The name of Jesus, Jesus is God, Jesus isn't God?
Who is GOD "THE ALMIGHTY" in the Bible?
"A Refutation to Non-Divinity claim of Jesus"
Quennel Gale
The purpose of this paper is the investigate the idea of whether Jesus claimed to have been God Almighty. In order to understand the claims of God we must first look at what he claims in the Bible and then see if Jesus applies it to himself. Notice that we won't be exhausted here with every single claim in question due to the fact that a good deal of this information has been already presented on both this site as well as other parts of answering Islam. One site that is excellent in countering polemics against the deity of Jesus is presented here at this link.
Mohd Elfie Nieshaem Juferi, the web administrator of Bismika Allahuma wrote to me and told me to answer this question among other given in the link QUESTIONS TO CHRISTIAN
ANTI-ISLAMIC SITES REGARDING
CHRISTIANITY. What we will do here is expound more on the first question and you can see the rest of the answers on my other article rebuttaling under the same name. Mohd's argument represents the traditional Islamic argument which claims that Jesus was only human and nothing more. His accusation is the same one repeated by Muslims all over the world.
1. Did Jesus (pbuh) ever explicitly say 'I am a god' or 'I am 'God' or 'worship me' or any other words to that effect?
For this reason Muslims find it hard to accept the orthodox Christian idea that Jesus was God along with the father. However we already encounter a significant problem dealing with the Muslim stance due to the fact that they constantly attempt to interprete the Bible based on Modern 21st century speech instead of understanding it in its first century context.
Sam Shamoun, a member and writer on the site "answering Islam", counters by saying -
"Try asking Mohd to show a single verse in
the Quran where Jesus (allegedly) says "I am not God, do not worship Me", or "I am not the Son of God," or "I didn't come to die for your sins or lay my life as a ransom for many" in those exact words.
He might quote S. 5:117 where God asks Jesus if he taught people if whether he claimed that he and his mother were TWO GODS apart God. Notice that this is not what we are asking for since we don't claim that Jesus is A GOD apart from the One God."
Though this response is appealed to Mohd personally, it can and does refer to every Muslim who holds this form of thinking. Notice that the Quran doesn't mention any of these same words nor does it directly address trinitarianism. It invents a strawman argument and then refutes it by claiming that Christianity's idea of Trinity is three gods and Jesus is a god apart from God.
OLD TESTAMENT DATA
Now did Jesus explictedly say that he was God? Yes, and we don't even have to explain parables or work hard to help anyone understand the 1st century context of Jesus word usage. Here we will begin our analysis by examining these verses for a better understanding. In these two verses, early in Genesis, God Almighty says that:
The Sign of the Covenant The Sign of God's Promise to
Abraham When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram
AND SAID to him, "I AM ALMIGHTY GOD; walk before Me and be blameless. Genesis 17:1
And
Also GOD SAID TO HIM: "I AM GOD ALMIGHTY. Be
fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come
from your body. Genesis 35:11
The term Almighty is used in the bible 57 times throughout both the Old and New testament, and it refers only to God. No other person, prophet, or king is ever mentioned as being Almighty whatsoever. The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible has this to say on the usage of "THE ALMIGHTY" in particular reference to Genesis 17:
17:1-8. The passage begins with a call to Abraham (cf. 15:1, 7) in which the covenante promises are stated (cf. 12:1-3), and God reveals himself as El Shaddai. THE NAME, WHICH IS EITHER NEW (so Exod. 6:3) OR A FAMILIAR NAME WHICH NOW RECIEVES SPECIAL MEANING for Abraham, has been variously interpreted-- usually with the LXX as GOD ALMIGHTY, but recently as "GOD ALL-KNOWING." (ibid, pg. 16)
Here we present more from God own personal words dealing with this issue:
And GOD SPOKE TO MOSES and said to him: "I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as GOD ALMIGHTY, but by My name LORD I was not known to them. I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the
land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. Ex. 6:2-4
El Shaddai, Shaddai, or God Almighty/ The Almighty, is one of the very own names of God himself. Therefore we have clear evidence from the Bible that only God can ever be referred to as God Almighty or The Almighty. Neither any of the prophets or their companions were addressed witht he sacred term "Almighty". As we look at more scriptural evidence we see that the prophets only refered to God as "The Almighty or "Almighty".
