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nice new improvements
I found this study very interesting.
This is an excellent book with respect to understanding respecting the conscience and has great principles with respect to dealing with one another.
I read your post here and there is a lot that is in direct opposite to the teaching in the Bible. Your teaching is not even in accord with the church that you go to. The church that will be in unity with God are those that study and accept and do the will of God as found in the Bible. It is true that sinners do not burn forever and are not burning now but is not true that at the very end of sin and sinners that there is not a lake of fire made ready to cleans the earth to be made new. Ah so you are one of those One God people and don’t believe in the Holy Spirit or the Divinity of Christ. A very popular theory of the masses for today. It is hard to uphold without tearing out a great deal of the word of God from the bible. I wonder just who it is that has always wanted to get rid of God’s Son. Seems to me that that has been the Devils goal even before the earth was made. At least that is what the bible says. I for one will keep all the bible and trust that God knows what He is doing and what He has said and had written for us through out all ages. It is said that strong delusion comes on those that choose to believe a lie.
Nowhere in the article does it say that we don’t believe in the Holy Spirit or the divinity of Christ. The son of God is divine, he is the same nature as his father. The Spirit is Holy because it is the spirit of a Holy God. Just like we each have a spirit that is not a separate entity from us, God’s Spirit is not a separate entity from Him.
Thank you sister Eva. Well said! Blessings to you.
I believe that God says in His word that He is a spirit and that they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth. Read 1 John 1:7-8. Don’t bother to tell me that that was added in by the Catholics. If God can create the universe He can over see His bible. There is this statement and many many more in the bible that makes God, His Son and the Holy Spirit ONE. There are things that are not easy to understand and we are told that we will be studying all this for eternity. We are told that the angels desire to understand the plan of salvation and don’t. We are also told that some things are a mystery and that we are to just trust in God and know that one day it will be clearer and clearer. Right now there is a big push to put the Holy Spirit down a notch. For me the word of God as it is in the bible is good enough for me. Life here on this planet is short. If like we are told that it will take eternity to understand every thing how in the world do we think that we have figured it all out now. Jesus said that He was sending the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Without the Holy Spirit we just think that we have truth but we don’t. I know that I am not so smart that it is a good idea to turn my back on the true source of wisdom. There is every wind of doctrine flying about these days. The more that I study the more that I realize there is so much more to know. I have learned 100 times more in the last four years since I stopped going to the SDA church. Every day my eyes are just a little bit brighter. Sad that so much was given to the SDA church and they have steadily walked away form it. The church that I joined 50+ years ago is no where to be found today. God gave us a beautiful message and I believe it as it is in the bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. I pray that I never leave it and grow in Gods truth day by day.
I came on this site a while back and don’t usually do anymore. Some how Dave got to me on facebook and what I see there is to my understanding not the straight message. There are thousands and thousands of people on facebook. Most have no idea what in the world that he is talking about. Jesus never talked to the masses like that. For me it felt like confusion. One thing I have learned of the past few months is that we are not to turn to man for what we think and believe. We are told that when we do that we have a mans religion and God wants us to come to Him and He will teach us Himself. I have gotten very careful to check out all that I hear from a teacher. Some times my livingroom looks like the bookcase has blown up. It takes a long time to study that way but it is very rewarding. God is good and keeps His word. He says that if we seek Him we will find Him. He is never too busy.
This is in response to my first reply to Dave. In his reply to me I was called a lot of things and none of them good and all because I don’t agree with what he is saying and said so. It is funny how I was rebuked for not agreeing but I guess when he doesn’t agree with someone it is because he thinks that he is right and no one has the right to disagree. I think that answers why there are so many churches and with different names. It is now almost 200 years when people got together and read the bible and prayed till they came into one accord. It happened in the upper room with the disciples and they did a great work. In just a few years Paul says that discord was already coming in. I don’t see my second reply to Dave. I turned him off of my facebook page at the end of it. God is too special to me and it is hard to see the things that are said and done in His name that don’t seem to me to be in accord to the word. That is me and God gave me the freedom of choice. He gave the same to Dave I just don’t want to see it any more. It was very painful when I had to choose to leave the church and I don’t want to go back into that confusion again. One day all these church organizations will be the biggest enemies of those that want to walk the walk the God asks and requires. There are many statements in the SP that say that the SDA church will lead out in Sunday worship and persecution. There are many SDA churches right now that have gone to Sunday. They say that they are the last church and the ship will go through. When you read carefully you find that that is not so. The Mormons and the Jehovah Witnesses say the same thing. The Catholics say they are the only true church and will always be the only one. Gods people are a little flock that comes out of all these churches to be only Gods. Seems to me that we need to start getting things right and not going off on every wind of doctrine that is flying about. God bless
Dear Sister Mary,
Thank you so much for your comment. I found myself saying
“Amen,” and resonating with most of what you wrote. You are so right to not
trust in man to tell you what to believe. If a man came and preached the truth
to you, and you believe it simply because he said it, then you would believe
the truth, but it would be based upon man’s word. All Satan has to do to
deceive you is to get you to doubt that man’s word. This is a dangerous place
to be. Paul was happy with the Bereans because “…they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so” (Acts 17:11). Studying everything out for yourself and not trusting
man is a lesson I learned very early in my Christian experience. I believe it
is very important.
I really liked your comment, “Some times my livingroom looks
like the bookcase has blown up.” That is a neat word picture, and it
illustrates our need to study for ourselves.
You are right about the need to come together and study. God
says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins
be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).
There are way too many denominations. There is only one God,
so those following Him should be one as well. This is what Jesus said when He
prayed for us to His Father, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in
me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe
that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). We need to recognize that all those who
have Christ living in them are members of the body of Christ, regardless of
what denomination they subscribe to. If you have Christ, you have eternal life:
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not
life” (1 John 5:12).
I appreciate you bringing up the fact that many people from
all walks of life are on Facebook and on our website, and it is good to keep
them in mind. Our target audience for everything we put on https://www.presenttruth.info
or Facebook is everyone in the world, so I appreciate your concern about
sharing appropriate content for that audience. We wish to maintain that focus.
You brought up some of your background in the SDA church, and I would be glad
to discuss that with you by email, but it would be best not to do it over this
website. You can write me at info@presenttruth.info. I would appreciate hearing
from you. Thank you so much for your consideration on this.
You are right that there are many things about God that have
not been revealed, and these things should be left alone. The Bible says, “The
secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed
belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of
this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Yet, the things that have been revealed about
God, it is our responsibility to study and learn. God put them in the Bible for
a reason. He said, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his
wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith
the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23, 24). We have the amazing privilege to understand what
God has revealed about Himself. Praise God!
You are absolutely right that God is a Spirit. Jesus said to
the woman at the well, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship:
for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:22-24).
You are right that the Father and the Son are one. Jesus
said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). This has caused many to be
confused into thinking that Jesus is the Father, or is somehow joined to Him in
a way that makes the Father and Son one compound being. Yet, this faulty
conclusion need not be reached. It is helpful to read the context. Jesus said,
“I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for
which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good
work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man,
makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said,
Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the
scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and
sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”
(John 10:30-36). Jesus’ claim to be one with God did not in any way change the
fact that Jesus is “the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
The Jews evidently understood His words, because when He was
finally charged for blasphemy and condemned to death, the accusation was that
He claimed to be the Son of God (Matthew 26:63; Luke 22:70, 71; John 19:7;
Matthew 27:43).
You are so right to cling to the Holy Spirit of God to guide
you into all truth. With this attitude, I am sure that God will bless you. The
Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, if we are willing to follow God’s
leading, which sometimes includes reading Bible studies that He puts in our
path. Please take the time to read my book entitled, “Understanding the
Personality of God.” It is presented, not to be the final authority on
anything, but to shed light on passages in Scripture that are often overlooked.
In the end, it is up to us to decide what is true after studying the Bible for
ourselves, and following God’s guidance by His Holy Spirit.
Please read:
https://presenttruth.info/books/Personality_of_God/Personality_of_God.htm
I would greatly appreciate any input you have on this book.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Blessings,
Your brother in Christ,
Lynnford Beachy
Dear Sister Mary,
Thank you for taking the time to comment on this article. You
are exactly right that there will be a fire that destroys sin and sinners and
cleanses the earth to prepare for the “new earth” of Revelation 21. I am sorry
for not making this clear. You are also right that we believe in “one God” (1
Corinthians 8:6), yet we firmly believe in the Holy Spirit and the complete
Divinity of Christ. You can read a study I wrote on the Divinity of Christ by
clicking the link below.
https://presenttruth.info/newsletters/PresentTruth/2009/pt_k_nov09.htm
For a study on the Holy Spirit, please read the following:
https://presenttruth.info/430-2/
I agree with you that if anyone were to deny the Holy Spirit
and the Divinity of Christ, they would have to tear out a great deal of the
Bible. You are also right that it has been Satan’s goal for a long time to remove
Jesus as the Son of God. Praise God that we have the Bible to keep us from this
deception. The Bible says, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that
believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). I am in full agreement
with you about keeping the whole Bible, for it is written, “All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). It seems we are
in complete agreement on these points. The one clarification is that we
absolutely do not deny the Holy Spirit, nor the Divinity of Christ. These are
solidly taught in the Scriptures.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I look forward
to hearing from you again.
Blessings,
Your brother in Christ,
Lynnford Beachy
Excellent points Lynnford!!
Thank you, Sister Christy, for you encouraging words. I am glad it was a blessing.
Talking about God using temporality frame of reference is just wrong. He is out of our space&time paradigm. For example when I try to think about “the begging of God” so to speak, going back in time, I can never imagine a time when He was alone, all by Himself, before creating let’s say the first angel or the first intelligent creature. From our limited standpoint He was NEVER without company, angels worshiping Him since forever as we say…
The word “beggoten” as appears in the KJV can be deceptive. Is the Greek MONOGENES – μονογενής giving the idea of a unique and special relationship, The translation we got was influenced by British royalty succession. The word is “Primogen” – derived from “primogenitor”, a word meaning the first or earliest ancestor. Another word in original Greek is πρωτότοκος PROTOTOKOS,
Jesus being first&last is not about temporality but pre-eminence….
Dear Brother Ovi,
Thank you for your comment. You brought up a good point about the fact that God transcends time as we know it, so we are limited in our ability to discuss what happened in the days of eternity. The only thing we can rightly speak about are those things that are revealed in the Bible (Deuteronomy 29:29). The Bible does tell us that Christ’s “origin” was in “the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2 ESV and Margin).
Regarding the word monogenes, most of the new translations have deleted the word begotten from John 3:16, including the NIV, RSV, NASB (1995 Edition), NLT, etc. The translators of the Bible excuse this deletion by their supposed discovery that the Greek word monogenes, that was translated “only begotten,” really means “unique” or “one of a kind” and has nothing to do with begotten. This theory falls quickly when we study the Bible and history. In all of the nine places where monogenes is used in the New Testament, it always refers to born children. And the people who lived during the time the New Testament was written, along with the early church writers, also understood monogenes to refer to begotten (born) children.
The theory of “eternal generation” is specifically designed to do away with the literal Sonship of Christ, while seeking to harmonize the Bible statements that Christ is the “begotten Son of God.” If Origen and the early Catholic councils understood monogenes to have no reference to begotten, they would have used this argument in their attempt to discard the literal Sonship of Christ, rather than inventing and accepting the confusing theory of “eternal generation.” For a thorough study on this historical documentation, please read our book, God’s Love on Trial available here https://presenttruth.info/books/God_on_Trial/Gods_Love_on_Trial.htm.
Monogenes is a compound word taken from the two Greek words monos and genos. Monos means “only” and genos means “offspring.” If any of the Greek writers wished to convey the idea of “unique” or “one of a kind,” they did not use monogenes, but merely monos or monon. This would not be true if monogenes really meant “unique.” If it did, we would find people using it for “only city,” or “only house,” etc., but we never find such usage in the New Testament. Even today, those who use Greek as their main language would never use monogenes to mean “unique” because they know it only refers to born children.
