We have a few more ideas to add to the testimony of Jesus Christ. The revelations of the testimony of who Jesus is, are the bookends at the beginning and the end of the Book of Revelation. We know that if someone does not believe that Jesus rose from the dead and does not make Him Lord, they are not true prophets from the Living God. The Holy Spirit does not indwell those who reject Jesus as Messiah. There is no temple so there is no other atonement for sin. Jesus is the only atonement for sin today. John tells us Jesus bathes us from our sin in His blood.
To add to the testimony of Jesus we need to attest to who he is. Revelation, the revealing of Jesus, the Apocalypse, tells us exactly who Jesus is. John witnesses as to who Jesus is. Jesus proves who he is. Isaiah scribed further certifications as to the Messiah. Abraham also prophesied as to who the Messiah would be which is something the first century church knew and understood. Just from the attestation of the uncovering of Jesus from John’s book called Revelation, we can be clear as to this testimony. There are many groups who attempt to muddy the waters, making this witness unclear. This is always the intent of the god of this world. If he can keep the knowledge of Jesus covered, then less people will be redeemed. As we noted previously this would prove the point of the satan, who refused to bow to Adam, claiming mankind was an inferior creation.
Last week we looked at the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of prophecy. John is going to give us some great details regarding this testimony of who Jesus is. John is writing to the seven assemblies and explains that Jesus is the one being, the one who was, and the one coming.
Revelation 1:4 G* John, G3588 to the G2033 seven G1577 assemblies -- G3588 the ones G1722 in G3588 G* Asia. G5484 Favor G1473 to you, G2532 and G1515 peace G575 from G3588 the G3588 one G1510.6 being, G2532 and G3588 the one who G1510.7.3 was, G2532 and G3588 the one G2064 coming; G2532 and G575 from G3588 the G2033 seven G4151 spirits G3739 which G1510.2.3 are G1799 before G3588 G2362 his throne, G1473
1510 LSJ Gloss: εἰμί I have
Dodson: εἰμί I am, exist.
Strong’s: εἰμί I exist (used only when emphatic) Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; KJV Usage: am, have been, X it is I, was.
See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600. G1488 G1498 G1511 G1527 G2258 G2071 G2070 G2075 G2076 G2771 G2468 G5600
Thayer:
1) to be, to exist, to happen, to be present
εἰμί
eimi i-mee' First person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic)
KJV Usage: am, have been, X it is I, was. See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1526, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2277, G2468, G5600.
Thayer has a much better detailed write up of 1510 with all it’s sub usages which can be found in either of these links.
This is the same wording used by Jesus himself as recorded in John 8 when Jesus declared he is the I AM.
John 8:57 G2036 Then said G3767 G3588 the G* Jews G4314 to G1473 him, G4004 [3fifty G2094 4years G3768 2not yet G2192 1You have], G2532 and G* [2Abraham G3708 1you have seen]?
58 G2036 [2said G1473 3to them G3588 G* 1Jesus], G281 Amen, G281 amen, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G4250 Before G* Abraham G1096 existed G1473 I G1510.2.1 am.
When Jesus said this he angered everyone. First because they didn’t believe him and who he said he was, but second because they understood that by Jesus saying that he is “I AM”, that Abraham had already prophesied the Messiah is I AM. This person, standing in the flesh, without a halo or a glowing aura, could not be the Messiah. Abraham prophesied Jesus’ testimony as the I AM on the cross. Since Jesus died on the cross there is no question as to who Jesus was.
Barnabas 8:10 Understand therefore, children, these things more fully, that Abraham, who was the first that brought in circumcision, looking forward in the Spirit to Jesus, circumcised, having received the mystery of three letters. 11 For the Scripture says that Abraham circumcised three hundred and eighteen men of his house. 12But what therefore was the mystery that was made known unto him? 12 Mark, first the eighteen, and next the three hundred. For the numeral letters of ten and eight are I H. And these denote Jesus. 13 And because the cross was that by which we were to find grace; therefore he adds, three hundred; the note of which is T (the figure of his cross). Wherefore by two letters he signified Jesus, and by the third his cross. 14 He who has put the engrafted gift of his doctrine within us, knows that I never taught to any one a more certain truth; but I trust that ye are worthy of it.
