We are by nature linear beings; we progress from event to event in an orderly way. Each action follows the one before like words on a page, yet we think and imagine quite differently. It is not methodical like walking or reading, rather a sub-conscious conversation we have with ourselves every waking moment. Within this background chatter we also reason and analyse; when a subject comes to the fore it becomes an aware process removed from the noise. Yet, we all live under the same limitations of time and space.
While believing we can picture something existing outside this linear construct, fully comprehending it is another matter. And despite the fact we have coined a term to express an understanding; visualizing omnipresence is easier said than done. The idea of an entity existing on all planes simultaneously is something not everyone can easily grasp, as mortals it is something we indeed cannot do. But, as John informs us God is a Spirit (John 4:24) so, not bound to worlds of substance and matter. Nathanael from Cana, was shown this aspect of God, when he met Jesus for the very first time.
Now, Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter: Philip found Nathanael and said to him, we have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, could there any good thing come out of Nazareth? (Who said there was no humour in the Bible?) Philip said unto him, come and see.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in who is no guile! Nathanael said unto him, whence know thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, before Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered and said unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto Nathanael, because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believe? Thou shalt see greater things than these. (John: 1:44-50)
But, to fully comprehend more than one manifestation of the same essence, transformed in appearance on multiple planes at the same time, is another step entirely. Such was the setting of the Baptism of Jesus by John; the omnipresence of the Existing One outside our moments of time and space. While it has gained less attention than omnipotence, omniscience or being eternal; omnipresence is at the heart of the Ever-Living God.
It is only by recognizing this of the LORD, the Baptism and Transfiguration can begin to make sense. When Jesus changed in appearance before their eyes, and spoke with Moses and Elijah, only three were invited to witness this breathtaking truth of the LORD and His Christ.
And after six days Jesus takes with him Peter, and James, and John, and brings them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.
And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and saith to Jesus, Rabbi; it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he knew not what to answer for they became sore afraid.
And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, this is my beloved Son: hear ye him. And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead. ASV (Mark 9: 2-9)
Now, when Jesus was here He performed many miracles. From a handful of bread and a few fish, He produced enough to feed thousands; the leftovers filled twelve baskets! He transformed water into wine with a thought; altered viruses; repaired macular defects including the occipital lobes of the brain. He revived nerve systems and cerebral impairments effecting motion, allowing the lame to walk.
After waiting several days, Jesus re-animated inert bio-chemical compounds, and lifeless tissue in the person of Lazarus. He calmed the sea, walked on its waters and gathered fish into one place beneath it. Through His omnipresent Spirit, Jesus healed the sick without being near the afflicted. (Matt 9:18-26) The LORD parted the sea, as Jesus calmed the sea. The LORD has authority over nature, as Jesus walked on its waters. The LORD appeared in glory at Horeb; on a mountain, Jesus was transfigured in splendour and His face did shine like the sun. (Matt 17:12) These are surely, things of Wonder.
The Word of God
The Apostle John tells us at the start of his Gospel, the Word has existed from the beginning. That in the Word was life, and life was the light of men. This was the light; darkness could not understand and put to death crowned with thorns. Now, we are given a sign to the Name of the Word, in the Book of Revelation. And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. (19:13)
The bloodied vesture is the Witness of Sacrifice; blood, shed for the remission of sin for all have sinned. The Christ then, is the willing Lamb, the Word of God and Prophesy fulfilled. Now, Creation is The Word made evident; manifest also in the spirit of those who believe, Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by him. (John 1:10) So, the LORD and His Christ do the same, and are the same. This is the omnipresent nature of the Existing One. I and (my) Father are one. (John 10:30)
Moses
When Moses asked God for His name, he learned the LORD was an omnipresent being. He may not have understood in the context we perceive, as his dealings were direct and personal. Yet, Moses lived a great truth, as it was he who declared; the LORD is one Lord. (Deut 6:4) Now, the Name given was rendered I AM THAT I AM. When we look to the Hebrew text, we find the LORD’S reply to Moses was slightly longer than we see in (Exodus 3:14)
“I shall come to be just as I am coming to be. And He said: Thus shall you say to the sons of Israel, I-Shall-Come-to-Be, He has sent me to you.” (ISA3-2015)
It was a Statement of Being, moreover a declaration of things to come as I-Shall-Come-to-Be, points to the Christ. It also reveals the omnipresent nature of the Ever-Living God. Stay with me, as Jesus is about to reveal something, you may have read but didn’t take in, which seems to happen a lot in this glorious Book. Something Phillip had earlier told Nathanael. Now, when Gabriel appeared to Miriam, she was told the name to call her son.
