Who Is God

6-9-06

For Free Distribution

Isaiah 42:5-8, “Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Christ’s humble servant, David Neal

Those who love the Lord seek Him. Those who do not love the Lord seek the thing they love! June, 2006 Deuteronomy 7:9-10, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

An Electronic Book Microsoft Word Format

1

6-9-06

Introduction The author must state at the onset of this article, that this writing is being approached with great trepidation, fear and trembling (Is 66:2, 5). For God is the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments (Dan 9:4, also Nah 1:3). His Word has been commanded to a thousand generations (1 Chr 16:15). Whose sight was so terrible, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake (Heb 12:21). Nahum 1:5, “The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.” Fear before Him, all the earth (1 Chr 16:30). For the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed (1 Sam 2:3). Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The Background

The author read an article that maintained that the doctrine of the Trinity (Trinitarianism) was a corrupt teaching that came out of the corrupted church in the Constantinian era in Rome. The author did not agree with the particular premise or the use of scripture within the article. However, there is no doubt that there was a great corruption of the church during and after the time of Constantine. Many false doctrines, false teachers, wrongful thought and religious organizations resulted and evolved that persist even to this day (Acts 20:29-31). During this time there was much debate and contention concerning just who God is. No doubt, the devil worked from within to sow error, confusion and deception. The devil seems to sow his greatest strife within the “details.”

Shouldn’t this assertion/proposition (declaration, subject to be considered) at least give one pause for thought and possibly concern? Could a church/era with so much corruption and lack of righteous judgment actually produce “revealed” or “discerned” truth (Js 3:1112)? On the other hand, perhaps God specifically intervened to establish or maintain a basis (foundation) of truth so that man could not totally corrupt the Lord’s purposes? In any case, the Lord will only be found by those who sincerely seek Him. No doubt, this sincerity of heart will be tried and tested (1 Thess 2:4, 1 Chr 29:17).

Many conflicting doctrines about the Being and nature of God were being put forth after the persecutions in Rome had ended. During these persecutions, men were too busy looking to God than to look to self. The persecutions had focused man’s attention and reliance upon God alone. When man depended solely upon God, the church was immovable and all hell could not prevail against it (Mt 16:18). This is because the Lord’s church depended upon the Holy Spirit and not man. The persecutions also tended to produce a more genuine and sincere body of followers. Persecution quickly separates the true from the false.

Satan changed his tactics. Rather than attack from without, he attacked from within. The persecutions ended and man’s dependence upon God began to diminish (wane). Man began to look to self and his religion for answers and authorities. Man had much time for thought. Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (also Pv 16:25).” Leaders rose up who were not servants to

2

6-9-06

all, but rather Lords over God’s heritage, exercising authority over them. These men were certainly not examples to the flock (Lk 22:25, 1 Pt 5:3). Privilege (freedom, honor, favor, benefit) was traded for compromise. A church that had tired from persecution began to look to man rather than to God.

Religious man responded to his new found freedoms or privileges by calling for ecumenical religious councils and then developing creeds, statements of faith, and theologies (what one must believe, observe and do). Most of these early councils concerned the issue of who God is. The Holy Spirit was no longer needed to teach and lead (Jn 14:26, 1 Jn 2:27); man was seemingly doing quite well through “self.” Whichever group prevailed in authority and belief pronounced the other groups as heretics. The persecuted became the persecutors – but under a covering of serving God.

Many persecutions between groups arose due to these matters (1 Jn 3:15). They killed thinking that they did God service (Jn 16:2). Those who violated Christ’s commandment of love only proved that they were not His disciples (Jn 15:12, 17, Lk 6:27-29, 35). John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Those who persecute others (irregardless of circumstance) do not walk in love. Jesus said of such: John 16:3, “And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” We must not be led away from our God by the error of the wicked (2 Pt 3:17). God’s purposes are never accomplished through hatred, envying and strife (Js 3:16). The Lord does not desire a forced outward adherence, but rather a change of heart from within that manifests outwardly in actions.

God is still calling and drawing the meek and humble to Himself. God is still resisting the prideful (self exalting) – even the religious prideful (Mt 23:12, Lk 14:11, 18:14, Lk 11:42-52, 20:46-47). The Lord God is teaching the meek His ways (Ps 25:9). The Lord is still leading His people (Ps 5:8, 23:2-3, 25:5, 27:11, 31:3, 43:3, 139:24, 143:10, Is 48:17, Jn 10:3-4). John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

The Lord’s true people (church) are not those of a certain religious persuasion (belief, theology), but rather those who are humble and receive His Word (truth) and apply it to their lives. These are a people of faith who are not found in man’s standards, but rather in God’s. In other words, they are led by the Spirit of God to walk in the will of God.

Jesus Christ is still the head of His true church which is filled and led of His Spirit (Eph 1:22, 5:23, 1:18). Whereas religious man often seeks his way in disregard of the Spirit, the true church follows in God’s way in disregard of religious man (and this sets up trouble). Ephesians 2:18, “For through him (Jesus, not man) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Jesus sought only God’s will, yet was constantly challenged by religious man. We must understand that Christ’s followers will also be confronted by religious man.

Religious man always resisted God’s purposes by continually opposing and withstanding Jesus Christ – God’s Son. Jesus resisted religious man in doing the Father’s will – the works He did and the things He said. Religious man killed Jesus and actually accomplished God’s purposes, but not for their glory (Lk 22:53, Ps 35:15-26, 37:12, Acts 3

6-9-06

13:27). The religious leaders and the people said: “let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God (Lk 23:35).” However, Jesus was too focused upon saving others (mankind) than to save “self.” Christ said: John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” We can come unto Jesus or we can come unto religious man (Ps 118:8, Mt 24:5, Mk 13:6, Lk 21:8) – to whom will you be drawn?

You must seek God to find Him amidst all this religious error and confusion authored by man. Just who is God? The Approach – To Know God

We must each individually, fervently and fully seek out the Lord God to understand the truth. The Lord desires that we know Him: Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” The Lord says: Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (also Deut 4:29).” Paul stated: Acts 17:27, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.” The Lord says: “I am a God at hand and not a God afar off (Jer 23:23). We must “know God” and understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph 5:17).

Scriptures also state: James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (also Pv 8:17, Lk 11:9-10, Acts 17:27).” We are told that Christ is come and has given understanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true (1 Jn 5:20). We are further exhorted to: “increase in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10).”

We must consider to what extent we have been influenced by others (man), rather than having searching out God and His truth for ourselves. Have your beliefs developed through relationship with God or through association with religious man? Luke 11:35, “Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” To truly know someone, to have relationship, you must walk as they walked. God came to the earth as a man and walked His expectations and then invited us to “follow” Him (Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, Mk 10:21, Lk 9:23, Jn 12:26).

However, you must realize that you cannot just approach God with the intent of validating your favored doctrine or preconceived notions. Otherwise the Lord may answer you according to the multitude of your idols (Ez 14:4) – which are those stubborn (immovable) ideas that you place above the truth and will not release. Truth cannot be rejected just because it is contrary to your expectations. Nothing is so easy as to deny that which is not agreeable to your own desire. Isaiah 5:21, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” You must genuinely, sincerely and willingly accept and live what God reveals to you. Walk in the light (truth) of the Lord (Is 2:5). It is also wise to be in a continual state of examining of one’s own heart and study and application of God’s Word (2 Cor 13:5, Ps 26:2, 139:23-24). You do not change God to your image, but rather God conforms you to His image. 4

6-9-06

We have been given the Holy Ghost to comfort and teach us – “He shall teach you all things (Jn 14:26).” Rather than seeking committees and councils of men, you must seek the Spirit of God. 1 John 2:27, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” Religious man hates the truth of that verse! – it lessens his influence and control. God is “truth” and those who genuinely seek to “know” Him and to “walk” in His ways can only be found in truth. The Spirit and the Word will always agree. The Spirit will make known (unfold, open eyes, reveal mystery) the Word (Mk 4:11). Those who do not genuinely seek God will never understand these mysteries (Mk 4:12) – for they are as foolishness to them (1 Cor 1:18, 2:4).

The first of God’s Ten Commandments is” Exodus 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” In order to place no gods before the one true God, we must know who God is. Many people (religious people) have made a god of their own image, of whom they think God should be. Many will serve this image of their mind and sentiments until the day they die. However, are you interested to learn if your “image” of God matches the truth of who God really is as thoroughly searched out in God’s Word with a full and sincere heart?

Many will serve a god of their own making – maybe in their image. Perhaps this god was constructed of carefully selected scriptures or of doctrines and traditions of man (Mt 15:9, Mk 7:7-9, Col 2:8)? Those who sincerely and fully seek the truth will find it – God will lead them in the way of the truth for He is “the Way” and “the Truth (Jn 14:6).” The Limitations

Just what can man know of God? All that man can know of/about God is what the Lord has chosen to reveal to man about Himself through His Word. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God (Deut 29:29) and He revealeth the deep and secret things (Dan 2:22). Even so, how can a puny worm of a man even begin to comprehend/fathom the glory of God’s Majesty – the awesomeness, power and omnipotence of God (Is 41:14, Ps 93:1)? Job and his friends entered into such a conversation, but didn’t get far. God quickly revealed to Job that he had no understanding of simple things much less greater ones (Job chaps 38-41).

Who can contend with, instruct or reprove God (Job 40:2)? The LORD of hosts is exalted in judgment, and God that is holy is sanctified in righteousness (Is 5:16). To go beyond God’s Word or twist it to your liking is to enter into your own imagination and seek that which is right in your own eyes - idolatry (Gen 6:5, Deut 12:8, 29:19, Jdg 17:6, 21:25, Ps 36:2, Pv 3:7, 6:18, 12:15, 16:2, 21:2, 30:12, Is 5:21, Jer 3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 11:7-8, 13:10, 16:12, 17:16, 18:11-12, 23:17, Rm 1:21).

How can man in his limited little mind comprehend a God that has always existed (has no beginning, Heb 7:3, Pv 8:23), has no end of life (Ps 90:4, 93:2, Heb 1:12, Rev 10:6), and is completely self contained (has need of nothing) having life within Himself (Jn 1:4, 5:26)? God calls that which is not into being by His very Word (Heb 11:3, Ps 33:6, 9,

5

6-9-06

148:5, Is 45:11-12). The Lord’s Word always brings about His very purposes (Is 55:11). God is not limited (having unlimited power and authority)! How can man, whose created spirit dwells within houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, understand such things (Job 4:19, Ps 30:9, 103:14, 104:29, Eccl 12:7)? These things are to wonderful for man to understand (Job 42:3).

God gives man what He considers to be the essential facts of Himself, but no doubt this is limited knowledge and of such as man can comprehend (Job 26:14, 37:5, 38:1). God is infinite in power, wisdom, judgment and existence. Job 14:1, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Cor 1:25). LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him or that thou art mindful of him (Job 7:17, Ps 8:4, 144:3, Heb 2:6)? Man – who are you to seek your “own” way and disregard your Creator? How will your rebellion profit?

So, the author approaches this subject only with regards to what God has chosen to reveal about Himself through His Word. This writing has been undertaken with prayer and study of God’s Word, but even so, there are many things just beyond human understanding and comprehension. The Lord’s primary concern for man is that he “know” and “walk” in God’s nature. This is only accomplished as man yields to and obeys God’s Word (will/truth/commandments) and is led of His Spirit (Rm 8:14, 2 Tim 3:16). God hath deemed it so. Otherwise, there is only blindness, deception and confusion of flesh.

Moses was given a glimpse of God’s glory – His back parts (no man could see God’s face and live, Ex 33:18-23). Exodus 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy 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, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Notice that God was revealing His nature more than His physical features. This event made quite an impression on Moses: Exodus 34:8, “And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.”

Understanding the nature of God is such a worthy subject and one is well advised to pursue it. Man generally follows his flesh (lusts and desires) in things temporal, but completely neglects those things eternal. To do one is to forsake the other. It is only when one is humbled (perhaps through tragedy, illness or loss) that eyes begin to turn to God. The Trinity

Now the purpose of this writing is not so much to validate the doctrine of the trinity, but rather to seek who God is – what can be known through God’s Word. As mentioned, we must not approach God in order to just meet our expectations or preconceived notions. Historically, the problem has been that man seeks his will rather than submitting to God’s will. Man has been tailoring God to serve man’s will for centuries. However, this is not truth and will not stand. We must desire to know the truth whatever it may be. We must desire the truth above anything we know or possess. We must be willing to receive the truth at great personal cost (Mt 13:44-46). 6

6-9-06

The doctrine or teaching regarding the trinity essentially states that there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance (essence), but distinct in subsistence (life) and perfect in harmony. These are the Father, the Son (Word), and the Holy Ghost (1 Jn 5:7). They are three distinct Persons; yet, they are all the one God. “Tri” means three and “unity” means one, which combines to be “trinity.” The distinctions can never become so precise as to arrive at a plurality of gods nor so vague as to exclude the distinctions.

The doctrine of the trinity is never specifically addressed in God’s Word as such. The word “trinity” is not even found in scripture. This understanding must be derived or arrived at through the totality of scripture. In other words, the things that God reveals about Himself throughout His Word make known (divulge) a certain understanding about who He is.

The various truths that God reveals about Himself throughout His Word paint a sort of picture of who He is; the sum of the parts arrives at a whole. This has been termed a “revealed” doctrine. Granted, that this “picture” or “summation” still requires faith (acceptance beyond fleshly ability) on the part of man because God does not appeal to nor elevate man’s flesh (Heb 11:6, 1 Cor 1:29). So, this could never be a complete, comprehensive, or conclusive understanding of God, but the Lord certainly does not hold man responsible for that which God does not reveal to man or that which man cannot comprehend.

The word “Godhead” is included in scripture. Scripture reveals concerning Jesus: Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (also Col 1:19, Rm 1:20, Acts 17:29).” This scripture certainly reveals a God more inclusive than Christ alone. In other words, Jesus alone is not the complete fullness of God, yet the fullness dwells within Him. Fullness is completeness; the state of something where nothing is wanted; perfection. A Progressive Understanding

Throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament, God increasingly reveals His greater purpose for man. Many events in the lives of individuals and the nation of Israel were foreshadowing events of greater things that were subsequently revealed or later understood. For example, God’s dealings with Pharaoh (Rm 9:17), Egypt, Israel and the Promised Land were a foreshadowing of God’s dealings with Satan, the world, followers of Christ and the kingdom of God.

Another example would be the Passover celebration and the significance of the unblemished lamb as it later related to Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of love (Jn 1:29, 36, Heb 10:5, 1 Pt 1:19-20, Rev 5:6-13, 7:14, 13:8). The many prophecies concerning the coming of Christ were not understood until Jesus actually fulfilled them (Lk 24:44-45, Acts 3:18, 13:29). There is more clarity in hindsight rather than foresight.

One last example would be how God filled Moses with the Holy Spirit and used him to lead His people (Is 63:11-13). Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ who was also filled

7

6-9-06

with the Holy Spirit and led God’s people (Is 61:1-3). Hebrews 3:1-6, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the desert such that all who looked upon it would not die from the poisonous venom of the fiery serpents (Num 21:8-9). John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

In a similar way, God seems to have progressively revealed more about Himself in His dealings with man from the Old Testament to the New Testament. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were all present in the Old Testament, but were not as understood as in the New Testament (names were different).

For example, Jesus was the rock that the children of Israel drank from in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:4, Ps 105:41). The Holy Spirit is the living water that Jesus gives (Jn 4:10, 7:38-39, Rev 7:17, 22:17, Jer 17:13). Jesus compared Himself with the manna that the children of Israel ate in the wilderness and said He is the bread of life (Jn 6:31-58). When Moses asked God His name, the Lord referred to Himself as “I AM (Ex 3:14).” Jesus later revealed the same when He said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (Jn 8:58).” Jesus was always present because He is inseparable from God.

Christ’s disciples did not even have full understanding of God’s purposes when Jesus walked in their midst. Acts 1:6, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” They were looking for an earthly kingdom, but did not understand the spiritual restoration that first had to occur (take place). The kingdom of God is within you as His Holy Ghost works God’s purposes (Jn 17:21, Php 2:13). The literal physical kingdom on a new earth comes later (Lk 21:30-31, Is 65:17, 22).

When Jesus tried to tell the disciples of His impending death, they just did not understand. Mark 9:31, “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him (also Mt 16:21, Mk 8:31, 10:32-34, Lk 24:7-8).” The gospel of Luke says: Luke 9:45, “But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.” Peter even tried to persuade Jesus otherwise and was strongly rebuked (Mt 16:23, Mk 8:33).

God reveals His purposes through His names that the Lord reveals to man; and through men that God chooses; and the circumstances these men are placed in. Events in some 8

6-9-06

men’s lives foreshadow greater events to come and greater revelation of the Lord’s purposes. This is very structured and detailed; simple, yet complex. The depth that God weaves into the creation of the world, the way things work, the design, whom He calls, how He deals with man, prophecies and their fulfillment, and future events is incredibly astounding. Certain men, circumstances and lands are merely epitomes that reveal similar purposes on a much greater level to come. This is the great mystery of God through the ages (Rev 10:7). There is so much for man to understand if he will fully seek God.

Chapter One, The Beginning (Alpha) Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Let us consider the creation of the world:

The Holy Spirit is mentioned as the creative force/power in Genesis – The “Spirit of God moved” and things began to happen (Gen 1:2). Scripture also reveals: Psalms 104:30, “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.” AND Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” God “spoke” and the Spirit (power) moved. Job 26:13, “By his spirit he hath garnished (furnished) the heavens...” God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24)!

The Word (Jesus) is also mentioned in scripture as the Creator of earth and all that is in it. John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men (supporting scriptures that Jesus is the Word – Jn 1:6-18).” We are told of the Word (Jesus): John 1:10, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” AND Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him (Jesus) 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: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Finally consider: Psalms 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

We are also told that God (the Father) created all things by Jesus Christ who is the Word (Eph 3:9-19). AND Hebrews 1:1-2, “God (the Father), who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (also Heb 11:3).” Jesus is the Word and we are told: Psalms 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” There is an interaction between God (the Father), Word and Spirit in the preceding verse. Psalms 33:9, “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” AND Psalms 148:5, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created (also Rev 10:6).”

God tells man plainly: Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

9

6-9-06

my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Then the Lord gives us some wisdom: Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The Lord says concerning His purposes: “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it (Is 46:11).”

God, as the authority speaks and the Word powered by the Spirit goes forth and accomplishes what God purposes to do. This is exactly how God describes creation as coming about. God “spoke” and what He purposes to do happened. The Lord calleth those things which be not as though they were (Rm 4:17). Hebrews 11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” This baffles the mind of man.

Jesus (the Word made flesh) said: “I proceeded forth and came from God – He sent Me (Jn 8:42).” The Lord was sent with purpose as this writing shall reveal. The Word proclaimed the Father’s truth to man and the Spirit was the power behind the miracles that confirmed the spoken Word – the works bear witness (Jn 10:25, 36-38).

We have now determined that creation came about by the Spirit of God, by the Word of God (Jesus), and the interaction between the God (the Father) and the Word (Jesus) and Spirit. So, who actually created the earth and all that is upon it? Genesis 1:26-27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Did you notice that God first refers to Himself in the “plural” and then in the “singular?” The plural reference to God accounts for the previously determined roles of the Father, Word and Spirit in the creation. The singular reference can only be understood that somehow these three Persons (Beings) are also one – they are distinct, yet they are completely one.

Scripture also reveals: Isaiah 45:12, “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. Isaiah 45:18, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” God reveals that He created the earth and refers to Himself in the singular (also Deut 4:32, Is 43:1). There are not three separate Gods – only one God (also Deut 6:4, Is 45:5).

Paul writes in the New Testament that there is none other God but one (1 Cor 8:4). He further states: 1 Corinthians 8:6, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” In this case, the Father and Son are referred to in the exact same sense and as one God and Lord. They are separated as distinct Persons, yet the same as one God. Additional Instances of Three yet One in Scripture

10

6-9-06

This first verse has been very controversial in the religious world for hundreds of years. 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The verse is very clear, but hotly disputed. Many argue that this verse was not contained in the original writings, but inserted later to validate the doctrine of the trinity. The author believes/accepts the truthfulness of the verse and finds it to be completely in harmony with all other scripture – as this writing shall reveal. There is no doubt that the sincere reader will also come to this same position at the end of this writing.

Matthew 28:18-19, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” We shall understand later in this writing that the power Jesus referred to comes from the Father and that this Holy Ghost is always associated with God’s power (to be discussed). Jesus received the promise of the Father which was the Holy Ghost – power (Acts 2:33). Notice the authority one is to be baptized in – the totality of God.

The Godhead is understood in the following verse: Ephesians 2:18, “For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father (also Eph 3:11-12).” This will become more clear in this writing. Notice that our access is through Jesus by His Spirit and not through religious man (holy ones, priests, religious organizations, doctrines, etc).

Consider this event that took place in Christ’s life on the earth: Luke 3:21-22, “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased (also Mt 3:16-17, Mk 1:9-11).” There can be no doubt as to the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost at this significant event.

We note from above that when a man is baptized it is also in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Lord’s true disciples “follow” Him in all things for Jesus set the example. God (the Father), the Word and the Holy Spirit were present at the creation of man and created man. “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Gen 1:26).” Father, Son and Holy Ghost must also be present when a man is “born again,” renewed, or re-created because this can only be done by God. John 1:13, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” A man can only come to the Father through Jesus as by the Spirit. As was stated above: Ephesians 2:18, “For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” If a man hath not the Spirit, he is not Christ’s (Rm 8:9). Christ received the Spirit from the Father (Acts 2:33). God is the Father, Word (which took on flesh and became the Son – called Jesus, Mt 1:21) and Holy Ghost. Wisdom and Insight from the Creation of Man

The author was prayerfully and thoughtfully considering the Lord and His Word. God directed the author’s attention to consider the the creation of man and the the message that was being conveyed.

