InstaStudy

Jesus Christ: The Eternal Beginning and Ending

This study explores how Jesus Christ, as the one eternal God, can simultaneously be identified as the beginning and the ending of all things, revealing His comprehensive sovereignty over creation, redemption, and ultimate consummation.

1. The One Eternal God Manifested as Jesus Christ

1.1 God's Oneness and Eternity

Verses: Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:21-22; Deuteronomy 6:4
  • There is only one God, and He is eternal, without beginning or end.
  • This one God declares Himself as the First and the Last, the only Savior.
  • The eternal God is singular and indivisible in His being.

1.2 Jesus as the Fullness of God

Verses: Colossians 2:9; John 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:16
  • In Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
  • The eternal Word, who was God, became flesh as Jesus.
  • God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1.3 The Name Above All Names

Verses: Philippians 2:9-11; Acts 2:36; Acts 4:12
  • God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name which is above every name.
  • Jesus is declared to be Lord and Christ by God Himself.
  • There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

2. Jesus Christ: The Beginning of All Things

2.1 Creator of Heaven and Earth

Verses: John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2
  • All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.
  • By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.
  • God made the worlds through His Son, Jesus Christ.

2.2 The Word Made Flesh

Verses: John 1:14; Revelation 19:13; 1 John 1:1-2
  • The eternal Word, who was God, became flesh and dwelt among us.
  • Jesus is identified as the Word of God, powerful and true.
  • He is the life that was manifest, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.

2.3 The Firstborn Over All Creation

Verses: Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14; Proverbs 8:22-23
  • He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, indicating His preeminence and origin.
  • Jesus is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
  • The eternal wisdom of God, present before creation, is embodied in Christ.

3. Jesus Christ: The Ending and Consummation

3.1 The Alpha and Omega

Verses: Revelation 1:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13
  • Jesus declares Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Almighty.
  • He is the source and the ultimate destination of all things.
  • His eternal nature encompasses all time, from creation to consummation.

3.2 Judge of the Living and the Dead

Verses: John 5:22; Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1
  • The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.
  • Jesus is ordained by God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
  • He will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.

3.3 The Goal of All Creation

Verses: Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:28
  • For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things.
  • God's purpose is to gather together in one all things in Christ.
  • Ultimately, God will be all in all, through Christ's final submission.

4. Reconciling Eternity and Manifestation

4.1 God's Nature Beyond Time

Verses: Psalm 90:2; 2 Peter 3:8; Hebrews 13:8
  • Before the mountains were born, God is from everlasting to everlasting.
  • With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
  • Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever, reflecting His eternal nature.

4.2 The Incarnation as a Temporal Revelation

Verses: Galatians 4:4; John 1:18; Hebrews 1:3
  • God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, in the fullness of time.
  • No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
  • Jesus is the express image of God's person, revealing the invisible God in a tangible form.

4.3 The Eternal Reign of Christ

Verses: Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:14
  • He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
  • The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.
  • His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.