OK, let's all slow down a bit.
If you don't have understanding of abuse dynamics and just want to post about how you don't know how the op can do this or can't do that, maybe try hiding the thread - it's not helpful.
OP. It's very normal for you to struggle to process what's happened and try to go into a kind of denial - that's your brain in self preservation mode (unfortunately it's not very good!) which is evolved to cope with dangers like rampaging tigers and not violent men.
It can be very hard to reconcile an act of violence or threatening behaviour with the relationship you've had with somebody, which even though you recognise won't have been perfect, wasn't all at the level of risk or danger you experienced in that moment. The way our brains try to make sense of those is to minimise, excuse or even outright forget.
What helps is to go back, read the post you made shortly after it happened. Remember how it felt. Write down anything you still remember. The contrast between what he was saying yesterday and what he's saying today as pointed out by other posters is also very important.
Also do some slower burn stuff - start reading about emotional abuse, verbal abuse. Start reading about living with an alcoholic. Get yourself on a general support thread on MN. You will find yourself nodding along to other answers and learning so much. Read the book Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft. You can find it fairly easily for free online. Or there is a brilliant blog/website all for free called baggage reclaim. The oldest posts are the best place to start but it's all great stuff.
If you cannot bring yourself to block him, even temporarily, think about taking a break from your phone, if you can access mumsnet or other support sources elsewhere. Just so that you're in a strong frame of mind when you do look at it.
If you decide to take him back, I hope you'll stick around for support, even if you start a new thread that doesn't have the AIBU hangover. Don't be ashamed, many of us have been there and understand it's not always as simple as cutting ties straight away. Leaving is a mental process as much as a physical act. But in the meantime, make a safety plan. Put any plans to make more permanent changes (e.g. Moving in, marriage, children) on hold.
I hope you can find the strength to stay away this time, but I hope more that you're not put off and won't be scared of asking for support whatever the situation.
You might feel that you're the only person who understands him or sees the "real" him, that's very common in these types of relationship. In reality this goes not make you responsible for him, he can and will take responsibility for himself if you do not enable this.