11

6-9-06

Consider God’s intent/design in the creation of man: Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” The creation of man has a male and a female component and was created in God’s image and in God’s likeness (Gen 5:1). The male and the female are equal before God: Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God (also Eph 6:9, Col 3:25, 1 Pt 1:17).” Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”



Came forth from, yet are One

Now let us specifically consider how the female or woman came into being: Genesis 2:18, 21-24, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

The woman was not a separate creation, but came out of the very substance or being of man. The man and the woman are of the very same substance (bone and flesh). They are two distinct persons, but of one flesh. Notice that when the male and the female unite (cleave to one another in marriage) they literally become one. This means they are unified in substance, harmony and purpose. This has obviously not been fully realized in this fallen world. Jesus said: Mark 10:8, “And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh (also Mt 19:6).” The two are one! Yet they are distinct.

The woman came out of man! 1 Corinthians 11:8, “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.” This fact would be preposterous and could never be accepted by the modern scientific community of man. The man comes out of the woman! Both statements are equally true. 1 Corinthians 11:11-12, “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.”

Can you see the oneness that God is trying to relate to man? One is of the other, the other is of the one. The two are separate yet one – mutually dependent, yet self supportive. Each has life within themselves (only by God), yet one needs the other. The two are to be one – to function as one in harmony and purpose (likemindedness, dwelling in unity, fullness, one accord, same love, one mind, perfection). God has designed His purposes into the very fabric of His creation.

The man and the woman have life from God. They do not have life in self and cannot exist apart from the life of God – they are created. This will be discussed below. To rebel against God is to remove yourself from the life of God, which is your only life. Those who hate God, love death (Pv 8:36).

12

6-9-06

So, in the same sense the Word goeth forth from God, yet the Word is God (Is 55:11, Jn 1:1-2). The Word came forth from God and is of the substance of God. The force or power in the Word would be the Holy Ghost (to be discussed). There is one God, yet the Lord is uniquely three Persons. Was God always thus (in this state)? We cannot say, but He certainly was at the creation of the earth and all therein.

Now since man is in the image of God, it is not unreasonable nor unscriptural to suggest a similar phenomenon (as with woman out of man) between Father, Word and Holy Ghost. Meaning that the Word and Holy Ghost came out of the very substance (the essential part of that which exists) or Being of God and thus they are God. This also applies to when the Word became flesh, known as the Son. God was manifest in the flesh and justified in the Spirit (1 Tim 3:16). Jesus was filled with the power of God (the Holy Spirit), as at creation (the Word accomplishes the works of His hands, Heb 1:10), to once again accomplish the Father’s will. Just before going to the cross, Jesus said: John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” God’s Word never returns void, but always accomplishes what pleases God (Is 55:11). The Word became flesh (Jesus the Son of God) and accomplished that which pleased the Father.

Therefore, it can be said of Jesus: Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins (He finished the Father’s work), sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” The Father was well pleased with the Son and all He did. The Son (Word incarnate) through the Spirit (power) accomplished the Father’s will.

God the Father again sent forth His Word to accomplish His purposes on the earth. Jesus was not created (although His earthly body was), but was literally taken out of the same substance of God and thus is fully God. How this comes about (God dividing Himself, yet being one) is beyond human comprehension.



Being Alone

The Lord said: “It is not good that the man should be alone (Gen 2:18),” so in the same sense perhaps it was not good for God the Father to be alone (Jn 8:16, 29, 16:32). No doubt, this “state” of God existed long before the creation of man. Jesus said: John 8:29, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him (also Jn 8:16, 16:32).” So, the Word (Jesus) proceeded forth and came from God, yet God was with Jesus, yet Jesus is God (Jn 8:42). Jesus implied comfort through the Father’s constant presence (Jn 8:16, 16:32). No one desires to be alone.

Jesus was greatly distressed upon the cross because for a moment, through a means we cannot understand, the Lord was separated from the Father and thus alone. Isaiah 54:7, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.” AND Isaiah 54:8, “In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” As Christ hung on the cross bearing the sin of man (He made Him to be sin for us, 2 Cor 5:21), He cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being

13

6-9-06

interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me (Mk 15:34, Ps 22:1)?” If Jesus was so troubled over the sin that separated Him from God – shouldn’t we be?

The Father has life within Himself. The Son also has life within Himself (Jn 5:26). John 5:26, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” To be self existent or have life within self is to be God. The Lord does not need any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts 17:25). This is a very important point. Jesus is life and is of the very substance of God (Jn 14:6). Jesus is the Word become flesh which is God (Jn 1:14).

When Jesus was born as a man (Son of man), He did not cease to have life within Himself. Jesus said: John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” So, even though the Word became flesh as a man and could die as a man, Jesus still retained the essential substance of God which is life. The flesh or body (vessel of clay) could die, but the Spirit returns to God (Eccl 12:7). The Word (Jesus) was no less God when He took on flesh. How could the Word made flesh (Jesus) stop being God?

The Word came forth distinctly from the Father when He became flesh and dwelt among men, known as Jesus the Son (Jn 1:14). Thus Jesus was Emmanuel or God with us. Yet, in Him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col 2:9). Jesus the Son was still of the substance of God and was God – yet made flesh (contained in a vessel of clay). This may become clearer later in this writing.



The Word became Flesh

The Word became flesh when the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary and thus the Son had to come from the very substance of God. The Lord told Mary: “the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee (Lk 1:35).” The Son is God and God is one. In man’s understanding, it could not have happened in any other way. Now God is the Father and Jesus is the Son. However, Jesus is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” – for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Mt 1:20).

Now if the Word, who is God, became flesh and this was done of the Holy Ghost, then the Holy Ghost must also be God (Jn 1:1-2, 14). In other words, the Holy Ghost must also be of the very substance of God. The Father and the Holy Ghost are one, yet distinct. The Holy Ghost produced the Son of man through a mechanism that man cannot know. Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Mary was a virgin and did not know man. Christ was conceived (came forth) in a way that is not usual for man (Lk 1:27). The “Word” was not made of a woman, but the “Son” was - in part. In other words, the Word occupied a vessel of clay (flesh) or body which was made of a woman.

14

6-9-06

Scriptures reveal: Hebrews 10:5, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.” The Word of God did not invade another’s body, but the Holy Spirit prepared a body for the Word to dwell within. As with man, this body would be subject to death which releases the Spirit within (Eccl 12:7). Christ’s body was subject unto the same limitations as other men (Heb 2:16).

Once again: God the Father sends forth His Word to accomplish the Lord’s purposes on earth. The power of God, which is the Spirit of God, makes things happen by overshadowing Mary such that the Word can become flesh. Once the Word becomes flesh, He is the Son and is begotten of the Father. Psalms 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee (also Heb 5:5).”

The Word then sets out to do the Father’s work or purposes. John 5:17, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” AND John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” The Lord also said: “the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me (Jn 5:36).” When all was finished, Jesus had one last thing to do: Luke 12:50, “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Shortly thereafter, Christ laid His life down in obedience to the Father – Thy will be done (Mt 26:42, Lk 22:42) - Father, glorify thy name (Jn 12:28).

The author is not at all suggesting that God created Jesus and then exalted Him to the status of God as some have put forth. Jesus is the very essence/substance of God and is God, as is the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Word distinguishes Father, Son and Holy Ghost as each being God (New Testament names/identifications, to be discussed), yet is emphatic that there is only one God. The Word humbled Himself and became as a man – a servant. Philippians 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Consider Christ’s humble birth and life.



God’s Works

The Word was made flesh to speak the Father’s Words or truth to man (Ex 19:9, 16-19, 20:1-18). God spoke His Words directly to man at Mount Horeb. Man greatly feared God and did not want to hear God’s Words directly from God, but rather from a man such as Moses. Exodus 20:18-19, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die (also Deut 5:4-5, 23-29).” AND Deuteronomy 18:16, “…saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.” God told Moses: Deuteronomy 18:17-18, “…They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Therefore, when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law and the Word became flesh to speak God’s Words to man (Gal 4:4).

15

6-9-06

The Word was made flesh and called Jesus, the Son of the Highest (Lk 1:31-32). Christ came to speak God’s truth to man – as a man (in flesh). Jesus was emphatic that He did not speak His own Words, but rather the Father’s Words (Jn 3:34, 7:16-17, 8:28, 38, 12:49-50, 14:10-11). John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” This will be further discussed in Chapter 4, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.”



Father and Son

We will now follow or more fully pursue this strong parallel regarding God the Father and God the Son (Jesus, the Word) specifically – as related to the creation of man. The Holy Spirit will be more fully discussed later in this writing.

A father produces a son of his own substance. Now with man there is some fleshly biology involved regarding the body or vessel of clay, but the “life” must always come specifically from God (Eccl 12:7, Is 42:5, Zech 12:1). The body and the spirit are God’s (1 Cor 6:20). He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things (Acts 17:25). Jesus is always referred to as the Son (after becoming flesh), so He must have come from the Father. Jesus is also referred to as the only begotten Son (Jn 1:14, 18, 3:16, 18, Acts 13:33, Heb 1:5, 5:5, 1 Jn 4:9). To be begotten is to be generated or produced – to beget (as a father or sire). This does not necessarily mean created in the sense of less than God.

The Word existed long before the Son of God came forth. Jesus was generated or produced (split, yet retained) from the very substance or being of the Father. The Word was made flesh (Jn 1:14). The vessel of clay and its limitations (body, container) were produced through biology (Mary giving birth), but as a direct result of the Holy Ghost’s intervention. Therefore, Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man. He was raised up from among the brethren (Deut 18:18). He is the Son of God, yet of the lineage of Abraham (via David).

Scripture never refers to Jesus (the Word) as being both on earth and in heaven simultaneously. Scripture often refers to Jesus as being on earth and the Father as being in heaven in the same time frame. Scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as being with Jesus while He is on earth and thus the Father is also with Jesus (Jn 8:29, 16:32). The Spirit seems to have come upon Jesus to a greater degree (without measure, Jn 3:34, with power) when He was baptized by John the Baptist just before He began the Father’s work. Immediately after Jesus was baptized He was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (all men will be tempted and tested). Once Christ’s intent to do only the will of the Father was established, He returned from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit (Lk 4:14).

Jesus began the Father’s work in the timeframe of when John the Baptist was cast into prison (Lk 4:12, Jn 3:26-29). John had gone before Jesus to prepare Christ’s way (Jn 3:28). John said: John 3:30-31, “He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.” It was at this point that we read how Christ’s Words

16

6-9-06

were with power and how he went about healing, delivering and raising the dead (Mt 4:23, Acts 10:38).

John the Baptist, the greatest of all prophets, clearly recognized Jesus’ authority as God (Mt 11:11, Lk 7:28). John 1:15, “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me (also Jn 1:30).” John was born before Jesus (of woman, physical body – 6 months older), yet Jesus was before John (from the beginning – the Word). John 1:27, “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.”

Consider how scripture supports this: John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is clearly God and not a creation of God. John 1:14, “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 was God, yet the Word was of God the Father. The body was created for the Word to occupy.

God the Father produced God the Son by the Holy Ghost and thus stated His authority over created beings: Hebrews 1:5, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” Therefore: the only begotten Son is literally of the Father, which is in the bosom of the Father (Jn 1:18). Jesus was not a created being (i.e. angel) that was made a Son. Oneness

It was shown with a man and a woman that the two shall become one for of one was the other taken. Consider God the Father and God the Son: Jesus said: John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” Jesus also said: “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father (Jn 14:9).” John 12:45, “And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.” A man and a woman are an imperfect example of oneness. However, the Godhead is perfect in substance, unity, purpose and harmony.

Christ said in relation to His followers: John 17:21, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” AND Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are (Jn 17:11). AND John 14:10-11, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” AND John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” Man as one in God will be discussed fully in Chapter 5, The End (Marriage Supper of the Lamb).

We are told that man is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man (1 Cor 11:7). Consider Jesus in relation to the Father: Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the

17

6-9-06

brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” We are also told of Jesus: “Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4).” AND “Who is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15).”

So, as woman is the glory of man and the two are one; Jesus the Son is the glory of God the Father and the two are one. God is showing us something very important in the very design of His creation. Man is in the image of God and this is part of what that means. We can also understand from above that Christ’s disciples or “body” is also to be as one. We have been commanded to love one another (Jn 15:12, 17). Thus the body is in agreement with the head.



Man’s will or God’s will?

God was relating love, sacrifice, oneness and authority to man through the institution of marriage (between a husband and wife). There is no wonder why God prohibited adultery as one of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:14, “Thou shalt not commit adultery (also Deut 5:18).” Adultery destroys the oneness that God wants to achieve – it puts asunder God’s purposes.

The woman came out of man and the two become one again through their mutual love, devotion, sacrifice and faithfulness toward one another. Jesus the Son came forth from God the Father and they are one. The Son always revealed His love, devotion, sacrifice and faithfulness to the Father. God is revealing to man how man must relate to Him. This is what the relationship must be.

Jesus was upset with religious man because they were destroying God’s purpose. Matthew 19:3-9, “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery (also Mk 10:2-12).” Love, devotion, sacrifice and faithfulness (oneness) is not achieved through the “putting away” of your spouse. This destroys the relationship.

Religious man was putting asunder God’s intent and purposes (Mk 10:9). Rather than encourage love, sacrifice and oneness, religious man was leading in hardness of heart. Hardness of heart is to disregard the relationship in order to seek “self.” Hardness of heart is the lack of repentance, and the absence of contrition and sorrow for sin (transgression against God) - impenitence. Jesus essentially said that religious man was leading others to transgress God’s commandment regarding adultery. Jesus said it was adultery if a man put away his wife, and marry another or if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another (Mk 10:11-12). This was destroying God’s purposes. 18

6-9-06

Since the punishment for adultery was death, religious man was leading in the path of death, which is the transgression of God’s will (Lv 20:10). Disobedience to God’s will always results in death (Gen 2:17)! Sin produces death (the fruit of such a tree). These religious leaders led in the ways of man rather than in obedience to God’s way and the Lord’s commandments.

Jesus put things straight! Religious men who still attempt to justify divorce and remarriage had better take heed to what Christ was relating. Divorce and remarriage are not in the will or in the purposes of God. If a man cannot love his wife/brother whom he hath seen, then how can he love God whom he hath not seen (1 Jn 4:20)? If a man is not faithful to his wife, then how can he be faithful to God? Relationships on earth are likened to your relationship with God. The Lord teaches us love through marriage and friendships so that we can further relate to Him. The Lord teaches us love through the relationship of a Father and Son so that man can properly relate to him. God teaches us to love the unlovely – our enemies (Mt 5:43-44, Lk 6:27-28, 35). Love is the sacrifice of self for the benefit of others – God foremost and then others – the two great commandments.

The Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel that they would love the Lord their God, serve Him with all their heart, keep His commandments and walk in His ways (Deut 11:13-14, 22, 19:9, 30:16). This is always the Lord’s expectations of man. God likened this to a marriage (Jer 3:14). However, Israel was continually unfaithful and sought after lovers (idolatry) which were the surrounding nations (i.e. the world). Israel walked in the evil ways and wicked practices of these nations in forsaking God and seeking self. Authority

We discussed that even though woman was taken out of man, the two are one and are equal before God – for there is neither male nor female (Gal 3:28, 1 Cor 11:11-12). Even so, God has clearly given man a position of authority over woman.

Woman was taken out of man to be a help meet for him (Gen 2:20). God clearly stated in His Genesis curse (which has not been abolished): “Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee (Gen 3:16).” 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”

So, in God’s ordained authority the woman is not to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (1 Tim 2:11-12). In relating this back to the formation of man and God’s curse, Paul wrote: 1 Timothy 2:13, “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

Relating this authority to oneness, scripture reveals: Ephesians 5:22-33, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the

19

6-9-06

wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

So much could be said about the preceding verses, but lets briefly summarize a marriage (unifying). The man and the woman are two distinct persons, yet they are one. The man has been given authority over the woman. God has set the authority so there is to be no dispute. The woman is to submit to and reverence the man in all things (1 Pt 3:1-6). The man is to give love and honor to the wife (1 Pt 3:6). The man’s authority is to be benevolent (disposition to do good; possessing love; promoting happiness; charitable) to the relationship. The two are one in unity and love, each desiring the absolute best for the other (be of one mind and accord). There is perfect unity and harmony in love. Love is the sacrifice of self for the benefit of the other. Each sacrifices for the other’s benefit. Sacrifice – not give and take. The man is to even lay down his life for the woman – a complete giving of self. Authority is recognized and respected, yet all motivation is through love. Authority is executed in love and submission is yielded in love.

We must understand that when authority becomes abusive God’s will is violated. When God given authority is questioned, not followed or undermined, then God’s will is transgressed. God’s order must be followed in love for oneness and unity to be achieved. The man and the woman must be walking in God’s purposes with sacrificial love toward each other.

Now we must also clearly recognize that God the Father is the authority in the Godhead. Jesus said bluntly: “I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I (Jn 14:28, also Jn 13:16).” He that is sent is not greater than he that sent him (Jn 13:16). Jesus also said, “I live by the Father (Jn 6:57).” Furthermore, Jesus said: John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” The head of Christ is God (1 Cor 11:3). “And when all things shall be subdued unto him (by God the Father), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:24-28).

God the Father’s authority is always of the disposition to uphold His established, eternal truth (His Word, Ps 119:89) – to maintain good. Jesus is the Word which is God’s truth. “I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right (Is 45:19).” Psalms 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth (also Ps 111:7-

20

6-9-06

8).” My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Is 46:10). Deuteronomy 32:4, “He (God) is the Rock (dependable, sure immovable), his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment (truth over falsehood): a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he (also Ps 92:15).” The Lord keepeth the truth forever (Ps 146:6, also Ps 100:5, Ps 111:8) and God’s Word stands (Is 39:8). God the Father’s authority is benevolent in that He exerciseth lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness and in these things He delights (Jer 9:24). Therefore: Psalms 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

Unity can only be achieved through willful submission of one to the other. Even so, one must take a position of authority and the other(s) must be in complete harmony (accord, agreement) and oneness (of one mind and one purpose) with that authority. Committees never achieve true unity – they are give and take, debate, opinionated, questioning, majority persuasion, consensus (compromise), contentious, etc.

The one in authority still sacrifices for the other as was shown in relating a husband and wife to Christ and the church. Jesus is head of the church (the authority), yet completely gave Himself for it. The man is to be the head of the woman, yet must completely give himself for her. Each totally gives to the other, but the man has been placed in authority and the woman must yield to that authority. Similarly Jesus yielded to and obeyed the Father in all things – He made this very clear!

The Father sanctified and sent Jesus into the world (Jn 5:23, 30, 36-37, 6:57, 8:16, 18, 29, 42, 10:36, 12:45, 49, 17:21, 25, 20:21, 1 Jn 4:9, 14). Jesus submitted to and reverenced the Father in all things. Christ said: John 8:29, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” Jesus absolutely did the Father’s will and obeyed the Father completely (Mt 21:5, Jn 5:19-20, 30 Jn 6:38, 8:50, Heb 10:7, 9, Deut 18:18, Jn 3:34, 7:16-17, 8:28, 38, 12:49-50, 14:1011, Lk 2:49, Jn 5:17, 36, 9:4, 14:10-11, 31, 17:4-5, Jn 12:45, 14:9, Col 1:15, 2:9). Jesus spoke/taught the Father’s Words (Deut 18:18, Jn 3:34, 7:16-17, 8:28, 38, 12:49-50, 14:10-11). Jesus did the Father’s works (Lk 2:49, Jn 5:17, 36, 9:4, 14:10-11, 31, 17:4-5). Jesus always spoke of or about the Father and was devoted to Him (Mt 11:27, Lk 10:22, Jn 1:18, 3:35, 5:19-20, 23-24, 30, 37, 7:28-29, 8:19, 27-29, 10:15, 32, 37-38, 12:49-50, 14:9-13, 31, 16:25-28, 17:21, 25). The Father sent Jesus and the Lord obediently came (Jn 12:45). Consequently, the Father was well-pleased with the Son (Mt 3:17, 12:18, 17:5, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22, 2 Pt 1:17).

God the Father is the head: John 5:26-27, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” Notice that the Father gives (delegates, grants) authority.

Only a God can have life within Himself. A created being does not have life within himself, but is totally dependent upon his Creator for life and the sustaining of that life (1 Thess 3:8). Therefore: Jesus the Son, is of God’s very substance and has life within Himself – distinct, yet one. Jesus is the head of man and has been granted judgment with regards to man. The Father will not judge, this authority has been given to the Son. John

21

6-9-06

5:22-23, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

God said in the Old Testament: Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (also Jer 32:19).” Jesus essentially repeated this verse from Jeremiah when He said: “I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

God the Father has a throne in heaven and Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father ( Ps 110:1, 118:16, Mt 22:44, 26:64, Mk 12:26, 14:62, 16:19, Lk 20:42, 22:69, Acts 2:25, 3334, 7:55-56, Rm 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, 13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2 (throne), 1 Pt 3:22). This clearly reveals that the Father’s authority extends into heaven and was not just while Jesus walked the earth as a man. There is a distinction in position, yet God is still one.

Unity between a man and woman is achieved through love whereby each gives to the other and this of course benefits the whole (oneness). John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.” God the Father has highly exalted Jesus the Son to have a name which is above every name (Php 2:9-11). Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Jesus is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him (1 Pt 3:22).

Jesus loves the Father and submits to His will. John 14:31, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do...” Jesus obeys the Father! Christ tells man: John 15:10, “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.” In other words, Jesus sacrificed of self to do the Father’s will and this is love. Jesus abides in this state. The Father also loves the Son (Jn 3:35, 5:20, 17:24). John 15:9, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love (also Jn 10:17).”

Christ freely obeys the Father out of love (is not forced): John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

Consider Christ’s power: Colossians 1:19-20, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (also - He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him, Eph 1:10).” Therefore: John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (also Eph 2:18).” AND John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” So, Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under 22

6-9-06

heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” AND 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

Therefore, God the Father is the authority that “gives” and Jesus is highly exalted to receive the authority given. Ephesians 1:20-23, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Even though Father and Son are distinct, they are still one – there is only one God. God declared that apart from Him there is no other god – none else. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me (Is 45:5-6, 14, 18, 21-22, 46:9, 47:8, 10, Joel 2:27). Jesus (the Son) has been given life within Himself from the Father who has life within Himself (Jn 5:26). Jesus’ life is generated or produced from the very substance or being of the Father.

