The Spirit of Jehovah God - The Holy Spirit is the actual divine Spirit of God. It was Jehovah's very own Spirit that was involved in creation not another divine being. The Holy Spirit is the mind, breath and power of God.
Genesis 1-2 (ASV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
As we can see by the phrase "Spirit of God" there is no way this is another being as the Spirit but rather it is God's actual divine Spirit. The phrase "Spirit of God" denotes possession meaning that the Spirit belongs to God himself and is not a seperate being (tri theism) nor a seperate person (trinitarianism) apart from Him.
1 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
This passage above proves without a doubt that the Spirit of God is within God Himself and not a third being that exists outside of God's being. The Holy Spirit is God's Set Apart breath, power and mind. Just as no one truly knows what makes us tick as individuals save our spirit which is our mind, no one knows the things of God save God's very own Spirit which is His mind. The blessing is that we as Christians can know the things of God as we have His Spirit dwelling in us. Do you see what this passage is saying? The Spirit (Holy Spirit) is the very mind of God. This eliminates the false teaching that the Holy Spirit is a third being (tri theism) or even a hypostatic person (trinitarianism). In fact, the very definition of the word for Spirit in the greek "Pneuma" means "mind, breath and wind".
Job 33:4 (KJV)
4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Jehovah breathes His Spirit into us at conception so that we have life. It's God's very own Spirit that makes us. He breathes His lifeforce (Spirit) into our bodies (dust) and we are then made living souls.
John 4:24 (KJV)
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Jehovah is a Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of Jehovah God. It is not another being. Jehovah is everywhere present by His representative the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is an extension of Jehovah's very being. Remember, our Father in heaven is a personal being not a floating substance. Jehovah's Spirit is how He is omnipresent. The bible says we are to worship God in spirit and in truth. Worshipping God as a trinity is not worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. Worshipping God as the Father is worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. We also worship and honour His Son Jesus as we are told to do and this also is worshipping God in spirit and in truth.
Isaiah 11:2 (ASV)
2 And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
The passage above is a prophecy of the coming Messiah. Note that it is the Spirit of Jehovah that rest upon Jesus. Again the phrase "Spirit of Jehovah" denotes possession meaning that it is Jehovah's very own Spirit not a third divine being. Jehovah's Spirit is one of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of Jehovah. These are the very qualities of God given to us when we are given His Spirit. Jesus was given the Spirit without measure at his baptism.
Isaiah 61:1 (ASV)
61 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
The Spirit that was upon Jesus which anointed him to preach the glad tidings was His Father Jehovah's very own Spirit not a third divine being. This harmonizes with Isaiah 11:2. It was the Father's Spirit in Jesus and upon Jesus that empowered him to mend the brokenhearted and to set those in bondage free. We need to stop giving the credit of the Spirit to a third divine being and give it where it belongs which is to the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the essence and core of the relationship between the Father and the Son.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
All three powers will be needed in our Christian walk in order to overcome the world. The Father is the one true God, the Son is exactly that, the Son of the one true God and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and Christ (Father and Son). Very simple and biblical, no need to stretch this into a hypostatic 3 in 1 god or a tri theistic pantheon of 3 gods.
The Three Angels' of Revelation 14:6-12
Fear Jehovah, and give glory to him!
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
The Foundation of Christianity- Part 1
What is the foundation of the Church? Most Christians would readily say Jesus Christ without hesitation and they would be right at least superficially. However there are truths about Jesus and his, identity that tell us clearly what the foundation of Christianity and the Church is. Did you know that almost all denominations don't preach or teach what the true foundation of the Church is? You might be confused by that statement. As noted above, most Christians will readily say Jesus is the foundation of the Church.
So what gives? Let's look at a few of the denominations and see what the foundation of their Churches are in regards to how they present the gospel of our Jehovah Jesus Christ.
Reformed Churches - Emphasis on John Calvin and his systematic theology of Calvinism, they also teach Jesus as the second member of a trinity god.
Lutheran Churches - Emphasis on Martin Luther and his teachings on Justification by Faith. They also emphasize the eucharist meal. They teach that Jesus ia the second member of a trinity god.
Anabaptists - Emphasis on insular communities with little modern amenities, pacifism, outward piety, social gospel, they also teach that Jesus is the second member of a trinity god.
Jehovah Witnesses - emphasis on the divine name "Jehovah", anti nationalism, authoritarian leadership, anti holidays, promotion of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, they teach that Jesus was created by Jehovah and almost eqaute him to an angelic being.
Roman Catholicism - emphasize Mary the Queen of heaven, eucharist meal, Mass, pagan holidays, veneration of dead saints, praying for and to the dead, hierarchical church government with adoration of the Pope as an almost god like figure, other various sacraments, celibate preisthood and Nunery. They teach that Jesus is the second member of a trinity god.
Church of Latter Day Saints - emphasis on Joseph Smith their prophet, emphasis on the book of Mormon, baptism for the dead, they teach that Jesus was a Spirit brother of Lucifer and that he came into existence due to sexual relations between Elohim and Mary.
Dispensational Churches (Calvary Chapel, Four Sqaure, Assemblies of God- Emphasis on Geo-Political Israel as God’s chosen nation and ethnic Jews as God’s elect. Heavy involvement in politics, supports right wing conservative Republicans. Secret pre Trib Rapture, complicated teaching of several dispensational ages. They teach that Jesus is either the second member of a trinity god or the second member of a tri theistic god.
Pentecostal Churches - Emphasis on signs and wonders most notably speaking in babbling tongues. Also believe in secret pretrib rapture and dispensational theology. Emphasize emotional experience over sound doctrine. Some teach oneness doctrine of Jesus being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (modalism), most teach Jesus as the second member of a trinity god.
Seventh-day Adventist General Conference churches - Emphasis on end times prophecy, vegetarianism, healthy living, emphasis on salvation being dependent on Church membership, heavy emphasis on the Sabbath. They teach that Jesus is the second member of a tri theistic god.
These are just some of the denominations/church movements of Christendom. Some of the above teachings of these denominations are good and some are downright heretical. However, not one of them teach and preach the very foundation of the Church which Jesus said the gates of the grave would not prevail against.
So what is this foundation of the Church? The answer is easy, so easy that the devil has deceived most of Christendom and their eyes are veiled to this simple yet beautiful truth.
Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Peter makes the declaration that once and for all determines the foundation of Christianity. When Jesus asked the disciples, who do men say that I am? They responded with a number of speculations. When Jesus turned to them for their view, Peter answers "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Notice Jesus response to Peter, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
When we truly believe that Jesus is the Christ (anointed one of Jehovah) and the Son of the living God, then that means the Father has revealed it to us. So many today in Christendom have lost sight of this and refuse to believe that Jesus is the literal Son of Jehovah God. They preach another Jesus and the implication of their denial of the literal Sonship of Christ is that the Father has not revealed to them the truth. Flesh and blood has revealed to them "another" Jesus. Whether it is a trinity Jesus, tri theism Jesus, Unitarian Jesus, a created Jesus, a Jesus who is all 3 (oneness), it denies the literal Sonship of Christ. The bible is very clear and very serious about denying the literal Sonship of Christ. We will get to that later. Let's continue looking at this passage.
In verse 18, Jesus tells Peter that upon this rock the Church will be built upon. What rock was Jesus talking about? The word for "Peter" in the greek is "Petros" and means "a piece of a rock". However this isn't the rock Jesus was talking about, when Jesus uttered the words "upon this rock" he didn't mean Petros "Peter" as the greek word for "rock" is "Petra" and means "a mass of rock". So in this verse there are two rocks mentioned, the first one is Peter (Petros) and the second one is rock (Petra). So the Church was not to be built upon Petros (Peter) but rather upon Petra (Rock) which is Jesus Christ. Jesus was talking about himself being the Petra (rock) that the Church would be built upon.
Most Christians would have no problem acknowledging Jesus being the Rock (foundation) of the Church. However it isn't just that Jesus is the foundation of the Church, it is a divine knowledge of His identity that is the rock that the Church would be built upon. It is Peter's confession that is the rock upon which the Church would be built. His confession is that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God. Most of the Church has the first part right, however they error badly on the second part which is that Jesus is the Son of the living God. This Jesus rarely gets taught in the Churches of Christendom. When is the last time you heard a message from the pulpit about the Sonship of Christ? It almost never happens. Why is this?
Because the Churches have left the foundation that Jesus affirmed, which is His Sonship. They removed the Sonship of Christ as their foundation and instituted a faulty foundation built on sand called the "trinity" doctrine. The proof of the trinity doctrine being a false foundation is the confusion it has generated in the world of Christendom. You can ask 10 Christians to explain the trinity doctrine and you could easily get 9 different versions explained to you.
Why is this? It's because the trinity doctrine is convoluted and unbiblical. It breeds confusion and remember Jehovah isn't the author of confusion. The word for confusion in Hebrew and Greek is "Babel", "Babylon". Remember in Revelation 17, it says the Great Whore has "Mystery" written on her forehead. If the Great Whore is the Catholic Churh then it makes sense that the doctrine she claims as hers is called a "Mystery". Catholicism and Protestantism call the trinity doctrine "the Mystery".
1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
By theologians and pastors own admission, the trinity doctrine is impossible to understand and explain.
Revelation 17:5 (KJV)
5 And upon her forehead was a name written,Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.
The Catholic Church admits the trinity as their central doctrine from which all other doctrines come from. Let's get back to the text in Matthew 16:13-20.
So, we know that Jesus says that Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God is the Rock that the Church will be built upon. What does Jesus say in verse 18 about the Church that is built on this Rock, that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus says something very telling and encouraging to those of us who believe in the literal Sonship of Christ. Jesus says:
"and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"
Wow! A powerful statement from our Jehovah Jesus Christ. The gates of hell may prevail against Babylon and her harlot daughters who have all abandoned the Rock of Christianity which is that Jesus is the Son of God but it won't prevail against the true Church. This true Church believes that Jesus is the Son of the living God. Is it any wonder that this precious truth is being restored in these last days whereas many of the trinitarian Churches are joining the ecumenical movement which is led by the Catholic Church. It only makes sense that the trinitarian churches are going back to Rome as that is the Church that gave birth to the trinity doctrine as we know it, circa 381 AD.
Let's look at what John the beloved disciple says about those who believe in the Sonship of Christ:
1 John 4:15 (KJV)
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
This passage goes along perfectly with what Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:17 when Peter confessed Jesus Sonship:
"for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
It's very simple, those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have been revealed this by Father. They also have the Father dwelling in them which is the Holy Spirit. According to Jesus and John, those then who don't believe and confess that Jesus is the Son of God don't have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Very sobering when you think about it as most of Christendom denies the literal Sonship of Christ. When they say that Jesus is the Son of God they don't really mean it. Many believe it is just metaphorical (tri theism) or they believe He is the Son of God in some mysterious eternal generation from the Father and that He is consubstantial with the Father as one being (trinitarianism). These concepts are huge error and deny Christ's literal Sonship. There are other errors taught about Christ such as he was created (Jehovah Witnesses) or not pre existent and His origin was at Bethlehem (Unitarian).
