The Obedience of Faith

"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."

Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?"

Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

John 6:27-29 NASB

The setting is the day following the feeding of the five thousand. The people, expecting another miraculous sign (perhaps another meal) from Jesus, found Him on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. 

In these verses Jesus instructs them to get their priorities right. The temporal things in this world are nothing compared to living for the kingdom of God. This is similar to the passage in Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus warns us that life is not about food and clothing, but about seeking as our priority His kingdom and righteousness.

Of course the people seeking Jesus that day were now desirous to know what kind of work they should be doing then. Maybe a few good deeds, some things that appeared "religious"?

Jesus tells the crowd that the work required was to believe in Him. I think many people today misunderstand this belief as an acknowledgement of the existence of Jesus. They are content to believe biblical facts about Him, and let it go at that. After all, faith and works are often portrayed as two opposing things that we must be careful not to mix up. But what does it mean to believe, in a truly biblical sense of the word?

In Romans we read of the "obedience of faith". The apostle Paul, speaking of Jesus, the resurrected Lord who had called him said this,

     Through whom we have recieved grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among the Gentiles for His names sake.

Romans 1:5 NASB

And again at the close of this epistle we read the following,

     Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to the obedience of faith.

Romans 16:25-26 NASB 

Paul the apostle to the Gentile nations stated that the gospel foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures, that he now proclaimed, led to the obedience of faith among all who received it. 

I think that the message Paul proclaimed is often misunderstood. To many, the emphasis is placed upon faith and not works, a concept which Paul also preached. In a passage which teaches that all have sinned and are guilty before God we read that no one will be justified by the works of the law because the law has proven that we are all sinners (Romans 3:9-20). And this is true. There is no possible way that we can be good enough, or perfect enough to undo all the guilt we have encured in our lifetimes. By the time we realize we need to live right we have already become guilty, and are estranged from God. We can't fix that by amending our ways. That is abundantly taught in the Bible.

However a mere assent to some facts about Jesus will never save us either. That is an insufficient faith. Paul writes this as well in Romans 2:12-13. 

     For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

Faith is more than knowing and holding certain facts to be true. Faith and obedience are two sides of a coin. It is often stated that a person who believes will obey Jesus out of a thankful heart, and I believe that there is truth to this statement. Jesus Himself stated that one who is forgiven much will love much (Luke 7:47). But it goes even deeper than this. 

Faith is a loyalty to Jesus as Lord of our lives. In an act of repentance we turn from our past when we were in control, living in opposition to God and His will for our lives, and now submit our lives by faith, under His absolute rule for our lives. Therefore faith is an ongoing submission to Jesus that we live out daily. Faith cannot be separated from obedience. Every act of obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is an act of faith. This is quite the opposite of selfishly performing some good works in the hope that we can somehow earn God's favor.

The life of Abraham shows this. What began in Genesis 15:5-6 where Abraham believed God's promise that he would have an heir, and God counted that belief as righteousness. This belief found it's culmination years later in Abraham's obedience in offering up Isaac, the promised heir.

 

It tells us in Romans 4:17-22 that Abraham believed God's promise against all the odds. We all know the story of Hagar, how early on, Sarai his wife, who was barren gives her maid to Abraham as a wife and she conceived and bears him Ishmael. They attempted to fulfill God's word to them in the flesh. That was not God's plan. He allowed Abraham to grow older until it was now impossible for him as well as for his wife to conceive and give birth. Yet Abraham still believed God's promise without wavering. 

Some time later Abraham faced the biggest test yet. God commanded him to take his son Isaac, the fulfilment of the promise that he had unwaveringly held on to, and offer him as a sacrifice to the LORD (Genesis 22:1-19). 

Abraham, motivated by the same faith that brought him this far, obeyed. We read in Hebrews 11:17-19 that even though he was about to offer up his son Isaac, the promised heir, he obeyed, considering that God was able to raise the dead. We know how it went. As Abraham was at the point of slaying his son the angel of the LORD stopped him and told him, "Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12)

Obedience and faith are intertwined. You cannot escape this fact.

     Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

James 2:21-23 NASB 

Jesus is the risen, exalted Lord. He has been given the name that is above every name. One day every knee will bow to Him, like it or not. In response to this inescapable fact how are we to live out our lives? Do we try to do good deeds, hoping that we will have enough in our favor to "tip the scales" on the day of judgement? Or do we bank on a head knowledge of Jesus and some biblical facts about His life, death, and resurrection, thinking that this is faith? This passage in Philippians 2:6-12 ends with an exhortation to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. If we believe we will submit and obey by faith. Just like Abraham, our faith and our works will work together in obedience. This is true saving faith.

     

Faithfulness

But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house - whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Hebrews 3:6 NASB 

In my previous post I examined what true saving faith consists of. It is more than a head knowledge, and more than agreeing with some biblical facts about Jesus. True saving faith is a faith that moves us to obey Christ. We become those who follow Him in a loving submission to His will for our lives. 

This faith is expressed in a loyalty to Jesus. It's not a matter of doing some good things, but a faithful, ongoing lifestyle. Habakkuk 2:4 defines faith as faithfulness. To paraphrase it we could say, "The just shall live by their faithfulness." 

To continue with this topic I would like to look at a passage in Hebrews that expresses the same concept of ongoing faithfulness and how it is a vital part of saving faith.

     Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest , but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. 

Hebrews 3:12-19 NASB

The first point I would like to make is that unbelief and disobedience are used interchangeably in this passage. We read how God had led the people out of Egypt, yet they sinned and fell in the wilderness. 

The story of the exodus should give us warning. They saw the miracles and power of God. They experienced His presence with them along the way. They were at Mount Sinai when God descended in fire and the mountain quaked. They should have believed right? 

Hebrews 4:2 tells us that they had the good news preached to them, just like we have. The problem was that they did not unite faith with what they heard. Those who had heard the good news of the promised land failed to enter in because of disobedience (Hebrews 4:6).

Those who were disobedient failed to enter in because of their unbelief. This is the exact opposite of faith. Faith and obedience are two sides of the same "coin," while disobedience and unbelief are the two sides of a "coin" as well. 

My second point is this. True saving faith is ongoing. One may stumble, but he or she will get back up and press on. The text we have looked at admonishes us to hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. One well known Christian author wrote that once you have received Jesus you are eternally secure. Every sin, past present and future is now forgiven. He goes on to say that even if you fall away into a sin such as drunkenness or even apostatize and become an atheist, you are still secure in Christ. 