Jesus has been given the authority, ability and judgment to render/give eternal life to man. The Son quickeneth whom He will (Jn 5:21). John 17:2, “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” Jesus as Judge has the ability to give “life” unto faithful man or take life from unfaithful man (Jn 5:23-25, 27-29).

One final thought on authority. Jesus made the following statement with regards to His second coming (the Day of the Lord): Mark 13:32, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” First we can understand that the Father sets the time according to His purposes which shall be discussed momentarily. None of creation knows this date. Jesus the Son does not even know this date. How can this be? This question cannot be answered by man. After all: “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth (Jn 5:20).”

We shall understand later in this study that no man comes to Christ except it were given to him or he is drawn by the Father (Jn 6:44, 65, 17:2, 6, Acts 2:39, 47). God calls men and draws them unto Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6, 1 Cor 1:9). God calls unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor 1:9). Many are called, but few chosen (Mt 20:16). God is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pt 3:9). The Father is patient and it is to man’s benefit that this Day of the Lord (Second Coming) not come too quickly.

When this day arrives, Jesus comes as Judge (He has been given all judgment) and in great wrath (Is 2:11-12, Joel 1:15, 2:11, Amos 5:18-20, Ob 1:15, Nah 1:1-8, Zeph 1:1518, 2:2, Lk 21:23, Rev 1:7, 6:17). Jesus is both Savior and Judge. Jesus gives life and He takes life away. Jesus draws men unto God and eternally separates men from God. Perhaps Jesus has a bit of a “conflict of interest” in deciding when this day should be. Irregardless, the Father is the authority and makes the determination as to when this day 23

6-9-06

shall occur. The Father suffers long, but the day of judgment inevitably comes (the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, countries occupying the Promised Land, Babylonian exile) and will come.



The circumstance of man

Man was created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), in the likeness of God made he him (Gen 5:1). God breathed the “breath of life” into man and man became a “living soul (Is 42:5).” So in a sense man is in God and God is in man. Man must understand the relationship. God is life! Man’s life is only that which comes from God. Man is created of God and does not have life within self and cannot exist apart from the life of God. The Lord gives life and the Lord takes life away (Gen 6:17, 7:21-22, Zeph 1:2-3).

We are told: Job 34:14-15, “If he (God) set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.” Man is made from the dust of the earth. It is God’s “breath of life” that makes man a “living soul.” The spirit and the breath are God’s, He is the Creator and the life. If God gathers back His “breath of life,” then man just returns to the dust. Apart from God there is no life! All flesh exist only because of God’s life.

Furthermore, we are told concerning one’s death: Ecclesiastes 8:8, “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war…(also Ps 89:48)” AND “Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust (Ps 104:29).” The spirit is God’s; life or death is in God’s hands – at His discretion. Ecclesiastes 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” The spirit of man returns to God the Creator.

The relationship is as follows: God is the absolute authority over man. The Creator reigns over His creation. The Potter has power over the clay (Rm 9:21, Jer 18:4). Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Man is a creation of God and depends upon God for his life and the sustaining of that life. Man’s life is found in God and apart from God man is nothing but dust. It is only when we recognize and yield to God’s supremacy (sovereignty, authority, power, rule, rights) that we truly have life and this life is from the Lord.

Man is connected to this earth or world by his flesh. The vessel or frame in which man’s spirit resides is made from the dust of the earth (Ps 103:14). He dwells in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust (Job 4:19). Job 13:12, “Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.” Job 10:11, “Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.” Man is connected to God by his spirit. When the flesh dies, it does not return to God, but back into the ground (Job 10:9, 34:15, Ps 104:29). Ecclesiastes 3:20, “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” The spirit returns to God.

God gives life and takes life away at His discretion. Job 12:10, “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Man has no true “life” of his own apart from God, and is not to take the life which God has given another. Genesis 9:5-6, 24

6-9-06

“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Man will be judged for shedding his neighbors blood. For this reason, God gave man a commandment: Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.” God is looking for obedience and not justification.

So, man in all his glory simply returns to the dust that he was fashioned from. Man returns unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (Gen 3:19). The spirit returns to God to be judged for the things done in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Man’s future life in God will only be found in the Son (1 Jn 5:11). 1 John 5:12, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Savior

God states: Isaiah 45:21-22, “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else (also Is 43:11).”

Jesus is often referred to as the Saviour (Lk 2:11, Jn 4:42, Acts 13:23, Php 3:20, 1 Tim 1:1, 2:3, 4:10, 2 Tim 1:10, Ti 1:3-4, 2:10, 13, 3:4, 6, 2 Pt 1:1, 11, 2:20, 3:2, 18, Jude 1:25). It was just shown that Jesus has been given the judgment, position and life such that man can only be saved through Him – yet there is no other God, none else - for there is no Saviour beside Me (Hos 13:4). Acts 5:31, “Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” The Apostle John wrote: 1 John 4:14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (also Jn 4:42).” Jesus leads His disciples in “The Way” back to God (Jn 14:6).

Therefore, we can now unequivocally conclude that the Father and Son must be truly one and thus God. What other conclusion could possibly be drawn? There is one God and none else. The Lord is a just God and a Savior, yet there is none beside Him. The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. So, the Father and the Son must be the one God – there is none else. We concluded earlier that the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary so that the Word could become flesh, which is the Son. So, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit must be one God. These are not just different names for one God – Each takes on a different role and responsibility - distinctly separate Persons. So, the God written about in the book of Isaiah must be Father, Son and Holy Ghost and they must also be one.

25

6-9-06

Furthermore, the Son submitted to the Father’s authority and has now been granted the power and ability and has been equipped to perform the intended function. There is a distinction, yet Father and Son must be completely one. Since the Godhead is one God, they are in a sense equal, yet authority is clearly evident. In love, there is a willing submission and a desire to lift up the other.

Chapter Two, I AM That I AM The author was prayerfully and thoughtfully considering the Lord and His Word. God directed the author’s attention to consider the names that He revealed about Himself to man and the purpose behind each name.

A study of the names that God gives concerning Himself is very revealing. God is known in a way that is directly applicable to His particular purpose at hand. In other words, God relates Himself to man in a way that man understands based upon God’s purposes at the given time. This may help clear up some confusion regarding the “Father” and “Son” terminology.

The names that God reveals to man gives us some additional insight into who God is. In the beginning (after creation), man is given the names “God and “Lord.” The words “God” and “Lord” are also used throughout the Word of God. We are further instructed that in the beginning Jesus is known as “the Word” – and the Word is God (Jn 1:1-2). It is also interesting to note that in the end (the conclusion, at Christ’s coming), Jesus is also known as “the Word of God (Rev 19:13).” Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev 1:8, 11, 21:6, 22:13).

In heaven Jesus is known as the Word. 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” On earth, Jesus is known as the Son. In other words, Jesus is related to man as being the Son of God - the Father.

The Apostle John wrote of having seen with his eyes and handled with his hands the Word of life. Jesus is the Word and Jesus is the life (1 Jn 1:1, also Jn 14:6). John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men (also Jn 10:28, 17:2, Rm 6:23, 1 Jn 5:11-12, 20).” AND 1 John 1:2, “For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.” Man’s life is found in adherence to God’s Word (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4). Jesus said, verily, verily (of a truth, count on it), I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life (Jn 5:24).”

The name “Word” was indicative that God spoke His Word and all things came into existence. God said and it was (Genesis chapter one). At God’s Word (such faith) all things come into existence and at God’s Word all things come to an end (Is 55:11, also Heb 1:10-11) – the Alpha and the Omega. Hebrews 11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” AND Revelation 10:6-7, “And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should 26

6-9-06

be time no longer. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” God’s Word begins all things and God’s Word concludes or ends all things.

 God was known to Abraham as “the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19, 22)” and “the God of heaven, and the God of the earth (Gen 24:3).” This title was indicative of God’s authority & Sovereignty and God’s ability to carry through on His promises to Abraham: Genesis 12:2-3, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (also Gen 13:14-17, 15:5-7, 17:8, 24:7, 28:14).”

The Lord’s blessing and promises were based upon or due to Abraham’s obedience (Gen 22:18, 26:4-5). God’s promise passed on to Issac (Gen 26:2-5, 24). The Lord was also known to Abraham as God Almighty (Ex 6:3). Nothing is impossible to God, not even giving a son to a hundred year old man (Gen 21:2-5).

Now here is a greater understanding of the complexity and mystery of God’s purposes. When reading the accounts of God’s dealings with Abraham and particularly God’s promise to exceedingly multiply Abraham’s seed into a great nation, one would be left with the impression that God was specifically talking about literal fleshly descendents. Although God did multiply Abraham’s physical descendants, this understanding alone would miss the greater purposes of God.

God was not concerned with multiplying Abraham’s fleshly descendents, but rather those who descended from the faith of Abraham (1 Cor 10:1-12, Rm 4:16). Romans 9:6-8, “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

What does this mean? Galatians 3:7, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” The promise is through faith and not the flesh. Those who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rm 8:1, 4). Romans 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Neither was the inheritance through the law (Gal 3:18). The faithful are the people of God which are the blessed of all the nations of the world through Christ (Gal 3:8). The faithful inherit all things (Rev 21:7). Galatians 3:9, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Galatians 3:29, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Therefore: “that which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all (Rm 4:16).” Romans 4:11-12, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” We must be circumcised in the heart (Rm 2:29), meaning the LORD thy 27

6-9-06

God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live (Deut 30:6, also Deut 10:16, Jer 4:4). This element of demonstrated “faith” cannot be emphasized enough!

The Jews believed that they were children of Abraham through lineage – fleshly descendants. They missed God’s purposes totally. John 8:39, “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” Abraham’s works were faith and obedience to God – willing to sacrifice everything to God (even his only begotten son, Isaac – Heb 11:17, Js 2:21, Gen 22:2-16). Abraham was devoted to God. Jesus said: Matthew 8:11-12, “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The children of Abraham are by demonstrated faith – they do the works of Abraham – they hold nothing back from serving God! - Others are only by association.

Consider John the Baptist’s message to religious men: Matthew 3:7-10, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” These religious men were trying to claim Abraham’s righteousness through descent (lineage) with no righteousness of their own (2 Cor 5:21, 1 Jn 3:7). The fruit John was talking about was the peaceable fruit of righteousness which is produced by the Holy Spirit in those who have faith in God. (Gal 5:5, Eph 5:9, Heb 12:11, Js 3:18).

It should be further noted that when Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem down the mount of Olives that the people began to praise Him: Luke 19:38-40, “Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” This was reminiscent of what John the Baptist had said. If the descendants of Abraham stopped praising Christ, then God would raise up children of Abraham from the dust of the earth to do asmuch – this is how God formed man to begin with and He is able to do it again.

John the Baptist was telling these very religious men who thought they were children of God based upon lineage that they must repent and demonstrate the sincerity of that repentance through their actions. God is not interested in fleshly lineage, He can raise such from the dust of the earth. God is interested in faith and righteous actions. Many men must be born to obtain few who are faithful! God fashioneth all men’s hearts alike; he considereth all their works (Ps 33:15, Pv 15:3, 11).

The same message applies to religious men today. You cannot claim the righteousness of Jesus through some repeated prayer or religious association (membership). To be found

28

6-9-06

in Christ is to be found in obedient faith which walks as Jesus walked (Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6). You must stop transgressing God’s will and be led of His Spirit to be a son of God ( Rm 8:14, 2 Cor 3:18).

Jesus had told the religious Jews that the children of Abraham do the works of Abraham (Jn 8:39). Similarly, the children of God do the works of God. A true son loves, submits to and obeys his father and does the father’s works. Do not claim to be a child of God if you are not doing the works of God. A son must honor his Father (Deut 5:16, Mal 1:6, Mt 15:4, 6, Mk 7:10, 10:19, Lk 18:20, Eph 6:2). Jesus said: “I honour my Father (Jn 8:49).” Christ set the example of God’s expectations for man to follow.



Born of God

Jesus was referred to as the “Son of God.” Christ’s disciples who are led of His Spirit are also “sons of God” (Jn 1:12, Rm 8:14, 19, Gal 4:6, Php 2:15, Heb 12:7, 1 Jn 3:1-2). It is true that Jesus is God, but another message is also being conveyed here. Jesus is the firstborn of many brethren (Rm 8:29) - the first begotten of the dead (Rev 1:5, Acts 26:23).

Jesus also set the example for man in how to be a “son.” Jesus was filled and led of the Holy Ghost. Jesus was also submitted, obedient, loving, faithful, trusting and devoted to the Father (Jn 8:49). Jesus was the “Son of God” and man must conform to Christ’s well pleasing image to also be a “son of God” (Rm 8:29). Jesus was “the Son of God” and faithful men become “sons of God” in conforming to Christ’s example/image. This is achieved by “following” Christ’s example. The Holy Spirit leads us to become sons of God (Rm 8:14, 2 Cor 3:18, Col 3:10).

Christ was conceived of the Holy Ghost and thus born (Mt 1:20, Lk 1:35). Jesus’ disciples are baptized of the Holy Ghost and thus “born again (Jn 1:12, 3:3, 2 Cor 5:17).” John 3:5-6, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Remember that John the Baptist emphasized that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost (Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33). Therefore: Jesus is truly the firstborn of many brethren (Rm 8:29) – all born and led of the Holy Ghost; and these are sons of God (Rm 8:14).

 Abraham’s true children were those who walked as Abraham walked. Children must honor their father. These men were of the flesh, but Jesus told them they must be of faith and demonstrate it through their actions. God told Abraham: “for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me (Gen 2:22).” Actions, not words! Galatians 3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” AND that the combination of the Spirit mixed with our faith produces righteousness (Gal 5:5) – our justification (Rm 5:1, 1 Cor 6:11, 1 Tim 3:16, Ti 3:7).

Jesus verified that the true children of Abraham are those who walk by faith: Matthew 12:47-50, “Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my 29

6-9-06

mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother (also Mk 3:3235).”

Christ was a physical descendent of Abraham by lineage. However, the Lord did not count His family as through the flesh, but rather those who do the will of God – the children of faith! – Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren (Heb 2:11). Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the inheritor of the promises of Abraham! The faith of Abraham is faith in Jesus Christ, who is God.

 God addressed Himself to Jacob as: Genesis 28:13-14, “And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed (also Mt 22:31-32).

The Lord was still the God of heaven and earth – the One who could deliver or bring forth His promises. The Lord used the terms “God of Abraham” and God of Issac” to denote familiarity and understanding to Jacob. God was much more than merely Abraham’s or Isaac’s own personal God. The title was to relate God to Jacob in a way that he could understand. This was to ensure there was no misunderstanding that He was “God” and not just one of the many false gods of the land.

This was to reveal that God was the author of this developing nation or people. The foundation from which God built this new nation was: Genesis 26:5, “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” There would have been no nation or people of God if Abraham had not been faithful. Abraham’s faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness; and he was called the Friend of God. (Rm 4:9, Js 2:23). God’s nation was to be built upon such faith and obedience to God.

Jacob understood that God was the Lord of Abraham; his beginning. Jacob also understood that God was the Lord of Isaac; the succeeding generation and his direct father. Jacob further understood that this was the God of his “blessing” or “inheritance” – the promises given to Abraham that Jacob had so desired.

The name Jacob means supplanter (Gen 27:36). To supplant is to trip up the heels; to remove or displace by stratagem; to displace and take the place of (as in a rival); to undermine. Jacob struggled before God with what his nature was when he left his father Isaac to go into the land of Padanaram, and with what his nature had become after years of hard labor and toil (Gen 28:2-3). Jacob wrestled with an angel of God prior to returning to his father Isaac in the land which was promised to Abraham (Gen 32:24-25). Jacob prevailed: Genesis 32:26-28, “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy

30

6-9-06

name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”

Jacob’s struggles with his old nature and subsequent change of names is representative of being “born again.” Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3).” There must be a change of natures from the self seeking (prideful) man to one who is humble, submitted to and desirous of God’s will. Sojourning in Pandanaram had humbled Jacob. God used the circumstances in Jacob’s life to change his heart. One must be born again (renewed, re-created) into a new man (new creature) that is at peace with God and who seeks the Lord’s righteousness and holiness in all things (Rm 6:6, 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 2:15, 4:24, Col 3:10).

The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (Mt 11:12). There are many struggles before God, but you must prevail in your desire to enter into the kingdom of God. You must strive to enter in at the strait gate, many will seek to, but shall not be able (Lk 13:24). Seek the kingdom of God first/foremost (Mt 6:33,Lk 12:31).

Israel later stated: “The Angel which redeemed me from all evil (Gen 48:16). AND “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD (Gen 49:18).” We must now be redeemed from evil by Jesus Christ the Son of God who is our salvation. Humble eyes can see God’s truth!

 God revealed Himself to Moses in several ways. Firstly, God’s purposes were to send Moses back to Egypt as a means (vessel used of God) to deliver His people from Pharaoh. To Moses, this must have seemed a daunting task, particularly with regards to his involvement and inabilities (Ex 3:11-12, 4:1, 10-17). Moses asked God His name: Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” God was relating to Moses that He was capable of doing this thing – His purpose or will. The Lord was going to fully carry out His purpose. In other words: “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it (Is 46:11).”

The Lord next revealed Himself to Moses as: Exodus 3:15, “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” This was God relating Himself to the children of Israel in terms they would understand (Ex 3:16). The Lord was establishing the fact that He formed them through His covenant with Abraham and his sons Isaac and Jacob – their foundation. In other words: Isaiah 43:15, “I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.” God reveals that He is the God of their fathers or beginning. God shows that they are His people. This revelation also gave the children of Israel further hope because of the promises that had yet to be fulfilled.

The Lord then reveals something special to Moses: Exodus 6:3, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” JEHOVAH means “everlasting strength,” for God 31

6-9-06

is the Most High over all the earth (Ps 83:18, Is 12:2). Isaiah 26:4, “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” This is to be selfexistent or eternal – an unchangeable and all powerful God.

God revealed this to Moses to relate what He was purposing to do and to reveal His ability to do that which He purposed (Ex 3:19-20). Exodus 6:1, “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” The “everlasting strength” was going to deliver His people from Pharaoh (representative of Satan) by that strength (Ex 13:3, 9, 14, 16). The Lord said of Pharaoh: Exodus 9:16, “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” The Lord told Moses: “I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments (Ex 6:6).”

Pharaoh took God’s people and placed them into bondage. God was come to loose them and bring them back – “I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God ( Ex 6:7).” Similarly, the devil took God’s people and put them into bondage and Jesus came to loose them and bring them back – “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God (1 Pt 2:10, also Rm 9:25, Ti 2:14).” The Lord comes in great strength and power and those who seek Him will forsake their old life of bondage and embrace new life serving God (Ex 6:7). John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

After God delivered Israel from the power of Egypt, it was said: Exodus 13:14, “And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage (also Ex 13:3, 14, 16, 14:13-14, 18, 30, 15:2, 6-7, 13, Ps 106:10). Therefore: Exodus 15:2, “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

So, the Lord is JEHOVAH our everlasting strength and most High over all the earth. He delivers and saves His people. God’s people are the faithful descendants of Abraham (Jew or Gentile). Exodus 15:11, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” This will become so clear to God’s people in the near future as the final deliverance of Abraham’s children of faith is made manifest. Sometimes God’s purposes require His people’s patience.

Moses also acknowledged that there is only one God: Deuteronomy 4:39, “Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.” The following was revealed in the song God gave Moses: Deuteronomy 32:39-40, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.” God the Father; God the Son

The titles of “God the Father” and “Jesus the Son” are only revealed as such to man in relation to or in terms of Jesus being the Christ or Messiah. God the Son is related to man

32

6-9-06

as Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Christ, Lamb, Emmanuel, etc. This revelation covers the time period from Jesus becoming flesh and dwelling among men and what takes place thereafter - on into the literal manifestation of the kingdom of God (Rev 11:15). In God’s purposes, the Son of God redeems and atones for man as the male unblemished passover lamb (Rev 5:9).

Let us more fully consider this. The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin named Mary (Lk 1:26-27). He revealed that she had found favour with God and would conceive and bring forth a son named JESUS (Lk 1:28-31). Luke 1:35, “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.” Please note that God would be the literal Father and the child that would come forth would be the Son of God. The power of God is the Holy Ghost which is God. The Son that comes forth would be the “Word made flesh,” which is God ( Jn 1:1-2, 14). God sends forth His Word in power and accomplishes His purposes (discussed below).

This is the first time the phrase “Son of God” is used (except for once in Daniel). God is the Father (Holy Spirit) – scripture makes clear that Jesus “as was supposed” the son of Joseph (Lk 3:23). Mary is the mother. So Jesus is fully God, yet also man. Jesus will also become known as the Son of man. So Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man – the reconciler of the two (advocate, high priest, King).

At the birth of Jesus (Lk 2:21), an angel announced to the humble shepherds in the surrounding fields: Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” This was the first use of the word “Christ,” which means “the Anointed (the Messiah).” David had also been raised up on high and anointed of God (2 Sam 23:1-2 & 1 Sam 16:13). The anointing is the Spirit of God - “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power” (Acts 10:38). John the Baptist bore witness that Jesus was the baptizer with the Holy Ghost. Jesus anoints His followers with the Holy Ghost (1 Jn 2:27).

Will Jesus always be known as the Son of God? We cannot exactly say, but it would appear that Jesus will be known by a new name. The phrase “Son of God” has quite a significance in terms of what God has done for man. When Jesus is in heaven (before and after coming to the earth), He is only referred to as the “Son of God” once. This is when He addresses (relates) Himself to the church in Thyatira (Rev 2:18). However, scripture reveals: Revelation 19:12, “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.” AND Revelation 19:13, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” This name (the Word) brings us back to Jesus’ name “at the beginning (Jn 1:1).” Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” So, here we have three naming references to Jesus: 1) there is a mystery name, 2) a name denoting function and 3) a name denoting authority.

33

6-9-06

The Lord tells the faithful church at Philadelphia: Revelation 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” It appears that once man has been fully reconciled with God after the Second Coming of Christ that Jesus will be known by a new name. It seems that Jesus will no longer need to be known as the Son in the new earth and manifested kingdom of God.