In recent years certain theologians have attempted to redefine monogenes to mean “unique” or “one of a kind.” Yet, this cannot be accepted! If monogenes meant “only begotten” at the time the Bible was written, who has the right to redefine it nearly 2,000 years later and put a meaning on the word that was never thought of nor intended by Bible writers?
Yes, prototokos is used of Christ, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15). Barnes New Testament Notes says, “the word firstborn — pro-tot-ok’-os — properly means the firstborn child of a father or mother.” Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary says, “Begotten (literally, ‘born’) before every creature.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says, “Christ is called, firstborn of all creation, who came into being through God prior to the entire universe of created things.”
It is true that Christ is preeminent, but it is also abundantly clear in the Bible that Jesus Christ is the literal, Begotten Son of God. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9). Jesus said, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 5:26). According to Jesus, He received life from His Father. This in no way detracts from His divinity, in fact it guarantees it. God’s Son must be of the same nature as His Father, by inheritance (Hebrews 1:1-4).
Pay special attention to John’s admonition, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). It is extremely dangerous to disbelieve that Jesus is the Son of God. May God bless you as you contemplate this vital truth, for therein is the key to understanding the depth of God’s love.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:14-21).
The Counsel of Peace was restored to restore the Covenant of Peace and MessiahGovernment of Peace. This Counsel will protect and guard the Covenant of Peace, and the body of believers of this Covenant. Michael (Micahyah), a anointed Cherub, guarded the body of believers as written in Daniyl 12:1. It is through this Counsel that the church and state will work together. The University of Counsel was created to teach this Covenant of Peace and to bring forth the true Teachers of Peace, known as Jerusalem/Yerusalem. It is the Counsel of Peace commission, duty, and authority to uphold the Covenant of Peace as written in Zecharyah 6:13, Numbers 25:12-13, Yechetzqyah(Ezekiel) 34:25, Yechetzqyah(Ezekiel) 37:24-26, and Isayah(Isaiah) 54:10. http://www.counselofpeace.com For more information email: universityofcounsel@gmail.com
Great testimony of how God works with us When we need him the most.
I really enjoyed this paper on “Christ in you” and have shared it with 2 of my sons and a few friends. God bless you
Praise the Lord Sister Sharon. I am, so glad to hear how the Lord multiplies His blessings. Keep up the good work.
Had this book for years. never been able to get into it. Listened to first 2 chapters on MP3 while reading along with the book and my Bible and taking notes. very interesting. A book well worth sharing. Thanks Lynnford
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I am glad the audio version helped you to get into the book. We also have a Bible study lesson guide for this book on our old site. We are in the process of getting everything moved to our new site. Blessings!
Lynnford, your use of “99%” when speaking of how many times “God” refers to the father alone is not accurate. the real number would be 99.96%. Sounds nit-picky, but to be 99% Jesus would have to have been called “God” 13 times, which is 4.25 more times than He was. Now, to play devil’s advocate, the trinitarian would also respond that since Jesus called Himself “I AM”, then every reference to God/Jehovah in the Old Testament is also calling Jesus “God” and of course that would rack up into the thousands.
Thank you for your comment, Brother Voltz. You are right that the 99% is a little small for the reality, that is why I said, “more than 99%”. Jesus is the I AM of the Old Testament (John 8:58), but that, by no means, demonstrates that He is called “God” every time that word is used in the OT. The One Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush is called “the angel of the LORD” (Exodus 3:2; Acts 7:30). This Person claimed the title, “I AM.” This Person was Jesus Christ.
In John 6 Christ said no man can come to me ecept it is given by the Father. Salvation for mankind is two phase proccess, this why you have two ressurections. Christ said, the one that are his are only the ones the gave him. This is the predestination before the foundation of the earth and the 1st ressurection and names written in the “Book of Life” before the foundation of the earth. The rest of the dead didn’t live until the 1000 years are up (second ressurection). You are not in the 1st ressurection unless you are written in the ‘Book of Life” before the foundation of the earth. This the plan of God.
Is it how Mormon says about Mormons becoming gods?
Thank you for your question. No, Jesus is not God in the sense that Mormons believe they will become gods. Jesus is God because His Father in the literal sense is God. This cannot be said about any human.
It is difficult to understand what you say ‘His Father in the literal sense is God’ . Father in the literal sense? or ‘God in the literal sense’? Perhaps you meant ‘the true God’.
Note that we cannot make god and God different (capitalizing) in meaning, since it is impossible to have any distinction in spoken language.
Thank you for your comment ounbbl. You are right that there is no capital distinction in the original Hebrew or Greek texts of the Bible. I meant that God is “His Father in the literal sense.” I have a literal son who is of the same nature as I am, because he came from me. Everything that reproduces always reproduces “after his kind” (Genesis 1:21). Jesus said, “I proceeded forth and came from God” (John 8:42). He also said, “I came out from God” (John 16:27). The Bible says that Jesus is, “the express image of his [Father’s] person” (Hebrews 1:3). This is why I said that God is the literal Father of Jesus Christ, who is “the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
When the Scripture says God has a son or sons, the word ‘son’ is not same as used in ordinary English. [That’s how Muslim reject the biblical expression the Son of God.] To be logical and to be literary, it is much less confusing to say ‘someone is “as” son of God’. “God has sons’ would not make sense other than in biblical and church jargon.
Jesus said, “I said, I am the Son of God” (John 10:36). The word “Son” in this verse was translated from the Greek word, υιος huios, which literally means in English, “son.” This word is used 382 times in the New Testament. The first time it is used is: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Notice this is referring to literal sons. This is the case throughout the New Testament. Notice how the word “son” is used here: “Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?” (Matthew 22:42-45). When Jesus asked the Jews whose Son Christ is, they replied, “the Son of David.” They obviously understood His question and responded with their view of whose Son Jesus is. Jesus tried to point them to a higher sonship that He has with His Father in heaven. When Peter declared about Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus excitedly replied, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). Jesus really is God’s own literal begotten Son. Remember that God had a Son before He created humanity with the ability to have sons. He knew what a Son is, then He gave us the ability to have sons so we can appreciate what He gave when He sent His Son to die for us. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9). “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Thank God for His wonderful love!
The true God is not on the level of human at all; we can say about him only by way of anthropomorphic language. Yes, gods have sons in Greek mythology (whether people understand it ‘literally’ or not, is not meaningful). However, that our heavenly Father has ‘son’ or ‘sons’ cannot be taken as literal, but only literary (i.e. figurative and anthropomorphic). With our God, Son to Father and Father to Son are not used as generative terms (which would give a literal sense as in human family).
Thank you for your comment. You claim that when God called Jesus “My Son” it was “figurative or anthropomorphic.” Do you have a Bible verse that tells us that? Some people have mistakenly concluded that God used the terms “Father” and “Son” to get across to our feeble minds a divine relationship (not Father and Son) that they could not possibly explain in our language. To come to this conclusion you would have to assume that God just happened upon this strange type of beings who have a strange language and manner of reproduction, and then was left struggling to explain Himself to these strange creatures. You would have to forget that God created our language and designed our manner of reproduction, after He already had a Son. God designed us with the ability to have a son, and then He exclaimed of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son…” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). God means what He says even regarding our human relationships of father and son that He designed in His own image.
According to the Bible, Jesus Christ was begotten, which literally means born, before anything was created—long before God sent Him into the world. (See Hebrews 1:1-9; Colossians 1:15; John 3:16, 17; 18:37; and 1 John 4:9.) How He was begotten is not for us to know, but God wants us to realize that He and His Son have a close, genuine, father-son relationship that is not just a role, or an act.
ounbbl: Seems to me that you may not be a Bible reader. So, though there are many [even among so called Christian folk] who try to deny the son-ship of Christ [to the one almighty God] it is actually a defeat of the entire “gospel” theme which is that “God” gave us his Son. Oh, one thing that has to be realized is that Jesus actually has at least two births… one spiritual (the “Word” from the Father (God who IS SPIRIT) and the second birth as a human being – human just like you and me… with the adage that it was the Father’s good will that Christ be filled with the “fullness of the spirit”. So, actually I think you were on to something, because physical birth and spiritual birth are two different things. John 1:1 indicates how things were in the beginning before anything was created – (the Word was with God; remember God is Spirit), then that part of God became externalized. Hence we can say that God was once begotten with Jesus exactly like a Mother is begotten with a child. Thus the term; “Jesus is the only Begotten Son of God”, is very true. Everything else was created including heaven and this universe and all living things. Now, it is possible for one to become brothers and sisters of Christ and if your heart leads you to want to know, seek it out for your self… the adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ!
“A woman is on the ground. Her body heaves and shudders …” – medically speaking it is an epileptic seizure. ” Standing all around her are people who are singing, shouting and clapping….” is a satanic ritual practiced in charismatic cults of westernized Americanized ‘Jeezus’ religions. It has nothing to do with God, with Spirit, with Scripture, or with Salvation. It’s mass hypnosis and entertainment ‘in the name’ (rather ‘blaspheming’) Elohim.
Thank you for sharing your comments ounbbl.
“It may be objected, If the Father and the Son are two distinct beings, do you not, in worshipping the Son and calling him God, break the first commandment of the decalogue? “No; it is the Father’s will ‘That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.’ We cannot break the commandment and dishonor God by obeying him. The Fathers says of the Son, ‘Let all the angels of God worship him.’ Should angels refuse to worship the Son, they would rebel against the Father. Children inherit the name of their Father. The Son of God ‘hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than’ the angels. That name is the name of his Father. The Father says to the Son, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.’ Heb.1. The Son is called ‘The mighty God.’ Isa. 9:6. And when he comes again to earth his waiting people will exclaim, ‘This is our God.’ Isa. 25:9.
It is the will of the Father that we should thus honor the Son. In doing so we render supreme honor to the Father. If we dishonor the Son, we dishonor the Father; for he requires us to honor his son. “But though the Son is called God yet there is a ‘God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ’ 1Pet. 1:3. Though the Father says to the Son, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever,’ yet, that throne is given him of his Father; and because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity, he further says, ‘Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee.’ Heb. 1:9. ‘God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ.’ Acts. 2:36. The Son is ‘the everlasting Father,’ not of himself, nor of his Father, but of his children. His language is, ‘I and the children which God hath given me.’ Heb. 2:13.” R. F. Cottrell, Review and Herald, June 1, 1869.
Thank you for sharing those good thoughts, Sister Cindy. God bless you and your family.
“It may be objected, If the Father and the Son are two distinct beings, do you not, in worshipping the Son and calling him God, break the first commandment of the decalogue? “No; it is the Father’s will ‘That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.’ We cannot break the commandment and dishonor God by obeying him. The Fathers says of the Son, ‘Let all the angels of God worship him.’ Should angels refuse to worship the Son, they would rebel against the Father. Children inherit the name of their Father. The Son of God ‘hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than’ the angels. That name is the name of his Father. The Father says to the Son, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.’ Heb.1. The Son is called ‘The mighty God.’ Isa. 9:6. And when he comes again to earth his waiting people will exclaim, ‘This is our God.’ Isa. 25:9.
It is the will of the Father that we should thus honor the Son. In doing so we render supreme honor to the Father. If we dishonor the Son, we dishonor the Father; for he requires us to honor his son. “But though the Son is called God yet there is a ‘God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ’ 1Pet. 1:3. Though the Father says to the Son, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever,’ yet, that throne is given him of his Father; and because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity, he further says, ‘Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee.’ Heb. 1:9. ‘God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ.’ Acts. 2:36. The Son is ‘the everlasting Father,’ not of himself, nor of his Father, but of his children. His language is, ‘I and the children which God hath given me.’ Heb. 2:13.” –{R. F. Cottrell, Review and Herald, June 1, 1869}. https://sites.google.com/site/theendtimewarning/sundayworshipsda
Thank you for sharing Sister Cindy.
Jesus gives us his mind by coming to dwell in us by his Spirit. His Spirit is his mind. He communicates with us through our minds. When we take hold of the reality of this wonderful provision, and practice the presence of Jesus, then we will truly experience the Comforter; we will experience the only power that can resist temptation and overcome sin. We must have His Mind in us.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:17.