But look at the example we have here in Hebrews. We are to encourage one another daily so that we do not fall into unbelief as ancient Israel did. Faithfulness is a lifetime thing. Our allegiance to Jesus Christ is not something to try for a while, but we are still good if we quit. That is not faithfulness, but fickleness. 

It doesn't matter what side of the eternal security debate you fall into. A true Christian will live a consistent life of obedience to Christ. An individual who does not must question the validity of their faith.

 

Saving Faith

Salvation, God's gracious gift, comes to us through faith (Ephesians 2:8). This is something that I would assume most of us who claim to be Christians believe. John 3:16 is a verse that we hold dear. It speaks of God's love for a sinning world; a love that sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins, so that whoever believes in Him could be set free from death, and have eternal life. 

Our definition of faith then becomes vital. If we miss this, we miss it all. And tragically I fear that a large number of Christians have indeed adhered to and propagated a faulty definition of saving faith.

Countless gospel tracts have been distributed, sermons preached, and altar calls given that instruct the sinner to only believe. The belief required involves something to the effect of believing that Jesus is the Son of God, or believing that He died on the cross and rose again. While these facts are indeed true, and belief in them is important, is that enough?

Is it sufficient to mentally assent to some facts about Jesus?

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder.

James 2:19 NASB

Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!"

Mark 1:23-24 NASB

I am quite certain that none of us would consider these "believing demons" to be Christians. But yet it leaves us with a point to grapple with. The demons believe! That is, they are very much aware of Jesus, and who He is. They believe it, they know it to be true.

There is also emphasis placed upon works. Instructions are often given to individuals seeking salvation to cease from their works and place their trust in Christ's perfect righteousness. Now there is truth to this. Any attempt to earn our salvation by our good works is futile. Christ was our perfect sacrifice, and there is no amount of good works that we can do to earn our way to heaven. Unfortunately people are led to believe that good works have nothing to do with our salvation, that although it's fine to do good things, and God desires us to do good works, an absence of good deeds has no bearing on our salvation. As a result faith and works are pitted against each other, and for many, there is no real effort put forth when it comes to living a sanctified lifestyle. 

The issue goes much deeper than a mere assent to some biblical truths about Jesus and and His death and resurrection. That kind of faith is not only inferior, it is also misplaced. What I have described is often referred to as "easy believism" or "cheap grace." It is taught by many popular pastors and Bible teachers. 

It is easy to focus on verses such as Ephesians 2:8-10 
    

      For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

This passage affirms the truth that God's salvation comes to us as an act of His grace. We don't deserve it, neither can we achieve it by our own efforts. and it also affirms that God has created us to live a righteous and obedient life for Him. But for many the emphasis is on the grace and faith without works, and the good works that should follow are an afterthought.

Compare this passage found in James with the one quoted above,

     Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

James 2:17-24

Instead of standing in opposition to each other, faith and works are part of the same process. What begins as a belief culminates in obedience. As it states in Galatians 5:6, faith expresses itself through love. Works done out of obedience to Christ are not an "afterthought," but an essential part of our faith in Him. If we love Him, we will obey Him (John 14:23-24).

Jesus calls us to follow Him. Nowhere in the Bible do we find a place where absolute submission to His will is a good idea, but optional. But that is what we so often hear taught. I remember sitting in a service once where the pastor proclaimed that you can accept Jesus as Savior, and decide later if you want Jesus to be Lord. There are those who teach that "Lordship salvation" is a heresy. They claim that it involves "works" and negates faith. 

In Romans we read about the faith we are to profess.

     But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart" - that is the word of faith which we are preaching, that is if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Romans 10:8-11 NASB

This involves more than a mental assent to some facts about Jesus. It is a surrender from the heart to the rule of Jesus Christ over one's life. To confess something is to express our agreement with that thing. If we believe that Jesus has been vindicated, all of His claims and teachings validated by His resurrection from the dead, and He is therefore now the living Lord, we are faced with two things. Do we put it off as some nice but unnecessary step to take in our Christian journey, or do we fall to our knees in humble submission? Jesus agrees with Paul, or to properly put it, Paul is in agreement with the words of Jesus.

     And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with  the holy angels.

Mark 8:34-38 NASB

We are starting to see what true saving faith consists of. In Romans 1:17 Paul, quoting from Habakkuk 2:4 states that the righteous man shall live by faith. It is important to understand the definition of faith here. The Hebrew word translated faith in Habakkuk 2:4 speaks of fidelity, faithfulness, a loyalty to the one you have faith in. This is so much more than a mere head knowledge, or a profession to save oneself from hell, whithout a change of lifestyle. The one who puts their faith in Jesus as Lord, is faithful to Jesus as Lord. It is a submission of ourselves, a commitment of all that we have and are, to Him and His service. 

As we have seen faith finds it's fulfilment in obedience. We read this in Hebrews 5:8-10,

     Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

And again we see salvation linked with a faithful walk in holiness described in 1 John 1:5-7,

     This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin

Our faith must work itself out in our actions if it is a real saving faith. If our commitment to Jesus is not whole hearted, and we are not faithfully following Him with loving obedience, then we must question if our faith is real at all.

     

 

Abide in Him

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out , in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.

But you have an annointing from the Holy one, and you all know.

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.

As for you, let that abide in you which you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.

These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

And as for you, the annointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His annointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

And now little children abide in Him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him with shame at His coming.

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

                             1 John 2:18-29 NASB

My previous post dealt with the topic of deception in the last days. You can read it here. I would like to continue with this theme as I believe that it is vital for us to be well grounded in the faith, not just in the end times, but even now, as false teachers have always been among us.

John is writing to Christians who have received the faith (the gospel, doctrine etc.) firsthand from the eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ (see 1John 1:1-4). These Christians as John states, knew the truth. That was the purpose of his epistle. He was confronting false teaching that threatened the Church. He was not protecting a group of believers who didn't have a grasp on the truth, but they knew the truth from the beginning. They were literally grounded in the apostle's teachings.

This is important in so many ways. We must be firmly grounded in the truth. Although the original Apostles are long gone, the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is the same faith built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20) that has been handed down to us through the word of God. 

