Is Yahshua the Son of God or Is He Not?
Part V
Yahshua is Called “God”
Jn 20:28 Thomas answered and said unto him, My Master and my God.
The English word “God,” is derived in the OT from the Hebrew “elohim,” and in the NT from the Greek “theos.”
#430 ‘elohiym; KJV – God 2346, god 244, judge 5, GOD 1, goddess 2, great 2, mighty 2, angels 1, exceeding 1, godly 1; total 2606; Definition: rulers, judges, divine ones, angels, gods or god, the (true) God.
#2316 theos; KJV – God 1320, god 13, godly 3, God-ward + 4214 2, misc 5; total 1343; Definition: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities, spoken of the only and true God, refers to the things of God, of magistrates and judges.
As you can see by the definitions above the words “elohim” or “theos” do not solely apply only to the Father and the Son but can be given to angels, judges, rulers or any great or mighty person. Satan is termed god in 2Co 4:4, and the belly in Phil 3:19 as is Herod in Act 12:22. In Jn 10:34 Yahshua uses Ps.82:6 to counter the Jews charge, “That thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Yahshua answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken” (Jn 10:33-35). Elohim merely means a great or mighty one (see also Ex 22:9 & 28) and can certainly be applied to Yahshua, but the error takes place when Yahshua is classified as the one true “God,” the Almighty. Two verses clearly prove beyond a doubt that the Son is not the One True Almighty God, one spoken by Yahshua, the other by Paul.
Jn.17:3; “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee (Yahweh the Father vs. 1) the only true God, and Yahshua Messiah, whom thou hast sent.”
1Cor.8: 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Master Yahshua Messiah, by whom are all things, and we by him.
We now want to look at a few passages that you might be thinking of right now.
Ps 45:6 & Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
It sounds like the Father is saying to the Son “Thy throne, O God.” Is Yahweh calling Yahshua God? Much controversy and a wide variant of translations have surrounded this phrase. The Jewish Publication Society translated it as: “Thy throne given by God.” The RSV: Ps 45:6, “Your divine throne,” With a footnote, “Your throne is a throne of God.” Heb 1:8, “Thy throne, O God,” footnote: “God is thy throne.” The Moffatt Translation has for Ps 45:6 simply, “Your throne,” and “God is thy throne” for Heb 1:8. What are we to make of all this? One thing is for sure according to Dan 7:13-14, Lu 1:32, Ac 2:30 and Rev 3:21, Yahshua’s throne is one that he did not acquire on his own but had given to him by his Father.
1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Who is the “King eternal?” “But Yahweh is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king” (Jer 10:10).
Who is “immortal?” Immortal (Strong’s #862 aphthartos) should be uncorruptible or incorruptible as in “the uncorruptible (aphthartos) God,” (Ro 1:23).
Who is “invisible?” “Who (the Son vs 13) is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). “By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb 11:27). The visible Son is the image of the invisible Father.
Who is “the only wise God?” “To God only wise, be glory through Yahshua Messiah for ever” (Ro 16:27). So in this verse we see and know from other scriptures that only Yahweh, the Father, the Almighty is all these things and more.
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Yahshua Messiah.
Many would want us to believe that Yahshua here is called “the great God,” just as if it read: “the great God and our Saviour Yahshua Messiah.” However the word “and” is in there, although a controversy has evolved over the Greek word “kai,” from which it is translated. The eternal son advocates feel that here kai should be translated “even” or “also” as it sometimes is when the context warrants it. They don’t stop to tell us for every time kai is translated “even” it is translated “and” 75 times, for every time it is translated “also” it is translated “and” 16 times. So the odds are by far in favor of it being “and.” In the KJV kai is translated “and” 8173 times, “also” 514, “even” 108. Now let us realize if “and” can be changed to “even” or “also” every time we need it to conform to our own doctrine then there would be a multitude of conflicting passages. Many times the words Peter and John are connected by “kai,” does this make them out to be a single individual? Of course not! Look in Ro 1:7, 1Co 1:3, 2Co 1:2, Gal 1:3, Ep 1:2, Phi 1:2, Col 1:1, 1Th 1:1, 2Th 1:1, 1Ti 1:1, 2Ti 1:2, Phm 1:3 and Tit 1:4, where Paul almost always greets the brethren with words like, “from God our Father and the Master Yahshua Messiah.” Look again, it does not say from God our Father the Master Yahshua Messiah or from God our Father who is Yahshua Messiah. The Father beget the Son, He did not become the Son, which is why Paul speaks of two distinct individuals.
Still, with Tit 2:13 we must ask, will the Father Yahweh also come quickly? “For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire, and with his chariots LIKE A WHIRLWIND, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire” (Isa 66:15). Who after all is “the great God?” “For Yahweh your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible” (De 10:17). “Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God” (Ne 8:6). “For Yahweh is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (Ps 95:3). “To all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God” (Rev 19:17, See Eze 39:17 for proof that this is the supper of “Yahweh God.”) Only the Father Yahweh is ever called “the great God,” the Son Yahshua never is.
