¹⁷ And ^(A)when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But ^(B)He laid His right hand on me, saying ^[a]to me, “Do not be afraid; ^(C)I am the First and the Last.

There Is No Other God

^13 (A)I am the Alpha and the Omega, the ^[a]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

⁸ Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my ^[a]vigor was turned to ^[b]frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece

^10 (A)Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

¹⁷ So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and ^(A)fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”

^18 (B)Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; ^(C)but he touched me, and stood me upright.

God’s Ancient Plan to Redeem Israel

The Persecuted Church

⁸ “And to the ^[a]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says ^(A)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

¹⁷ For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

¹⁸ Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. ^19 (A)And he said, “O man greatly beloved, ^(B)fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”

So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”