The true Christian will not choose the company of the unconverted. If Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, we cannot enjoy the malarious spiritual atmosphere which surrounds the souls of the irreligious….
Your acquaintances who are utterly averse to spiritual things are not refined, ennobled, and elevated by the practice of the truth. They are not under the leadership of Christ, but under the black banner of the prince of darkness. To associate with those who neither fear nor love God, unless you associate with them for the purpose of winning them to Jesus, will be a detriment to your spirituality. If you cannot lift them up, their influence will tell upon you in corrupting and tainting your faith. It is right for you to treat them kindly; but not well for you to love and choose their society, for if you choose the atmosphere that surrounds their souls, you will forfeit the companionship of Jesus. By every means in your power seek to repress sin; but never for one moment give sanction to sin either by your deeds, your words, your silence, or your presence. Every time sin is sanctioned by the professed follower of Christ, his sense of sin is weakened, and his judgment thus becomes perverted….
The Lord Jesus cannot keep any soul who places himself upon the enemy’s ground and surrounds himself with the society of those who prefer such conversation and conduct as is an offense to the God he reveres and loves….
Cling close to those who will have an uplifting tendency, whose souls are surrounded with a pure and holy atmosphere…. God will be nearer to your heart, more in your thoughts, because you have separated from the world and from influences that would lead you away from the truth, and you will be less compassed with the snares of Satan.
To avoid confusion and unnecessary arguments, we better have a clear definition of the word ‘to worship’.
As to Heb 1:8 ‘Your throne, God, …’ What is referred by ‘your’? Of Son? Or of Father? Note ‘God’ is the God in Greek, meaning Elohim (i.e. Father), is in nominative. Is it used as exclamatory as ‘O God’ or appositive as ‘your throne = God’?
A question to Trinitarians is: what does it mean if they say ‘worship Father, worship Son, and worship Spirit’ and ‘pray to Father’ ‘pray to Son’ and ‘pray to Spirit’? Howe these worships/prayers are different as to Father, Son, and Spirit?
Good question ounbbl. Since I am not a Trinitarian, I will not attempt to answer it. Maybe someone else will answer it for us.
Though the word ‘tithe’ appears in N.T. it is that of O.T. dispensation.
I believe that tithing is part of the eternal moral principle in the Ten Commandments that says, “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15), rather than part of the temporary ceremonial law that was added because Adam sinned.
God’s laws are written on our hearts and minds in the sense that love is the spirit of the law. The law of Christ is love. Love trumps the law. Love does no wrong to anyone. The law defines what wrong is and points us , leads us to the need of a Savior. It is our schoolmaster. Once we are reconciled to our father we are not under the curse of the law. The law kills; the spirit gives life. Those in Christ for free justification are not under the law but under Christ. The cultic form of worship was destroyed in the first century and we have a new law under a new priesthood. Clinging to old things is part of the harlot/whore of Babylon and not part of the new Jerusalem where all things have been made new. All the old things were types and shadows not the substance. One not covered by the blood while in the wilderness had to pay for his own redemption. Are you covered by the blood or trying to buy your own redemption?
Note: Saturday is not the 7th day. The 7th day of Shabbat is of the lunar week. It has nothing to do with Saturday of the solar (Gregorian and Jewish) calendar. By the way, in the early Julian calendar, it was 8-day week (A to H), not 7-day week (named after Roman gods). Then go and figure out how to ‘keep’ sabbath.
Thank you for your comment ounbbl. You brought up a topic that I have studied in detail. Please take the time to view my four part DVD series on the lunar sabbaths. You can find it on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU5gfNecmA0. You can even share your comments about it there. God has had faithful people who knew which day the Sabbath is from creation up to our day. The 8-day week of the Romans, or the 10-day week of the Chinese, did not change the 7-day week handed down by God’s people from creation, and prevalent in almost every civilization of the world.
The very important topic. To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, we have to be clear how the word ‘law’ (Gk. nomos’) is used in N.T. It ranges from the Torah as God’s teaching/guide/instruction to Torah as Pentateuch as specifically Mosaic Law, to general sense of law (judicial) to simply as rule or principle.
Law given by Mosheh; Grace from Yeshua is upon this law, not instead of. ‘End of the law’ does not and cannot bring us into righteousness. Most loves to quote only first part of Rm 10:4 and misreading of ‘end of the law’ ‘law to be discarded’, and forget the main part ‘into righteousness’. A typical christian unbiblical antinomianism is shown in a translation (CEV) “Christ makes the Law no longer necessary for those who become acceptable to God by faith.” What a baloney.
Good thoughts, ounbbl. The word “law” is used to refer to several different types of law in the Bible. Before man sinned, the principles of the the Ten Commandments existed in the two great laws described by Jesus as: “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). These two laws are the heart of God’s moral law, which is described in more detail in the Ten Commandments. The first four explain how to love God with all our hearts, while the last six describe how we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.
After man sinned, God added a typical ceremonial law to point forward to the death of Christ. At first this ceremonial law was very simple, consisting of confession of sins over an animal, and killing it as a sacrifice. There was no priesthood, earthly sanctuary, or other rituals. As man became more corrupt, God added circumcision to the ceremonial law, but it was still a simplistic system. Finally, after men became very corrupt, God spoke the Ten Commandments and wrote them on stone on Sinai. Afterwards, God gave many detailed instructions to Moses, statutes and judgments, some to explain the eternal moral law, and some to explain the temporary ceremonial law designed to teach men how God deals with sin. The temporary, ceremonial law that pointed forward to the death of Christ, ended when Christ died and the veil of the earthly temple was torn in two by the hand of an angel (Matthew 27:51).
The moral law is eternal and was not changed when Christ died, but the ceremonial law reached its fulfillment in the death of Christ, and is no longer binding upon Christians.
The ‘begotten’ is a terrible word to be applied to God. ‘be born’ is by maternal and ‘be begotten’ is by paternal principle in human beings. As God cannot have a son or sons in literal sense (i.e. applicable to humans), the Greek word better be understood as ‘brought forth’. E.g. Abraham brought forth, etc. In G-Mt Ch. 1 the word is not necessarily ‘begetting/having a son’ or ‘becoming father’, but also having a descendent (Mt 1:8, 11).
Consider the possibility that God really does have a Son, whom He gave to die for us because He loves us so much. You claimed that “God cannot have a son or sons in literal sense.” Why not? Is this a limitation on God’s part? This sounds very similar to the Muslim holy book, the Koran, which says, “Allah is One God: Glory be to Him: (Far Exalted is He) above having a son” (Koran 4:171). If God is so exalted and powerful, then surely He can have a Son if He wants to. It is very important for us to understand what the Bible means when it calls Jesus “the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). Any divergence from God’s testimony about His Son, is a departure from appreciating the love of God. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9). “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). I pray that appreciating God’s love in giving His Son for us will be a reality for all who read this.
“Is it Possible to Live Without Sinning?” Of course not. It was possible only for Yeshua according to the Scripture.
The bible itself would never raise that sort of question. Note the translation in KJV of 1Jn 3:6 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not” is inaccurate and actually misleading.
Thank you for sharing ounbbl. You are right that only Jesus (Yeshua) lived a perfect life without sin, yet He did this in part so that He could live this victorious life in us. “For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:11). “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:2-4). I believe these texts are clear enough to show that it is possible to live without sin as long as Christ is living in us. Please read the article again, it is very clear.
Have you read the pioneers view on this as well as the SOP?
Uh, you say, “Jesus Christ = Michael”? That’s what Jehovah’s Witnesses claim. Where does it say anywhere in the Scripture. It’s one of futile human interpretations and doctrines. Why did not God simply say ‘I will send a Michael as Messiah to deliver Israel’ and get over with all the problems (seen in the past history)? So, how does an angel change into a human being and person?
BTW, there are three named archangels in O.T. – Michael, Gabriel, Raphael (+ another named one outside the Scripture).
Thank you for sharing ounbbl. Actually, the Bible only mentions one archangel. He is called, “the archangel.” The term is only used twice in the Bible: 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 1:9. Gabriel is mentioned four times in the Bible, but never referred to as archangel. Raphael is not mentioned at all in the Bible, but only in the Apocrypha. Biblically, there is only one archangel the “chief of the angels” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). He is named Michael, a name which means, “Who is like God” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). So according to the Bible there is One, who is like God, and who is the ruler of the angels. This explains why the Bible says, “Michael and his angels” (Revelation 12:7).
There is a term used in the Old Testament that is equivalent to “archangel.” It is, “captain of the host of the LORD.” It is found in Joshua 5:14, which says, in context, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:13-15). The ruler of the angels allowed Joshua to worship Him, and even told Joshua to do a better job by taking his shoes off. One of God’s angels would not have allowed this to happen (Revelation 19:10; 22:8, 9). This had to be Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, who is worthy of worship (Hebrews 1:6).
Jesus is the one who best fits the name, “Michael (Who is like God).” He is “the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3). He is also the commander in chief over the angels, so He is rightly called “archangel (ruler of the angels).” He is not an angelic being, but the ruler of them. I hope this clarifies things.
isn’t the 144,000 a simbolic number?
That is an excellent question, Sister Miriam. It is quite possible that this is a symbolic number, since the twelve Jewish tribes are symbolic. There is symbolic terminology used throughout the book of Revelation, so it is possible this is the case with the number 144,000 also. It does indicate a small percentage of the earth’s population, which fits Jesus’ words, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13).
It’s 1Co 9:25, not 5:19 that you quote. It’s not ‘temperance’ (as if avoiding excess of such as drinking), but ‘self-control’.
You are a sabbatarian.
Yes, I believe in the Sabbath that was made for man.
An important biochemical process occurring in our body is well described in easy understandable language. Atheists say it is just a result of random process in the nature (read ‘evolution’) – their fanciful ho-hum humbug.
“He who was equal with God became equal with man.” Don’t we read in Jn 1:1-14 that the Logos of Elohim became man (human being)? And then the man becomes equal with man – what does it mean?
Thank you for your comment, and sorry for the delay in responding. Jesus is the ladder between the Father and humanity. He is the way to the Father. For this to happen, He had to become like us. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). His experience as a human gives Him a special ability to be a merciful judge. The Father “hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man” (John 5:27). It also gives Him the ability to fully transform fallen humanity into the image of God.
‘faith of Jesus’ – Is it faith in Jesus, faith Jesus gives, or faith Jesus had in God? Cf. ‘faith of God’ Mk 11:22 (Geneva translation).
“the Faith of Jesus” is different than “faith in Jesus.” The faith of Jesus is the faith Jesus has. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), the result of having Christ live in your heart. Receiving His faith is the only way we can be justified. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16). Please read this article for a deeper explanation of this important topic: https://presenttruth.info/the-faith-of-christ-in-action-july-2014.
Fullness of God [Eph 3:19] vs. fullness of the Godhead [Col 2:29]. What is the sense of Godhead? God’s Head?
Excellent question. We can be filled with all the fulness of God (Ephesians 3:19) through Jesus Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:5, 6). Christ is filled with all the fulness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). When we receive Christ, we are getting both the Father and His Son (John 17:23), because the Father is in Christ (John 14:10). The word “Godhead” used three times in Scripture (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9), each time referring exclusively to the Father. The Father is “the Godhead”, for He is at the head of all things “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3). I hope this helps to answer your question.
No matter how many times I read Leviticus, even when I pretend that I’m one of the Israelites, I’ve never, seen how they were suppose to see, in faith, the sacrifice of God’s son in the future.