1Ti 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Messiah Yahshua, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, Until the appearing of our Master Yahshua Messiah: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Two individuals are mentioned in verse 13, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Messiah Yahshua,” #1 is God, speaking of Yahweh the Father, and #2 is Yahshua Messiah. Which of these two individuals do verses 15 and 16 speak of? “Which in his times he shall shew,” to whom does the pronoun “his” speak of? This then leads to the question, whose time is it and who will show the appearing of the Messiah? “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mr 13:32). Yahshua said to his disciples, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Ac 1:7). So we see only the Father controls the time of the Messiah’s return. But then what about “Potentate?” The Greek word dunastes, is used of men in authority in Lu 1:52 and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:27. So it could be applied to any person of authority never mind Yahweh or Yahshua but only the Almighty can be addressed the “ONLY Potentate.” Who is “King of kings and Lord of lords?” Artaxerxes is identified as King of kings in Ezr 7:12, Nebuchadrezzar is too by Daniel in Dan 2:37 and even by Yahweh in Eze 26:7. Yahweh is referred to as Lord of lords in De 10:17 and Ps 136:3 while Yahshua is in Rev 17:14 and 19:16. Which one “Only hath immortality?” Yahweh of course, but the Father not only made His Son immortal but gave him the power to bestow immortality on others (Jn 5:26, 17:2; Heb 7:16) so that at the time Paul was writing this both the Father and Son “hath immortality.” What about “the light?’ In Ps 104:2, 1Jn 1:5 and Rev 22:5 it explains that Yahweh the Father is light but we also find that Yahshua the Son also is light (Jn 1:4, 9, 3:19, 8:12). But wait a minute, this is “the light which no man can approach unto,” whereas Yahshua said, “Come unto to me.” Does this speak of the Father or Son? “Whom no man hath seen, nor can see.” Yahshua himself testifies that it speaks of God the Father, “No man hath seen God at any time” (Jn 1:18), and “Not that any man hath seen the Father” (Jn 6:46).
So even though verses 15 and 16 have some descriptions that match Yahshua, and even some that correspond with ordinary men, the complete list only perfectly describes Yahweh the Father and none other.
Jude 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
We have seen that whenever the descriptive title, “Only wise God,” is found, it has to refer to Yahweh the Father because other words in these verses, such as “invisible” (1Ti 1:17), and a secondary reference to the Son, “Glory through Yahshua Messiah” (Ro 16:27), automatically exclude the Messiah as the subject. Here in Jude the extra words “Our Saviour” seems to point to Yahshua our Saviour. If you think Yahweh is not our Saviour see, “Who Is Saviour/Redeemer.”
Finally we will look at Mic 5:2 and Hebrews chapter 7.
Mic.5:2; “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
No question, this is speaking of the future Messiah, Yahshua the King of Israel. But does the last part mean he has been coming and going forever? “Goings forth” is #4163 mowtsa’ahm, meaning: origin, place of going out to or from, a privy, outhouse (see 2Ki 10:27). Note: RSV and NIV have “origin.” So Yahshua Messiah’s origin goes back a long way, back beyond Adam, back forever and ever because his Father always was.
Jn 16:27 The Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from Yahweh. 28 I came forth from the Father.
The Son’s family tree has no beginning; his family descent is “from everlasting.” To the Israelites, family ancestry was extremely important, as it was to most nationalities at that time.
Now let’s examine three verses in the seventh chapter of Hebrews.
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.
7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham.
7:8 Of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
This appears to speak of Melchisedec as equally eternal as Yahweh. Is this true? Adam Clarke can help us with this one with this quote from Clarke’s Commentary:
If the Messiah is to be a true priest, he must come from a legitimate stock (Levi-Aaron), …To this objection the apostle answers, that it was not necessary for the priest to come from a particular stock, for Melchisedec was a priest of the most high God, and yet was not of the stock, either of Abraham or Aaron, but a Canaanite.
He who could not support his pretensions by just genealogical evidences, was said by the Jews to be without father. Thus in Bereshith Rabba, sect. 18, fol. 18, on these words, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, it is said: If a proselyte to the Jewish religion have married his own sister, whether by the same father or by the same mother, they cast her out according to Rabbi Meir. But the wise men say if she be of the same mother, they cast her out; but if of the same father, they retain her, “for a Gentile has no father;” i.e. his father is not reckoned in the Jewish genealogies. In this way both Christ and Melchisedec were without father and without mother; i.e. were not descended from the original Jewish sacerdotal stock. Yet Melchisedec, who was a Canaanite, was a priest of the most high God. “He is, therefore, said to be without descent or genealogy, because he was not of the seed of Abraham, but of Canaanitish origin, and sprung from an accursed seed; therefore he is without the honour of a genealogy.” And he farther adds, “That, because it would have been highly improper for him, who was the most righteous of men, to be joined in affinity to the most unrighteous of nations, he is said to be without father and without mother.” This sort of phraseology was not uncommon when the genealogy of a person was unknown or obscure; so Seneca, in his 108th epistle, speaking of some of the Roman kings, says: “Of the mother of Servius Tullus there are doubts; and Ancus Marcus is said to have no father.” This only signifies that the parents were either unknown or obscure. Titus Livius, speaking of Servius, says he was born of a slave named Cornicularia, da patre nullo, of no father, i.e. his father was unknown.
