Who Is The I Am?
Who Is The I Am?
A number of individuals throughout history have made I am statements. Krishna easily comes to mind from popular religious culture. One may enjoy the I am statements from the Bhagavad Gita. Not everyone will recognize what this is a reference to. In fact, it is a reference to a number of things. However, we will start with the Torah.
I Am In The Torah
"I am" means existence. The tetragrammaton, or YHVH, may come from a Hebrew word meaning "to be". For more on this, check the link below. Moreover, when the prophet Moses asks the G-d of the Old Testament for his name, he says "I AM THAT I AM" - from Exodus 3:14 (KJV). There is a great mystery here.
What Does YHVH Mean?
- Hebrew Streams: HaShem
How the Name of God, though concealed, continues to embue other names with transcending meaning.
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
— Exodus 3:14 (KJV)Jesus Says Who He Is
Was Jesus the G-d of the Old Testament? The Gospel of John has this to say: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." - John 8:58 (KJV). This seems to be a clear association with YHVH. Furthermore, we find clues to Jesus' being in the Book of Mormon. Jesus is recorded as saying: "... after that ye have seen me and know that I am." - from 3 Nephi 12:1, and: "... and that ye know that I am." - from 3 Nephi 12:2. Furthermore, in the book of Revelation someone (perceivably Jesus) states: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8 (KJV). If we accept this piece as words from Jesus, we can note the stress placed on his existence in past tense, present tense, and future tense.
And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.
— 3 Nephi 12:2Conclusion
We can admit that the mysteries of G-d deserve much meditation. We know that G-d is, that he was, and that he will be. Guru Nanak once made a very similar statement. We know and testify that G-d will always exist. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
© 2020 Alexander James Guckenberger
