Yes, the seven I AM statements in John are significant as they parallel the sevenfold operation of Jehovah in the Old Testament, revealing Jesus as the divine 'I AM' who meets Israel's distinct needs.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus' seven I AM declarations in John correspond to seven Old Testament Jehovah names, such as Jehovah Jireh (Provider) and Jehovah Shalom (Peace). Each I AM statement in John—like 'I AM the bread of life' and 'I AM the resurrection'—ties Jesus directly to the person of Jehovah, demonstrating that He is the same God who cared for Israel. The number seven underscores God's perfect, intentional pattern throughout Scripture.
John 6:35 — This is the first of the seven I AM statements in John, where Jesus says 'I am the bread of life,' directly mirroring Jehovah's role as provider (Jehovah Jireh).
John 8:58 — Jesus explicitly claims the divine name 'I AM,' linking Himself to the burning bush revelation of Jehovah.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven distinct 'I AM' statements that reveal His identity and mission. These are: 'I am the bread of life' (John 6:35), 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12), 'I am the door of the sheep' (John 10:7), 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25), and 'I am the true vine' (John 15:1). In John 8:58, Jesus declares, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am,' directly applying the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14: 'I AM THAT I AM.' These statements are a clear claim to deity, aligning Jesus with the God of the Old Testament. Additionally, the Book of Revelation includes an eighth 'I AM' in Revelation 22:16, where Jesus says, 'I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.'
Les Feldick teaches that the seven I AM statements in John's Gospel are deliberately structured to parallel the seven compound names of Jehovah in the Old Testament, demonstrating God's perfect design. He explains that in the Old Testament, Jehovah revealed Himself through names like 'Jehovah Jireh' (the LORD will provide), 'Jehovah Shalom' (the LORD is peace), and 'Jehovah Reha' (the LORD is my shepherd), each addressing a specific need of Israel. In John's Gospel, Jesus uses the same 'I AM' pattern seven times, such as 'I am the bread of life' and 'I am the good shepherd,' to show He is the same God who fulfilled those needs. Les emphasizes that the number seven is God's perfect number, and this repetition proves the Bible is divinely inspired. He also highlights an eighth I AM in Revelation—'I am the bright and morning star'—symbolizing the break of eternal day after the completion represented by seven.
Les Feldick points out that just as there are seven Jehovah names in the Old Testament, such as Jehovah Jireh (provider), Jehovah Shalom (peace), and Jehovah Reha (shepherd), there are exactly seven I AM statements in John's Gospel. For instance, Jesus says 'I am the bread of life' (John 6:35), 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12), 'I am the door' (John 10:7), 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25), 'I am the good shepherd' (John 10:11), and 'I am the true vine' (John 15:1). These parallel the roles Jehovah played for Israel, showing Jesus as the fulfillment of those Old Testament needs. The seventh I AM is not explicitly listed in the clips, but Les confirms there are seven, and he mentions 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6) as the one he often includes.
Les Feldick teaches that beyond the seven I AM statements in John, there is an eighth in Revelation 22:16, where Jesus says, 'I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.' He explains that the number eight often signifies new beginnings after the completion (seven) of the current age. The 'bright and morning star' points to the dawn of a new day, representing the onset of eternity. Thus, after the sevenfold work of Jehovah in Israel and the seven I AMs in John, the eighth I AM ushers in the eternal state.
Who is Melchizedek? Understanding the "Most High God" & His Names
God was their Jehovah Nissi, He was their banner, and I guess today we could say He was their flag. He was the very one that gave them the emotional uplift. He was the one that just kept them pressing on. Then as you come on up a little further in the Scripture now, you come to the term Jehovah Shalom, which in the Hebrew is peace, oh, I'm sorry, yeah, Shalom, which is peace.
Seven I AMs Parallel Seven Jehovahs
Les explains that Jesus' seven I AM statements in John correspond to seven distinct Jehovah names in the Old Testament, confirming His deity as the 'I AM' of the burning bush.
List of Seven I AMs and the Eighth
Les lists the first six I AM statements in John and then points to the eighth in Revelation, highlighting the dawn of eternal day.
Pattern of Sevens in Scripture
Les emphasizes that God groups things in sevens to prove divine inspiration, using the first I AM statement as an example.
Old Testament Jehovah Names and John's Parallels
Les reviews several Old Testament Jehovah names (Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Rehah) and shows that John's Gospel also has seven I AMs, including the eighth in Revelation.
Old Testament Jehovah Names
Les details the first Jehovah name (Jehovah Jireh) and mentions there are seven such names in the Old Testament, setting up the parallel with John.
Jesus as the Door and Good Shepherd
Les shows that Jesus' statements 'I am the door' and 'I am the good shepherd' tie Him to Jehovah's shepherding role.
Correction to Six I AMs
Les corrects that there are seven I AM statements in John, listing the first one and noting the seventh is likely John 14:6.
John 6:35: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
This is the first I AM statement, paralleling Jehovah Jireh as provider.
John 8:12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
This second I AM statement reveals Jesus as the light, echoing God's guidance of Israel.
John 8:58: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Jesus directly claims the divine name 'I AM,' linking Himself to the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).
John 10:7: Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Christ as the door parallels Jehovah Reha (the shepherd) providing access and protection.
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
This I AM statement directly parallels Jehovah Reha, the shepherd who cares for Israel.
John 11:25: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
This I AM statement points to Christ's power over death, a need Israel could not meet.
John 15:1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
This seventh I AM statement (in the clips' list) symbolizes the source of life for believers.
Revelation 22:16: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
This is the eighth I AM, pointing to the dawn of the eternal day.
Les Feldick teaches that there are seven distinct 'I AM' statements in John's Gospel, such as 'I am the bread of life' and 'I am the resurrection.' He notes that some lists vary, but the number seven aligns with God's perfect pattern.
According to Les Feldick, the eighth 'I AM' is found in Revelation 22:16, where Jesus says, 'I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.' This eighth statement symbolizes the dawn of eternal day after the completion of God's plan.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus' use of 'I AM' directly claims the divine name of Jehovah, who revealed Himself as 'I AM THAT I AM' in Exodus 3:14. In John's Gospel, each I AM statement mirrors one of the seven Jehovah names, showing Jesus as the same God who cared for Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Who is Melchizedek? Understanding the "Most High God" & His Names