I have studied religion on a formal- university- basis as well as on my own since the age of twelve so you don’t need to tell me it would help if I studied to learn more about your beliefs. Read the beginning of the Book of John. The word, the Light, existed when God created the universe and all that is in it. That means eternity existed before God. If the word is eternal yet existed before creation then yes, God may be eternal as well and I believe God is a part of that eternity. I simply referred to I AM being a verb and its meaning. As for messiahs, many were called messiah before Jesus and not all of those were Hebrew. It simply meant, in Hebrew, a ‘savior’, in their case, a savior of the Hebrews, later called Jews largely because most Romans and other people of the time had a difficult time pronouncing ‘Hebrew’- ‘chews’ so it became ‘Jews’. That was after their return from exile, of course.

Of course God would refer to Himself as I AM because that verb includes all that was, that is, and all that is to come. All Creation. My point stands. Anyone can say I AM and be speaking the truth since all that was, is again, and will be again. Is not your soul as eternal as God? And I don’t recall Jesus ever telling Pilate that he was the King of the Jews, only admitting that “You say that I am”.

I appreciate your reasoned reply but I don’t need to be told that you understand so much more than do I and that you have so much more understanding. I wouldn’t say to anyone that I understand so much more than them nor tell them to go and study and learn more, as I did. You seem to be referring to the Sanhedrin and Pharisees, the lawyers whom Jesus condemned for blocking others from reaching God. And I am not one of those people. That’s sheer arrogance. But I will say this: Jesus said that “those with ‘ears to hear’ will understand the things I say”. But I won’t mention the parable of the pearl and the swine, although by bringing up that I feel I’ve insulted you, if you have “ears to hear” and I sincerely apologize for that.

I think we should both continue to seek God because I freely admit I don’t have all the answers and you claim to but clearly do not. Read of what Paul wrote about God sending a delusion down upon those who think they are saved but truly are not.

Walk in God’s grace and you will find Him. As I hope to.