Let us endeavor to grasp it, understand it, believe it, and make it ours. It must not merely be a faith of the head, but a living, active faith that is obeyed and followed, and allowed to transform us into the image of Christ. Anything less than that is not the faith found in the pages of scripture.

What we believe about Jesus affects our worship and submission to Him. Anything other than what is revealed in scripture will impact our faith in a negative way. Ultimately, the danger is that we will end up believing a different gospel, and following a different Jesus than the only Jesus who can save us (Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4). Our abiding in the truth, and consequently in Christ, is where our safety is found. To be outside of the truth is to be outside of Christ, and to be susceptible to all forms of error.

John was confronting heresy in his day that twisted the truth of who Jesus truly was. This was, and is the spirit of antichrist. There is nothing new under the sun, and new twists on old heresies still abound today. No doubt when the final beast kingdom arises, false prophets will arise out of it deceiving many with the same attacks on the person and work of Jesus.

It is my firm belief that the end time beast prophecied to arise will be made up of the Muslim nations surrounding Israel today. The scriptures are clear, all the nations mentioned in prophetic passages concerning end times events surrounding the day of the LORD are Muslim majority nations today. While many teachers are looking to a coalition of European nations to spawn the antichrist, the Bible actually directs us to look at the Middle East. 

You must understand that Islam has its version of "Jesus." The Jesus (Issa) of Islam is a mere man. He never claimed to be God, He was never crucified, and in the last days He will return to help an individual referred to as the Mahdi (the antichrist?) eliminate Jews and Christians, and install Islam as the final religion. This Issa destroys a man known as the Dajaal, (Islam's version of the antichrist) who by the way refers to himself as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." That's a bit eerie isn't it?

It wouldn't be too farfetched to imagine the false prophet of Revelation 13:11-18 claim to be Issa (Jesus), deny his deity, deny that he was crucified, and instead direct all worship to the man known as the Mahdi. Now I admit this is speculation at this point in time. We don't know how everything will play out, but we have the warnings found in the scriptures telling us of false prophets and false Christs raising and deceiving many. 

I want to make something clear. I love Muslim people. My wife and I are aquainted with many Muslims. We have had some of them in our home, and been in their homes as well. We see a people who are themselves blinded by a deception that has run for 1,400 years now. They are born into this, and desperately need the light of Christ to shine into their hearts. Just as you or I at one time also were lost without Christ, so are they. Unless they come to a knowledge of the truth and surrender their lives to Jesus, they too will perish. God loves all people and sent Jesus to die for the Muslim as well as the Hindu, atheist etc. We are all on level ground at the foot of the cross.

So with that in mind, we must know what we believe, why we believe it, and make sure it is the truth. It can be hard to debate a Jehovah's witness, a Mormon, or a Muslim. Many people fall for the deception that these groups spread. It is amazing how similar these three cults are in their beliefs. An attack against the person and work of Jesus Christ is at the heart of these group's message. Indeed they preach a different gospel and a different Jesus than that which has been revealed in scripture.

Back to our passage, John speaks of an annointing that we as believers possess. This annointing is the Holy Spirit, who Jesus also refers to as "the Spirit of truth" in John 14:15-26. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in each believer. Through the indwelling presence of the Spirit we have fellowship with the Father and Son. This is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27). 

The Holy Spirit is referred to by Christ as the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit guides us into the truth, and without the revelation of the Holy Spirit we cannot expect to abide in truth in our own strength. With this annointing we do not need the opinions of men to direct us into the truth. While the ministry gifts are meant for the edification of the Church, and are vital in guiding the Church through deception and on to maturity (Ephesians 4:12-15), ultimately we have the responsibility to study these things for ourselves with the annointing of the Holy Spirit.

Men are fallible, prone to make mistakes, and even deliberately mislead. We must always back up what we hear with the word of God, made clear to us by the Holy Spirit. That is the meaning of this passage.

If we remain in the truth, submitted to Christ in trust and obedience, we have nothing to fear at His return. His truth will preserve us from error. With the Holy Spirit to guide us we can be confident in these days we live in. I read something years ago, and I don't remember who said it, 

"The Holy Spirit will not lead you where the word of God cannot keep you."

These are meaningful words for us to ponder. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us press on to know Christ, abiding in His presence, safe in the storm, and not ashamed at His return.

For further reading

The Spirit of Antichrist.

The Exalted LORD

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven

                        Psalm 148:13 KJV

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that that his name is exalted.

                       Isaiah 12:4 KJV

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

                      1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

                           Psalm 83:18 KJV

YAHWEH, the LORD, is exalted over all. The scriptures are abundantly clear. There is no one beside Him. His name, as we have read in the above passages, is exalted above every other name. In fact it states that "His name alone is excellent (or exalted)."

  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.

I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take council 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 besides 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. 

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.

                      Isaiah 45:19-23 KJV

These verses make it clear. There is one God, the maker of the heavens and earth. All other idols and so called "gods" are nothing. There is no other God, and to Him every knee will someday bow, and tongue confess.

The above verse from 1 Chronicles 29 is a prayer of David given as Solomon his son was about to sit on the throne, ruling Israel. In this prayer he addresses the LORD God as "Our Father" (1 Chronicles 29:10). The language of this prayer is similar to Jesus' words in Matthew 6: 9-13. Jesus begins his model prayer with, "Our Father," and closes it almost verbatim with, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

The Father is exalted as God over all. He is worthy of, and receives worship as we have seen. There can be no doubt according to what we have seen so far. However there is more,

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

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.

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 the Father.

                      Philippians 2:5-11 KJV

Here we see the passage we have just read in Isaiah 45:19-23 applied to Jesus. The Son of God, who existed as God from eternity past, humbled Himself, took on flesh, died on the cross, and was highly exalted above every other name. The same worship ascribed to the Father belongs to Jesus as well.

Shortly before His arrest and crucifixion Jesus prayed, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5). Jesus had humbled Himself, left His glory in heaven and lived upon this earth as a human being. Just like you or I, He faced the limitations of living in a human body. Now He was about to die, yet be powerfully resurrected and ascend to the Father, to receive back the glory he left behind.

Again we read of Christ's exaltation,

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.

                      Ephesians 1:20-21 KJV

We have read that the name of the LORD alone is exalted. This is applied to Jesus in these verses. Just as the Father is exalted and worshipped, Jesus is as well. They are both YAHWEH, one God. 