The errors taught about Christ are numerous and we can on and on about them. The literal Sonship of Christ was what the apostles believed, the early Church and even many in the wilderness Church. The Seventh-day Adventist Pioneers restored the precious truth about the Sonship of Christ however deceivers came in the Church in the early 1900's and didn't spare the flock. As the Pioneers started dying off the trinity doctrine became more prominent in the Church. It appears that around 1930 we see the trinity doctrine start to take a more visible standing in the Church. Of course, many in the Church still held on the the beliefs of the Pioneers. In 1980, the trinity doctrine became the official Godhead teaching of the Church as it was added to their fundamental beliefs. Since 1980, the once remnant Church has steadily declined into apostasy. It is really in full blown apostasy minus a few present truth Churches. However, even those present truth Churches tow the company line when it comes to denying the literal Sonship of Christ. The Church is an entirely different organization than the one established by the Pioneers in the 2nd half of the 1800's. Ellen White prophesied this very thing:
"The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of re-organization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religionwould be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teachthat virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand,and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.
Who has authority to begin such a movement? We have our Bibles. We have our experience, attested to by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit.We have a truth that admits of no compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with this truth?"
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, pages 204, 205.
Many in the Seventh-day Adventist Church lament over it's spiritual condition and wonder why it is apostasizing at an alarming rate. Many in the Church will cite everything from a lack of dress reform and health reform and the bringing in of spiritual formation and women's ordination. May I suggest something else? Let's go back to Jesus word's in Matthew 16:18:
"and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Remember what the Rock was that Jesus is referring to? It was Peter's confession as stated below:
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God"
According to Seventh-day Adventist General Conference doctrine, Jesus is not the literal Son of God. In fact, in their 28 fundamental beliefs, the call Jesus "God the Son" which is a term that is not in scripture and they don't call Jesus, the "Son of God" which is said of Jesus close to 50 times. Remember, it's Jesus as the Son of God that is the rock of the Church not Jesus as "God the Son".
The gates of hell are prevailing against the Seventh-day Adventist Church because they removed the Rock of the Christian Church as their foundation. They have put in it's place a faulty foundation known as the trinity or in reality the tri theist doctrine. Do you notice that all the trinitarian churches are falling like domino's in this ecumenical movement? Many are lamenting this and cite a multitude of reasons why, yet like the Seventh-day Adventist Church they are blind to the most obvious and real reason behind their apostasy. They deny the literal Sonship of Christ and have embraced Rome's Mystery doctrine. They either hold to trinitarianism or worse yet tri theism.
If these Churches would have held on the the truth about Jesus being the true Son of God, it would have been an automatic protection from uniting with Rome. Rick Warren himself identified the trinity doctrine as a reason why Protestants and Catholics should unite and hold hands. My brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening in the world of Christendom right now? Even moreseo than Sunday, the Churches of Christendom are finding common ground with each other based on their mutual belief in the trinity.
Why is the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Church lacking the power of the Holy Spirit? Look at Jesus word's below in Matthew 16:19
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Remember, Jesus said this in reference to the Church that was built upon the rock. This Rock is Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God. Once a Church removes this Rock as their foundation they are no longer privy to having the keys to the kingdom and the honor of loosing and binding.
Is it any wonder the Churches of Christendom are devoid of life and spiritual morturaries!
The message of Jesus being the literal Son of God is essential to Christianity. The denial of this renders John 3:16 void.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The above scripture is arguably the most well known scripture in the world. Why is this? Because, it is most important scripture to give when evangelizing unbelievers. This is the scripture that is often seen in the crowd at sporting events. However, the importance of this scripture has been dramatically down played in evangelism efforts. Nowadays, many skip over this verse and tell people you have to believe in the trinity to become born again or that you have to believe Jesus is God Almighty himself to be accepted into the Kingdom.
Satan has used the churches to render the most beautiful passage in scripture almost null and void. This is the scripture that shows us how much the Father loves us. Yet, when you hear people evangelizing unbelievers the Father nary gets mentioned. This passage also shows the love that our Divine Saviour Jesus Christ has for us as he denied himself and went to the cross for us as a ransom sacrifice.
Many deceivers are claiming that begotten doesn't mean "born, brought forth, came out from" and they say it mean "unique". By doing this they deny the literal Sonship of Christ. What does Jesus beloved disciple John say about these false teachers?
1 John 2:18-26 (KJV)
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 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.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
Verse 22, John calls those who deny the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah antichrist. Some may say "well, there is some truth in the trinity doctrine", What does John say about that in verse 21?
"that no lie is of the truth"
Did you read that? No lie is of the truth! So even though there is some truth in the trinity doctrine because it does have some error it is not of the truth. And in verse 22, these doctrines that have lies in it about Jesus and the Father are antichrist. In verse 23, John says those who deny the Son have not the Father. You can't have one without the other. You have to go through the Son to have access with the Father. The denial of Christ's Sonship is denying the Son thereby you don't have access to the Father.
Verse 24 is very revealing, John makes a clear statement that the original doctrine of the apostles that was taught to the Churches from the beginning, was that Jesus and Jehovah have a real Father-Son relationship. Look at his word's below:
"If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father."
Straight from the beloved disciple of Jesus! The original doctrine of the apostles was the literal Sonship of Christ. As long as we hold onto this original doctrine? then we will remain in the Son and in the Father. Once we depart from it, all bets are off! Notice that we remain in two divine beings not 3. This verse is a real problem for trinitarian's and tri theist's. It is clear that the true Godhead teaching of the bible is that there are two divine beings which are a real Father and a real Son. Do you see why the Churches of Christendom have fallen so hard? It's because they have not let the original doctrine of the apostles abide in them thereby they are not remaining in the Son and in the Father.
1 John 3:23 (KJV)
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
It is the commandment of Jehovah God that we believe on the name of His Son. This doesn't mean just to believe in the actual name "Jesus Christ", that is a big part of it, but also means to believe in the identity of Jesus name which is that he is the Son of God. See how Jesus is called God's Son in this passage? Are we to believe this is metaphorical? Does God play games with us and say things He doesn't really mean? Of course not! God cannot lie, either can His Son. If they both affirm their Father-Son relationship then who are theologians and pastors to try and pervert this truth? Remember the word's in the book of Romans:
Romans 3:4 (KJV)
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
A solemn warning for those who believe men over God:
1 John 5:9-13 (KJV)
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Do you see the pattern here? The Sonship of Christ is vitally important to Christianity even moreseo that Jesus is God. Sadly many Christians today have esteemed the witness of men above the witness of Jehovah. How is this? Because they have trusted the theologians and pastors who say that Jesus isn't the literal Son of God and they have rejected the very word's of the Almighty God himself. These so called Christians make God a liar! A very serious offense. They believe their pulpit preachers instead, trusting man's wisdom over God's wisdom. Many are scared to rock the boat and go along to get along. Many others are so entrenched in their denomination that they just refuse to against anything their creeds teach. Some have been so indoctrinated with their denominations traditions that they can't fathom that their denomination could be wrong.
These people put their eternal life into hands of imperfect men instead of God who inspired His perfect word, the Holy Bible. The scriptures affirm the Sonship of Christ and the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah. These scriptures were breathed by Jehovah's Spirit.
Even the requirement to get baptized necessitates that one confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
Acts 8:36-37 (KJV)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
This is how deceptive satan is, rarely do you hear in the Churches this confession being taught as the requirement for baptism. Sure they teach that you have to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour, but do they tell you which Jesus to accept? In fact, many times they require you to confess that God is a trinity in order to get baptized. This is outright unbiblical and is a tradition of man. Also, many churches add other requirements to get baptized such as membership in their denomination, agreement to keep the Sabbath and dress reform. However, these are all things that are to come after one gets baptized not prior to it. Adding these things is unbiblical. The only requirement for baptism is the confession that Jesus is the Son of God and repentance.
Do you see how Jesus being the Son of God is the root of our Faith?
John 3:17-18 (KJV)
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Prior to being sent into the world, Jesus. was God's Son. God had a Son to send. It's through the Son of God that those in the world can be saved. It's not through "God the Son" or any other of the false Jesus's that are preached throughout Christendom. Verse 18 says that "he that believeth on him is not condemned." Who is the person who is condemned? It's the person who has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God!
Do you see that Jesus name is inseparably connected to Him being the only begotten Son of God? This doesn't just mean believing in the actual verbiage of His name "Jesus", but also believing the character and identity of His name which is tied to His literal Sonship.
You must no only believe in the actual name "Jesus" but also in his identity as the only begotten Son of God.
The word only begotten comes from the Greek word "monogenes" and means "only born, sole child, only (begotten) child."
This means that Jesus is the only born child of God. Some will say this was at his birth in Bethlehem, however the scripture above clearly says that God sent His Son into the world. You see here in John 3:17, that God already had a Son to send into the world. This means that Jesus Sonship didn't begin at Bethlehem but in heaven in the ages of eternity as we know Jesus is preexistent. Let's look at John 3:16 again:
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Again, we see here that God had a Son to give to the world. Only begotten means "only born". If Jesus was already God's Son before being sent into the world then His being begotten "born" was in heaven in the ages of eternity. Jesus was the only begotten Son of God before being sent by God into the world. Let's look at an old testament passage that alludes to Jesus being brought forth from Jehovah in the ages of eternity.
So what gives? Let's look at a few of the denominations and see what the foundation of their Churches are in regards to how they present the gospel of our Jehovah Jesus Christ.
Reformed Churches - Emphasis on John Calvin and his systematic theology of Calvinism, they also teach Jesus as the second member of a trinity god.
Lutheran Churches - Emphasis on Martin Luther and his teachings on Justification by Faith. They also emphasize the eucharist meal. They teach that Jesus ia the second member of a trinity god.
Anabaptists - Emphasis on insular communities with little modern amenities, pacifism, outward piety, social gospel, they also teach that Jesus is the second member of a trinity god.
Jehovah Witnesses - emphasis on the divine name "Jehovah", anti nationalism, authoritarian leadership, anti holidays, promotion of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, they teach that Jesus was created by Jehovah and almost eqaute him to an angelic being.
Roman Catholicism - emphasize Mary the Queen of heaven, eucharist meal, Mass, pagan holidays, veneration of dead saints, praying for and to the dead, hierarchical church government with adoration of the Pope as an almost god like figure, other various sacraments, celibate preisthood and Nunery. They teach that Jesus is the second member of a trinity god.
Church of Latter Day Saints - emphasis on Joseph Smith their prophet, emphasis on the book of Mormon, baptism for the dead, they teach that Jesus was a Spirit brother of Lucifer and that he came into existence due to sexual relations between Elohim and Mary.
