I believe that we are now living in Jesus' millennial Kingdom (Colossians 1:12-13). The true Sabbath of the new covenant is the Davidic King, Jesus Christ (Shiloh). My blessed hope is the Second Advent of Jehovah's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, at the last day. Those in the Kingdom of Jesus will preach his Davidic Kingship as a present reality on the throne of David in New Jerusalem. Those who call on the name of Jehovah in these last days will be saved (Joel 2:32). Psalm 2:7!
The Three Angels' of Revelation 14:6-12
Fear Jehovah, and give glory to him!
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Seventh-day Adventist denomination is working with FEMA! Betrayal of the Saints.
Between the 6th and 7th minute mark of this video, the SDA GC is implicated as being involved with the FEMA Clergy Response Team. The Pastoral Crisis FEMA document is shown as being in the possession of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to distribute to their Pastor's Church wide.
The FEMA Clergy Response Pastor's will try to convince their congregations to accept martial law, relocation to FEMA camps, turning in their weapons etc. They will also report members of their congregations to FEMA who don't go along with the program.
Sorry people, but your GC leadership are Judas Goats most notably Ted Wilson who is embracing the United Nations millennium sustainable development goals and who has led the GC to be part of this FEMA Clergy Response Team. So, you still wanna tell people to remain in the GC Churches?
Thursday, June 23, 2016
The truth about the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
Genesis 1:1-2 [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.
Jehovah through His Son Jesus created the heavens and the earth. This creation was done by agency of Jehovah's very own Spirit.
The word Spirit us rendered from the Hebrew Strongs 7307 - "Ruwach" and means "wind, by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible or even violent) exhalation, blast, mind, whirlwind, spirit, but only of a rational being (including it's functions and expression)"
We see that it was by Jehovah's very own power (wind, blast, whirlwind) and mind i.e. Spirit that He created the heavens and the earth through His Son.
The text reads in verse two, "the Spirit of God", this denotes possession meaning it was God's actual Spirit at work in creation not another being. If I said my spirit does not feel good about something you never think I am talking about another being but rather you would rightly understand that I am talking about my very own emotions (mind). Or if I said my spirit allowed me to complete a task you would rightly understand that it was my very own power and not another being that allowed me to complete the task.
Luke 1:35 (ASV)
35 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 alsothe holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.
It was by Jehovah's Holy Spirit that Mary was given the child in her womb. Think about this for a minute, if the Holy Spirit was a distinct divine being apart from the Father and the Son, wouldn't the Holy Spirit be Jesus Father instead of "God the Father"? It makes logical and biblical sense that rather than a third divine being impregnating Mary, that it was actually the power of God (his very own Spirit) that caused her to conceive the child (Jesus).
Luke 4:18 (KJV)
18 The 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,
Jesus is quoting Isaiah 61:1. Notice what Jesus says here "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me". It's the Lord's (Jehovah) very own Spirit (power, presence, mind) that is upon Jesus. This is not in reference to a third divine being but rather his Father's very own Spirit. The word Spirit is rendered from the greek word "pneuma" (Strongs 4151) and means "a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc. life, mind."
So when Jesus says "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" he is talking about his Father's mind, power and presence as we now see what the word "spirit" actually truly means. It's his Father's power that allows him to heal and set free the captives.
Acts 10:38 (KJV)
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jehovah God anointed His Son Jesus with His very own Spirit. Notice that the Holy Ghost is synonymous with power. This power that Jesus was anointed with gave him the ability to heal and do good. It also says God was with him which makes sense if the Holy Spirit is God's very own Spirit (mind, breath, wind). In Isaiah 11:1-3 we see the prophecy of the above verse in Acts 10:38. From verse 2 in Isaiah 11, it says "And the spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him".
So again it is the Father's very own Spirit that rest upon Jesus not a third divine being. Verse 2 of Isaiah 11 describes the qualities of Jehovah's Spirit. These were exemplified by Jesus when he was given the Father's Spirit. These qualities all originate from Jehovah God.
2 Peter 1:21(KJV)
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Prophecy can only be inspired the Holy Spirit which comes from the Father and the Son. When men speak prophetic words it must be the Holy Spirit that is moving them, otherwise the prophecy is not true nor inspired. This is how false prophecies come about when men speak without the unction of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (KJV)
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Jehovah is that Spirit and where His Spirit is, there is liberty. Did you catch that? The above passage says that Jehovah God (The Father) is the Holy Spirit not a third being called "God the Holy Spirit". Remember from Ephesians 4:4-6, there is only one Spirit. The Holy Spirit is how Jehovah is present everywhere. Jehovah's Spirit is given to His Son Jesus and then sent to us as their Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and Christ and not a third divine being. The Spirit of Jehovah gives us true liberty not to use it as a cloak for vice, but to to use it to please God and Christ.
The Spirit of God frees us from the letter of the law. The letter killeth but the Spirit gives us life and we can then obey the law being led by the Spirit not by the flesh. The letter of the law compels us to obey the law as a set of do's and don't's and to do it with our own will power. The Spirit of the law leads us to obey the law out of love for God and Christ which is due to having a relationship with them.
The letter represents the sacrificial system which was only able to cover sin. The Spirit represents the salvation of the New Testament, the atonement of Jesus Christ which is able to bring salvation through the regeneration and total washing away of sin. The ministration of death written and engraven on stones was in reference to the punishment for violating Jehovah's Royal Law. We now have the ministration of the Spirit which are the commandments written on our hearts. Now we have a High Preist Jesus Christ that blots out our sins for us if we confess them. Paul calls both ministrations glorious. Violation of both lead to death eventually, however now by coming to Christ we are no longer under the curse of disobedience. We now, through the Spirit of Christ, can keep the moral law. Christ gave us the perfect example of law keeping. He kept the Spirit of the law which is always accompanied by mercy and love. The letter of the law is many times accompanied by man's traditions.
Hebrews 8:10 (KJV)
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:
The above is a fufillment of Jeremiah 31:31-35.
As we can see, the New Testament is not a doing away with the law but rather that the law transfers from stone tablets to heart tablets. It transfers from an earthly preisthood to a heavenly preisthood. It transfers from a temple made of stone to a bodily temple of the believer in Christ. It is the law magnified by the Spirit that is the law of the New Testament. Jesus gave us the example to follow as he magnified the law making it more full.
This in no way does away with Jehovah's Royal Law, but it actually makes it even more binding as now they are supposed to be written in our hearts. If they are written in our hearts then we will be led by the Spirit to keep all ten of them which could only be for our good. We don't keep them as a set of do's and don't's, but rather being led by the Spirit of Christ we keep them out of our love for him and his Father and for the children of God. This was always the way the law was to be kept. Only by Christ very own Spirit can we keep the law the way he did. The example not to follow is The pharisees and the way they kept it which was as a list of do's and don't's thereby making it a bondage for others. With the law in the mind and heart it is lived each day and kept spontaneously through the believers earnest desire as he has the Spirit of God and Christ in him.
As we behold the glory (dignity) of Jehovah we become transformed into His image (likeness, resemblance). From glory to glory meaning we worship, honour and praise Jehovah continously, we then are changed into His image being led and filled by His Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Jesus through his Spirit has given men and women gifts that would edify and perfect his body, which is the Christian Congregation.
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.
The Holy Spirit was to come upon the Apostles to be witnesses to all the earth. This was the same Holy Spirit that was prophesied about in Joel 2. This was the same Holy Spirit prophesied to come upon Jesus in Isaiah 11. What is the identity of the Holy Spirit? Those two passages mentioned above clearly identify the Holy Spirit as Jehovah's very own Spirit not a third divine being.
From Isaiah 11:2 in regards to Jesus receiving the Holy Spirit
"And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him".
From Joel 2:28 in regards to the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles at Pentecost
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh."
We clearly see here that the Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit (mind, presence, power) of Jehovah God not "God the Holy Spirit".
John 14:16-18 (KJV)
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Verse 16, Jesus says that his Father will give the apostles another comforter and that comforter would be with them forever. Many have used this scripture to teach that the Holy Spirit is a distinct divine being. Let's look closely and see exactly what Jesus meant as "another comforter".
If the Holy Spirit isn't a distinct being apart from the Father and the Son, why would Jesus use the word "another"?
First, let's look at the greek word for comforter which is "parakletos" which means "an intercessor, consoler,: - advocate, comforter".
Let's look at an interesting verse
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:
Jesus Christ is called our advocate which is rendered from the same greek word that comforter is rendered from which is "parakletos". As you can see from above the definition of parakletos is comforter and advocate.
So why does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will be another comforter if indeed Jesus fits the same description as being a comforter and advocate? The answer is rather easy, the Holy Spirit is Jesus divested of humanity. Jesus could no longer be with the disciples in person as his preistly duties at the right hand of the Father awaited him. So in his stead, the Father sends the Holy Spirit in Jesus name to the disciples so that Jesus very own Spirit would be with them forever.
Remember the word Spirit in the greek and Hebrew means mind, breath and wind. It does not mean a "being". The Holy Spirit that the Father sent to the apostles was the very mind (wisdom), breath (life) and wind (presence, power) of Jesus that originates from Jehovah God. It was the Spirit of God and Christ that was sent to the apostles.
Ephesians 4:4-6 says there is only One Spirit so the Holy Spirit is the same as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.
Verse 17 of John 14 clears any doubt as to the identity of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because they don't see or know him. Look at what Jesus says next "but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you"
Wait a minute! I thought the Holy Spirit hadn't been sent to the apostles yet. What does Jesus mean by "ye know him: for he dwelleth with you"? The answer is obvious, Jesus is talking about himself as he is the one who has been with the disciples not anyone else.
Look at Jesus following words "and shall be in you". Let's look at Colossians 1:27 for further proof on the identity of the Holy Spirit:
Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Clearly when Jesus says the Holy Spirit shall be in them, he is talking about himself which is confirmed by the above passage in Colossians. In fact, we are told that Christ in us is the hope of glory. Christ can only be in us when we have his Spirit dwelling in us, which of course is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Christ set apart (Holy) Spirit (Power, presence, life and mind).
Verse 18 gives us another confirmation as to the identity of the Holy Spirit. Look at Jesus words "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Wait a minute! I thought Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. Since Jesus can't be present here on earth physically, he comes to us as the comforter which is his Holy Spirit. So now we know what Jesus means when he says "another comforter", it's himself divested of humanity. The Holy Spirit is the means by which Jesus comes to us and doesn't leave us comfortless. The Holy Spirit of course originates with the Father and is given to Jesus and then given to us his brethen. It's the Father and Son's very own Spirit which is their power, mind, presence and lifeforce.
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 above passage was fufilled at Pentecost and prophesied in Joel chapter 2
Joel 2:27-29 [ASV]
[27]And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.
[28]And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29]and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
Note that Jehovah is the one who poured out His Spirit on all flesh. This confirms that Jehovah is the Father as Jesus said it was his Father that would send the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Also, note in verse 27 Jehovah says "I am Jehovah and there is none else" this means that the Father Jehovah is the only true God which agrees with what Jesus himself said in John 17:3.
Many Pastors and theologians falsely teach that Jesus was Jehovah in the old testament. Certainly Jesus spoke on his Father's behalf in the old testament as the "Angel of Jehovah i.e. Michael The Archangel" and Jesus is also called Jehovah in the old testament (See Genesis 18 and 19). Jesus was given his Father's name "Jehovah" however he is not "Jehovah the Almighty God" but rather he is "Jehovah our Righteousness" and the "Salvation of Jehovah", he is the true Son of Jehovah. Just like a human son takes on his Father's name and nature yet he still isn't the Father nor as old as his Father. He is also subject to the Father in authority. The same is true of Jesus and his Father Jehovah.
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. We always have to rely on the Spirit and not put our trust in man. John 15:26-27 (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:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Jehoshua confirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (Jehovah) as prophesied about in Joel chapter 2. In reading Chapter 2, we learn that the Spirit that proceeds from the Father is not another divine being but rather the Father's very own Spirit (power, presence and wisdom). Isaiah 11 clearly defines what the Holy Spirit is.
Isaiah 11:1-3 [ASV]
[1]And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.
[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.
[3]And 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;
As we can see from the above passage, the Holy Spirit is the very qualities that the Father possesses not another divine being. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's counsel, knowledge, might, understanding, wisdom. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's very own personality just as my spirit as a human is my very own personality not another person apart from me.
The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus, so even if you believe that the Holy Spirit is a distinct divine being apart from the Father and the Son he is not to be glorified and worshipped as many in Christendom are now doing.
The Holy Spirit bears witness to those who are in Christ. The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin leading some to repentance.
John 16:7-13 (KJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Verse 7, Jesus tells the disciples that in order for the comforter to come he has to go away. Jesus uses the word expedient which means "to profit, to be profitable, be better". Why would Jesus have to go away so that the Holy Spirit could come to the disciples? Because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ which he sends to us. Remember that Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). As long as Christ was still on earth as a man he couldn't send his Spirit to us. He had to glorified and ascend to heaven at the Father's right hand. This is why he told the disciples it would be better for him to go away.