Every animal slain as a sacrifice pointed forward to the Son of God dying on the cross. Every action performed by the priests was typical of what Christ would do in the heavenly sanctuary. To me it is incredible that when Jesus came to earth, many Jews would not accept Him because they were expecting a powerful king instead of a lamb that would die for them. They had killed thousands of animals, and unless Christ would die, they would all be meaningless. Abraham’s offering of Isaac should have given a clear picture of what God would do for us. All those ceremonies were only shadows, so they did not illustrate things with clarity, just as a shadow only gives a faint outline of the reality. We definitely have an advantage of having the reality and hindsight. I am thankful we do not have to be cumbered with those shadows today.
ounbbl, are you stating a fact or making an accusation in your statement? Doing a little Googling, among other references I find this:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Sabbatarian
British Dictionary definitions for Sabbatarian:
Sabbatarian /ˌsæbəˈtɛərɪən/
noun
1. a person advocating the strict religious observance of Sunday
2. a person who observes Saturday as the Sabbath
adjective
3. of or relating to the Sabbath or its observance
Word Origin and History for Sabbatarian
n.1610s, “a Christian unusually strict about Sabbath observation,” from Latin Sabbatarius (adj.), from Sabbatum (see Sabbath ). Meaning “member of a Christian sect which maintained the Sabbath should be observed on the seventh day” is attested from 1640s; earlier sabbatary (1590s). Related: Sabbatarianism.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Either way, a Sabbatarian is a Christian who feels strongly about the sanctity of worship on a certain day, Saturday OR Sunday. Are you implying that you don’t think it really matters when we worship according to God’s command? God was most specific and reinforced His commandment with forty years of emphatically teaching His people when that day was and how they were to behave during those precious hours. (Ex. 16) Technically, vs. 29 even forbade gathering together on the Sabbath – they were not to leave their dwelling places! It was to be a day of complete rest. As it turned out, the Jewish people learned their lesson so well, they have kept meticulous track of when the seventh-day Sabbath really is, so no one can truthfully say that we can’t be sure of it. Even science’s atomic clocks have shown that TIME has not changed since the beginning.
Many languages around the world use the word for ‘Sabbath’ as the name for Saturday, which is only so designated because God Himself made that day holy and called it the Sabbath. Mankind did not naturally reverence the Sabbath, and as time passed after the Flood, men became more pagan and made their activities more profane on that day, as if to rub their sin in God’s face. When God made known His chosen people and revealed His holy law to them, He was extremely particular in the way He taught them the sanctity of His holy day.
If we desire to worship God fully, the way He wants us to, does it not stand to reason that we should do it on the only day HE called holy from the very week of Creation? Does mankind have any God-given right to think they can change their Creator’s immutable, written-in-stone holy law? “For I am the LORD, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6) The other nine commandments are accepted by Christians, so why is the fourth singled out as acceptable only if its keeping can be switched to another day of their choosing? It was a pagan emperor who made the change official, saying that “the solemnities” of sabbath-keeping were changed to “the venerable day of the sun.” There was nothing Christian about the change, even if it was the Catholic leadership that urged him into doing it.
Jesus made it clear that the Sabbath is not all about rigidly keeping rites and ceremonies, or nit-picking at one another in the name of religion. He showed it as a day in which good should be done in helping others. The Pharisees were not above pulling an ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath because it would be a great loss to the owner if the animal died, but they refused to agree to the healing of a crippled or sick person on the holy day. Jesus told the healed man to take up his bed and walk on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees claimed was sinful, not realizing that the Son of God was the one who told the man to do it, and if anyone had the God-given right to say so, it was He.
The religious leaders were fond of fasting, besides adding constantly to the burden of Sabbath restrictions, but Christ said their form of fasting was wrong. His fast was not for show, as theirs was, but to bring Himself into closer communion with His Father. The prophet Isaiah wrote, and Jesus quoted,
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Thank you for that excellent answer Sister Rebecca.
I have never heard that argument used myself in debate over the trinity doctrine. Could you reference anyone specifically that has used it for me so I could look into it further? What I was really hoping to see was your response to John 12:41 where John says that what Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6:1-3 was in fact Jesus. Thanks.
I totally agree with the first sentence of your last paragraph, so I would like to also point out a few additional passages that are directly related to the subject. Isaiah 43:10-11 says …before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and besides me there is no saviour. Isaiah 44:6 & 8 say …I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. …Is there a God besides me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. Jesus also states that He is the “Alpha and Omega” in Revelation 1:8, 1:11 and again in 22:13. In these passages Isaiah tells us exactly what is meant by “the first and the last”.
It very simply means that the One making that claim is stating that He is the bookends by which all things consist (see Col. 1:17). There was nothing that came before Him and there will be nothing that comes after him, it is the ultimate statement of eternal existence.
Please expound on your thoughts about this subject taking these passages into consideration as well. Thanks.
You brought up some excellent points, Brother John. Thank you for sharing. Yes, all of those scriptures must harmonize with the rest of the Scriptures that say “there is but one God, the Father…” (1 Corinthians 8:6), and that the Father has “given to the Son to have life in Himself” (John 5:26). In the Bible it is sometimes difficult to understand exactly who is speaking, either the Father or the Son. The context must be relied upon to give us the correct understanding. Sometimes, there is a change of speakers without a clear indication, but the context is king. The first verse you brought up is very interesting. It says, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour” (Isaiah 43:10, 11). The fact that He says, “beside me there is no saviour” is interesting because both the Father and the Son in the New Testament are called “Saviour.”
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:3-5). “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:4-6). God the Father is our Saviour because He is the one, and only one, who could send Jesus to save us. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). If the president was the only person who could save a country, and the only way he could do it was by sending his son to die for them, then either the president or his son could claim that he is the only Saviour. We have salvation only through the Son of God who died for our sins, something that could only happen if His Father had enabled Him to perform this work. So it is actually true for either the Father or the Son to claim “beside me there is no Saviour.” Both of them saved us each in a particular way that only that Person could perform. The Father cannot die (1 Timothy 6:16) so He could not save us by dying Himself, and the Son could not be resurrected to be our High Priest if His Father had not resurrected Him from the dead (Hebrews 5:7; Ephesians 1:17-20). Each had a critical part to play in our salvation. So each of them is our only Saviour.
So to decipher who is speaking in this particular verse in Isaiah, we need to look at the context. It says, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed [יצר yatsar], neither shall there be after me.” The word “formed” is very interesting here. It is the same word that is used a few verses later where God says, “Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed [יצר yatsar] thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen” (Isaiah 44:2). “Formed” can apply to being begotten or born. Jesus Christ is the only Person who was begotten or born from His Father. The wording here is “before me there was no God formed or born, neither shall there be after me.” This indicates that He is the first and the last God who was born. This could only apply to Jesus Christ who was begotten by God, His Father.
Some have claimed that the use of the word “formed” in this verse has nothing to do with Him being born. Yet, if that is the case, why is that word there? If He just wanted to say, “before me there was no God, neither shall there be after me,” why didn’t He just say so? Instead He said there was no God BORN before Him, neither shall there be any God BORN after Him. This sounds like language of Jesus Christ who said He is “the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). This also explains at least one way how the Son could be called, “the Alpha and the Omega.” He is the first and the last of any God who was born.
The next verses you quoted are: “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God… Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:6, 8). The verses that follow are very interesting. They say, “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; … he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god” (Isaiah 44:9-17). Notice the context here. God is not disavowing the fact that He has a Son, instead, He is contrasting Himself with false gods made of wood or stone.
Every interpretation of a verse must be in harmony with the rest of Scripture, if not, then we can be sure we are wrong. In the same book, Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). He also wrote of Him, “Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me” (Isaiah 48:16). Here Isaiah knew of someone who was in the beginning, who was sent by the Lord God. This same person who was sent by the Lord God is said to be “The mighty God.”
What we must conclude from all these verses is that when the one God of the Bible was distinguishing Himself from false gods He was not denying the fact that He has a literal Son who is God by nature.
I hope this helps to clarify the question. I really appreciate you taking the time to write.
Blindly following something (or someone) without first thoroughly checking it out will ALWAYS get you in trouble. When it comes to church doctrines, it’s an absolute necessity. WHY are certain things required to be believed and performed? Are they required in the Bible as tenets of the faith? Or are they from pagan sources, cleverly and insidiously ingrained for so long that they have been accepted by nearly all Christians? Our adversary has MANY ways of twisting the truth and inserting lies, not just regarding a single belief, but in one way or another affecting ALL of them. Be careful what you believe, and do your own due diligence to study it out for yourself, for “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isa 28:9-10)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim 2:15)
In my own studies, I find that the Bible emphatically repeats important points so that crucial doctrines are reinforced. Nothing important to the faith should be established on a foundation of only one verse but by the “witness” of at least two or three verses. “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” (Deu 17:6) ALL Christians need to understand why they believe what they believe, and “because my church or pastor or denomination teaches it” is NOT a good-enough reason! Does the Word of God teach it? ARE YOU SURE IT DOES???
Excellent comment, Sister Rebecca. Thank you so much for sharing. Studying the Bible for yourself is critical, especially the closer we come to the end of time when false teachers are so aggressive that they will deceive, if possible, the very elect (Matthew 24:24).
Thank you for your reply Lynnford. In your response you indicate that it is your belief that it is Jesus who is speaking in Is. 43:10-11. Would you agree then that Jesus is in fact Jehovah?
Yes. Jehovah is a name given to Jesus by His Father. The Bible says of Jesus, “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:4). Jesus received a name from His Father by inheritance. That would indicate that He received a name that His Father also has. My name is Lynnford Beachy. Only part of this name is the same as my earthly father. My name “Lynnford” was given to me by my parents, but I did not receive it by inheritance. The name I received by inheritance is “Beachy.” I have that name because my father has that name. God the Father and Jesus both share the name Jehovah (Yahweh). Jesus received this name by inheritance. The Father said, “…my name is in Him” (Exodus 23:21). Jesus appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18 and it says the LORD (Jehovah or Yahweh) was speaking to Abraham (verse 22). We know this was Jesus because “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Thank you for prompting further clarification. I appreciate your kindness.
Thanks for the quick reply. I would just like to continue on a bit were you left off about Jesus being the one who appeared to Abraham. I agree with your statement there and I’m glad you brought it up. My understanding of your position is that you do not believe that Jesus is “God Almighty.” Exodus 6:3 says “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not know to them.”
The name Jesus obtained by inheritance spoken of in Hebrews 1:4 is “Son” as we see in verse 5. I see no Biblical evidence to support the assumption that Jehovah was the name that was obtained by inheritance in verse 4. We see Jesus or the “Word” showing up right off the bat in Gen. 3:8 as Jehovah God walking in the garden and it says that Adam and Eve hid themselves from His presence. I agree with your assessment that the One who appeared to Abraham in Gen. 18 was in fact Jesus. With that being said and your belief in mind that Jesus is not “God Almighty” but someone else, I would like you to share how it is that you are able to harmonize the verses we’ve already went over with the following: Ex. 6:3 “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not know to them.” Deu. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:” Ps. 83:18 “That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth.” Gen. 19:24 “Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven.” (also see Amos 4:11 and read carefully) Thank you.
Thank you for your comment Brother John. Regarding the name
given to Jesus “by inheritance” in Hebrews 1:4, I do not see how the title “Son”
could be the name He received by inheritance. “Son” is a title, not a name, and
it is not a title the Father shares. Jehovah, on the other hand, is a name and
it is a name that both the Father and the Son share, hence making Jehovah [Yahweh]
applicable to a name given by inheritance.
You brought up a good question about “God Almighty.” That
term is used 11 times in the Bible and could always be referring to the Father
only. Here is the last place it is used, speaking of the New Jerusalem: “And I
saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of
it” (Revelation 21:22). God said to Moses, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto
Isaac, and unto Jacob, by God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known
to them” (Exodus 6:3 italicized words omitted). Here is an example of God
speaking to Moses, either personally or by proxy (someone representing Him).
God has spoken to people by proxy on several occasions and not always with clear
indication that He was speaking by proxy. For example: “And the angel of the
LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said,
Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou
any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son from me. … And the angel of the LORD
called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I
sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee,
and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as
the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the
gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice” (Genesis 22:11-18).
Here “the angel of the LORD” appeared to Abraham, but spoke
the words of the LORD as if he was the LORD using, “thou hast not withheld thy
son, thine only son from ME,” and “By MYSELF have I sworn, saith the
LORD… thou hast obeyed MY voice.”