Dispensational Churches (Calvary Chapel, Four Sqaure, Assemblies of God- Emphasis on Geo-Political Israel as God’s chosen nation and ethnic Jews as God’s elect. Heavy involvement in politics, supports right wing conservative Republicans. Secret pre Trib Rapture, complicated teaching of several dispensational ages. They teach that Jesus is either the second member of a trinity god or the second member of a tri theistic god.
Pentecostal Churches - Emphasis on signs and wonders most notably speaking in babbling tongues. Also believe in secret pretrib rapture and dispensational theology. Emphasize emotional experience over sound doctrine. Some teach oneness doctrine of Jesus being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (modalism), most teach Jesus as the second member of a trinity god.
Seventh-day Adventist General Conference churches - Emphasis on end times prophecy, vegetarianism, healthy living, emphasis on salvation being dependent on Church membership, heavy emphasis on the Sabbath. They teach that Jesus is the second member of a tri theistic god.
These are just some of the denominations/church movements of Christendom. Some of the above teachings of these denominations are good and some are downright heretical. However, not one of them teach and preach the very foundation of the Church which Jesus said the gates of the grave would not prevail against.
So what is this foundation of the Church? The answer is easy, so easy that the devil has deceived most of Christendom and their eyes are veiled to this simple yet beautiful truth.
Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Peter makes the declaration that once and for all determines the foundation of Christianity. When Jesus asked the disciples, who do men say that I am? They responded with a number of speculations. When Jesus turned to them for their view, Peter answers "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Notice Jesus response to Peter, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
When we truly believe that Jesus is the Christ (anointed one of Jehovah) and the Son of the living God, then that means the Father has revealed it to us. So many today in Christendom have lost sight of this and refuse to believe that Jesus is the literal Son of Jehovah God. They preach another Jesus and the implication of their denial of the literal Sonship of Christ is that the Father has not revealed to them the truth. Flesh and blood has revealed to them "another" Jesus. Whether it is a trinity Jesus, tri theism Jesus, Unitarian Jesus, a created Jesus, a Jesus who is all 3 (oneness), it denies the literal Sonship of Christ. The bible is very clear and very serious about denying the literal Sonship of Christ. We will get to that later. Let's continue looking at this passage.
In verse 18, Jesus tells Peter that upon this rock the Church will be built upon. What rock was Jesus talking about? The word for "Peter" in the greek is "Petros" and means "a piece of a rock". However this isn't the rock Jesus was talking about, when Jesus uttered the words "upon this rock" he didn't mean Petros "Peter" as the greek word for "rock" is "Petra" and means "a mass of rock". So in this verse there are two rocks mentioned, the first one is Peter (Petros) and the second one is rock (Petra). So the Church was not to be built upon Petros (Peter) but rather upon Petra (Rock) which is Jesus Christ. Jesus was talking about himself being the Petra (rock) that the Church would be built upon.
Most Christians would have no problem acknowledging Jesus being the Rock (foundation) of the Church. However it isn't just that Jesus is the foundation of the Church, it is a divine knowledge of His identity that is the rock that the Church would be built upon. It is Peter's confession that is the rock upon which the Church would be built. His confession is that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God. Most of the Church has the first part right, however they error badly on the second part which is that Jesus is the Son of the living God. This Jesus rarely gets taught in the Churches of Christendom. When is the last time you heard a message from the pulpit about the Sonship of Christ? It almost never happens. Why is this?
Because the Churches have left the foundation that Jesus affirmed, which is His Sonship. They removed the Sonship of Christ as their foundation and instituted a faulty foundation built on sand called the "trinity" doctrine. The proof of the trinity doctrine being a false foundation is the confusion it has generated in the world of Christendom. You can ask 10 Christians to explain the trinity doctrine and you could easily get 9 different versions explained to you.
Why is this? It's because the trinity doctrine is convoluted and unbiblical. It breeds confusion and remember Jehovah isn't the author of confusion. The word for confusion in Hebrew and Greek is "Babel", "Babylon". Remember in Revelation 17, it says the Great Whore has "Mystery" written on her forehead. If the Great Whore is the Catholic Churh then it makes sense that the doctrine she claims as hers is called a "Mystery". Catholicism and Protestantism call the trinity doctrine "the Mystery".
1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
By theologians and pastors own admission, the trinity doctrine is impossible to understand and explain.
Revelation 17:5 (KJV)
5 And upon her forehead was a name written,Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.
The Catholic Church admits the trinity as their central doctrine from which all other doctrines come from. Let's get back to the text in Matthew 16:13-20.
So, we know that Jesus says that Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God is the Rock that the Church will be built upon. What does Jesus say in verse 18 about the Church that is built on this Rock, that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus says something very telling and encouraging to those of us who believe in the literal Sonship of Christ. Jesus says:
"and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"
Wow! A powerful statement from our Jehovah Jesus Christ. The gates of hell may prevail against Babylon and her harlot daughters who have all abandoned the Rock of Christianity which is that Jesus is the Son of God but it won't prevail against the true Church. This true Church believes that Jesus is the Son of the living God. Is it any wonder that this precious truth is being restored in these last days whereas many of the trinitarian Churches are joining the ecumenical movement which is led by the Catholic Church. It only makes sense that the trinitarian churches are going back to Rome as that is the Church that gave birth to the trinity doctrine as we know it, circa 381 AD.
Let's look at what John the beloved disciple says about those who believe in the Sonship of Christ:
1 John 4:15 (KJV)
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
This passage goes along perfectly with what Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:17 when Peter confessed Jesus Sonship:
"for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
It's very simple, those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have been revealed this by Father. They also have the Father dwelling in them which is the Holy Spirit. According to Jesus and John, those then who don't believe and confess that Jesus is the Son of God don't have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Very sobering when you think about it as most of Christendom denies the literal Sonship of Christ. When they say that Jesus is the Son of God they don't really mean it. Many believe it is just metaphorical (tri theism) or they believe He is the Son of God in some mysterious eternal generation from the Father and that He is consubstantial with the Father as one being (trinitarianism). These concepts are huge error and deny Christ's literal Sonship. There are other errors taught about Christ such as he was created (Jehovah Witnesses) or not pre existent and His origin was at Bethlehem (Unitarian).
The errors taught about Christ are numerous and we can on and on about them. The literal Sonship of Christ was what the apostles believed, the early Church and even many in the wilderness Church. The Seventh-day Adventist Pioneers restored the precious truth about the Sonship of Christ however deceivers came in the Church in the early 1900's and didn't spare the flock. As the Pioneers started dying off the trinity doctrine became more prominent in the Church. It appears that around 1930 we see the trinity doctrine start to take a more visible standing in the Church. Of course, many in the Church still held on the the beliefs of the Pioneers. In 1980, the trinity doctrine became the official Godhead teaching of the Church as it was added to their fundamental beliefs. Since 1980, the once remnant Church has steadily declined into apostasy. It is really in full blown apostasy minus a few present truth Churches. However, even those present truth Churches tow the company line when it comes to denying the literal Sonship of Christ. The Church is an entirely different organization than the one established by the Pioneers in the 2nd half of the 1800's. Ellen White prophesied this very thing:
"The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of re-organization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religionwould be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teachthat virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand,and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.
Who has authority to begin such a movement? We have our Bibles. We have our experience, attested to by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit.We have a truth that admits of no compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with this truth?"
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, pages 204, 205.
Many in the Seventh-day Adventist Church lament over it's spiritual condition and wonder why it is apostasizing at an alarming rate. Many in the Church will cite everything from a lack of dress reform and health reform and the bringing in of spiritual formation and women's ordination. May I suggest something else? Let's go back to Jesus word's in Matthew 16:18:
"and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Remember what the Rock was that Jesus is referring to? It was Peter's confession as stated below:
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God"
According to Seventh-day Adventist General Conference doctrine, Jesus is not the literal Son of God. In fact, in their 28 fundamental beliefs, the call Jesus "God the Son" which is a term that is not in scripture and they don't call Jesus, the "Son of God" which is said of Jesus close to 50 times. Remember, it's Jesus as the Son of God that is the rock of the Church not Jesus as "God the Son".
The gates of hell are prevailing against the Seventh-day Adventist Church because they removed the Rock of the Christian Church as their foundation. They have put in it's place a faulty foundation known as the trinity or in reality the tri theist doctrine. Do you notice that all the trinitarian churches are falling like domino's in this ecumenical movement? Many are lamenting this and cite a multitude of reasons why, yet like the Seventh-day Adventist Church they are blind to the most obvious and real reason behind their apostasy. They deny the literal Sonship of Christ and have embraced Rome's Mystery doctrine. They either hold to trinitarianism or worse yet tri theism.
If these Churches would have held on the the truth about Jesus being the true Son of God, it would have been an automatic protection from uniting with Rome. Rick Warren himself identified the trinity doctrine as a reason why Protestants and Catholics should unite and hold hands. My brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening in the world of Christendom right now? Even moreseo than Sunday, the Churches of Christendom are finding common ground with each other based on their mutual belief in the trinity.
Why is the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Church lacking the power of the Holy Spirit? Look at Jesus word's below in Matthew 16:19
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Remember, Jesus said this in reference to the Church that was built upon the rock. This Rock is Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God. Once a Church removes this Rock as their foundation they are no longer privy to having the keys to the kingdom and the honor of loosing and binding.
Is it any wonder the Churches of Christendom are devoid of life and spiritual morturaries!
The message of Jesus being the literal Son of God is essential to Christianity. The denial of this renders John 3:16 void.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The above scripture is arguably the most well known scripture in the world. Why is this? Because, it is most important scripture to give when evangelizing unbelievers. This is the scripture that is often seen in the crowd at sporting events. However, the importance of this scripture has been dramatically down played in evangelism efforts. Nowadays, many skip over this verse and tell people you have to believe in the trinity to become born again or that you have to believe Jesus is God Almighty himself to be accepted into the Kingdom.
Satan has used the churches to render the most beautiful passage in scripture almost null and void. This is the scripture that shows us how much the Father loves us. Yet, when you hear people evangelizing unbelievers the Father nary gets mentioned. This passage also shows the love that our Divine Saviour Jesus Christ has for us as he denied himself and went to the cross for us as a ransom sacrifice.
Many deceivers are claiming that begotten doesn't mean "born, brought forth, came out from" and they say it mean "unique". By doing this they deny the literal Sonship of Christ. What does Jesus beloved disciple John say about these false teachers?
1 John 2:18-26 (KJV)
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 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.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
Verse 22, John calls those who deny the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah antichrist. Some may say "well, there is some truth in the trinity doctrine", What does John say about that in verse 21?
"that no lie is of the truth"
Did you read that? No lie is of the truth! So even though there is some truth in the trinity doctrine because it does have some error it is not of the truth. And in verse 22, these doctrines that have lies in it about Jesus and the Father are antichrist. In verse 23, John says those who deny the Son have not the Father. You can't have one without the other. You have to go through the Son to have access with the Father. The denial of Christ's Sonship is denying the Son thereby you don't have access to the Father.