Verse 8-11, remember Jesus said he is the way, the truth and the life. The Holy Spirit has the same function that Christ did while he was on the earth. Jesus testified of the world's evil works, called the world to repentance and gave testimony that he was the true Son of God and that he would be with the Father in heaven. Jesus warned of the coming judgment and that satan has already been judged. The Holy Spirit does the same.
Verse 12-13, Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth and that the Holy Spirit would not speak of himself. Remember, Jesus said that he came to glorify the Father and not himself and that he doesn't speak his own words but the Father's words. The Holy Spirit has the same function because it is Jesus very own Spirit so it makes sense that the Spirit of Christ would not speak of himself but rather speak the Father's words. In many of today's churches they ignore this and worship the Holy Spirit as God. They even made up a title called "God the Holy Spirit". Some go so far as worshipping and praying to the Holy Spirit which is idolatry.
Genesis 1:1-2 [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.
Jehovah through His Son Jesus created the heavens and the earth. This creation was done by agency of Jehovah's very own Spirit.
The word Spirit us rendered from the Hebrew Strongs 7307 - "Ruwach" and means "wind, by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible or even violent) exhalation, blast, mind, whirlwind, spirit, but only of a rational being (including it's functions and expression)"
We see that it was by Jehovah's very own power (wind, blast, whirlwind) and mind i.e. Spirit that He created the heavens and the earth through His Son.
The text reads in verse two, "the Spirit of God", this denotes possession meaning it was God's actual Spirit at work in creation not another being. If I said my spirit does not feel good about something you never think I am talking about another being but rather you would rightly understand that I am talking about my very own emotions (mind). Or if I said my spirit allowed me to complete a task you would rightly understand that it was my very own power and not another being that allowed me to complete the task.
Luke 1:35 (ASV)
35 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 alsothe holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.
It was by Jehovah's Holy Spirit that Mary was given the child in her womb. Think about this for a minute, if the Holy Spirit was a distinct divine being apart from the Father and the Son, wouldn't the Holy Spirit be Jesus Father instead of "God the Father"? It makes logical and biblical sense that rather than a third divine being impregnating Mary, that it was actually the power of God (his very own Spirit) that caused her to conceive the child (Jesus).
Luke 4:18 (KJV)
18 The 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,
Jesus is quoting Isaiah 61:1. Notice what Jesus says here "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me". It's the Lord's (Jehovah) very own Spirit (power, presence, mind) that is upon Jesus. This is not in reference to a third divine being but rather his Father's very own Spirit. The word Spirit is rendered from the greek word "pneuma" (Strongs 4151) and means "a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc. life, mind."
So when Jesus says "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" he is talking about his Father's mind, power and presence as we now see what the word "spirit" actually truly means. It's his Father's power that allows him to heal and set free the captives.
Acts 10:38 (KJV)
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jehovah God anointed His Son Jesus with His very own Spirit. Notice that the Holy Ghost is synonymous with power. This power that Jesus was anointed with gave him the ability to heal and do good. It also says God was with him which makes sense if the Holy Spirit is God's very own Spirit (mind, breath, wind). In Isaiah 11:1-3 we see the prophecy of the above verse in Acts 10:38. From verse 2 in Isaiah 11, it says "And the spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him".
So again it is the Father's very own Spirit that rest upon Jesus not a third divine being. Verse 2 of Isaiah 11 describes the qualities of Jehovah's Spirit. These were exemplified by Jesus when he was given the Father's Spirit. These qualities all originate from Jehovah God.
2 Peter 1:21(KJV)
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Prophecy can only be inspired the Holy Spirit which comes from the Father and the Son. When men speak prophetic words it must be the Holy Spirit that is moving them, otherwise the prophecy is not true nor inspired. This is how false prophecies come about when men speak without the unction of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (KJV)
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Jehovah is that Spirit and where His Spirit is, there is liberty. Did you catch that? The above passage says that Jehovah God (The Father) is the Holy Spirit not a third being called "God the Holy Spirit". Remember from Ephesians 4:4-6, there is only one Spirit. The Holy Spirit is how Jehovah is present everywhere. Jehovah's Spirit is given to His Son Jesus and then sent to us as their Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and Christ and not a third divine being. The Spirit of Jehovah gives us true liberty not to use it as a cloak for vice, but to to use it to please God and Christ.
The Spirit of God frees us from the letter of the law. The letter killeth but the Spirit gives us life and we can then obey the law being led by the Spirit not by the flesh. The letter of the law compels us to obey the law as a set of do's and don't's and to do it with our own will power. The Spirit of the law leads us to obey the law out of love for God and Christ which is due to having a relationship with them.
The letter represents the sacrificial system which was only able to cover sin. The Spirit represents the salvation of the New Testament, the atonement of Jesus Christ which is able to bring salvation through the regeneration and total washing away of sin. The ministration of death written and engraven on stones was in reference to the punishment for violating Jehovah's Royal Law. We now have the ministration of the Spirit which are the commandments written on our hearts. Now we have a High Preist Jesus Christ that blots out our sins for us if we confess them. Paul calls both ministrations glorious. Violation of both lead to death eventually, however now by coming to Christ we are no longer under the curse of disobedience. We now, through the Spirit of Christ, can keep the moral law. Christ gave us the perfect example of law keeping. He kept the Spirit of the law which is always accompanied by mercy and love. The letter of the law is many times accompanied by man's traditions.
Hebrews 8:10 (KJV)
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:
The above is a fufillment of Jeremiah 31:31-35.
As we can see, the New Testament is not a doing away with the law but rather that the law transfers from stone tablets to heart tablets. It transfers from an earthly preisthood to a heavenly preisthood. It transfers from a temple made of stone to a bodily temple of the believer in Christ. It is the law magnified by the Spirit that is the law of the New Testament. Jesus gave us the example to follow as he magnified the law making it more full.
This in no way does away with Jehovah's Royal Law, but it actually makes it even more binding as now they are supposed to be written in our hearts. If they are written in our hearts then we will be led by the Spirit to keep all ten of them which could only be for our good. We don't keep them as a set of do's and don't's, but rather being led by the Spirit of Christ we keep them out of our love for him and his Father and for the children of God. This was always the way the law was to be kept. Only by Christ very own Spirit can we keep the law the way he did. The example not to follow is The pharisees and the way they kept it which was as a list of do's and don't's thereby making it a bondage for others. With the law in the mind and heart it is lived each day and kept spontaneously through the believers earnest desire as he has the Spirit of God and Christ in him.
As we behold the glory (dignity) of Jehovah we become transformed into His image (likeness, resemblance). From glory to glory meaning we worship, honour and praise Jehovah continously, we then are changed into His image being led and filled by His Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Jesus through his Spirit has given men and women gifts that would edify and perfect his body, which is the Christian Congregation.
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.
The Holy Spirit was to come upon the Apostles to be witnesses to all the earth. This was the same Holy Spirit that was prophesied about in Joel 2. This was the same Holy Spirit prophesied to come upon Jesus in Isaiah 11. What is the identity of the Holy Spirit? Those two passages mentioned above clearly identify the Holy Spirit as Jehovah's very own Spirit not a third divine being.
From Isaiah 11:2 in regards to Jesus receiving the Holy Spirit
"And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him".
From Joel 2:28 in regards to the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles at Pentecost
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh."
We clearly see here that the Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit (mind, presence, power) of Jehovah God not "God the Holy Spirit".
John 14:16-18 (KJV)
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Verse 16, Jesus says that his Father will give the apostles another comforter and that comforter would be with them forever. Many have used this scripture to teach that the Holy Spirit is a distinct divine being. Let's look closely and see exactly what Jesus meant as "another comforter".
If the Holy Spirit isn't a distinct being apart from the Father and the Son, why would Jesus use the word "another"?
First, let's look at the greek word for comforter which is "parakletos" which means "an intercessor, consoler,: - advocate, comforter".
Let's look at an interesting verse
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:
Jesus Christ is called our advocate which is rendered from the same greek word that comforter is rendered from which is "parakletos". As you can see from above the definition of parakletos is comforter and advocate.
So why does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will be another comforter if indeed Jesus fits the same description as being a comforter and advocate? The answer is rather easy, the Holy Spirit is Jesus divested of humanity. Jesus could no longer be with the disciples in person as his preistly duties at the right hand of the Father awaited him. So in his stead, the Father sends the Holy Spirit in Jesus name to the disciples so that Jesus very own Spirit would be with them forever.
Remember the word Spirit in the greek and Hebrew means mind, breath and wind. It does not mean a "being". The Holy Spirit that the Father sent to the apostles was the very mind (wisdom), breath (life) and wind (presence, power) of Jesus that originates from Jehovah God. It was the Spirit of God and Christ that was sent to the apostles.
Ephesians 4:4-6 says there is only One Spirit so the Holy Spirit is the same as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.
Verse 17 of John 14 clears any doubt as to the identity of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because they don't see or know him. Look at what Jesus says next "but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you"
Wait a minute! I thought the Holy Spirit hadn't been sent to the apostles yet. What does Jesus mean by "ye know him: for he dwelleth with you"? The answer is obvious, Jesus is talking about himself as he is the one who has been with the disciples not anyone else.
Look at Jesus following words "and shall be in you". Let's look at Colossians 1:27 for further proof on the identity of the Holy Spirit:
Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Clearly when Jesus says the Holy Spirit shall be in them, he is talking about himself which is confirmed by the above passage in Colossians. In fact, we are told that Christ in us is the hope of glory. Christ can only be in us when we have his Spirit dwelling in us, which of course is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Christ set apart (Holy) Spirit (Power, presence, life and mind).
Verse 18 gives us another confirmation as to the identity of the Holy Spirit. Look at Jesus words "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Wait a minute! I thought Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. Since Jesus can't be present here on earth physically, he comes to us as the comforter which is his Holy Spirit. So now we know what Jesus means when he says "another comforter", it's himself divested of humanity. The Holy Spirit is the means by which Jesus comes to us and doesn't leave us comfortless. The Holy Spirit of course originates with the Father and is given to Jesus and then given to us his brethen. It's the Father and Son's very own Spirit which is their power, mind, presence and lifeforce.
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 above passage was fufilled at Pentecost and prophesied in Joel chapter 2
Joel 2:27-29 [ASV]
[27]And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.
[28]And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29]and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
Note that Jehovah is the one who poured out His Spirit on all flesh. This confirms that Jehovah is the Father as Jesus said it was his Father that would send the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Also, note in verse 27 Jehovah says "I am Jehovah and there is none else" this means that the Father Jehovah is the only true God which agrees with what Jesus himself said in John 17:3.
Many Pastors and theologians falsely teach that Jesus was Jehovah in the old testament. Certainly Jesus spoke on his Father's behalf in the old testament as the "Angel of Jehovah i.e. Michael The Archangel" and Jesus is also called Jehovah in the old testament (See Genesis 18 and 19). Jesus was given his Father's name "Jehovah" however he is not "Jehovah the Almighty God" but rather he is "Jehovah our Righteousness" and the "Salvation of Jehovah", he is the true Son of Jehovah. Just like a human son takes on his Father's name and nature yet he still isn't the Father nor as old as his Father. He is also subject to the Father in authority. The same is true of Jesus and his Father Jehovah.
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. We always have to rely on the Spirit and not put our trust in man. John 15:26-27 (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:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Jehoshua confirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (Jehovah) as prophesied about in Joel chapter 2. In reading Chapter 2, we learn that the Spirit that proceeds from the Father is not another divine being but rather the Father's very own Spirit (power, presence and wisdom). Isaiah 11 clearly defines what the Holy Spirit is.
Isaiah 11:1-3 [ASV]
[1]And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.
[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.
[3]And 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;
As we can see from the above passage, the Holy Spirit is the very qualities that the Father possesses not another divine being. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's counsel, knowledge, might, understanding, wisdom. The Holy Spirit is Jehovah's very own personality just as my spirit as a human is my very own personality not another person apart from me.
The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus, so even if you believe that the Holy Spirit is a distinct divine being apart from the Father and the Son he is not to be glorified and worshipped as many in Christendom are now doing.
The Holy Spirit bears witness to those who are in Christ. The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin leading some to repentance.
John 16:7-13 (KJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Verse 7, Jesus tells the disciples that in order for the comforter to come he has to go away. Jesus uses the word expedient which means "to profit, to be profitable, be better". Why would Jesus have to go away so that the Holy Spirit could come to the disciples? Because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ which he sends to us. Remember that Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). As long as Christ was still on earth as a man he couldn't send his Spirit to us. He had to glorified and ascend to heaven at the Father's right hand. This is why he told the disciples it would be better for him to go away.
Verse 8-11, remember Jesus said he is the way, the truth and the life. The Holy Spirit has the same function that Christ did while he was on the earth. Jesus testified of the world's evil works, called the world to repentance and gave testimony that he was the true Son of God and that he would be with the Father in heaven. Jesus warned of the coming judgment and that satan has already been judged. The Holy Spirit does the same.