Another example is when Moses saw a burning bush: “And the
angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a
bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was
not consumed.… And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called
unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said,
Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy
feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am
the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.… And God said unto
Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of
Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:2-6, 14).
In both of these cases we have one Person appearing to men
referred to as, “the angel of the LORD.” Hebrew word translated “angel” here
means, “messenger, representative, angel” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon).
This word is translated “messenger” almost as often as it is translated “angel.”
God used this word to apply to His Son when He said, “Behold, I will send my
messenger [or angel], and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord,
whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger [or angel] of
the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts”
(Malachi 3:1). He also said, “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee
in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of
him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions:
for my name is in him” (Exodus 23:20, 21). These verses are referring to Jesus,
the Son of God, who is the ultimate messenger of God Almighty. He can appear to
people and speak with authority as if He is God Almighty Himself, for the
Father’s name is in Him.
For someone to be called, “the Angel of the LORD,” they must
be someone other than “the LORD” Himself. Though both the Father and the Son are
called “the LORD [Jehovah]” there is still one who is the original and “the only
true God” (John 17:3), He is God, the Father, beside whom, “there is none other
God” (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). The Son is His messenger. He appeared to Joshua and
said, “…as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on
his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord
unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose
thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And
Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:14, 15). Here Jesus uses the title, “captain of the
host of the LORD” and received worship. Jesus is much greater than the angels
and is their captain. At the same time He is the primary messenger of the
Father. He can speak for God without clarification that He is actually His Son.
I believe this harmonizes all of the verses you shared. He can still sing to
His Father with Moses and the 144,000 saying, “Great and marvellous are thy
works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation
15:3).
Thank you so much for sharing. I pray that this helps to
clarify things.
You seem to have missed the intension of my last question so I will try
to break it down more thoroughly.
Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” “to be” or “to exist”, “I AM THAT I AM” Ex. 3:14. Jehovah is eternal (no beginning and no end), to be Jehovah means to have always been Jehovah, the One True God, God Almighty. This is why I stated that I see no Biblical evidence to support that Jehovah was the name received by inheritance in Hebrews 1:4 as you suggested because it violates that basic principle. Jesus tells us that before Abraham was I am, in John 8:58. I listed the verses where we see Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end at the beginning of our discussion. We agree that it was Jesus that appeared to Abraham because no man hath seen the Father at any time. Yet we see that God Almighty Himself appeared to men in Gen. 17:1, 35:9-11, 48:3 and Ex. 6:3.
The following versus show plurality within the name Jehovah: Is. 44:6 “Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first and the last; and besides me there is no God”. This passage clearly indicates two Jehovahs but it is followed by a declaration that must include both of them and yet is stated with the singular pronouns “I and me”. We also see two Jehovahs in Gen. 19:24 which is referred to in Amos 4:11, again with plurality as l listed in my previous comment.
We also have to deal with the verses that explicitly state that there is only one Jehovah such as these here: Deu. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:” Ps. 83:18 “That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth.” Ps. 148:13 “Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For his name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and the heavens”. Nehemiah 9:6 “Thou art Jehovah, even thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee”. Also see Is. 43:10-11 mentioned previously.
To summarize, the name Jehovah can only be properly applied to the eternal, God Almighty. We see that Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, the Most High over all the earth. But, we also see plurality within that name. We agree that no man has seen the Father at anytime so the One who appears is in fact Jesus. This means that either Jesus is God Almighty or that the men who stated that they had seen God Almighty were actually tricked into thinking that’s what they had seen. There can only be one Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. We see it used in the OT by Jehovah and Jesus claims it Himself in the NT. The Jesus I follow meets all these criteria and fits perfectly. I have studied your
material and the Jesus you speak of does not harmonize with these scriptures. That is what I would like you to address.
Also, I am glad you brought up the examples regarding “The Angle of the LORD”. That is another good study that ties right into all this as well. I would like to comment on that as well but after we go over this because it will help clarify what is being revealed in those passages that you mentioned.
Thank you for your clarification, Brother John. I am sorry
about missing the point last time. You are right that the name Jehovah means
“The Existing One,” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon) or “Self-Existent”
(Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary). Yet, it is an assumption to apply to it, “no
beginning.” That is not part of the definition. Granted, the supreme Jehovah,
God the Father, is without beginning. Yet, the use of Jehovah by the Father’s
Son does not carry this meaning. If it did, it would contradict Jesus’ own
words, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to
have life in himself” (John 5:26). The name Jehovah carries with it
“self-existent,” which is something that Jesus has. He stays alive without any
outside source keeping Him alive. You and I must continue to eat the tree of
life to stay alive, but He does not have that requirement. According to Jesus
this “self-existent” life was “given” to Him. If self-existence cannot be
given, then Jesus’ words cannot be true. But we know that is not the case, so
“self-existence” can be given from the Father to His Son. I believe He has this
“by inheritance,” so the name Jehovah is perfectly fitting for Jesus to have
received “by inheritance” (Hebrews 1:4).
You brought up some verses which you say “show plurality
within the name Jehovah.” The first of which is: “Thus saith the LORD the King
of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the
last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). I can see how it may be
inferred from this verse that it is talking about two Jehovahs, but there is an
alternate explanation that I believe is more accurate and will not contradict other
Scriptures. The “his” in the phrase “his Redeemer” could be referring to
“Israel.” It could be understood, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and [Israel’s]
redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me
there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). As it is written in the King James, it is not
definitive one way or the other (LORD or Israel), but in some translations it
is very definitive. The Rotherham translation says, “Thus saith Yahweh—King of
Israel, Even his Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts…” The 2003 Holman Christian Standard
Bible says, “This is what the LORD, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the
LORD of Hosts, says…” In these translations, “the LORD,” is the same person
in both parts of the verse. The ending of the verse also requires this
understanding, which says, “beside me there is no God.” If He was actually talking
about two Persons in this verse, He would have said, “beside US there is no
God.” I have found that every time, without exception, when the Father or Son wanted
to include both of them, They used the plural pronouns “us,” “we,” “our,” etc.
(Genesis 1:26; John 14:23; 17:22, etc.). When He uses the singular, “me,” “I,”
etc., I have found in every case He is only talking about one singular Person.
I do not know of any exceptions to this. If you know of any, please let me
know. This consistency would require that Isaiah 44:6 is only talking about one
Person called Jehovah as the above translations illustrate. It is certainly not
sufficient evidence to build a doctrine claiming that there is a plurality in
the name Jehovah, especially in light of all the verses that contradict this
notion.
The last two verses you brought up to support this are: Genesis
19:24 “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire
from the LORD out of heaven;” and Amos 4:11 “I have overthrown some of you, as
God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the
burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” I am assuming you
are seeing a plurality here because the LORD says, “God overthrew…,” please
correct me if I am wrong. Speaking of yourself in the third person is normal in
the Bible. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing
of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth,
these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19). Here Jesus was speaking of
Himself, but He calls Himself “He,” and “the Son.” This is common in the Bible.
In John’s gospel, he wrote, “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom
Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper,… This is
the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we
know that his testimony is true.” (John 21:20, 24). John was writing of himself
here as the one who leaned on Jesus’ breast at supper and the one who wrote the
Gospel of John. It was common for a person in the Bible to speak of himself in
the third person, so it is not surprising for God to say, “God overthrew
Sodom…” and be speaking about Himself.
If the above two examples are the only two that “show plurality
within the name Jehovah,” I would seriously reconsider your conclusion,
especially since that conclusion contradicts the other verses you mentioned
that show His absolute singularity. Please consider the following verses while
forming your conclusion and ask, “Who is God in these verses?”
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for
salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:22-24).
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”
(Ephesians 1:17).
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made
the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1, 2).
“But unto the Son he [the Father] saith, Thy throne, O God,
is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:8,
9).
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
“And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall
the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that
God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is
Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1
Corinthians 11:3).
“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven,
and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may
glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that
they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”
(John 17:1-3).
“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are
offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called
gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in
him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1
Corinthians 8:4-6).
The term “one God” is used seven times in the Bible (Malachi
2:10; Mark 12:32; Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5;
James 2:19), and in every case it is referring exclusively to the Father.
“And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said
the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love
him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul,
and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than
all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:32, 33).
“Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing:
it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God” (John
8:54).
I very much appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this. I
understand that neither of us know all things. We just have to weigh the
evidence and make our conclusions based upon the facts. I am open to correction
and I seek for more evidence. I really appreciate how we can humbly reason
together and your kind attitude.
Regarding the patriarchs seeing “God Almighty.” Consider this:
“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend”
(Exodus 33:11). Here we find that Moses spoke face to face with the LORD. Yet,
a few verses later God said, “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for
there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20). Talking about the Father,
the Bible says, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man
can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and
power everlasting. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16). According to the Bible, “No man hath
seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the
Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18).
Many men have seen Jesus. When asked to show the Father,
Jesus said, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me,
Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then,
Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father
in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father
that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:9, 10). Jesus manifested the
Father. He said, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man
knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the
Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him” (Matthew 11:27). The only
way to know the Father is through Jesus revealing Him. That is why He is
called, “the Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). He reveals the Father. If you
want to know the Father you must see Him through His Son Jesus. Yes, He can
rightly appear to people as the Almighty, for can speak on behalf of His Father
and He was given “all power” “in heaven and earth” (Matthew 28:18). The Father
put all things under Him (1 Corinthians 15:24-28), similarly to how Pharoah put
all things under Joseph, except for himself (Genesis 41:40). When Joseph’s
brothers came to get food they understood Joseph to be “the lord of the country”
(Genesis 42:33), even though Joseph had someone over him in authority.
We have already seen how “The angel of the LORD” appeared to
people speaking as the LORD Himself. Jesus is the number one Messenger for His
Father, so He can speak the words of His Father, saying, “I am God Almighty”
whether or not the title applies to Jesus directly. I look forward to hearing
your thoughts on “the angel of the LORD.”
Thank you so much for your time and comments. May God bless
you richly.
Thank you for your reply Lynnford. When you say Jesus stays alive without any
outside source keeping Him alive, that would be a definition for “Self-Sustaining”. To be “Self-
Existent” means to exist independently of any other being or cause. To exist without a cause is to have no beginning, or to be eternal. One cannot be Jehovah without possessing this attribute; there is no partially being Jehovah. It’s all or nothing.
The view that John 5:26 indicates that there must be two separate definitions of Jehovah misses what we are told in Philippians 2:5-8 where Jesus voluntarily emptied Himself of the attributes that constituted His glory and entered into His own creation as a man. The eternal nature of the Son is not in question in John 5:26; it is the Father’s communication of Divine attributes to the Incarnate Word that is meant. John 1:4 tells us that in Him was life from the beginning, this verse is paralleled by Ps. 36.9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Keep in mind when reading passages like John 17:3 that Jesus was both divine and man.
As a man Jesus correctly addresses the Father as the only true God. He was not denying His own divinity but affirming the trueness of God as we see in the OT. A lot of Anti-Trinitarians like to use John 17:3 as a proof text but without understanding Philippians 2 they miss out
completely on verse 4 and 5. Notice what Jesus is saying, He glorified the Father on the earth and finished the work that He was given to do. Then in verse 5 He doesn’t ask but tells the Father to glorify Him with the glory they shared before the world was. Also compare that passage with Is. 48:11 where Jehovah says he will not give His glory to another. Hold on to that thought as we continue.
When you ask the question “Who is God in these verses?” what you are really asking is: “Is Jesus the Father”. The distinction formed in Philippians 2 differentiating between the incarnation and pre-incarnation of Jesus must be made when analyzing these passages. A better question to ask would be “Is Jesus Jehovah?”
I’d like to point out that you brought up plurality within the name Jehovah when you described your view of Is. 43:10-11 stating that the Jehovah speaking in that passage must be Jesus. You also state that Jehovah was the name Jesus received in Hebrews 1:4, this certainly seemed to indicate to me that you agreed with the concept that we see plurality within the name Jehovah. I then listed a few verses that supported this concept but now you say there are alternate explanations that eliminate the plurality.
