It Starts Small

Jesus calls Himself by three descriptions. 

the Amen

Jesus refers to Himself as “the Amen.” “Amen” means so be it, it is true. God’s promises find their fulfillment in Christ.

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20

He is the culmination of all history. Jesus is true to His Word. He is unchangeable in His promises. He is true to His Word.

Whoever asks for a blessing in the land
will ask for a blessing by the God of truth,
and whoever swears in the land
will swear by the God of truth.
For the former troubles will be forgotten
and hidden from my sight.

Isaiah 56:16

Jesus calls Himself “the Amen” to authenticate His message to this church. Jesus’ message was authoritative. Whenever Jesus uses the term “Amen,” it always indicates some significant truth. Jesus is the object of faith and the foundation for all truth. We can trust Him because He keeps His promises.

the Faithful and True Witness

Secondly, Jesus calls Himself “the Faithful and True Witness.” Jesus’ testimony about revelation was true to truth. We can fully and confidently believe Him. There is nothing false or pretentious about Jesus. God is unchangeable in the truth of His revelations. Whatever He says in this message, the Laodiceans can count on His attestations. Jesus not only tells the truth, but He tells all the truth — He is “faithful” to the truth. He does not hide behind “partial truths.” Jesus faithfully reveals what God is like. God is invisible, so to understand Him, we must receive faithful revelation of Him.

the Beginning of the creation of God

Jesus calls Himself “the Beginning of the creation of God.” Does this mean that Jesus was created? The word “creation” means a founding, foundation, ordained. Jesus is the origin of all history. History begins and ends with Him. He is the first cause, the Creator and Sustainer of creation. The word “Beginning” is the word first. Jesus is first in priority.

All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

John 1:3

For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelations 1:8

Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.

Revelation 21:6

Jesus is the source of all creation. He is the Creator of time and space. Jesus is not here the beginning of natural creation but the beginning of supernatural creation.

Again, Jesus’ threefold affirmation about Himself to the Laodiceans focuses on His Person. These attestations about Himself give gravity to His statements to follow.  

The writer to the Hebrews affirmed:

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. ² In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.

Hebrews 1:1-2

Because of Jesus’ superior, sovereign person and work, the Laodiceans had good reason to heed what He communicated in His letter to them.