Verse 12-13, Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth and that the Holy Spirit would not speak of himself. Remember, Jesus said that he came to glorify the Father and not himself and that he doesn't speak his own words but the Father's words. The Holy Spirit has the same function because it is Jesus very own Spirit so it makes sense that the Spirit of Christ would not speak of himself but rather speak the Father's words. In many of today's churches they ignore this and worship the Holy Spirit as God. They even made up a title called "God the Holy Spirit". Some go so far as worshipping and praying to the Holy Spirit which is idolatry.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God!
The Son of God
John 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Verse 1and 2, We know that Jesus is the Word of God, Revelation 19:13. In the beginning, which was right before the heaven, earth and sea were created, Jesus was with The God Jehovah. This proves Jesus preexistence. This also shows that Jesus came into existence at this time in eternity. It could have been so far back in eternity that Jesus came out from God that to our mind it's incomprehensible or it could have been right before creation. Proverbs 8:22-31 speaks of Jesus being begotten, born, brought forth and created before the creation of the world. Jesus can rightly be called God as he has the same substance as God the Father, being that he is the literal Son of his Father. Just like a earthly child can rightly be called human as his Father is human. Nonetheless this doesn't mean he has existed the same length of time as his father or that he is his father or that he is equal to his father in position. Same goes with Jesus and his Father. God the Father precedes Jesus in point of origin in regards to time. In other words, the Father is older than the Son. The Father is also head of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15 :24-28, 1 Corinthians 11:3.
Verse 3, confirms that everything that was created in heaven, earth and the sea was done so through Jesus. 1 Corinthians 8:6. Jehovah was the source of creation and Jesus was the channel in which everything was created.
John 1:14 (KJV)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Word (Jesus) was made flesh when he was born of a virign. He dwelt among the disciples. The disciples beheld the glory of Christ proving that he wasn't pure flesh but actually divinity clothed with humanity. Also, John says that he was the only begotten of the Father meaning he came into existence as God’s only born Son. This proves that Jesus wasn't co eternal with the Father. This proves Jesus literal Sonship. If Jesus was co eternal with the Father then he is not a real Son but he is only role playing as a Son. This type of view would be antichrist (1 John 2 :18-26).
The word begotten comes from the greek word "monogenes" (strongs 3439) which means only-born, i.e. sole: - only (begotten, child).
Jesus is God's only born child. In order for this to be true, Jesus had to have a beginning. This beginning was in eternity as we saw from John 1:1-3.
Jesus was full of grace (undeserved kindness) and truth. That's why we have to rely on the words of Jesus not man when determining doctrine. If Jesus said he was the Son of God and that he is the beginning of God's creation and that his Father is the one true God then how come most Christians don't believe him and go by the words of the theologians of Nicea and other councils that destroyed the personalityof God and his Son.
Even today, many Christians go by what modern theologians and pastors teach about God rather than what Jesus said and taught. Those who go by the plain words and teachings of Jesus on who God is are labeled heretics.
Colossians 1:15-19 (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And 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.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Verse 15, Jesus is the image of God. The word Image comes from the greek word "eikon" which means a likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: - image.
Although we are all made in the image of God, Jesus is made in the express image of God. This is because he is the literal Son of Jehovah God. Jesus is the exact representation of God the Father. We as humans are just a representation. Jehovah is the invisible God in the sense that humans cannot see him as if we did we would die. Jesus has the seen the Father. In the book of Revelation it appears the 24 elders also get to see the Father, along with the thousands upon thousands of angels and the living creatures. We cannot behold him because of our fallen natures. One day we will see his face when he dwells with us in the New earth. Jehovah has a shape and a form. If he didn't then it wouldn't make sense that we are made in his image or that Jesus is the express image of the Father.
Verse 16, by Jesus all things were created. This proves Jesus preexistence. All things were created for Jesus so that he could be appointed rulership by the Father of everything in heaven and earth. The Father of course is excepted (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
Verse 17, Jesus existed before all things again confirming his preexistence. Only the Father Jehovah predates Jesus. It is by Jesus through his Spirit (the Holy Spirit) that everything stands and is put and banded together.
Verse 18, Jesus is the head of the Christian Congregation. When organizations or men try to insert themselves as the key holders of the Christian Congregation, they attempt to usurp the authority of the Son of God. This is grooss error and an image of popery and Romanism. Jesus is the first begotten of the dead. He was the first raised from the dead of the many brethren that will be joint hiers with him. This raising of Jesus from the dead by Jehovah God was so that the Son of God would have preeminence in all things meaning he would be first in rank. Of course, the Father is excepted from this. Jesus was given preeminence over all things by the Father, it wasn't something he automatically possessed.
Verse 19, It pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in his Son Jesus. This fulness is the characteristics and attributes of Jehovah God. All of the Father's qualities dwell in the Son including divinity. It pleases the Father that this is so.
John 10:30 (KJV)
30 I and my Father are one.
This verse has been erroneously used to prove a trinity and consubstantiality (one substance). This verse only confirms that Jesus and the Father are one in mind and purpose. They share the same Spirit which proceeds from the Father. Just as we as saints are to be one with each other in Spirit however we are seperate distinct persons. The Father and Son are one in Spirit however they are separate distinct persons.
John 14:9 (KJV)
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
All the fulness of the Father dwells in Jesus. Jehovah God's characteristics and attributes including divinity dwell in Jesus. Jesus is the express image of His Father Jehovah. He is the exact representation of God so by beholding Jesus we behold the Father.
Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The wages of sin are death (ceasing to exist) not eternal torment. On the other hand eternal life (conditional immortality) is granted to those who believe in the Son of God Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God the Father's gift to the fallen human race. Only by believing in His Son with faith that produces fruit will one be granted eternity in paradise.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To 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.
Verse 17, if we are truly in Christ, then his words will abide in us. Obedience to our Saviour's commandments is not optional. Our old sinful lifestyle will be a thing of the past and we will have a new righteous character. The teaching that we can't overcome sin in today's churches is false and it effectively calls the words of the bible a lie. Jesus commandments are the same as His Father's. Jesus made his Father's commandments more magnified and full, by showing us the perfect example in how to keep them.
Verse 18, God the Father drew us to His Son Jesus in order to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus as God’s Son, was the channel in which the Father used to bring us back in right relationship with Himself. The apostles were given the ministry of reconciliation calling men to believe on the Son of God so that they could be reconciled to the Father.
Verse 19, When Jesus was on earth during his time of ministry, God the Father was in him. Christ had the fulness of the Godhead in him. Christ was Jehovah Emmanuel, God with us. The Holy Spirit that Christ received at his baptism was the Father in him. Christ still has the Father in him via the Holy Spirit. God used His Holy Son Jesus to reconcile sinners unto Himself, not counting their trespasses against them but rather giving them the free gift of salvation, imputing His Son's righteousness to them. Jehovah God gave this ministry of reconciliation to the apostles and all true Christians. We are to preach Jesus as the Son of God as the only way to eternal life, which will then reconcile sinners to his Father who is the only true God.
John 5:22 (KJV)
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Jehovah commits all judgment to his dear Son Jesus. Jehovah bestowed this honour upon his Son due the sinless life he lived on earth as divinity clothed with humanity. Jesus can sympathize with our struggles in the flesh as he was tempted like we are. However Jesus was sinless all to the stake. Jesus is our example that we can indeed overcome sin. Although we aren't perfect like Jesus and we will stumble at times, we can indeed overcome sin. We can live obedient lives. This is why Jesus is a righteous judge, because even though he was tempted he overcame and he expects that we can also overcome. When he appears at his second advent, he will execute judgment upon the earth and it will be just. There is no excuse for the sinner. Jesus proved by his life as a man that one can overcome temptation. This is why is judgment is fair as he can sympathize with our human frailties.
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.
"While the Son of a human being, He became the Son of God in a new sense. Thus He stood in our world - the Son of God, yet allied by birth to the human race...From all eternity Christ was united with the Father, and when he took upon Himself human nature, He was still one with God. He is the link that unites God with humanity (ST Aug. 2, 1905).
The Spirit of Prophecy puts it beautifully. Jesus was already the Son of God before the incarnation. The incarnation made Jesus the Son of God in a new sense.
Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Verse 5, we are to have the mind of Christ which is one of humility.
Verse 6, Jesus was in the form of God, he is the express image of His Father as an exact representation. When people saw Jesus it was as if they saw the Father. Jesus thought it not robbery to be equal to His Father. This does not mean equal in authority as scripture clearly teaches that God is the head of Christ. The word equal comes from the greek word "isos" and means "similar (in amount and kind)". In this instance this refers to Jesus equality with the Father due to being similar in being or in form. Jesus is made up of the same substance (DNA) as Jehovah God.
Verse 7 and 8, This Divine substance was clothed with humanity during Jesus earthly life. Jesus humbled himself by taking on man's imperfect flesh and also being willing to die for us at the stake. He also was servant of Jehovah God and served man rather than asked to be served.
Verse 9, Jehovah God highly exalted His Son Jesus and gave him a name which is above every name. We can rightly call Jesus Jehovah. Jesus has his Father's name in him. Jesus hebrew name is "Jehoshua" which means Jehovah is Salvation. Jesus is above everyone in authority with the exception of the Father.
Verse 10 and 11, it is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow and tongue will confess that He is Lord (Master) and this will be to the glory of His Father Jehovah. When we give worship and honour to Jesus it is the same as giving worship and honour to the Father.
Hebrews 2:9-18 (KJV)
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Verse 9, Jesus was made lower than the angels through his mortality as a human and death on the stake. It was an act of Jehovah's grace that he sent His only begotten Son to die for us and take the penalty of sin on his shoulders. Jesus died for every man not just a select group.
Verse 10, Jesus Christ is the captain of our salvation and he was made perfect through his sufferings on earth most notably him being tortured on the stake and the events leading up to that. All things were made for Jesus and all things are made by Jesus. The Father is the source of creation and Jesus is the channel of all creation. Everything that the Father created through Jesus, was done so for His Holy Son. In dying for us on the stake Jesus brought many sons (believers in him) to glory.
Verse 11, we are one with Jesus who is the one who sanctifies us. Certain doctrines destroy this beautiful truth. Jesus calls us his brethren which again is contrary to certain man made doctrines. Jesus gladly considers us his brethen. This is a most beautiful truth that makes our Saviour close and personal.
Brethen comes from the greek word "Adelphos" which means "a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote: - a brother."
Jesus calls us his brothers. Again certain man made doctrines destroy this beautiful truth. We are Jesus brother by adoption. Jesus is the literal Son of Jehovah God and we are the adopted sons of Jehovah God. Jesus Sonship makes him fully Divine whereas our sonship will translate us to glory at our adopted brothers second advent. We will have glorified bodies whereas our brother Jesus Christ is fully Divine having the same substance as His Father.
Verse 12, Jesus declared His Father's name to his brethren which are the Christian Congregation. We are Jesus brethen as his adopted brother's and sister's. Again certain man made doctrines destroy this precious truth.
Verse 13, Jesus put his trust in God who is his Father. God gave Jesus children so that we could become brethen of His Son Jesus and adopted sons of Him (Jehovah God). It is Jehovah God that draws us to His Son Jesus Christ. Jehovah does via the agency of His Holy Spirit.
Verse 14, Jesus partook of our flesh and blood so that he would suffer and die as a man in order to reconcile us back to his God and his Father Jehovah. In doing this, Jesus destroyed the devil who had the power of death, as we (Christians) now have everlasting life if we remain in him (Christ). This was done at the stake.
Verse 15, when we accept the ransom sacrifice of Jesus we are delivered from the bondage of sin thereby we no longer have to fear death as we have everlasting life awaiting us provided we remain in our Saviour.
Verse 16, Jesus took on himself the nature of man when he was sent to earth by Jehovah.
Verse 17, Jesus took on his brethren's (believers in him) nature. Jesus being the Divine Son of God, took on his adopted brother's human nature so that he can be a sympathetic High Preist in his mediation to Jehovah God on our behalf. Jesus makes reconciliation for our sins in the most holy place to God the Father. Jehovah has committed all judgment to His Son Jesus because He knows that His Son's judgment is fair due to being in our likeness during his time on earth. Jesus was tempted in all points as we are.
Verse 18, Jesus suffered by being tempted and because of that can succour (aid or relieve) us that are tempted.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV)
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Jesus death, burial and resurrection were all according to the scriptures. This was prophesied. Jesus died for our sins.
Hebrews 8:1-2 (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.
Jesus is our High Preist and he sits on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty (Jehovah God). Majesty comes from the greek word "megalosune" which means "greatness, i.e. (figuratively) divinity (often God himself): - majesty". This clearly illustrates that Jesus and Jehovah God are two separate distinct beings who are not consubstantial. Each has a shape and a form and they are not interconnected into some eretheal substance.
So Jesus is the High Preist and Jehovah is the Majesty. This clearly denotes the headship of the Father over the Son. This also clearly shows that the Father is the Almighty Sovereign God and that our High Preist Jesus is subject to Him.