(154:12 That many others of the ancient Fathers have concurred with him in this, see Cot. in loc. Add. Eund. p. 31, 85, ibid. Ed., &c., &c.) http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob17.htm
The “I” and the “H” are Greek letters. The Hebrew letters, were “Y” and “H”. That translates as “YaH” which is “I AM” or “I am myself, the one”. Now add the “T”, the sign or marker of the cross, and you have “I AM” along with the cross, or “I AM on the cross”. This is something that the first century church knew. It was a knowledge that has been hidden and kept secret from the 21st century church.http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/05/ancient-understanding-of-law-abraham.html
Abraham circumcised the people of his household and in doing this, Abraham was given the initials to the personal name of the God of Israel, Yahweh. Abraham already knew Yahweh. Abraham already had a personal relationship with Yahweh. There was no mystery to Abraham. The third letter signified the Messiah’s death on the cross. This is something the righteous people in Israel all knew. They also understood the Aleph Tav scribed throughout the Old Covenant. The Aleph Tav, used over 11,000 times, signifies “the strong man on the cross”. The people in Israel were waiting for Yahweh.
Everyone in Israel also knew Isaiah’s prophecy regarding a virgin conceiving. All the young girls knew this prophecy and waited and expected it could be them. When YaH finally came, healed the sick, the deaf, and the blind, some people challenged him. Some disbelieved he could be YaH and sought to kill him. Many however followed Him. Once the people saw the type of death he would experience, YaH T as Abraham prophesied, there was no doubt Jesus was YaH, or I AM. So far, the only one to open blind eyes and deaf ears, who also died on a cross, was Jesus. Jesus also rose from the dead as attested to by many witnesses.
We have studied this extensively over the years, but if you are new to this information you can catch up with these studies, as well as others listed on the site.
We have also studied the seven spirits.
Getting back to Revelation, John continues to explain that Jesus is the Messiah, the first-born of the dead. Jesus was the first resurrection from the dead. As we recently studied, we will be resurrected just as he was. There will be an out-resurrection before the tribulation starts.
Revelation 1:5 G2532 and G575 from G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G3588 the G3144 [2witness G3588 G4103 1trustworthy], G3588 the G4416 first-born G3588 of the G3498 dead, G2532 and G3588 the G758 ruler G3588 of the G935 kings G3588 of the G1093 earth. G3588 To the G25 one loving G1473 us, G2532 and G3068 bathing G1473 us G575 from G3588 G266 our sins G1473 G1722 in G3588 G129 his blood, G1473
John says here that Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth. We know from looking ahead to Revelation 11 that Jesus will be coronated and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ. John then says Jesus bathes us from our sins in His blood. We know that this is a significant statement regarding redemption and we see this reiterated in the text of the fifth chapter of Revelation, which is what the redeemed are singing about. The new song that the saints sing also includes the phrase “kings and priests”.
Revelation 1:6 G2532 and G4160 made G1473 us G932 a kingdom, G2409 priests G3588 to G2316 God, G2532 and G3962 to the father G1473 of him; G1473 to him G3588 be the G1391 glory G2532 and G3588 the G2904 might G1519 into G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons. G281 Amen.
As covered previously, keep an eye on the pronoun usage. Jesus made us to be a kingdom (royalty) and priests. In six short verses John testifies of Jesus, as to who he is and as to who we will become.
Now John tells us how he will come, twice.
Revelation 1:7 G2400 Behold, G2064 he comes G3326 with G3588 the G3507 clouds, G2532 and G3708 [3shall see G1473 4him G3956 1every G3788 2eye], G2532 even G3748 the ones which G1473 stabbed him. G1574 G2532 And G2875 [6shall lament G1909 7over G1473 8him G3956 1all G3588 2the G5443 3tribes G3588 4of the G1093 5earth]. G3483 Yes, G281 amen.