Joseph was given the same name by the Angel of the LORD: JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21) This shows us the name, Jesus has always existed; the question is where? This is from the Revelation of Jesus Christ, given to John after Jesus had returned from whence He came.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things … I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star. (Rev 22:16) So, we see the name Jesus came from and returned to Heaven. 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)
Not long now, we are nearly there…
Paul also writes of which is, and which was, and which is to come; the very same thing, Jesus gave to John. Paul put it this way; Jesus is the same yesterday, and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Paul reveals Jesus as antecedent, at hand and our hope. That He existed is current, and eternal. But, in the later chapters of Luke, we now find Jesus revealing His own truth to the Apostles prior to His ascension.
These are 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 in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45)
Did you see it? OK. Did Moses, the Prophets or David, mention Jesus by name? Luke records, Jesus told His disciples, they all wrote about Him; that their writing was in regard to Him … concerning me. Isaiah certainly did, when he declared the Christ to come. 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. (Isaiah 9:6)
Thomas was shown, and at last understood who Jesus was, when in repentance declared, my Lord and my God. (John 20: 26-29) Phillip was also told when they asked to be shown the Father. And Jesus saith unto him; have I been so long time with you, and yet have thou not known me, Phillip? He that has seen me has seen the Father. How say then, show us the Father? (John 14:9)
And at Pentecost, Peter told us the Name into which we are baptized; repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) To receive the omnipresent Spirit, we must be sealed under the Name of the LORD. And the name of the LORD is JESUS. Amen.
When we begin to comprehend, that Jesus is not just a linear being who walked the Earth, but an image of the True; His nature can begin to emerge in our understanding. When we see the Christ not solely of the line of David, but the LORD of Creation; everything about Him can change in our mind. As their Standard of Truth, Israel believed the LORD was one Lord. To those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, He is the very same LORD. As Paul reminds us, He has never changed and the one we must worship in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:24)
Jesus is the Omnipresent Existence who eternally lives. He is the ubiquitous fact. Father of Creation: Son of the Gospel: The Holy Spirit of Truth.
There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. (Ephesians 4:6)
In love and peace, James
1. Note on John 10:30:
(my) In brackets, was not spoken by Jesus but a later addition. In accordance with the Greek text, Jesus actually said “I and Father are one.” Everything in italics or (brackets) was put in by editors over time, to smooth the narrative for readers, when direct translations proved difficult. Some of these have resulted in confusion over the years; the mistaken Trinity Creed a major reason. Many current editions of the Holy Bible have removed them for better or worse.
2. Note on Water into wine:
The difference can be seen in comparing H2O and C2H6O. Ethanol is a common beverage alcohol, while actual wine chemistry is a lot more complicated. Apart from the changes in substance structures, Jesus added a perfect blend of sugars, organic acids, phenolic and nitrogenous compounds, aromas, minerals, and pectic substances, each with their own chemical structure. A miracle? Absolutely, and according to our eyewitness, it made a great impression with the wedding guests, even though the wonder alluded to something else entirely.
3. Note on JESUS in Caps:
The name Jesus is in capital letters in the DRB, KJV, RV, ASV and EMTV and other earlier editions, but reduced to lower case in most modern versions, like the BBE, ESV and NIV. This is unfortunate, and quite frankly, a disrespectful thing to have done to the Name of the LORD of all Creation. Yet, it does in fact do witness of itself.
The movement to replace Jesus with Yahashua, Yashua or Yeshua, possibly well-intentioned though errant all the same (I should have gone with sinful); is an endeavor to remove the name Jesus from view. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called? (James 2:7)
But, the Lord will always have the final Word, which will live long after detractors have all breathed their last. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Nations; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 1:11) And, of course the Name is JESUS.
I hope this helps.