Verse 2, as the High Priest, Jesus is a minister of the sanctuary which is the original which Jehovah pitched and not man. The sanctuary on earth was a copy of the sanctuary in heaven and was pitched by man at Jehovah's instruction. This means that the 10 commndments written on stone by Jehovah and placed in the earthly ark were a copy of the original 10 Commandments in heaven. This proves that the 10 commandments including the Sabbath command were in existence prior to Sinai. Many sunday keepers lie and say the Sabbath and the 10 Commandments were written for the Jews and came into existence at Sinai.
John 14:1-3 (KJV)
14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus comforting words to us that if we believe in His Father, who is the one true God, then we are also to believe in him who is the one true God's Son. Jesus words are true and if he says he is preparing mansions for us in heaven then you can guarantee that's exactly what's going to take place at his return.
When Jesus returns, it is not to set up a kingdom on earth (at least not yet). He says plainly that he will gather us to himself and then take us to where he is which is heaven. We will spend a thousand years judging the world with Jesus as Kings and Preists and then come to the paradise earth for eternity once the final enemy (death) is destroyed.
John 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Verse 1and 2, We know that Jesus is the Word of God, Revelation 19:13. In the beginning, which was right before the heaven, earth and sea were created, Jesus was with The God Jehovah. This proves Jesus preexistence. This also shows that Jesus came into existence at this time in eternity. It could have been so far back in eternity that Jesus came out from God that to our mind it's incomprehensible or it could have been right before creation. Proverbs 8:22-31 speaks of Jesus being begotten, born, brought forth and created before the creation of the world. Jesus can rightly be called God as he has the same substance as God the Father, being that he is the literal Son of his Father. Just like a earthly child can rightly be called human as his Father is human. Nonetheless this doesn't mean he has existed the same length of time as his father or that he is his father or that he is equal to his father in position. Same goes with Jesus and his Father. God the Father precedes Jesus in point of origin in regards to time. In other words, the Father is older than the Son. The Father is also head of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15 :24-28, 1 Corinthians 11:3.
Verse 3, confirms that everything that was created in heaven, earth and the sea was done so through Jesus. 1 Corinthians 8:6. Jehovah was the source of creation and Jesus was the channel in which everything was created.
John 1:14 (KJV)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Word (Jesus) was made flesh when he was born of a virign. He dwelt among the disciples. The disciples beheld the glory of Christ proving that he wasn't pure flesh but actually divinity clothed with humanity. Also, John says that he was the only begotten of the Father meaning he came into existence as God’s only born Son. This proves that Jesus wasn't co eternal with the Father. This proves Jesus literal Sonship. If Jesus was co eternal with the Father then he is not a real Son but he is only role playing as a Son. This type of view would be antichrist (1 John 2 :18-26).
The word begotten comes from the greek word "monogenes" (strongs 3439) which means only-born, i.e. sole: - only (begotten, child).
Jesus is God's only born child. In order for this to be true, Jesus had to have a beginning. This beginning was in eternity as we saw from John 1:1-3.
Jesus was full of grace (undeserved kindness) and truth. That's why we have to rely on the words of Jesus not man when determining doctrine. If Jesus said he was the Son of God and that he is the beginning of God's creation and that his Father is the one true God then how come most Christians don't believe him and go by the words of the theologians of Nicea and other councils that destroyed the personalityof God and his Son.
Even today, many Christians go by what modern theologians and pastors teach about God rather than what Jesus said and taught. Those who go by the plain words and teachings of Jesus on who God is are labeled heretics.
Colossians 1:15-19 (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And 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.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Verse 15, Jesus is the image of God. The word Image comes from the greek word "eikon" which means a likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: - image.
Although we are all made in the image of God, Jesus is made in the express image of God. This is because he is the literal Son of Jehovah God. Jesus is the exact representation of God the Father. We as humans are just a representation. Jehovah is the invisible God in the sense that humans cannot see him as if we did we would die. Jesus has the seen the Father. In the book of Revelation it appears the 24 elders also get to see the Father, along with the thousands upon thousands of angels and the living creatures. We cannot behold him because of our fallen natures. One day we will see his face when he dwells with us in the New earth. Jehovah has a shape and a form. If he didn't then it wouldn't make sense that we are made in his image or that Jesus is the express image of the Father.
Verse 16, by Jesus all things were created. This proves Jesus preexistence. All things were created for Jesus so that he could be appointed rulership by the Father of everything in heaven and earth. The Father of course is excepted (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
Verse 17, Jesus existed before all things again confirming his preexistence. Only the Father Jehovah predates Jesus. It is by Jesus through his Spirit (the Holy Spirit) that everything stands and is put and banded together.
Verse 18, Jesus is the head of the Christian Congregation. When organizations or men try to insert themselves as the key holders of the Christian Congregation, they attempt to usurp the authority of the Son of God. This is grooss error and an image of popery and Romanism. Jesus is the first begotten of the dead. He was the first raised from the dead of the many brethren that will be joint hiers with him. This raising of Jesus from the dead by Jehovah God was so that the Son of God would have preeminence in all things meaning he would be first in rank. Of course, the Father is excepted from this. Jesus was given preeminence over all things by the Father, it wasn't something he automatically possessed.
Verse 19, It pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in his Son Jesus. This fulness is the characteristics and attributes of Jehovah God. All of the Father's qualities dwell in the Son including divinity. It pleases the Father that this is so.
John 10:30 (KJV)
30 I and my Father are one.
This verse has been erroneously used to prove a trinity and consubstantiality (one substance). This verse only confirms that Jesus and the Father are one in mind and purpose. They share the same Spirit which proceeds from the Father. Just as we as saints are to be one with each other in Spirit however we are seperate distinct persons. The Father and Son are one in Spirit however they are separate distinct persons.
John 14:9 (KJV)
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
All the fulness of the Father dwells in Jesus. Jehovah God's characteristics and attributes including divinity dwell in Jesus. Jesus is the express image of His Father Jehovah. He is the exact representation of God so by beholding Jesus we behold the Father.
Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The wages of sin are death (ceasing to exist) not eternal torment. On the other hand eternal life (conditional immortality) is granted to those who believe in the Son of God Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God the Father's gift to the fallen human race. Only by believing in His Son with faith that produces fruit will one be granted eternity in paradise.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To 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.
Verse 17, if we are truly in Christ, then his words will abide in us. Obedience to our Saviour's commandments is not optional. Our old sinful lifestyle will be a thing of the past and we will have a new righteous character. The teaching that we can't overcome sin in today's churches is false and it effectively calls the words of the bible a lie. Jesus commandments are the same as His Father's. Jesus made his Father's commandments more magnified and full, by showing us the perfect example in how to keep them.
Verse 18, God the Father drew us to His Son Jesus in order to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus as God’s Son, was the channel in which the Father used to bring us back in right relationship with Himself. The apostles were given the ministry of reconciliation calling men to believe on the Son of God so that they could be reconciled to the Father.
Verse 19, When Jesus was on earth during his time of ministry, God the Father was in him. Christ had the fulness of the Godhead in him. Christ was Jehovah Emmanuel, God with us. The Holy Spirit that Christ received at his baptism was the Father in him. Christ still has the Father in him via the Holy Spirit. God used His Holy Son Jesus to reconcile sinners unto Himself, not counting their trespasses against them but rather giving them the free gift of salvation, imputing His Son's righteousness to them. Jehovah God gave this ministry of reconciliation to the apostles and all true Christians. We are to preach Jesus as the Son of God as the only way to eternal life, which will then reconcile sinners to his Father who is the only true God.
John 5:22 (KJV)
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Jehovah commits all judgment to his dear Son Jesus. Jehovah bestowed this honour upon his Son due the sinless life he lived on earth as divinity clothed with humanity. Jesus can sympathize with our struggles in the flesh as he was tempted like we are. However Jesus was sinless all to the stake. Jesus is our example that we can indeed overcome sin. Although we aren't perfect like Jesus and we will stumble at times, we can indeed overcome sin. We can live obedient lives. This is why Jesus is a righteous judge, because even though he was tempted he overcame and he expects that we can also overcome. When he appears at his second advent, he will execute judgment upon the earth and it will be just. There is no excuse for the sinner. Jesus proved by his life as a man that one can overcome temptation. This is why is judgment is fair as he can sympathize with our human frailties.
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.
"While the Son of a human being, He became the Son of God in a new sense. Thus He stood in our world - the Son of God, yet allied by birth to the human race...From all eternity Christ was united with the Father, and when he took upon Himself human nature, He was still one with God. He is the link that unites God with humanity (ST Aug. 2, 1905).
The Spirit of Prophecy puts it beautifully. Jesus was already the Son of God before the incarnation. The incarnation made Jesus the Son of God in a new sense.
Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Verse 5, we are to have the mind of Christ which is one of humility.
Verse 6, Jesus was in the form of God, he is the express image of His Father as an exact representation. When people saw Jesus it was as if they saw the Father. Jesus thought it not robbery to be equal to His Father. This does not mean equal in authority as scripture clearly teaches that God is the head of Christ. The word equal comes from the greek word "isos" and means "similar (in amount and kind)". In this instance this refers to Jesus equality with the Father due to being similar in being or in form. Jesus is made up of the same substance (DNA) as Jehovah God.
Verse 7 and 8, This Divine substance was clothed with humanity during Jesus earthly life. Jesus humbled himself by taking on man's imperfect flesh and also being willing to die for us at the stake. He also was servant of Jehovah God and served man rather than asked to be served.
Verse 9, Jehovah God highly exalted His Son Jesus and gave him a name which is above every name. We can rightly call Jesus Jehovah. Jesus has his Father's name in him. Jesus hebrew name is "Jehoshua" which means Jehovah is Salvation. Jesus is above everyone in authority with the exception of the Father.
Verse 10 and 11, it is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow and tongue will confess that He is Lord (Master) and this will be to the glory of His Father Jehovah. When we give worship and honour to Jesus it is the same as giving worship and honour to the Father.
Hebrews 2:9-18 (KJV)
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Verse 9, Jesus was made lower than the angels through his mortality as a human and death on the stake. It was an act of Jehovah's grace that he sent His only begotten Son to die for us and take the penalty of sin on his shoulders. Jesus died for every man not just a select group.
Verse 10, Jesus Christ is the captain of our salvation and he was made perfect through his sufferings on earth most notably him being tortured on the stake and the events leading up to that. All things were made for Jesus and all things are made by Jesus. The Father is the source of creation and Jesus is the channel of all creation. Everything that the Father created through Jesus, was done so for His Holy Son. In dying for us on the stake Jesus brought many sons (believers in him) to glory.
Verse 11, we are one with Jesus who is the one who sanctifies us. Certain doctrines destroy this beautiful truth. Jesus calls us his brethren which again is contrary to certain man made doctrines. Jesus gladly considers us his brethen. This is a most beautiful truth that makes our Saviour close and personal.
Brethen comes from the greek word "Adelphos" which means "a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote: - a brother."
Jesus calls us his brothers. Again certain man made doctrines destroy this beautiful truth. We are Jesus brother by adoption. Jesus is the literal Son of Jehovah God and we are the adopted sons of Jehovah God. Jesus Sonship makes him fully Divine whereas our sonship will translate us to glory at our adopted brothers second advent. We will have glorified bodies whereas our brother Jesus Christ is fully Divine having the same substance as His Father.
Verse 12, Jesus declared His Father's name to his brethren which are the Christian Congregation. We are Jesus brethen as his adopted brother's and sister's. Again certain man made doctrines destroy this precious truth.
Verse 13, Jesus put his trust in God who is his Father. God gave Jesus children so that we could become brethen of His Son Jesus and adopted sons of Him (Jehovah God). It is Jehovah God that draws us to His Son Jesus Christ. Jehovah does via the agency of His Holy Spirit.
Verse 14, Jesus partook of our flesh and blood so that he would suffer and die as a man in order to reconcile us back to his God and his Father Jehovah. In doing this, Jesus destroyed the devil who had the power of death, as we (Christians) now have everlasting life if we remain in him (Christ). This was done at the stake.
Verse 15, when we accept the ransom sacrifice of Jesus we are delivered from the bondage of sin thereby we no longer have to fear death as we have everlasting life awaiting us provided we remain in our Saviour.
Verse 16, Jesus took on himself the nature of man when he was sent to earth by Jehovah.
Verse 17, Jesus took on his brethren's (believers in him) nature. Jesus being the Divine Son of God, took on his adopted brother's human nature so that he can be a sympathetic High Preist in his mediation to Jehovah God on our behalf. Jesus makes reconciliation for our sins in the most holy place to God the Father. Jehovah has committed all judgment to His Son Jesus because He knows that His Son's judgment is fair due to being in our likeness during his time on earth. Jesus was tempted in all points as we are.
Verse 18, Jesus suffered by being tempted and because of that can succour (aid or relieve) us that are tempted.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV)
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Jesus death, burial and resurrection were all according to the scriptures. This was prophesied. Jesus died for our sins.