The Old Testament actually has much to say about this. It is not silent. These things are hidden in plain sight. The Spirit of Christ within the prophets testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow (1Peter 1:11).

Read a portion of the second Psalm,

Yet I have set my king up on my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel.

                              Psalm 2:6-9 KJV

Here we have God, the Father giving His Son, Jesus, the nations as an inheritance. Jesus will rule them with a rod of iron.

The LORD said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

                           Psalm 110:1-2 KJV

Again, the Father giving authority to the Son, who will rule the nations with an iron rod. The religious leaders in Jesus' day were ignorant of this. They could not see that David's Lord (Jesus) would become his descendant through the incarnation (see Matthew 22:41-46).

In Psalm 45 we read,

Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter.

Thou lovest righteousness and hated wickedness: therefore God, thy God hath annointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

                            Psalm 45:6-7 KJV

The author of Hebrews applies this to Jesus in Hebrews 1:8-9. This Psalm prophetically looks to the day when God's everlasting kingdom will arrive. It will be ruled in righteousness. God annointing God as per this Psalm refers to the Father exalting the Son, and giving Him the kingdom. Take note, the Father and Son are both referred to as God.

The author of Hebrews quoting Psalm 8:4-6 has this to say about Jesus as well.

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put in under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

                          Hebrews 2:6-9 KJV

Jesus, the Son of man, humbled Himself and became flesh. The ultimate purpose was the redemption of a fallen world. He was obedient to the death of the cross, and as a result, crowned with glory and honor. This world is not yielded to the rule of God at this point in history, but the day will come when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign eternal (Revelation 12:15).

Jesus referred to Himself often as the "Son of Man." In fact this title is the one He used the most throughout His earthly ministry. Many commentators state that Jesus is placing emphasis on His human nature. I disagree, and believe that Jesus is actually making a bold declaration of who is really is, the divine Son of God, in the flesh, who receives a universal Kingdom.

 We find an amazing vision in the seventh chapter of Daniel. It is a vision of the final days of the gentile world power preceding the coming of the kingdom of the Most High. 

I beheld until 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 judgement was set, and the books were opened.

I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame.

As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

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.

                              Daniel 7:9-14 KJV

Daniel saw the events of the last days, the rise of the beast empire, the little horn (Antichrist) speaking arrogantly against the Most High God, the tribulation, and the ultimate destruction of the Antichrist, and the establishment of God's everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:21-27). 

Who is this Son of man who comes in the clouds of heaven? How can He approach the Ancient of days? Why does He receive an everlasting kingdom, dominion, and glory, and the worship of every tongue and tribe upon the earth? 

Jesus used the title "Son of man" around eighty times in the gospels. We could explore them all, but I will only pick two of them to make my point.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

                        Matthew 24:29-30 KJV

Jesus is speaking of His second coming in this chapter. He outlines the events of the last days, and makes a direct reference to the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven. Jesus is stating that He is that Son of man seen in Daniel's vision. He is the one worthy to approach the Ancient of days and receive and everlasting kingdom.

When Jesus was arrested and brought before the high priest he was asked,

Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and said, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

                               Mark 14:62-64 KJV

Jesus' statement enraged the high priest. He tore his clothes in anger and accused Jesus of blasphemy. Jesus had just declared four things in His response.

1. He is the Messiah

2. He is the Son of God

3. He is the Lord sitting at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1).

4. He is the Son of man who will be exalted.

Four statements in one brief reply to the high priest, all pointing to one reality. Jesus boldly declared that He is indeed God. The high priest and the others at this sham trial all understood what Jesus said. They condemned him for what they perceived as blasphemy.

John saw a vision of the Son of man as recorded in Revelation 1:13-18,

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were a flame of fire;

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand up on me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.

Jesus, by declaring Himself to be the first and the last declares Himself to be YAHWEH, the King of Israel, and its redeemer, the LORD of hosts (compare Isaiah 44:6). John has seen the glorified Lord. Compare this with the description of the Ancient of days in Daniel 7:9.

If there is still any doubt that Jesus is worthy to receive worship, we have the testimony of John in Revelation,

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

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.

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

                      Revelation 5:11-14 KJV 

Did you catch that? They worshipped Him who sat upon the throne, and the Lamb. Throughout these passages that we have looked at we have consistantly seen the Father and the Son together, both divine, both God. As Christians we understand the scriptures teach there is only one God and no other beside Him. We believe the Bible teaches God is a triune being, and again, what we have looked at today proves the deity of the Father and the Son.

               

    

More Passages Confirming the Triune God.

Jesus, speaking to His disciples, warns them of coming persecution. This will actually lead to opportunities for them to speak before the authorities in power. We read this in Matthew, 

"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

           Matthew 10:19-20 NASB

Mark records this,

"When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit."

                       Mark 13:11 NASB

And Luke records Jesus' words,

"So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute."

                         Luke 21:14 NASB

Notice in Matthew we read of the Spirit of the Father giving the words at the right time, and in Mark it says the Holy Spirit. Luke's account records Jesus saying that it is He who will give the utterance and wisdom needed. 

We see here the unity within the Godhead, how the Father, Son, and Spirit work together to accomplish their purposes. In this case, providing the right words, at the right time, so that even in persecution the gospel goes forth in power.

It can be safely assumed that the Father's Spirit is in fact the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 we read that the Spirit reveals to us the things of God. Within this passage we see the Spirit also referred to as the Spirit of God. If the Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, how can He not be divine? 

Peter also tells us that prophecy does not originate in the will of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:21).

Acts 4:25-26 records that the Holy Spirit speaking through David prophetically uttered what we read in Psalm 2:1-3.

Likewise Acts 28:27 attributes the words of God found in Isaiah 6:9-10, to the Holy Spirit speaking through the prophet Isaiah.

It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit is also referred to as the Spirit of Christ. In 1 Peter we read that the Spirit of Christ within the prophets was revealing to them the future suffering and ultimate glorification of Jesus. These things were for our benefit, for us who have heard the gospel preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven (1 Peter 1:10-12).

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

                        1 Thess 1:5 NASB

The gospel witness of Paul as recorded in the above verse came with the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction (John 16:7-11). 

This same convicting power must attend everyone sharing the gospel, whether a minister in a church on Sunday or an individual suffering in prison, about to stand before the authorities. It is the convicting power of the Spirit attending the message that is necessary. In reality it is God (the Holy Spirit) speaking through an individual.