The viri nullis majoribus orti, men sprung from no ancestors, means simply men who were born of obscure or undistinguished parents; i.e. persons, who had never been famous, nor of any public account. The old Syriac has given the true meaning by translating thus:-( Syriac) Dela abuhi vela, emeh ethcathebu besharbotho. Whose father and mother are not inscribed among the genealogies. The Arabic is nearly the same:- (Arabic) He had neither father nor mother; the genealogy not being reckoned. The AEthiopic: He had neither father nor mother upon earth, nor is his genealogy known.
Observations from Dr. Owen: “It is said of Melchisedec in the first place that he was apatwr, amhtwr, without father and without mother, whereon part of the latter clause, namely, without beginning of days, doth depend. But how could a mortal man come into the world without father or mother? ‘Man that is born of a woman’ is the description of every man; what, therefore, can be intended! The next word declares he was agenealoghtov? ‘without descent,’ say we. But genealogia is a generation, a descent, a pedigree, not absolutely, but rehearsed, described, recorded. genealoghtov is he whose stock and descent is entered on record. And so, on the contrary, agenealoghtov is not he who has no descent, no genealogy; but he whose descent and pedigree is nowhere entered, recorded, reckoned up. Thus the apostle himself plainly expresses this word, ver. 6: o mh genealogoumenov ex autwn, ‘whose descent is not counted;’ that is, reckoned up in record.
Thus was Melchisedec without father or mother, in that the Spirit of God, who so strictly and exactly recorded the genealogies of other patriarchs and types of Christ, and that for no less an end than to manifest the truth and faithfulness of God in his promises, speaks nothing to this purpose concerning him. He is introduced as it were one falling from heaven, appearing on a sudden, reigning in Salem, and officiating in the office of priesthood to the high God.
“On the same account is he said to be mhte archn hmerwn, mhte zwhv telov ecwn, ‘without beginning of days or end of life.’ For as he was a mortal man he had both. He was assuredly born, and did no less certainly die than other men. But neither of these is recorded concerning him. Consider all the other patriarchs mentioned in the writings of Moses, and you shall find their descent recorded. But concerning Melchisedec none of these things are spoken. His priesthood, therefore, may be considered as perpetual. [This excerpt was taken from Clarke’s Commentary, vol. 2, pg. 730-31].
Yahshua was “after the order of Melchisedec,” not in the same sense that his genealogy was not recorded (for we have it in both Matthew and Luke), but in that he was ordained as high priest by divine appointment and not through ancestry. Because, unlike Melchisedec who was said to be without father, mother, descent, nor beginning or end of days, we are informed of Yahshua’s Father and mother, his descent and when he began in Bethlehem and died at Calvary.
Worship
Mt 4:10 Then saith Yahshua unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship (4352) Yahweh thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
As close as most Bible scholars can tell this is a quote from De 6:13.
De 6:13 Thou shalt fear (yare) Yahweh thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
#03372 – yare; KJV – fear 188, afraid 78, terrible 23, terrible thing 6, dreadful 5, reverence 3, fearful 2, terrible acts 1, misc 8; total 314; Definition: to fear, revere, be afraid, to stand in awe of, reverence, honour, respect, be held in awe.
The Greek word proskuneo was used to translate the Hebrew word yare.
#4352 – proskuneo; KJV – worship 60; total 60. Definition: to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence. In the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication. Used of homage shown to men and beings of: 1] Superior rank 2] The Jewish high priests 3] To God 4] To Christ 5] To heavenly beings 6] To demons.
The Hebrew word translated worship is shachah.
#07812 – shachah; KJV – worship 99, bow 31, bow down 18, obeisance 9, reverence 5, fall down 3, themselves 2, stoop 1, crouch 1, misc 3; total 172. Definition: to bow down, prostrate oneself before a superior in homage, or God in worship, or before false gods, or before angels.
Yahweh is worshipped (shachah) in Gen 24:26, 24:48, 1Sam 15:31, 2Sam 15:32, Neh 8:6 and in many other scriptures as well. However we also see where Lot worshipped (shachah) the angels sent to Sodom in Gen 19:1, Joseph’s brothers worshipped (shachah) him in Gen 43:26 & 28, David worshipped (shachah) Saul in 1Sam 24:8, Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth worshipped (shachah) David in 2Sam 9:6 and there are many other cases too numerous to mention. Important to note is that in each case the worshippers were not told to stop or get up but allowed to worship (shachah).