I am a little confused by your position. Is Jesus (the pre-incarnate Word) rightly identified as the Jehovah of the OT or not?
In Gen. 19:24 we read that Jehovah is on earth visiting Lot and He rains down brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven. But we also have many verses that show absolute singularity. Again hold those thoughts as we move on and examine the Angle of the LORD, situation.
You laid out a few examples in your previous reply so I will build on that and see what else the
Bible tells us regarding the Angle of the LORD and His identity. For the sake of brevity I will just list the passages with a few notes and leave it to you to look them up and study, which I’m sure you would do anyway.
Gen. 16:7-13 The angel of the LORD promised to do something that only God can do in verse 10. Hagar knew that it was Jehovah who spoke to her and she identified the angel of the LORD as God: “Thou God seest me”.
Gen. 21:17-20 The angel of the God promised to do something only God can do in verse 18. This angel is identified as God in verse 19.
Gen. 22 Notice how it was God testing and speaking directly to Abraham in verses 1-2 telling him to offer Isaac as burnt offering. Then in verse 11-12 the angle of the LORD calls out to Abraham and says in was Him that Abraham had not withheld his son from. The angel of Jehovah calls out to Abraham a second time in verse 15 and yet in verse 16 it is clear that Jehovah is the one speaking. In verses 17-18 the angel of Jehovah promises to do what only God can do.
Gen. 31:11-13 The angel of God identifies Himself as God: “I am the God of Bethel”.
Ex. 3:2-8 The angle of the LORD appeared unto Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush in verse 2. In verse 4 it says that God called unto him from the midst of the bush. This is quite interesting because either the angle of the LORD is God himself or He is standing in the flame with God. Which brings us back to the question about Who is the one seen by men?
Ex. 23:20-23 Jehovah says that the angel in this passage has His name in Him in verse 21, (“name” referring to Jehovah’s nature and character). God’s people must “obey His voice” and He has the authority to “pardon your transgressions” or not to pardon them. Who can forgive sins but God alone? When Jesus healed the paralytic in Mark 2:5-7 the scribes reasoned in their hearts that it was blasphemy for a man to claim power to forgive sins and they were correct, the problem was that their hardened hearts did not allow them to understand who Jesus really was.
While we are here you brought up Moses speaking to Jehovah face to face in Ex. 33. That is a very interesting passage indeed. I would point out that Moses asks to see Jehovah’s glory in verse 18 so that indicates to me that Jehovah can cloak his glory and reveal it as He pleases. This also brings us back to the question about Who is the one seen by men?
Joshua 5:13-15 Here a man with his sword drawn identifies Himself as captain of the host of the LORD. Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped Him and this man did not stop him from doing so (see Rev. 22:8-9). Joshua is then told to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground confirming that he was in the presents of God just as Moses was instructed when he encountered the burning bush.
Judges 2:1 The angel of Jehovah says things that only God could say. Jehovah is the One who made them go up out of Egypt as we saw in Ex. 3:8 and brought them into the land which He swore to give unto their fathers. God is the One who promised to never break His covenant.
Judges 6:11-24 As you follow this passage, pay close attention to who is speaking to Gideon: in verse 12 the angel of Jehovah is speaking; in verse 14 Jehovah is speaking; in verse 16 Jehovah is speaking; in verse 20 the angel of God is speaking.
Judges 13:3-23 Note especially verses 17-18. Manoah said to the angel of Jehovah, “What is Thy name?” and the angel of Jehovah said, “Why asketh thou thus after My Name, seeing it is secret?” The word “secret” may be translated “wonderful”. It is the same word found in Isaiah 9:6 – “His Name shall be called wonderful.” In Isaiah 9:6 the term is used as a name of Christ who is also called “the Mighty God.” The fact that Jehovah’s angel was God was certainly known by Manoah. After the angel of Jehovah appeared to him Manoah said, “We have seen God”.
I do not see Biblical support for the idea that God speaks to people by proxy, giving the representative authority to then speak as God Himself. This principle would also have to be used when reading Rev. 1:8 where Jesus claims the title of Almighty, making the Father the One who is to come. We see the angle of the Lord speaking as God Himself, swearing oaths by His own name and people falling on their faces to the ground in His presents. If this person is not God Himself then surly He would be guilty of blasphemy on the highest order. God does
not give His glory to another. John harmonizes all these passages beautifully so as to leave no doubt for those diligently searching the scriptures, learning how all this fits together. John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
Thank you for engaging in this discussion. I have appreciated receiving your input on this important topic.
Daniel 10:13 KJV “… but, lo, Michael [Heb. “who is like God”], one [Heb. “one,” or “first”] of the chief [Heb. “first,” or “primary”] princes [Heb. “prince,” “ruler,” “leader,”]…”
If we look at this and apply the Hebrew definitions from the Strong’s Concordance, we get, “but, lo, Michael, one of the primary/chief rulers…” Who are the chief or primary rulers? God, the Father; God, the Son (Jesus Christ, aka Michael), and the Holy Spirit. It’s talking about the triune Godhead.
God the Father has variou names. God the Son has various names. God the Holy Spirit has various names. These names are given to shed light on their character. God the Father is also called “Lord God Almighty,” for example. God the Son is also called Jesus, (“Jehovah is salvation”), the Messiah/Christ (“Annointed One”), The Alpha and Omega, (first and last letters of Greek alphabet signifying is is our beginning and end from everlasting to everlasting), and Michael (“Who is like God”).
This in no way states, as JWs do, that Jesus Christ and Michael the Archangel refer to created beings. For nothing was created except by Christ. Just as the archbishop is not a bishop, but the leader of bishops, so the archangel is not an angel but the leader of angels.
It’s simply another title of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God the Son come down to earth in human form to help in our affliction. In like manner, Michael, the archangel, is God the Son in angelic form to help the angels when they fought Satan and the 1/3 of the heavenly host.
Getting closer to the end i am deeply interested about 1.444.000 and how we are sealed i love God yet i am not perfect how can i be ready and i have many questions as prophecies unfold if end time senarios
,
Thank you for your comment. You are right that we are coming to the end. We need a strong relationship with the Lord and trust Him by faith to do what He says. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4, 5). Blessings!
is there a present truth church in Raleigh north Carolina area
Thank you for asking. Unfortunately, I do not know of any groups in your area. I am sorry for that. Maybe someone else will comment who knows of some brethren there. Perhaps you would like to go to the TN camp meeting in Roan Mountain from September 20-26. You can call Berean Ministries, 423-772-3161 for information. You may find local people in your area when you go. I am sorry I cannot help you more.
A few days ago I heard one of my favorite hymns on the radio, “The Wonder of It All,” telling that of all the wonderful things in this universe, the most wonderful of all is “that God loves me.” Those words in the hymn always cause me to weep tears of amazement, joy and love, because God is my Father. It occurred to me this time that of COURSE God loves me – I’m HIS daughter, and a good earthly father always loves his children. How much more does my heavenly Father love me than my earthly father ever could? He SO loved me that He gave His only begotten Son – my Brother – to bear all of my sins and give His precious blood to die on the cross for ME. “What wondrous love is this, O my soul?” The love of our Father for each of us is beyond our comprehension, but I’m learning how wonderful, how soul-stretching it is to think about and meditate upon it!
Thank you, Brother Lynnford, for this beautifully-written lesson and reminder!
Thank you so much for your encouragement Sister Rebecca. May God”s love be shed abroad in your heart more and more each day (Romans 5:5).
Thank you so much for this clear and Biblical study! It is a real encouragement. Bless you, Brother Beachy!
Thank God for your testimony and example, Brother Carter! Truly, He directs our lives and uses both the good and the bad things that happen to us as teaching tools to show us that He only has good intentions toward us.
I have seen the awful parts of my life turned to good, because God enabled me to witness to others who had endured the same sorts of things, and bring them to a better understanding of God’s love in the midst of the suffering. Bad things happen to good people, every minute of every day, but our loving Father always has us in His hands, close to His heart. His never-ending love is what gives us the strength and courage to continue and finish the race, the battle, and gain the victory over sin and death.
Keep fighting the good fight, Brother! Keep your light shining brightly amid the gathering gloom, for the Light of the World is returning soon! Many will be attracted to the flame, and some will catch the fire, too. You are an encouragement and a blessing. Thank you for writing and sharing with us.
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Rebecca S.
It is a very common thing for people to regard truth as of two kinds – essential and non-essential, important and unimportant.” This is what I find whenever I attempt to talk to long-time Adventists, especially pastors, about the importance of the truth about God and His Son. “I don’t think it’s salvational,” they say. “We need to concentrate on more important subjects,” like women’s ordination, etc.
However, when the trinity doctrine defies and falsifies the very FIRST commandment of God – “thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deu 6:5), “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exo 20:3) – it becomes a subject of the most profound importance, for it injects a false object of worship into the place only occupied by the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (John 17:3).
As I have asked, over and over, Why is it not salvational to know to WHOM you are giving your worship? Paul told the Athenians on Mars Hill who worshiped “THE UNKNOWN GOD” that he would tell them who that God was so they could worship Him in truth. It is our duty as believers in the Father and the Son to show unbelievers that it is MOST salvational to know exactly WHO they are worshiping! What does a certain Sabbath day matter, if it doesn’t belong only to the TRUE God? What does respecting one’s father and mother matter if one doesn’t understand the truth of paternity as shown by our Father and His only BEGOTTEN Son? None of the commandments matter one iota if we do not first understand and accept the truth about God – that He is the ONE TRUE GOD, and He has one begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose resurrection from the dead allowed Him to return to earth to speak to the minds and dwell in the hearts of all mankind, unfettered by His human body, in the form of (not the “person of”) the holy spirit, the “still, small voice” that speaks truth to us when we are assailed by temptations from the evil spirit of our adversary.
Sadly, most trinitarians have been so indoctrinated into the “mystery we’ll never fully understand in this life, and will have to study in heaven forever,” they refuse to see the plain, simple truth that when we have the spirit of God and of Jesus, instead of the spirit of Satan, THAT is the holy spirit – not some third person. Satan’s evil spirit is never thought of as a separate individual, so why should the holy spirit be seen as an individual separate from God and Jesus? It makes no sense!
Anyone who understands the concept of a father and son relationship can understand God the Father and Jesus His Son. We have dozens and dozens of examples in the Scriptures, both of commoners and of kings, with fathers who begat or begot sons (and daughters), many without mention of who the mothers were. Why should we worry that Jesus apparently had no mother in His existence before the world was created, just because she wasn’t identified in the Bible? Maybe she will meet us at the gates to the heavenly city, or sit at the head of the table with the Father. I’m not saying she exists or doesn’t – that’s one “mystery” we’ll find out when we get there! No deep theological discussion is needed to fully comprehend this – any child can, as Jesus said.
Even a little child who understands the relationship between a father and a son KNOWS that the father exists FIRST, and causes the son to be born, of his own flesh and blood, and of the same spirit if they spend all their time together, for the son learns from his father and imitates him. “Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” (Pro 8:30). We know that a good son does what his father tells him, obeys him in everything, and goes wherever the father sends him to do whatever he tells him to do. The son loves, trusts and respects his father. The son is not the same person as his father, nor is the father the same person as his son, and mixing them up, as so many Christians do when praying, is neither logical nor respectful.
One of the most convincing verses I learned regarding this truth was John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Another was “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (1Jn 2:22-25)
Our eternal life depends on whether we KNOW Jehovah is the only true God, and Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. That’s pretty salvational.
I fully agree with the points made in this article! “Eternally dying” is the same as living eternally just so the sinner can be dying eternally in the fires of hell! It is absolutely unbiblical.
What about “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”? Jesus was not in existence for all eternity? He is not, in fact, God? I don’t understand that to be true based on what I’ve read in the Bible…
Hello Rebecca, Thank you for posting. You brought up an excellent question. Yes, Jesus is God because His Father is God. John 1:1 actually demonstrates that very well.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).