Hebrews 8:1-2 (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.
Jesus is our High Preist and he sits on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty (Jehovah God). Majesty comes from the greek word "megalosune" which means "greatness, i.e. (figuratively) divinity (often God himself): - majesty". This clearly illustrates that Jesus and Jehovah God are two separate distinct beings who are not consubstantial. Each has a shape and a form and they are not interconnected into some eretheal substance.
So Jesus is the High Preist and Jehovah is the Majesty. This clearly denotes the headship of the Father over the Son. This also clearly shows that the Father is the Almighty Sovereign God and that our High Preist Jesus is subject to Him.
Verse 2, as the High Priest, Jesus is a minister of the sanctuary which is the original which Jehovah pitched and not man. The sanctuary on earth was a copy of the sanctuary in heaven and was pitched by man at Jehovah's instruction. This means that the 10 commndments written on stone by Jehovah and placed in the earthly ark were a copy of the original 10 Commandments in heaven. This proves that the 10 commandments including the Sabbath command were in existence prior to Sinai. Many sunday keepers lie and say the Sabbath and the 10 Commandments were written for the Jews and came into existence at Sinai.
John 14:1-3 (KJV)
14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus comforting words to us that if we believe in His Father, who is the one true God, then we are also to believe in him who is the one true God's Son. Jesus words are true and if he says he is preparing mansions for us in heaven then you can guarantee that's exactly what's going to take place at his return.
When Jesus returns, it is not to set up a kingdom on earth (at least not yet). He says plainly that he will gather us to himself and then take us to where he is which is heaven. We will spend a thousand years judging the world with Jesus as Kings and Preists and then come to the paradise earth for eternity once the final enemy (death) is destroyed.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
The Holy Bible
2 Peter 1:20-21 (KJV)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Spirit guides into all truth (John 16:13). The Law and the Prophets were inspired by Jehovah's Spirit. We are not to misinterpret the word of God but to go by "a thus saith Jehovah".
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
At the time this was written, the new testament hadn't been put together so this was referring to the sacred writings of the old testament. Many Christians today do not like reading the old testament scriptures which affirm the Law of Jehovah. They will say all we need is the gospel of Jesus Christ and not the law. This passage refutes that plainly. The Law and the gospel complement each other.
Old testament scripture is just as important as new testament scripture. We can use all scripture for correction and instruction. This will furnish us as Christians to be able to do good works and be perfect. Christians that rely primarily on the new testament scriptures cannot be perfect and will not properly furnished to do good works. Satan has sought to minimize the importance of Jehovah's law and one way to do this is to get Christiansto focus on only certain parts of the Bible.
Psalms 119:105 [ASV]
[105]Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
It is the word of God that we are to use as our guide in life. It will light our path and keep us on the narrow road of the kingdom. Trusting in the wisdom of the world will take you on the dark path which is the broad road to destruction.
Proverbs 30:5-6 [ASV]
[5]Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him.
[6]Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
We have to be very careful in how we interpret scripture as adding words and reading into it can and will bring about judgment. Liars will be cast into the lake of fire. Every word of Jehovah is sure and proven and He is a protection for us when we take refuge in Him and His word.
Isaiah 8:20 (KJV)
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Every teacher of the word must speak according to the law of Jehovah which is His testimony (Decalogue). Satan has used the Babylonian (Catholicism, Protestantism, Evangelicalism) churches to disregard God's perfect law. Every Christian is to test their pastors according to this principle. Does your Pastor honour Jehovah's Royal Law and teach ypu to keep it or does he break it and teach you to break it also? (Matthew 5:17-19). The 4th commandment to keep the Sabbath day as Holy is disregarded by the apostate Protestant and Evangelical churches.
John 17:17 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Jesus says that His Father's word is truth. Jesus also said man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The Bible sanctifies us and sets us apart from the world when we read and obey it. The word of Jehovah consecrates us to do his will.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV)
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
We are to receive the words written in the scriptures as the very words of Jehovah himself. We are not to consider them common as the words of mere men. If we do this then it will have a huge impact in how we live out our out our lives.
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
We may be able to fool man with our outward piety but God's word convicts the soul of the hidden thoughts of the heart. Just as Jesus saw through the religious leaders of his time and exposed their hypocrisy, the word of God can quickly expose our hypocrisy. If we are humble then we will repent. If not, we will be like the Pharisees and continue in blindness.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
God the Father, The Universal Sovereign
The Father
Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Jehovah God the Father is the source of all life and it is the creation of the heaven and the earth that is marked as the beginning. Jehovah's firstborn (the beginning of His creation - Revelation 3:14) Jesus was the channel in which he created everything else including the angels.
Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
This verse is about the Father as the 24 elders fall down and worship Him. They are worshipping the God (Jehovah) of all creation. Everything was created for His pleasure. Remember the Father is the source of all life.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 (KJV)
24 Then 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.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For 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.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Here we see that the Father (God) will be the ultimate Sovereign ruler of the New Heaven and New Earth after the end cometh. In verse 24, Jesus turns the kingdom over to the Father after the end of the millennium. How do we know this is talking about the millennium? Because in verse 25 and 26, it says that Christ must reign until the last enemy is destroyed which is death. We know from reading Revelation chapter 20 that death isn't defeated until the 1,000 year reign if Christ with the saints concludes.
In verses 27 and 28 we see that it was the Father that put all things under Jesus. However the Father is the exception to this. The Father Jehovah is the one who made Jesus ruler of all things. Jesus was exalted and given this Kingship by his Father. Finally when all things are subdued unto Christ, which happens when death is destroyed at the conclusion of the millennium, the Son will be subject unto the Father. Remember, that it was the Father that put all things under the Son. It says that Jesus will be subject unto the Father so that God will be all in all. Jehovah, who is called God, will be the ultimate ruler in the New heaven and New earth. He will be head of Christ just as he is now. Jesus will be the 2nd in command.
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.
God, who is the Father, gave us His Son as a ransom sacrifice. We know that this is Jesus as he is the one who died on the stake for our sins. So clearly, we can identify Jesus as the Son. Who is Jesus the Son of? Clearly from the above passage, Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was sent by the one true God to the earth, so clearly there is a distinction between him and God. Jesus can't be something he is the Son of. The Father is identified as God.
1 John 4:8 (KJV)
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Jehovah God is love in its totality. This eliminates any doctrine of eternal torment. This damnable doctrine maligns the character of our Father in heaven. Those who say they know God but don't love their fellow man are proven to be liars. When we as professing Christians Love our fellow man, it proves that we know God.
1 Timothy 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
So in verse 16, Paul talks of believing on Jesus Christ to life everlasting. Notice in verse 17 where Paul says "Now unto", this clearly means he is now going to another topic in this case, a person. He talked about Christ in verse 16 and now he talks about God who clearly is the Father. How do we know this is only about the Father. Because of two words "invisible" and "immortality". Jesus was clearly seen by many people during and even after his earthly ministry and even in the old covenant times (Angel of Jehovah). Jesus said no one has seen the Father except himself. Jesus no man can see theFather and live. Many people saw Jesus so clearly this verse is not about him.
Exodus 34:6-7 (ASV)
[6]And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth,[7]keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.
Jehovah God, merciful and gracious - the love and mercy of Jehovah is well documented in the old covenant. These are not new concepts that originated in the New Covenant, but were established in the Old covenant.
Even though Jehovah is a God of love and mercy, He also is a God of judgment. The one does not detract from the other. Those who purposely defy Jehovah's commandments will suffer loss.
John 14:9 (KJV)
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
Jesus is the exact likeness of his Father (express image). It doesn't mean that Jesus is the Father or is one substance with the Father as a two in one being, but rather the exact copy of his Father in figure and likeness (Colossians 1:15).
The word image is rendered from the greek word "eikon" which means one in whom the likeness of any is seen. An image, figure, likeness.
Christ has the Divine nature being Jehovah God's only begotten Son. Also Christ moral excellence is the reflection of his Father.
Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Jehovah God the Father is the source of all life and it is the creation of the heaven and the earth that is marked as the beginning. Jehovah's firstborn (the beginning of His creation - Revelation 3:14) Jesus was the channel in which he created everything else including the angels.
Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
This verse is about the Father as the 24 elders fall down and worship Him. They are worshipping the God (Jehovah) of all creation. Everything was created for His pleasure. Remember the Father is the source of all life.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 (KJV)
24 Then 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.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For 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.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Here we see that the Father (God) will be the ultimate Sovereign ruler of the New Heaven and New Earth after the end cometh. In verse 24, Jesus turns the kingdom over to the Father after the end of the millennium. How do we know this is talking about the millennium? Because in verse 25 and 26, it says that Christ must reign until the last enemy is destroyed which is death. We know from reading Revelation chapter 20 that death isn't defeated until the 1,000 year reign if Christ with the saints concludes.
In verses 27 and 28 we see that it was the Father that put all things under Jesus. However the Father is the exception to this. The Father Jehovah is the one who made Jesus ruler of all things. Jesus was exalted and given this Kingship by his Father. Finally when all things are subdued unto Christ, which happens when death is destroyed at the conclusion of the millennium, the Son will be subject unto the Father. Remember, that it was the Father that put all things under the Son. It says that Jesus will be subject unto the Father so that God will be all in all. Jehovah, who is called God, will be the ultimate ruler in the New heaven and New earth. He will be head of Christ just as he is now. Jesus will be the 2nd in command.
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.
God, who is the Father, gave us His Son as a ransom sacrifice. We know that this is Jesus as he is the one who died on the stake for our sins. So clearly, we can identify Jesus as the Son. Who is Jesus the Son of? Clearly from the above passage, Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was sent by the one true God to the earth, so clearly there is a distinction between him and God. Jesus can't be something he is the Son of. The Father is identified as God.
1 John 4:8 (KJV)
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Jehovah God is love in its totality. This eliminates any doctrine of eternal torment. This damnable doctrine maligns the character of our Father in heaven. Those who say they know God but don't love their fellow man are proven to be liars. When we as professing Christians Love our fellow man, it proves that we know God.
1 Timothy 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
So in verse 16, Paul talks of believing on Jesus Christ to life everlasting. Notice in verse 17 where Paul says "Now unto", this clearly means he is now going to another topic in this case, a person. He talked about Christ in verse 16 and now he talks about God who clearly is the Father. How do we know this is only about the Father. Because of two words "invisible" and "immortality". Jesus was clearly seen by many people during and even after his earthly ministry and even in the old covenant times (Angel of Jehovah). Jesus said no one has seen the Father except himself. Jesus no man can see theFather and live. Many people saw Jesus so clearly this verse is not about him.
Exodus 34:6-7 (ASV)
[6]And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth,[7]keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.
Jehovah God, merciful and gracious - the love and mercy of Jehovah is well documented in the old covenant. These are not new concepts that originated in the New Covenant, but were established in the Old covenant.
Even though Jehovah is a God of love and mercy, He also is a God of judgment. The one does not detract from the other. Those who purposely defy Jehovah's commandments will suffer loss.
John 14:9 (KJV)
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
Jesus is the exact likeness of his Father (express image). It doesn't mean that Jesus is the Father or is one substance with the Father as a two in one being, but rather the exact copy of his Father in figure and likeness (Colossians 1:15).
The word image is rendered from the greek word "eikon" which means one in whom the likeness of any is seen. An image, figure, likeness.
Christ has the Divine nature being Jehovah God's only begotten Son. Also Christ moral excellence is the reflection of his Father.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The Godhead Trio, the biblical version.
The Godhead Trio.
Identifying the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Deuteronomy 6:4 (ASV)
[4]Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:
Here we see that Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. This is clearly singular. This is the Shema. Jesus quoted this to the scribe in Mark 12:28-34. Let's go this passage and get confirmation that Jehovah is one singular being who is God.
Mark 12:28-34 (KJV)
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Jesus quotes the Shema and says this is the first of all the commandments. It's important to take note of this. When Jesus speaks we must listen and obey. Jesus reiterates that Jehovah our God is one. Now does Jesus mean one in singularity or three in one or a unity of God beings? The scribe understood Jesus to be talking about one being, a "he" and a "him" not a "them" or a "they" who is Jehovah God (verse 32 and 33). This is the greatest commandment according to Jesus, that God is One! The scribe commended the scribe for his correct understanding of the Shema that God is One and look at verse 34 and what Jesus tells the scribe after hearing the Scribes correct understanding that God is One in singularity "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God".
This is huge!!! This was a perfect opportunity for Jesus to correct the scribe and tell him that Jehovah God was actually 3 in one or one in 3 or a unity of God beings. However, instead Jesus commends the scribe on his understanding of God as one singular being. When we as Christians understand that God is one singular being who is a "He" and not a "they", we are not far from the kingdom of God. So who is this one being who is God? Let's go to words of our Lord Jesus Christ and find out in John 17:3.