Every eye will see Jesus in the clouds. When the harpazo occurs, we meet Jesus in the air. The living and the dead will know and see what has happened. Then Jesus will come again in the clouds, with his army on the Day of the Lord. This is when he comes to earth and establishes his kingdom.
Now Jesus starts speaking. He declares who he is. He is the Alpha (the beginning, and the first), and the Omega (the ending, and the last). He reiterates what John said in verse 4. He then says that he is the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8 G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G2532 even G3588 the G1 Alpha G2532 and G3588 the G5598 Omega, G746 beginning G2532 and G5056 end, G3004 says G2962 the Lord G3588 G2316 God, G3588 the G1510.6 being one, G2532 and G3588 the one who G1510.7.3 was, G2532 and G3588 the one G2064 coming, G3588 the G3841 almighty.
1 Dodson: ἄλφα the first letter of the Greek alphabet alpha; the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
Strong’s: Α the first letter of the alphabet; figuratively, only (from its use as a numeral) the first: Derivation: of Hebrew origin; KJV Usage: Alpha.
Often used (usually ἄν, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from G427) in the sense of privation; so, in many words, beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of G260). G427 G260
Thayer:
Α, α, ἄλφα, τό, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, opening the series which the letter ω closes. Hence the expression ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ Α [L T Tr WH ἄλφα] καὶ τὸ Ω [Ὦ L WH] Rev. i. 8, 11 Rec., which is explained by the appended words ἡ ἀρχὴ καὶ τὸ τέλος, xxi. 6, and by the further addition ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος, xxii. 13. On the meaning of the phrase cf. Rev. xi. 17; Is. xli. 4; xliv. 6; xlviii. 12; [esp. B. D. Am. ed. p. 73].
Α, when preficed to words as an inseparable syllable, is
1. privative (στερητικόν), like the Lat. in-, the Eng. un-, giving a negative sense to the word to which it is preficed, as ἀβαρής; or signifying what is contrary to it as ἄτιμος, ἀτιμόω; before vowels generally ἀν-, as ἀναίτιος.
2. copulative (ἀθροιστικόν), akin to the particle ἅμα [cf. Curtis § 598], indicating community and fellowship, as in ἀδελφός, ἀκόλουθος. Hence it is
3. intensive (ἐπιτατικόν), strengthening the force of terms, like the Lat. con in composition; as ἀτενίζω fr. ἀτενής [yet cf. W. 100 (95)]. This use, however, is doubted or denied now by many [e. g. Lob. Path. Element. i. 34 sq.]. Cf. Kühner i. 741, § 339 Anm. 5; [Jelf § 342 δ]; Bttm. Gram. § 120 Anm. 11; [Donaldson, Gram. p. 344; New Crat. §§ 185, 213; L. and S. s. v.].*
1) first letter of Greek alphabet
2) Christ is the Alpha to indicate that he is the beginning and the end
Α
A al'-fah Of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet: figuratively only (from its use as a numeral) the first . Often used (usually “an”, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from G427) in the sense of privation; so in many words beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of G260)
KJV Usage: Alpha.
5598 LSJ Gloss: Ω great
Dodson: Ὦ omega omega, the last letter of the Greek alphabet.
Strong’s: Ω the last letter of the Greek alphabet, i.e. (figuratively) the finality
KJV Usage: Omega.
Thayer:
1) the last letter in the Greek alphabet
2) the last
Ω
Ō o'-meg-ah The last letter of the Greek alphabet, that is, (figuratively) the finality KJV Usage: Omega.
The expression that Jesus uses here is that “he is the all encompassing”, the first letter of the alphabet, the last letter of the alphabet, and all letters in between. Recalling from last week, our introductory verses and concluding verses of Revelation are parallels of information. We have the same thing here. Now when Jesus says that he “was” or “was being”, we understand that Jesus was, in the past. We cannot get stuck on names as in Greek, Latin, or Hebrew; we have to go deeper.