So by studying the words translated “worship” and the context of the verses where they’re found we educate ourselves and are better able to understand what Yahweh is trying to tell us in His word. If we look at shachah and proskuneo, we see they both mean to bow down and show respect and honour to a king or high priest or someone of superior rank. This is strange and foreign to us today in the western world because even to the Queen we just bow slightly or curtsey. But we’re not talking about today but 2000 years ago, even though we often catch ourselves interpreting scripture by the standards of our own time period.
If someone should honour or praise us (whether bowing down or just giving us credit) for something that we don’t totally deserve, it would be correct to tell them to stop and direct their honour towards the one the credit belongs to. To do otherwise would be deception. In the Bible when a person was worshipped (shachah or proskuneo) because of their position as king or priest it was not stopped but allowed, because they were being honoured for what they were, not worshipped as God. In the instances where an apostle or angel ordered the person to stop and stand up it was because they were worshipping them for the works God did.
Heb 1:6 When he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship (proskuneo) him.
The angels weren’t ordered to worship Yahshua for the works Yahweh Himself is responsible for but for the great honour and praise the Son himself deserves. Yahweh is worthy to receive worship for what He has done.
Re 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Yahweh, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Yahshua is worthy to receive worship for his accomplishments. He is worthy, “For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev 5:9).
Re 5:12 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And everything that lives gave praise and honour to both the Father (on the throne) and the Son (the Lamb).
Re 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Yahshua said the saints themselves would receive worship.
Re 3:9 Behold, I (Yahshua) will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship (proskuneo) before thy (Philadelphia assembly) feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
The saints won’t be worshipped for the honour and praise that God deserves but only for what truly belongs to them.
Yahshua didn’t tell Satan “And him only shalt thou worship” but, “And him only shalt thou serve.” Did Yahshua mean don’t serve anyone but Yahweh? Yes and no. You must serve your parents, the leaders of the assemblies, leaders of your country, your employers and your spouse but only as to what they represent to you and not serve them as your God. Satan wanted Yahshua to honour him in place of God and Yahshua quickly put him in his place.
When we see in the NT people falling down before Yahshua and worshipping him it is not as if he is taking honour away from Yahweh. They worship him as the Son of God, not as God, and to revere/honour/worship/reverence someone for what they are and what they deserve is not idolatry.
Titles Given Both Father and Son
In the first chapter of Revelation, John, beginning with verse four, opens with a salutation, 1st from himself, 2nd from the Father Yahweh (which is, and which was, and which is to come), 3rd from the seven Spirits and 4th from Yahshua Messiah (vs 5). Verses 5-7 speaks of the Son and then verse 8 has someone speaking described as “The Lord (Yahweh), which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Adam Clarke notes, “This phraseology is purely Jewish, and probably taken from the Tetragrammaton.” This describes the Father as it did in verse 4, with an added emphasis, “the Almighty.”
Rev. 1:8; I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord (Yahweh), which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
The Greek here for “the Lord” is “Kurios o theos“, Lord God (the KJV omits “God”), or more correctly “Yahweh the God” or “Yahweh Elohim.” The phrase “Lord God” is never used of Yahshua in the New Testament. If we look in Rev 21:22 John says, “I saw no temple therein: for Yahweh God Almighty (kurios o theos) and the Lamb are the temple of it.” The “kurios o theos” (Lord God) is the Father and the Lamb is the Son. Robertson’s comments on Rev 1:8: “The Lord God (Kurios ho theos). ‘The Lord the God.’ Common phrase in Ezekiel and in this book (Revelation).” It is used 265 times in the OT for the Father. Yahshua himself announces that the title/name “Lord God” belongs to the Father Yahweh, see below in Lu 4:18 when he reads Isa 61:1-2.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord (Adonay – Master) Yahweh is upon me; because Yahweh hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh.
Lu 4:18 The Spirit of Yahweh is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of Yahweh.
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. 2, pg. 972, “This whole clause is wanting in ABC, thirty-one others; some editions; the Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, Vulgate, Arethas, Andreas, and Primasius.” This is from a Trinitarian who very often goes out of his way to exalt the Son to the status of “God the Son,” the second person of his Trinity. This clause I might add is not included in the RSV, the NIV and almost all other translations.
Rev 21:6 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Again we ask who is speaking here? Looking at the context we see in verse 5 it is Yahweh, for it is “he that sat upon the throne.” Read Rev 5:7, “And he (vs 5,the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David) came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” Two individuals, the Son Yahshua takes the book from the Father Yahweh. Back to 21:5-6, “He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Who makes all things new?
2Co 5:17 Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Yahshua Messiah.
The Father, who makes all things new, has reconciled us through His Son. The Father Yahweh sits upon the throne and makes all things new, He is speaking in Rev 21:6.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Once more we must see who is speaking and whom he is speaking of. Backup to verse 8 – John worships the angel, verse 9 – the angel rebukes him and the angel continues to speak through to and including verse 15. The angel’s subject is judgment, beginning in verse 11 and in verse 12 & 13 the angel quotes or speaks for Yahweh. How do we know it’s Yahweh, because after his quote the angel says in verse 14, “Blessed are they that do HIS commandments.” Whose commandments? The commandments of Yahweh (Rev 12:17, 14:12).