Jesus the Word is God, but He also became flesh and took on the seed/lineage of Abraham and David (Jn 7:42, Acts 2:30, Rm 1:3, 2 Tim 2:8, Heb 2:16). For what purpose? To deliver (redeem) and lead His people back to God. Jesus always said, “follow Me” and “learn of Me.” What were we to learn? Man was to learn to “follow” in terms of a relationship between a Father and a son.

The Word took on flesh for God’s greater purpose in dealing with man, but the flesh was not the Word. The flesh was a vessel of clay as with all men. Hebrews 10:5, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.” - to do thy will, O God (vs. 7). Jesus came to carry out God’s will in the body of a man. Therefore: Hebrews 1:5, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”

Notice that when the Word becomes flesh, the Father begets Him as a Son. This is an intended relationship that God is conveying to man. Hebrews 1:6, “And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” The Father even calls the Son “God:” Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” Christ’s throne is as follows: Luke 1:32-33, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (also Ps 132:11).” The unclean spirits even recognized Jesus as the Son of God, the Holy One (Mk 1:24, 3:11, 5:7, Lk 4:34-35, 41).

The Son loves the Father and perfectly obeys His will – keeps His commandments (Jn 9:4). The Son respects the authority of the Father and honors Him (Mal 1:6, Jn 8:49). The Son sacrifices for the Father. The Son submits to the Father. Jesus the Son is teaching man how to relate to God the Father. The Father loves the Son (Jn 17:26) and gives Him all things – an inheritance (exalts Him). John 16:15, “All things that the Father hath are mine…”

The Son demonstrates His love and obedience to the Father through His actions (Jn 9:4). Jesus willingly left the glories of heaven and His great riches and honor to become as a man and suffer death. Philippians 2:7-8, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” AND 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,

34

6-9-06

though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” The Son teaches man humbleness and obedience to God the Father. The Son teaches man submission to proper authority.

So among other things, God is relating Himself and His will to man in a way that man can understand. God Himself is walking an example for man to follow. Ephesians 5:1-2, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (also Eph 6:1-3).” We should not get all hung up thinking that a son must be inferior to a father or be created by a father – that Jesus is somehow “created” or less than God. This is not what God is trying to relate. God is not lessening the Son, but rather building Him up for our example and to show love and relationship – authorities and expectations. Recall, the Lord said: “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son (Heb 1:5).”

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, perfect example, and sending of the Holy Spirit, man can be a son of God. God will be a loving Father (Abba) to man. This will be somewhat discussed in relation to the Holy Spirit later in this writing, but for the sake of clarity: John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” The Holy Ghost is that power (Acts 1:8)! Romans 8:14-16, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” AND Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” AND Ephesians 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

God referred to Israel as His son. The Lord told Moses: Exodus 4:22-23, “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.” The sons of God serve Him! A son serves his father with love and devotion. The children of faith are the children of God (Lk 20:36).

Was Jesus adopted by God? No, God through the power of the Holy Ghost sent the Word to become flesh (to accomplish His purposes and not return void). Jesus the Word was and is and shall be God (Jn 1:1-2). Jesus was relating to man, in a way man could understand, what it means to be a son of God. Jesus set the eternal example for man to follow in everything He did. The Word (born the Son of God – Jesus, Lk 1:31-32, 35) was sent out (goeth forth) from the Father to accomplish God’s purposes (prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, that which I please) and the Word (Son of the Highest – Jesus, Lk 1:32) returned to the Father totally victorious (Is 55:11). John 16:28, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” God the Father was well pleased with the Son (Mt 3:17, 12:18, 17:5). Let us consider God’s purposes more fully:



God’s Purposes in Sending Christ

35

6-9-06

In the lineage of Christ, we are told: “Adam, which was the son of God (Lk 3:38).” Adam was God’s creation - the first man, and in a sense God’s son. Adam did not meet the Lord’s expectations in that he sought his own will over God’s commandment. Isaiah 43:27, “Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.” The transgression of God’s will (law, commandments) is sin and such produces death. Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners (Rm 5:19). 1 Corinthians 15:2, “For as in Adam all die…” Therefore, all men are under God’s condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” - for the judgment was by one to condemnation (Rm 5:16) AND Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation (Rm 5:18).

Jesus (the second man and Son of God) came to the earth as a man to accomplish what Adam failed to do. 1 Corinthians 15:47, “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.” Furthermore, this was God coming to the earth to reveal His expectations for man and to set/walk the perfect example for man to follow. Jesus walked the walk and then said, “come follow Me (Jn 12:26).” Jesus spoke the truth and walked the truth. Adam failed God’s will by disobeying the Lord’s commandment. Jesus perfectly kept God’s will (never sought His own will) and fully obeyed all of God’s commandments and was without sin (Jn 5:30, 6:38, 8:28, 50, 12:49, 14:31, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 10:7, 1 Pt 2:22, 1 Jn 3:5). Adam sought his own desire over God’s will. Jesus never pleased self and His meat was to do the will of the Father that sent Him, and to finish His work. (lived by God’s Words, Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4, Jn 4:34, 5:17, 36, 9:4, 17:4, Rm 15:3). Jesus was perfect, righteous and holy (Mt 5:48, 1 Jn 2:29, 1 Pt 1:15-16).

Christ loved, honored, and obeyed God as a Son to a Father. Jesus was the walking example of loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mt 22:37-38, Mk 12:30, Lk 10:27). Jesus diligently kept all of God’s commandments, loved the LORD God (the Father), and walked in all His ways, and cleaved unto Him (Deut 11:22). Jesus was the walking example of loving your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:39, Mk 12:31, Lk 6:31, 10:27). These are the two great commandments of God. Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (also Mt 7:12).” These commandments are more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk 12:33). Walking in these great commandments fulfills all of God’s expectations for man. These are Christ’s commandments of love to man – and this Jesus did!

Man is told to walk as Jesus walked (Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6) – to follow in His steps (1 Pt 2:21) – to learn of Him (Mt 11:29). 2 John 1:6, “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” Jesus said: John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Walk as children of light/truth (Eph 5:8).

How can man possibly walk as Jesus did? The answer is in the same way by the power of the Holy Ghost. As part of Jesus’ sacrifice and death, He procured the promise of the Holy Ghost – power from on high (Lk 24:49, Acts 2:33). This power enables man to walk as Jesus walked (discussed in “Holy Ghost”). So it can be said: 1 Corinthians 15:45, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was

36

6-9-06

made a quickening (life giving – to make alive) spirit.” You must be born of water (repentance) and born of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost’s power working in you) to enter into the kingdom of God (Jn 3:5).

God gave man a commandment and made it very clear that violation of that commandment would result in death (Gen 2:17, 3:1-3). Man violated God’s commandment and is now under the condemnation of death. God owes man nothing. Anything that God now does in the way of restoring or reconciling man is the Lord’s mercy and grace. Man merits/deserves nothing but his rightful condemnation – all have sinned (Rm 3:23).

Even so, the Lord is a merciful God (Ex 34:6-7) and has made a way of restoration and reconciliation through His Son (through Christ). Psalms 103:10, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus the Son offered up His perfect well pleasing life of obedience to God’s will in exchange for man’s sins and then suffered man’s condemnation. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” AND Mark 14:64, “Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.”

Jesus was crucified for man’s transgressions (he that is hanged is accursed of God, Deut 21:23). Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (restored to God).” Christ was the propitiation for man’s sins (Rm 3:25, 1 Jn 2:2). Propitiation is the act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of one who is offended (Is 54:7-8). Isaiah 53:11, “He (God) shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” - I restored that which I took not away (Ps 69:4).

Again, consider God’s love: 1 John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Jesus’ sacrifice of self would make amends for man’s transgressions and bring about reparation (satisfaction, recompense) thereby allowing the obligation of God to punish the crime to be canceled – resulting in satisfaction for the offense. Jesus redeems lost and sinful man. Jesus delivered us from so great a death (God’s condemnation), and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us (2 Cor 1:10).

Jesus atoned for man’s wrongs. Romans 5:9-10, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Hebrews 9:12, “…by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” - without shedding of blood is no remission (Heb 9:22).

Jesus came to gather the lost – the meek, humble, lowly, contrite of heart, poor in spirit, those who seek God and tremble at His Word. Jesus leads them (through His example 37

6-9-06

and by the power of His Spirit) back to God. Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” AND Psalms 23:3, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

He was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin (1 Jn 3:1) - for he shall save his people from their sins (Mt 1:21). Jesus leads out of sin (or transgression of God’s will), out of the darkness. Those who remain in darkness or think that Christ’s sacrifice justifies their continued darkness do not “know” God and are not found in Him (Jn 3:19-20, 1 Jn 1:5-6, 2:3-4, 9). Jesus will one day tell those that work iniquity to depart from Him (even though they say Lord, Lord, Mt 7:21-23, Lk 6:46). Forgiveness is for those who forsake their transgressions. How can you be forgiven to continue in your violations? Such forgiveness would have no meaning.

God raised Jesus from the dead and death hath no more power over Him (Rm 6:9, also Eph 1:20). The same will be true for those who follow Jesus. Romans 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” 2 Timothy 1:10, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” The only way death can be abolished is if the transgressing of God’s will is abolished. This is where Christ, through the Spirit, leads man – to stop transgressing God’s will – to righteousness.

In conclusion: Romans 5:17-19, 21, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore: Romans 8:1, 4, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The Spirit leads in God’s will to overcome all things and be a son of God (Rm 8:14, Rev 21:7).

It was said at the start of this section, that God sends forth His Word in power to accomplish His will. Therefore, Jesus could say: John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” What does hearing the Word and believing mean? Luke 8:15, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” These are doers of the Word (Lk 11:28, Js 1:22). These are Jesus’ family in His kingdom (Lk 8:21).

 38

6-9-06

Jesus the Son, often referred to Himself as the “Son of man” (throughout the gospels). The Son of what man? As discussed, Jesus was of the fleshly lineage of Abraham (the beginning of God’s people, nation or kingdom) on down through David (the king of God’s people, nation or kingdom). God made promises to Abraham and David which Jesus shall realize or fulfill (Acts 13:22, Js 2:23). For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen (2 Cor 1:20).

The Bible refers to Jesus as being the seed of Abraham and also as being the seed of David. Matthew 1:1, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Why are Abraham and David emphasized and not all the other men in the lineage? The reason is that specific promises were made by God to Abraham and David that Jesus is the inheritor of (promises to David: 1 Chr 17:11-27, 2 Sam chap 7). It was said of Abraham: Romans 4:21, “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” David said of God’s promises toward his house: “Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever (1 Chr 17:24).”

Jesus as the “Son of man” is the recipient of all the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) such as inheriting the land, a great name, a multiplied people and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies (Gen 12:2, 22:17, Acts 2:34-35). Jesus is also the recipient of God’s promise to King David: 1 Kings 9:5, “Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.” God had spoken to the patriarch David: Acts 2:30, “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.” Jesus is the root and offspring of David and has the key of David (Rev 3:7, 5:5, 22:16)! The “key” is the emblem of authority, meaning that Jesus now sits in the seat or throne of David.

Jesus is the recipient of the land (the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, Gen 12:7, 13:15-17, Is 65:17). Jesus is the recipient of a great people or nation (the kingdom of God, Gen 12:2-3, Dan 7:14). Jesus is the recipient of a great name (at thy name every knee shall bow, Gen 12:2, Ps 72:17, Eph 1:21, Php 2:9-11, Rev 19:16). Jesus is the recipient of a great reward (Gen 15:1, Dan 7:13-14, Acts 5:31, Php 2:9). Through faith in Jesus all the nations of the earth are blessed (Gen 12:3, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, Gal 3:8). Jesus is recipient of the throne of David (Mt 19:28, 25:31, Acts 2:30). Jesus inherited the eternal everlasting covenant (promises) made between God and Abraham (Gen 17:7) and as such is the final and everlasting King to proceed forth from Abraham (Gen 17:6). Therefore, it will be said: Zechariah 14:9, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”

The Lord is also the fulfillment of God’s promises: Luke 1:68-75, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our

39

6-9-06

enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool (Acts 2:34-35).

Jesus has destroyed the works of the devil and has the keys of hell and of death and has thus triumphed over the enemy (1 Jn 3:8, Rev 1:18). Jesus has the authority over hell and over death. He can open or close with regards to your eternal destination (judgment). Hell and death have no claim on those found in Christ.

Christ once baffled religious man by stating: Mark 12:35-37, “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly (also Ps 110:1, Lk 20:41-44).”

Peter later explained this: Jesus of the fruit of David’s loins, according to the flesh, God raised up to sit on David’s throne (Acts 2:30-32). Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). Acts 2:34-36, “For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Jesus is alive and presently reigning in the throne of David over His faithful disciples (Jn 17:21). Christ’s “foes” or enemies will soon come to an end for they shall not inherit the kingdom of God (these are all who transgress God’s will, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21).

God’s destroying of the works of Pharaoh and the deliverance of His people from wicked Egypt is a foreshadowing of Christ’s destroying of the works of the devil and delivering His people from this wicked world (Gal 1:4, 1 Jn 3:8, 5:19).



Proclaimed King by God and Man

Just before Christ’s death, He was officially recognized as King of the Jews by the Roman government. John 19:19, “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. (also Mt 27:37, Mk 15:26).” This was posted on a well traveled path in the three major languages spoken in the area at the time. John 19:20, “This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin (also Lk 23:38).” The chief priest of the Jews protested this designation, but: John 19:22, “Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.”

This was significant! The Roman Governor officially recognized Jesus as King of the Jews. The Roman Empire officially governed Israel at that time. So, Jesus was the descendent of David and literally inherited the throne. God fulfilled His promise to David in Jesus Christ: 2 Samuel 7:16, “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” Jesus is he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, is alive for evermore (Rev 1:18). Jesus is the great and eternal King (Rev 15:3, 19:16).

40

6-9-06

Now consider what the angel Gabriel told Mary concerning the birth of Christ: Luke 1:32, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Furthermore: The chief priest and religious leaders accused Jesus of perverting the nation (Lk 23:2, 14). They said that Jesus, who only spoke God’s Words, was misleading the people. How did the Roman government respond? Pilate, the governor: Luke 23:14-15, “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.”

 Jesus is God and become flesh and is the fulfillment of all things (Jn 1:14). Jesus will bring God’s people in to possess the land which is the kingdom of God. Jesus will be the King of the kingdom of God - Revelation 19:16, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (also Rev 17:14).” Galatians 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Who are God’s people? Galatians 3:9, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” AND Galatians 3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” The Spirit leads us (the power working in us, Lk 24:49) to become sons of God (Jn 1:12, Rm 8:14).

Jesus is King and has a kingdom (Mt 13:41, 16:28, 20:21, 25:31, 34), yet the kingdom is the Father’s (Mt 6:10, 13:43, 26:29, Lk 11:2). Jesus the Son offers up the kingdom to the Father and then submits to the Father’s will that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:28). The Father is the authority and the Son honors the Father’s authority (Mt 26:39, 42, 53). The Father’s will is done on earth and in heaven (Mt 6:10, Lk 11:2). The Father appoints honors to whom they are prepared (Mt 20:23). There is one Spirit and one Lord (Eph 4:4-5). Ephesians 4:6, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are separate, yet they are one. Since there is only one God, then the Son and the Spirit must be united with the Father as one.



Man’s will or God’s will?

God relates Himself to man in terms of 1) what He is doing on the earth; 2) how the Lord wants man to relate to God; and 3) to things that will occur in the future (beyond this earth). Is this the totality of God? Very unlikely. Man can only “know” God in the way the Lord “chooses” to relate or reveal Himself to man and in whatever intentionally imposed limitations. The Lord made the relationship between father and son and the honor the father is due from a son as one of the Ten commandments to man.

God gave man a commandment: Exodus 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (also Deut 5:16).” A father gives life to a son. The son proceeds forth from the father’s substance

41

6-9-06

and is in his image. Honoring your father also increases or extends your life. The father is the authority over the home (1 Cor 11:3, Eph 5:23).

Now we must consider that God is the Creator and life giver of man. Man is in the image of God. The Lord refers to “faithful” men as “the children of God” and as “sons of God” (Mt 5:9, Lk 20:36, Jn 1:12, Rm 8:14, 15-16, 19, 21, 9:8, 26, Gal 3:26, 4:6, Php 2:15, 1 Jn 3:1-2, 10, 5:2). So man is to honor God as a Father. Honoring God as a Father extends your life. God is the authority over all of creation. Jesus said: John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions (rooms): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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.” God is the Father and we are the children or sons.

We have discusseed how Jesus set a perfect example of how man is to relate to God. The Father said: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him (Mt 17:5).” We have discussed how representative and important this example is. Man is to be as a faithful, loyal and obedient son who loves his Father. This is how God wants His creation of man to relate to Him. In doing so, God will reciprocate with many blessings of good things and life eternal.



Dishonoring the Father?

Jesus was particularly upset at how religious man had circumvented the commandment that a son should honor his father. Jesus said to the religious leaders: Matthew 15:4-6, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition (also Mk 7:10-13).” The religious men allowed men to benefit or honor the religious establishment to the detriment of their fathers and usurped God’s established authority. How were men to relate to and honor God if they didn’t even honor their earthly fathers? The religious taught the commandments of men (this is usually the case, Mt 15:9, 16:12).

Dishonoring one’s father will result in a shorter life upon this earth (Ex 20:12, Deut 5:16, Eph 6:2-3). The Old Testament penalty for cursing one’s father was death (Lv 20:9). It is a serious thing to disregard authority and the one who gives you life. This is teaching man to honor God’s authority, for the Lord is man’s “breath of life.” So, the Old Testament penalty for cursing God was also death (Lv 24:11-16). Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin (Lv 24:15). Reconciler

Now lets put things together from above and draw some intial conclusions about how (the way) God has revealed Himself to man and God’s purposes in it.

Jesus is the Son of man, meaning that He was of the lineage of Abraham and David (Jn 7:42, Rm 1:3, 2 Tim 2:8, Heb 2:16). Abraham obeyed God’s voice, and kept God’s

42

6-9-06

charge, commandments, statutes, and laws (Gen 26:5). God promised to make Abraham a mighty nation (a people for God) and give them a Promised Land for an inheritance.

David walked in God’s ways, kept His statutes and commandments and followed the Lord with all his heart, to do that only which was right in God’s eyes (1 Kg 3:14, 11:38, 14:8). God said: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will (Acts 13:22). God promised David that He would: “establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever (1 Kg 9:5).” Jesus perfectly kept God’s will (laws, statutes, charge, commandments and voice, Mt 5:18). Jesus never once transgressed God’s will (no sin, iniquity,Jn 8:46, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 9:28, 1 Jn 3:5). Jesus fulfilled all that the prophets had spoken concerning Him (Lk 24:44-46, Acts 3:18). The Lord could absolutely claim to be a child of Abraham by having done the works of Abraham.

Jesus is the Son of God, meaning that God became flesh and dwelt among men (Jn 1:14). Luke 1:35, “And the angel answered and said unto her (Mary), 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.” In the purposes of God, the Word becoming flesh is how the Lord reveals Himself as the Son of God to man. As a Son, Jesus perfectly and lovingly obeyed the Father’s will in all things (Mt 21:5, Jn 5:19-20, 30 Jn 6:38, 8:50, Heb 10:7, Deut 18:18, Jn 3:34, 7:16-17, 8:28, 38, 12:49-50, 14:10-11, Lk 2:49, Jn 5:17, 36, 9:4, 14:10-11, 31, 17:4-5, Jn 12:45, 14:9, Col 1:15, 2:9). Jesus submitted to the Father’s authority. Jesus honored His heavenly Father (Ex 20:12, Deut 5:16, Mal 1:6, Mt 19:19, Jn 5:23, 8:49, Eph 6:2). In doing so, Jesus left an example for all men to follow.

Jesus as the Son of God and as the Son of man brought “peace” by reconciling God and man - in favour with God and man (Lk 2:52). He turns the heart of the Father to His children and the hearts of the children to their Father (Mal 4:6). Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” AND 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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.” Ephesians 1:10, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”

Notice above that “God was in Christ” meaning the Word (who is God) became flesh. Man (humanity) was also in Christ in that Jesus was of the fleshly lineage of Abraham. Jesus is the inheritor of all that is God’s and Jesus is the inheritor of all that God promised man. Jesus through the blood of the cross reconciled God and man. Jesus through His death and the example He left calls a people who were not a people and her beloved, which was not beloved (Rm 9:25-27). Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” AND 1 Peter 2:9-10, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him

43

6-9-06

who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Where does this people come from? Just as God promised to multiply Abraham into a great nation, the Lord multiplies those that be of faith (the true children of Abraham, Gal 3:7) into a great nation – the kingdom of God. Jesus as the Son of man (descendent of Abraham by blood and by faith) inherits this promise of God. So, how do these people come? John 6:65, “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father (also Jn 6:44, 17:2, 6, Acts 2:39, 47).” Only those whom God calls – those of faith (1 Cor 1:9). How does Jesus respond to those the Father sends? John 6:37-39, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” The Father calls and the Son preserves (Jude 1:1).

Christ was raised up by the power of the Holy Ghost (Jn 10:17, 1 Pt 3:18). Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” We are also told that Jesus was raised up by God the Father (Eph 1:17-20). God the Father and the Holy Ghost must be one. Jesus was the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth (Rev 1:5) – He that liveth and was dead (Rev 1:18). Jesus will likewise raise up those who are His. John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

God called Abraham and Abraham obeyed God’s call (Gen 12:1-5). Acts 7:2-3, “And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. God also called David and David obeyed God’s call. 1 Samuel 16:1, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” God called Mary to give birth to Christ and she obeyed (Lk 1:26-38). God calls and man must obey!

What is God’s criteria for those who He calls or draws unto Christ? The answer is found in what God told Samuel when selecting one of Jesse’s sons to be king. 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

God is calling the meek, humble, contrite of heart, the lowly – those who tremble at His Word (Ps 22:26, 25:9, 34:18, 51:17, 76:9, 138:6, 147:6, 149:4, Pv 3:34, 16:19, Is 57:15, 66:2, Mt 5:5, 18:3-4, 1 Cor 1:9, 1 Pt 3:4). 1 Corinthians 1:26, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble,

44

6-9-06

are called.” The Lord wants those who will walk in His ways and obey Him – those who are teachable. Psalms 33:13-15, “The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.” God draws the meek and humble to Christ. Jesus said: Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Only those who can “learn” will walk therein.