Verse 24 is very revealing, John makes a clear statement that the original doctrine of the apostles that was taught to the Churches from the beginning, was that Jesus and Jehovah have a real Father-Son relationship. Look at his word's below:
"If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father."
Straight from the beloved disciple of Jesus! The original doctrine of the apostles was the literal Sonship of Christ. As long as we hold onto this original doctrine? then we will remain in the Son and in the Father. Once we depart from it, all bets are off! Notice that we remain in two divine beings not 3. This verse is a real problem for trinitarian's and tri theist's. It is clear that the true Godhead teaching of the bible is that there are two divine beings which are a real Father and a real Son. Do you see why the Churches of Christendom have fallen so hard? It's because they have not let the original doctrine of the apostles abide in them thereby they are not remaining in the Son and in the Father.
1 John 3:23 (KJV)
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
It is the commandment of Jehovah God that we believe on the name of His Son. This doesn't mean just to believe in the actual name "Jesus Christ", that is a big part of it, but also means to believe in the identity of Jesus name which is that he is the Son of God. See how Jesus is called God's Son in this passage? Are we to believe this is metaphorical? Does God play games with us and say things He doesn't really mean? Of course not! God cannot lie, either can His Son. If they both affirm their Father-Son relationship then who are theologians and pastors to try and pervert this truth? Remember the word's in the book of Romans:
Romans 3:4 (KJV)
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
A solemn warning for those who believe men over God:
1 John 5:9-13 (KJV)
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Do you see the pattern here? The Sonship of Christ is vitally important to Christianity even moreseo that Jesus is God. Sadly many Christians today have esteemed the witness of men above the witness of Jehovah. How is this? Because they have trusted the theologians and pastors who say that Jesus isn't the literal Son of God and they have rejected the very word's of the Almighty God himself. These so called Christians make God a liar! A very serious offense. They believe their pulpit preachers instead, trusting man's wisdom over God's wisdom. Many are scared to rock the boat and go along to get along. Many others are so entrenched in their denomination that they just refuse to against anything their creeds teach. Some have been so indoctrinated with their denominations traditions that they can't fathom that their denomination could be wrong.
These people put their eternal life into hands of imperfect men instead of God who inspired His perfect word, the Holy Bible. The scriptures affirm the Sonship of Christ and the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah. These scriptures were breathed by Jehovah's Spirit.
Even the requirement to get baptized necessitates that one confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
Acts 8:36-37 (KJV)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
This is how deceptive satan is, rarely do you hear in the Churches this confession being taught as the requirement for baptism. Sure they teach that you have to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour, but do they tell you which Jesus to accept? In fact, many times they require you to confess that God is a trinity in order to get baptized. This is outright unbiblical and is a tradition of man. Also, many churches add other requirements to get baptized such as membership in their denomination, agreement to keep the Sabbath and dress reform. However, these are all things that are to come after one gets baptized not prior to it. Adding these things is unbiblical. The only requirement for baptism is the confession that Jesus is the Son of God and repentance.
Do you see how Jesus being the Son of God is the root of our Faith?
John 3:17-18 (KJV)
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Prior to being sent into the world, Jesus. was God's Son. God had a Son to send. It's through the Son of God that those in the world can be saved. It's not through "God the Son" or any other of the false Jesus's that are preached throughout Christendom. Verse 18 says that "he that believeth on him is not condemned." Who is the person who is condemned? It's the person who has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God!
Do you see that Jesus name is inseparably connected to Him being the only begotten Son of God? This doesn't just mean believing in the actual verbiage of His name "Jesus", but also believing the character and identity of His name which is tied to His literal Sonship.
You must no only believe in the actual name "Jesus" but also in his identity as the only begotten Son of God.
The word only begotten comes from the Greek word "monogenes" and means "only born, sole child, only (begotten) child."
This means that Jesus is the only born child of God. Some will say this was at his birth in Bethlehem, however the scripture above clearly says that God sent His Son into the world. You see here in John 3:17, that God already had a Son to send into the world. This means that Jesus Sonship didn't begin at Bethlehem but in heaven in the ages of eternity as we know Jesus is preexistent. Let's look at John 3:16 again:
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Again, we see here that God had a Son to give to the world. Only begotten means "only born". If Jesus was already God's Son before being sent into the world then His being begotten "born" was in heaven in the ages of eternity. Jesus was the only begotten Son of God before being sent by God into the world. Let's look at an old testament passage that alludes to Jesus being brought forth from Jehovah in the ages of eternity.
Friday, September 23, 2016
John 5:17-25
John 5:17-25 (KJV)
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, 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.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Verse 17-18, After Jesus tells the Jews that both He and the Father work on the Sabbath to serve and heal man, the Jews were even more aroused to harm Jesus because not only had He violated the Sabbath in their opinion, but He had made himself eqaul with God by stating that God was His Father. This passage is very revealing in that the Jews had an understanding that the coming Messiah would be God's Son and this Sonship would make the Messiah equal with the Father. Remember, the Jews considered themselves son's of God so if Jesus claim of Sonship was only metaphorical they would not have been offended at His claim of Sonship. They properly understood Jesus claim of Sonship as literal hence the statement that they took this as making himself equal with God. The Jews who claimed an adopted Sonship didn't consider themselves eqaul with God.
How is Jesus eqaul with God when other scriptures state that He is subject to God?
Because Jesus is the literal Son of God. His nature (DNA) is fully Divine as much as the Father's nature is. Jesus is equal in divinity to the Father. However in position of headship and authority, Jesus is subject to the Father. A human father begets a human son. God begat a divine Son. God could only beget from his own substance another divine being. A human father will always (in ideal situations-providing health and life circumstances) have headship over his son no matter how old his son gets and no matter how successful his son gets. The son gives his Father this respect and preference. A human father doesn't consider his son less than him just because he is older and has headship over him. A human Father esteems his son eqaul to himself as his son is a part of himself in DNA.
It pleases a human father to esteem his son as eqaul to himself. This doesn't mean the father doesn't have authority or headship over his son it just means that the father knows his son is eqaul to him as a person. Apply this same understanding to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. It pleases the Father to consider Jesus eqaul with himself as they are both made of the same divine substance. They could only be made of the same substance if they are a true Father and Son. It pleases Jesus to be subject to the Father in authority and headship just as it pleases a human son to give his father preference no matter how successful and old the son becomes.
Verses 19-20, Just as a human son learns from his father's example, Jesus learns from His Father. Jesus examples everything His Father does. Jesus explains his complete dependence on the Father. Jesus speaks of the Father's love for him and refers to himself as "the Son" denoting a real Sonship not a metaphorical one. Everything Jesus has done and still does he learned from the Father. Jesus is not an independent God as some doctrines teach but is dependent completely on the Father for everything.
Verse 21-23, Just as the Father raises the dead so does Jesus. The Father committed all judgment to the Son. We are to honour (revere, honour, value) the Son just as we honour the Father. Some denominations teach that we are not to worship Jesus and only worship the Father. This is absolutely false! The statement that "all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father" clearly teaches that we are to worship Jesus as we also worship the Father. We worship Jesus as the divine Son of God and we worship the Father as the Almighty God. Any worship we give the Son goes to the Father. We can even worship Jesus as our God because He is just that, our Jehovah and our God as Thomas confessed. Even the Father calls Jesus God. Of course, we know the relationship between Jesus and Jehovah and that the Father is the eternal Almighty God and Jesus is the Son of the eternal Almighty God. We should be able to call Jesus God without apology or explanation. We don't honour the Son any less than the Father. Jesus is not a lessor God as some denominations teach but Jesus is fully God and eqaul in divinity with the Father. Jesus was worshipped even as a baby. Angels worship him. What makes us think that we are exempt from worshipping Jesus? Only satan desires to have people think we can't worship Jesus.
If we fail to honour the Son just as equally as we honour the Father then ultimately we don't honour the Father. Jesus was sent by the Father to the earth. He didn't come independently.
Verse 24, Jesus states that those who hear his words and believe on the Father have everlasting life. Jesus didn't speak his own words but was given a commandment from the Father to speak. This shows the oneness of the Father and Son and that they are in complete unity with each other. You can't have one without the other.
Verse 25, the dead in Christ will hear His voice at the second advent. This shows that when we die we fall asleep and are in the grave awaiting the return of Jesus. Our souls do not fly away to heaven at death otherwise the statement, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live", makes no sense at all, how do the dead in Christ hear Jesus voice if they are already in heaven with him? This would mean they have split personalities, one in heaven as a disembodied soul and one in the grave as a dead soul.
Also, notice that when Jesus returns at His second advent he identifies himself as "the Son of God". Jesus is never called "God the Son" in the bible. This statement by Jesus also confirms that His identity as the "Son of God" is not a temporary identity that was for his earthly life, but that this is His permanent identity due to the truth that His Sonship is a literal one. Jesus was the Son of God before his incarnation, He was the Son of God during his earthly life and He is the Son of God now and He will be the Son of God when he returns for His saints and He will always be the Son of God.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, 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.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Verse 17-18, After Jesus tells the Jews that both He and the Father work on the Sabbath to serve and heal man, the Jews were even more aroused to harm Jesus because not only had He violated the Sabbath in their opinion, but He had made himself eqaul with God by stating that God was His Father. This passage is very revealing in that the Jews had an understanding that the coming Messiah would be God's Son and this Sonship would make the Messiah equal with the Father. Remember, the Jews considered themselves son's of God so if Jesus claim of Sonship was only metaphorical they would not have been offended at His claim of Sonship. They properly understood Jesus claim of Sonship as literal hence the statement that they took this as making himself equal with God. The Jews who claimed an adopted Sonship didn't consider themselves eqaul with God.
How is Jesus eqaul with God when other scriptures state that He is subject to God?
Because Jesus is the literal Son of God. His nature (DNA) is fully Divine as much as the Father's nature is. Jesus is equal in divinity to the Father. However in position of headship and authority, Jesus is subject to the Father. A human father begets a human son. God begat a divine Son. God could only beget from his own substance another divine being. A human father will always (in ideal situations-providing health and life circumstances) have headship over his son no matter how old his son gets and no matter how successful his son gets. The son gives his Father this respect and preference. A human father doesn't consider his son less than him just because he is older and has headship over him. A human Father esteems his son eqaul to himself as his son is a part of himself in DNA.
It pleases a human father to esteem his son as eqaul to himself. This doesn't mean the father doesn't have authority or headship over his son it just means that the father knows his son is eqaul to him as a person. Apply this same understanding to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. It pleases the Father to consider Jesus eqaul with himself as they are both made of the same divine substance. They could only be made of the same substance if they are a true Father and Son. It pleases Jesus to be subject to the Father in authority and headship just as it pleases a human son to give his father preference no matter how successful and old the son becomes.
Verses 19-20, Just as a human son learns from his father's example, Jesus learns from His Father. Jesus examples everything His Father does. Jesus explains his complete dependence on the Father. Jesus speaks of the Father's love for him and refers to himself as "the Son" denoting a real Sonship not a metaphorical one. Everything Jesus has done and still does he learned from the Father. Jesus is not an independent God as some doctrines teach but is dependent completely on the Father for everything.