In Isaiah, we have Theos/Elohim speaking. Isaiah is scribing the words of the Lord just like John. The Amplified Bible gives us better context here as the KJV is lacking, as we can see from the Greek. The Theos/Elohim is speaking to the islands and the coastal lands. This is a future event at the time of Isaiah’s writing, that will happen at the end of the 70 year captivity. The I AM will bring/brought Cyrus to rescue Israel.
Isaiah 41:2-4 (AMP)
2 Who has roused up one [Cyrus] from the east, whom He calls in righteousness to His service and whom victory meets at every step? He [the Lord] subdues nations before him and makes him ruler over kings. He turns them to dust with the sword [of Cyrus], and to driven straw and chaff with his bow.
3 He [Cyrus] pursues them and passes safely and unhindered, even by a way his feet had not trod and so swiftly that his feet do not touch the ground.
4 Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord—the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God]—I am He.
Just as John is giving us details concerning the future in the Book of the Revealing of Jesus, Isaiah is giving details concerning the future at that point in time. The first person pronoun “her” in the Greek refers to Jacob’s heirs, Israel.
We want to look at this closely. This is where we run into errors in our understanding. The Amplified and the KJV use the word Lord (Yahweh), but the original word in the Greek is God (Elohim/Theos). This is one of many Masoretic alterations in the text. The Greek is older and more accurate. Yet as we see, the Masoretes just called the I AM, Yahweh.
Isaiah 41:4 (KJV)
4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
Isaiah 41:4 G5100 Who G1754 exerted energy G2532 and G4160 did G3778 these things ? G2564 He called G1473 her -- G3588 the one G2564 calling G1473 her G575 from G1074 [2of generations G746 1 the beginning]; G1473 I G3588 G2316 God, G4413 the first G2532 and G1519 into G3588 the G1904 coming, G1473 I G1510.2.1 am.
Since the Masoretic text (the text used for almost all Old Testament translations) was written between 600 CE and 1000 CE, while the Septuagint was written in 300 BCE, we can see that these translators literally made Jesus Yahweh. Was this intentional or unintentional? If this was intentional, then all the Jews of today will have to concede that their translators believed that Jesus is Yahweh, the I AM. He is an Elohim. Remember Elohim and Theos are simply a title, like King or President. Yahweh is the personal name of the God of Israel. The Masoretic translators changed the title God, to the personal name of their national God, Yahweh/Jehovah. Yahweh is the I AM. Jesus is the I AM. Isaiah scribed this as the Elohim is the first and the coming, the I AM. The Masoretes changed what Isaiah scribed to say that Yahweh/Jehovah is the first and the coming, the I AM. Are they right? Oddly, yes.
The Masoretes did the same thing in Isaiah 44.
Isaiah 44:6 (KJV)
6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isaiah 44:6 G3779 Thus G3004 says G3588 G2316 God, G3588 the G935 king G* of Israel, G2532 and G3588 the one G4506 rescuing G1473 him -- G2316 the God G4519 of Hosts. G1473 I am G4413 first, G2532 and G1473 I am G3326 after G3778 these things; G4133 besides G1473 me G3756 there is no G1510.2.3 G2316 God.
There is no other “I AM God”. Notice #1510.2.3 is not translated here. It should be I AM or I exist. Literally, the Elohim of hosts is first and the after this; besides Him there is no I AM Elohim. Or we could say there is no other YaH Elohim (Yahweh Elohim).
1510.2.3 Thayer II. εἰμί (as a copula) connects the subject with the predicate, where the sentence shows who or what a person or thing is as respects character, nature, disposition, race, power, dignity, greatness, age, etc. 3. εἶναι, getting an explicative force, is often equivalent to to denote, signify, import https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1510
Again, we see the changing of the title God to the personal name of the God of Israel, Yahweh/Jehovah. The Masoretes probably thought they were doing people a favor by changing the “God I AM” to Yahweh, so that other Jews would not forget his name. Or at least they may have been trying to point out that their personal God rescues them. However, by doing so, the Masoretes now testify Jesus is the Elohim I AM, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, the Aleph Tav, the Alpha Omega. This truth of what the Masoretes did will spike the ire of Jews today who do not believe that Jesus is Messiah, but inadvertently or intentionally, the Masoretes testify of Jesus. Although we know the Jews of today will simply throw out the New Covenant, but nonetheless, they cannot escape Jesus testifying of himself as I AM, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the first to rise from the dead who fulfills Abraham’s prophecy.