Jesus came for the meek and humble, the poor in spirit. Matthew 15:24, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (also Mt 10:6).” Jeremiah 50:6, “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.” The religious leaders exalted self (pride, Mt 23:4-39) and sought the lusts and desires of the flesh (man’s will) firmly walking in the devil’s great lie (Mt 23:33). Jesus told them their father was the devil (Jn 8:44). Jesus came to lead in faith back to God and to destroy these works of the devil (1 Jn 3:8) - the religious men despised Jesus (Is 53:3, Mt 9:34, 12:10, 14, 22:15, 26:4, Mk 3:2, 6, Lk 11:53-54, 20:19-20, 22:4, Jn 5:16, 7:1, 20, 25, 8:6, 48, 59, 9:16, 24, 20, 25, 30, 44-49, 10:20, 31, 39, 10:20, 11:8, 47-48, 50, 53-54, 57, 12:19, 15:24). Even so, Jesus came to call to repentance and save, judgment is for the time appointed.

Jesus endured such a contradiction of sinners against Himself (Heb 12:3, Ps 2:1-3, 22:68, 16-18, 35:11-12). To contradict is to assert the contrary of what has been said or affirmed; opposition or repugnancy. The religious men always contradicted or sought fault in Christ – they constantly challenged His Words (which He spake of the Father). It is eternally important that we be found “living” in Christ’s Words and this will be discussed in Chapter 4, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.”

Christ appeals to the lost sheep of the world – the humble, meek lowly, contrite of heart, the poor in spirit, those who mourn and the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness. These Jesus will lead by His Spirit in paths of righteousness (faith, Ps 23:3). The sheep are lost because the world is full of religious men who are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt 7:15). These religious outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within they are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (Mt 23:28). They lead the sheep astray by teaching them they can sin against God and “ye shall not surely die,” which is likened to a “once saved always saved” mentality (Gen 3:4, Mt 23:15, 1 Jn 2:3-4, 29, 3:4-7, 10).” They teach them an easy believism with no commitment.

These false men then demonized and vilified (speak evil of, 2 Pt 2:12) the truth such that the sheep fear to believe (Mt 23:13, 24:11). Religious men will always oppose a true man of Christ (Mt 10:17-25). They opposed Jesus and they will oppose His disciples (Mt 10:25). It was stated at the beginning of this writing that religious men persecuted (imprisoned, tortured, killed, took lands, etc.) those who would not submit to their theologies (Mt 10:28, 24:9-13) – this has always been the case. Christ stated that He sends His sheep forth in the midst of wolves (religious wolves, Mt 10:16). Jesus stated in the midst of a most religious world: Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the

45

6-9-06

harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” True men of God are needed in the harvest. The world is exceedingly religious, but yet completely lost!

Abraham and David walked in faith. The true descendants of Abraham will walk in faith. Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau sought the flesh and Jacob sought the promise. Romans 9:8, “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Jacob through faith inherited God’s promises – so it shall always be. Romans 9:13, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” If you want to be a son of God then you must walk in faith (Heb 11:6). Such faith goes beyond the understanding of the flesh and loves, obeys, surenders to, trust in and is devoted to God. Both Esau and Jacob demonstrated their hearts to God through their actions. Romans 9:15, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

Jesus also said: John 17:9-11, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” Notice that God the Father sends to Jesus the Son those who shall populate the kingdom of God. These walk in Christ’s commandment of love and become as one (recall the marriage discussion – as one). To do this they must be subject one to the other and to God in humility – to these God gives grace (The Holy Spirit, Js 4:7, 1 Pt 5:5).

Consider God’s purpose in this: John 17:23-24, “ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world (also Jn 17:26).” The Father gives the faithful to Jesus. In the Holy Spirit discussion below, we shall understand that the Holy Spirit is given to the sincere believer that they may be made perfect in one. These shall behold Christ’s glory in the kingdom of God.

Jesus will later deliver up the kingdom to God which are all those of faith which the Father has sent Him. These Christ has baptized and sealed with His Holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption (Rm 8:9, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13-14, 4:30). These are those led of the Spirit that are the sons of God. 1 Corinthians 15:24, “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.” Matthew 25:34, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Isaiah 60:21, “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”

Followers of Christ or sons of God also have an inheritance – a kingdom and eternal life – they become partakers (Ti 3:7, Mt 5:3, 10, 6:33, 7:21, 8:11, 13:43, Col 1:12, etc.). We

46

6-9-06

are fellow-heirs and partakers of His promise (Eph 3:6). Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Hebrews 3:14, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”

Notice they are blessed of the Father – these are those who come to Christ who were drawn by the Father (Jn 6:44, 65, 17:2, 6, Acts 2:39, 47). Jesus said: John 10:29, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Whereas man cannot interfere, the individual still retains a free will to serve God or not (choose whom ye will serve). Conversely, no man comes to the Father except through Jesus – they must enter the strait gate, be filled with the Spirit and walk the narrow way (Jn 14:6, Mt 7:13-14).

There is going to be a new heaven and a new earth of which Christ is King (Is 65:17, 66:22, Dan 7:13-14, Rev 21:1). The kingdom of God will be made manifest wherein dwelleth righteousness and Jesus will reign as King (2 Pt 3:13, Rev 11:15) – on the throne of David. Jesus inherits the promises given to Abraham of a people and a Promised Land. Jesus inherits the promises given to David to have an eternal throne and kingdom. Luke 1:32-33, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Jesus is the root and offspring of David (Rev 22:16). 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us (also Gal 3:16).” AND Hebrews 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

Jesus receives the promise of God the Father of all power (Holy Spirit) - All power in heaven and in earth (Mt 28:18) - being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:33). Philippians 2:9-11, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (also Eph 3:14-16).” Jesus has power from the Father over all flesh (Jn 17:2).

When Jesus taught His disciples He said: Matthew 6:9, 13, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Jesus, the faithful and obedient Son has now been given the kingdom, the power and the glory by the Father.

So, Jesus will be the undisputable King. The Lord will reign over His peculiar people which like Abraham are children of faith and thus sons of God. Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man. Jesus reconciled God and man. Jesus lived the perfect life and perfect example as a man for man to follow. In other words, God came to earth as a man and walked the walk – His expectations for man. Jesus received the promise of the Father (Holy Spirit – power) and baptizes man with the power and ability to follow His example.

47

6-9-06

Here is something that bears repeating throughout this article: John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” What is this power? Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” So, Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father (otherwise – Rm 8:9).”

Jesus the Son was a servant to man (Mt 20:28, Php 2:7) in that He suffered for man’s transgressions by assuming man’s iniquity and undergoing man’s condemnation (thou shalt surely die, Gen 2:17). Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (also Mt 18:11).” Jesus was faithful and obedient in all things – as a Son to a Father (like Moses, who faithful in all his house to God who appointed him – Heb 3:1-6). Jesus glorified the Father (Jn 12:28, 14:13, 15:8, 17:1, 4). Jesus loved the Father. John 14:31, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do…”

All things were done in love and man has been commanded to also do all things in love as a son (Mk 12:29-31, Jn 13:34, 15:12, 1 Jn 3:23, 4:21, 2 Jn 1:5). God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1 Jn 4:16). Love toward God is obedience to God (Jn 14:15). John 15:10, “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.” How could anyone or thing contest (challenge, dispute, object, oppose) Christ’s rule or Kingship? Christ is worthy and all creation will come to understand this and shall bow their knee (Rm 14:11, Php 2:10).

The Father also loved the Son (Jn 5:20, 17:26). The Father honored the faithful Son (2 Pt 1:17). Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Father exalted the obedient and well pleasing Son (Acts 5:32, Php 2:9). The Son was found to be “worthy” of great honor (Rev 5:12-13).

The Father has given the Son all things (Jn 5:22, 26). Jesus said: “All things are delivered unto me of my Father (Mt 11:27, Lk 10:22).”Jesus further said: John 16:15, “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he (the Holy Spirit, vs. 13) shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand (also Jn 16:15, 17:26).” Jesus inherits all things of the Father (Heb 1:8-9). The Father glorifies the Son (Mt 16:27, Mk 8:38, Jn 12:23, 17:1, 5). The Spirit also glorifies the Son (Jn 16:13-14). The Father crowns Jesus with glory and honor (Heb 2:9).

Jesus tells man: John 15:9, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” Man is to obey and follow Christ as Jesus did the Father. Man also inherits with Christ: Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” We in Christ and Christ in us and all in God – one.

Therefore now we can understand the concept of “Father” and “Son” and what God is relating to us. Was Jesus a literal Son from the beginning or did God somehow relate Himself to man in this way for His purposes? We cannot say, but must accept what God 48

6-9-06

has revealed about Himself in faith. There is no need to endlessly dispute exactly how Jesus the Son came about. These things are above man and God has written what He wants man to know. We must walk in this knowledge.

In conclusion, Jesus as the Son of God and Jesus as the Son of man has brought peace between God and man through His sacrifice of Self. Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” AND Ephesians 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”

By completely fulfilling God’s will (and all prophecies) Jesus becomes the inheritor of all things promised of God. Jesus inherits a people, a kingdom, and an authority (throne). The devil had tempted Christ in the wilderness by offering Him the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them if He would fall down and worship him (Mt 4:8-9, Lk 4:57). Jesus had to choose between the flesh or the promises of the Father. God gave the Son a much better inheritance, but first Jesus had to complete the will of the Father. The will of God presents much difficulty for the flesh.

The promise of the Holy Spirit was not given until Jesus completed His course. Christ’s faithful followers will completely share in His inheritance. Jesus said: Luke 22:29, “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.” God and Abraham

This writing has pointed out the unique relationship that God had with Abraham in establishing a people and promising and inheritance. Abraham was faithful to God and a friend of God (Gal 3:9, Js 2:23). There is another strong parallel that needs to be mentioned. God and Abraham both had only begotten sons (Jn 1:18, 3:16, Acts 13:33, Heb 5:5, 11:17). Each willingly offered up their son in sacrifice to benefit the other. In other words, each demonstrated “love” (sacrifice of self for the benefit of another) to the other.

Abraham had waited some twenty five years (until the age of one hundred years old, Gen 21:5) to receive a “promised” son from God (Gen 12:4). God had told Abraham: “I will make of thee a great nation (Gen 12:2).” The Lord had also said: “he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir (Gen 15:4, also Rm 9:7).” Abraham was old and Sarah was barren and beyond the manner of women to have children, but God had promised them a son (Gen 18:11-12). Genesis 21:1-3, “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.”

Abraham knew that Isaac was the “promised” son from God that would become a great nation. Furthermore God had told him: Genesis 17:19-21, “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my

49

6-9-06

covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”

Genesis 22:1-2, “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” No doubt this was a grievous command and seemingly would abolish God’s prior promise. Even so, Abraham did not hesitate to do this thing (Gen 22:3). Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul (Mic 6:7)? However, at the last moment, Abraham was not required to follow through and complete the sacrifice (Gen 22:10-12).

Abraham was willingly going to sacrifice his most precious thing in obedience to God. The Lord said: “I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me (Gen 22:12).” Hebrews 11:17-19, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” Abraham was not required to sacrifice his only begotten son. However, God did sacrifice His only begotten Son and ALSO did raise Him up from the dead. Jesus is the first begotten of the dead! Praise Him forevermore all ye earth. God is great and mighty and there is nothing that God purposes to do and cannot perform. Psalms 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” AND Habakkuk 2:20, “But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

God further said: Genesis 22:16-18, “And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

How were all the nations of the earth to be blessed? How were Abraham’s descendants going to possess the gate of their enemies (Lk 1:71-75)? Later, in the course of time, God sent His only begotten Son whom he loveth into the world to be sacrificed for the benefit of the children of Abraham (Jn 3:16, 35). Abraham loved God and would sacrifice his only son whom he loveth (Gen 22:2). God loved the world (man) and did sacrifice His only Son whom He loveth (Jn 3:16, 35, Rm 5:8, 1 Jn 3:16, 4:9, 19). God responded to Abraham’s faith in like manner, except the Lord carried through to completion the sacrifice of His Son. Jesus was the firstborn unblemished lamb for a sin offering to God. The Son of God willingly laid down His life to redeem the children of Abraham which are the children of faith (whosoever will, Jn 10:15-18). John 15:13, “Greater love hath no

50

6-9-06

man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Christ’s faithful must do likewise (1 Jn 3:16).

Abraham had believed that if he sacrificed his son, that God could raise him up from the dead (Heb 11:19). That is exactly what God did after His Son was crucified on the cross – He raised Him from the dead in victory! Acts 13:30, “But God raised him from the dead (also Acts 13:34, 17:31, Rm 4:24, 6:4, 9, 7:4, 8:11, 10:9, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:20, Col 2:12, 1 Thess 1:10, 2 Tim 2:8, 1 Pt 1:21). Recall: Hebrews 2:16, “For verily he (Jesus) took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”

Through the sacrifice of Jesus all the nations of the earth were blessed. Through Christ man could obtain forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. Jesus came to save that which was lost (Mt 18:11). Through the sacrifice of Jesus man was given the Holy Ghost to teach and lead him in the way of God. Jesus said: Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” AND Romans 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Jesus possessed the gate of man’s enemy! Hebrews 2:14-15, “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; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Jesus redeems the children of Abraham (those of faith).

Jesus shall also raise faithful man from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” So, how does God’s promise of possessing the gates of your enemies get fulfilled? 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Once death is destroyed (which came about as a result of man transgressing God’s will), Jesus the Son becomes subject to the Father who put all things under Him (1 Cor 15:27-28).

Jesus the Son of God (the Word who is God) and Jesus the Son of man (descendent of Abraham by lineage and faith) hath obtained the victory. The Son laid down His life for God the Father and the Son laid down His life for man. Jesus hath reconciled God and man!!! Jesus offers up a kingdom of faithful men who no longer transgress God’s will and death has no power over them. Jesus possesses the gates of His enemies which are those who do transgress the will of God and abide in death and the wrath of God abideth on him (Jn 3:36).

Please understand this important point: Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” All unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn 5:17). Unrighteousness is violation of God’s will (commandments, laws, purposes). Therefore: any man that transgresses the will of God (religious or not, Mt 7:21-23) abides in death through sin. In other words death, which results from sin, has not been destroyed in them. For the wages of sin is death and shall always be (Rm 6:23). Death must be destroyed in you – through Christ and the leading of His Holy Spirit. All things must be put under Christ and subdued to

51

6-9-06

Him (1 Cor 15:27-28). So: 1 Corinthians 15:34, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

Don’t think you can be a passive participant through some repeated prayer or belief that God doesn’t see the blatant continual sin in your life. You must be found walking in the Spirit and having fellowship in the light (1 Jn 1:5-7). The Spirit leads us to stop transgressing God’s will. 1 John 3:5-6, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” The sin must stop for death to be destroyed. God does not just pretend there is no sin, He could have done that in the garden of Eden. The eternal truth that God declared at the beginning was that if man violates God’s command, then: “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).”

All faithful men will be raised from the dead by Jesus! This is one of the great mysteries. Jesus declared many mysteries which had been kept secret since the from the foundation of the world (Mt 13:35). 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” Jesus delivers on God’s promise of eternal life!!!

Chapter Three, The Power When Jesus walked on the earth, He was filled with the Holy Ghost (Mt 12:18, Lk 2:40, 4:18, Is 42:1, 61:1, Rm 1:4). Acts 10:38, “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.” Scriptures also reveal about the Son: John 3:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” The Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Jesus just as He was beginning God’s work on this earth (Lk 3:22). God was manifest in the flesh and justified in the Spirit (1 Tim 3:16). Jesus was confirmed or established in the Spirit – sealed of God (Jn 6:27). Christ was led of the Spirit (Lk 4:1, 14). Jesus offered Himself through the eternal Spirit (Heb 9:14).

Jesus proclaimed: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Lk 4:18).” The Holy Ghost was upon Jesus meaning that God was with/in Him. Jesus was led of this selfsame Spirit (Mk 1:12). The Holy Ghost is the very presence of God and is God. The Spirit is eternal (Heb 9:14). The Father dwelt within Jesus because the Spirit was in Jesus. Christ said: John 14:10, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

This can be understood better through understanding how Jesus/Father (God) imparts the Holy Ghost to man. When Jesus came as a man, John the Baptist declared of him: “He

52

6-9-06

shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Mt 3:11, Lk 3:16, Mk 1:8, Acts 1:5). What this meant was that Jesus would give the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God) to dwell within man. Obviously, He who baptizes or fills others with the Spirit is also filled with the Spirit Himself.

The presence of the Holy Spirit literally transforms man’s body (dwelling of clay) into the temple of God, which is the dwelling of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” AND 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Notice that the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and the “temple of God” are used synonymously (interchangeably, same as). The presence of the Holy Spirit is the presence of God. To put it more bluntly, “the Holy Ghost is God.”

Now consider: 1 John 4:12-15, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” So, “God dwelling in you” = “the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.” Notice the relationship in the previous scripture with regards to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God.

To further understand that the Holy Spirit is God, we shall consider some things that Jesus said: John 14:15-17, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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.” The Spirit is from the Father and is God’s truth. Notice that the Spirit “abides with” and “dwells with” and “is within” a sincere believer or follower of Christ. Jesus also gives His followers direction through the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:2).

Who does the Holy Spirit dwell within? 1 John 4:16, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” AND 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” Therefore: Those who keep God’s commandments (thus dwelling in the love of God) dwell in God and God (the Holy Spirit) in him. These are the sincere followers of Christ. Acts 5:32, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

In continuing His thoughtful explanation, Jesus further states: John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” Jesus is in man by virtue that the Holy Ghost is in man (Eph 2:22). The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one. There is: Ephesians 4:6, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Once again, we are mostly told in scripture that the Holy Spirit dwells within man, yet the preceding verse says the Father is in us. Therefore, the Father and the Holy Ghost are one.

53

6-9-06

Jesus continues His teaching: John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” Jesus manifest Himself to man by virtue of the Holy Ghost. As further validation Jesus said shortly thereafter: John 16:7, “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.” We know that Jesus abides in us by the Spirit which He hath given us (1 Jn 3:24). 1 John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

Now it is possible to be very religious and not have the Spirit of God. The Jews certainly were religious and to a higher degree than most. Romans 8:9, “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.” Those who are not walking in the light (obedience to Christ’s truth) do not have the Spirit and are not the Lord’s. Obey the Lord and pray for the Spirit (Lk 11:13). Christ Receives the Promise of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit could not come until Jesus went back to the Father (Jn 7:39, 16:28) – why? It was mentioned earlier that John the Baptist declared of Jesus that He would baptize with the Holy Ghost, yet when He walked the earth the Lord never once baptized anyone with the Holy Ghost – why? The answer to both questions is that Jesus first had to atone for man’s sins before the Holy Ghost could be given or come (Acts 1:3-5). This is why it was expedient for Jesus to go away (Jn 16:7). For the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified (Jn 7:39). Jesus first had to make peace or reconcile God and man by offering Himself up on the cross. Why? Because God could not dwell within man while there was still enmity – man’s sins separate him from God (Is 59:2). There had to first be forgiveness of sins and God’s mercy (2 Cor 5:19). This is why Jesus told His disciples (prior to His death): “The Spirit of truth dwelleth with you, and shall be (future tense) in you (Jn 14:17, Acts 5:32).

Jesus told His disciples: John 16:7, “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.” The Holy Spirit was absolutely necessary for a given purpose – to teach, lead and empower (quicken, make alive) man to do God’s will – to walk as Jesus walked and in the Spirit He walked in (Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6). Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” In other words, if the Spirit is in you, then you must be taught and led to follow the Spirit’s direction.

When Jesus walked the earth, He was referred to as Emmanuel, meaning “God with us (Mt 1:23).” After the death and resurrection of Christ: Acts 2:33, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” So now it could be stated: “God in us.” The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son (Jn 16:13-14).

We have previously discussed being a child of Abraham by faith. Galatians 3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might 54

6-9-06

receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Faith worketh by love and our “love” is our obedience to God (Gal 5:6, Jn 14:15). So, walking in the faith of Abraham qualifies you to receive the “promise” of the Holy Spirit. Jesus first redeemed us from the law and then “shed forth” the promise of the Holy Ghost. Galatians 4:5-6, “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Christ next said in His explanation from above: John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Both Father and Son will make their abode (dwelling) with man by virtue of the Holy Ghost. This can only be if the Holy Ghost is God, just as the Father and Son are God. This is a great mystery – Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:26-27).

The Holy Spirit must be God: 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

The same Spirit that dwells within man knows the deep things of God and is the Spirit of God. Furthermore (in continuing with this thought): 1 Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” The reason we have the mind of Christ is because we have the Holy Spirit who knows (searches) the deep things of God. The Spirit is compared to Christ who is compared to God.

Consider this verse: John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” The Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and distinct from the Son, yet God is a Spirit. The only way for all these scriptures (here and above) to make any sense is if the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three persons, yet one God. The Power

Jesus sits at the right hand of the power of God (Mt 26:64, Mk 14:62, Lk 22:69). Here God the Father is referred to as “power” (and in other instances, Acts 1:7, Rev 15:8; possibly in conjunction with the Holy Spirit). The Holy Ghost is also referred to as “power.” It was told Mary prior to Jesus earthly conception: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee (Lk 1:35).” After Christ’s wilderness temptations, it was stated: “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Lk 4:14).” Even Christ’s Word was with authority and power (Lk 4:32, 36) - in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (as in 1 Cor 2:4, 4:20). Jesus performed mighty miracles through the power or Holy Ghost within Him (Lk 5:17, 9:43). So will the followers of Jesus: “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God (Rm 15:19, 1 Cor chap 12, Heb 2:4).” AND “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Cor 2:4-5, 1 Thess 1:5).” 55

6-9-06

Jesus said: Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” What was this power or promise that Jesus received? Acts 2:33, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” The Holy Ghost is the power from on high (Lk 24:49, Eph 3:16, discussed below). Jesus told His disciples: Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” God the Father has given (exalted) Jesus this authority (Php 2:9, Eph 1:19-22). Jesus baptizes those whom He calls with His Spirit (just as John the Baptist said, Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33). We are filled with all the fulness of God and this is the power that worketh in us (Eph 3:19-20).