Read the example of Peter in Acts 2:14-41. He has just been filled with the Holy Spirit and now preaches a powerful message filled with conviction. Read the disciples prayer for boldness in the face of opposition found in Acts 4:24-31. The result? They were filled with the Spirit and began to speak the word with boldness. 

Jesus speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell those who believe in Him in John chapters 14-16.

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."

                         John 14:23 NASB

From this verse we see that the Father and Son come to dwell with those who love and obey Jesus. How is this accomplished? It is through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are in fact the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). He lives within us. 

One can clearly see the triune nature of God in these passages. We have seen the unity of the Father, Son and Spirit working together in the ministry of the prophets, in the witness of the apostles, and it continues for us today. The same Spirit that filled them, is available for us, bringing us into fellowship with the Father and Son. 

We have seen the Holy Spirit referred to as the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Father, and the Spirit of Christ. Isaiah 61:1 calls Him the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD. 

As Christians we absolutely believe in one God. Isaiah 45:5 declares,

I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.

This statement found in Isaiah and many others like it are absolutely true and I firmly embrace them. Yet as I have shown in previous posts many of these passages are applied to Jesus in the New Testament. We see throughout the Bible references to the Father, Son, and Spirit. Not three separate gods as many accuse us of believing, but one absolute God comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Triune God in Isaiah 48

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am He; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

                      (Isaiah 48:12-13 KJV)

The individual speaking in these two verses can be identified as God. He claims to be the first and the last, something no one but God can claim. There is no one else besides Him. He is the uncreated first cause of all creation. In this passage He is shown to be the one who created the heavens and the earth. It is undisputable, this is God speaking.

As this passage continues God speaks of bringing future Judgement on Babylon who He will use as a chastisement upon His people, particularly the southern kingdom of Judah. When the time has come, God will raise up a Persian ruler named Cyrus to set His people free (see Isaiah 44:28-44:4).

It is still God speaking as we come to verse 16,

Come ye near to me, hear this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God and his Spirit, hath sent me.

                                ( Isaiah 48:16 KJV)

So notice that it is God speaking, who will be sent by the Lord God, and the Spirit. Here we have a clear view of the triune makeup of God. Again, it is obvious from the context that it is God speaking. No one but God can claim to be the first and last, the creator of the heavens and earth. That claim belongs only to God. Yet we see the Lord God, and the Spirit, sending the speaker who we have identified as God.

We can deduce from this portion of scripture that it prophetically speaks of the coming Messiah, Jesus, who will be annointed by the Holy Spirit. 

This is foretold also in Isaiah 42:1-7, and Isaiah 61:1-3, and confirmed by Jesus Himself when He read this passage in the synogogue, and claimed to be the fulfillment of it (Luke 4:16-21). Lest there be any doubt in our minds, Creation is ascribed to Jesus as well as it states in Hebrews 1:2-3, Col 1:16, and John 1:3, which reads, All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

Notice the "There am I" statement denoting eternity. This is very close to Jesus' statement in John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I am."

Here we have again seen Jesus portrayed as God, as well as another Old Testament passage which reveals the triune God. 

The Deity of the Holy Spirit Shown in the Old Testament

One does not need to search the New Testament to find passages proving the deity of the Holy Spirit. While it is true that the New Testament shows the Spirit to be divine, the Old Testament is not silent on this issue either.

Let's look at David's last words as recorded in second Samuel.

Now these are the last words of David. 

David the Son of Jesse declares, the man who was raised on high declares, the annointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel,

"The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me..."

                     (2 Samuel 23:1-3 NASB)

In these three verses David states that the Spirit of YAHWEH spoke by him. What follows in this passage is a prophetic utterance spoken through David, by the Holy Spirit. 

Notice however it also states that the God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke...

This is a hebraic way of stating a fact. The text is showing us that the Spirit of the LORD, the God of Israel, and the Rock of Israel are the same.

Who is the God (Elohim) of Israel? Who is Israel's Rock?  

"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 

'I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.

'Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; yes let him recount it to Me in order, from the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.

'Do not tremble and do not be afraid; have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.'"

               (Isaiah 44:6-8 NASB)

We see in this passage that the God of Israel is the LORD YAHWEH. He is Israel's Rock, there is no other. So taking these passages together we can see that the Spirit of the LORD is divine. The Spirit is God, YAHWEH. The Holy Spirit cannot be another God, and Israel does not have two or more Gods. The text we have just read explicitly states that there is no other God, no other Rock. 

When David spoke prophetically by the Spirit, it was God speaking through him. Thus we can see that God has revealed Himself as the triune God in the Old Testament also. 

The God of the Exodus

The Old Testament has a lot to say about the triune God, more than many of us may realize. One such passage is found in Isaiah 63:7-16, a portion of scripture recalling God's deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt.

I shall make mention of the loving- kindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His loving-kindnesses. 

 

For He said, "Surely they are My people, sons who will not deal falsely." So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.

But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. 

Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them? Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses? Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name. 

Who led them through the depths? Like the horse in the wilderness they did not stumble; as the cattle which go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So you led your people , to make for Yourself a glorious name.

Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious habitation; where are Your zeal and Your mighty deeds? The stirrings of Your heart and your compassion are restrained toward me. 

For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, O, LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name. 

                            (Isaiah 63:7-16 NASB)

In this passage Isaiah is addressing the LORD (YAHWEH). From verse 16 we can see that Isaiah is referring to the Father. It is the Father who had compassion on Israel in their affliction. According to His loving kindness toward them, He became their Savior, redeeming them from slavery in Egypt. The miraculous parting of the waters, the crossing of the Red sea, but now centuries later, Israel has forsaken the LORD their God, their Father.

Who is the angel of His presence? If we go back to the story of the exodus we discover who this angel is.

Moses is pasturing his father-in-law's flock near Horeb, the mountain of God. The angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush.

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." 

He also said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

                  (Exodus 3:4-6 NASB)

This is not an ordinary created angel. This angel identifies Himself as God. It is God Himself speaking from the midst of the burning bush. He identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The patriarchs had visitations such as this as well. The LORD appeared to them on various occasions recorded in Genesis.  God tells Moses,

"I am the LORD; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.

"I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned.

"Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because of the Egyptians who are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant.

"Say therefore, to the sons of Israel, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgements.

'Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burden of the Egyptians.

'I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a possession; I am the LORD.'"

