G. W. Amadon 1832-1913

How Shall We Explain it?

IN Rev. 1:8, occurs a passage which has presented some difficulty to those who reject the doctrine of the trinity. The text, with its foregoing connection, reads as follows: “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. 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.” Verses 7 and 8. The question has often arisen here, In what sense is Jesus Christ “the Almighty?” To us this inquiry is very easily answered. We do not believe that Christ is at all meant by the phrase, the Almighty, and for this belief we will give a few short reasons.

1. We think there are two persons brought to view in these texts - the Saviour, in the seventh verse; and the Father, in the eighth.

2. There is another most august title in verse 8 which never refers to the Son. It is the phrase - “Which is, and which was, and which is to come.” This title points out the eternity of the being to whom it refers.

We will notice the use of this title, as the passages in which it occurs very plainly show that it belongs to “the High and lofty One which inhabits eternity.” Beginning with verse 4 of this chapter it reads - “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before his throne; AND FROM Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.” Here are two personages pointed out - the everlasting God under the fitting title, “Which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty,” and Jesus Christ by the no less appropriate titles of “the faithful Witness,” “the first-begotten of the dead,” and “the Prince of the kings of the earth.”

We will now present three other texts where this phrase is found, and which all readily admit speak of the immortal Father.

Rev. 4:8. “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

Chap. 11:16, 17. “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”

Chap. 16:5, 7. “And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be; because thou hast judged thus.” “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord, God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.”

With these passages we dismiss the point, as it can serve no purpose to the trinitarian, and to us seems so plain that the wayfaring man need not err therein. (G. W. Amadon, September 24, 1861, Review & Herald, vol. 18, pages 136, par. 1-10)