📖 Biblical Definition
"First and last" carries two main usages in Scripture. First, Christ’s reversal-saying about kingdom-economy: "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first" (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30) — the kingdom upends the world’s rankings. The rich young ruler walks away grieved; the poor widow receives commendation; the prodigal is welcomed home; the prostitutes and publicans enter the kingdom before the religious. Second, Christ’s self-naming title: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" (Revelation 1:8); "I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (1:17-18; 2:8; 22:13). He brackets all of history — He is the first and the last.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Two usages: kingdom-reversal saying AND Christ's eternality self-title.
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Two main biblical usages: (1) Christ's reversal-saying in the gospels: "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first" (Matt 19:30, repeated 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30) — the kingdom of heaven upends the world's rankings. The disciples' question about who-is-greatest provokes the saying. (2) Christ's self-title in the Revelation visions: "I am the first and the last" (Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13). The title is YHWH's claim in Isaiah 44:6 and 48:12 ("I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God"); Christ takes it as His own — one of the strongest deity-claims in the New Testament. The two usages are connected: the first-last reversal is righteous because the One who is the First-and-Last reverses things justly.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 19:30 — "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."
Revelation 1:17-18 — "Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore."
Isaiah 44:6 — "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern competitive culture lives by first-shall-be-first; Christ promises reversal. The eternal-title is also often missed in casual readings of Revelation.
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The first-shall-be-last saying disturbs competitive culture: today's winners are not necessarily tomorrow's. Kingdom-rankings invert worldly rankings. Pair with the deity-claim in Revelation: the One promising the reversal is the First-and-Last, identical with YHWH of Isaiah. The reversal is not arbitrary; it is just because of the One making it.
Recover both: kingdom rankings invert; Christ Himself is First-and-Last. The two usages are connected by Christ's identity.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek ho prōtos kai ho eschatos.
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['Greek', 'G4413', 'prōtos', 'first']
['Greek', 'G2078', 'eschatos', 'last']
Usage
"First shall be last; last shall be first."
"I am the first and the last (Christ's deity claim)."
"Two usages connected by Christ's identity."