“The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God (Yahweh), and have the testimony of Yahshua Messiah” (Rev 12:17). Again two separate individuals. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Yahshua” Rev 14:12). Again two separate individuals.
Many people will look at Rev 22:12 and say that it sounds like Yahshua speaking, and automatically conclude that verse 13 refers to him. This type of hasty, presumptuous conclusion could work in reverse by looking at verse 13, and realizing it speaks of the Father, decide verse 12 pertains to Him. “Behold, I come quickly.” Yahshua speaks these words in 3:11 but then these same words the angel quotes “Yahweh God of the holy prophets” saying in 22:6-7. Will the Father Yahweh also come quickly? Yes indeed, “For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire, and with his chariots LIKE A WHIRLWIND, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire” (Isa 66:15). He’s coming to judge and reward, a righteous reward for good works and a grievous reward for the wicked.
One last, important thing to notice to this passage is regarding verse 16. The book is drawing to a close and John has been shown and told everything he needs to know, it is here that Yahshua steps in and introduces himself as the speaker and clarifies that an angel was indeed doing the speaking and telling John these things.
Ac 17:31 Because he (God vs 30) hath appointed a day, in the which he (God) will judge the world in righteousness by that man (the Son) whom he (the Father) hath ordained; whereof he (the Father) hath given assurance unto all men, in that he (the Father) hath raised him (the Son) from the dead.
Yet again, we see that Yahweh does all things for, by, through, on behalf of and because of His Son Yahshua. And once again we see the distinction between the two individuals, Father and Son.
Rev 22:13 also pertains to the Father, for His commandments and impending return with wrath as well as the words He spoke in verse 7 all support the fact that “Alpha and Omega” are always describing Him.
What about “the first and the last?”
Rev 1:17 He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.
Rev 2:8 These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.
These verses clearly apply to the Son Yahshua. He obviously is speaking as a human, “I am he that liveth, and was dead.” How can someone who was born after millions of others call Himself “the first?” Is He the first, even before the Father or the first in some other capacity? Take note that both times He said He was “the first and the last” He qualified it by stating that He was once dead but is now alive.
HE IS FIRST
Ps 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Ac 26:23 That Messiah should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead.
Ro 8:29 The image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1Co 15:20 Messiah risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.
Rev 1:5 And from Yahshua Messiah, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead.
Rev 3:14 The faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
HE IS LAST
Ps 110:4 Yahweh hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will perform this.
Dan 7:14 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.
Lu 1:33 He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Ac 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall Yahweh your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me;
1Co 15:45 The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Heb 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.
Heb 6:20 Yahshua, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
How is the Son First?
Yahweh’s firstborn.
The beginning, the firstborn from the dead
Firstborn among many brethren.
Firstfruits of them that slept.
The beginning of the creation of God (The new creation).
How is the Son Last?
Last high priest.
Last King.
Last Adam
Last great prophet.
Which Holy One?
In Ac 2:27 and 3:14 the Son is called “the Holy One,” where in Isa 43:15, Jer 50:29, Eze 39:7 and in numerous other places the Father is called “the Holy One.” Are the Father and the Son the same Holy One or are there two Holy Ones? Actually there are three or four or many more “holy ones” for in Ps 89:19 a prophet is called “thy holy one” and in Dan 4:23 an angel is classified as “an holy one.” This stems from the fact that the term “holy one” is taken from several Hebrew and Greek words meaning, holy, godly, good, faithful, sacred, set apart etc. So any person or being who possess these qualities could rightly be called a “holy one.” Just as Messiaha, the Greek word derived from the Hebrew word rendered Messiah, meaning in English anointed, does not always speak of Yahshua but also is used for Saul, David, Cyrus and others.
Who Is Saviour/Redeemer?
The Father Yahweh is called “Saviour” in many passages including 2Sa 22:3; Ps 106:21; Isa 43:3 & 11, 45:15 & 21. Yahshua, the Son of Yahweh, is also called “Saviour” in Lu 2:11, Phi 3:20, 2Ti 1:10, Tit 1:4. How can both receive the credit for saving us? Look at the following analogy.
A group of British citizens, including a couple of Royal grandchildren, become trapped in a remote land surrounded by hostile animals and tribes. By means of a satellite phone they personally contact the Queen and asked her to save them. She in turn calls in the commander of the Royal Navy and requests that he personally undertake an expedition to save the trapped citizens. He sets sail with a number of troops and their sergeant. When they arrive the Commander orders the sergeant to rush in and save the British citizens. The sergeant and his men drive away the enemy and the thankful citizens run up and thank him for saving them. They are taken to the ship and introduced to the commander whom they thank for saving them by undertaking the expedition. They return to England and meet the Queen and thank her for saving them. Who is the saviour of these people? Of course all three can be classified as their saviour but the Queen is their ultimate saviour because, without her authority and power the commander could not have set sail or the sergeant taken his troops in. In Ac 5:31, 13:23 and Isa 19:20 it tells us that Yahweh made His Son a saviour. Yahshua said he himself could not save anyone or anything, insisting all the saving power is from Yahweh.