The exceeding greatness of his power, the working of his mighty power, was wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places (Eph 1:19-20). The Holy Spirit is the “power of God” that raised Jesus from the dead (Rm 8:11, 1 Pt 3:18). The Holy Spirit was the power whereby Jesus cast out demons – with authority and power (Lk 4:36). Jesus told some religious men who accused Him of having a devil (Mt 12:24-26): Matthew 12:28, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” On another occasion, Jesus healed because: “the power of the Lord was present to heal them (Lk 5:17).” That power was the Holy Spirit and Jesus was led and directed of the Spirit (Lk 4:1, 14, 9:4243). It was noted that Christ’s Word was with “power” from which came forth mighty miracles (Lk 4:32, 9:43, Mt 13:54, 14:2). Luke 9:43, “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God…”

Christ told His disciples of the coming of the Holy Ghost: Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” AND Acts 1:8, “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.” Jesus had been anointed with this same Holy Ghost and with power (Acts 10:38).

One is enabled to do God’s will through the power of the Holy Ghost (Rm 15:13). The Holy Spirit is the power of God that effects (brings about) the Lord’s purposes/will. The follower of Christ is kept by the power of God (Holy Ghost) through faith unto salvation (1 Pt 1:5).” This is the work of faith with power (2 Thess 1:11). Jesus gives power to become the sons of God (Jn 1:12). Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Therefore, the power to become a son of God is the Holy Spirit.

How does this work? Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Grace is the gift or promise of God which is the Holy Ghost working God’s will in you (Ti 2:11-14). This was the anticipation of John the Baptist when he said: “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost (Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33).” Jesus told the Samaritan woman by the well about “living water (the Holy Spirit, Jn 7:38-39)” which was the gift of God (Jn 4:10). Christ commanded them

56

6-9-06

(His disciples) that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4). Jesus received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:33). Peter said: “ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38, 10:45).” Paul said: “ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13).”

Paul said: 2 Corinthians 9:14-15, “And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” The grace in you or unspeakable gift is the Holy Ghost which dwells in you (1 Cor 3:16). The Spirit is definitely there for a purpose – to work God’s will in you through your faith.

The verse above says “by grace through faith (Eph 2:8).” Firstly – without faith, the Spirit will not be working in you: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith (Eph 3:17).” Grace is with them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (Eph 6:24). Since grace is the Spirit of grace working in you, faith is your response to the Spirit’s workings. In other words, when the Spirit teaches and leads, you must hear, submit and obey. The Spirit reveals God’s will and faith seeks and appropriately responds to God’s will. Grace is God reaching out to you and faith is you responding or reaching back to God. Grace and faith must work hand in hand. God does not force your free will, so you must freely submit and obey. Faith toward God is “no good” unless it aligns with God’s purposes of “truth.” Faith must be found in God’s will. The Spirit directs your faith to be found in God’s will.

Lets sum up this crucial understanding: God’s grace is the Holy Spirit of grace working in you to accomplish the Lord’s purposes (Acts 4:31-33, Php 1:25, 2:13, Heb 10:29). The Holy Spirit is the gift (Acts 2:38)! Grace = gift = Holy Ghost! Faith is your submission, obedience, love, trust and devotion toward God. When such faith is coupled with the Holy Ghost’s working in you, then God’s will is accomplished (Acts 5:32). Its not your works, but rather your obedience to the Spirit’s leading and teaching – the Spirit’s working to transform you into the image of Christ. Such grace working with your faith saves you!

Lets equate this to dancing: God leads and you follow by repeating (copying, mimick – with heart) what the leader does - each has their part, but God does most of the work and sets the course – you willingly cooperate. First you receive the Holy Spirit and then your heart is purified by faith as you obey (Acts 15:8-9). Christ’s sacrifice was so that “we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor 5:21).” We are “made” righteous through obedience to the Holy Ghost.

Why did John the Baptist place such an emphasis that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost (Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33, Acts 1:5)? Why did Jesus say it was expedient that He go away such that the Holy Ghost would come (Jn 7:39, 14:26, 16:7, 20:22)? Why did Christ insist that His disciples tarry at Jerusalem until they received power from on high (Lk 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8, 2:2-4)? The reason is so clear! The Holy Ghost is the grace of God. The Holy Ghost is the promise of God. The Holy Ghost is the gift of God. The Holy Ghost is the living water (Jn 4:10, 7:38-39).

The Holy Ghost is our comforter, teacher and guide to conform us to Christ’s well pleasing image such that become a son of God. Consider what Peter told the Jews after 57

6-9-06

the Holy Ghost was come upon the Gentiles: Acts 11:16-17, “Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”

Jesus is also referred to as having power: Romans 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth (Mt 28:18).” AND “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).” AND “upholding all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:3).” AND “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ (Rev 12:10).”

God the Father is power; and God the Son is power; and the Holy Ghost is power. They are three, yet one. The Godhead is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Authority of the Holy Ghost

The authority of the Holy Spirit is revealed through the reverence and respect He is due. Jesus cast out many devils and unclean spirits by the power of the Holy Ghost. When the Pharisees and scribes saw it, they said: “He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils (Lk 11:15, also Mt 12:24, Mk 3:22).” Jesus said: Mark 3:28-29, “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” Such respect is only reserved for God and certainly not a created being. One of the Ten Commandments is “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain (Ex 20:7).”

The religious men were saying that Jesus’ miracles were through a demonic source. This was to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Many religious men do the same today about spiritual giftings that are clearly given by the Holy Ghost (1 Cor chaps 12, 14, Rm 12:6) or signs Jesus said would follow them that believe (Mk 16:17-18, Lk 24:49).

Concerning miracles: Those who follow Jesus must do as He did! Christ’s disciples will follow in every respect and experience everything that Jesus did. Jesus could not have said it any more clearly: John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Verily means of a certainty! Jesus also said certain signs would follow them that believe (all them that believe), namely: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mk 16:17-18). Can it be any more clear? – the book of Acts is full of such accounts. Those who say such miracles are not for today reveal a lack of faith and walk in unbelief; are not fully following; and reject that which comes from the Holy Ghost – “by the Spirit.”

Some religious men spend a lot of time explaining why miracles are supposedly not for today. These are living proof of what was said of Jesus in the gospel of Matthew: Matthew 13:58, “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Does anyone suppose that the Holy Ghost will move through one or gift one that is full of

58

6-9-06

unbelief (Acts chap 12)? The Jews told Jesus to come down from the cross and they would believe Him (Mt 27:42). Perhaps similar is true for religious man? Show me and I will believe – err maybe. Unbelief will get you nowhere with God.

Both Jesus and the early church walked in miracles and the power of the Holy Ghost. Paul stated: 1 Corinthians 2:4, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Why? 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” AND 1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” The “religious” world by and large does not walk in such power and miracles. Why? The reason is the same as was stated of Jesus: Matthew 13:58, “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

So, what is belief? Belief (faith) is a woman who had an issue of blood and found no hope in man (Mt 9:20-22). Belief is a father with a dying daughter (Lk 8:41-42, 49-56). Belief is a father with a deaf and dumb son who had an unclean spirit who cried to Jesus with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief (Mk 9:17-27).” Belief is blind Bartimaeus who cried to Jesus all the louder when the crowd told him to hold his peace (Mk 10:46-52). Belief is a leper who came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean (Mt 8:2-3).” These did not justify their circumstance. These did not “pridefully” argue what the flesh will never understand (i.e. the miracles). These were “humbled” in their circumstances and reached out in hope to God – they cleaved to the Lord in hope. Those who question the “power” of God simply walk in pride and unbelief. The meek and poor in spirit have no more arguments left in them. They say, “speak the word only” and it shall be done (Mt 8:8). AMEN! Living Water

Jesus referred to the Spirit as living water when tslking to the Samaritan woman at the well. Christ said: John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Jesus said on another occasion: John 7:38-39, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Consider a dry and barren land – it is lifeless. When the rains come everything springs forth into life. Such is the case with the Holy Ghost – He quickens and makes alive (Jn 6:63, Rm 8:2, 11, 13). The Spirit giveth life (2 Cor 3:6). Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” For as the body without the spirit is dead, so are we without the Holy Spirit dwelling within us (Js 2:26).

Therefore: Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” We must have the Holy Ghost within us to have life in Christ. Additional Relationships

59

6-9-06

Jesus is the Word of God (Jn 1:1-3, 14, 1 Jn 5:7, Rev 19:13). Jesus is also “The Truth (Jn 14:6).” The Word of God is the truth (Jn 17:17). The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:7, 15:26, 1 Jn 5:6). John 16:13, “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.” AND John 14:26, “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.”

So, Jesus is the truth and the Spirit is the truth. The Spirit is sent of the Father in Jesus’ name to teach the things that Jesus said. Jesus only spoke the Words of the Father. John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak (also Deut 18:18, Jn 3:34, 7:16-17, 8:28, 38, 14:10-11).” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in perfect agreement concerning the truth – for they are the truth. Psalms 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

Jesus is “The Life (Jn 14:6, also Jn 1:4, 3:36, 5:24, 26, 40, 6:46, 17:2-3, 1 Jn 5:11-12).” The Spirit is life (Jn 7:38-39, Rm 8:1-2, 10, Gal 6:8, Rev 11:11, 22:17). The Father is life (Jn 5:26, 17:2). The Godhead is life and is one. Life is found in God’s truth!

Chapter Four, The Way, the Truth, and the Life His ways are everlasting (Hab 3:6)… What are God’s purposes concerning man? The Lord purposes to restore man back to his uncorrupted state. All rebellion or transgressing of God’s will must end. In order for this to occur, man must understand the truth and how he has violated God’s will. Man must repent by humbling himself, acknowledging his wrong, sincerely crying out for God’s forgiveness and mercy, forsaking his wrong, and fully turning back to God (i.e. 2 Chr 7:14). In doing so, man must love, surrender to, obey, trust in and be devoted to God. Man must embrace God’s will and walk in His ways. Man must be found in God’s truth and thus be in the Lord’s image.

God is working to accomplish His will. Romans 9:28, “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” In finishing this work, there will be those who are reconciled to God and those who are separated or cast away from God. The deciding factor will be faith which is manifested as one’s works and deeds – how they lived with regard or disregard to God - they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (Jn 5:29). God is the focus of all creation and all will be judged based upon their respect or disrespect of God and His will/purposes/truth/Word. The Way

Jesus came to the lost to lead them back to God. Exodus 15:13, “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto 60

6-9-06

thy holy habitation.” Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” The Lord leads “those who will hear” by God’s truth and in His example of walking in that truth. John 10:4, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” No one will be able to say that God does not understand. God became flesh and led by example and there is no greater testimony. Psalms 25:8-9, “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” Jesus came in flesh as a man and taught and led (Ps 32:8, 85:13, Is 42:16, 48:17, 49:10). Proverbs 8:20-21, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”

Christ said: John 17:19, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” To sanctify is to cleanse, purify and make holy – to set apart. This is to make holy by taking one’s affections off of the world and exalting them to a supreme love of God – heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus set the example and His disciples must follow therein. Receiving and applying God’s truth sanctifies (Jn 17:17).

Jesus said: John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour (also Mk 8:34).” Jesus went back to the Father and His sheep shall follow Him there – for He is not of this world (Jn 8:23). Jesus said to His followers: John 15:19, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” So Jesus is not of this world and His followers are not of this world. John 17:16, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

Why are Christ’s disciples not of this world? Because we have been called, drawn and chosen by the Father who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col 1:13, also Jn 6:44, 65, Acts 2:39, 47). We are no longer citizens of the kingdoms of this world, but are “born again” as citizens in the kingdom of God. Jesus is the King eternally sitting in the seat of David. Those who are servants to Christ are loyal to Him alone and are only sojourners and pilgrims in the kingdoms of this world.

Jesus overcame all things and so will His disciples. 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” To be born of God is to be filled and led of His Spirit. What does a disciple of Jesus overcome? They must overcome the world and the lusts and desires of the flesh. 1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” The devil leads in the way of the flesh (its lusts and desires) and this is in opposition to the will of God. You must overcome this darkness through Christ’s light.

61

6-9-06

Christ said: Revelation 2:26-27, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. You must keep (apply and live) Jesus’ Words – this will become very evident as we proceed further into this chapter. Those who overcome as Jesus overcame will share in Christ’s rewards. Jesus rules with a rod of iron and so do His followers (Rev 12:5, 19:15).

Consider this: Revelation 3:21, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Notice that Jesus went before and His sheep follow after. Jesus died to self, walked meekly and obeyed the Father in all things. The Father exalted Jesus to sit at the right hand of His throne. Jesus councils us: John 15:10, “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 (also Jn 14:31).” Christ’s disciple’s follow Him by denying self taking up their cross, walking meekly and keeping His commandments (Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:24). In doing so, they overcome and are exalted by Jesus to sit with Him in His throne. Therefore: Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

The Spirit leads us to overcome this world and become sons of God (Rm 8:14). We follow in Christ’s steps (1 Pt 2:21). Jesus said: John 16:28, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” Jesus does not return void, for many will follow and God shall accomplish that which He pleases and shall prosper in His purpose (Is 55:11). Jesus is truly the Way. The Truth

Jesus is the Word of God. Scriptures state: “Thy Word is truth (Jn 17:17)! Christ revealed of Himself: John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the Word, which was made flesh, which is the very embodiment or personification of God’s truth. God the Father said: “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son (Heb 1:5).” Notice the relationship and consider how an obedient and faithful son relates to his father.

King David said: Psalms 43:3, “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.” This is exactly what God did! Jesus, “the light of men” and Word of God was made flesh and was full of grace and truth (Jn 1:4, 14). Jesus came to lead in the “Truth” and the “Way.” Christ teachest the way of God in truth (Mk 12:14).

The Word became flesh, which is Jesus the Son, for the purpose of speaking God’s Word or truth to man. Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Jesus proceeded forth and came from God and was sent unto man (to dwell among us) to speak God’s Word which is eternal truth (Jn 8:42).

62

6-9-06

Jesus said: John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak (also Jn 14:10).” Christ further stated: “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me (Jn 7:16).” John 8:28, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”

What is the truth of God? The truth of God is contained in the two great commandments. Mark 12:29-31, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Jesus bolstered the second commandment by specifically declaring: John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (also Jn 15:12, 17, 1 Jn 3:11, 23).” Notice that Jesus appeals to man to “hear” what He is about to say! This will be better understood below in “The Prophecy concerning Christ.”

The only way to walk in these two commandments is to “die to self.” You must die to your lusts and desires and place God foremost in everything that you do. You must place others ahead of self. This requires humbleness and meekness. Here is a hard truth for man: “Live for self and die; die to self and live (Mt 10:39, 16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24, 17:33, Jn 12:25).” Love is the sacrifice of self for the benefit of another – God first and then your neighbor. These lose their life for now (what they want) for Christ’s sake, but find their life later (eternal life in God).

Those who walk in self seek their own foremost. Hatred is the opposite of love. Hatred is the sacrifice of another for the benefit of self. To seek your will is to disregard God’s will. Those who walk in self disregard God foremost and then their neighbors. These find their life (selfish lusts) for now, but lose it later (eternal damnation). These positions of love and hatred are utterly opposite of each other.

Scripture states: Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil (also Ps 34:14, 37:27).” Jesus came to obtain mercy or pardon for the condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17)” that man is under. By His own blood, Jesus provided for the remission of sins that are past (Rm 3:25, Col 1:14). Remission is forgiveness or pardon; the giving up of the punishment due a crime. Jesus loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Rev 1:5). Jesus also spoke and walked God’s Word, thus showing us “the Way” to God. When man receives God’s Word, applies it to his life, and walks in it, in combination with the remission of sins, then the transgressing of God’s will (iniquity) is purged. This is God’s purposes for man.

Those who genuinely receive God’s Word and take it to heart will “fear” God and produce acceptable fruit in their lives (Mk 4:20). They will surrender to God’s will and love Him, obey Him, trust and serve Him. Those who walk in God’s Word or truth will not do that which opposes God. To walk in evil (darkness) would violate God’s Word or

63

6-9-06

truth. So, those who truly “fear” God will depart from all such evil. Proverbs 8:13, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” The engrafted (to introduce something foreign for the purpose of propagation) Word of God which is received with meekness will save the soul (Js 1:21). Jesus came and spoke God’s Word for the purpose of transforming you.

Therefore, it can be stated: Psalms 25:10, “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” To walk in truth is to keep God’s Word. Keeping God’s Word procures mercy and thus purges iniquity.

So, Jesus says: John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” The Father sent the Word unto man. Those who hear and take to heart what Jesus the Word said shall have a pardon from the condemnation – they will be granted life. God’s Word shall have had its effect and shall have accomplished God’s purposes by stopping man from transgressing His will (Word, truth, commandments). Thus God’s Word does not return void (Jesus went back to the Father in victory).



The Prophecy concerning Christ

God appeared to the children of Israel at Horeb to speak His commandments (Ex chaps 19 & 20). The people greatly feared God: Exodus 20:19, “And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Deuteronomy 18:17-19, “And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Jesus was this one who would come and speak God’s Words (truth). Peter acknowledged that Jesus was the one in saying: Acts 3:22-23, “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” The faithful martyr Stephen also acknowledged that Jesus was this prophesied one (Acts 7:37-39). God in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb 1:2).

God the Father said of Jesus: Matthew 12:18-20, “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.”

Christ was made flesh to teach man the Word or truth of God, both by Word and example. Jesus said: “I speak those things I have heard of him (God the Father, Jn 8:26).” Christ also said: “I must work the works of Him that sent Me (Jn 9:4).” John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Jesus came 64

6-9-06

and taught God’s Words (which were taught to Him of the Father, Jn 8:28-29) and those who desire the truth must come to Him. Jesus said: Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

When Jesus was with Peter, James and John (the pillars of His future church) at the mount of transfiguration (Mk 9:1-6), the following significant event occurred: Mark 9:7, “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him (also Lk 9:34-35).” This brings us back to when God appeared in a cloud at Mount Horeb and the people feared to hear God. God now appears in a cloud and directs us to listen to the one He has raised up from among the brethren to speak His Words (Deut 18:17-18). Jesus was sent of God to speak God’s Word or truth. John 3:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” The Father’s message to these men was “hear Him.” Jesus said on several occasions: “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear (Mk 4:9, 23, 7:16). He that is of God heareth God’s words (Jn 8:47).

The Words spoken by Christ (given by the Father) will be required of man. Furthermore, Jesus said: Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (also Mk 13:31).” Jesus said man would be judged by these Words (Jn 12:48). So, if Christ’s Word shall never pass away and all of creation will be held accountable to these Words, doesn’t it behoove us to take them very seriously? Can anything possibly be more important than the Lord’s Word? Jesus said: Luke 10:24, “For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

The most significant thing that we must understand is that Jesus was sent by God to speak God’s Words to man. These spoken Words will be required of man. Peter concluded his statement that Jesus came to bring God’s Words by saying: Acts 3:26, “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” The purpose of God’s Words or truth is to turn man from his iniquities (transgressions of God’s will). This is the effect that must be realized in you. Your earthly life will be measured by God’s Words and if you conformed to them and thus turned from your iniquities.

Jesus’ death on the cross absolutely did not give man carte blanche (complete freedom) to continue to sin and dwell in iniquity. There is no forgiveness and mercy to continue to sin. It makes absolutely no sense to ask forgiveness for something that you have no intention of forsaking. If you continue in darkness and sin, then Christ’s Words have not taken root in you – they have been rejected. The only clear and concise evidence of Christ’s Words finding place in you is when you freely “turn” from your iniquities. Jesus Words or truth must set you free from sin, otherwise they are void in you (Jn 8:32, 36). God loves righteousness and hates iniquity (Heb 1:9).

Christ has given us God’s Words and walked them by example. Hebrews 12:18-21, “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of

65

6-9-06

words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:).” This was the dreadful sight whereby men feared to hear God’s Words directly from God.

Through Christ’s Words and the Holy Spirit whom He has given us, we are made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” These “just men” are made perfect by hearing, receiving and applying God’s Word to their lives. They do this through the power, leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit. These are led to become the sons of God (Rm 8:14).

Consider the effect of God’s Word: Hebrews 12:27-29, “And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” Those who abide not in God’s Word shall be shaken out of His creation – eternally removed.

One additional point and an interesting and sad note is that when God spoke directly to His people in His glory and power (at Horeb) they were afraid and did not want to hear Him. When God later became flesh and spoke to His people as a man, they did not want to hear or receive Him either. John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not (also Lk 17:25, 18:32-33, Jn 7:5, 8:37, 45, 47, 10:38, 12:37).” Jesus said: “the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed (Mk 8:31, 9:31, Lk 9:22).” The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner (Mk 12:10). God has reached out to man in many ways. Man has by and large consistently rejected God and His Words (commandments, truth). Man will be without excuse at the Judgment. Jesus told some: John 5:38, “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.” The work of God is that ye believe on him whom he hath sent (Jn 6:29).



Prepare Me a House

The Lord told David (through Nathan the prophet): 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, “And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.” Jesus fulfilled this prophecy exactly.

Many will consider that God was referring to Solomon. However, Solomon’s wives turned his heart unto other gods and he built temples to these gods which became a stumbling stone to Judah (1 Kg 11:1-10). 1 Kings 11:6, 9-10, “And Solomon did evil in 66

6-9-06

the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.” Because of this the Lord God split the kingdom of Israel and only left one tribe to Judah - and that only for David’s sake (1 Kg 11:12-13, 32-36). Finally, the temple that Solomon built was later destroyed.

