Thoughts from the Past -- The First and the Last

Written June 5, 2006, Edited Dec. 6, 2017   


The First and the Last

I have been enjoying the book of Isaiah very much lately. It amazes me how we can read through a book of the Bible over and over and still learn new and wonderful things! Truly it is God's book. Man could not have produced something like this!

In the book of Revelation when Jesus Christ said He is the first and the last, that statement alone is enough to assure us that He is God. Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. After all, if He is the first He must have been there before the beginning, and only God could start it all. This we know from other scripture as well. 

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Also see Eph. 3:9, Col. 1:16)

Revelation 1:17 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: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

This passage shows very distinctly that Jesus is speaking, for He is the only one (so far) who was dead and is alive for evermore in the physical body, and He is the only one who has the keys of hell and death.

But, even more interestingly, we find the LORD God (Jehovah) applying this same title to Himself in the Old Testament as well. In Isaiah we find it twice in the context of creation.

Isaiah 41:4 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 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. 13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

Now examine another mention.

Isaiah 44:6 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.

In the same breath, the LORD (Jehovah) says He is the first and the last and that beside Him there is no God. Therefore Jesus Christ is God, for He has claimed the same name and title for Himself. If you do not call Him God in both the Old and New Testament you make God a liar! Heb. 6:18 and Rom. 3:4.

So many people question that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, or that He was God in the Old Testament. These verses cannot be argued with by an honest person. Thank God for giving us such a clear revelation of Himself and His Son.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

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First used here: 5/12