Ellet J. Waggoner
The Present Truth : December 17, 1896
In the eighth chapter of John we have three distinct utterances of Jesus, in which He sets forth the fact of His oneness with Him who is “from everlasting to everlasting.” Speaking to the carping Jews, who blindly refused to understand Him, He said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8.24. The reader will notice that the word “He” is in italics, an indication that the translators added it. There is in the Greek no hint of it. Therefore since the translators inserted it, we can well omit it, taking the words of Jesus without the addition. Thus we have, “If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” John 8.24
In John 8.28 we have again the same edition of the word He. So we read, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM, and that I do nothing of Myself.”
In John 8.58 we have it clearly and plainly stated, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
In these texts we have the truth set forth that Jesus “through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9.14), and that it is by a practical belief in His eternal nature that we are saved from dying in our sins. The power by which we are saved, is the power of a self-existent life. Christ is the One who was: “Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5.2. He is the One who is: “Who lives forever.” Daniel 4.34. And He is the One who is to come: “Surely I am coming quickly.” Revelation 20.20
“I AM _________.” Fill out the blank with any good thing you please, and that is Christ, but yet only in part, for no one but Himself can fill it out. That blank indicates infinity and eternity. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14.6. “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22.16. “I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10.11. “I am the Door,” John 10.9. “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11.25. Yes, all we need, and more than we can ask or think, we find in Him; and it is His cross, His being lifted up from the earth, that makes us know these things. Therefore, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 6.14