"May GOD ALMIGHTY bless you, Genesis 28:3
And may GOD ALMIGHTY give you mercy before the man, that he may release
your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" Genesis 43:14
Then Jacob said to Joseph: "GOD ALMIGHTY appeared to me at Luz in the land of
Canaan and blessed me, Genesis 48:3
But his bow remained in strength,
And the arms of his hands were made strong
By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
By THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER who will help you,
And by THE ALMIGHTY who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. Genesis 49:24-25
Notice in these verses that the prophets concur with God by saying that he is "THE ALMIGHTY" or "ALMIGHTY". The name is used for God alone and is just as exclusive as the name YHWH. The name "The Almighty" is an exclusive name and is anyone claimed to be "Shaddai" this would make them guilty of blasphemy since in essence, they would be claiming to be God Almighty himself. This is just as clear as saying that "I am YHWH himself" or if you're a Muslim living in a Muslim country, "I am Allah". The Quran nor the Bible ever calls any prophet's "The Almighty". Therefore any person who claims to be this name would be intentionally claiming to be "God Himself. Here is more scriptural evidence supporting the fact that God is called "THE ALMIGHTY".
The utterance of him who hears the words of God, WHO SEES THE VISION OF THE ALMIGHTY, Who falls down, with eyes wide open:...The utterance of him who hears the words of God, And has the knowledge of the Most High, WHO SEES THE VISION OF THE ALMIGHTY, Who falls down, with eyes wide open: Num. 24:4, 16
But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for THE ALMIGHTY has dealt very
bitterly with me. I went out full,
and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and
THE ALMIGHTY has afflicted me?" Ruth 1:20-21
The word for Almighty is self explanatory in the Hebrew Bible. We've already shown that this is a name that God uses only for himself and here we will look at the word definition as defined by Strong's concordance:
Shadday
Definition
1.almighty, most powerful
a.Shaddai, THE ALMIGHTY (of God)
Shaddai is given with equal reference to THE ALMIGHTY as referring to God. The Tyndale Bible Dictionary expounds on the meaning of Shaddai.
USED OF GOD 48 times in the OT to translate Heb saddai, and following LXX in some verses, Gk. pantokrator. (New Bible Dictionary, J. D. Douglas & F. F. Bruce, Almighty,
p 25)
El Shaddai and Shaddai/ pantokrator-Gk., was equated to YHWH due to the fact that it described God Almighty only.
THE NAME is used six times in relation to the Patriachs, as stated in Ex. 6:3, sometimes in the compound El Shaddai, 'God Almighty'. Each case concerns the promise of blessing upon Abraham and his descendants, again with the note of power. (ibid, pg. 26)
And,
...The name Jehovah (YHWH) largly replaces it from Ex. 6 onward, where attention is centered more particularly on Israel as God's covenant people. El SHADDAI IS THE NAME OF GOD which sets him forth primarily as the strengthener and satisfier of his people. (NKJV, footnote, Scoffield, 1989, pg. 27)
Both Shaddai (THE ALMIGHTY) and El Shaddai (GOD ALMIGHTY) are equal interchangable terms, which mean the same. "The Almighty" is given equal basis with the term YHWH and God and in a few examples such as Ruth 1:20-21 and Num. 24:4, they are synonymous for God and YHWH.
In Job, 'THE ALMIGHTY' STANDS AS A POETIC PARALLEL TO 'GOD' AS ALSO IN RUTH 1:20-21 TO YAHWEH, showing their identity for the writers of these books. (New Bible Dictionary, J. D. Douglas & F. F. Bruce, Almighty,
p 26)
The term "THE ALMIGHTY" is mentioned over 30 times in Job and it is used every time in the verses referring to God as "THE ALMIGHTY". Therefore we will only look at three very important verses from this Old Testament book:
"Behold, happy is the man whom GOD CORRECTS; Therefore do not despise the chastening of THE ALMIGHTY. Job 5:17
Does GOD SUBVERT JUDGMENT?
Or does THE ALMIGHTY pervert justice?