Jesus is the redeemer, the one rescuing the redeemed, those who believe on Jesus as Lord. Jesus is the redeemer of Israel on the Day of the Lord. The Masoretes call Yahweh the “Yahweh of the angel armies”, while the Greek says Theos/Elohim is the Theos/Elohim of the angel armies. We see this idea expressed in Isaiah 54, in which the word “Lord”, Kurios, is used in the Greek and Yahweh/Jehovah is used in Hebrew. Notice #4506, it is the same individual who rescues Israel in chapter 44 and chapter 54 of Isaiah.
Isaiah 54: 5 G3754 For G2962 the lord, G3588 the one G4160 making G1473 you, G2962 the lord G4519 of Hosts G3686 is his name; G1473 G2532 and G3588 the one G4506 rescuing G1473 you, G1473 he is G3588 the G2316 God G* of Israel. G2316 [2God G3956 3of all G3588 4the G1093 5earth G2564 1He shall be called].
Isaiah 54:5 (AMP)
5 For your Maker is your Husband—the Lord of hosts is His name—and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.
As John says, Jesus is our redeemer. Jesus said he could command a legion of angels if he wanted to. Yahweh is the God of the whole earth, Jesus is the Elohim of the whole earth. No man comes to the Father except through Jesus. There are some people who would say that Jesus is Yeshua Ben Yahweh or Joshua the son of Yahweh. This is incorrect. Jesus is Yeshua and Yeshua is Yahweh. Abraham spoke to Jesus/Yahweh as a friend. Moses spoke to Jesus/Yahweh and saw the back of His glory. David knew that there was a Father and Son, and yet David’s Lord is Jesus/Yahweh. The Father said to the Son, as David records in Psalm 110. Both words for “Lord” are Kurios; the Masoretes changed the words to show differentiation, but did not need to. Jesus/Yahweh is first and into the eon.
Isaiah 48:12 (KJV)
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Isaiah 48:12 G191 Hear G1473 me, G* O Jacob, G2532 and G* Israel G3739 whom G1473 I G2564 call! G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G4413 first, G2532 and G1473 I am G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon.
Isaiah scribed these words from Yahweh, “Hear me O Jacob and Israel…”. Yahweh says to listen to Him, then he says that I am first and I am into the ages. Considering that the Masoretes were altering scripture from 600 CE to 1000 CE, one would think they would have not changed the wording to infer that Jesus is Yahweh, since they changed so much text to erase Jesus as Messiah. But for some reason they did. Is it possible that some Masorete scribes actually believed Jesus was the Messiah? Did they believe because of the Patriarch Abraham’s prophecy?
In Revelation 1, we find a phrase that seems to be included in half the texts and eliminated in the other half of the texts.
Revelation 1:11 (KJV)
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Revelation 1:11 G3004 saying, G3739 What G991 you see, G1125 write G1519 in G975 a scroll, G2532 and G3992 send forth G3588 to the G2033 seven G1577 assemblies, G1519 in G* Ephesus, G2532 and G1519 in G* Smyrna, G2532 and G1519 in G* Pergamos, G2532 and G1519 in G* Thyatira, G2532 and G1519 in G* Sardis, G2532 and G1519 in G* Philadelphia, G2532 and G1519 in G* Laodicea!
It looks as if most Greek and Eastern texts omit the phrase “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last” while the western texts seem to include it. Either way, we have already established that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Yet a few verses later we see a similar phrase pop up again, although this time in both eastern and western texts. Whichever way verse 11 was to be translated, there was some scribing error.