John 17:1-3 (KJV)
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Here in the above passage, Jesus is praying to the Father and on verse 3 eliminates all confusion on who God is with the following "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
There it is, all debates about who God is in identity should be over once and for all. Jesus calls his Father the one true God. This means that the Father is the one Jehovah in Deuteronomy 6:4. This also means that the Father is the one God in Mark 12:28-34 where the scribe, correctly according to Jesus, said God was one and a "he". Any teaching that God is a plurality is in direct contradiction to Jesus own words. Jesus of course is the Divine Son of God and his Father is the One true God of the Bible.
So in the Godhead Trio of Father, Son and Holy Spirit we have identified who the Father is. Let's look at Matthew 28:19 and try to clear up the confusion regarding this passage.
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:
This passage has erroneously been used to prove that God is a trinity. If we look at the verse, we see that nowhere are all three persons of the Godhead Trio identified as God or that they are merged together as a three in one God being. All the verse does is identify what most Christians in most denominations already believe which is that there is a Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons acknowledge the existence of all three.
The verse does not indentify any of the three as God, it just says that there is a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit. The key is in how we identify each of them. As already shown from clear scripture, we can safely identify the Father as the One true God of the Bible.
So who is the Son?
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.
God, who is the Father, gave us His Son as a ransom sacrifice. We know that this is Jesus as he is the one who died on the stake for our sins. So clearly, we can identify Jesus as the Son. Who is Jesus the Son of? Clearly from the above passage, Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was sent by the one true God to the earth, so clearly there is a distinction between him and God. Jesus can't be something he is the Son of. So out of the three persons of the Godhead Trio mentioned in Matthew 28:19, we have identified two, the Father and the Son.
The Father (Jehovah) is the one true God.
The Son is Jesus, who is exactly that, the Son of the One true God Jehovah.
So far out of the three only one is identified as God and that is the Father. What about the Holy Spirit?
2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV)
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Paul gives a farewell greeting to the Corinthians by mentioning all three members of the Godhead Trio. He mentions the undeserved kindness of Jesus who we know is the Son, the love of God who we know is the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit.
The word communion in the greek is "koinonia" which means fellowship, communication, association, intercourse, joint participation, community, distribution.
The word fellowship and communication probably best apply here. The Holy Spirit is the agency in which the Father and Son communicate to us and fellowship (make their abode) with us.
So this begs the question, is the Holy Spirit a being like the Father (Jehovah) or the Son (Jesus Christ) are? Or is it the power of the Father and the Son by which they communicate and fellowship with us. Let's see.
Romans 8:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
In the above passage, we see clearly that the Holy Spirit is identified as both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. This denotes possession. This means that the Holy Spirit is God's and Christ's very own Spirit not a seperate being.
Let's look at the bible definition of Spirit.
Spirit is rendered from the greek word "pneuma" which means a movement of air (a gentle blast), of the wind, hence the wind itself; breath of nostrils or mouth; the rational spirit, the power by which the human feels, thinks, decides.
From the above definition in the greek, we see that Spirit does not mean "being" but rather wind, breath and mind.
The word "Holy" means set apart. So the Holy Spirit is the set apart power and presence (wind), lifeforce (breath), and wisdom (mind) of God and Christ.
The Holy Spirit is a person in the sense that it is the very power, presence and mind of the Father Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ. So yes, the Holy Spirit feels and thinks and can be grieved and lied to (rational spirit). The Holy Spirit is not a seperate person apart from the Father and the Son.
There is however, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God which are all the same Spirit.
So now that we have identified all three persons of the Godhead Trio, let's continue with this study on the three powers in heaven and their unity.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
There is one Spirit which confirms that in Romans 8:9 when talking of the Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ, it is the same Spirit. Thereby the Holy Spirit is the same as the Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ. There is one Lord which we know to be Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6). There is One God which we know to be the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6 and John 17:3). Here the One God is identified as the Father and is said to be above all including Christ. God (Jehovah) is through and in us all and this is because His very own Spirit (the Holy Spirit) lives in us when we become born again by accepting His Son Jesus as our personal Saviour.
1 Peter 1:2 (KJV)
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Here Peter gives a greeting to the brethren in the threefold Godhead Trio. The Father is once again identified as God. The Spirit (Holy Spirit) is what sanctifies us by giving us the power and wisdom of Jehovah and His Son. The Holy Spirit as we know is God's and Christ's very own Spirit not a seperate being. The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus is what reconciled us to God the Father. We cannot come to Jehovah God but by His Son Jesus Christ and believing that it was his blood that was shed for our iniquities.
1 Timothy 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
So in verse 16, Paul talks of believing on Jesus Christ to life everlasting. Notice in verse 17 where Paul says "Now unto", this clearly means he is now going to another topic in this case, a person. He talked about Christ in verse 16 and now he talks about God who clearly is the Father. How do we know this is only about the Father. Because of two words "invisible" and "immortality". Jesus was clearly seen by many people during and even after his earthly ministry and even in the old covenant times (Angel of Jehovah). Jesus said no one has seen the Father except himself. Jesus no man can see theFather and live. Many people saw Jesus so clearly this verse is not about him.
Jesus is the express image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is also the firstborn of every creature. So this eliminates Jesus as being "invisible" and being "immortal" as there was a point in time where Jesus personality did not exist. Jesus was given immortality by the Father when he was raised from the dead. Jesus was dead in the grave for three days so obviously he doesn't have innate immortality as only the unbegotten Father Jehovah has that. The substance that Jesus is made of is eternal, as he was begotten from the eternal God Jehovah and Jesus of course is fully Divine.
In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says himself that he was dead. This eliminates him from being innatley immortal. The bible also says God cannot die (Habukkuk 1:12) but Jesus did in fact die. The other scriptures describing the Father as the One true God of the Bible harmonize with 1 Timothy 1:7 being about the Father.
Revelation 14:7 (KJV)
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Here we have the first angels message. "Fear God, and give glory to him". Who is this talking about? This is clearly talking about the Father whom we have clearly identified as the One true God. In Revelation 7:2, we see that the 144,000 are sealed with the seal of the living God. In Revelation 14:1, we see that this seal is the Father's name written on the 144,000 foreheads. So clearly the living God is the Father Jehovah. So now in the first angels message, we are to warn the world of God's coming judgment. We are to proclaim with a loud voice to the world that they need to fear God (the Father).
1 John 5:7 (KJV)
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
The above passage has been determined by most biblical scholars to not be authoritative as it is not found in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. I don't want to delve to deeply into that subject so I will instead attempt to interpret the verse for those who cling on to it as authoritative. Even though I don't believe this verse to be authentic scripture, there is nothing about this verse that is unbiblical. Unfortunately it has been used to attempt to prove a false concept of God.
This passage has erroneously been used to prove that God is a trinity. If we look at the verse, we see that nowhere are all three persons of the Godhead Trio identified as God or that they are merged together as a three in one God being. All the verse does is identify what most Christians in most denominations already believe which is that there is a Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons acknowledge the existence of all three. Scripture elsewhere clearly alludes to the unity of the three persons of the Godhead Trio. Why should that surprise us. The key again is in how we indentify the three persons. As we have went through scripture on this subject we clearly see that:
The Father (Jehovah) is the one true God (Mark 12:28-34, John 17:3, 1 Corinthians 8:6)
The Son is Jesus Christ who is exactly that, the Son of God (John 3:16, Matthew 16:13-20).
The Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of God (Jehovah) and of Christ (Jesus) and not a seperate person apart from the Father and the Son (Romans 8:9, Ephesians 4:4-6).
Identifying the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Deuteronomy 6:4 (ASV)
[4]Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:
Here we see that Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. This is clearly singular. This is the Shema. Jesus quoted this to the scribe in Mark 12:28-34. Let's go this passage and get confirmation that Jehovah is one singular being who is God.
Mark 12:28-34 (KJV)
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Jesus quotes the Shema and says this is the first of all the commandments. It's important to take note of this. When Jesus speaks we must listen and obey. Jesus reiterates that Jehovah our God is one. Now does Jesus mean one in singularity or three in one or a unity of God beings? The scribe understood Jesus to be talking about one being, a "he" and a "him" not a "them" or a "they" who is Jehovah God (verse 32 and 33). This is the greatest commandment according to Jesus, that God is One! The scribe commended the scribe for his correct understanding of the Shema that God is One and look at verse 34 and what Jesus tells the scribe after hearing the Scribes correct understanding that God is One in singularity "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God".
This is huge!!! This was a perfect opportunity for Jesus to correct the scribe and tell him that Jehovah God was actually 3 in one or one in 3 or a unity of God beings. However, instead Jesus commends the scribe on his understanding of God as one singular being. When we as Christians understand that God is one singular being who is a "He" and not a "they", we are not far from the kingdom of God. So who is this one being who is God? Let's go to words of our Lord Jesus Christ and find out in John 17:3.
John 17:1-3 (KJV)
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Here in the above passage, Jesus is praying to the Father and on verse 3 eliminates all confusion on who God is with the following "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
There it is, all debates about who God is in identity should be over once and for all. Jesus calls his Father the one true God. This means that the Father is the one Jehovah in Deuteronomy 6:4. This also means that the Father is the one God in Mark 12:28-34 where the scribe, correctly according to Jesus, said God was one and a "he". Any teaching that God is a plurality is in direct contradiction to Jesus own words. Jesus of course is the Divine Son of God and his Father is the One true God of the Bible.
So in the Godhead Trio of Father, Son and Holy Spirit we have identified who the Father is. Let's look at Matthew 28:19 and try to clear up the confusion regarding this passage.
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:
This passage has erroneously been used to prove that God is a trinity. If we look at the verse, we see that nowhere are all three persons of the Godhead Trio identified as God or that they are merged together as a three in one God being. All the verse does is identify what most Christians in most denominations already believe which is that there is a Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons acknowledge the existence of all three.
The verse does not indentify any of the three as God, it just says that there is a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit. The key is in how we identify each of them. As already shown from clear scripture, we can safely identify the Father as the One true God of the Bible.
So who is the Son?
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.
God, who is the Father, gave us His Son as a ransom sacrifice. We know that this is Jesus as he is the one who died on the stake for our sins. So clearly, we can identify Jesus as the Son. Who is Jesus the Son of? Clearly from the above passage, Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was sent by the one true God to the earth, so clearly there is a distinction between him and God. Jesus can't be something he is the Son of. So out of the three persons of the Godhead Trio mentioned in Matthew 28:19, we have identified two, the Father and the Son.
The Father (Jehovah) is the one true God.
The Son is Jesus, who is exactly that, the Son of the One true God Jehovah.
So far out of the three only one is identified as God and that is the Father. What about the Holy Spirit?
2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV)
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Paul gives a farewell greeting to the Corinthians by mentioning all three members of the Godhead Trio. He mentions the undeserved kindness of Jesus who we know is the Son, the love of God who we know is the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit.
The word communion in the greek is "koinonia" which means fellowship, communication, association, intercourse, joint participation, community, distribution.
The word fellowship and communication probably best apply here. The Holy Spirit is the agency in which the Father and Son communicate to us and fellowship (make their abode) with us.
So this begs the question, is the Holy Spirit a being like the Father (Jehovah) or the Son (Jesus Christ) are? Or is it the power of the Father and the Son by which they communicate and fellowship with us. Let's see.
Romans 8:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
In the above passage, we see clearly that the Holy Spirit is identified as both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. This denotes possession. This means that the Holy Spirit is God's and Christ's very own Spirit not a seperate being.
Let's look at the bible definition of Spirit.
Spirit is rendered from the greek word "pneuma" which means a movement of air (a gentle blast), of the wind, hence the wind itself; breath of nostrils or mouth; the rational spirit, the power by which the human feels, thinks, decides.
From the above definition in the greek, we see that Spirit does not mean "being" but rather wind, breath and mind.
The word "Holy" means set apart. So the Holy Spirit is the set apart power and presence (wind), lifeforce (breath), and wisdom (mind) of God and Christ.
The Holy Spirit is a person in the sense that it is the very power, presence and mind of the Father Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ. So yes, the Holy Spirit feels and thinks and can be grieved and lied to (rational spirit). The Holy Spirit is not a seperate person apart from the Father and the Son.
There is however, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God which are all the same Spirit.
So now that we have identified all three persons of the Godhead Trio, let's continue with this study on the three powers in heaven and their unity.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
There is one Spirit which confirms that in Romans 8:9 when talking of the Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ, it is the same Spirit. Thereby the Holy Spirit is the same as the Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ. There is one Lord which we know to be Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 8:6). There is One God which we know to be the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6 and John 17:3). Here the One God is identified as the Father and is said to be above all including Christ. God (Jehovah) is through and in us all and this is because His very own Spirit (the Holy Spirit) lives in us when we become born again by accepting His Son Jesus as our personal Saviour.
1 Peter 1:2 (KJV)
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Here Peter gives a greeting to the brethren in the threefold Godhead Trio. The Father is once again identified as God. The Spirit (Holy Spirit) is what sanctifies us by giving us the power and wisdom of Jehovah and His Son. The Holy Spirit as we know is God's and Christ's very own Spirit not a seperate being. The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus is what reconciled us to God the Father. We cannot come to Jehovah God but by His Son Jesus Christ and believing that it was his blood that was shed for our iniquities.