Jn 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing.
Jn 14:10 The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Yahshua the Messiah is the chosen Saviour, sent by our Heavenly Father Yahweh to bring us to Himself. Simeon, a just and devout Jew, cried out to Yahweh at Yahshua’s circumcision, “Mine eyes have seen THY salvation, Which thou hast prepared” (Lu 2:30).
Ac 5:31 Him (Yahshua vs 30) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Ac 13:23 Of this man’s seed (David vs 22) hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Yahshua:
1Jn 4:14 We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
“Whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved” (Joel 2:32, Ac 2:21, Ro 10:13). Joel, Peter and Paul all made this declaration. When you call upon the name of Yahshua you are asking for salvation from Yahweh. You all should know the meaning of the name Yahshua, which is: ‘Yahweh is salvation.’ Yahweh, speaking of His future Son, calls Messiah “My salvation.” “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be MY salvation unto the end of the earth” (Isa 49:6, quoted in Ac 13:47). Paul calls Yahweh “saviour” many times but he also describes Yahshua as saviour many times as well, distinguishing the two as separate beings.
1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Yahshua Messiah by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Master Yahshua Messiah, which is our hope;
The same can be said for the term “redeemer,” for Yahweh is given this title in Ps 19:14, Is 47:4 and Jer 50:34, whereas Yahshua is said to have redeemed us in Ga 3:13, Ep 1:7 and Rev 5:9. Yahweh redeemed us by using the sacrifice of His own Son and Yahshua redeemed us by not doing his own will but obediently following the will of his Father. Ro 3:24-26, 1Co 1:28-30, 2Co 5:18-21 and Col 1:12-14 clearly demonstrates that Yahweh did the orchestrating while Yahshua just followed orders.
Lu 1:68 Blessed be Yahweh God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.
2Co 5: 18 All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Yahshua Messiah, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Messiah, reconciling the world unto himself.
God With Us
We read in Isa 7:14 and Mt 1:23 that Yahshua would also be called Immanuel (or Emmanuel), meaning “God with us,” or “El with us.” Because of this many are taught that Yahshua is “God,” however, look at it after reading Ac 10:38, “How Yahweh anointed Yahshua of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for Yahweh (El) was with him.” Immanuel does not imply Yahshua was El, but that El was with and in Yahshua. Consider the name Jehu (Yahhue), in Hebrew, this name means, “He is Yah” or “Yah is He,” does that mean the men named Jehu are all, in reality, Yahweh? Of course not, we all must study using the common sense Yahweh gave us.
Mt 1:23 They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Jn 8:29 He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone.
Jn 14:10 The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Jn 16:32 Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Messiah, reconciling the world unto himself.
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Since Immanuel means God is with us and since Yahshua was named Immanuel and he was with us, does it automatically means he is God? Can this be the only explanation of Immanuel? Does this mean God was never with man before Bethlehem and since Yahshua has ascended to heaven God is not with us now? Was God IN the Son or was He the Son? In the OT Yahweh repeatedly told the Hebrew children He was with them in just those exact words.
Nu 14:9 Only rebel not ye against Yahweh, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and Yahweh is with us: fear them not.
1Ki 8:57 Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us.
2Ch 13:12 Behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you.
Isa 8:10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
2Ch 32:8 With him (king of Assyria) is an arm of flesh; but with us is Yahweh our God to help us, and to fight our battles.
Ps 46:11 Yahweh of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
God was with mankind 2000 years ago because He was in Yahshua and Yahshua was living in Israel. The spirit of Yahweh was in Yahshua just as it is in the saints.
Mt 18:20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Ro 8:11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Yahshua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
1Co 3:16 Ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
God is with us but would any of us claim to be God?
Let’s look at the circumstances surrounding Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah chapter 7.
Isa 7:14 Therefore Yahweh himself shall give you (Ahaz) a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
The kingdom of Judah was threatened by Syria and Israel so Yahweh sent Isaiah to reassure Ahaz, king of Judah, that they were not a threat. Yahweh tells Isaiah, “Say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted” (7:4). Isaiah even tells Ahaz to ask for proof, a little sign or a great sign, but he refuses. Angrily Isaiah reproves Ahaz, who is a wicked and sinful king, for offending Yahweh and that He is going to give Judah a sign despite their king, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah adds that before this boy is old enough to chose between right and wrong the kings of Syria and Israel will be “forsaken” (vs. 16). He finishes the chapter detailing the doom Yahweh will send on Judah in the form of Assyria. This prophecy has a double fulfillment, a son called Immanuel in Ahaz’s day and a greater Son hundreds of years later.
Yahweh was with Israel, to fight their battles, to bless them and prosper them if they would only obey Him. The child born for a sign in Ahaz’s day is never mentioned again but dare anyone say Yahweh did not keep His word to Ahaz. Yahweh gave this sign to Ahaz to prove to him how short lived the threat from Syria and Israel would be and if he had trusted in the “God with them” instead of the god of Assyria (see 2Ch 28) Judah would have remained safe.
