Jesus being the "Last" does NOT cancel him from also being the "First" ("the First and the Last" - Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13), just like the following about his dual nature:
Jesus is identified as "God" (Isa. 9:6; John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1; 1 John 5:20; etc.), that is, God by "nature" or form (Phil. 2:6) and the exact representation of his being or substance (Heb 1:3), but not the person of the Father. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Col 2:9). Jesus is eternal life (1 Jn. 1:2), "from everlasting" (Micah 5:2), has created everything for HIMSELF (Col. 1:16) and ALONE and BY HIMSELF (Isa. 44:24). Jesus could never have been created, because had he been than before he was, the Father would have had no wisdom or power. Why? Because Jesus IS the wisdom of God and the power of God (1 Cor 1:24), which reflects Jesus' glory before coming to earth.
Jesus has also purified "FOR HIMSELF a people" (Titus 2:14). He has all authority (or power) in heaven and earth (Mt. 28:18) - "angels, authorities and powers are in submission to him" (1 Pet 3:22). Thus, his glory he had with the Father before the world was created was restored (Jn. 17:5) and given back to him (Mt. 28:18). Jesus is Almighty (Rev. 1:8). Isaiah saw Jesus' glory and thought be would be destroyed because he saw King YHWH (Jn. 12:41 cf. Isa. 6:1-5). Jesus holds the keys of death and hades (Rev. 1:18).
There is only ONE true God (Mal. 2:10; Rom. 3:30; etc.) and seven spirits of God (Rev 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6). Jesus is NOT the person of the Father (Jn. 17:1; Heb. 1:3; etc.). Jesus is also identified to be YHWH by comparing OT scripture to NT scripture (king of the Jews - Isa. 33:22; 44:6 to Mk. 15:2; etc.). The Son of God and the King of Israel is Jesus (John 1:49). Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16), yet the King of king and Lord of lords is "God" (1 Tim.6:15). Moreover, the Lord of lords is "God of gods" (Deut. 10:17), yet Israel's King is gentle and rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Mt. 21:5; Jn. 12:13-15).
On earth, Jesus was worshiped by his Apostles (Mt. 14:33; etc.) and others (Jn. 9:38). He never refused their worship, as angels of God refuse (Rev. 19:10; 22:9). In fact, all the angels of God worships Jesus, including Michael (Heb. 1:6) and even all of heaven (Rev. 5:12-14). Jesus will be worshiped throughout eternity (Dan. 7:27).
Stephen and other Christians, prayed TO Jesus (Acts 7:59; 9:14; 1 Cor. 1:2; etc.). Jesus taught we can pray TO himself (Jn. 14:14), yet at a different time he taught to pray to the Father (Mt. 6:6). *The Father himself stated Jesus is "God" (Heb. 1:8). All that the Father has is Jesus' (Jn. 17:10). We are to honor the Son JUST AS we honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him (Jn 5:23).
The scriptures testify about Jesus (Jn. 5:39) and he is the focus (Jn. 6:35; 12:48; etc.). We are to GO TO JESUS FOR ETERNAL LIFE (Jn. 5:40). The repentant thief did, was forgiven and went to Paradise with Jesus (Lk. 23:42,43); all of Jesus' servants go to be with Jesus (Jn. 12:26). People who have the Son have [present tense] eternal life now this side of the grave (1 Jn 5:12). Eternal life is also a hope (Titus 3:7) yet to be reaped (Gal. 6:8,9), in the age to come (Mk. 10:30) for only the ones who persist in doing good (Rom. 2:7) and don't grow weary and give up sowing to please the Spirit (Gal. 6:9)! Eternal life is also a promise for the Christians who hold on to the gospel truth they heard from the beginning to remain in Christ and the Father (1 Jn. 2:24-26).
Salvation is not in ANY organization, denomination or group. If you knew the gift of God and who Jesus is, you would have ASKED JESUS and he would have given you living water (Jn 4:10) and YHWH is the spring of living water (Jer. 2:13; 17:13). A submissive faith in Jesus purifies the heart (Acts 15:9); sanctifies (Acts 26:18); justifies (Rom. 5:1) and such a person receives the righteousness of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22; 6:16; 9:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; etc.). Again, a saving faith in the Lord Jesus submits to (Eph. 5:24a; Mt. 11:29), obeys (Heb. 5:9; Jn. 3:36) and follows the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 10:27) unashamedly (Mk. 8:38).
By the name of Jesus: demons are cast out (Acts 16:18), people are physically healed (Acts 3:6) and baptized (Acts 10:48; etc.). Paul preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27,28) and Paul and Barnabas risked their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:25,26). The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor (Acts 19:17). Paul was ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13).
The earliest Christians preached JESUS everywhere (Acts 4:17,18; 2 Cor. 1:19; Phil. 1:18); they preach Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23); they were Jesus' witnesses (Acts 1:8). Such true servants of God were hated and opposed by false religious leaders (Acts 5:28; 5:40; 26:9). The Apostles rejoiced when counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41). The Christians were noted for calling on Jesus' name (Acts 9:14,15; 1 Cor. 1:2) and suffering for that name (Acts 9:16). ***All the prophets testify about him [Jesus] that everyone who believes in him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43). Salvation is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:10). Jesus is both God (not the person of the father, but deity in nature) and MAN, just as he is the high priest (Heb. 9:11; etc.) and the sin sacrifice (Heb. 9:28; 1 Jn. 2:2; etc.), as well as the good Shepherd (Jn. 10:14; etc.) and lamb of God (Jn. 1:29; etc.).
"He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn--and I would heal them." Isaiah said this because HE SAW JESUS' GLORY AND SPOKE ABOUT HIM. (John 12:40,41)Isaiah wrote:
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." (Isa 6:1-5)Also, just like what John referred to in 12:40 -
He said, "Go and tell this people: "'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." (Isa 6:9,10)**John stated Isaiah saw JESUS' GLORY and Isaiah saw the LORD (YHWH) the King. JESUS is the "King of kings" (Rev. 17:14; 19:16). This is more proof that Jesus is YHWH, the King Almighty.
Do not refuse to go to Jesus for eternal life (Jn. 5:40). The repentant thief did and went to Paradise (Lk. 23:42,43). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Rom 10:13) "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have ASKED HIM [Jesus] and he would have given you LIVING WATER." (John 4:10)
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