1 Timothy 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
So in verse 16, Paul talks of believing on Jesus Christ to life everlasting. Notice in verse 17 where Paul says "Now unto", this clearly means he is now going to another topic in this case, a person. He talked about Christ in verse 16 and now he talks about God who clearly is the Father. How do we know this is only about the Father. Because of two words "invisible" and "immortality". Jesus was clearly seen by many people during and even after his earthly ministry and even in the old covenant times (Angel of Jehovah). Jesus said no one has seen the Father except himself. Jesus no man can see theFather and live. Many people saw Jesus so clearly this verse is not about him.
Jesus is the express image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is also the firstborn of every creature. So this eliminates Jesus as being "invisible" and being "immortal" as there was a point in time where Jesus personality did not exist. Jesus was given immortality by the Father when he was raised from the dead. Jesus was dead in the grave for three days so obviously he doesn't have innate immortality as only the unbegotten Father Jehovah has that. The substance that Jesus is made of is eternal, as he was begotten from the eternal God Jehovah and Jesus of course is fully Divine.
In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says himself that he was dead. This eliminates him from being innatley immortal. The bible also says God cannot die (Habukkuk 1:12) but Jesus did in fact die. The other scriptures describing the Father as the One true God of the Bible harmonize with 1 Timothy 1:7 being about the Father.
Revelation 14:7 (KJV)
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Here we have the first angels message. "Fear God, and give glory to him". Who is this talking about? This is clearly talking about the Father whom we have clearly identified as the One true God. In Revelation 7:2, we see that the 144,000 are sealed with the seal of the living God. In Revelation 14:1, we see that this seal is the Father's name written on the 144,000 foreheads. So clearly the living God is the Father Jehovah. So now in the first angels message, we are to warn the world of God's coming judgment. We are to proclaim with a loud voice to the world that they need to fear God (the Father).
1 John 5:7 (KJV)
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
The above passage has been determined by most biblical scholars to not be authoritative as it is not found in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. I don't want to delve to deeply into that subject so I will instead attempt to interpret the verse for those who cling on to it as authoritative. Even though I don't believe this verse to be authentic scripture, there is nothing about this verse that is unbiblical. Unfortunately it has been used to attempt to prove a false concept of God.
This passage has erroneously been used to prove that God is a trinity. If we look at the verse, we see that nowhere are all three persons of the Godhead Trio identified as God or that they are merged together as a three in one God being. All the verse does is identify what most Christians in most denominations already believe which is that there is a Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons acknowledge the existence of all three. Scripture elsewhere clearly alludes to the unity of the three persons of the Godhead Trio. Why should that surprise us. The key again is in how we indentify the three persons. As we have went through scripture on this subject we clearly see that:
The Father (Jehovah) is the one true God (Mark 12:28-34, John 17:3, 1 Corinthians 8:6)
The Son is Jesus Christ who is exactly that, the Son of God (John 3:16, Matthew 16:13-20).
The Holy Spirit is the actual Spirit of God (Jehovah) and of Christ (Jesus) and not a seperate person apart from the Father and the Son (Romans 8:9, Ephesians 4:4-6).
The perfect Law of Jehovah
The Law of Jehovah
Exodus 20:1-17
[1]And God spake all these words, saying,[2]I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.[4]Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness [of any thing] that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.[5]Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,[6]and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.[7]Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.[8]Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.[9]Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;[10]but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:[11]for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.[12]Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.[13]Thou shalt not kill.[14]Thou shalt not commit adultery.[15]Thou shalt not steal.[16]Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.[17]Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.
This is the Decalogue (10 Commandments). These are the commandments written by Jehovah's very own fingers. They are also in heaven in the ark which is in the Temple (Revelation 11:16-19). Many pulpit preachers say this list of 10 moral commands is a bondage and impossible to keep, however if you read through them you will see that they are for our good. Every command is given to protect us and bless us. The things that it tells us to follow will only bring a blessing to us, not one of these commands is detrimental to our well being. Breaking these commands only bring hurt to ourselves and others most importantly Jehovah and His Son Jesus.
These commandments teach us how to love Jehovah as well as our fellow man. That being the case, anyone who teaches that the 10 commandments is a bondage is not speaking according to the law and the testimony (Isaiah 8:20).
Psalms 40:7-8
[7]Then said I, Lo, I am come; In the roll of the book it is written of me:[8]I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart.
David, a man after Jehovah's own heart declares that the law of God is written within his heart. When we have Jehovah's law written in our heart then it is a joy to keep. If we are trying to keep it as a list of rules then it becomes a set of do's and don't's. We will have the law of Jehovah written on our hearts when we have a personal relationship with him through his Son Jesus Christ. Reading the word of Jehovah is key, as this is how we know what his law is.
Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV)
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Here is a passage that is often taken out of context by the commandment breakers. In no way is Jesus doing away with the law here. In fact if we keep these two commandments we will automatically keep the other ones. The first four commandments deal with our love for Jehovah and the next six has to do with love for our neighbor. If a man says he loves his wife but doesn't spend quality time with her then he doesn't really love her. If he doesn't abide by certain boundaries in The relationship then his love is merely a profession of words but not deeds. 1 John 5:2-3 shows that the evidence of loving Jehovah and our brethen, is by keeping the commandments.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (ASV)
[1]And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth:[2]and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God.[3]Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.[4]Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy beasts, the increase of thy cattle, and the young of thy flock.[5]Blessed shall be thy basket and thy kneading-trough.[6]Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.[7]Jehovah will cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thee: they shall come out against thee one way, and shall flee before thee seven ways.[8]Jehovah will command the blessing upon thee in thy barns, and in all that thou puttest thy hand unto; and he will bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.[9]Jehovah will establish thee for a holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee; if thou shalt keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, and walk in his ways.[10]And all the peoples of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of Jehovah; and they shall be afraid of thee.[11]And Jehovah will make thee plenteous for good, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers to give thee.[12]Jehovah will open unto thee his good treasure the heavens, to give the rain of thy land in its season, and to bless all the work of thy hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.[13]And Jehovah will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them],[14]and shalt not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
In the above passage we see that Jehovah promises those who hear his voice and keep his commandments prosperity. "Hearken diligently" denotes that there has to be a decided effort in keeping the commands which Jehovah gave us in his word. This promise of prosperity is conditional upon keeping the commandments. This does not get taught in most of the pulpits of Christendom today. This sentiment of conditional promises depending upon keeping the commandments of God is reiterated by Jesus and is a theme throughout all the new testament.
Although commandment keepers have always been persecuted and especially in these very last days, there will be a deliverance when Jesus comes back to earth. Commandment keepers will have victory over their enemies. Those who have kept his Father's commandments will eat of the tree of life and enter into New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:14).
Deuteronomy 14:1-28 (ASV)
[1]Ye are the children of Jehovah your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.[2]For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God, and Jehovah hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.[3]Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.[4]These are the beasts which ye may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,[5]the hart, and the gazelle, and the roebuck, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the antelope, and the chamois.[6]And every beast that parteth the hoof, and hath the hoof cloven in two, [and] cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat.[7]Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that have the hoof cloven: the camel, and the hare, and the coney; because they chew the cud but part not the hoof, they are unclean unto you.[8]And the swine, because he parteth the hoof but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you: of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch.[9]These ye may eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales may ye eat;[10]and whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye shall not eat; it is unclean unto you.[11]Of all clean birds ye may eat.[12]But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,[13]and the glede, and the falcon, and the kite after its kind,[14]and every raven after its kind,[15]and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,[16]the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl,[17]and the pelican, and the vulture, and the cormorant,[18]and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.[19]And all winged creeping things are unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.[20]Of all clean birds ye may eat.[21]Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou mayest give it unto the sojourner that is within thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto a foreigner: for thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother's milk.[22]Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year.[23]And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always.[24]And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to set his name there, when Jehovah thy God shall bless thee;[25]then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose:[26]and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household.[27]And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee.[28]At the end of every three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
The clean/unclean meat laws have never been done away with, neither have the principles of the tithe. These are all for our good but Satan has his ministers that tru to say Jehovah's laws are bondage. The clean meat laws are for our good as they give us better health if we follow them. Tithing shows that we trust Jehovah and also that we care for his workers who selflessly do the work of the ministry. As we give to them we give to Jehovah. Even though we no longer have the Levitical preisthood we do have men who have been committed to do the work of the ministry which is a full time service.
Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus came to magnify the law and make it more full. He came to perfect the keeping of the law (to render it perfect) and to cause it to abound. Jesus carried out the law by keeping it perfectly not as a set of do's and don't's, but rather making it more full by keeping it from the heart. Jesus set a pattern for keeping the law. Many of the religious leaders of the day were keeping the law outwardly but their hearts were not in accordance with their outward obedience. Jesus rebuked this type of superficial law keeping and said that law keeping was most importantly a heart matter.
While many churches in Christendom use this passage to say the law is done away with, verse 19 eliminates any possibility of such a thing. Jesus clearly says that breaking the least of the commandments and teaching others to do so will cause the violater to be looked at as being "least in the kingdom of heaven". A stern warning from our Saviour.
Hebrews 8:8-10 (KJV)
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:
It wasn't the law itself that was faulty but rather the covenant partners who were faulty. This was because they were trying to keep the law apart from faith in Jehovah. Jehovah wanted the Israelites heart knowing that if he had their heart then as a result they would keep his law. Remember, by faith Abraham obeyed Jehovah. The Israelites often kept the law as a means to be justified rather than keeping out of love for Jehovah. They often looked at the law as a set of rituals and ceremonies and institutions.
In verse 10, we see that Jehovah in the new covenant puts his laws in our hearts and minds internalizing them. This in no way does away with the law but actually makes them more binding. We are to keep the law from our heart and mind. As we read scripture and meditate on it daily, Jehovah's law will be implanted in our minds and hearts. We no longer need an earthly tabernacle, sanctuary or ark to have as a guide for law keeping but rather our law keeping should flow from our heart as we consecrate it daily to Jehovah's word. The word of God makes clear what his law is. If we love him we will have his law in our minds and hearts and then keep out of love for Him. If you love someone serving them is not a burden. If you don't then it is. The old covenant was written on tables of stone set in the earthly ark wheras the new covenant is written on the tables of our heart with the original tables in heaven in the Temple of Jehovah in the heavenly ark.
John 15:7-10 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Notice the two "if's" in the above passage. We see that if we abide in Christ and his words abide in us, we will be able to ask Jehovah what we will. Many have used this passage to justify the prosperity gospel, however if Christ abides in us, our petitions to his Father will be in accordance to the Spirit not the flesh. We will not have selfish motives in what we ask for. What we ask for will be in accordance with the will of Jehovah.
When we abide in Christ and his words abide in us we bear much fruit thereby glorifying his Father Jehovah. In verse 10, we see that all of this is contingent on keeping our Saviour's commandments. Jesus himself "if" you keep my commandments you will abide in his love. That is a stern warning for those in Christendom who say we don't need to keep the commandments. Some will erroneously say that Jesus commandments are different from the 10 Commandments written by Jehovah's very own fingers. Jesus clears that lie up at the end of the verse. He says that he has kept his Father's commandments (Decalogue) and thereby he abides in his Father's love. Jesus commandments are his Father's commandments magnified. In order to abide in his and his Father's love we need to keep the commandments (Decalogue) the way Jesus did which includes the Sabbath. It's the keeping of the commandments that is a fruit of abiding in Christ and his words abiding in us. Abiding in Jesus and Jehovah's love and having access to the Father in prayer is conditional on us keeping the commandments.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
By grace, which is unmerited favor and divine influence (the power of God). We are saved by this grace through faith (conviction of the truth, belief). It is nothing of ourselves but rather a free gift from Jehovah God. Our works don't save us, this prevents us from being high minded. Our reliance is solely on God and his Son Jesus. It's through Christ that we then can become workers of good which his Father Jehovah ordained that we should walk in them. Grace + Faith = good works which results in law keeping.
1 John 5:3 (KJV)
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
The pulpit preachers of Christendom say that Jehovah's commandments are a bondage. In this, they do the work of Satan in maligning God's Royal Law. Here, John refutes the lies of apostate Christendom and equates the love of Jehovah with keeping the His commandments which are obviously the 10 given at Sinai written with his hands on tables of stone. If a Christian refuses to keep Jehovah's commandments including the Sabbath command, he does not truly love Jehovah.
John refutes the lies of sunday keeping pulpit preachers and declares firmly that Jehovah's commandments are not grevious. Next time a Christian says that the commandments are a burden go to this passage and show them where they are in error in thinking that. Clear Jehovah's name and extol the virtues of his eternal law.
Romans 8:3-4 (KJV)
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
As we are imputed with Christ righteousness we then can keep the law the way he did. As Jesus fufilled the law by Magnifying it we also can fufill the law as Christ did. This fufilling of the law doesn't do away with it but rather makes it more full in how we live it out. Many of the religious leaders of Jesus day lived out the law in the flesh. Jesus lived out the law in the Spirit. We are to follow Jesus example in how we live out the law. Jesus never did away with the law but kept it how it was intended to be kept by being merciful, loyal and just. Jehovah sent his Son Jesus to die for us, that the law in us would be fufilled (lived out more fully). We are to exemplify the righteousness of the law in how we live. This is possible only in the Spirit after we have received Christ as our personal Saviour.
