[Sean]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Why did you stop there? Let's continue reading:

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 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. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 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: 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. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
(Revelation 1:8-20 KJV)

When Jesus stated in the first part "I am the first and the last" He was not merely delivering a message from God, speaking in the first person, as the prophets of old were used to doing. Notice He re-affirms that He is the first and the last, the one who was alive, and WHO DIED, and YET IS AGAIN ALIVE FOREVERMORE. This clearly establishes that the "first and the last" is JESUS who lived, died, and lived again. Yet, the first and the last is said to be the Almighty.

Who is the first and last, beginning and ending?

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 KJV)

There cannot be more than one first and last, otherwise neither is first and neither is last - unless they are ONE. Jesus is the first and last, and yet Jehovah is the first and last. So, once again, the two are identified with one another. The son of God is spoken of in terms that can only be applied to God himself. Thus, once again, Jesus is both God, and the Son of God, according to the testimony of the original apostles.

Remember, the first/last, Alpha/Omega also said this in the same book....



12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.





Right, the independent man Christ Jesus had the Col 2:9 effect on him, and since almighty God inside of him did not take away his independence,
God speaks through him.