                     ( Exodus 6:2-8 NASB)

We see that the LORD God appeared to the patriarchs, made a covenant with them, and has now seen the affliction of their descendants in Egypt. In the past the Word of the LORD appeared to Abram and made a covenant with him (Genesis 15:1-18). The LORD appeared to Abram and gave him the covenant of circumcision (Genesis 17:1-22), and appeared again in the form of a man (Genesis 18:1-33). The angel of the LORD calls out to Abraham from heaven in Genesis 22:1-18, when God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

The LORD appears to Isaac and reaffirms the covenant made with Abraham (Genesis 26:2-5).

The LORD appeared to Jacob on several occasions during his lifetime. Again, the covenant made with Abraham and passed down to Isaac, is now reaffirmed with Jacob (Genesis 28:12-23). He sees the angel of God in a dream (Genesis 31:10-13), and wrestles with a man (angel), who in reality is God, until daybreak ( Genesis 32:24-30).

When Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph he makes mention of the God who led him all of his life, equating God with the angel who redeemed him from evil (Genesis 48:15-16). 

The book of Hosea confirms that the God of Jacob, and the angel with whom he wrestled, were one and the same, the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name (Hosea 12:3-5).

Again, back to the appearance of the angel of the LORD and the burning bush, we read this,

The LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of My People who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings."

                      ( Exodus 3:7 NASB)

God is aware of the sufferings that His chosen people have endured. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them (Isaiah 63:9). This angel of His presence, the angel of the LORD who appeared in the burning bush declares who He is,

Then Moses said to God, "Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, 'The God of your father's has sent me to you.' Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?"

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM "; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 

God, furthermore said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations."

                 (Exodus 3:13-15 NASB)

The angel of the LORD, with whom Moses was speaking is the LORD God. He takes the name of the LORD, YAHWEH, the eternal one.

As they depart in haste from Egypt the LORD goes before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22).

 As they come to the Red sea, we read that it is the angel of God going before the people. With no where to go, the angel moves between them and the approaching Egyptians (Exodus 14:19). Notice in Exodus 14:24 that it is the LORD who is looking down on the army of Egyptians through the pillar of cloud and fire. This is when God parted the sea, delivering His people in a miraculous way.

In Exodus 23:20-23 we read that this angel who is to go before Israel and bring them into the promised land contains the name of the LORD.

After the incident of the golden calf God told Moses to depart with the people to the promised land. He said he would send His angel before them, but He (the LORD) would not go because of their obstinance. 

Moses intercedes, he is unsure who God will send to go before them. He has found favor with God, they have spoken face to face. He refuses to go if the LORD Himself will not go with them. God's presence in their midst is the factor that distinguishes them from all the other nations. 

The LORD's reply? My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest (Exodus 33:14, see Exodus 32:1-33:15).

The angel of the LORD states in Judges 2:1 that it was He who brought them out of Egypt and into the land which He swore to give their fathers. So who is this angel of the LORD who speaks for God and as God? He is the angel of His presence.

I'm Malachi 3:1 we read this prophecy,

"Behold I am going to send My messenger, and He will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts.

This was fulfilled as John the Baptist, the messenger or forerunner of Jesus came and prepared the way for Jesus (Mark 1:1-4). Jesus is the Lord who suddenly came to His temple (John 2:13-17). Jesus is the messenger of the covenant of  whom Malachi speaks. He is the angel of the LORD who appeared to the patriarchs, to Moses, who led Israel out of Egypt, and into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

John 1:18 states that no one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Jesus explains to His disciples that He is the revelation of the Father in John 14:7-11. This allows us to harmonize all of the divine appearances mentioned in the Old Testament with the above statement, "No one has seen God at any time." The patriarchs and prophets saw God. Hagar saw God. When Moses and Aaron, Nadab, Elihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascended mount Sinai, they saw God. In fact they ate with Him ( Exodus 24:9-11). Who they saw in these appearances was the pre-incarnate Son, Jesus, the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), the I AM who existed from eternity past, before Abraham was born (John 8:58).

Jesus is the glorious arm of the LORD who went at the right hand of Moses (Isaiah 63:12). We read this in Isaiah 53, a Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1)

The message was about Jesus the Messiah, and He was the arm of the LORD revealed to Israel, who according to prophecy, rejected Him ( John 12:37-42). He came to His own and His own did not receive Him (John 1:11).

Jesus the Son of God is pre-existant. He has always been, yet He did not merely dwell unknown in heaven until His incarnation. Many of us understand the prophecies concerning Him, His birth, ministry and miracles, death, resurrection, and second coming. However, how many of us realize that the Old Testament records multiple instances of His appearing to various individuals? When Jesus stated that the scriptures spoke of Him, (remember this would be the Old Testament), He is including all of these appearances we have been discussing. The Old Testament scriptures are filled with Jesus (Luke 24:27).

In spite of all that God did in redeeming Israel out of slavery in Egypt they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit, the Spirit who was in their midst (Isaiah 63 10-11). When we read the account of the Exodus we see the children of Israel constantly grumbling, complaining, and ultimately refusing to go into the land promised them. The had been gloriously delivered, seen miracles, experienced God's provision time and time again. The angel of the LORD ( Christ) personally led them the whole time. All of this grieved His (God's) Holy Spirit.

(See Psalm 106:32-33).

The author of Hebrews, quoting Psalm 95:7-11, states this, Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED ME BY TESTING ME, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID,  'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS'; AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.'"

                     (Hebrews 3:7-11 NASB)

Speaking for God, and as God we see that the Holy Spirit was provoked. It was the Holy Spirit who was tested by the actions of His rebellious people. In a similar passage we see that when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the apostles it was the Holy Spirit that they were actually lying to. Peter tells them that they did not lie to men, but to God (Acts 5:3-4). These are two important passages. God's Spirit cannot be separated from God. The Holy Spirit is not a force, or an angel, or some other created being, or even another God. The Holy Spirit is God. You cannot separate the Spirit of God from God. 

Numbers 14:11-14 records Moses pleading with the LORD on behalf of the nation of Israel who had just refused to enter the promised land,

The LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they." 

But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, for You, O LORD, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night."

               (Numbers 14:11-14 NASB).

