Definition and Key References

The phrase “The One Who Was, Is, and Is to Come” appears prominently in the Book of Revelation, describing the eternal nature of God. One of the central verses is Revelation 1:8:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come-the Almighty.”

This title likewise appears in Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 4:8, emphasizing the everlasting sovereignty of God over history, the present reality, and the future fulfillment of all things.

Context in the Book of Revelation

John’s vision in Revelation sets the stage by grounding the believer’s confidence in the One who spans all time. Revelation 1:4 says, “Grace and peace to you from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His throne.” In this opening, the phrase instantly highlights God’s timeless reign:

1. Past - The God who was from eternity, preexistent before creation (cf. Genesis 1:1).

2. Present - The God who is actively sustaining all things (cf. Colossians 1:17).

3. Future - The God who will bring history to its culmination, establishing a new heaven and new earth (cf. Revelation 21:1).

This comprehensive view presents comfort and hope to believers in times of persecution or uncertainty, reinforcing that nothing escapes God’s plan.

Origin and Connection to “I Am”

The designation links back to God’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:14, where God tells Moses: “I AM WHO I AM.” This unwavering declaration of being suggests God’s eternal, self-existent nature. By the time of John’s writing, “The One Who Was, Is, and Is to Come” further develops that theme:

• God stands apart from mere temporal existence.

• God defines all existence and is not defined by the passing of time.

Highlighting Divine Eternity

In Revelation 4:8, the four living creatures continuously declare:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”

This triple emphasis of holiness matches the triple emphasis of time-past, present, and future. It underscores:

1. Perpetual Praise - Worship grounded in God’s eternal character.

2. Unchanging Nature - Holiness that transcends any historical period.

Such passages express God’s unchangeable essence, providing believers with an anchor of certainty amidst a changing world.

Theological Significance for Believers

1. Reassurance of Sovereignty: Because God’s rule transcends time, believers draw confidence that their faith is grounded in One who fully governs all events.

2. Consistency Throughout Scripture: The narrative of a sacrificial system pointing to Christ in the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 22, Isaiah 53) and the direct fulfillment in the Gospels (e.g., John 19:30) show an orchestrated pattern under an all-knowing, timeless God.

3. Anchor for Hope: The phrase speaks to hope in the resurrection-past historically verified events, present application of salvation, and future consummation of all promises (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

Manuscript Evidence and Historical Reliability

Early manuscripts of Revelation, such as those represented within the Alexandrian and Byzantine text families, preserve these designations of God’s eternity with remarkable consistency. Archaeological finds, including early fragments of Revelation (e.g., papyri in the Chester Beatty collection), support the integrity of the transmitted text, pointing to the phrase’s authenticity.

1. Dead Sea Scrolls Context: While the Dead Sea Scrolls do not contain Revelation itself (a New Testament document), their preservation of Old Testament passages demonstrates how meticulously Scripture has been copied and handed down, building trust in the broader reliability of the biblical record.

2. Church Fathers’ Writings: The second-century writer Irenaeus quoted many passages from Revelation identifying God as eternal. These corroborations show that early Christian communities widely accepted Revelation’s depiction of the timeless God.

Philosophical and Behavioral Insights

When discussing the eternal nature of God with those skeptical of biblical claims:

1. Philosophical Coherence: Arguing for a timeless, necessary Being aligns with classical philosophical considerations that something outside of time and space began the universe. Thus, “The One Who Was, Is, and Is to Come” matches this rational concept of a First Cause.

2. Behavioral Relevance: In human experience, stability and assurance are sought after. This biblical revelation of an unchanging, eternal God provides a foundational sense of purpose, moral grounding, and hope.

Practical Implications for Daily Life

1. Faith and Trust: Believers who embrace God’s eternal nature anchor their lives in the certainty that no circumstance is outside His control (cf. Hebrews 13:8).

2. Worship and Adoration: Recognizing “The One Who Was, Is, and Is to Come” fosters continual worship, as seen in heavenly visions (Revelation 4:8), where each creature acknowledges divine holiness.

3. Future Expectation: Confidence that the same God who worked miracles and resurrection power in the past is also active today and will bring His kingdom to completion.

Connection to Christ’s Resurrection

Christ’s resurrection ties into this timeless identity:

• Historical Event in the Past: Verified by multiple firsthand accounts recorded in the Gospels and referenced by early historians (e.g., Tacitus, Josephus).

• Power in the Present: Transforming lives through the promise of salvation (cf. Romans 5:8-10).

• Guarantee for the Future: Romans 8:11 affirms believers will also share in resurrection life, a hope founded on the certainty of an eternal God.

Conclusion

“The One Who Was, Is, and Is to Come” underscores God’s immutable nature and His dominion over every moment in history. From Exodus 3:14 to Revelation 1:8, Scripture consistently upholds a view of God as eternal and sovereign, extending hope to all who seek Him.

This title reminds us that the same God who spoke the universe into existence, revealed Himself through the Scriptures, orchestrated the resurrection of Christ, and walks with believers today will also fulfill every promise in the future. By placing trust in Him, one finds the ultimate assurance that transcends all time.