Let us consider how Jesus Christ fulfills this prophecy: 1) “I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons” - Jesus came forth from the seed of David: John 7:42, “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” AND Romans 1:3-4, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (thus God did not take away His mercy from Him, see below).” 2) “I will establish his kingdom” – Jesus talked extensively about the kingdom of God. Christ spake: Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The gospel was the truth of God that Christ brought and shall be required of man. God’s Word is with power and establishes His purposes (Is 55:11) – sifting the good and the bad (discussed below). God the Father has appointed Jesus the Son an eternal kingdom (Lk 19:12, 22:29, Jn 18:36). 3) “I will be his father, and he shall be my son” - God the Father said of Jesus: Hebrews 1:5, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” AND Acts 13:33, “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee (also Ps 2:7, Heb 5:5).” God the Father said of Jesus: Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (also Mt 12:18, 17:5, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22, 2 Pt 1:17).” 4) “He shall build me an house” - John the Baptist prophesied of Jesus: Luke 3:17, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable (also Mt 3:12).” We discussed how Jesus was raised up from among the brethren to speak God’s Word or truth to man (Word of God made flesh, Jn 1:1-14). The Word that Jesus brought separates the good from the bad. Only those of a humble and contrite heart will receive God’s Word and apply it to their lives. Concerning these John said: Luke 3:16, “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire (also Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Jn 1:33).”

67

6-9-06

Jesus builds an house for God to dwell in by baptizing with the Holy Ghost those who receive God’s truth and are obedient to it (Jn 14:21, 23, Acts 5:32). Christ said: John 14:15-17, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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.” Furthermore: John 14:20, 23, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Christ builds a church (Ekklesia – called out ones) which are called out of the world unto God (Rm 1:6, 8:28, 30, 9:24, 26, 1 Cor 1:9, 24, 26, 7:17, Gal 1:6, Eph 4:4, Col 3:15, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 2:14, 2 Tim 1:9, 1 Pt 1:15, 2:9, 3:9, 2 Pt 1:3, Jude 1:1). John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” AND John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Jesus baptizes each member of His body with the Holy Ghost and dwells within them (Acts 2:33, Rm 8:9). One is “sealed” unto God by the Spirit (2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30). 5) “I will stablish his throne for ever” - God has given Christ an eternal throne and everlasting kingdom (Mt 16:28, 25:31, Col 1:13, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Tim 4:1, 2 Pt 1:11): Luke 1:33, “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” AND Philippians 2:9-11, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (also Acts 5:31).” Jesus was exalted to sit at the right hand of the Father (Mt 22:44, 26:64, Mk 12:36, 14:62, 16:19, Lk 20:42, Acts 2:33-34, 5:31, 7:55-56, Rm 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, 13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2). Luke 22:69, “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” AND 1 Peter 3:22, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” 6) “I will not take my mercy away from him” - God the Father did not take His mercy from Jesus the Son when He took our sins and suffered our condemnation. It was prophesied of Jesus: Isaiah 54:7-10, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” 68

6-9-06

7) “I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore” - Jesus said of His body: 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (also Eph 2:21-22).” Jesus is the chief corner stone of this spiritual house (Mt 21:42, Mk 12:10, Lk 20:17, Acts 4:11, Eph 2:20, 1 Pt 2:6-7). When Christ’s kingdom is fully realized on a new earth, the Lord says: Revelation 21:1-3, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God (also Rev 7:15).” AND Revelation 21:23, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfills the prophecy in that He was born of the seed of David and was called the Son of God (begotten of the Father, Jn 1:13, 18, 3:16, 18, Acts 13:33, Heb 1:5, 5:5, 11:17, 1 Jn 4:9, that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God, Lk 1:32, 35). Jesus absolutely obeyed the Father’s will and spoke God’s Word or truth to man. This truth separates the righteous from the wicked.

Those who genuinely/sincerely receive God’s Word and walk in His ways are baptized in the Holy Ghost. This is such an important point! Jesus builds a sure house with a firm foundation and God dwells within each member (Mt 7:24-27, Lk 6:47-49). Ephesians 2:20-22, “ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” The Father raised Jesus from the dead (who bear the sin of the world) in great and eternal mercy. Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”



Mercy and truth

Let us understand in a little more depth how “by mercy and truth iniquity is purged.” The Lord stated very clearly in the Old Testament and the New Testament to His people: Luke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (also Deut 8:3, Mt 4:4).” To live by every Word of God is to live in God’s truth. Jesus also stated: John 6:27, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” The meat which perisheth is that which the flesh desires. We must reject the desires of the flesh and live by God’s Words or truth. Recall that Jesus set the earthly example when He revealed: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work (Jn 4:34).”

The question was asked, what are the works of God? John 6:29, “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” In other 69

6-9-06

words, you must believe the message or words of truth that Jesus was speaking. You must live by these Words. The Lord stated: John 6:48, “I am that bread of life.” Christ’s Words (which are from the Father) are what you must believe on and live by to have life. John 6:33, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” The life is found in obedience to God’s Words. To obey God’s Words is to stop transgressing God’s will and thus iniquity is purged. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” This is further understood as: “liveth and believeth in Me shall never die (Jn 11:26).”

In continuing His purposeful teaching, Jesus said: John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Jesus gave His body (flesh) as a sacrifice to atone for man’s sins for the remission of sin. Jesus gave Himself so that man could have forgiveness of past transgressions of God’s will and receive pardon from the condemnation that man may have life. John 6:53, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Why must we do this? The reason is because Jesus’ flesh is the bread of God which is the Word of God that we must live by (Jn 6:35, 47-48, 50). John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Jesus’ blood is the atonement or forgiveness of past sins (Rm 3:25, Jn 1:29, 36). Jesus loves us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Rev 1:5). The “life” is in the blood (Gen 9:4, Lv 17:11, 14, Deut 12:23). Therefore: John 6:54, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Jesus sealed His Word (gospel, covenant) with His very blood (Heb 9:14-28, Rev 5:9).

There is provision for past, present and future action here. The blood gives forgiveness of sins that are past (the transgression of God’s will). The flesh is God’s Word or truth that we must live by in the present and future. The combination of the two accomplishes God’s purposes. John 6:54, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Jesus said: John 6:57, “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Jesus stated to the devil in the wilderness temptations that He would not live by the desires of the flesh, but by God’s every Word (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4). Jesus said His meat (sustenance) was to do the will of the Father (Jn 4:34). Jesus said He always does those things which please the Father (Jn 8:29). Remember, God said that His Word shall accomplish that which I please (Is 55:11). Jesus lived by the Father and accomplished what pleased the Father – His works. Jesus set the example and revealed “the Way” to God.

Christ says that as He has done, we must now do. We must live by Christ’s every Word (which were from the Father). Your life is only found by living in Christ’s Words. The flesh seeks its own will and this is always contrary (in opposition) to God’s will. John

70

6-9-06

6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

We can now unequivocally state: that by mercy and truth iniquity is purged (Pv 16:6). Mercy is found in Christ’s shed blood. Truth is found in Christ’s Word. We are forgiven of our past sins (mercy, pardon) to walk in God’s Word or truth and thus there is no more iniquity which is the transgression of God’s will. Psalms 103:17-18, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

Jesus says of those who do not believe on Him (and His Word): “ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (Jn 8:24).” These continue to walk in iniquity and thus continually transgress God’s will. John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” These have no mercy or pardon from God and are still under the original condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” Mercy cannot be granted where truth is not upheld and abided by. Mercy is only for those who see their error and turn from such.

God shall send forth his mercy and his truth (Ps 57:3). Christ came forth as the very embodiment of God’s truth. Jesus also came forth as God’s provision for mercy. Jesus is plenteous in mercy and truth and these go before Him (Ps 86:15, 89:14). To walk in God’s truth (as Jesus walked) is to obtain God’s mercy (Christ’s atonement for forgiveness of sin). Psalms 57:10-11, “For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth (also Ps 108:4).” In Christ: Psalms 85:10, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Jesus obtained mercy for man and made peace between God and man through truth. Those who walk in truth have mercy and thus peace with God.

 The Lord told some religious men: John 8:31-36, “…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Free from what? Sin. Free for what purpose? Romans 6:22, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” AND Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” No one will serve God while walking in darkness (1 Jn 1:6). The motions of sin work to bring forth death (Rm 7:5). Sin brought death into the world. Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…” Sin reigns unto death (Rm

71

6-9-06

5:21). The wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23). The sting of death is sin (1 Cor 15:56). All unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn 5:17).

Life is only found in obeying God’s will. Sin is the wrong path and results in the second death. Therefore: Romans 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Jesus came to set you free from being a servant to sin. This is why the New Testament states over and over that “life” is found in Jesus!!!

We just discussed how by mercy and truth iniquity is purged. God’s truth makes you free from sin and thus Jesus stated: John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Our restoration (regain the former uncorrupted state, renewed, recreated, born again, reconciliation with God), our justification (remission of sin, absolution from guilt and punishment), our redemption (purchased back unto God, deliverance from sin and its penalty) is only to be found in Christ’s Word (truth) and sacrifice (atonement). We receive mercy for the purpose of living in His Word. Jesus gives us His Spirit to teach us and lead us in His truth – to “know” and “apply” that truth to our lives. Freedom from sin and iniquity is only found in Jesus’ Word and His example. You must walk as He walked and be conformed to Christ’s image (Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6). He is “the Way,” He is “the Truth,” and thus He is “the Life.” Jesus is the only way back to the Father (Jn 14:6, Acts 4:12).

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth (Jn 15:26, 16:13, Eph 1:13). 2 John 1:2, “For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.” The Spirit dwells within the sincere follower and the Spirit is truth. John 14:17, “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.” Jesus said: John 14:26, “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 Spirit leads in truth which is righteousness (purity of heart and conformity of life to God’s will). The Holy Ghost leads in the truth that Jesus spoke – there is unity between Spirit and Word. Do you see how Jesus has made provision through His sacrifice (Acts 2:33) for you to live in God’s truth and be set free from sin?

Therefore: We have salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thess 2:13). Ye have purified your souls (iniquity is purged) in obeying the truth through the Spirit (1 Pt 1:22). Jesus spoke the truth. We must believe and obey the truth spoken as led by the Holy Ghost. Now perhaps you can fully see how: Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” God realizes His purposes for man in those who conform to His truth. There is no more violation of God’s will and these are His children.

The religious men that Jesus was talking to did not understand their need for deliverance or freedom from sin (how true even today). They said that Abraham was their father and they were his seed (Jn 8:32-37). They considered that their righteousness was from lineage. Jesus said His Word (that of the Father) had no place in them (Jn 8:37) – they would not receive it. John 8:38, “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye

72

6-9-06

do that which ye have seen with your father.” Christ told them He was sent from the Father with this Word (Jn 8:42-43).

Jesus then proceeded to define who these religious men’s father was. John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” This may seem a bit harsh until we completely understand what Jesus was saying.



The devil’s lie

God is life! Obedience to God (His Word or truth) procures life and life eternal. Disobedience to God produces death and death eternal (the second death, Pv 11:19, 12:28). That which opposes God produces death. Iniquity (unrighteousness which is violation of God’s will) separates one from God who is the source of all life (1 Jn 5:17).

God gave man a commandment in the Garden of Eden and the Lord tested man with regards to the commandment. Man was not to eat the fruit of a certain forbidden tree. The penalty for disobedience would be: “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” The Lord trieth the heart’s of men to establish the just (Job 23:10, Ps 7:9, 11:4-5, 17:3, 26:2, Jer 17:10, 20:12, 1 Thess 2:4). Actions (not profession) determine the just (Hos 14:9).

The devil (Satan, Rev 20:2) is a fallen created being (Ez 28:15) and is the tempter, deceiver and accuser of man (Mk 4:3, Jn 8:44, 1 Thess 3:5, Rev 12:10, 12:19). He entered into a serpent and tempted the woman (the weaker vessel, 1 Pt 3:7) to violate God’s commandment. Genesis 3:1-3, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Notice that the woman clearly understood God’s commandment and the penalty for violating the commandment.

The devil lied and said that you can disobey God (transgress His commandment) and you will not die – that is suffer the penalty or condemnation which God had declared (Gen 3:4). The devil then offered an incentive to break the commandment: Genesis 3:5, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” To be a god would be to walk in your own will or way, which is to be your own authority. To be a god would be to seek self-will over God’s will. To be a god would be to decide good or evil for yourself. The great temptation was to disregard God in favor of “self.” – to elevate the flesh! This is not to say that you wouldn’t want God to be on standby (on call) in case you need Him to give you things or get you out of bad situations that may come along in your life.

Satan’s lie and deception produced results: Genesis 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Man (the woman and her husband) sought the lusts and desires of the flesh rather than the will of God. Man exalted “self” over God (Ps 53:1). The 73

6-9-06

devil’s deception appealed to the flesh and corrupted man to transgress the will of God (1 Tim 2:14). James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” The devil always appeals to the lusts of man (his flesh) in order to bring forth sin! He promised life, but he delivers death.

Where was the allegiance, loyalty and devotion of man? Man actually “followed” the devil in his disobedience and rebellion against God. Man obeyed Satan and disobeyed God. We are told: to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey – in this case, of sin unto death (Rm 6:16). The devil stole that which is God’s by corrupting man with his lie (infected with error, vitiate or deprave – change from good to bad; defiled, perverted, debased, rendered impure). The devil injured the substance, character, and qualities of man so as to impair his value – the good qualities were lost. The devil is a thief which cometh for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (Jn 10:10). Therefore: the devil is a murderer because he intentionally corrupted man and brought death into the world.

The devil taught man to disregard (transgress) God’s will and to seek his own will through the lusts and desires of the flesh – he taught rebellion against the LORD (Jer 28:16, 29:32). The devil taught man to walk in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts (Is 65:2) and to walk after their own devices and the imagination of their own hearts (Gen 6:5, Deut 29:19, Pv 6:18, Jer 3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17, Lk 1:51, Rm 1:21) and do what is right in their own eyes (Num 15:39, Deut 12:8, Jdg 17:6, 21:25, Ps 36:2, Pv 3:7, 12:15, 16:2, 21:2, 30:12, Is 5:21).

The devil is the leader and father of those who seek the lusts and desires of the flesh and thus transgress the will of God. This is the lie that the devil is the father of. The devil does not dwell in truth. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own. In other words, the devil taught man to do what he did – to no longer dwell in God’s truth (Is 14:12-19, Ez 28:2, 6, 12-19). He now vitiates or injures the qualities of the Lord’s truth (or nature) and creation in order to impair its value, to render defective, and to attempt to destroy the truth. To disobey God is to oppose God and set yourself as an enemy of God. Those who continue in the devil’s lie will perish because of the deceivableness of unrighteousness that is in them – they don’t believe God’s truth (2 Thess 2:10-12). The devil attempts to destroy the truth of God and this will be discussed below in “The Seeds.”

The one who holds to “the lie” becomes a deceiver to those who seek the truth. The devil operates (maneuvers, functions) outside the truth (opposite). A liar is one who leads astry, misleads, is false, and makes believe what is not true (Pv 12:22). Thus, Satan is the great deceiver (Rev 12:9). To espouse (advocate, champion) “the lie” as the truth is to deceive one concerning reality.

Where does the devil lead? The devil leads in unrighteousness which is disobedience to the will of God. Since God is life, the devil leads away from God or from life into death. A lie is the opposite of the truth. Death is the opposite of life. Disobedience is the opposite of obedience. Satan leads completely and utterly opposite of God! Those who follow the devil choose death rather than life (Jer 8:3, Is 28:15). 1 John 3:10, “In this the

74

6-9-06

children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

God said, “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17)” and the devil said, “ye shall not surely die (Gen 3:5).” These are opposite declarations. In other words, the truth of God says that if you transgress God’s commandments you will surely die and the devil’s lie says that you can transgress the will of God and you will not die. The devil changed the truth of God into a lie (Rm 1:25, also Jn 8:44). Lies always compete with the truth for reality (realism, actuality, certainty, veracity, 1 Jn 2:21). Only one proposition can hold true because a lie is the exact opposite of the truth. The Lord says: 2 Thessalonians 2:12, “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” To reject God’s truth and find pleasure in transgressing His will (commandments) is to be damned or suffer the full effect of God’s original condemnation.

Satan told man “ye shall not surely die,” but the devil is a created being and does not have life within himself. The devil is no god and did not have the power or ability to carry out his boast/word – to put it into effect. Therefore: Death came into the world and reigned due to man’s transgression (Rm 5:14). Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (also Gal 3:22).” This is all encompassing: Romans 3:12, “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one (also Rm 3:23, 1 Jn 1:8).” For by one man’s offence death reigned by one (Rm 5:17, 1 Cor 15:21). For as in Adam all die (1 Cor 15:22). Sin hath reigned unto death (Rm 5:21). For the wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23). So, if all have sinned, then all must die (Heb 9:27).

Every man has sinned against God and is under God’s condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” For judgment was by one (by the offence of one judgment came upon all men) unto condemnation (Rm 5:16, 18). The sentence of death is in every man (2 Cor 1:9). Man is no god and man’s dependance upon the one true God for life only proves it. The devil is no god and the certainty that his proposition (that you can sin against God and not die) was a great lie only proves it. The Lord God rules and reigns and the truth of His declaration validates and verifies (confirms, substantiates, proves) His Word. Truly the whole world is in His hand (the very breath of man – his next heartbeat, Job 12:10). Psalms 104:29, “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.”

 Jesus was telling these religious men that the truth of God would set them free from the devil’s lie. To be a servant of God, they must stop serving sin. One can never be reconciled back to God and the life that is in the Lord as long as they continue to transgress and violate God’s will. Christ brought God’s truth. The Word of God must abide in you (1 Jn 2:14). John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (also Jn 16:23).”

These religious men did not receive God’s Word. John 5:38, “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.” They thought they had everything figured out and that all was well. They were walking in the devil’s deception – 75

6-9-06

his lie. They did not want to abide in the truth that Jesus brought. They rejected Jesus and His Words. Jesus told them: John 8:47-48, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” Christ further stated: John 15:23, “He that hateth me hateth my Father also.”

Jesus said: “If a man love me, he will keep my words (Jn 14:23).” John 14:24, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” Those who follow Jesus will no longer abide in the darkness which is the devil’s great lie. John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 1 John 1:6, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” The truth is found in walking in God’s will and not in the lusts and desires of the flesh. 1 John 2:4-5, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

Those who follow Jesus will no longer be guided or led by the lusts of their flesh. Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” AND Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (also Gal 2:20).” To “crucify” the lusts of the flesh is to put them to death. There must be a complete “change” in your life. 1 Peter 4:2, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” God’s purposes are found in the truth that Jesus spoke: Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” First you must forsake the lusts and desires of the flesh (the power Satan has over you); fully turn to God; and then receive forgiveness.

The old way of life must be forsaken. Ephesians 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Those who are led of their flesh rather than of God’s Spirit are destined for the Lord’s wrath. So: Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Do you see the transformation that must take place? We must not fashion ourselves according to the former lusts of ignorance (1 Pt 1:14). 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (lifestyle); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

To be in Christ Jesus is to be filled with and following after the Spirit, which is to be denying the lusts and desires of the flesh (Jn 8:12, 44, Rm 6:12, 13:14, Gal 5:24, Ep 2:3, 4:22, 5:8, Ti 2:12, 1 Pt 2:11, 4:2). Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” There is a pardon from God’s original condemnation of “thou shalt surely die” for those who are in Christ Jesus and walking by His Spirit in His example. This is the way to God

76

6-9-06

and eternal life. Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Can you see the Spirit’s role in conforming you into the image of Christ?

To be a “son of God” or a “child of God” you must honor and obey the Word of your Father. You must love your Father with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. John 12:36, “While ye have light (God’s truth), believe in the light (God’s truth), that ye may be the children of light…” Jesus said that those who “believe not” are not His sheep (Jn 10:25-26). Those who do not believe God hath made Him a liar (1 Jn 5:10). They are of their father the devil. Those who transgresseth or abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God (2 Jn 1:9).

The Lord’s Word shall prevail. Psalms 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name (also Is 42:21).” Luke 21:33, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away (also Mt 24:35, Mk 13:31).”



The Seeds

It is so important that we Hear God’s Word and properly apply it to our lives! Jesus told a parable of the seeds to reveal that those who hear the Word will fall into one of four categories. After telling the parable Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear (Mk 4:9, Lk 8:8).” In explaining the parable Christ said: Mark 4:14, “The sower soweth the word.” Luke 8:11, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Jesus is the one who sows God’s Word in the hearts of men. 1) Category #1 - Mark 4:15, “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” Notice how Satan is opposed to God’s Word. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil by speaking God’s truth (1 Jn 3:8). The devil attempts to destroy God’s Word out of those who hear it. He does this lest they should believe and be saved (Lk 8:12). Christ’s Word goes in one ear and out the other because they have no heart for it. Those in this category produce no fruit!

The children keep the word of their father (Jn 8:39). Those whose father is the devil cannot hear Christs’s Word because the devil takes it from them as they walk in his ways (Jn 8:43-44). 2) Category #2 - Mark 4:16-17, “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God and many will be offended by it (Acts 14:22). The gospel of Luke adds: “in time of temptation fall away (Lk 8:13).” Our faithfulness toward God will be tested and only the sincere and devoted will prevail. This category produces no fruit! 3) Category #3 - Mark 4:18-19, “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the

77

6-9-06

lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” The cares and pleasures of this life work contrary to the will of God (1 Jn 2:15-17, Lk 8:14). This is the quickest way to become unfruitful. The devil constantly appeals to you to seek the lusts and desires of the flesh – riches, possessions and pleasures.

Sometimes your full attention becomes focused upon the necessary things in this life. The Lord counsels us: Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (also Lk 12:31).” We are told of two sisters, Mary and Martha (Lk 10:38-42). Jesus came to their house and Mary was intently listening to all that Jesus taught. Martha was cumbered about much serving of the guests. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Luke 10:41-42, “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” This category produces no fruit! 4) Category #4 - Mark 4:20, “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” The gospel of Luke says: Luke 8:15, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” This category produces fruit in varying degrees. Better to produce abundant fruit; those who produce more will gain more: For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Mt 13:12, 25:29). AND Luke 19:24-26, “And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

How does a man produce fruit? Jesus said it could only be done by abiding in Him (Jn 15:4-5, 16). John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

Of course with more understanding comes greater responsibility: Luke 12:48, “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

 The Life

Jesus is the Creator and He is the life of His creation. John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” The Lord came to the earth in flesh to reveal God’s truth (light) to man. God was manifest in the flesh and justified in the Spirit (1 Tim 3:16). Man is justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor 6:11). Man’s eternal life will only be found in Jesus and the Words He spoke. John 17:2-3, “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Therefore: 1 John 1:2, “For the life was

78

6-9-06

manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.”