Yahweh was with OT Israel, fighting their battles, instructing them and providing for them. He was with NT Israel by means of His Son and then through His Holy Spirit. But He will, in actuality, be truly and forever “God with us” when, “The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev 21:3).
The scriptures do not say God was the Son just because Yahshua was called Immanuel but teach that God was IN Messiah! Yahshua is never called God the Son in scripture. Yahweh’s Holy Spirit is “with us,” “dwells in us,” and “fills us,” but no one claims that it makes them God. Yahshua certainly did not make that claim either and neither do the scriptures.
Isaiah 9:6: “His Name Shall be Called”
Isa.9:6 reads, “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.”
Take a long hard look at Isa 9:6. Can you find anywhere in the entire Bible where the Son is called “Wonderful?” Can you find anywhere in the entire Bible where the Son is called “Counsellor?” Can you find anywhere in the entire Bible where the Son is called “The mighty God?” Can you find anywhere in the entire Bible where the Son is called “The everlasting Father?” Can you find anywhere in the entire Bible where the Son is called “The Prince of Peace?” Not a one! Why is He never called the names Isaiah said He would be called? Take another long hard look and you will see the word NAME, not names. It is a single name! Oneness, many times have pointed this out to Trinitarians when discussing Mt 28:19, so they should be well aware of the difference.
These five descriptive titles are not really five different names, but are instead, one long, multiple name. Here are a few versions of the Old Testament that recognize this.
The Complete Bible, by Smith and Goodspeed.
“And his name will be called ‘Wonderful counselor is God almighty, Father forever, Prince of peace.’”
The Holy Scriptures, by The Jewish Publication Society of America.
“And his name is called Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom.” Footnote by the translators: “That is, Wonderful in counsel is God the Mighty, the everlasting Father, the Ruler of Peace.”
The Leeser Version
“His name is called, Wonderful, counselor of the mighty El, of the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
It seems that this name that was given to Yahshua the Son is a descriptive name or title which honors Yahweh His Father. Not unusual since Yahshua, the Son’s name, also honors the Father, meaning Yahweh is salvation. Notice the Jewish Version above, by means of hyphens, fastens them all together into one name or title, which the Messiah is to wear. The attributes that are revealed in this title are ascribed to the Father because, as we’ve said many times, Yahweh accomplishes everything by and through His Son.
The Great I am?
Jn.8:58 “Before Abraham was, I am.”
Is Yahshua claiming here, as some would have us believe, that He is the “I AM?” Is Yahshua the great “I AM” of Ex.3:14? Did he, in the Hebrew tongue, just claim to be Yahweh? Is that why they immediately tried to stone him? If so, let’s read it as such. “Before Abraham was, Yahweh.” Or could we understand it better sounding like this, “Before Abraham, (pause) was Yahweh.” This makes more sense, for Yahweh created Abraham so He had to come before him. It can’t be that simple, otherwise why would it be classified as a hard saying? Maybe he said, “Before Abraham was, I am Yahweh,” and John forgot to put in the name Yahweh. I don’t think so. Now, let’s not just believe what others have told us this verse means but dig down and find out for ourselves.
Henry Flanders and Bruce Cresson, in Introduction to the Bible pg. 79, explain that Yahweh is the third person form of the verb “to be” in Hebrew. Yahweh means “He is” or “He exists.” When used by God, the verb form is in the first person, or “I Am,” when used by someone else it is in the third person, which is Yahweh. In other words, “Yahweh” and “I Am” are different forms of the same verb.
Ex. 3:13 Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What (mah) is his name? what shall I say unto them?
G. T. Manley and F. F. Bruce, in New Bible Dictionary pg. 430, tell us, “The normal way to ask a name is to use the pronoun mî; to use mah invites an answer which goes further, and gives the meaning (‘what?’) or substance of the name. This helps to explain the reply, namely, ‘I AM () WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you” ’ (Ex. 3:14 RSV). By this (hayah) Moses would not think that God was announcing a new name, nor is it called a ‘name’; it is just the inner meaning of the name Moses knew. We have here a play upon words.”
Examine vs. 15, “God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Yahweh (#3068), God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my NAME for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” Manley and Bruce add, “The full content of the name comes first; the name itself follows.” The meaning of the name was in verse 14 but the name itself not until verse 15.
#3068 yhwh; Yehovah, pronounced yeh-ho-vaw’; from 01961; KJV – LORD 6510, GOD 4, JEHOVAH 4, variant 1; total 6519; Jehovah = “the existing One,” the proper name of the one true God, unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136.
#1961 hayah; a primitive root [compare 1933]; KJV – was, come to pass, came, has been, were happened, become, pertained, better for thee; total 75; Definition: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
Yahshua never claimed to be the one talking to Moses in the passage above but gave all the credit to Yahweh.