Verse 21-23, Just as the Father raises the dead so does Jesus. The Father committed all judgment to the Son. We are to honour (revere, honour, value) the Son just as we honour the Father. Some denominations teach that we are not to worship Jesus and only worship the Father. This is absolutely false! The statement that "all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father" clearly teaches that we are to worship Jesus as we also worship the Father. We worship Jesus as the divine Son of God and we worship the Father as the Almighty God. Any worship we give the Son goes to the Father. We can even worship Jesus as our God because He is just that, our Jehovah and our God as Thomas confessed. Even the Father calls Jesus God. Of course, we know the relationship between Jesus and Jehovah and that the Father is the eternal Almighty God and Jesus is the Son of the eternal Almighty God. We should be able to call Jesus God without apology or explanation. We don't honour the Son any less than the Father. Jesus is not a lessor God as some denominations teach but Jesus is fully God and eqaul in divinity with the Father. Jesus was worshipped even as a baby. Angels worship him. What makes us think that we are exempt from worshipping Jesus? Only satan desires to have people think we can't worship Jesus.
If we fail to honour the Son just as equally as we honour the Father then ultimately we don't honour the Father. Jesus was sent by the Father to the earth. He didn't come independently.
Verse 24, Jesus states that those who hear his words and believe on the Father have everlasting life. Jesus didn't speak his own words but was given a commandment from the Father to speak. This shows the oneness of the Father and Son and that they are in complete unity with each other. You can't have one without the other.
Verse 25, the dead in Christ will hear His voice at the second advent. This shows that when we die we fall asleep and are in the grave awaiting the return of Jesus. Our souls do not fly away to heaven at death otherwise the statement, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live", makes no sense at all, how do the dead in Christ hear Jesus voice if they are already in heaven with him? This would mean they have split personalities, one in heaven as a disembodied soul and one in the grave as a dead soul.
Also, notice that when Jesus returns at His second advent he identifies himself as "the Son of God". Jesus is never called "God the Son" in the bible. This statement by Jesus also confirms that His identity as the "Son of God" is not a temporary identity that was for his earthly life, but that this is His permanent identity due to the truth that His Sonship is a literal one. Jesus was the Son of God before his incarnation, He was the Son of God during his earthly life and He is the Son of God now and He will be the Son of God when he returns for His saints and He will always be the Son of God.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Faith of Martha!
John 11:21-27 (KJV)
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Verse 21-22, Martha verbalizes her faith in Christ. She believed that if Jesus had been present, her brother would not have died. Even though her brother ended up dying she had faith that whatever Jesus asked the Father it would be granted to him. Martha's faith is an example for us as believers. She didn't doubt Christ even though her brother, whom she loved, died.
Verse 23-24, Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will rise again. Martha knew that the resurrection of the faithful dead was at the last day and stated her confidence in that. A secret return (rapture) of Jesus prior to the end of all things was a foreign concept to Martha and the Jewish people. Martha shows her faith here by verbalizing her confidence of her brother's eventual resurrection even if it wasn't gonna happen at that specific time. This is an example to us that even if our requests aren't given to us when we desire, we are still to have faith in Christ without wavering.
Verse 25-27, Jesus speaks of his coming resurrection and declares that those who believe in him will live even though they are dead. Jesus is eternal life and those who confess that He is the Son of God have God dwelling in them (1 John 4:15). If we die in Christ, even though we fall asleep we will live again at the first resurrection. We truly won't die but only fall asleep temporarily. Only those who believe in the resurrection of Christ and that eternal life can only be found in him will live, hence Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus asks Martha "Believest thou this?"
Look at Martha's response here, if only Christians could have the same faith as Martha. Martha responds "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
This is the same confession that Peter gave in Matthew 16:13-20. This is the same confession that Paul preached in the synagogues in Acts chapter 9 after his Damascus road experience.
Many Christians today lack the faith of Martha. How is this? Because their confession of Christ is not that He is the Son of God, but rather the second member of a trinity god denoting a metaphorical Sonship. Martha made it clear, her belief in Christ was that he was the Son of God in identity not the eternal Almighty God or "God the Son". Martha and the Jews must have known that the coming Messiah was going to be God's Son as she stated "thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
The whole new testament affirms the literal Sonship of Christ and it is this knowledge of who Jesus is that is the foundation of the Christian Church. Will Martha, Peter, Paul and others be a witness against those who deny the literal Sonship of Christ? Don't risk it, but rather confess that Jesus is the Son of God!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Proverbs 8:22-31 study
Proverbs 8:22-31 (DNKJB)
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
This passage offers a glimpse of the preexistence of Christ with His Father Jehovah prior to the creation of the heavens and earth.
Verse 22, the word "possessed" comes from the hebrew (strongs 7069) word "qanah" which means "to erect, i.e. create by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own: - attain, buy (-er), get, possess, purchase, recover, redeem.
"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way"
The early Church as well as many of the reformers and the general Protestant churches believed this passage to be about Christ. Ellen White also believed this. With Christ speaking as wisdom, He states that Jehovah possessed (erected, created in the begotten sense, as noted in several passages in the newtestament) Him in the beginning of his way. This clearly teaches that Christ had a beginning as a personality. In the beginning the Word was with God (John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:13-16, Revelation 3:14).
The bible clearly teaches the preexistence of Christ and that He was begotten of the Father in eternity past. What the bible does not specify is exactly how and when in eternity this took place. This is not for us to know, however we do have an example in the bible of one being coming out from another's substance and that is Eve coming out from Adam. It is interesting to note that Jehovah told His Son "Let us make man in our image" before creating Adam and Eve. Eve coming out from Adam's substance could have been a human example of Jesus being begotten from the Father's substance.
Verse 23, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was". The phrase "Set up" comes from the Hebrew word "nacak" (Hebrew Strongs 5258) which means "to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy to anoint a king: - cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
Christ as wisdom says He was poured out from the times of eternity (everlasting), see Micah 5:2. What was Christ poured out from? Well from verse 22 and several new testament passages, we know that Christ was poured out from the Father. This confirms that Christ was begotten from the Father's substance and not just created out of nothing.
Verse 24-29, before there were the depths of waters, mountains, the earth in general, the heavens, the clouds, appointing of the foundations of the earth and sea boundaries etc. , Christ was brought forth. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Hebrew word "chuwl" which means "to twist or whirl, to writhe in pain, bear, bring forth, form".
Christ was brought forth (formed) from the Father. The word "from" is important here as this denotes that Christ came from the Father's substance and was not created independent of it. Christ came out from and was formed by the Father.
Verse 30, the phrase "brought up" comes from the Hebrew word "amown (Hebrew Strongs 526) and means "skilled, i.e. an architect: - one brought up". This passage could also be rendered "Then I was by him as a master craftsman: and I was daily his delight".
Wisdom here is described as a skilled architect, a master craftsman. This indicates that this passage is about a person and not a mere attribute of the mind (wisdom).
Remember that Christ is called the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
We see from the above passage that Christ is called the power and wisdom of God.
Here are some new testament passages regarding Christ coming forth, out from the Father.
John 16:27-28 (KJV)
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews 1:3-5 (KJV)
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Colossians 1:15 (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
1 John 4:9 (KJV)
9 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 5:1 (KJV)
5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
This passage offers a glimpse of the preexistence of Christ with His Father Jehovah prior to the creation of the heavens and earth.
Verse 22, the word "possessed" comes from the hebrew (strongs 7069) word "qanah" which means "to erect, i.e. create by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own: - attain, buy (-er), get, possess, purchase, recover, redeem.
"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way"
The early Church as well as many of the reformers and the general Protestant churches believed this passage to be about Christ. Ellen White also believed this. With Christ speaking as wisdom, He states that Jehovah possessed (erected, created in the begotten sense, as noted in several passages in the newtestament) Him in the beginning of his way. This clearly teaches that Christ had a beginning as a personality. In the beginning the Word was with God (John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:13-16, Revelation 3:14).
The bible clearly teaches the preexistence of Christ and that He was begotten of the Father in eternity past. What the bible does not specify is exactly how and when in eternity this took place. This is not for us to know, however we do have an example in the bible of one being coming out from another's substance and that is Eve coming out from Adam. It is interesting to note that Jehovah told His Son "Let us make man in our image" before creating Adam and Eve. Eve coming out from Adam's substance could have been a human example of Jesus being begotten from the Father's substance.
Verse 23, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was". The phrase "Set up" comes from the Hebrew word "nacak" (Hebrew Strongs 5258) which means "to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy to anoint a king: - cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
Christ as wisdom says He was poured out from the times of eternity (everlasting), see Micah 5:2. What was Christ poured out from? Well from verse 22 and several new testament passages, we know that Christ was poured out from the Father. This confirms that Christ was begotten from the Father's substance and not just created out of nothing.
Verse 24-29, before there were the depths of waters, mountains, the earth in general, the heavens, the clouds, appointing of the foundations of the earth and sea boundaries etc. , Christ was brought forth. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Hebrew word "chuwl" which means "to twist or whirl, to writhe in pain, bear, bring forth, form".
Christ was brought forth (formed) from the Father. The word "from" is important here as this denotes that Christ came from the Father's substance and was not created independent of it. Christ came out from and was formed by the Father.
Verse 30, the phrase "brought up" comes from the Hebrew word "amown (Hebrew Strongs 526) and means "skilled, i.e. an architect: - one brought up". This passage could also be rendered "Then I was by him as a master craftsman: and I was daily his delight".
Wisdom here is described as a skilled architect, a master craftsman. This indicates that this passage is about a person and not a mere attribute of the mind (wisdom).
Remember that Christ is called the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
We see from the above passage that Christ is called the power and wisdom of God.
Here are some new testament passages regarding Christ coming forth, out from the Father.
John 16:27-28 (KJV)
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews 1:3-5 (KJV)
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Colossians 1:15 (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
1 John 4:9 (KJV)
9 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 5:1 (KJV)
5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Friday, September 16, 2016
Understanding the Holy Spirit -2
The Holy Spirit
The Power of Jehovah God - The Holy Spirit is the power of Jehovah, it's the greatest power there is. The Holy Spirit, which is the power of Jehovah allows us to accomplish things that otherwise we could not.
Luke 1:35 (KJV)
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Here in Luke 1:35, we see that the Holy Spirit is refrenced as the power of the Highest (God the Father). The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's very own Spirit and it was His Spirit that caused Mary to be born with child. If the Holy Spirit was a seperate person apart from the Father, then that would mean it was the Father of Jesus and not "God the Father".
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Again, we see that the Holy Spirit is refrenced as power. When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we are receiving the power of God and Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit causes men to be a witness for Christ and the Father.
