He made every race of people living throughout the earth from one [family] and determined when [they would rise in history] and where they would live.

I the lord

saying, "Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia" [Note: These seven congregations were all located in western Asia Minor].

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Smyrna: These things are the words of the First and the Last [i.e., Jesus], who was dead, but has come [back] to life:

I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

With the

"Look, the virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and they will name Him Immanuel," which means "God with us."

[Then] go on teaching them [i.e., these new converts] to obey everything I have commanded you and my presence will be with you always, even to the end of the age.

General references

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the first and the last, the beginning and the end."