If your sons have sinned against Him,
He has cast them away for their transgression.
If you would earnestly seek God
And make your supplication to THE ALMIGHTY. Job 8:3-5
"Can you search out the deep things of GOD? Can you find out the limits of THE ALMIGHTY? Job 11:7
The Bible is clear on whom the term "THE ALMIGHTY" refers too. God and only God is called by this name "SHADDAI". What we have seen so far is the idea that both the prophets and God agree on this matter. God says early in Genesis that he is "GOD ALMIGHTY", the prophets after also addresses God as "THE ALMIGHTY" or "ALMIGHTY GOD". This is clear proof to us that the Bible clearly shows that God alone is the almighty and no normal human prophet can ever call themselves this term. We will continue with more evidence from the Bible dealing with who is the Almighty:
When THE ALMIGHTY scattered kings in it, It was white as snow in Zalmon. Psalm 68:14
Safety of Abiding in the PRESENCE OF GOD He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of THE ALMIGHTY. Psalm 91:1
Wail, for the day of THE LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from THE ALMIGHTY. Isaiah 13:6
When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like
the voice of THE ALMIGHTY, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. Ez. 10:5
Alas for the day! For the day of THE LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from THE ALMIGHTY. Joel 1:15
To sum up the OT part we will close with a quote from the acclaimed New International Bible Dictionary, which was presented with the Gold Medallion Book Award for outstanding scholarship dealing with the theological study of the Bible:
EL SHADDAI. THE NAME OF GOD (TRANSLATED "GOD ALMIGHTY") by which, according to Exodus 6:3, he appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-- recorded once to Abraham (Gen.17:1) and four times to Jacob (Gen 28:3, 35:11, 43:14; 48:3). OFTEN "THE ALMIGHTY" (SHADDAI WITHOUT EL) IS USED AS A NAME OF GOD: in Jacobs deathbed words (Gen. 49:25), in Balaam's prophecies (Num 24:4, 16), by Naomi (Ruth 1:20-21), thirty times by Job and his friends (Job 5:17-37:23), BY GOD HIMSELF (JOB 40:2), and twice in the Psalms (Ps 68:14, 91:1). The name is rare in the prophets (Isa 13:6, Ezek 1:24, 10:5 ["Almighty God"]; Joel 1:15). "God (the) Almighty" (Gk. PANTOKRATOR, "ALL-POWERFUL")...SO THIS NAME FOR GOD, which was a favorite of the patriarchs, especially Jacob and Job, becomes prominent in the songs of heaven. (New International Bible Dictionary, J. D. Douglas & Merril C. Tenney, El Shaddai, 1987, pg. 309-10)
NEW TESTAMENT DATA
The Old Testament is clear as to whom the Almighty refers to. It is God only. Is this same understanding noted in the New testament? the answer is clearly yes. Here are the relevant verses to authenticate our point further:
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and
within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Who was and is and is to come!" Rev. 4:8
"We give You thanks, O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, The One who
is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. Rev. 11:17
They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the
Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Rev. 15:3
And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, true and righteous are Your judgments." Rev. 16:7
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the
kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of GOD ALMIGHTY. Rev. 16:14
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should
strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath
of ALMIGHTY GOD. Rev. 19:15
The Glory of the New Jerusalem But I saw no temple in it, for THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the Lamb are its temple. Rev. 21:22
The Greek word for Almighty used for God in the New Testament is Pantokrator. This Greek word corresponds to its Old Testament counter part, Shaddai. Here is the definition as to what this word means:
Pantokrator
Definition
1.he who holds sway over all things
2.the ruler of all
3.almighty: God
The NIV Bible dictionary mentions this about the Greek word for "THE ALMIGHTY":
(GK. PANTOKRATOR,... OCCURS NINE TIMES IN THE NT. (IBID, PG. 310)
Therefore we see that Pantokrator (Greek) = Shaddai (Hebrew), and both mean "THE ALMIGHTY" which is referred to as a personal name for GOD HIMSELF.
WHAT HAS THE OT AND NT EVIDENCE SHOWN US?