Here Jesus is called “God,” yet there is a clear distinction between Him and “God” whom He was with. The God who Jesus was with is God, the Father. Jesus was not the same “God” He was with, but rather, Jesus was God in the sense of being divine just like His Father. The Father is God, so, necessarily, His Son is God by nature. Biblical Greek Scholars generally agree that the second time the word “God” is used in John 1:1, it is used as a “qualitative noun” to describe the qualities of “the Word.” Harner says that nouns “with an anarthrous [no article] predicate preceding the verb, are primarily qualitative in meaning” (The Journal of Biblical Literature, Philip B. Harner, article “Qualitative Anarthrous Predicate Nouns: Mark 15:39 and John 1:1.”) “The clause could be translated, ‘the same nature as God.’ This would be one way of representing John’s thought, which is, as I understand it, that ho logos [‘the word’], no less than ho theos [‘the God’], had the nature of theos.” (ibid.)
I am human because my father is human. Jesus is God because His Father is God. That is what John was emphasizing when he stated, “the Word was God.”
Jesus existed in eternity. He is the very first and only begotten Son of God. There was a point in eternity past when, as He said, Jesus “proceeded forth and came from God” (John 8:42). To learn more about this, please read my short book, “Understanding the Personality of God” here https://presenttruth.info/personality-of-god-chapter1. I would be very glad to know your thoughts on this, so please write me or post comments here so we can continue the discussion.
May the Lord abundantly bless you and your family above what you can think or ask.
Could you tell me what church you belong to please?
I am not a member of any denomination. Present Truth Ministries is non-denominational.
Thanks for sharing your testimony. It is the testimony on Jesus, and what Jesus did in your life he can do for others.
Thank you for your encouragement Brother. Jesus is amazing! May He be lifted up in our lives every day.
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. It strengthened me, as I was reading it. God has truly blessed you with an ability to write in a way that is easy to read, understand and believe, and I am grateful to Him that He led me to you and others in this truth-about-God fellowship. Blessings and peace be unto you, dear brother!
When Jesus was glorified together with His God/His Father, Jesus was granted His new name which is the name of His Father < (Rev. 3:12) Jesus revealed Himself to John in ‘The Revelation’ saying, “I am Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” < Rev. 1:8. Again, Jesus said to John in Rev. 1:11 and Rev. 1:17-18, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” —. “Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” And again in Rev. 21:5-6 John wrote; “Then He who sat on throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ — ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ — ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”
Thank you for sharing Brother. Excellent points!
Wonderful words of life………..
Thank you for your encouragement. I pray that this study will bless many people.
Your understanding is good. Too many times we look for someone’s thoughts or opinions on a matter or spiritual understand. I applaud you for stating that it is not about one’s opinion, but the will of The One True Elohim. Unfortunately the mass majority of people in the United State think that Sunday, the first day of the week, is the Sabbath which is incorrect. If we were to study to show ourselves approved then we can find where it was changed from dusk Friday until dusk on Saturday to Sunday. Again, thanks for your correct comments.
Thank you for your comments. You are right, it is not about our opinion, but what saith the Lord.
Wow, really sad for his son. Yeah, that’s really hard. I’ve been in similar situations, though not 8 years, only a few days and that was something that caused me to think long and hard about how there must be something more to this life. I could hardly imagine the pain that brings to the heart not being able to see his wife and children. Will pray for your brother.
Thank you so much for your prayers.
The 144,000 are the ‘firstfruits’ of fall harvest presented to God in the first century from the tribes of Israel. They were judged worthy to rule and reign with Christ for a set period of time judging the tribes of Israel. Since there are no more tribes of Isreal as a national covenant then it happened in the first century setting, whom the letters were penned to. God promised a remnant according to his foreknowledge of who would put their faith in the Messiah. These firstfruits sang both songs of Moses and the Lamb. The law of firstfruits: ‘If the first pinch of dough offered to the Lord is declared HOLY then the whole lump is HOly to the LORD.’ Bibles weren’t printed for public use until the 16th century. It wasn’t written to US but to the recipients of the letters, the old covenant nation of Israel, in bondage, and Revelation is written to them, Bondservants. Rev 1:1. Only the nation of Israel were servants to a Master and could be ‘cast out’ for disobedience to the covenant they agreed to. It was conditional. The eternal covenant is not. God himself provided the Lamb that took away the sins of the world (that separation from our father that Adam caused) and reconciled us to himself through the promised SEED, given in the Garden of Eden and ratified with Abraham and his seed. One seed, the Messiah. Gal 3:17. The Mosaic Covenant did not annul the previous one God ratified with Abraham 400+ years earlier. All who have the same faith as Abraham are his offspring as God’s work is by faith and not ancestral birthright, race or gender. We have a new covenant, new priesthood, new law of love, new city, new temple, new creation in Christ Jesus. We are the temple where God tabernacles, changing us from a wolf to a Lamblike creature. God finished his work. ‘It is finished.’ Religion does not want us to know that as they would lose their ‘power,dominion and authority’ over us if we did. Jesus forbid elevating anyone over us by calling them titles such as ‘Father, Rabbi, Teacher, Pastor, Reverend,’ etc in Matt 23:8-10 as he told his disciples they were all brothers and all had the same TEACHER. If you have been reconciled to your spiritual Father, then your have the same TEACHER, the Lord who is the spirit. 2 Cor 3:17.
The old covenant world/age was ‘passing away’ in the first century. Heb 8:13. The End of all things was NEAR. 1 Pet 4:7. The end was of the old covenant kingdom age with it’s cultic form of worship, temple and holy city on earth. The new Jerusalem came down from heaven in the first century and God tabernacles in us. Lk 17:20-24. ‘Behold! I make all things new! New covenant, new priesthood, new law, new song, new city, new temple, new form of worship, from old to new, from seen to unseen, from external to internal, from temporary to eternal. Flesh vs spirit. ‘My kingdom does not come with your observance; it is WITHIN YOU.’ LK 17:20-24. ‘The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the holy spirit.’ Ro 14:17. We are the new temple where God tabernacles. We are the new creation. Jesus is our tithe, the 1/10th ephah of manna stored in the ark of the covenant where 3 things were kept to symbolize prophet, priest and king. Tithes were paid to the Aaronic priesthood for their livelihood as they could not own land or work outside the temple and it was used to purchase temporary redemption until reconciliation came. Adam separated us from our Father and all were DEAD to God. Jesus reversed that curse via the spirit. Paul preached a gospel of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:18-20. God want relationship, direct communication with each of his children, not religion. All religions are man’s effort to reach God. God himself came down from heaven to reconcile us to himself so that we could have righteousness, peace and joy in the holy spirit’s communication. Who is your TEACHER? Matt 23:8-10. Who is the spirit? 2 Cor 3:17. Paul warned with tears about the false doctrines already being taught before he departed, as those who wanted to continue the priesthood of Aaron and hold authority over people. We are all equal in God’s sight as that wall of discrimination that kept the unclean, foreigners, women and the other tribes except certain ones born in ancestral lineage of Aaron, came crashing down and burnt in the fires of 66-70 AD.
I’m so glad to see someone else understands the Bible and knows that All Bible Prophecies had already been fullfilled n ended with the destruction of the Second Temple just like Yeshua said it would. People aren’t reading their Bibles and ate told what verses to look at in their False interpretations of it. I research on everything and when I read about these certain Prophecies like Damacus I find it already fufilled bc there are cross references to every verse and most people don’t even know which ones they are. We always get called False interpreters when we r the ones who are right. Drives me nuts.
The churches use Malachi to scare you into paying them money. There is no tithing anymore. You will not find it in the new testament. Nothing in the above explanations give proof of tithing in the new testament. In fact , if you read back in the old testament what the Jews were suppose to do. They were suppose to give the tithe to the Levites and the Levites were suppose to give a tithe of that tithe to the priest. The Israelites were to give a tithe to the Levites because they had no possessions. Tithing was done away at the cross.
Your understanding of “taking the name of God in vain” doesn’t go quite deeply enough, dear Brother! Using the name of God as a curse-word is evil, yes, but probably 99.9% of Christians misunderstand what “taking the name of” actually means, and thereby miss the REAL blessing of this commandment.
All through Scripture, God speaks of being a husband to his beloved bride, and preparing her for the actual marriage ceremony that will be held in heaven upon the gathering-in of all the saints at the end of the world. This is a tremendously beautiful description of the way he loves his church, his followers, his bride. He wants that union and unity to be such as was commanded when he created the first man and woman: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen 2:24) God wants to have THAT KIND of relationship with each one of us, him living within each of us and us in him, with one spirit in common, so that we are enabled to always do that which pleases him.
In most Christian marriages, the husband gives his surname to his bride, and she accepts it – she TAKES it as her own last name. This is a sign of her absolute fidelity to him, because she has ceased to be different from him, separate from him. She is now PART of him, ONE with him. This is “taking the name” in truth.
When a person is baptized into Christ, he or she is “taking the name of Christ” the Son of God and is known as a Christian. In the same way, when someone not born in America becomes a citizen of America, he “takes the name” of “American” and is known as an American. He then ACTS like an American, learns and uses the language of America (English), obeys the laws of the land, is loyal to what America stands for, lives the way most Americans live, etc. However, if he performs treasonous acts, such as defaming our government, bombing and destroying buildings and monuments, selling our military secrets and equipment to enemies of America, etc., he has obviously “taken the name” of “American” in vain – he isn’t really an American at heart and is indeed an enemy to America.
Likewise, a person who “takes the name of God and of Christ” but ACTS OTHERWISE has taken that name IN VAIN – he isn’t really a Christian at heart. If he continues to swear and use foul language, misuse other people, break the commandments of God (1. love the Lord your God with all your heart; 2. love your neighbor as yourself), and thoroughly defile his “marriage vows” of baptism by following satanic practices in ANY form, he is not a genuine Christian and is an enemy to God.
So you see, the Third Commandment is about much more than using foul language that includes the precious name of God and of Jesus as curse-words. It’s about the immeasurably-deep marriage-relationship they desire to have with each one of us. They want it to be a GENUINE relationship, not just one of convenience or necessity, as so often happens between people. They want our LOVE, and will give us their own full and limitless love in return.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev 19:6)
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Rev 19:7)
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Rev 19:8)
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Rev 19:9)
Hello. Is there a group of One True God believers in the Newark, Ohio area? We live near Portsmouth, Ohio which is a ways from there but not too far to fellowship on occasion.
Thank you for another excellent study, Brother Lynnford! May God bless it and bring forth an abundance of fruit from it, in the souls of those who will read it and surrender their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus. I have shared it to my FB timeline and pray that all who read it will find it a blessing.
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Sister Rebecca. I really appreciate it. I pray that God will bless you with many reasons to thank God on this Thanksgiving day. Be blessed!
I just read the letter from a migrant from Europe who sometimes has trouble reading the King James Version in English. May I recommend the free, searchable, downloaded Bible program called E-Sword, “The Word of the Lord with an Electronic Edge.” Among the downloadable versions are many of the KJV in different languages! The man who wrote the software for it also uses the same verse you quoted: ‘Jesus said, “freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).’ I have been using E-Sword since 2001 – when I left and requested disfellowship from the church I’d been a member of for 25 years, instead joining the world-wide body of believers in the one true God and his only begotten Son. It has mightily helped me study and understand the Scriptures, and share them with others. https://www.e-sword.net/
Thank you for sharing, Sister Rebecca. I am sure that will be a blessing to many people. Another option is http://www.onlinebible.net. This is the software I have been using since 1995. It has some pros and cons, but I like it a lot. Blessings to all!
Dear Bro. Lynnford Beachy,
Greetings, Halleluyah!
Thank you for the article you sent me this year entitled “The Source of love.” Indeed, love is the most and the best attribute of our Elohim bestowed upon human being most especially to the people of Elohim. I really appreciated the presentation you made and the message you composed about love. It is really powerful and amazing.
However, no matter how powerful and convincing the message is but if it is not presenting the whole truth, such a message is deficient and lacking the most vital ingredients of the message of love.