Those that are truly Christ’s hear the truth that He is saying and they respond with action. John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Notice that Christ’s disciples first hear and then they respond by following. Life is only found in Jesus and those who follow find that life.

Jesus is the true God and eternal life (1 Jn 5:20). 1 John 5:11-13, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

What does it mean to believe on the name of Jesus? It means to “die to self” and lose your life in this world. Mark 8:35, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it (also Mt 10:39, 16:25, Lk 9:24).” It means to be hated of the world. Luke 21:17, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake (also Mt 5:10-11, 10:22, 24:9, Mk 13:13, Lk 6:22, 21:12, 17, 15:20-21, Acts 9:16).” It means to forsake all to gain Christ. Matthew 19:29, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Lk 18:29).” It means to follow in paths of righteousness. Psalms 23:3, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Come to Jesus oh religious man. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life (Jn 5:39-40).” The Judgment

Jesus said: John 8:26, “I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.”

We have discussed how all judgment has been given to Jesus by the Father (Mt 12:18, Jn 5:22-30). We have also discussed how Jesus has been given great authority. He is the prince of the kings of the earth (Rev 1:5). Jesus is KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS and his name is called The Word of God (Rev 19:13, 16). Christ’s name is so great that: Isaiah 45:23, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (also Rm 14:11).” Once again: Jesus the Word proceeded forth (gone out) from the Father to the earth to speak God’s righteous Word to man. In righteousness doth Jesus judge (Ps 7:8, 9:8, 50:6, 72:2, 96:13, 98:9, 119:160, Is 11:3-4, 33:22, 51:5, Jn 5:30, 8:16, Acts 17:31, Rm 2:5, Rev 16:7, 19:11-16).

79

6-9-06

A king sitteth in the throne to do judgment and justice and establish the land (1 Kgs 10:9, 2 Chr 9:8, Ps 89:14, 97:2, Pv 20:8, 29:4, Is 16:5, 32:1, 42:1, Jer 23:5). 2 Samuel 23:3, “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” AND Psalms 103:19, “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” Proverbs 20:28, “Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.” He hath prepared his throne for judgment (Ps 9:7). To judge is to uphold the truth. Therefore, He shall bring forth judgment unto truth (Is 42:3). As previously stated, God’s Word is the truth. So, Jesus the Word, the very embodiment of God’s truth will discern who is found in the truth (1 Chr 28:9, Ps 44:21, Is 66:18, Jer 17:10, Mt 16:27, Jn 5:29, 12:48, Rm 2:3, 14:12, 1 Cor 4:5, Col 3:25, 2 Tim 4:1, Heb 4:12-13, 9:27, 1 Pt 4:5, Rev 1:16, 2:23, 11:18, 19:11-16). Jesus said: John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” We have also discussed how Jesus has the ability to give eternal life.

Jesus spoke God’s Words to man. Jesus walked God’s Words by example for all men to follow. The Lord’s Words have been recorded for all men to read. Jesus said we must in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (Lk 8:15). To receive the Word is to take the Word to heart and live it. As discussed, the Lord made this abundantly clear by stating “that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (also Deut 8:3, Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4).”

Christ faithfully and obediently spoke the Father’s every Word. This Word will be the standard of judgment and you must be found abiding therein (Jn 15:4, 7, 10, 1 Jn 2:24, 28). Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him (Heb 4:13). Every work will be judged by Christ’s Words, which is God’s truth. Jesus further stated that the work of God is to believe on Him whom the Father hath sent (Jn 6:29).”

Our works must be found in the work of God which is to believe and live God’s Words – To believe “the Word (Jesus).” Therefore the Lord stated: John 8:51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 2:6-10, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”

So, we must take heed to be found in Christ’s Words or truth which is His gospel (the Father’s doctrine). 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, “…The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

80

6-9-06

He sent forth judgment unto victory (Mt 12:20). Christ’s righteous judgment shall render to God the Father what He desires. Jesus shall offer up a kingdom filled with individuals that abide in God’s Word and no longer transgress His will. These are faithful men who love, honor, obey, glorify, surrender to, trust in and are devoted to God the Father through Jesus the Son as led by the Holy Ghost. These are conformed to Christ’s image and are thus the image of God (Rm 8:29, 1 Cor 15:49, 2 Cor 3:18, Col 3:10).

Additionally, Christ’s disciples follow Him in all things. Jesus delegates some judgment to His followers. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

 Just before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed to the Father and stated: John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” AND John 17:6, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.” Recall that the Father draws men unto Christ (Jn 6:44, 65, 17:2, 6, Acts 2:39, 47). Continuing with His prayer, Jesus says: John 17:8, “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” Jesus then asked the Father: John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The work Jesus was given of the Father (God’s purpose) is stated in this prayer of Christ. Jesus came to this earth in the flesh to speak God the Father’s Word or truth unto man. Those whom God draws unto Jesus will receive these Words or this truth (and will spread this truth to others). The result is that they “have kept thy Word.” Jesus thus sets God’s purposes in motion: John 17:18, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world (also Jn 20:21).” This perpetual spreading of truth repeats itself through believers (followers, disciples) until Christ’s return (Acts 1:8).

It was stated at the beginning of this chapter that the Word became flesh to bring God’s truth to man. The Word made flesh was full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14). Consider what Jesus told Pilate just before being crucified: John 18:37, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

So, God the Father sent forth His Word which became flesh and dwelt among men, known as Jesus the Son. Jesus spoke God the Father’s Word unto man to accomplish what God pleases. God’s purposes is for man to hear, receive, take to heart, apply and live this spoken Word. Those men whom God drew unto Christ did receive God’s Word and kept it and walked in it so that it prospered in the thing whereto it was sent. Jesus finished the work and did not return unto God the Father void. Therefore it can be fully stated: Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not

81

6-9-06

return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Most think that Jesus primary purpose in coming to the earth was to atone for man’s sins by dying on the cross. This writing in no way lessens the significance and importance of Christ’s death. Reconciliation between man and God could could not have taken place otherwise. However, we must realize that forgiveness of man’s past sins alone does not accomplish God’s purposes. We are forgiven to do what?

Yes, man must be forgiven of past transgressions to be pardoned from the condemnation of death (Gen 2:17). This puts you at the start of a narrow way that must be walked in faith, as by the Spirit (Mt 7:13-14, 1 Pt 1:9). God’s purposes are that you know His truth and abide therein. In other words, the future transgression of God’s will must be completely eliminated or eradicated. The works of the devil, his lie, must be completely destroyed out of God’s creation (1 Jn 3:8).

God’s purposes are that the effect of His truth will transform us into Christ’s well pleasing image. 2 Corinthians 3:18, “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.” Jesus walked a perfect example of applying God’s truth and it is God’s purposes that man follow in that example.

We must not miss one of the main purposes of Christ’s coming to this earth. Jesus spoke God’s truth and than applied it perfectly. Jesus taught and showed man how to do the will of God. Having finished that work, the Lord then went to the cross to secure God’s mercy and forgiveness for repentant man. Having completed the work on the cross, Jesus then went to heaven and procured and shed forth the promise of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:33). Now everything is complete! Sincere and repentant man has everything needed to be restored and reconciled with God. So, you must now take up your cross and start following.

Turn unto God: Deuteronomy 30:6, “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Deuteronomy 30:20, “That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them (that you might inherit God’s promises given unto Jesus the Great King).”

Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (Jn 7:37).

Chapter Five, The End (Omega) God the Father and Jesus the Son are referred to individually throughout New Testament scripture. This writing has also shown that they must also be one. 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is 82

6-9-06

the true God, and eternal life.” Who is the true God? The Father is God and Jesus is God for they are one, yet distinct.

God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24)! Although God the Father and Jesus the Son are rarely (if at all) referred to as Father and Son in the books of Daniel and Revelation, we shall use the terms for clarity and understanding. In the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks to the seven churches: “These things saith the Son of God (used once in Rev 2:18, and then various other identifiers). The Lord also repeatedly says: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22).” Jesus is the Son of God, is God and God is a Spirit.

Consider this prophecy that was given prior to the coming of Christ: Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Jesus is referred to as mighty God and as the Father – How can this be? Here is another prophecy concerning Jesus: Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” In this case Jesus is a servant to God (Is 53:1-12). Remember: Jesus is the Word, which is God (who made all things), which was made flesh (Jn 1:1-3, 14). The Word was sent by the Father (Jn 3:16, 13:3, 1 Jn 4:9). The Word of life which was with the Father was manifested to man (1 Jn 1-2). Philippians 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

In the book of Revelation, Jesus, who is in heaven, proclaims: Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (also Rev 11:17).” Now the term Almighty is reserved for God. The reader is then taken before the throne of God where there are four beasts that say: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come – the beasts give glory, honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever (Ex 15:18, Rev 4:2-3, 8-9, Rev 16:5).”

It is then proclaimed: Revelation 4:11, “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.” We are told elsewhere in scripture, concerning Jesus: Colossians 1:16, “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 (relates to Is 42:5-7).” Now at this point one would have to assume that Jesus is sitting on the throne and is the Lord God Almighty (Rev 15:3). This may be true, but cannot solely be the case.

The reader is then told: Revelation 5:1-2, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” No one worthy could initially be found (Rev 5:3-4). Revelation 5:6-7, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,

83

6-9-06

which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.”

Jesus is the Lamb and has also proclaimed Himself to be the Almighty. Jesus is now revealed to man as “The Lamb” because this relates Him to be the unblemished Passover Lamb (1 Pt 1:19) whose blood redeems man (Ex 12:13, Mt 26:28, Mk 14:24, Rm 3:25, 5:9, Heb 9:14, 13:12, Rev 5:9). Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (also Eph 1:7, 1 Jn 1:7, Rev 1:5, 7:14).” AND Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Faithful men have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14) and thus have peace/reconciliation with God.

This ties together God’s redemption of the children of Israel and God’s redemption of the faithful Gentiles of the earth as God’s chosen people of faith (Old Testament and New Testament). The Lamb took the book from the one that sat upon the throne. It only stands to reason that there is another on the throne. We know from scripture that God the Father sits on the throne in heaven (Heb 12:2, Rev 3:21 – I am set down with my Father in his throne). Revelation 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” The one that sitteth upon the throne and the Lamb are distinct, yet must also be one.

Since the blood of the Lamb saves man, there is a record or book in heaven that contains the names of men that have been saved. - The book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 15, 21:27).

It is later proclaimed: Revelation 7:10, “And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (also Rev 6:16).” God the Father sits on the throne and Jesus the Lamb has also proclaimed Himself to be the Almighty. Revelation 7:11-12, “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” The Father and Son are acknowledged, but a “singular” God is worshipped. The Father and the Son must be one God – for there is no other God, none else (Is 45:6).

A similar glimpse into this heavenly temple is given in the book of Isaiah (Is 6:1-13). Isaiah saw one Lord sitting on the throne who he referred to as the King, the LORD of hosts (Is 6:5). The Father sits upon the throne, yet Jesus is always referred to in scripture as the King (Rev 17:14, 19:16, 1 Tim 6:13-16). Isaiah relates: Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” God refers to the singular and the plural. God the Father is the authority (whom shall I send) and the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are the Godhead (us). Isaiah 43:15, “I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.”

In the book of Revelation it is revealed about the throne room in the heavenly temple: Revelation 5:11, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the 84

6-9-06

throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” This can be directly related to a similar scene in the book of Daniel: Daniel 7:9-10, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

The Ancient of days must be the Father (see below), yet is also descriptive of Jesus and must be Christ (Dan 7:22 = Rev 1:7). Jesus said of Himself: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come (Rev 1:8, 11, also 1 Jn 2:13). It is also said of Jesus: “Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” So, Jesus is the Ancient of days. Now consider: Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God (also Is 44:8, 48:12).” It is also noted of God in the Old Testament: Isaiah 48:12, “Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.” The Holy One of Israel, the Saviour, the Ancient, also made the earth, and created man upon it and stretched out the heavens, and all their host (Is 45:11-12, 15, 18, 21-22, 46:10, 48:12-13). The Father, Son and Holy Ghost must be of the same substance/essence (for lack of better words) to be the only one God

Furthermore, Ancient of days’ head was like the pure wool (Dan 7:9). Scriptures reveal that Jesus’ head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow (Rev 1:14). A fiery stream issued and came forth from before the Ancient of days (Dan 7:10). Jesus’ eyes are as a flame of fire (Rev 1:14, 2:18, 19:12).

Why must the Ancient of days also be the Father? Because of the following event (continued from Daniel above): Daniel 7:13-14, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” The Son of man (Jesus) comes to the Ancient of days (God the Father), yet one is the other..

Consider what God the Father says to Jesus the Son: Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” The Son is called, “O God.” This verse ties to the one above because the throne or kingdom is for ever and ever and shall not pass away. This is the kingdom of Christ on a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pt 3:12-13, Is 65:17).

The Son of man is clearly Jesus. Jesus was brought before the Ancient of days (God the Father) to receive a kingdom, yet Jesus is the Ancient of days. Elsewhere in scripture, God the Father is the one who gives Jesus the Son a kingdom, which is the everlasting throne promised to king David (Php 2:9-11, Col 1:18, Eph 1:17-23). Colossians 1:19,

85

6-9-06

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” AND Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the Father and Son are separate, yet one. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any (Is 44:8, 45:5-6). God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Lastly consider how the Apostle Paul begins his first letter to Timothy: 1 Timothy 1:1, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” Was Paul confused here or did he understand that God the Father and Jesus Christ were one and the same, yet distinct in person? Paul next says: 1 Timothy 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Jesus is King and Jesus is God, yet the Father is also God – For there is one God (1 Tim 2:5). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The marriage Supper of the Lamb is one of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 13:11, Mk 4:11, Rm 16:25, 1 Cor 2:7, 15:51, Eph 3:9, Col 2:2, Rev 10:7). Ephesians 5:32, “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” AND Colossians 1:26-28, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. 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: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Hold onto your seat because this is the great mystery…. The relationship between a husband and a wife was discussed at the beginning of this article. The husband is the authority that is loving and benevolent toward his wife. The wife is submissive and loves, honors and obeys her husband in all things. The two are joined together as one. Mark 10:8, “And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh (also Mt 19:6).”

Paul related marriage between a man and a woman to Christ and His church (body). Ephesians 5:23-27, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” We are told in scripture that we must individually be found of Jesus in peace (reconciled by Christ to God), without spot, and blameless (2 Pt 3:14). Philippians 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

86

6-9-06

The bride is perfect and upright (Mt 5:48)! The bride feareth God, and escheweth evil (Job 1:1, 8, 2:3). The bride is holy as her Lord is holy (1 Pt 1:15-16). Ephesians 1:4-6, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Man was created according to God’s “good pleasure” and we are made “children” or “sons” according to God’s good pleasure (Rev 4:11). This is a great mystery of God’s will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself (Eph 1:9).

Who is the church or bride? The Ekklesia or “called out ones.” These are those whom God has called out of the world to be His people – to populate His kingdom. These are the children of Abraham by faith. The general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect (Heb 12:23). These just men were made perfect in following the Holy Spirit to be sons of God (Jn 1:12, Rm 8:14). Ephesians 5:30, “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Recall, the woman was taken out of man; This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh (Gen 2:23). Recall that the man and the woman (wife) are to be joined as one. The church is taken out of Christ’s flesh and bones. The church (bride) is now to be joined to Christ and they two shall be one. Jesus brings many sons unto glory (Heb 2:10) – the children the Father has given Him (Heb 2:13).

A great mystery is about to be revealed: Ephesians 5:32, “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Jesus is going to be joined as one with his faithful disciples – with faithful man! Ephesians 2:15-16, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”

Well…Here comes the bride (without spot or wrinkle; holy and without blemish): Revelation 19:7-9, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Man’s faith is accounted for righteousness (Rm 4:5, ). For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness (Rm 4:9, 11, 13, 9:30, 10:6, Gal 5:5, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7) – this applies to all the children of Abraham.

Jesus, the Lamb (Savior of man) is going to marry His church and become one with it. John 14:20, “At that day (the marriage) ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us (Jn 17:21). The church is faithful and submissive. The church loves, honors and obeys Jesus in all things. The church reverences her husband (Eph 5:33). Christ loves His bride (the church) and gave Himself for her. Jesus marries the faithful and they become as one.

87

6-9-06

Jesus becomes the inheritor of all things. Through marriage, Jesus’ church becomes the inheritor of all things. The Lamb glorifies His wife (Rev 21:9-21, Jn 17:21). This is really quite amazing! Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Notice the Father and son comparison as was previously discussed.

The Lord Jesus told of the kingdom of heaven and the great wedding in a parable. In this parable there was a warning: Matthew 22:11-14, “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

What is the wedding garment one might ask? The garment is fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints (Rev 19:8). White represents purity (that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Ti 2:14): 1 John 3:3, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” These are those to whom Jesus said: Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The righteousness is the faith that we must live by (Rm 1:17, 4:9, 13, Gal 5:5). This is love, trust, obedience, devotion, and surrender to God. This is to abstain from that which opposes God (Pv 16:6, 1 Thess 5:22). This is to become without spot, and blameless as by the Spirit through faith.

The man above may have been called, but he was not worthy and thus not chosen. He had no righteousness, no purity, no demonstrated life of faith toward God. He was cast into everlasting torment. We must not just draw nigh unto God with our mouths and honor God with our lips (i.e. repeated prayer), but with complete demonstrated devotion from the heart (Is 29:13, Mt 15:8, Mk 7:6). God does not pretend that you are something that you are not. How is God profited if you do not conform to His Words (truth)? God does not intend to harvest corrupt and rotten fruit from the earth. You only bring forth acceptable fruit by abiding in the vine (in Christ’s Words, Jn 15:1-10).

Conclusion God is revealing to faithful man that he shall be one in God and this relationship will be as between a husband and his wife. The wife must be faithful, loving, obedient, devoted, trusting, and submissive with regards to her husband – in all things. This is what “faith” is teaching man on earth – to prepare for eternal things. God responds by loving his wife and giving her all things. God will always be the authority. Man must always be submitted to and obedient to God’s authority – even so, all things work by love.

God is also revealing to man that he shall be one in God and this relationship will be as between a father and his faithful son. The son must be faithful, loving, obedient, devoted, trusting, and submissive to his father in all things. The father responds with love and gives his son all things. This is the specific example that Jesus walked on this earth. This is how the Son of God related to God the Father. Man is to exactly follow this example of 88

6-9-06

relationship with respect to God. God revealed Himself as Israel’s Father in redeeming them from Egypt (Hos 11:1). Jesus said: “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God (Jn 20:17).”

The Lord wants us to understand these concepts: Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Authorities are set up by God and must be submitted to and obeyed. We are the children of God (sons of God). We must obey God for this is right. Our eternal life is to be found in such obedience to our heavenly Father.

We cannot misinterpret the relationship between man and God. Man becomes the image of God again as he was created to be. Man eternally worships, loves, submits to, is devoted to, trusts in, and obeys God. Man is eternally faithful and loyal to God. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Mt 4:10).”

God relates Himself to man as God and as the Lamb. The Lamb is God become flesh in order to redeem man. Consider the city of the bride: Revelation 21:22, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” It is very important, eternally important, that man understand that God became flesh and redeemed man back to Himself. God redeemed man at great cost to Himself (Jn 3:16). God is the Creator, the Lord and the Savior of man! God created man good. Man corrupted his way by seeking self rather than obeying his Creator. God restores man to good.

Further consider the city of the bride (Rev chap 21): Revelation 22:1-5, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” God provides for His people and His people serve Him. God still leads His people – He is their light. Things are restored to right order.

We must delight ourselves in the Lord (Is 58:14). We must seek to “know” our God. Sincere study of God’s Word will inevitably reveal that there is one God existent as the Father, Word (Son) and Holy Ghost. This is how God chooses to reveal Himself to man. The Lord manifests Himself in three unique ways, but is clearly one God. How did God come to be existent as three, yet one? We cannot say. Perhaps God has always existed in this way? Perhaps God split, yet retained Himself? Perhaps this is representative, but not exact? The Lord’s Word reveals that Father, Word (Son) and Holy Ghost existed as such at least prior to the creation of the heavens and the earth.

The manner in which the Father, Word and Holy Ghost are one God has not fully revealed to man in the Lord’s Word. We must not go beyond the Word of God in attempting to gain understanding. The term of “trinity” should not be embraced since it is 89

6-9-06

never used in scripture as such. Man shall not be able to “box in” God – for the Lord is greater than our understanding.

God’s Word has definitely given us enough information to understand that God is the Father; God is the Word (Son); and God is the Holy Ghost and that these three are one (1 Jn 5:7). We must not lessen either Father, Word (Son) or Holy Ghost and suggest in any way that either is not fully God. Each is fully God and eternal and they are one. The author does not believe the Lord would hold us to any greater understanding of this unity/relationship than this. How can man understand what God has not revealed?

Perhaps our greatest understanding of the Lord comes from what God told Moses: Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Consider the depth of who God reveals Himself to be. Its really quite unfathomable to the human mind. God IS and shall always BE! All that is results from God’s will and is sustained in the Lord’s pleasure. Romans 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

This is a matter of faith, and as such goes beyond the capability of the flesh. Just as with creation, God has provided certain details, but human reasoning and understanding alone will never conclusively prove or disprove the validity of God’s Word. Man must accept God’s Word in faith or reject it in unbelief.

The Godhead seems to be revealed to man as thus: God the Father is the authority. God the Son is the Word. God the Holy Spirit is the power. Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” God the Father is the Majesty on high. Jesus as the Word of God is the Lord’s eternal, established, proven, unchanging truth – which is God. The Holy Spirit is the power behind the authority and Word (or truth). God’s Word goeth forth and accomplishes through God’s power that which the Lord God Almighty purposes to do. God is omnipotent and His Word never returns void but accomplishes the Lord’s pleasure and prospers in the Lord’s will (Is 55:11).

90