In the Old Testament we see clearly that God is referred to as either ALMIGHTY GOD or THE ALMIGHTY, etc. The New testament is in total agreement with this analyis and it presents God more as ALMIGHTY GOD. Here we see clearly that God only is referred to as this name and not a single prophet is ever given this term. Our background evidence proves that only God is called ALMIGHTY or THE ALMIGHTY. Muhammad, prophet of Islam even describes God as being almighty or THE ALMIGHTY. Read these quotes from the Sahih (authentic) Hadiths of Bukhari and Muslim:
ISLAMIC DATA
BUKHARI
Volume 6, Book 60, Number 149:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
Allah's Apostle delivered a sermon and said, "O people! You will be gathered before Allah bare-footed, naked
and not circumcised." Then (quoting Quran) he said:--
"As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. A promise We have undertaken: Truly we shall do it.."
(21.104)
The Prophet then said, "The first of the human beings to be dressed on the Day of Resurrection, will be Abraham.
Lo! Some men from my followers will be brought and then (the angels) will drive them to the left side (Hell-Fire). I
will say. 'O my Lord! (They are) my companions!' then a reply will come (FROM ALMIGHTY), 'You do not know
what they did after you.' I will say as the pious slave (the Prophet Jesus) said: And I was a witness over them
while I dwelt amongst them. When You took me up. You were the Watcher over them and You are a Witness to
all things.' (5.117) Then it will be said, "These people have continued to be apostates since you left them."
Volume 6, Book 60, Number 150:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The Prophet said, "You will be gathered (on the Day of Resurrection) and some people will be driven (by the
angels) to the left side (and taken to Hell) whereupon I will say as the pious slave (Jesus) said:-- "And I was a
witness over them while I dwelt amongst them...THE ALMIGHTY, the All Wise." (5.117-118)
Volume 8, Book 78, Number 673:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "(Following are) two words (sentences or utterances that are very easy for the tongue to say,
and very heavy in the balance (of reward,) and the must beloved to THE GRACIOUS ALMIGHTY (And they are): Subhan
Allah wa bi-hamdihi; Subhan Allahi-l-'Azim,"
Volume 9, Book 88, Number 173:
Narrated 'Abdullah:
The Prophet said, "I am your predecessor at the Lake-Fount (Kauthar) and some men amongst you will be
brought to me, and when I will try to hand them some water, they will be pulled away from me by force
whereupon I will say, 'O Lord, my companions!' Then THE ALMIGHTY will say, 'You do not know what they did
after you left, they introduced new things into the religion after you.'"
MUSLIM
Book 001, Number 0157:
It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah b. Mas'ud that a man said: Messenger of Allah, which offence is the
most grievous in the eye of Allah? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you associate a partner with Allah (despite
the fact) that He created you. He (the man) said: What next? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you kill your
child out of fear that he would join you in food. He (the inquirer) said (again): What next? He (the Holy Prophet)
replied: That you commit adultery with the wife of your neighbour. And THE ALMIGHTY AND EXALTED LORD testified it
(with this verse):
All those who call not unto another god along with Allah, and slay not any soul which Allah has forbidden, except
in the cause of justice, nor commit fornication, and he who does this shall meet a requital of sin (xxv. 68).
Book 020, Number 4489:
It has been narrated by Abu Musa who said: Two of my cousins and I entered the apartment of the Holy Prophet
(may peace be upon him). One of them said: Messenger of Allah, appoint us rulers of some lands that THE ALMIGHTY AND GLORIOUS GOD has entrusted to thy care. The other also said something similar. He said: We do not
appoint to this position one who asks for it nor anyone who is covetous for the same.
Book 020, Number 4602:
It has been narrated on the authority of 'A'isha, the wife of the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him). She said:
When the believing women migrated (to Medina) and came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him),
they would be tested in accordance with the following words of Allah. THE ALMIGHTY AND EXALTED:" O Prophet,
when believing women come to thee to take the oath of fealty to thee that they will not associate in worship
anything with God, that they will not steal. that, they will not commit adultery..." to the end of the verse (lx. 62).