Here we see that it was the LORD in the midst of the people, leading them in the pillar of cloud and fire. This ties it up. There is only one LORD (YAHWEH). We have seen the Father referred to as the LORD, the pre-incarnate Son referred to as LORD, and the Holy Spirit as LORD as well. One LORD, not three LORDS. The one LORD bringing out His people from Egypt, performing miracles, His presence in their midst, He Himself going before them in the cloud. 

Again, as I initially stated, the Old Testament does say much about the triune God. This doctrine is not a new innovation. There are those who erroneously claim that the doctrine of the triune God (trinity) was unheard of until the Nicean council, where "christianized" pagans invented a way to worship multiple gods. This could not be further from the truth. The concept of the triune God is rooted in the Old Testament and is woven throughout the scriptures. God has not left us without witness, He has revealed Himself to us by His Spirit, through His word.

Filthy Garments

I have sat through numerous Bible studies, Sunday school classes, and listened to sermons on the subject of our righteous deeds being like filthy rags. It goes something like this, "on our best day, all of our obedience, and our very best for God, is nothing but filthy rags in His sight." I have even read some theologians who go on to say all of our deeds, even what is done for God must be covered in the blood of Jesus because of their filthiness. Isaiah 64:6 is quoted as the proof text to back up this doctrine. 

However, no one ever takes the context into consideration, taking this one verse by itself to make a doctrine. Let's look at this in its context to see what Isaiah is saying here.

First of all, the audience, and subjects of this prophecy, in fact, the majority of the prophetic book of Isaiah, are the Israelites. To narrow it down further, the southern kingdom of Judah was whom Isaiah primarily ministered to. A common mistake people make when interpreting Old Testament passages is to assume that the passage is speaking to the Church. While we can apply principles and precepts found in these passages to us today, if we fail to understand that these prophecies and promises apply to Israel first and foremost, we muddy the waters, and have problems understanding the passage.

It is vital to us to understand the theme of Isaiah, and then what are the surrounding chapters, and surrounding verses telling us. This is what I intend to do in this post.

Isaiah confronts a nation who has turned from God. His message is one of indictment, judgement, and future redemption. (See Isaiah 1:1-31). Many of the prophecies deal with the near future Babylonian captivity, yet in the long term, the time of the great tribulation and the coming of the Messiah as Israel's deliverer are in view. Often these themes overlap each other.

As we look at the immediate chapters around chapter 64 we again read of indictment (Isaiah 59:1-8). In a passage very much like Isaiah 64:4-7, a confession of the nations utter wickedness is made (Isaiah 59:9-14). Salvation is far from them due to their sinfulness. This is a people who as a whole have abandoned the Lord and live totally in sinful rebellion. As we read these passages we see a nation under judgement. Their land lies desolate, the sanctuary destroyed. Again, the captivity in Babylon, and ultimately the desolation of the last days are in view.

This period of desolation is the backdrop for chapter 64 which is a plea for the Lord to come and deliver His people. But as one reads through this chapter it becomes painfully obvious that it is sin that has caused this nation to be in the situation it is in. Isaiah 64:5-7 is a confession of their continuance in sin, and an acknowledgement of the just anger of the Lord. The question is asked "How can we be saved?" They go on to acknowledge that their righteousness is like a filthy garment, their iniquities, like the wind, have carried them away.

Although they kept up the ritual aspects of the law, they had departed from the Lord, and He had withdrawn from them. They had no righteousness, even their fasts and sacrifices were an abomination to God, as they flowed out of hypocrisy.

This passage is not teaching us that as Christians our obedience, our good works that flow out of a heart that loves God and desires to please Him, are tainted. Righteous acts that flow from right motives are not filthy rags in God's sight, in fact the opposite is true. Revelation 19:8 states that fine linen robes, bright and clean represent the righteous deeds of the saints.

I would agree that deeds done out of selfish motives, or hypocrisy are not righteous at all. But one who is made right through Jesus Christ will live right. That is what righteousness is, and that individual is pleasing to God.

Again, this passage is speaking of God's people who have grievously departed from Him in their hearts and in their conduct. They are under His chastening hand, and in their cry for deliverance they confess their sinful state. That is what this passage means in its proper context.

The day will come when Israel is once again desolate, they cry out in repentance and find restoration, as they finally recognize their Messiah.

The Loveless Church

      We read in the book of Revelation about seven churches. These churches, found in Asia Minor (present day Turkey), are representative of various churches throughout history, and including the present day. The good things as well as the bad, are revealed in these letters. Some are admonished to repent of their errors and compromise, others are encouraged in their faithfulness. These seven letters are just as applicable to us today. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things that are written in it; for the time is near (Rev 1:3 NASB). 

     The first church mentioned is the church found in Ephesus. This would be the church found in the nineteenth chapter of Acts. Paul found a group of twelve men who were disciples, but had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul stays on on Ephesus for about two years and a church is established. This same church was the recipient of what we refer to as Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, found in our Bibles. Shortly before his arrest, Paul admonishes this congregation, as they would never see him again, warning them of false teachers who would eventually rise up from among them (Acts 20:17-38). 

     This church had a lot going for it. It was planted by Paul, who spent quite a while with them, building them up and teaching them. But that is no guarantee of their future faithfulness. By the time John received the Revelation on the isle of Patmos, Ephesus was in trouble.

     Revelation 2:1-7 contains the letter addressed to the Ephesian church. Jesus tells them He knows their deeds. He has seen their hard work, and their perseverance in it. They were meticulous in weeding out false teachers and evil men. Perhaps they were taking Paul's earlier warning quite seriously! These are all good things, and all Christians everywhere should be as judicious in maintaining doctrinal purity. However they lacked one thing. At one time they were passionate about Jesus, but now their love had diminished considerably. They had left their first love. The love that they initially had for Christ had driven them to labor tirelessly for His kingdom. Now they were still working as hard as ever, but it was a hollow empty work, spurred on by tradition. They were doing what they did because this was the way they always did it. 

     What really matters is faith that works by love (Gal 5:6). We read that all of our good works are empty efforts without love (1 Cor 13:1-3). And Jesus warns this church that they are about to lose their lamp stand. He urges them to repent and do the deeds they did at first. They must rekindle that love they once had, and allow that to motivate their deeds done for Christ. 