Psalms 19:7-14 (ASV)
[7]The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.[8]The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.[9]The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, [and] righteous altogether.[10]More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.[11]Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.[12]Who can discern [his] errors? Clear thou me from hidden [faults].[13]Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression.[14]Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.
The psalmist here joys in Jehovah's law. He praises it. David was called a man after Jehovah's own heart and he is praised by many of the churches today as such. Yet many of these churches malign Jehovah's law and speak evil of it calling it a bondage. They fail to follow the example of the man who was after God's own heart. When we love and extol the virtues of Jehovah's law then we are like David who was a man after God's own heart.
David says that Jehovah's law is perfect and able to convert the soul. The law of God, in connection with accepting his Son as Saviour, is able to convert someone into the faith. The Royal Law of Jehovah is sure (established, verified, continuance) meaning it doesn't change. It makes wise the simple. This tells us that Jehovah's law is simple to understand and plain. Even those not well educated can understand the requirements of it. The law of Jehovah is righteous regardless of what the pulpit preachers claim. The judgments of God and his commandments and statutes are to be sought after as precious treasure.
If we do not allow sin to have dominion over us, we then are upright and innocent from transgression of the law. Remember sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Those who malign God's law and especially his holy Sabbath are not men after his heart.
Exodus 20:1-17
[1]And God spake all these words, saying,[2]I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.[4]Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness [of any thing] that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.[5]Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,[6]and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.[7]Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.[8]Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.[9]Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;[10]but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:[11]for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.[12]Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.[13]Thou shalt not kill.[14]Thou shalt not commit adultery.[15]Thou shalt not steal.[16]Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.[17]Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.
This is the Decalogue (10 Commandments). These are the commandments written by Jehovah's very own fingers. They are also in heaven in the ark which is in the Temple (Revelation 11:16-19). Many pulpit preachers say this list of 10 moral commands is a bondage and impossible to keep, however if you read through them you will see that they are for our good. Every command is given to protect us and bless us. The things that it tells us to follow will only bring a blessing to us, not one of these commands is detrimental to our well being. Breaking these commands only bring hurt to ourselves and others most importantly Jehovah and His Son Jesus.
These commandments teach us how to love Jehovah as well as our fellow man. That being the case, anyone who teaches that the 10 commandments is a bondage is not speaking according to the law and the testimony (Isaiah 8:20).
Psalms 40:7-8
[7]Then said I, Lo, I am come; In the roll of the book it is written of me:[8]I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart.
David, a man after Jehovah's own heart declares that the law of God is written within his heart. When we have Jehovah's law written in our heart then it is a joy to keep. If we are trying to keep it as a list of rules then it becomes a set of do's and don't's. We will have the law of Jehovah written on our hearts when we have a personal relationship with him through his Son Jesus Christ. Reading the word of Jehovah is key, as this is how we know what his law is.
Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV)
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Here is a passage that is often taken out of context by the commandment breakers. In no way is Jesus doing away with the law here. In fact if we keep these two commandments we will automatically keep the other ones. The first four commandments deal with our love for Jehovah and the next six has to do with love for our neighbor. If a man says he loves his wife but doesn't spend quality time with her then he doesn't really love her. If he doesn't abide by certain boundaries in The relationship then his love is merely a profession of words but not deeds. 1 John 5:2-3 shows that the evidence of loving Jehovah and our brethen, is by keeping the commandments.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (ASV)
[1]And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth:[2]and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God.[3]Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.[4]Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy beasts, the increase of thy cattle, and the young of thy flock.[5]Blessed shall be thy basket and thy kneading-trough.[6]Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.[7]Jehovah will cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thee: they shall come out against thee one way, and shall flee before thee seven ways.[8]Jehovah will command the blessing upon thee in thy barns, and in all that thou puttest thy hand unto; and he will bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.[9]Jehovah will establish thee for a holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee; if thou shalt keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, and walk in his ways.[10]And all the peoples of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of Jehovah; and they shall be afraid of thee.[11]And Jehovah will make thee plenteous for good, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers to give thee.[12]Jehovah will open unto thee his good treasure the heavens, to give the rain of thy land in its season, and to bless all the work of thy hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.[13]And Jehovah will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them],[14]and shalt not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
In the above passage we see that Jehovah promises those who hear his voice and keep his commandments prosperity. "Hearken diligently" denotes that there has to be a decided effort in keeping the commands which Jehovah gave us in his word. This promise of prosperity is conditional upon keeping the commandments. This does not get taught in most of the pulpits of Christendom today. This sentiment of conditional promises depending upon keeping the commandments of God is reiterated by Jesus and is a theme throughout all the new testament.
Although commandment keepers have always been persecuted and especially in these very last days, there will be a deliverance when Jesus comes back to earth. Commandment keepers will have victory over their enemies. Those who have kept his Father's commandments will eat of the tree of life and enter into New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:14).
Deuteronomy 14:1-28 (ASV)
[1]Ye are the children of Jehovah your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.[2]For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God, and Jehovah hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.[3]Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.[4]These are the beasts which ye may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,[5]the hart, and the gazelle, and the roebuck, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the antelope, and the chamois.[6]And every beast that parteth the hoof, and hath the hoof cloven in two, [and] cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat.[7]Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that have the hoof cloven: the camel, and the hare, and the coney; because they chew the cud but part not the hoof, they are unclean unto you.[8]And the swine, because he parteth the hoof but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you: of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch.[9]These ye may eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales may ye eat;[10]and whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye shall not eat; it is unclean unto you.[11]Of all clean birds ye may eat.[12]But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,[13]and the glede, and the falcon, and the kite after its kind,[14]and every raven after its kind,[15]and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,[16]the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl,[17]and the pelican, and the vulture, and the cormorant,[18]and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.[19]And all winged creeping things are unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.[20]Of all clean birds ye may eat.[21]Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou mayest give it unto the sojourner that is within thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto a foreigner: for thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother's milk.[22]Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year.[23]And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always.[24]And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to set his name there, when Jehovah thy God shall bless thee;[25]then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose:[26]and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household.[27]And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee.[28]At the end of every three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
The clean/unclean meat laws have never been done away with, neither have the principles of the tithe. These are all for our good but Satan has his ministers that tru to say Jehovah's laws are bondage. The clean meat laws are for our good as they give us better health if we follow them. Tithing shows that we trust Jehovah and also that we care for his workers who selflessly do the work of the ministry. As we give to them we give to Jehovah. Even though we no longer have the Levitical preisthood we do have men who have been committed to do the work of the ministry which is a full time service.
Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus came to magnify the law and make it more full. He came to perfect the keeping of the law (to render it perfect) and to cause it to abound. Jesus carried out the law by keeping it perfectly not as a set of do's and don't's, but rather making it more full by keeping it from the heart. Jesus set a pattern for keeping the law. Many of the religious leaders of the day were keeping the law outwardly but their hearts were not in accordance with their outward obedience. Jesus rebuked this type of superficial law keeping and said that law keeping was most importantly a heart matter.
While many churches in Christendom use this passage to say the law is done away with, verse 19 eliminates any possibility of such a thing. Jesus clearly says that breaking the least of the commandments and teaching others to do so will cause the violater to be looked at as being "least in the kingdom of heaven". A stern warning from our Saviour.
Hebrews 8:8-10 (KJV)
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:
It wasn't the law itself that was faulty but rather the covenant partners who were faulty. This was because they were trying to keep the law apart from faith in Jehovah. Jehovah wanted the Israelites heart knowing that if he had their heart then as a result they would keep his law. Remember, by faith Abraham obeyed Jehovah. The Israelites often kept the law as a means to be justified rather than keeping out of love for Jehovah. They often looked at the law as a set of rituals and ceremonies and institutions.
In verse 10, we see that Jehovah in the new covenant puts his laws in our hearts and minds internalizing them. This in no way does away with the law but actually makes them more binding. We are to keep the law from our heart and mind. As we read scripture and meditate on it daily, Jehovah's law will be implanted in our minds and hearts. We no longer need an earthly tabernacle, sanctuary or ark to have as a guide for law keeping but rather our law keeping should flow from our heart as we consecrate it daily to Jehovah's word. The word of God makes clear what his law is. If we love him we will have his law in our minds and hearts and then keep out of love for Him. If you love someone serving them is not a burden. If you don't then it is. The old covenant was written on tables of stone set in the earthly ark wheras the new covenant is written on the tables of our heart with the original tables in heaven in the Temple of Jehovah in the heavenly ark.
John 15:7-10 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Notice the two "if's" in the above passage. We see that if we abide in Christ and his words abide in us, we will be able to ask Jehovah what we will. Many have used this passage to justify the prosperity gospel, however if Christ abides in us, our petitions to his Father will be in accordance to the Spirit not the flesh. We will not have selfish motives in what we ask for. What we ask for will be in accordance with the will of Jehovah.
When we abide in Christ and his words abide in us we bear much fruit thereby glorifying his Father Jehovah. In verse 10, we see that all of this is contingent on keeping our Saviour's commandments. Jesus himself "if" you keep my commandments you will abide in his love. That is a stern warning for those in Christendom who say we don't need to keep the commandments. Some will erroneously say that Jesus commandments are different from the 10 Commandments written by Jehovah's very own fingers. Jesus clears that lie up at the end of the verse. He says that he has kept his Father's commandments (Decalogue) and thereby he abides in his Father's love. Jesus commandments are his Father's commandments magnified. In order to abide in his and his Father's love we need to keep the commandments (Decalogue) the way Jesus did which includes the Sabbath. It's the keeping of the commandments that is a fruit of abiding in Christ and his words abiding in us. Abiding in Jesus and Jehovah's love and having access to the Father in prayer is conditional on us keeping the commandments.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
By grace, which is unmerited favor and divine influence (the power of God). We are saved by this grace through faith (conviction of the truth, belief). It is nothing of ourselves but rather a free gift from Jehovah God. Our works don't save us, this prevents us from being high minded. Our reliance is solely on God and his Son Jesus. It's through Christ that we then can become workers of good which his Father Jehovah ordained that we should walk in them. Grace + Faith = good works which results in law keeping.
1 John 5:3 (KJV)
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
The pulpit preachers of Christendom say that Jehovah's commandments are a bondage. In this, they do the work of Satan in maligning God's Royal Law. Here, John refutes the lies of apostate Christendom and equates the love of Jehovah with keeping the His commandments which are obviously the 10 given at Sinai written with his hands on tables of stone. If a Christian refuses to keep Jehovah's commandments including the Sabbath command, he does not truly love Jehovah.
John refutes the lies of sunday keeping pulpit preachers and declares firmly that Jehovah's commandments are not grevious. Next time a Christian says that the commandments are a burden go to this passage and show them where they are in error in thinking that. Clear Jehovah's name and extol the virtues of his eternal law.
Romans 8:3-4 (KJV)
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
As we are imputed with Christ righteousness we then can keep the law the way he did. As Jesus fufilled the law by Magnifying it we also can fufill the law as Christ did. This fufilling of the law doesn't do away with it but rather makes it more full in how we live it out. Many of the religious leaders of Jesus day lived out the law in the flesh. Jesus lived out the law in the Spirit. We are to follow Jesus example in how we live out the law. Jesus never did away with the law but kept it how it was intended to be kept by being merciful, loyal and just. Jehovah sent his Son Jesus to die for us, that the law in us would be fufilled (lived out more fully). We are to exemplify the righteousness of the law in how we live. This is possible only in the Spirit after we have received Christ as our personal Saviour.
Psalms 19:7-14 (ASV)
[7]The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.[8]The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.[9]The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, [and] righteous altogether.[10]More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.[11]Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.[12]Who can discern [his] errors? Clear thou me from hidden [faults].[13]Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression.[14]Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.
The psalmist here joys in Jehovah's law. He praises it. David was called a man after Jehovah's own heart and he is praised by many of the churches today as such. Yet many of these churches malign Jehovah's law and speak evil of it calling it a bondage. They fail to follow the example of the man who was after God's own heart. When we love and extol the virtues of Jehovah's law then we are like David who was a man after God's own heart.
David says that Jehovah's law is perfect and able to convert the soul. The law of God, in connection with accepting his Son as Saviour, is able to convert someone into the faith. The Royal Law of Jehovah is sure (established, verified, continuance) meaning it doesn't change. It makes wise the simple. This tells us that Jehovah's law is simple to understand and plain. Even those not well educated can understand the requirements of it. The law of Jehovah is righteous regardless of what the pulpit preachers claim. The judgments of God and his commandments and statutes are to be sought after as precious treasure.
If we do not allow sin to have dominion over us, we then are upright and innocent from transgression of the law. Remember sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Those who malign God's law and especially his holy Sabbath are not men after his heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)