Isaiah 11:2 (ASV)
2 And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of strength and might. The Holy Spirit is not the might and power of a third divine being but as we can see from this passage in Isaiah that it is the very might and power of Jehovah God himself. The Holy Spirit here in Isaiah 11:2 is called the "Spirit of Jehovah" which denotes possession meaning that the Holy Spirit is the actual divine Spirit of the Father not a third divine being. This passage should eliminate any confusion (Babylon) as to the identity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the might and power of Christ as well as the Father as they share the same Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption - it is by power of Jehovah's Spirit that we are made His children. We receive the Holy Spirit when we become born again into the Kingdom of God and Christ. By confessing that Jesus is the Son of God we then have God dwelling in us (1 John 4:15). God dwells in us via His Holy Spirit. God's love toward us as children comes through the Holy Spirit. As God calls us through the Holy Spirit, we are persuaded to become part of His family.
Romans 8:15 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
We may actually refer to God as our "Father" as we are adopted children into His Family by confessing and believing that Jesus is His Son and repenting of our sins.
The Spirit of burning- The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's fire of purification. Jehovah's Spirit cleanes us and purifies us from evil. The Spirit of God often appears as fire.
Isaiah 4:4 (ASV)
4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning.
The Holy Spirit is described here as the Spirit of burning and this burning is a cleansing agent. The Holy Spirit cleanses sin either by us repenting or by Jehovah bringing vengeance. It's always a wise thing to repent before Jehovah deals with us in chastisement.
Matthew 3:11 (KJV)
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
The Holy Spirit is refrenced as fire. When we are baptized with the Holy Spirit is causes us to have a fire within us that causes us to do the work of the ministry.
Acts 2:3 (KJV)
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
The day of pentecost and the gift of tongues appeared as fire. The Holy Spirit refrenced as fire reveals to us that this precious gift causes us to witness the truth with passion. The disciples were able to preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth as they had been given the fire of the Holy Spirit. A Christian who simply attends weekly services but yet has no passion to witness the gospel to others shows that he or she likely does not have the fire of the Holy Spirit in them.
Revelation 3:15-17 (KJV)
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Jesus wants us to be hot, we can be hot by having the indwelling Jehovah in us (the Holy Spirit).
The Spirit of Judgment - The Holy Spirit of Jehovah brings conviction and judgment. Jehovah's Spirit discerns and divides good from evil. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict and judge the world.
Isaiah 4:4 (KJV)
4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
Jehovah purges sin from the land and His people by His Holy Spirit of judgement. Jehovah's Spirit judges the hearts and actions of men. When man is found guilty and Jehovah's longsuffering subsides, His judgment commences. It will also be like this when probation closes.
Isaiah 28:6 (KJV)
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
The Power of Jehovah God - The Holy Spirit is the power of Jehovah, it's the greatest power there is. The Holy Spirit, which is the power of Jehovah allows us to accomplish things that otherwise we could not.
Luke 1:35 (KJV)
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Here in Luke 1:35, we see that the Holy Spirit is refrenced as the power of the Highest (God the Father). The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's very own Spirit and it was His Spirit that caused Mary to be born with child. If the Holy Spirit was a seperate person apart from the Father, then that would mean it was the Father of Jesus and not "God the Father".
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Again, we see that the Holy Spirit is refrenced as power. When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we are receiving the power of God and Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit causes men to be a witness for Christ and the Father.
Isaiah 11:2 (ASV)
2 And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of strength and might. The Holy Spirit is not the might and power of a third divine being but as we can see from this passage in Isaiah that it is the very might and power of Jehovah God himself. The Holy Spirit here in Isaiah 11:2 is called the "Spirit of Jehovah" which denotes possession meaning that the Holy Spirit is the actual divine Spirit of the Father not a third divine being. This passage should eliminate any confusion (Babylon) as to the identity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the might and power of Christ as well as the Father as they share the same Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption - it is by power of Jehovah's Spirit that we are made His children. We receive the Holy Spirit when we become born again into the Kingdom of God and Christ. By confessing that Jesus is the Son of God we then have God dwelling in us (1 John 4:15). God dwells in us via His Holy Spirit. God's love toward us as children comes through the Holy Spirit. As God calls us through the Holy Spirit, we are persuaded to become part of His family.
Romans 8:15 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
We may actually refer to God as our "Father" as we are adopted children into His Family by confessing and believing that Jesus is His Son and repenting of our sins.
The Spirit of burning- The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's fire of purification. Jehovah's Spirit cleanes us and purifies us from evil. The Spirit of God often appears as fire.
Isaiah 4:4 (ASV)
4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning.
The Holy Spirit is described here as the Spirit of burning and this burning is a cleansing agent. The Holy Spirit cleanses sin either by us repenting or by Jehovah bringing vengeance. It's always a wise thing to repent before Jehovah deals with us in chastisement.
Matthew 3:11 (KJV)
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
The Holy Spirit is refrenced as fire. When we are baptized with the Holy Spirit is causes us to have a fire within us that causes us to do the work of the ministry.
Acts 2:3 (KJV)
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
The day of pentecost and the gift of tongues appeared as fire. The Holy Spirit refrenced as fire reveals to us that this precious gift causes us to witness the truth with passion. The disciples were able to preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth as they had been given the fire of the Holy Spirit. A Christian who simply attends weekly services but yet has no passion to witness the gospel to others shows that he or she likely does not have the fire of the Holy Spirit in them.
Revelation 3:15-17 (KJV)
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Jesus wants us to be hot, we can be hot by having the indwelling Jehovah in us (the Holy Spirit).
The Spirit of Judgment - The Holy Spirit of Jehovah brings conviction and judgment. Jehovah's Spirit discerns and divides good from evil. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict and judge the world.
Isaiah 4:4 (KJV)
4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
Jehovah purges sin from the land and His people by His Holy Spirit of judgement. Jehovah's Spirit judges the hearts and actions of men. When man is found guilty and Jehovah's longsuffering subsides, His judgment commences. It will also be like this when probation closes.
Isaiah 28:6 (KJV)
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
False prophets teach that the law is done away with or doesn't apply anymore.
Exodus 25:10-22 (KJV)
10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Above, we see the description of the ark of the covenant in measurement and in substance of what it is made of. Pay special attention to verses 21 and 22. The testimony is the 10 Commandments which were written by Jehovah's very own fingers. Jehovah's Shekinah glory dwelt upon the mercy seat which is the lid of the ark. This symbolizes Jehovah's throne in heaven which is also located between two angels. The mercy seat in Heaven where Jehovah dwells is the place where our Saviour Jesus Christ mediates for us as our High Preist. The ten commandments are also located in the ark which is under the mercy seat. Most Christians ignore this or reject it but let's look at the bible for proof.
Revelation 11:16-19 (KJV)
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Verse 19 declares without a shadow of a doubt that the ark of the testament (10 Commandments) are in heaven. What's more fascinating is that just like in the times of the sanctuary on earth, where the High Priest mediated for the people due to their transgression of the law, Jesus as our High Preist mediates for us when we transgress the Father's law. Remember the bible says "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).
Look at the context of this passage, it has to do with rewards and judgment at the close of probation. What will these rewards and judgments be based on? Verse 19 reveals that it will be based on the keeping of the Commandments of Jehovah most notably the 10 Commandments written with His very own fingers.
The majority of Christendom refuses to believe that keeping the commandments are necessary and the god of this world has blinded their eyes to this passage in Revelation 11:16-19. So do we believe the theologians and pastors of Christendom or do we believe the words of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God? What does Jesus say?
Revelation 22:14 (KJV)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Jesus confirms that the gates of heaven will allow those who keep His Father's commandments. The Father's commandments are the Son's commandments as well.
John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
The commandments of Jehovah are also the commandments of His Son Jesus.
John 14:31 (KVJ)
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
The Father gave the Son the commandments to speak during His earthly life, Jesus did not contradict His Father's law. He magnified (filled up) the law of Jehovah. Jesus didn't come with a new doctrine but spoke the doctrine (logos) of His Father.
John 12:49 (KJV)
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
The Father gave the commandment to Jesus of what to speak during His ministry. Would the Father do away with His own commandments and teach new ones?
Malachi 3:6 (ASV)
6 For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Jehovah the Father of us all changes not. His law is perfect and eternal.
10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Above, we see the description of the ark of the covenant in measurement and in substance of what it is made of. Pay special attention to verses 21 and 22. The testimony is the 10 Commandments which were written by Jehovah's very own fingers. Jehovah's Shekinah glory dwelt upon the mercy seat which is the lid of the ark. This symbolizes Jehovah's throne in heaven which is also located between two angels. The mercy seat in Heaven where Jehovah dwells is the place where our Saviour Jesus Christ mediates for us as our High Preist. The ten commandments are also located in the ark which is under the mercy seat. Most Christians ignore this or reject it but let's look at the bible for proof.
Revelation 11:16-19 (KJV)
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Verse 19 declares without a shadow of a doubt that the ark of the testament (10 Commandments) are in heaven. What's more fascinating is that just like in the times of the sanctuary on earth, where the High Priest mediated for the people due to their transgression of the law, Jesus as our High Preist mediates for us when we transgress the Father's law. Remember the bible says "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).
Look at the context of this passage, it has to do with rewards and judgment at the close of probation. What will these rewards and judgments be based on? Verse 19 reveals that it will be based on the keeping of the Commandments of Jehovah most notably the 10 Commandments written with His very own fingers.
The majority of Christendom refuses to believe that keeping the commandments are necessary and the god of this world has blinded their eyes to this passage in Revelation 11:16-19. So do we believe the theologians and pastors of Christendom or do we believe the words of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God? What does Jesus say?
Revelation 22:14 (KJV)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Jesus confirms that the gates of heaven will allow those who keep His Father's commandments. The Father's commandments are the Son's commandments as well.
John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
The commandments of Jehovah are also the commandments of His Son Jesus.
John 14:31 (KVJ)
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
The Father gave the Son the commandments to speak during His earthly life, Jesus did not contradict His Father's law. He magnified (filled up) the law of Jehovah. Jesus didn't come with a new doctrine but spoke the doctrine (logos) of His Father.
John 12:49 (KJV)
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
The Father gave the commandment to Jesus of what to speak during His ministry. Would the Father do away with His own commandments and teach new ones?
Malachi 3:6 (ASV)
6 For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Jehovah the Father of us all changes not. His law is perfect and eternal.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
The requirement for baptism
The requirement to get baptized necessitates that one confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
Acts 8:36-37 (KJV)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
This is how deceptive satan is, rarely do you hear in the Churches this confession being taught as the requirement for baptism. Sure they teach that you have to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour, but do they tell you which Jesus to accept? In fact, many times they require you to confess that God is a trinity in order to get baptized. This is outright unbiblical and is a tradition of man. Also, many churches add other requirements to get baptized such as membership in their denomination, agreement to keep the Sabbath and dress reform. However, these are all things that are to come after one gets baptized not prior to it. Adding these things is unbiblical. The only requirement for baptism is the confession that Jesus is the Son of God and repentance.
Acts 8:36-37 (KJV)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
This is how deceptive satan is, rarely do you hear in the Churches this confession being taught as the requirement for baptism. Sure they teach that you have to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour, but do they tell you which Jesus to accept? In fact, many times they require you to confess that God is a trinity in order to get baptized. This is outright unbiblical and is a tradition of man. Also, many churches add other requirements to get baptized such as membership in their denomination, agreement to keep the Sabbath and dress reform. However, these are all things that are to come after one gets baptized not prior to it. Adding these things is unbiblical. The only requirement for baptism is the confession that Jesus is the Son of God and repentance.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Understanding the Holy Spirit part 1
In our quest to understand the Holy Spirit better, I think it's good to go to scripture and learn of some of the qualities of Jehovah's Spirit.
Breath of the Almighty - The Holy Spirit is the life giving breath (life force) of Jehovah. Jehovah breathes into our nostrils life and then we become a living soul. This life is also breathed on us when we are born again into the Kingdom of God. Jehovah sends His Spirit to us through Christ, whereby we have the indwelling Jehovah in us. When we receice the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the life of the Father and Son making their abode in us. The Holy Spirit is the life giver.
The words in both Hebrew and Greek for "wind, breath and spirit" have similar origin. The idea of flowing life-giving air is what is meant by Rauch (Hebrew) and Pnuema (Greek).
Job 33:4 (ASV)
4 The Spirit of God hath made me,
And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.
John 20:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Counselor/Comforter - The Holy Spirit comforts, counsels and gives strength. The Holy Spirit provides us with strength and comfort. We are to turn to Jehovah when we are in trouble and when we are weak and say to Him "Not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit Jehovah".
The word for Comforter in the greek is "parakletos". It is noteworthy that we are told in 1 John 2:1 that Jesus Christ is our advocate. The word advocate comes from the same greek word that comforter does, which is "parakletos". The Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of God and Christ and is the Comforter (Christ divested of humanity as our Advocate).
John 14:16 (KJV)
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26 (KJV)
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 (KJV)
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Romans 8:26 (KJV)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 John 2:1 (KJV)
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
The Spirit of Counsel - The Holy Spirit counsels and teaches us as we grow in Christ. We need to heed Jehovah's counsel by listening to His Holy Spirit as it teaches us and guides us into all truth.
Isaiah 11:2 (ASV)
2 And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
As we can see from the above scripture, that the Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of Jehovah not a third divine being. Jehovah's Spirit gives counsel and is one of His Spirit's qualities. The Holy Spirit is not just the Spirit of Jehovah the Father but also it is the Spirit of His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is called Wonderful Counselor in Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah 9:6 (ASV)
6 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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Now that Jesus is at the right hand of the Almighty Jehovah, he counsels us through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son to us the Christian Congregation to teach us all things.
John 14:26 (KJV)
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Eternal Spirit - The Holy Spirit has always been in existence. This is because it is Jehovah's very own Spirit and Jehovah has always existed. You cannot separate Jehovah from His Spirit.
Hebrews 9:14 (ASV)
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal creadted force but it is the actual eternal Spirit (mind, breath and wind) of Jehovah God. Jehovah's Spirit is given to His Son Jesus and then is sent to us as believers.
Revelation 3:1 (ASV)
3 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.
Jesus has the seven Spirits of Jehovah in it's fullness, which he then sends throughout all the earth (Revelation 5:6).
The Free Spirit - The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's generous and willing Spirit. He gives us His Spirit to change our hearts and to give us freedom from sin.
Psalm 51:10-12 (KJV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
The psalmist pleads for Jehovah to give him the freedom of "His" Spirit. This is key, we want the Spirit of God and Christ not another being. Jehovah's Spirit gives us freedom while getting the Spirit from another being brings death.
Without Jehovah's Spirit dwelling in us we have no way to be free from the bondage of sin which leads to death.
The Good Spirit - Jehovah's Spirit is good and will lead us and teach us in all that is good. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's good gift to us for help as we sojourn in this dark world. Even in heaven we will have Jehovah's Spirit dwelling in us. The Holy Spirit is also Christ's very own Spirit and it is how he comforts us and is with us to work all things for our good.
Nehemiah 9:20 (KJV)
20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Psalm 143:10 (KJV)
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
The emphasis is on Jehovah's Spirit not a third being or person apart from the Father and Son. Jehovah's Spirit is good and does not want to withhold good things, according to His will, from His people. Jehovah's people are the Christian Congregation. The evidence that someone truly has the indwelling Spirit of Jehovah in them is if they do good as His Spirit is good.
Breath of the Almighty - The Holy Spirit is the life giving breath (life force) of Jehovah. Jehovah breathes into our nostrils life and then we become a living soul. This life is also breathed on us when we are born again into the Kingdom of God. Jehovah sends His Spirit to us through Christ, whereby we have the indwelling Jehovah in us. When we receice the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the life of the Father and Son making their abode in us. The Holy Spirit is the life giver.
The words in both Hebrew and Greek for "wind, breath and spirit" have similar origin. The idea of flowing life-giving air is what is meant by Rauch (Hebrew) and Pnuema (Greek).
Job 33:4 (ASV)
4 The Spirit of God hath made me,
And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.
John 20:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Counselor/Comforter - The Holy Spirit comforts, counsels and gives strength. The Holy Spirit provides us with strength and comfort. We are to turn to Jehovah when we are in trouble and when we are weak and say to Him "Not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit Jehovah".
The word for Comforter in the greek is "parakletos". It is noteworthy that we are told in 1 John 2:1 that Jesus Christ is our advocate. The word advocate comes from the same greek word that comforter does, which is "parakletos". The Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of God and Christ and is the Comforter (Christ divested of humanity as our Advocate).
John 14:16 (KJV)
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26 (KJV)
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 (KJV)
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Romans 8:26 (KJV)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 John 2:1 (KJV)
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
The Spirit of Counsel - The Holy Spirit counsels and teaches us as we grow in Christ. We need to heed Jehovah's counsel by listening to His Holy Spirit as it teaches us and guides us into all truth.
Isaiah 11:2 (ASV)
2 And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
As we can see from the above scripture, that the Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of Jehovah not a third divine being. Jehovah's Spirit gives counsel and is one of His Spirit's qualities. The Holy Spirit is not just the Spirit of Jehovah the Father but also it is the Spirit of His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is called Wonderful Counselor in Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah 9:6 (ASV)
6 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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Now that Jesus is at the right hand of the Almighty Jehovah, he counsels us through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son to us the Christian Congregation to teach us all things.
John 14:26 (KJV)
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Eternal Spirit - The Holy Spirit has always been in existence. This is because it is Jehovah's very own Spirit and Jehovah has always existed. You cannot separate Jehovah from His Spirit.
Hebrews 9:14 (ASV)
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal creadted force but it is the actual eternal Spirit (mind, breath and wind) of Jehovah God. Jehovah's Spirit is given to His Son Jesus and then is sent to us as believers.
Revelation 3:1 (ASV)
3 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.
Jesus has the seven Spirits of Jehovah in it's fullness, which he then sends throughout all the earth (Revelation 5:6).
The Free Spirit - The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's generous and willing Spirit. He gives us His Spirit to change our hearts and to give us freedom from sin.
Psalm 51:10-12 (KJV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
The psalmist pleads for Jehovah to give him the freedom of "His" Spirit. This is key, we want the Spirit of God and Christ not another being. Jehovah's Spirit gives us freedom while getting the Spirit from another being brings death.
Without Jehovah's Spirit dwelling in us we have no way to be free from the bondage of sin which leads to death.
The Good Spirit - Jehovah's Spirit is good and will lead us and teach us in all that is good. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's good gift to us for help as we sojourn in this dark world. Even in heaven we will have Jehovah's Spirit dwelling in us. The Holy Spirit is also Christ's very own Spirit and it is how he comforts us and is with us to work all things for our good.
Nehemiah 9:20 (KJV)
20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Psalm 143:10 (KJV)
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
The emphasis is on Jehovah's Spirit not a third being or person apart from the Father and Son. Jehovah's Spirit is good and does not want to withhold good things, according to His will, from His people. Jehovah's people are the Christian Congregation. The evidence that someone truly has the indwelling Spirit of Jehovah in them is if they do good as His Spirit is good.
Friday, September 9, 2016
The table of shewbread
In the holy place of the tabernacle, we see the table of shewbread.
Exodus 25:23-30 (KJV)
23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Above we see the description of the table and that it is made with shittim wood overlaid with pure gold. The assortments such as the dishes, spoons etc. are also made with pure gold.
The shewbread represents the Word of God. Jesus is the bread of life. Remember Jesus is the Word of God.
John 6:51 (KJV)
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Remember though, Jesus doesn't speak His own words. That's why He is called the Word of God, Jesus is God's thoughts made audible.
John 12:49 (KJV)
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
So when Jesus speaks, it is the Father speaking through Him. So the Word of God originates from the Father and is spoken by the Son. The table of shewbread represents the Word of God with the Father as the source and the Son as the channel. Notice below in Leviticus and how there are two stacks of bread on the table.
Leviticus 24:5-9 (ASV)
5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah.7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. 8 Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant. 9 And it shall be for Aaron and his sons; and they shall eat it in a holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of Jehovah made by fire by a perpetual statute.
Verse 6, two rows of of bread, six pieces of bread in each row. If the shewbread represents the Father and the Son, then one stack of bread represents the Father and one stack represents the Son. The Father and the Son are the two Divine beings of the Godhead. Many in Christendom teach that there are three Divine beings of the Godhead including the Holy Spirit. Of course the Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of God and Christ and not a third divine being. What's interesting to note is that if you add a third stack of 6 pieces of bread, you would then have three stacks of 6 pieces of bread calculating "666". Some food for thought!
Verse 8 is also noteworthy. The High Priest was to set the bread in order every Sabbath day before Jehovah God. The bread would be continually provided the Congregation of Israel by an everlasting covenant. When we keep the Sabbath day, it is a memorial to Jehovah's creation of this world that He did through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Two Divine beings in the work of creation with the Spirit of Jehovah as the agency in which the Father and Son created everything. As Spiritual Israel, we are to continually give our worship to the Father Jehovah and His Son Jesus, especially on their Holy Sabbath day. True Sabbath keeping is done in honour of The One true God Jehovah and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. We provide ourselves as living sacrifices to Two Divine beings not three.
Exodus 25:23-30 (KJV)
23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Above we see the description of the table and that it is made with shittim wood overlaid with pure gold. The assortments such as the dishes, spoons etc. are also made with pure gold.
The shewbread represents the Word of God. Jesus is the bread of life. Remember Jesus is the Word of God.
John 6:51 (KJV)
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Remember though, Jesus doesn't speak His own words. That's why He is called the Word of God, Jesus is God's thoughts made audible.
John 12:49 (KJV)
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
So when Jesus speaks, it is the Father speaking through Him. So the Word of God originates from the Father and is spoken by the Son. The table of shewbread represents the Word of God with the Father as the source and the Son as the channel. Notice below in Leviticus and how there are two stacks of bread on the table.
Leviticus 24:5-9 (ASV)
5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah.7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. 8 Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant. 9 And it shall be for Aaron and his sons; and they shall eat it in a holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of Jehovah made by fire by a perpetual statute.
Verse 6, two rows of of bread, six pieces of bread in each row. If the shewbread represents the Father and the Son, then one stack of bread represents the Father and one stack represents the Son. The Father and the Son are the two Divine beings of the Godhead. Many in Christendom teach that there are three Divine beings of the Godhead including the Holy Spirit. Of course the Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of God and Christ and not a third divine being. What's interesting to note is that if you add a third stack of 6 pieces of bread, you would then have three stacks of 6 pieces of bread calculating "666". Some food for thought!
Verse 8 is also noteworthy. The High Priest was to set the bread in order every Sabbath day before Jehovah God. The bread would be continually provided the Congregation of Israel by an everlasting covenant. When we keep the Sabbath day, it is a memorial to Jehovah's creation of this world that He did through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Two Divine beings in the work of creation with the Spirit of Jehovah as the agency in which the Father and Son created everything. As Spiritual Israel, we are to continually give our worship to the Father Jehovah and His Son Jesus, especially on their Holy Sabbath day. True Sabbath keeping is done in honour of The One true God Jehovah and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. We provide ourselves as living sacrifices to Two Divine beings not three.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Jesus is Jehovah of Hosts
Jesus Christ isn't just a "Lord" as in Master, He is Jehovah of Hosts!
1st Peter 3:14-15 "But even if ye should suffer for righteousness sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Jehovah: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” — (Footnote: *Isaiah 8:12-13)
Isaiah 8:12-13 (ASV)
12 Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof. 13 Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Jehovah, to the glory of God the Father.” — (Footnote: *Isaiah 45:23-24)
Isaiah 45:23-24 (ASV)
23 By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 Only in Jehovah, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all they that were incensed against him shall be put to shame.
Isaiah spake of Christ glory (refrence to Isaiah 6:1-5) confirming that Jesus is Jehovah of Hosts.
John 12:36-41 (KJV)
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Isaiah sees the glory of Christ - Jehovah of Hosts.
Isaiah 6:1-5 (ASV)
6 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.
Jesus new name in the millennium and beyond will be JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Jeremiah 23:1-6 (ASV)
1 Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah. 2 Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, against the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Jehovah. 3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 And I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, saith Jehovah.
5 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Two Jehovah's (Father and Son) rain destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrha!
Genesis 19:24 (ASV)
24 Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven;
No one on earth can see the Father and live, the Jehovah that appeared to Abraham was Jesus.
Genesis 18 (ASV)
1 And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood over against him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, My lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: 4 let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5 and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart; after that ye shall pass on: forasmuch as ye are come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes. 7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto the servant; and he hasted to dress it. 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 13 And Jehovah said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old? 14 Is anything too [e]hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17 And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do; 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before Jehovah. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there are fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes: 28 peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty’s sake. 30 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake. 33 And Jehovah went his way, as soon as he had left off communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Jesus as the Angel of Jehovah utters the Divine name to Moses which applies to both the Father and the Son.
Exodus 3:1-14 (ASV)
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb. 2 And the angel of Jehovah 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. 3 And Moses said, I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when Jehovah 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. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 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. 7 And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: moreover I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. 11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? 14 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.
Jesus affirms His preexistence, divinity and that He is Jehovah.
John 8:58 (KJV)
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:3
“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Jehovah, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Calling on the name of Jehovah to be saved applies to both the Father (Jehovah) and the Son (Jehoshua which means "The salvation of Jehovah") as the Son also has the divine name of Jehovah.
Joel 2:32 (ASV)
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.
Romans 10:13 (DNKJB)
13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of Jehovah shall be saved.
1st Peter 3:14-15 "But even if ye should suffer for righteousness sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Jehovah: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” — (Footnote: *Isaiah 8:12-13)
Isaiah 8:12-13 (ASV)
12 Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof. 13 Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Jehovah, to the glory of God the Father.” — (Footnote: *Isaiah 45:23-24)
Isaiah 45:23-24 (ASV)
23 By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 Only in Jehovah, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all they that were incensed against him shall be put to shame.
Isaiah spake of Christ glory (refrence to Isaiah 6:1-5) confirming that Jesus is Jehovah of Hosts.
John 12:36-41 (KJV)
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Isaiah sees the glory of Christ - Jehovah of Hosts.
Isaiah 6:1-5 (ASV)
6 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.
Jesus new name in the millennium and beyond will be JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Jeremiah 23:1-6 (ASV)
1 Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah. 2 Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, against the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Jehovah. 3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 And I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, saith Jehovah.
5 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Two Jehovah's (Father and Son) rain destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrha!
Genesis 19:24 (ASV)
24 Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven;
No one on earth can see the Father and live, the Jehovah that appeared to Abraham was Jesus.
Genesis 18 (ASV)
1 And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood over against him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, My lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: 4 let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5 and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart; after that ye shall pass on: forasmuch as ye are come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes. 7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto the servant; and he hasted to dress it. 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 13 And Jehovah said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, who am old? 14 Is anything too [e]hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17 And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do; 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before Jehovah. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there are fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes: 28 peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty’s sake. 30 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake. 33 And Jehovah went his way, as soon as he had left off communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Jesus as the Angel of Jehovah utters the Divine name to Moses which applies to both the Father and the Son.
Exodus 3:1-14 (ASV)
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb. 2 And the angel of Jehovah 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. 3 And Moses said, I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when Jehovah 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. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 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. 7 And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: moreover I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. 11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? 14 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.
Jesus affirms His preexistence, divinity and that He is Jehovah.
John 8:58 (KJV)
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:3
“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Jehovah, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Calling on the name of Jehovah to be saved applies to both the Father (Jehovah) and the Son (Jehoshua which means "The salvation of Jehovah") as the Son also has the divine name of Jehovah.
Joel 2:32 (ASV)
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.
Romans 10:13 (DNKJB)
13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of Jehovah shall be saved.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Hebrews 8 study
Hebrews 8:1-14 (KJV)
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Verse 1, Jesus Christ is our High Preist and he is sitting on the right hand of the Majesty on high who is the Living God Jehovah. Heaven is where Jehovah's throne sits. His throne is in the most holy place where the ark of the covenant is. Jesus is set on the right hand of Jehovah God's throne.
Verse 2, The sanctuary blueprints and specifications for the building of it were given to Moses by Jehovah God. They were a copy of the original sanctuary in heaven, which was the pattern for the one Moses had built. Jesus is the minister of heavenly sanctuary. In former times, the High Priest from the tribe of Levi was the minister of the sanctuary that was on earth.
Verse 3, every high priest offered something to Jehovah, Jesus offered up his own life to God on behalf of the sins of the people.
Verse 4, the exaltation of Christ to heaven qualifies Him for a different preisthood. There are preists that offer gifts according to the law. Christ's preisthood if it had remained on earth, would have been a preisthood that was not sufficiently greater than the Levitical preisthood.
Verse 5, the sanctuary service in the earthly tabernacle was a shadow of what was to come which is the sanctuary ministration in heaven. The ceremonial law and Levitical preisthood were shadows pointing to the Melchesidek preisthood of Jesus Christ. The instructions Jehovah gave Moses in the building the sanctuary were according to the true tabernacle in heaven.
Verse 6, Those who still hold onto the shadows are missing the point that Jesus is the High Priest of a more excellent ministry. Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant. The greek word for "mediator" is "mesites" and means "go between, i.e. an internunciator, or (by implication) a reconciler (intercessor): - mediator."
We are in much better hands in this more excellent ministry and better covenant than the Israelites were under the old covenant. We have the Divine Son of God as our intercessor instead of earthly fallible preists. Also, no more need for meat, drink and burnt offerings as Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice. We can no go directly to the Father in heaven in the true tabernacle and ask for forgiveness of sins in the name of His dear Son Jehovah Jesus Christ. The new covenant was established on better promises than the old covenant. There were promises in the old covenant, but Christ brings a new covenant where the promises of the old covenant are given a new form, though the substance remains the same.
Verse 7-8, the first covenant was not a mistake and the fault was with Israel. Faith was always the requirement even in the time of the first covenant. The people broke the covenant and the Levitical preisthood was not sufficient to deal with their sin. The new covenant is a renewed covenant not brand new covenant however in it's substance. The New covenant was to be made with the Spiritual house of Israel not a National house. This Spiritual house are those of the seed of Abraham, righteousness by faith. This was always the standard Jehovah wanted his people to live up to. This faith would then be manifested by keeping the commandments of Jehovah.
The new covenant was needed in order to reconcile man back to the Father through the spotless Lamb Jesus Christ. Our Saviour bore our sins (transgression of the law) and took the penalty for us. The New covenant is not a lawless covenant as the substance of the first covenant remains. It's the preisthood, sacrifical system, ceremonial law, sanctuary service that have changed. The judicial/politic part of the first covenant was active as long as Israel remained a theocratic nation. The moral law of the first covenant is now written in our mind and heart (verse 10), being internalized as they were always meant to be (Deuteronomy 30:11-4, Jeremiah 31:33). Internalizing the commandments makes them even more binding as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:20-22, 27-28. Read Psalm 37:31, Isaiah 51:7. With the law in the mind and heart it is lived each day and kept spontaneously through the believer's earnest desire.
Verse 9-10, Israel broke the covenant of Jehovah continually even though they were taken by the hand out of Egypt. Christ took on flesh and died on the cross so that we can come out of Egypt (the world). Standard covenantal formula from the old testament applies to the Church of the New testament (Gen. 17:7, Ex. 6:7, Lev. 26:12, Psalm 50:7, Jer.7:23). There is a continuity of substance between the old and new covenants. As we come out of this world into newness of life with Christ we need to avoid the pitfalls of ancient Israel and obey the commandments of Jehovah God.
Verse 11, Jehovah has ordained preachers and teachers under the new covenant (Ephesians 4:11). However, the new covenant people of Jehovah have an experiential knowledge of Him by the Holy Spirit’s work through the Word (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3-4, 13, 27).
Verse 12, There is no longer be a need for animal sacrifices for sin because Christ was the once and for all sacrifice when he offered himself on the cross. He now is our High Preist and accepts our spiritual sacrifices as there is no longer a need for ceremonial sacrifices. The ministration of Christ in the most holy place blots out our sins once we are born again. The cross atoned for our past sins.
Verse 13, now we have a new covenant as the first was waxed old and vanished away. The new covenant supercedes the old covenant. The form of administration of the covenant has changed not the substance. As stated earlier, the law is now written in our mind and heart. Writing or putting in the heart means to obey (Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:6; 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 40:8; Jeremiah 31:33; Luke 6:45; 12:34; Romans 6:17)
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