In the Hidden Confusion, we saw how misunderstanding arises in those who reject the LORD and His Christ. These are the spiritual plagues of Revelation 16 poured out upon the earth, the sea, the fountains and rivers, the sun, the seat of the beast, the Euphrates and the air. They speak of taking the Mark of the Beast, the corruption of the Gospel, the fallen state of men, and finally the cleansing of faith and the Commandments of Jesus in us; for as Jesus said: Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, lest he walks naked and they see his shame (Rev 16:15)
Another significant confusion is the term ‘Son of God.’ More than any other phrase in the New Testament, it has removed clarity concerning the truth and nature of Jesus Christ, even though we understand its intended purpose that Jesus is of God. That while He was with us in flesh His disposition was not of this earth;
My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36)
Yet, the term is never applied by Jesus to Himself in the Synoptic Gospels. When assigned to Him by others, He is seen to accept it in such a way as to acknowledge it without actually doing so. He speaks of God as ‘the Father or my Father,’ which points to a particular correlation all the while not declaring actual ‘son-ship.’ If Jesus was to state He was God’s son, it would have put Him at variance with His Prophets. They prophesied ‘Redemption, and the LORD as our Saviour,’ but did not say He would send someone else to complete this work.
Let’s now look at how the great Prophet Isaiah declared the Christ … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace (9:6) so, we see Jesus was not described as the Son, but the Everlasting Father.
Moved by faith and the Spirit of the Ever-Living, Isaiah declared Salvation to come. Therefore the LORD himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, are bear a son, and shall his name Immanuel – God with us. (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23) Isaiah then went on to confirm the titles of that virgin born son so we would assuredly know who Jesus is: that the government rests upon His shoulder, He alone is Almighty God. (Isaiah 9:6) Therefore, Jesus Christ is our Salvation come down from Heaven.
I, even I, am the LORD: and beside me there is no saviour. (Isa 43:11)
In the Old Testament (meaning evidence or witness) the term ‘son of God’ is also conferred on a variety of persons, for a variety of reasons. It is applied to the Angels (Job 2:1); Adam the first man; the ancient Nation of Israel (Exo 4:22) and is used for the Kings of Israel as rulers of the nation. (2Samuel 7:14) We also see it in the New Testament: 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. (John 1:12)
A great difficulty for many is reconciling Jesus as the eternal Father made near impossible by the creed of trinity, a contrived Godhead of Father, Son and Spirit. From the moment Jesus walked the Earth, men desired a description to correctly align the Nazarene with Scripture; a task that later called for councils and remits as they sought agreement on His divine nature. In ignoring the Prophets their failure ended in compromise, even though Jesus had said He was, the First and the Last. We now live blind to the truth of the LORD’S Salvation who said through His servant Malachi; I am the LORD, I change not. (Malachi 3:6)
We see Father, Son, Spirit and the LORD’S Angel at work throughout Scripture. The Existing one (the Father) is the creative force that brings forth life; by His authority and power all things come into being. As His Angel, He interacted with chosen individuals like Jacob, Moses, David and Peter. In His form as the Son, He brought forth the Gospel when He was with us, and upon His leaving sent His Spirit (the Holy Ghost) to comfort and teach us all things as promised. This is the Second Coming (the Spirit) as God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
“Not until after the Ascension, and even then some like Thomas did not yet believe, does it begin to dawn on those doubting Apostles and Disciples that Jesus was the LORD from Heaven and the quickening Spirit.
Another cause of confusion is additions to original texts in an attempt to smooth the narrative for ease of reading. In some cases this has entirely corrupted the intent of the passage; the most glaring example is found in John’s Gospel given as I and my Father are one. Jesus actually said: Greek: egO kai ho patEr hen esmen: I and Father one are. (John 10:30) The addition of the word ‘my’ completely changes the construct of the sentence putting Jesus in subjection to the Father, when Isaiah confirms, He is the Father, also shown at the beginning of John’s Gospel.
Paul writes; Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) How can Paul refer to Jesus in past, present and future tense except by the Spirit of Jesus in him? For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:12) Paul also spoke of Jesus attending Israel during the Exodus … for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (Greek: hE petra de En ho Christos: 1 Co 10:4)
Now, after His Resurrection Jesus met the Apostles and said: these the words, which I spoke unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets and the Psalms, “concerning me.” (Luke 24:44) Here, Jesus opened their understanding of the Scriptures that Moses, David and the Prophets, wrote not about God; not about Jehovah, they wrote about Him!
They wrote about the LORD Jesus Christ.
They wrote of the one whose Name came down out of Heaven before He became flesh and bone for us … his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21) No man first uttered this Name; it was given by the LORD’S messenger, Gabriel. When speaking of this time, the Prophet Zechariah announced: in that day there shall be one LORD and His Name one. (Zechariah 14:9) That Name is JESUS.
It is the Scriptures that declare Him … His Spirit that reveals Him, He does not publicize Himself … if I bear witness of myself my witness is not true. (John 5:31) Jesus is made known in the Prophets, Apostles, and we find Him in His Gospel. And now, we see those drawn only by His Word, keeping it free of creeds, laws, and the errors of church and men, have come to the fore. They have heard the call; come out of her, my people, that ye not be partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, (Rev 18:4) so have come out of mistaken doctrines to find the truth of Jesus in His Word.
Like Paul, they see the simplicity in Christ and keep the Commandments of God (Mark 12:29) and the Faith of Jesus. (Rev 14:12) They rest in their salvation and just believe.
Their race is run, their tribulation is over, and they are at peace in the LORD’S Sabbath rest.
Can we now begin to see that clothed in flesh, the Existing One came for us as Shepherd to teach and guide us, and as the one true Lamb to forever redeem us from sin’s debt? We must now begin to fix our mistakes guided by the Prophets and Apostles, and be made clean through His Spirit. My hope is you may now consider these words from the author of truth, the LORD Jesus Christ.
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. (Rev 1:8)
In love and peace,
James