Revelation 4:11
Scripture attributes all of creation to Jesus:
“Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”
— John 1:3
“For in Him all things were created… all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
— Colossians 1:16
God declares in Isaiah 44:24 that He created all things alone, and yet we find Jesus attributed with the same act, affirming His full divinity.
“Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”
— Acts 20:28
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.”
— 1 John 3:16
Only God's own blood could redeem us—another affirmation of Christ's divinity.
3. Third Evidence: Jesus Will Reign as the Almighty (Revelation 11:15–17)
“…You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.”
— Revelation 11:16–17
This echoes the same title Jesus used in Revelation 1:8. The One who reigns eternally is the Almighty, and that Almighty is Jesus Christ.
4. Fourth Evidence: Jesus is Worshiped as the Almighty God (Revelation 15:3)
“They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: ‘Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations.’”
Here, the Lamb (Jesus) is worshiped with the same doxology as the Lord God Almighty, confirming they are one and the same.
5. Fifth Evidence: Jesus Bears the Name “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:13–16)
“He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God… On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
This scene highlights Christ’s ultimate authority, where He executes divine judgment and rules over all nations as God incarnate.
6. Sixth Evidence: The Lamb and God Share the Temple and the Glory (Revelation 21:22–23)
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple… and the Lamb is its lamp.”
The unity of the Lamb and God in divine function and essence is unmistakable. This is clarified further by:
“I and the Father are one.”
— John 10:30
“…He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”
— 1 Timothy 3:16
This is the mystery of godliness—God manifested in the flesh.
7. Seventh Evidence: Jesus is the Root and Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16)
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Here, Christ reveals both His divine origin (Root) and human descent (Offspring)—a dual nature also prophesied in:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and He will be called… Mighty God, Everlasting Father…”
— Isaiah 9:6
This aligns with John 16:15, where Jesus states:
“All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what He will make known to you.”
Conclusion: Worship God in Spirit and Truth
The unity between the Father and the Son is biblical, eternal, and essential. As Revelation 22:3–4 states:
“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.”
Note the singular terms: “His face,” “His name.” The divine unity is not duality in deity, but oneness in essence—One God revealed in Christ.
Jesus is God in the flesh, the Alpha and Omega, and the Savior of the world. Therefore, we must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:32
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