By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
A recurring challenge presented by Muslim interlocutors is the claim that Jesus never explicitly stated, "I am God," and thus cannot be considered divine. This assertion is frequently encountered in interreligious dialogues, with critics insisting upon a direct statement from Jesus Himself, articulated in unequivocal terms. However, a close exegesis of the Christian Scriptures reveals that not only is the divinity of Christ affirmed throughout the New Testament, but there are passages in which Jesus, with His own mouth, confesses His identity as God.
One of the most striking instances is found in the Book of Revelation, a text acknowledged in mainstream Christian canon and attributed to the apostle John. In Revelation 21:6–7, the speaker—Jesus Christ Himself—makes a direct and unambiguous declaration regarding His divine identity:
"He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.'"
(Revelation 21:6–7, NIV)
This passage is critically important for several reasons:
1. Self-Identification as God
Jesus proclaims, "I will be their God, and they will be my children." The phrase is unambiguous. Here, the speaker is not merely affirming a prophetic or messianic role, but appropriates the very language that, throughout the Old Testament, is reserved for God alone (cf. Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 37:27). By declaring Himself both "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," Jesus invokes titles that in Jewish monotheism can only belong to YHWH, the one true God (cf. Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12).
2. Direct Speech to John
It is essential to note that this statement is presented as a direct utterance from Christ to the apostle John—removing any ambiguity about the source. The passage is not a theological reflection by a later writer, but rather, is depicted as the very words of Jesus Himself, thus meeting the demand for explicit self-disclosure.
3. Consistent Biblical Witness
This confession aligns with numerous other New Testament testimonies to Jesus’ divinity. For example:
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In John 1:1–3, Jesus is identified as the pre-existent Word who was God.
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In John 20:28, Thomas confesses Jesus as "My Lord and my God," which Jesus does not rebuke.
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In John 10:30, Jesus states, "I and the Father are one," eliciting an attempted stoning for blasphemy by His Jewish hearers.
4. Implications for Salvation and Worship
Jesus' confession in Revelation 21:6–7 also addresses the soteriological implications of His divinity: "To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life." This echoes the unique, divine prerogative of giving eternal life—something ascribed to God alone throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (cf. Jeremiah 2:13).
5. Theological and Apologetic Consequence
The explicit confession, "I will be their God," stands as a direct response to Muslim objections. The claim that Jesus never identified Himself as God is not tenable in light of this text. Christian theology does not rest on a single verse, but Revelation 21:6–7 provides a direct and unambiguous affirmation of Christ’s divinity, spoken by Christ Himself.
Conclusion
Therefore, in light of the foregoing exegetical and theological analysis, it is evident that Jesus not only accepted divine titles and worship, but also explicitly confessed with His own mouth that He is God. The challenge now is not for Christians to prove what the Scriptures plainly declare, but for the reader to respond to this divine revelation. Jesus is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6); religions and human works cannot save, but Christ, who confesses Himself to be God, invites all to partake in the life that He alone can give.
Accept Christ today and receive eternal life.
For further inquiries and theological resources:
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Max Shimba Ministries Org, 2014
References:
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Holy Bible, New International Version.
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Brown, R. E. (1997). An Introduction to the New Testament.
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Bauckham, R. (1993). The Theology of the Book of Revelation.
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Hurtado, L. W. (2003). Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity.
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