The first, the last, and the living one

Read Revelation 1:17-18; 21:6, 22:13

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There are further “I am” sayings of Jesus in the final book of the Bible. Both in the first and final chapters Jesus declares, “I am the first and the last” (1:17; 22:13) and this is reinforced in 21:6 and 22:13 with two similar phrases: “the Alpha and the Omega” (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) and “the beginning and the end”. “All three titles mean much the same thing and they set Christ apart from all created beings.” (L.Morris)

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Each phrase points to the eternal nature of Jesus, as seen in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am”. That same verse also indicates the deity of Jesus, because of the Old Testament connection of “I am” with the name of God (Exod.3:14). His deity is now affirmed emphatically, for the Almighty and eternal God is himself “the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev.1:8) and “the Beginning and the End” (Is.44:6; 48:12).

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So Jesus is one with the immortal Father. All the more amazing then that he took on mortal form and died. Yet, raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit, he who is the resurrection and the life declares, “I am the living one, alive for ever and ever” (1:18). The one we follow is alive and with us, now and always.