Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV)
6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
Isaiah 48:12 (NKJV)
12 “Listen to Me, O Jacob,
And Israel, My called:
I am He, I am the First,
I am also the Last.
Revelation 2:8 (NKJV)
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Heidelberg Catechism
QUESTION 2.
How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou in this comfort mayest live and die happily?
ANSWER.
Three things: First, the greatness of my sin and misery. Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery. Third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.