I have told you this now before it all happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.

But I have told you this, so that when the time comes for them to do these things, you will remember what I told you. "I did not tell you these things at the beginning, for I was with you.

Tell us what the future holds--- then we will know that you are gods! Do something good or bring some disaster; fill us with fear and awe!

And so I predicted your future long ago, announcing events before they took place, to keep you from claiming that your idols and images made them happen.

Listen! I have told you this ahead of time.

This will be your chance to tell the Good News.

John spoke about him. He cried out, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.' "

Jesus answered, "You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world.

That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that 'I Am Who I Am'."

"I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, 'I Am'."

"People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be.

The LORD Almighty answers, "I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant."

"Tell us," they asked Jesus, "are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?"

When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last.

I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead.