From Isaiah 41 to Revelation 22 the terms “First” and “Last” are applied to all three members of Godhood. In most contexts, the application is to either or both The Father and The Son.

Note the use in Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the LORD (Yhwh) , the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD (Yhwh) of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God (Elohiym). The name YHWH and translated LORD can be applied to the Father or the Son. The Name ELOHIYM and translated God is the collective name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the one God of creation and of Israel. In this passage then, both the Father as King and the Son as redeemer say “’I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” (Refer to blogs dated Feb 4, 2019, and Dec 31, 2018)

The context of Isaiah 44 continues by asking; who can tell of the former things? Who can tell of creation, the first people, the ancestors of the nation? By declaring ‘I Am The First,” both Father and Son are saying they are the “First Cause” of creation. In 44:24 They claim that they created the heavens and earth in the beginning, Genesis 1:1. In 44:25-45:13 They are saying that they can declare the end from the beginning and can control everything that happens between the beginning and end. See also Isaiah 41:2-4 and 48:12-32.

Turning to the New Testament, there are other words used to describe Jesus as The First or Preeminent one. Notice the “firsts” Paul points out. Colossians 1:15-20 He is the (first and only) image of the invisible God, the firstborn (not as earth-born but claimed as Psalm 89:27; John 1:14) over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him, all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Can one word define Jesus?

Revelation 3:14 “…the Beginning (archē pronounced arkay) of the creation of God:” The usage proclaims the one speaking to be the cause of all created things which implies that He existed before creation. This carries the same meaning as John 1:1-3. His position as “firstborn” was to establish the position of first in line for rule over all angles, demons, creatures, and earthly powers and making Him head of the family which will inherit eternity.

In Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for who are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. The ESV uses “founder,” the ISV uses “pioneer,” the ASV uses “author” in place of captain. In Hebrews 12:2 the same Greek word is used and translated “author” in the NKJV, “Founder” – ESV, “Pioneer” – ISV & NIV, “Author” – ASV, “Source” – GW & HCSB, and “Champion who initiates” – NLT

The Greek word is ̓ρχηγός, archēgos “1) the chief leader, prince; 2) one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer; 3) the author.” The term CAPTAIN in older usage referred to the one who would assemble a group of man to fight a war. He was obligated to cloth, feed, shelter, pay and train them for the battle ahead. He would lead them in the fight, see to their equipment and health needs. When the war was over, he would ensure their care into retirement. That is a good list itemizing most of what Jesus has, is, and will do. Since captains in today’s armies are not responsible for all of that, the term is no longer used in translations of scripture.

The term AUTHOR defines one who plans and writes a book. Jesus, with the Father and Spirit, was the planner and developer of the Bible story. From creation to the end of time, the plan was made, the heavens and earth created, populated, educated, cared for, and will someday end according to the plan and The Book.

We see the first place in that plan given to Jesus. John 3:16-17 “For God …gave His only begotten Son,” the Father gave His heir that the world might be saved through Him. Jesus came with a message the Father would only trust His Son, John 12:49 Just before He was arrested, Jesus spoke to the Father, “For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You, and they have believed that You sent Me.” John 17:8

The disciples looked for him in the tomb, but an angle said “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” Matthew 28:6. As the first raised from the dead never to die again He ascended into Heaven from which He came, Acts 1:9-11. The day will come when He will become the first to keep all of His promises to us when He returns. Revelation 22:12-13 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”