Topical Encyclopedia
The divinity of Jesus Christ as Jehovah, the First and the Last, is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming His eternal nature and divine authority. This doctrine is rooted in both Old and New Testament scriptures, which reveal Jesus as the incarnate Word of God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.
Old Testament FoundationsThe concept of Jehovah as the "First and the Last" is introduced in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 44:6 declares, "This is what the LORD says—He who is the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me.'" This passage emphasizes the uniqueness and eternal existence of Jehovah, the God of Israel.
New Testament RevelationIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ is explicitly identified with this divine title. The book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John, provides a clear connection between Jesus and the title "the First and the Last."
Revelation 1:17-18 records Jesus saying, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades."
This declaration by Jesus not only affirms His divinity but also His victory over death, underscoring His role as the eternal Savior. The identification of Jesus with the divine title used in Isaiah establishes His equality with Jehovah, affirming the Christian belief in the Trinity.
The Word Made FleshThe Gospel of John further elucidates the divine nature of Christ.
John 1:1-3 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." This passage identifies Jesus as the pre-existent Word, co-creator with the Father, and fully divine.
John 1:14 continues, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." The incarnation of Jesus as the Word made flesh is a profound mystery, revealing the fullness of God dwelling bodily in Christ (
Colossians 2:9).
Christ's Eternal ReignThe divinity of Jesus as the First and the Last is also reflected in His eternal reign.
Hebrews 1:8 quotes
Psalm 45:6, affirming the Son's divine kingship: "But about the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.'" This passage acknowledges Jesus as God, whose kingdom is everlasting.
Philippians 2:9-11 further highlights the exaltation of Christ: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This universal acknowledgment of Jesus' lordship underscores His divine authority and eternal sovereignty.
ConclusionThe divinity of Jesus Christ as Jehovah, the First and the Last, is a foundational doctrine supported by both Old and New Testament scriptures. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the fullness of God, affirming His eternal nature and divine authority as the Savior and King.
Nave's Topical Index
Isaiah 44:6Thus said 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.
Nave's Topical IndexRevelation 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Nave's Topical Index
Isaiah 48:12-16
Listen to me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Nave's Topical Index
Revelation 22:13
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Confession of the Free-Will Baptists. AD 1834, 1868.
... Jesus Christ, the Son of God, possesses all divine perfections ... His divinity is proved
from his titles, his ... His titles."The Bible ascribes to Christ the titles ...
/.../confession of the free-will baptists.htm
The First Disciples: ii. Simon Peter
... it receives from the belief in the divinity of Jesus ... Jehovah, in the Old Testament,
changes the names of Abraham ... that if you will go to Jesus Christ He will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples ii simon.htm
On the Person of the Father and the Son
... the glory of Christ." In Isaiah 8:14, Jehovah, it is ... by which both of them have their
divinity: for the ... 26.) May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 5 on the person.htm
The Condescension of Christ
... believe his glories and trust in his divinity, it is ... The heart of Jehovah, the first
person of the Sacred ... know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the condescension of christ.htm
Faith in Christ
... needful truths gleaming in these weighty syllables which Christ Jesus spoke from ...
what a strong inference with regard to the divinity of Christ is deducible ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/faith in christ.htm
Thoughts Upon the Mystery of the Trinity.
... been present at this time with Jesus at Jordan ... also in Scripture: The Father is called
Jehovah in Scripture ... how any one can doubt of Christ's Divinity, and yet ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the mystery of.htm
In Joseph's Tomb
... the hopes of the disciples convinced Joseph and Nicodemus of the divinity of Jesus. ...
Never had Christ attracted the attention of the multitude as now that He ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 80 in josephs tomb.htm
Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... which hallowed the temple, and the divinity or Godhead ... the meaning is ultimately
a contrast between Christ and the ... much more did the service of Jesus, who was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm
The Church of Christ
... to this blessing which God will cause his church to be, here is divinity. ... to snuff
you a little"to set you to work for Jesus Christ. ... Let us labor for Jesus. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm
The People's Christ
... to enter the cabinet council of Jehovah, we may ... glory, radiant with light, effulgent
with divinity, he stood ... But I believe Jesus Christ is to come upon the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm
Resources
What is the Jesus Family Tomb? Has the lost tomb of Jesus Christ been discovered? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus the Messiah? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God send Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgJesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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