Whoso from the believing women accepted these conditions and agreed to abide by them were considered to
have offered themselves for swearing fealty. When they had (formally) declared their resolve to do so, the
Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) would say to them: You may go. I have confirmed your fealty. By
God, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) never touched the hand of a woman. He
would take the oath of fealty from them by oral declaration. By God, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) never took any vow from women except that which God had ordered him to take, and his palm never
touched the palm of a woman. When he had taken their vow, he would tell them that he had taken the oath from
them orally.
Book 020, Number 4638:
It has been narrated on the authority of Nu'man b. Bashir who said: As I was (sitting) near the pulpit of the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), a man said: I do not care if, after embracing Islam, I do not do any
good deed (except) distributing drinking water among the pilgrims. Another said: I do not care if, after embracing
Islam, I do not do any good deed beyond maintenance service to the Sacred Mosque. Another said: Jihad in the
way of Allah is better than what you have said. 'Umar reprimanded them and said: Don't raise your voices near
the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) on Friday. When prayer was over, I entered (the
apartment of the Holy Prophet) and asked his verdict about the matter in which they had differed. (It was upon
this that) ALLAH, THE ALMIGHTY AND EXALTED, revealed the Qur'anic verse:" Do you make the giving of drinking water
to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to (the service of those) who believe in Allah and
the Last Day and strive hard in the cause of Allah. They are not equal in the sight of God. And Allah guides not
the wrongdoing people" (ix. 20). This tradition has been narrated on the authority of Nu'man b. Bashir through
another chain of transmitters.
WHAT HAS ISLAMIC EVIDENCE SHOWN US?
Though there are more sahih hadiths to further along our evidence we believe that all of this is sufficient enough. We clearly see that the Bible, and Muhammad both believe that the term "THE ALMIGHTY" refers to God alone. Therefore we see that both the religions of Judeo-Christianity and Islam are in pure agreement in this matter. Therefore a clear reference to being "THE ALMIGHTY" is both a claim to deity as God the creator.
JEWISH RABBIS FROM JEWS FOR JUDAISM
I posed this question dealing with the Almighty to Jews for Judaism, a non-Christian Jewish organization. Here is where I present to you my questions and their responses:
MY QUESTIONS
1. Hi I noticed that the term THE ALMIGHTY or ALMIGHTY is
used for God alone. This is true right?
2. Also if a
person claimed to be the Almighty that would mean that
they were claiming to be God since God is only
described as the Almighty in the Bible? Can you just
answer these simple questions. God Bless.
THEIR RESPONSE
YES, the expression in Hebrew is Kel (E-l) which we take to mean,
almighty G-d.
Rabbi Joel Finkelstein-----
It seems so.
LAGIS-----
I cannot imagine another usage for this term. Of course, ancient kings
and
rulers considered themselves powerful like God. However, I am not aware
of a
single specific passage in the Bible where "THE ALMIGHTY" can be used
for
anything (or one) - else.
thank you for your question hope all is well,
Rabbi Aaron Parry-----
Quennel Gale wrote:
> Hi I noticed that the term THE ALMIGHTY or ALMIGHTY is
used for God alone. This is true right?
CORRECT.
> Also if a
person claimed to be the Almighty that would mean that
they were claiming to be God since God is only
described as the Almighty in the Bible?
CORRECT, but obviously they would be incorrect, AS ONLY G-D IS G-D, AND CERTAINLY NO PERSON CAN BE G-D.
> Can you just
answer these simple questions. God Bless.
You too.
Mark Powers- Jews for Judaism-----
WHAT HAS THEIR RESPONSE SHOWN US?
1. Only God is called "THE ALMIGHTY"
2. If a man claimed to be "THE ALMIGHTY", he would clearly be saying that he is God the creator of the universe.
Therefore, based on our analysis from Old Testament, New Testament, Islamic, Jewish Rabbinical testimony data, THE ALMIGHTY, can only refer to God alone and nobody else. If a prophet claimed to be "THE ALMIGHTY" he would clearly be saying that he is God himself!
SO WHO IS JESUS?