Why did I say this intriguing comment? Let me quote Proverbs 30:4 that you also quoted in your article.
Prov. 30:4 “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” (RNKJV)
Who has gone up to the heavens and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, And what is His Son’s Name, If you know it? Prov. 30:4 (TNT)
Prov.4 “Who hath ascended into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? “ (RWebster)
I quoted from several bible versions just to show you that the writer of the book of Proverbs most especially the verse quoted above was asking the readers to tell the Names of the Father and the Son if they knew them. We knew for a fact that the Old Testament was written in the ancient Paleo Hebrew language. The Hebrew people knew the Name of the Father very well who’s sacred Name is YHWH pronounced as YAHUWAH. The Father has many titles to include Elohim, El, Eloah, Ellah, Creator, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient, to name a few. In fact our Elohim introduced Himself to Moises and to the Israelites people that we can read in Exodus 3:15. “And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, יהוה Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations”. (RNKJV)
“He further introduced Himself in the book of Ezekiel 39:7 ““And I shall make My set-apart Name known in the midst of My people Yisra’ĕl, and not let My set-apart Name be profaned any more. And the gentiles shall know that I am יהוה, the Set-apart One in Yisra’ĕl.” Ezek. 39:7 (TS 1998)
“My holy name will I make known in the midst of my people Israel; neither will I allow my holy name to be profaned any more: and the nations shall know that I am YHWH (YAHUWAH), the Holy One in Israel”. Ezek. 39:7 (HNV)
Now that we already knew the sacred Name of the Father, it is but proper to know His Son’s Name also.
Ex. 23:21 “Be on guard before Him and obey His voice. Do not rebel against Him, for He is not going to pardon your transgression, for My Name is in Him.”
John 5:43 “I have come in My Father’s Name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive.”
Matt. 1:21 “And she shall give birth to a Son, and you shall call His Name יהושע for He shall save His people from their sins.”
Acts 26:13 “at midday along the highway, O sovereign, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
Acts 26:14 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew language, a ‘Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the prods.’
Acts 26:15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Master?’ And He said, ‘I am יהושע, whom you persecute.”
The Texts quoted above clearly shows that the Father’s Name is YHWH pronounced as YAHUWAH while the Son’s Name is YHWSO pronounced as Yahushua.
Furthermore, the word LORD and God are not names but titles of pagan gods and the name Jehovah was just an invented name for in the Hebrew Alphabet there are five English consonants that of no use in the Hebrew alphabet such as:
(C F J V X) Thus the name Jehovah could not be used as the translation of the Name of the Father which is YHWH (YAHUWAH)
Meanwhile the name Jesus Christ is not the name of the Savior because aside from there is no letter “J” & “C” in the Hebrew Alphabet also there is no letter: J” in the Greek alphabet. Besides the letter “J” was just invented by Gian Gregorio Trissino, an Italian grammarian in 1524 where the New Testament was already finished more than 15 centuries before the letter “J” was discovered.
Furthermore, translators of the New Testament who were mostly Greeks whose deity is Zeus translated that name to Iesus. But when the letter “J” was invented in 1524 as stated above the Greek bible translator changed the letter “I” to letter “J” thus the name Jesus came into the picture. Thus from the pagan God ZEUS to IESUS and finally to the name JESUS Thus the name Jesus originated from the name of pagan god, Zeus.
Other people argued that the name of the deity could be translated to any language as well as the name of the Son. But we must bear in mind that the Names of the Father and the Son are sacred Names and could not be translated to any other names by mere human being. The only names changed in the Bible by human are Joseph to Sapnath Paniah, Daniel to Beltesthatsar, Hananyah to Shadrak, Mishael to Meyshak and Azaryah to Abed-Nego while Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah and Jacob to Israel was changed by Elohim Himself while Shimon was change to Peter by Yahushua.
Let me give a typical example: My real name is Anacleto Cortezano, Jr. I went to Australia, China and to USA, but my real name written in my Passbook VISA was never change. Your name is Lynnford Beachy, right? If someone will call you Oxford Betchay, I suppose you will not response to any call from anyone who calls you in that name because that name is not you, right? In like manner our heavenly Father has His own real Name YHWH pronounce as YAHUWAH and his only begotten Son likewise has His own Name YAHUSHUA Mashiah. If you are calling him in a pagan name Jesus Christ you are insulting Him because you are calling Him falsely.
Furthermore, let me published her warnings from Elohim Himself to those using and/or calling in the names of pagan gods:
1. Ex. 23:15 “And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other elohim, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”
2. Jos.23:7 “That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their elohim, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:”
3. Ps. 16:4 “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another elohim: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.”
Clear as the noon day that we warned not to bow down or serve other gods nor mention their names in our lips.
Notice:
PS. 139:20 “For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain”
How do people speak against Yahuwah wickedly and take His name in vain?
1. By calling the name of Abba Yahuwah into other names such god, lord and Jehovah which is a blatant insult to the Creator.
2. Some people call Him in the way of just an express such as oh! “My God, Oh my God, Oh my God”.
3. Homosexual in our country calls Him “Dios ko Dai” Which is a joke made by homosexual.
4. The title LORD was attributed to drug lord, gambling lord, land lord, praise the lord which means praise baal.
5. Meanwhile the Name of the Son which is Yahushua changed to Jesus calls that name in this manner “sus-maria, josep. Which means that using the name of jesus, marry and joseph to allegedly prevention from demons and accident.
6. Furthermore, in the cockpit arena the person mediate for the cockpit enthusiast is called Kristo. Thus the name Kristo or Christ was being used in vain.
7. Some people also swear to god although they are telling lies.
Furthermore, please bear in mind that human being like us has no right and authority to change the sacred names of the Father and the Son.
Now, although your article about “The Source of Love” is highly commendable to those who do not know the real Names of the Father and the Son yet, but to those who knew their sacred Names, in your article you are mixing truth and error, thus ultimate it became error or false teaching.
I hope you will consider this very important advice from a friend if you still considered me as a friend.
May Abba Yahuwah Bless you as you study this message of truth, in the Name of Yahushua Mashiah. Halleluyah!
Is this the same present truth from
“Life Research International” ?
Thanks
Richard
This passage in the beginning of Matthew 25 records in figurative language just before he gives clarity and clear language at the end of this chapter in verses 31-46. There he shows two categories, the stubborn goats and the willing sheep. The stubborn goats wanted to believe they did not need to turn from evil and do good, they thought only TURNING from evil was sufficient. The turning from evil is why they were “virgins”, having cleansed the dirt of evil, but the oil in the lamp was the doing good, they were UNWILLING to do, as stubborn goats tend to be. They want to believe that only in your words you concluded here despite what Jesus clearly said in the end of chapter 25 (verses 31-46):
“We are saved by the sacrifice that Jesus made in our behalf. We have to only confess our sins and invite Him into our lives. Our debt is paid, but this does not give us a license to continue to live as devils, but instead gives us the ability and the privilege to live godly.
Jesus WARNS us in Matthew 7:21 that ONLY those who DO the desire.. the will of his Father, which is to imitate imitate God as Jesus said in 5:48 “You shall be perfect (mature, complete the greek word τελειος means) just like God is perfect”. At the end of Matthew 7 he says the WISE (like the virgins) will put his teachings in to pra (ctice, whereby BUILDING on the ROCK but the FOOLISH (like the foolish virgins) DID NOT practice what he just taught in Sermon on the Mount, not DOING THE WILL of God in repentance as Matthew 7:21 said, they will not enter the Kingdom. This is what we see, the 5 FOOLISH virgins (stopped doing evil but unwilling to also do good) were shut out of the Kingdom. The end of Matthew 25:31-46 we see Jesus illustrate all of the good works that were prepared for us to do after conversion, and IF we did them to the EVEN the LEAST (to the greatest) of His brethern, we did it to Him. He warns in John 14:23 and 21 that ONLY those who OBEY what Jesus commanded, will have the Father and Son living in them. No oil in their lamp because they did not heed to obey the Son. Hebrews 5:8-9 says Jesus saves those who OBEY Him. ESCAPE the FALSE teachings that came out of the REFORMATION and the CATHOLIC CHURCH… read your bible, read what Jesus says and SUBMIT to his teachings, do them in love and gentleness, loving others, and we will live.
Excellent. The Spirit of GOD is One, the answers are similar, even from different perspective.
http://www.arthurarokhamoni.com/when-earthly-wisdom-fails-part-2.php
Shalom!
So you are saying Jesus is not the I AM, the Eternal NOW, like God the Father?
The son of a man means you are a man.
The son of a sheep you are the son of a sheep
THE SON of God (the ONLY begotten, that is), must mean You are God, and ALL THAT HE IS, from Your distinct personality.
Amen
I would say that this is a much more valid explanation to 1 John 5:7 than just focusing on a single explanation, that the text was not found in the Textus Receptus before.
https://www.chick.com/information/article?id=Is-I-John-5:7-Missing-From-Older-Manuscripts
Thank you for your encouragement Brother Michael. God bless you richly.
Thank you for your encouragement Brother Michael. God bless you richly.
Amen. Beautifully explained Br Lynnford.
Makes perfect sense. Thank you & God bless.
Thank you brother Lynnford for the blessings.
Thank you. Blessings.
#JESUS CHRIST IS LOVE ❤❤ SEEK HIM & #REPENT TODAY.. ASK CHRIST 4 TOTAL REDEMPTION OF THE BODY MIND HEART SOUL & SPIRIT AND BEG FORGIVENESS.. I #REBUKE SATAN & ABSOLUTELY RENOUNCE ALL ITS WICKED EVIL SIN & DARKNESS OF LUCIFER THE ENEMY DEVIL. I #BELIEVE JESUS DIED ON ON THE ✝ CROSS FOR THE SINS OF MAN & I DEFINITELY TRUST& BELIEVE, #JESUS IS LORD-!!! { 777 }
Thank you so much for this beautiful article! I learned so much! God Bless you!
The Bible clearly teaches the eternity of Hell and Heaven as well as the immortality of the soul since we are made in the Image of God, this has always been the most obvious part of the scriptures and it has been the central theme of Judaism and Christianity and the same pattern is followed by almost every civilization when they mentioned the afterlife. You cannot remove parts from the text without reading the entire paragraph and then make them whatever you want them to mean, death and existense are not the same thing, physical death is the wages from the original sin that bring people to the realm of the dead which is called Sheol in the Old Testament (Hebrew) and Hades in the New Testament (Greek) which has the paradise and the torments compartments, the second death is the final judgement of the wicked that gets them to the Lake of Fire which is the eternal Hell while the righteous go to Heaven forever.
Those who try to remove Hell from the Bible are some stupid false cults like Jehova’s Witnesses and Seven Day Advents that made up their own fake bibles that are filled with nonsense such as that Jesus and Michael are the same person, and so on. Sorry but either you like it or not Hell is eternal, trying to remove Hell from the Bible is either due to personal psychological problems or it is because you know that your false cult will get you to hell since you reject Jesus for random nonsense.
The Bible clearly teaches the eternity of Heaven and Hell as well as the immortality of the soul since we are made in the Image of God, this has always been the most obvious part of the scriptures and it has been the central theme of Judaism and Christianity and the same pattern is followed by almost every civilization when they mentioned the afterlife. You cannot remove parts from the text without reading the entire paragraph and then make them whatever you want them to mean, death and existense are not the same thing, physical death is the wages from the original sin that bring people to the realm of the dead which is called Sheol in the Old Testament (Hebrew) and Hades in the New Testament (Greek) which has the paradise and the torments compartments, the second death is the final judgement of the wicked that gets them to the Lake of Fire which is the eternal Hell while the righteous go to Heaven forever.
Those who try to remove Hell from the Bible are some stupid false cults like Jehova’s Witnesses and Seven Day Advents that made up their own fake bibles that are filled with nonsense such as that Jesus and Michael are the same person, and so on. Sorry but either you like it or not Hell is eternal, trying to remove Hell from the Bible is either due to personal psychological problems or it is because you know that your false cult will get you to hell since you reject Jesus for random nonsense