A unique spiritual guide for Christians that blends Scripture and personal revelation is the focus of "I Am: the First and the Last" by Delon Jackson.

In this intimate look at the wonders and mysteries of God, the Bible and the nature of Heaven, Jackson meditates on a wide variety of Christian precepts and doctrine, all with a distinctly personal twist. Over the course of 18 chapters, Jackson shares his beliefs on the distinctive nature of the heavenly realms, the hierarchy of angels, the Garden of Eden, the End Times, and sundry other core Christian tenets on God’s plan for his people and his Creation … not least of which is Lucifer himself, the first fallen angel.

This slim volume is easy to read and includes artwork throughout to inspire and uplift, while at the same time threading in key Bible verses to amplify Jackson’s spiritual teachings on the primacy of Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Geared toward Christians, the book’s use of apocrypha, i.e., writings not included in the accepted canon of scripture, may lift some eyebrows. He cites from such works as the Book of Enoch, the 2 Book of Baruch, the Book of Adam and Eve and the Book of Jubilees, while offering the disclaimer to more selective Christians, who might balk at these non-canonical sources, that “everything I talk about in this book is spiritual understanding and guidance.”

The use of these apocryphal works adds depth and dimension to Jackson’s portrait of his vision of heaven and the angels — perhaps the book’s most enchanting section. He outlines the dynamic “rank and file” of God’s “three heavens,” and describes the roles that archangels, seraphim, cherubim, ophanim and watchers play in God’s grand design for humanity. It is a plan that also includes the diabolical machinations of Lucifer, because as Jackson reminds readers, God created him, too.

Jackson’s purpose is to warn readers about the battle at play in the world over humankind’s hearts, minds and souls: “don’t take the spiritual world lightly, especially if you know little about it.” He uses canonical scripture aptly throughout, but again, he relies on apocrypha — especially the Book of Enoch — to a great degree.

Jackson additionally delves into his own dreams and “revelations” from God or the Holy Spirit, providing scads of opportunities for spiritual thought that is practical and profitable for believers — so long as such insights are not taken for gospel (pun intended).

"I Am: the First and the Last" is a worthy and winsome read for both the seasoned and seeking Christian.