One thing that is very shocking, contray to Muslim claims, is the fact that Jesus does explictedly claim to be God. I must mention again that we didn't even have to try to explain it in 1st century context either. Now did Jesus explictedly say that he was God? Here we will continue our analysis by looking at these verses:
"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, AND HIS REDEEMER, the LORD of hosts: "I am the First and I am the
Last; Besides Me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6
Here in Isaiah, YAHWEH and HIS REDEEMER claims to be the first and the last and that there is not God besides either one. Did Jesus say this along with claiming that he is God? Yes:
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." Rev. 22:12-16
Here, Jesus is claiming to be the first and last just like God clearly said in the Old Testament. This is just one of the implicit but yet explicit claims to deity made by the Christ himself. Since both God is the first and the last and Jesus claims that this refers to him, does he say that he is "THE ALMIGHTY"? Yes!! Read:
JESUS SAYS:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, THE ALMIGHTY." Rev. 1:8
The Old Testament tells us that God is called THE ALMIGHTY and then Jesus who knows this explcitedly claims that this refers to him!! Therefore, Jesus by his own admission, claimed to be God using the most exclusive term "THE ALMIGHTY" for God that is in the Bible!!! Both the NIV Bible Dictionary and the New Bible Dictionary expound on the usage of "alpha and Omega" and the usage:
Combined with alpha (omega) it signifies completeness, as from "A to Z" in modern usage. SO GOD IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Rev. 1:8), AS IS ALSO CHRIST (21:6, 22:13). COMPARE ISAIAH 41:4, 44:6. (New International
Bible Dictionary, J. D. Douglas & Merril C. Tenney, Alpha, 1987, pg. 36)
And,
This juxtaposition of the first and last letters of the Gk. alphabet, corresponding to the Heb. alep and taw, is used in Rev. alone AS A SELF-DESIGNATION OF BOTH GOD (REV. 1:8, 21:6, WHERE 'THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA' IS EXPLAINED BY THE PARALLEL' THE BEGINNING AND THE END') AND CHRIST. THE SON'S DIVINITY IS CONFIRMED BY APPLYING TO HIM WHAT IS SAID OF THE FATHER. In each of these dynamic and comprehensive activity OF GOD OR CHRIST IN CREATION OR SALVATION. (New Bible Dictionary, J. D. Douglas & F. F.
Bruce, Alpha & Omega, p 26)
Biblical expert of over 40 years, and Revelation scholar Clarence Larkin provides this, from his theological World renown book, "Dispensational Truth", dealing with the deity claim of Christ:
JESUS SAID OF HIMSELF "I am 'Alpha' and 'Omega', the 'Beginning' and the 'Ending' the 'First' and the 'Last', which IS, and which WAS, and which is TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY. REV. 1:8, 11. JESUS THUS IDENTIFIES HIMSELF WITH GOD AND CONFIRMS HIS EARTHLY STATEMENT- "I and my Father are One". John 10:30. (Dispensational Truth, Clarence Larkin, 1920, pg. 31)
Muslims have argued that Christians often use Jesus' I AM statements in John, most notably John 8:58, as proof that Jesus identified himself as the I AM of Exodus 3:14. There, Yahweh tells Moses to tell Israel that his name is:
"`I AM WHO I AM'. He said further, `Thus you shall
say to the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you"'." Ex. 3:14 NRSV
Muslims have claimed that the Hebrew phrase, ehyeh asher ehyeh, doesn't refer to Jesus and they have even appealed to the Septuagint as their proof. Furthermore, the Greek translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint) renders Exodus 3:14 as Ego Eimi Ho On- "I
Am The Being." Jesus in the Johanine gospel uses the term Ego Eimi, "I AM." He is never called HO ON. However Revelation 1:8 debunks this since We find this phrase used of Christ in Revelation
1:7-8.
"Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the
tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
"` I am the Alpha and Omega', says the Lord God, `THE BEING (Greek- HO ON) who is and who was and who is to
come, THE ALMIGHTY (pantokrator)'."
Jesus Christ, the coming pierced One, identifies himself as both The Being (HO ON) and as the Almighty. The phrase "who is
and who was" refers to the eternal nature of God himself. Hence, Jesus in Revelation 1:8 is claiming to be the eternal God. Lets look at the Septuagint and New Testament equivalent:
I AM THAT I AM = EGO EIMI O ON
Greek symbol =>egw eimi o wn |
THE BEING (HO ON) = O ON
Greek symbol =>o wn |
Exodus 3:14: