The Priesthood of Jehoshua Messiah continued

Continuing my study on the priesthood of Jehoshua our King

Hebrews 10:1--39

1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;21And having an high priest over the house of God;22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Verse 1, Messiah is the fulfillment of the sacrifices which were connected to the old covenant institutional system. He alone makes us perfect when we come unto God by Him. Jehoshua is the very image of the shadows. We need not look anywhere else for perfection. This is why we as Messianics don't heavily focus over the intricacies of the written law but rather our focus is always on the Messiah who is the living law. This is why Paul says the letter killeth but the Spirit gives us life.

2 Corinthians 3:3-6 (KJV)

3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Paul describes perfectly the what the new covenant is about, it's not about focusing and living according to the letter of the law but it's having the law written on our heart. As Messianics we are living epistles being ourselves "written messages" (epistles) of the gospel. Our trust is solely in Messiah who makes us perfect before His Father. Trusting in our law keeping is error as it is only the finished work of Messiah that brings us nigh unto God. When we realize this then we can more fully receive the Spirit which then leads us to living a life of righteousness. The law is good, just and holy, however only by the Spirit and not the letter can we walk in it.

The new era of Torah ministries often miss the whole point of the new covenant which is a fuller ministration of the Spirit, which is life giving, which then will prompt us to keep the law naturally not as a list of do's and dont's but rather as a natural result of our love for God and His Son. Remember scripture says that Jehoshua is a life giving Spirit:

1 Corinthians 15:45 (KJV)

45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Jehoshua was made a life giving Spirit upon His resurrection having received the absolute fullness of the Father's Holy Spirit when He rasied from the dead. When we confess that Jehoshua is the Son of God and Messiah of God then we receive this life giving Spirit directly from Jehoshua Himself.

1 John 4:15 (KJV)

15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

God dwells in us by His Spirit. God sends His Spirit through His Son:

Galatians 4;6 (KJV)

6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

God the Father sends us the Spirit of His Son to us which then causes us to cry out to God as "our Abba". In Revelation 5, we see a verse that shows clearly that in the new covenant that the Holy Spirit is sent through the channel of Jehoshua Messiah.

Revelation 5:6 (KJV)

6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Jehoshua sends forth the Holy Spirit into all the earth which He receives from the Father. During Jehoshua's life on earth He was promised this by the Heavenly Father:

Acts 2:32-33 (KJV)

32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

So now in the new covenant the Holy Spirit comes comes to God's people through the administration of the Son of God and the Spirit comes to us via the very being of Messiah as the Godhead dwells fully in Him bodily (Colossians 2:9).

Verses 2-4, the blood of animals cannot take away sins yet the blood of Messiah indeed forever cleanses the conscience of sin (Hebrews 8:12). His blood is the ratification of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The Investigative judgement does dishonor to the blood of Jehoshua by saying His death on the cross was only a partial atonement for sins. The bible teaches the exact opposite:

Romans 5;11 (KJV)

11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

This is a present tense statement by Paul that through our Lord Jehoshua we have received the atonement.

The word atonement comes from the Greek word "katallage" (Strongs 2643) and means "exchange, i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation."

By Jehoshua's death on the cross, we have been atoned for meaning to be restored in right relationship with God the Father. We are in God's favor and also reconciled to Him through the precious blood of His Son. The Investigative judgement denies that Jehoshua's blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat in the most holy place at His ascension into heaven when He showed Himself to the Father as the firstfruits of the resurrection. In their view, the blood of Messiah was applied to the first apartment of the holy place until 1844 and the antitypical day of atonement. Then since 1844, the registers of each saint comes up in reveiw to see if they are worthy of the blood of Messiah being applied to them. Brethren, this is downright blasphemous!

Let's see what scripture says:

Romans 3:24-25 (KJV)

24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Jehoshua was sent by the Father to be a propitiation for those who have faith in His blood. The word "propitiation" comes from the Greek word "hilasterion" (strongs 2435) and means "an atoning victim, or the lid of the ark of the covenant (in the temple): - mercyseat, propitiation"

Paul says in verse 25 of Romans that Jehoshua was the mercyseat for our sins which means that the day of atonement was fufilled at the death, burial and resurrection of Jehoshua. Remember only of the day of atonement would the blood of the animal sacrifices being sprinkled on the mercy seat in the most holy place. This sprinkling of blood on the day of atonement reconciled Israel to Jehovah God. The Hebrew word for "mercyseat" is "kapporeth" and means "to cover or purge in the sense of reconciliation or atonement. This usage indicates a covering (Genesis 6:14).

In other words, Jehovah sent Jehoshua to be the mercyseat for our sins which could only be true if Jehoshua indeed provided full atonement and went directly to the most holy place when He presented Himself as the firstfruits of the resurrection. Jehoshua fully reconciled us to God the Father through faith in His very blood and it's ability to fully atone for us without qualification. Infact, Paul elsewhere says that he and the apostles received the ministry of reconciliation or atonement. It was their mission to preach a reconciliation message to people so that they can be adopted as sons and daughters of God.  If Messiah's blood provided anything less than full atonement then Paul and his brethren were false prophets.

So who is the false prophet, Paul or Ellen White? Ellen White clearly is and infact she tramples underfoot the blood of the Son of God by reducing His blood to the blood of animals by saying it had to be applied in the Holy place for 1800 years before it could be applied in the most holy place. Infact, she makes His blood even less than the blood of animals as their blood would only have to wait for one year before being sprinkled in the most holy place whereas Messiah had to wait over 1800 years before His blood could be sprinkled in the most holy place.

What's worse is that it would only take one day for the animals blood to reconcile Israel back to God whereas the Investigative judgement covers a period of at least 171 years (since 1844) to cover sins for the redeemed. And this is even if those who had faith in Jehoshua's blood qualify to receive atonement, as even a misdeed or ill spoken word can disqaulify them according to Ellen White. So what The Seventh day Adventists are really teaching is that the blood of animals is powerful enough in one day to atone for the myriad of sins that the nation of Israel committed but that the Messiah's blood isn't powerful enough in a period of over 171 years to atone for a misdeed or ill spoken word if somehow the person forgot to confess those specific incidents.

Brethren,

This is outright blasphemy and satanic! Here is a warning for those preaching the Investigative judgement doctrine:

Hebrews 10:29 (KJV)

29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Let this warning sink in, the above verse in context speaks of those who sin willfully after receiving the atonement, however it can also apply to those who minimize the power of Jehoshua's blood to fully atone for sins once for all and that His blood wasn't good enough to sprinkled in the most holy place at His ascension when He presented Himself as the firstfruits of the resurrection.

My Adventists friends, it's too late for Ellen White but not for you, repent of the wicked Investigative judgement doctrine and preach the gospel that Paul preached lest you be accursed:

Galatians 1;8-10 (KJV)

8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Many of the Seventh day Adventist doctrines are the result of Ellen White's visions and angelic visitations. Infact, many SDA's glory that Ellen White being visited by angels is a proof of her prophetic ministry yet Paul says that the opposite can actually be true.

Paul says that even if an angel comes to you and preaches any other gospel than the one taught by the apostle that they are to be accursed.

Notice that Paul not only says the angel who preaches this false gospel will be accursed but also the man/woman who preaches it. The angel who preached the false gospel to Ellen White is accursed and so is Ellen White who preached it. Adventists, do you want to be accursed for repeating Ellen White's doctrines of devils?

Please don't be offended as Paul says:

"do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Messiah"

I seek to be the servant of the Son of God which includes exposing false gospels and false prophets even if it offends a multitude of people. Ellen White and her investigative judgement doctrine counts the blood of Jehoshua an unholy thing not even being good enough to be sprinkled on the mercy seat for over 1800 years and even then over the course  of over 171 since 1844 to do it's full work. And even then, that blood is only applied if every ill spoken word or deed was specifically confessed. Brethren, this is just as bad as the Catholic churches concessional booth ministry. Both denominations have created a false "Jesus" and preach another "Jesus" who's death on the cross and blood wasn't good enough to give us who have faith in Him (Jehoshua) the full atonement.

The Jesus of Ellen White is not the Jesus of the bible as her Jesus blood wasn't sufficient to be the mercyseat for sins of Israel once and for all. Infact, in her view even the Apostles still have to go through the Investigative judgement to see if they qaulify for the atonement of Messiah's blood. What satanic blasphemy!

Jehoshua contradicts this outright when He told the apostlea this:

Luke 22:29-30 ( KJV)

29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

According to Jehoshua, the apostles were already ordained to inherit the kingdom of Jehovah to sit at the very table of Messiah and to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. This is in clear contrast to the Investigative judgement teaching which teaches that even the apostles will pass into a judgement review to see if they are worthy of the blood of Messiah unto eternal life. Jehoshua clearly says that He Himself appointed the apostles inheritance in HisFather's Kingdom as rulelrs. What a far cry from not even being gauranteed eternal life.

The word "appoint" comes from the Greek word "diatithemai" (strongs 1303) and means "to put apart,  i.e. (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest): - appoint, make, testator."

In other words, Jehoshua made a compact and covenant with the apostles that they would inherit very important positions in the coming Kingdom of God. Just as the Father's covenant that He makes with the House of Israel cannot be broken, His Son's covenant with His chosen 12 cannot be broken. For ellen white to teach that these 12 men have to pass an investigative judgement reveiw before being given eternal life is to call Jehoshua a liar and make Him a false prophet. Jehoshua made a testament with these 12 men which cannot be broken.

Ellen White not only troddens underfoot the blood of the Son of God but also impugnes His character by contradicting His very promise to His apostles. Not only that but she contradicts what He says about anyone who believes on His name:

John 5:24 (KJV)

24Verily, 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.

Condemnation in the greek means "to pass into judgement" and Jehoshua says that those who beleive on Him have everlasting life and do not pass into judgement, the very opposite of what ellen white teaches. Brethren, who do you believe Jehoshua or Ellen White? You cannot have it both ways! Ellen White teaches that you shouldn't say you are saved, Jehoshua says that you are saved (passed unto life) if you beleive on Him.

Colossians 1:12-14 (KJV)

12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

This is another passage that destroys the false investigative judgement doctrine.  Whereas Ellen White teaches that beleivers have to pass a future investigative judgement before being given eternal life and entrance into the Kingdom of Messiah, Paul the apostle says the exact opposite.

In verse 12 Paul says that it is the Father who makes us fit (meet) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Paul uses family language here, denoting that upon being born again by the gospel seed, one becomes a rightful heir to the family fortune. This shows that we are truly begotten children of God the Father as Paul confirms this elsewhere.  Jehovah God has no foster children, meaning that once He brings you into the Family by means of the precious blood of His Son you have part in the will and testament of the Father's estate which is His Kingdom.

The saints comprise the Family of Jehovah who is the light

1 John 1;5 (KJV)

5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we walk in the light of God then we have fellowship with Him and His Son Jehoshua Messiah.

1 John 1:7 (KJV)

7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

John the beloved disciple echoes Paul's language of family relationship within the Godhead family. If we as saints walk in the light which is God the Father, we will have relationship with Him and His Son Jehoshua Messiah who is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23). It's by walking in the light of God the Father that the blood of His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This pasaage in first John parallels Colossians 1:12-14 and they both refute the implications of the Investigative judgement doctrine.

Continuing in Colossians, we see that all glory for our salvation goes to Jehovah God as it is He that made us fit to be partakers of His Son's Kingdom. How did He make us fit? Jehovah foreknew, predestinated, called, justified and glorfied us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Paul here removes all boasting that man could ever hope to do in regards to salvation or kingdom inheritance. This is a swift rebuke to the legalists who take pride in their diets, dress, and even their version of Sabbath keeping in which they often add their own man made rules.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

We see above that the salvation experience of a believer starts with God the Father who works through His Son via the Holy Spirit and also uses the ministers of the Church in this process. God the Father is the initiator of the salvation process. Unfortunately, many Seventh day Adventists have made the salvation process about works and adherence to post biblical creeds (28 of them). In other words, for the SDA GC denomination, being saved has more to do with mental ascent in knowledge to a prescribed set of beliefs rather than Jehovah God's sovereignty. The investigative judgement is an essential part of this gospel misunderstanding that Adventists have.

Back to Colossians 1, verse 13 says that God the Father delivered us from the kingdom of darkness (satan). The word for "delivered" in the greek is "rhoumai" and means "to rescue, deliver, to rush or draw (oneself)."

Do you the significance of what this means? Jehovah actually delivered us and rescued us from our captivity in satan's kingdom. In other words, Jehovah came on a rescue mission for us when He sent His only begotten Son to the world. This is why the Investigative judgement doctrine is blasphemous because it basically says that Jehovah God and His Son failed in their mission to rescue us from the clutches of Satan.

Can you imagine a national park ranger team going out on a search and rescue for lost campers, only to find them and save them but later telling them that they are not really saved and that they will have to pass one more test out in the mountains? This is basically what the Investigative judgement doctrine teaches which is that Jehovah God ultimately failed in fully delivering us from Satan's kingdom. It also  speaks evil of the precious blood of His Son Jehoshua by saying that it being shed was only a partial atonement for sins.

Continuing in verse 13, Paul says that not only did Jehovah God rescue us from the kingdom of darkness which is amazing enough but He upped the ante and translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son Jehoshua Messiah.

The word translated comes from the Greek word "methistemi" and means "to transfer, i.e carry, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce: - put out, remove, translate, turn away."

The above definition of the word "translate" shows us that God actually made a transfer of us from one kingdom (satan's) to another Kingdom, that of His beloved Son. Jehovah God made an exchange and removed us from darkness to His light.

The Son of God with power part 4

My study on the Son of God with power part 4

Luke 4:19-20 (KJV)

20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Jehoshua confirms that His anointing by the Lord Jehovah for the work of the ministry was fulfilled that day on the Sabbath where He spoke in the synagogue. This shows that prior to His baptism He hadn't been anointed by Jehovah for the work of the ministry yet. Remember this event where Jehoshua quoted the passage from Isiaah took place shortly after His baptism. The time from Jehoshua's birth to His baptism was His preparation time for the work of the ministry in which He learned obedience to the Father and increased in the Spirit. By the time of His baptism, He had showed Himself approved to God thereby making Him worthy of recieving the Holy Spirit in it's fullness and hence be anointed to be Messiah.

Jehoshua was foreordained to be the Messiah of Jehovah God, however He still had to prove Himself before being entrusted with the gospel ministry of His Father's Kingdom.

1 Peter 1;19-20 (KJV)

19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Jehoshua was predestined to be the Messiah and King of Israel. The passage below in 2 Samuel shows that He would still have to go through a sanctification process during His life as clearly Jehovah says that there was a possibility He could commit iniquity yet Jehovah would have mercy on Him and not forsake Him. Jehovah's word is sure and He knew that His Son would overcome and build His (Jehovah's) temple and establish the Kingdom of David forever.

2 Samuel 7:12-17 (ASV)

12When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.14I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;15but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.16And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Jehoshua was the promised Messiah that Jehovah spoke of to king David. He was the promised seed out of David's bowels that would establish the Kingdom of Israel forever. The house that Jehoshua would build was His Congregation which He has been building since His first advent continuing the house that was established in the old testament times. The Congregation of Jehovah is the temple of the new covenant and it is Jehoshua who is it's builder and chief cornerstone. This temple is not one of brick and mortar but is made up of people. Jehoshua is the King of Israel enthroned after His ascension being anointed by the Father. His throne is an everlasting throne. We are in the first phase of Jehoshua's Kingdom which is primarily a spiritual Kingdom. Jehoshua's Kingdom and the ultimate fulfilment of this prophecy given to David will be fully realized in the Messianic age after His second advent.

In the prohecy spoken by Samuel to David we learn that Jehovah will be a Father to the promised Messiah (verse 14) and that the seed will be Jehovah's Son. It is interesting then to see what the requirement is to be part of Jehoshua's Kingdom as confessed by Peter

Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)

13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And 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.18And 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.19And 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.

In verse 16 and 17 we see that Peter's confession of Jehoshua's identity of being God's Messiah and Son is approved by Jehoshua as being inspired by our Heavenly Father. This exactly what is prophesied to David by the mouth of the prophet Samuel in 2 Samuel chapter 7, regarding the identity of the promised seed of David that would establish the Kingdom of David. Confession of Jehoshua's Sonship and Messiahship are prerequisites to gain entrance into the Kingdom of heaven also known as the Kingdom of Jehoshua. Of course it goes without saying that we also must confess the Kingship of Jehoshua.

Jehoshua told Peter that his confession would be the rock that the Congregation i.e. Temple of Jehovah would be built upon. Peter's confession of course being that Jehoshua was the Messiah of Jehovah God and the Son of Jehovah God. Infact, Jehoshua said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Congregation that was established and rooted in the confession of truth that Jehoshua is the Son of God and Messiah of God. It is the Congregation that hold firmly to what Peter confessed that has the keys to the Kingdom of heaven i.e. the Kingdom of the Son of God. It is this Congregation alone that has the authority to excercise discipline in the body of Messiah.

The Congregation is called the temple of Jehovah (the Father) but it is Jehoshua who bears the glory which is why He is the cheif cornerstone of the temple and why confession of His Sonship and Messiahship are the foundational rock that the temple would be built upon. For proof that Jehoshua would bear the glory of the Father's temple let's go to Zechariah 6:

11yea, take [of them] silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest;12and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah;13even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

The above passage in Zechariah prophesies of the coming Messiah who is called the Branch which means "a sprout" and that this Branch would grow up out of His place denoting that the Messiah would be fully human and grow up in every way including spiritually as the new testament confirms that Jehoshua increased in wisdom and waxed (increased) strong in the Spirit. As told in 2 Samuel 7, we learn that Jehovah's anointed Son would build the temple of Jehovah. Not only would He build Jehovah's temple but He would bear it's glory. This is why entrance into the Kingdom cannot be obtained unless one confesses Jehoshua is King, Messiah and Son of God. This is precisely why we are to honour the Son as we honour the Father. This is also why every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jehoshua is King to the glory of God the Father.

This is why one cannot go to the Father without going through His Son Jehoshua. Jehoshua bears the glory of His Father's temple. Let's look at the hebrew definitions of the words "bear" and "glory".

The word "bear" comes from the Hebrew word "nasa" and means "advance, arise, bear, armor, bring forth, contain, extol, hold up, raise, receive, magnify, regard, set up".

The word "glory" comes from the Hebrew word  "howd" (strongs 1935) and means " beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory , goodly, honour, majesy."

Jehoshua bears (raises, magnifies, extols) the glory (excellency, beauty) of the temple of Jehovah. Jehoshua is the door and gate of the Father's temple as no one can enter the temple unless they go through Jehoshua, God's only begotten Son. Remember when Jehoshua told Phillip the following:

"he that hath seen me hath seen the Father"

Jehoshua is the glory of God and hence the glory of God's temple which is the Church (Congregation) and Jehoshua raises the excellency of His Father's temple as an esign to the nations. The Father gave His Son this privilege that in all things Jehoshua would have the preeminence including of course the Church (Congregation).

Colossians 1:17-19 (KJV)

17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

This pasaage tells us what we have been looking at in Zechariah which is that Jehoshua is the head of the Church which is the Father's temple. It also clearly says that it was Jehoshua's resurrection from the dead that gave Him the preeminence in all things including the Church (temple of God).

Verse 19 is a powerful verse about the divinity of Jehoshua. This verse is important to understand because it shows that it is the Father who is the source of the Son's divinity. It also shows that it pleases the Father that the Son should have all the fulness in Him. The fullness dwelling in Messiah is in reference to the risen Messiah as that is the context that surrounds verse 19.

The word fullness comes from the Greek word "pleroma" and means "repeltion, completion, what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, mutlitude), or what is filled (as container, performance, period): - which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fullness".

So what is the fulness that fills up Messiah to the absolute full of his bodily container? Just one chapter later we are told by the apostle Paul:

Colossians 2:8-9 (KJV)

8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

So we have the answer to our question, it is the Godhead that dwells fully to the brim of Jehoshua's bodily container.

The word "Godhead" comes from the Greek word "theotes" (Strongs 2320) and means "divinity, godhead".

Godhead means divinity and if the Father is the one true God which He is, then obviously the Godhead is the Father's divinity. Jehoshua has the fulness of His Father's divinity in His bodily person. As we saw from the definition of fulness, the Father's divinity fills up to the absolute full the Messiah's body container. Meaning every ounce of Messiah is absolutely divine. This isn't His own divinity but is given to  Him directly from the Father's Majesty i.e. Godhead.

No matter your view on the Godhead (trinitarian, arian, Unitarian) Jehoshua is absolutely fully divine by means of His resurrection from the dead when He became the firstborn of the new creation. He was already the firstborn in terms of being chosen as the preeminent One by Jehovah from the foundation of the world and His birth, baptism and ministry were all evidences of Him being Jehovah's firstborn (chosen, preeminent) Son. His resurrection declared Him with power by the Spirit of holiness to be Jehovah's begotten firstborn Son. He is literally the firstborn from the dead as no one had ever been resurrected from the dead before. And because of His resurrection He is the firstborn Son of Jehovah meaning not a literal birth in eternity but being chosen by Jehovah to have preeminence in all things. He is literally the firstborn of Jehovah in terms of His literally being the first begotten (coming into existence) from the dead as Jehovah raised Him from being dead to having newness of life hence "born again".

Since all the fulness of the Father's divinity dwells in the body of Jehoshua then this means He is fully divine without controversy.

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)

9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

One of the most well know passages of scripture above shows how at some point (the judgement) all will bow and confess that Jehoshua is King (Lord) to the glory of God the Father. Why is it to the glory of God the Father? Because we see in verse 9, that God the Father highly exalted Jehoshua and gave Him a name that is above all names. The name Jehoshua (Jesus) is above every name under heaven. It's by this name whereby we must be saved. The significance of the name Jehoshua is shown in it's meaning which is "Jehovah is salvation" or the "salvation of Jehovah". The Son has the prefix of the Father's name within His name. Jehoshua is the very means by which Jehovah offers salvation. Let's go to Isaiah 53:

Isaiah 53:1-2 (ASV)

1Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?2For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Jehoshua is the arm of Jehovah. Jehovah saves men by His powerful arm which is manifested to us in His Son. The Son is the long arm of the Father's salvation so to speak. The word arm comes from the Hebrew word "zrowa" (strongs 2220) and means "the arm. (As stretched out), or (of animals), the foreleg force, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.

From the above definition we see that the word arm can be used figuratively for the might, power and force of someone. If Jehoshua is the arm of Jehovah then He is the strength and might of Jehovah. Scripture proves this elsewhere:

1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)

24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Paul echoes Isaiah and says that Messiah is the power of God.

Going back to Philippians 2, an argument can also be made that the name above all names given to Jehoshua is the name Jehovah itself. The truth is that Jehoshua has that divine name within His own name "Jehoshua" (Jehovah is salvation). This is the name that the angel of Jehovah told Joseph that his adopted Son would have.

Matthew 1:20-21

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JEHOSHUA: for he shall save his people from their sins.

This is the name given to the Son of God by inheritance and it's meaning is stated above in which His very name means "salvation" i.e. "shua" and of course the prefix "Jeho" is a shortened form of the divine name "Jehovah". So one can rightly say that Jehoshua was given the divine name at His birth. He was given this name by inheritance as God's ONLY begotten Son and Messiah. He was predestined by God before the foundation of the world to be the Messiah and anointed King of Israel.

1 Peter 1:20 (KJV)

20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Just as an earthly son inherits his father's name, whether it's only the last name of the family or even the father's name in addition, the only begotten Son rightly inherits His Father's name "Jehovah".

Hebrews 1:4-9 (KJV)

4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.5For 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?

6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

This pasaage in Hebrew highlights the exaltation and preeminence given to Jehoshua by the Father. The context of Hebrews 1 is about the Messiah's resurrection and ascension to heaven to be enthroned as King of Israel. In verse 4 we see that as a result of the resurrection, the Messiah was made so much better than the angels. The word "made" comes from the Greek word "ginomai" (strongs 1096) and means "to cause to be (generate), become (come into being), arise, be assembled, be brought (to pass), grow, be made".

Jehoshua's being made so much better than the angels in this context is in regards to His resurrection from the dead and ascension. The word made as we see from the above definition means to be generated i.e. coming into existence. Jehoshua is called the first begotten from the dead in Colossians 1:18 meaning He came back into existence from being dead.

Verse 4 of Hebrews 1 goes on to say that by inheritance Jehoshua received a name more excellent than the angels. Inheritance denotes Jehoshua's true begotten Sonship as He was born with the prefix of the divine name within His own name. Also, this verse can speak of His ascension and exaltation by Jehovah in receiving a name that is above every name. This name can be in reference to being the King of Israel i.e. Lord (Sovereign) over all creation. However, there seems to be a possible reference to the divine name Jehovah. Let's look at Jeremiah 23:

5Behold, 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.6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.

Jehovah raised a righteous Branch from the lineage of David making Him King (Hebrews 1). Jehovah raised up Messiah from the stock of His Israelite brethren as prophesied by Moses. The complete fulfillment of verse 5 takes place during the Messiah's future reign on earth. It is during Jehoshua's Messianic Kingdom that He exceutes justice in the land as well as judgment. He reigns as King now from Heaven in the midst of His enemies however the full realization of the Kingdom is future.

The designation of Branch for Messiah is significant as it means "a sprout, branch, bud, that which grew, spring (ing). Hebrew strongs 6780 "tsemach". This denotes His true humanity having grown up into a man from a baby from the stock of David. Verse 6 denotes the future salvation of Judah and Israel at His second advent when He rescues them. Israel are all those regardless of ethnicity who believe in Jehoshua as the Son of God, Messiah of God and the anointed King of Israel.

We see that during the future Messianic Kingdom on earth that Jehoshua is called "Jehovah our Righteousness". Clearly Jehoshua is deserving of the divine name by inheritance of His begotten birth miraculously in the womb of Mary and also His resurrection as He overcame the world. This is why we can rightly call Him "Jehovah Jehoshua Messiah". In Revelation 3:12 we see that Jehoshua will have a new name in the future Kingdom.

Revelation 3:12 (KJV)

12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Jehoshua having the name "Jehovah our Righteousness" ultimately points to Him as our Righteousness before God the Father.

In Zeceraiah 14 we see the name "Jehovah" applied to Jehoshua as this chapter is in regards to the second advent. In fact it says that Jehovah's name will be one, denoting the complete unity of the Father and Son as the Father is the divine eternal Jehovah who bestowed His name by inheritance upon His only begotten Son.

Zeceraiah 14:9 (ASV)

9And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one.

Jehoshua will reign over the earth after His second advent. He will come in His Father's name and in His Father's glory.

Matthew 16:27

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

John 5;43 (KJV)

43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Just as Jehoshua comes in His Father's glory and name (first and second advent) He also treads the winepress of His Father's wrath.

Revelation 19;15 (KJV)

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

When Jehoshua returns as detailed both in Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19, He will execute the wrath of His Father Jehovah doing so in the Father's name. In verse 9, we read that after the second advent of Messiah, that Jehovah will be one and His name one. In John 10:27-30 we read:

27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.30I and my Father are one.

In the above passage in the gospel of John we read that the Father and Son have complete unity in that they are one. Clearly from the context, their oneness speaks to their unity in the Spirit not meaning they are one in person. In the specific text above, their unity is in the plan of salvation. Of course, their unity extends to all aspects of the divine plan of Jehovah God. We also read in verse 9 that Jehovah's name will be one. This again shows that Jehoshua can rightly be called "Jehovah" as He will be ruling the earth during the millennium under the name "Jehovah our Righteousness".

Since everything Jehoshua does is in the Father's name and glory, He will not come to rule the earth in any other name than the name of His heavenly Father "Jehovah". This is how the name "Jehovah" will be one. In Jeremiah 30, we see that the both the Father and Son will jointly rule in the millennium hence the phrase in Zeceriah that "Jehovah" will be one and His name one.

Jeremiah 30;8-9 (KJV)

8And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondman;9but they shall serve Jehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them

After the second advent, Israel (the Church) will serve both Jehovah God and His anointed King Jehoshua, who is the ideal David. Jehoshua is Jehovah's covenant servant. Jehovah will fulfill His covenant with David through his offspring ( 2nd Samuel 7, Jeremiah 33:15-26).

Though both Father and Son will jointly rule in the millennium, it will be the Son in whom everything is executed and meted out. During this time, the men and women who populate the earth during the millennium will only have access to God the Father through His Son Jehoshua. After the millennium, men and women will finally have direct access to God the Father as the Son will then turn the Kingdom back to the Father so that He (The Father) will be all in all. Nevertheless, Jehoshua will still be the King and His Kingdom will never end.

Father and Son will jointly rule in the millennium and post millennium,however in the millennium there will only be direct access to the Son not the Father. Also, in the millennium there will still be a restoration process where the law will go forth out of Zion and justice and judgement meted out to the inhabitants of the earth who populate the millennium time frame. This is why the Kingdom will be directly under the Son's rule as He won't turn the Kingdom back to the Father until all things are subdued and the last enemy (death) is defeated. Death isn't defeated until the second resurrection and the casting of death and hades into the lake of fire.

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 (KJV)

24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all

At the end of the millennium, Jehoshua when He finishes the task given to Him by the Father ,which is to eliminate evil from the universe, will then hand over a pure and undefiled Kingdom back to the Father. This is why Jehoshua has to be the direct and divine ruler of the Kingdom now and also in the millennium, because nothing impure can be in the Father's presence. Once the final rebellion at the end of the millennium has been put down by Jehoshua, then He will hand over the Kingdom to the Father because it will be a cleansed and pure KINGDOM without sin.

Yet, even though Jehoshua turns the Kingdom over to the Father, we are told He still sits on the throne in the new Jerusalem and we are told elsewhere that His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. These truths further show the absolute oneness in unity of the Father and Son.

The Son of God with power part 3

My study on the Son of God with power part 3

What other passages speak about Jehoshua being begotten? Let's go to the virgin birth as very few talk about Jehoshua being begotten in this manner but scripture clearly teaches that this is when Jehoshua was begotten.

Matthew 1:1 (KJV)

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Here in the fisrt gospel Matthew tells us that the account of Jehoshua's birth via Mary's womb is the "generation" of Jehoshua. The word "generation" comes from the Greek word "genesis" (strongs 1078) and means "nativity, nature, generation". The word genesis as we know it constitutes a beginning of something. Following a chronology of Jehoshua's "goings forth" i.e. family descent (Micah 5:2) from everlasting i.e. ancient days we come to the birth account of Jehoshua in Matthew 1:18-25.

Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)

18Now the birth of Jehoshua Messiah was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JEHOSHUA: for he shall save his people from their sins.22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JEHOSHUA.

Let's look at the above passage and show that indeed Jehoshua was begotten miraculously through the womb of Mary.

Clearly in verse 18 of Matthew chapter 1, it says that this account is about the birth of Jehoshua. The word "birth" comes from the Greek word "gennesis" (Strongs 1083) and means "nativity, birth" which denotes a beginning. The root word of "gennesis" is "gennao" (Strongs 1080) and means "to procreate, figuratively to regenerate: - bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make spring." Let's dig a little deeper and see the root word for "gennao" which is "genos" (Strongs 1085) and means "kin, born, country, generation, kind -red), nation, offspring, stock".

The root word for "genos" is "ginomai" (Strongs 1096) and means "to cause to be  (generate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive): - arise, be assembled, be(-come, - fall, - have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), be made, be ordained to be."

With the meaning of these words we can cleary see that the meaning of birth denotes coming into existence, to be procreated, to be caused to be, a beginning, offspring, to be generated or figuratively regenerated, to be begotten and to be brought forth. We can truly say that this account of Jehoshua's birth via Mary's womb is Him being begotten i.e. brought forth, coming into existence and His gennesis (beginning) as noted at the beginning of Matthew 1 and as noted above due to the greek word for "birth" is "gennesis".

As we read the birth account we see that it was the Holy Spirit who powered the miraculous conception. This isn't a third separate person that is responsible for Jehoshua being conieved in Mary for then the Holy Spirit would be His Father and not God the  Father. Luke 1:35 confirms this as it says the following:

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God."

Here in Luke we see that the Holy Spirit is eqauted with being the power of the Most High God who according to scripture is the Father. So the Holy Spirit that caused Mary to be pregrant is the power of God the Father not a distinct being or person. This shows us that the Father and Son indeed have a real Father-Son relationship. Jehoshua was begotten from the womb of Mary who was found pregnant by the power of God the Father's Spirit. This is the principal reason why Jehoshua is the called the only begotten Son of God.

In verse 20 it says that Jehoshua was conceived in Mary of the Holy Spirit. The word conceived comes from the same greek word we mentioned above which is "gennao" (Strongs 1080) which of course means "beget, bring forth, be born" in other words "begotten". Here is the second time in this passage we see that Jehoshua was begotten by the Father via the virgin Mary supernaturally.

In verse 21 of Matthew 1 it says that Jehoshua will be brought forth from Mary. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Greek word "tikto" and means "bear, be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail, to produce, literally or figuratively."

Again we see here that Jehoshua was begotten/produced from Mary's womb. Remember it was the Father that caused this to be so Jehoshua is the begotten Son of the Father according to the Spirit and the begotten Son of Mary according to the flesh (seed of David).

In verse 23 we see a fulfillment of prophecy mentioned taken from Isaiah 7:14. The same word "gennao" is used here to describe a virign bringing forth (gennao) a child denoting that this child brought forth would be begotten which of course is how all children come into this world. This further demonstrates that Jehoshua was begotten at His birth via Mary's womb by the power of God the Father. Let's touch on this prophecy from Isaiah 7 as there are a lot of misconceptions regarding it that have promoted a false "God in the flesh" doctrine.

Isaiah 7:1-25 (ASV)

1And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.2And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.3Then said Jehovah unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear-jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the fuller`s field;4and say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thy heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.5Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have purposed evil against thee, saying,6Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set up a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeel;7thus saith the Lord Jehovah, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken in pieces, so that is shall not be a people:9and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah`s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.10And Jehovah spake again unto Ahaz, saying,11Ask thee a sign of Jehovah thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt Jehovah.13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to weary men, that ye will weary my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.15Butter and honey shall he eat, when he knoweth to refuse the evil, and choose the good.16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken.17Jehovah will bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father`s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah-[even] the king of Assyria.18And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.19And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorn-hedges, and upon all pastures.20In that day will the Lord shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, [even] with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.21And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep;22and it shall come to pass, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.23And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, shall be for briers and thorns.24With arrows and with bow shall one come thither, because all the land shall be briers and thorns.25And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.

As we can see from the above passage in Isiaah that Jehovah would give Ahaz a sign that Syria and Ephraim would be plundered and that there confederacy against Judah would come to nought (verses 4-8).

In verse 8 Ahaz is told that Ephraim will be broken and not be a people within 65 years. We can see already that this passage in Isiaah has it's first application during the time of Ahaz. This is important to understand in regards to the birth of Messiah as we shall see.

In verses 10-16 we see that Jehovah wants Ahaz to ask for a sign that He (Jehovah) would be with him (Ahaz). After Ahaz declines to do so, Jehovah through the prophet Isiaah says that He (Jehovah) will give Ahaz a sign that a virgin (maiden, damsel, a lass) will give birth to a son and that his name will be "Immanuel" meaning "God with us". So clearly this is a sign for Ahaz and has an immediate application. This passage also has a distant application in regards to the birth of Jehoshua.

This means that a woman during Ahaz's time would bear a child that was to be a sign that Jehovah was with Ahaz and the people of Judah. Let's go back to verse 14 where it says this woman would be a virgin. We know from scripture that the only miraculous birth in a woman's womb in regards to being without normal sexual relations was when Jehoshua was born, so in the near application of this prophecy we have to understand the word "virgin" as defined by it's Hebrew meaning.

The word "virgin" comes from the Hebrew word "almah" (Strongs 5959) and means "damsel, virign, maid, a lass". The word almah (virgin) here doesn't neccessarily mean a woman who has never had sexual relations but also means simply a young maiden or damsel of marrying age regardless of whether she has had sex or not. The bible uses another word "betulah" when referring to a virign in the sense of a woman who has never had sexual relations. So in this case, the near application of this prophecy denotes a young woman having a child with no specification on whether or not she has had sexual relations before. We will shortly find out who this woman ended up being.

In verse 16, we see that before this child shall know to good and refuse evil that the prophecy will be fulfilled in that the land that Ahaz abhorred would be forsaken of both the King of Israel (Ephraim) and the king of Syria. In other words this prophecy had to be fulfilled in Ahaz's lifetime. This will be important to understand shortly as we proceed in this study.

In Isaiah 8 we see the birth of the child that would be a sign to Ahaz that Jehovah was with him and the people of Judah.

Isaiah 8:1-4 (KJV)

1Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.2And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

In verse 3 of Isiaah 8, we clearly see that the immediate fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 "God with us" virgin bringing forth a son" takes place as Isaiah himself goes into (has sexual relations) the prophetess (his wife who is the virign i.e. young maiden of marrying age). In verse 4 of Isiaah 8, we see confirmation that this indeed fuflills the prophecy of Isiaah 7:14 as the child that the prophetess conceives is identified as the one, who before he has knowledge to cry (choosing good and refusing evil - verses 15-16 of ch. 7), is the one that is the sign that Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (Ephraim) would be plundered by Assyria. That is exactly what took place to Samaria and Syria before the child of Isaiah had knowledge to cry.

So it was Isaiah's child bore by the young prophetess maiden that was a sign that Jehovah was with Ahaz and the people of Judah fulfilling the prophecy of Isiaah 7:14. So why is this important in terms of Messiah's birth narrative? Because many wrongly attribute the "God with us" phrase in Isiaah 7:14 to mean that when Jehoshua was born that it was literally God coming down from heaven and taking on human form. Just as Isaiah's prophetess wife conceiving a son was a sign to Ahaz that Jehovah was with Judah, Mary conceiving a Son was a sign to Israel that Jehovah was with them. It doesn't mean that Jehovah literally came down and took on flesh. In both cases, Isiaah's son and Mary's Son were signs that Jehovah was spiritually with His people. In the case of Isaiah's son it was to bring to nought Syria and Ephraim. In the case of Mary's Son it was to reconcile the world unto Himself (Jehovah). Just to show that Jehoshua being a sign that God was with us does not neccessarily mean He (Jehoshua) was God Himself in the flesh let's go to scripture to see how exactly Jehoshua was "Immanuel" i.e. God with us.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Paul said that God was in Messiah reconciling the world unto Himself. This is exactly how Jehoshua can rightly be called "Immanuel" i.e. God with us in that God was in Him during His earthly ministry. How was God in Him?

Isaiah 11:1-4 (ASV)

1And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.2And 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.3And his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears;4but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

We see here the prophecy that Jehovah would pour the fulness of His very own Spirit into His coming Messiah. Jehoshua is the fulfillment of this passage. When did this happen during the life of Jehoshua?

Matthew 3:16-17 (ASV)

16And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;17and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

This is when Jehovah anointed His Son for the work of the ministry. Some of the ancient manuscripts qoute Psalm 2:7 in the above Matthew passage:

" I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee."

In the old testament when a King was anointed  by Jehovah to sit on the throne they were considered as being begotten by Jehovah to be His son and they were given Jehovah's Spirit.

At His baptism, Jehoshua was anointed by His Father to do the work of the ministry of reconciliation and to bring the Kingdom of God nigh unto the people as a precursor to be enthroned as King of Israel subsequent to His ascension to heaven. We see that prior to His baptism, Jehoshua had not yet had the fulness of the Father's Holy Spirit but rather was increasing in the Spirit as He learned obedience. Let's prove this from scripture.

Luke 2:40 (KJV)

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:51-52 (KJV)

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

We see that even as a child Jehoshua had the Holy Spirit and it increased in Him as He increased in wisdom and in stature. However, the fulness of the Spirit hadn't come to Him yet otherwise we wouldn't see the emphasis here on Him increasing in wisdom and growing in stature and in favour with God. Jehovah was preparing His Son for the ministry and the Son was learning obedience as we see in the book of Hebrews.

Jehoshua had to go through a sanctification process before receiving the Father's Spirit in its fulness.

Hebrews 5;8-9 (KJV)

8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Jehoshua had to learn obedience like all of us do. Obviously, Jehoshua was already doing this as a child but it is at His baptism that we first learn of Him being filled with the Holy Spirit in its fulness.

Luke 4:1 (KJV)

1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke says that Jehoshua was full of the Holy Spirit having returned from Jordan where He was baptized.

Luke 4:14-18 (KJV)

14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

After Jehoshua's wilderness experience we see that He returned from there in the power of the Holy Spirit and this is where His fame began to be spread as He started teaching in the synagogues on the Sabbath day. Notice that these verses of Jehoshua being filled with the Holy Spirit are right after His baptism whereas before this Jehoshua is described as increasing in wisdom and waxing strong in the Spirit. Obviously, Jehoshua was in the process of sanctification prior to His baptismal anointing as through learning obedience to the Father the Spirit increased in Him.

Back to Luke 2:40 where it says Jehoshua waxed strong in Spirit. Let's look at the definition of "waxed strong", this phrase comes from the Greek word "krataioo" (Strongs) and means "increase in vigor, be strengthened, be (wax) strong".

Waxing strong has the meaning of increasing in strength. To increase in something means that you didn't always have that thing you increased in at least to the level that you have attained that thing you have increased in. So prior to Jehoshua's baptism He was going through the process of increasing wisdom thereby the Holy Spirit was increasing in Him. It was after His baptism that we first read of Him being full of the Holy Spirit and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit inferring being filled to the full of the Spirit without measure.

Back to Luke 4 and the account of Jehoshua preaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. In verse 18 Jehoshua quotes the prophet Isiaah chapter 61 where it says:

1The 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;2to proclaim the year of Jehovah`s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Jehoshua quotes this shortly after His baptism where clearly He was anointed by the Lord Jehovah to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Jehoshua makes it clear that Jehovah God anointed Him and that He didn't have this anointing prior. His baptism is the clear point in time that we could ascertain when Jehoshua was anointed for the work of the ministry as described in Isiaah 61. All the passages of Jehoshua being filled with the Holy Spirit to the full are after His baptism and the ancient manuscripts qoute Psalm 2:7 in the baptism accounts. To be begotten by God has the meaning of being anointed with His Spirit for ministerial work.