     What about us? I can relate to this in my own life. I remember the early days of my salvation. Everything was new and exciting, and I felt that there was nothing that I would not do for my Savior. Of course we do not live in constant excitement, but we should not let our love grow cold. Sadly, many of us lose our love without realizing it. Our lives seem to stay the same. We may attend church faithfully, pray, read the Bible, and do all kind of good things. However, what is motivating us? Are our religious deed mere habits, or are they born out of a passion for Jesus? As we see the last days approaching we should be ever mindful of Jesus' words, Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most will grow cold" (Matt 24:12).

     

     Instead of losing our lamp stands, let us as the church put them out for the world to see.

     

Freedom to Sin?

     A common misconception of Christianity is that it gives Christians a freedom to sin. The idea goes something like this. If Jesus died for my sins, and I believe in Him, and if I am totally forgiven, therefore any future sins I commit are also forgiven. If this is the case, then it does not matter how I live out my life. I can sin all I want to, as it is all forgiven, and there are no eternal consequences to worry about.

     Of course, there are people who view Christianity with contempt because of this error, mocking the whole idea of Christ's sacrifice for the pardon of sin. Then there are those who profess to know Christ but deny Him by their deeds (Titus 1:16). They have fallen into serious error as well, as the Bible points out throughout its pages.

     Jesus tells us that a good tree will bring forth good fruit, and an evil tree will bring forth evil fruit, and be cut down and cast into the fire (Matt 7:16-20). Not everyone who professes Him as Lord will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, only those who are obedient (Matt 7:21). What He is saying is this. One who professes to know Him will obey Him. The idea of faith goes beyond a head knowledge of historical facts and things we believe about Him. A real faith puts what we believe into practice. This agrees with what James tells us about faith and works. A faith with no works is a dead faith. Our deeds show the reality of our faith (James 2:17-26). In this passage we see the examples of Abraham, and of Rahab. They both exhibited a faith that acted upon what they believed. It may shock many of you if I stated that a man is justified by his works, and not by faith alone. However, this is what James under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit states. "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24 KJV).

     Don't misunderstand me. I am not advocating legalism or a works based salvation. The scriptures are abundantly clear that our salvation cannot be earned. However, true faith goes beyond out head knowledge and ends in our actions. If not, it is a useless, dead faith. 

     The apostle Paul was accused by his enemies of preaching a cheap grace gospel. "And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose damnation is just (Romans 3:8 KJV). Paul condemns this this accusation in no uncertain terms! Romans 6 strongly refutes the idea of a freedom to sin. Romans 6:1 opens with the rhetorical question, "Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound?" Paul's answer is a resounding no. He goes on to point out how a Christian is identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. As followers of Christ, we are dead to sin, and alive unto God. We are to no longer allow sin free course in our lives, instead, we are to live righteously unto God. Sin no longer has dominion over a believer, as he is not under law, but grace. However, grace is not a free pass to sin, We are slaves of who, or what we yield ourselves to. A professing believer who chooses to sin is a slave of sin, and under its dominion period. Grace actually teaches us to deny sin, and live godly, obedient lives (Titus 2:11-12).

     The author of Hebrews did not agree with a sinning saint theology either. He strongly exhorts his audience to persevere in godliness. "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27). I would like to make it clear, we are all prone to sin. We face temptations and sometimes fall, We may sin unintentionally, or in the heat of a moment. However, a true follower of Christ will get back up, confess his sin and turn from it and seek grace (1 John 1:9). John writes his first epistle to guard us against sin, but if find ourselves to have sinned, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). However this is not the same thing as an individual who claims the name of Jesus, but continues on in an unrepentant lifestyle. John writes that the way we know who knows Christ is by our obedience to His commands (1 John 2:3-5). This epistle is consistent in this message. 

    Jesus came to take away our sin, and in Him is no sin. As His followers we are to be like Him. If we walk in darkness, yet claim to be in the light, we are found to be liars (1 John 1:5-7). In the third chapter of First John, we can plainly see that the mark of a Christian is that of obedience. Because the Christian has been transformed by Jesus and is now led by a new principle through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, he does not sin as before. The difference between the children of God, and the children of the devil is obvious. It comes down to sin. Have we been delivered from it, or are we still under its control. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and set us free from sin (1 John 3:2-10). 

     In conclusion, there is no freedom to sin found in the gospel. Salvation goes beyond forgiveness and strikes at the problem of sin itself. The gospel provides a way to deliver those who put their trust in Christ from the dominion of sin in their lives. We are not saved in our sins, but from our sins.

The Coming Son of Man

     "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in 

the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will

mourn, and they will see the Son of Man

coming on the clouds of the sky with power

and great glory."

(Matthew 24:30 NASB)

Jesus made this statement in the passage of scripture known as the Olivet discourse. Here He speaks of the things to come, the events leading up to and including His second coming. In this post I would like to examine this verse in light of a few other passages of scripture, to help us understand who Jesus is.

Jesus is drawing from the prophet Zachariah in this particular statement. This particular book deals quite extensively with the ultimate return of the LORD to deliver Israel, and to bring judgement upon her enemies, in what we would call the "last days." The particular verse quoted, is speaking of the day when Israel looks upon the LORD who has come to save them, and as a consequence repents in bitter mourning, and as a nation experiences the salvation of the LORD.

"I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, like the bitter weeping over a firstborn (Zechariah 12:10 NASB)."

This is the LORD speaking, telling of a day when He will be physically present in Israel (Zech 14:4), visible to the people. They will see Him, and they will repent and be saved (Zech 13:8-9). So who is this LORD who will one day be bodily present on the earth? 

Daniel speaks of a time when the saints of the Most High will be overpowered and wore down until the Ancient of Days comes and passes judgement in their favor (Daniel 7:21-22). This chapter is where we find the "Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven", the Son of Man, whom Jesus claimed to be throughout the gospels. So now we see two references to the coming of the Lord to this earth to save His people, who are under severe distress. This is foretelling of the time of tribulation where christian, and Jew alike will experience untold of suffering, ultimately ended by Christ's return.

Finally we read in Revelation 1:7, speaking of Jesus, 

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

So to sum this up, we see Jesus quoting Zechariah 12:10, and applying it to Himself, and John drawing from this same verse and also applying it to Jesus. So where we read of the LORD (Yehovah in Hebrew, the name of God) coming to save His people, we also see how it has been applied to Jesus. So we can draw the conclusion that not only John, the disciple of Jesus, but also Jesus Himself, makes the connection that Jesus is the divine LORD, who will return at the end, bringing judgement upon His enemies, and salvation to those who are His.