Revelation 1:17 (KJV)
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Revelation 1:17 G2532 And G3753 when G1492 I beheld G1473 him, G4098 I fell G4314 to G3588 G4228 his feet G1473 G5613 as G3498 dead. G2532 And G2007 he placed G3588 G1188 his right G1473 G5495 hand G1909 upon G1473 me, G3004 saying, G3361 Do not G5399 fear! G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G3588 the G4413 first G2532 and G3588 the G2078 last;
John fell at the feet of Jesus. Jesus says he is the first and the last. Imagine what it must have been like for John to see his old friend. A few verses later as Jesus is reciting letters for seven churches and John is scribing them, Jesus reiterates this phrase.
Revelation 2:8 (KJV)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Revelation 2:8 G2532 And G3588 to the G32 angel G3588 of the G1722 [2in G* 3Smyrna G1577 1assembly] G1125 write! G3592 Thus G3004 says G3588 the G4413 first G2532 and G3588 the G2078 last, G3739 who G1096 became G3498 dead, G2532 and G2198 lived.
This time Jesus adds that he was dead and now he lives. We know that he is the first one resurrected from the dead. Now think this through, Jesus/Yahweh, the Son of the Living God, guided the Patriarchs and spoke to the prophets who recorded the words that we read in the Old Covenant. He then came into the world, (Immanuel/Emmanuel, God with us, Isaiah 7 & 8, Matthew 1) and fulfilled all the prophecies regarding himself. He then allowed himself to be crucified so that he could rescue the righteous dead from Hades, taking back the keys to hell and death. Then he made the way open to Paradise. Now all people can be redeemed, and just like Jesus came the last time, he will come and fulfill all the things that his prophets wrote.
As we saw the bookends that frame the theme of the testimony of Jesus at the beginning and ending of Revelation, we see this announcement of Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last as bookends as well. This is the testimony of Jesus, that he is the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the I AM.
Revelation 21:6 (KJV)
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Revelation 21:6 G2532 And G2036 he said G1473 to me, G1096 It has taken place -- G3588 the G1 alpha G2532 and G3588 the G5598 omega, G3588 the G746 beginning G2532 and G5056 end. G1473 I G3588 [2to the one G1372 3thirsting G1325 1will give] G1537 from out of G3588 the G4077 spring G3588 of the G5204 water G3588 G2222 of life G1431 without charge.
Jesus/YaH will give people a drink out of the spring of the water of life. He is the only one that can do that because he is who he said he is. This is His testimony. He also is coming to pay us according to our work.
Revelation 22:12-13 (KJV)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Revelation 22:12 G2400 Behold, G2064 I come G5036 quickly, G2532 and G3588 G3408 my wage G1473 G3326 is with G1473 me, G591 to render G1538 to each G5613 as G3588 G2041 [2work G1510.8.3 3will be G1473 1his].
13 G1473 I am G3588 the G1 alpha G2532 and G3588 the G5598 omega, G746 the beginning G2532 and G5056 end, G3588 the G4413 first G2532 and G3588 the G2078 last.
This is the testimony of Jesus Christ. The Masoretes actually changed the words of the prophet Isaiah to claim that Yahweh, the personal name of the God of Israel, is the I AM. Jesus says that he is the I AM. Jews today may not believe it, but it could be that some Masoretes did. Jesus is the I AM. He says it, Abraham says it and notes his death on the cross. Jesus is the only one who fulfilled Abraham’s prophecy. Since crucifixion is socially out of favor, it is unlikely that someone else could fulfill this prophecy. Jesus fulfilled all the other prophecies written about him as well. He opened blind eyes, deaf ears, and raised the dead. He died and rose again and sent the Holy Spirit as he said he would.
The revealing of who Jesus is does not need to take place in the future when Jesus returns in the clouds with His armies. The revealing of Jesus can take place in the hearts and minds of everyone today. Once Jesus is revealed to an individual, the individual has the testimony of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, as well as his descriptive titles as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the one who was and is, and is to come. The Holy Spirit will come upon the individual and seal him/her for the day of redemption. This revealing, the apocalypse, is not just one specific day for the whole world, it is simply one specific day for each individual.