Mr 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
The Greek phrase “I am” is “ego eimi.” In the Greek New Testament there are many instances of Yahshua using “ego eimi”, theologians have labeled these, “The I Am’s of Jesus.” Many believed that these occurrences identify Yahshua’s as the “I AM” of Ex.3:14. Take a good look at a few of them.
Mt 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Messiah; and shall deceive many.
Mr 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Yahshua 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.
Lu 22:70 Then said they all, (chief priests and scribes) Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
Jn 7:28 Then cried Yahshua in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
Jn 8:28 Then said Yahshua unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Jn 9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he (the blind beggar) said, I am he.
Jn 13:13 Ye call me Teacher and Master: and ye say well; for so I am.
Jn 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Jn 18:5 They answered him, Yahshua of Nazareth. Yahshua saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Jn 18:8 Yahshua answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Does anyone believe that in each of the above verses Yahshua intended to convey the meaning that He is Yahweh the Father? Could we then expect to believe that the blind beggar, healed by Yahshua in Jn. 9:8, also thought he was Yahweh? I know this sounds ridiculous but when we take words out of context or give words strange meanings, this is what can result. Many of today’s Christians believe that when Yahshua used the words “ego eimi” he was declaring to be Yahweh, yet when anyone else used “ego eimi” they were just applying them as they were usually understood.
Mt. 16: 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God. 17 And Yahshua answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Here we see Yahshua asking His disciples who they thought He was. When Peter answered that He was not Yahweh but the Son of Yahweh, Yahshua not only commended him but also declared that the answer came to Peter from Yahweh Himself.
If Yahshua claimed to be Yahweh why didn’t anyone accuse Him of it? The closest they could come to this was that He claimed to be the Son of Yahweh. Yahshua never denied that He was Yahweh’s Son.
Did they seek to stone Yahshua in Jn 8:58 because he said he was the “I am,” the Yahweh of the OT? Indeed they did not because in verse 24 he said “I am” and instead of trying to stone him they were dumbfounded and asked, “Who art thou?” If he had just said he was Yahweh why would they ask him who he was? His answer was, “Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.” Yahshua never once claimed to be God, never mind Yahweh, but always insisted he was “the Son of God!” Several times they tried to stone him because of this claim
Jn 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Jn 10:33 For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
What did they mean by “Makest thyself God?” Yahshua himself explains in verse 36, “Because I said, I am the Son of God?”
Jn 19:7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
Never is there a charge against him of claiming to be Yahweh, the I am, right up till the last hour of his life he was only accused of being the Son of God.
Mt 27:40 If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Satan knew. Indeed Satan also was aware that He was the Son and not the Father.
Mt 4:6 And (Satan) saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He (Yahweh) shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Demons knew. Even the demons declared that Yahshua was Yahweh’s Son.
Lu 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Messiah the Son of God.
Mr 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
Why then did they try to stone him? Keep in mind he spoke “I am” just as convincingly in verses 24 and 28 without an attempt on his life. If you read the complete exchange between Yahshua and the Jews on this day you’ll find he was almost egging them on, at best we see he wasn’t holding anything back. He accused, condemned, judged, blamed, and charged them of judging after the flesh, trying to kill him, lying, dishonoring him, of being in bondage, being servants of sin, spiritually deaf, not of God but the devil, and bluntly said three times you “shall die in your sins.”
This close encounter with the Son of God was not to their liking. Yahshua was not in the mood to appease the Jews on this occasion and was not ready to give an inch or spare their feelings. The Jews could not understand his statements nor make any progress as they endeavored to thwart his words. Finally they were driven into a rage when the subject touched on their cherished father Abraham, when he said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” By now they were only hearing what they wanted to hear (something not uncommon today) and asked, “Hast thou seen Abraham.” Take notice of what Yahshua said, Abraham saw MY DAY, he didn’t see me and I didn’t see him, I said he saw MY DAY. How did Abraham see the Messiah’s day?
Heb 11:13 These (OT saints) all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off.
Not just Abraham, but many OT believers had faith Yahweh would one day send a saviour to secure their redemption (See also Gen 22:18, Lu 10:24, Jn 12:41, Ro 4:21, Ga 3:8 and 1Pe 1:10-11).
By this time the Jews were completely lost as to what Yahshua was talking about and when he spoke the words “Before Abraham was, I am” they totally lost it, not that they could explain why, only that it sounded like what they had already accused him of in verse 53, that he was greater than their father Abraham. He antagonized them far less in Lu 4:29 and Jn 10:31, but just the same they tried to kill him then as well.
Now take a look at what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. When Judas and a detachment of officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, “with lanterns and torches and weapons” (Jn 18:3), made it known they were seeking Yahshua of Nazareth, Yahshua said to them, “I am he” and immediately “they went backward, and fell to the ground.” What caused this? It doesn’t explain, but that doesn’t stop people from stating unequivocally, “Oh, that’s because he just claimed to be the great I am.” Instead of blindly accepting such silliness let’s see what really happened.
Yahshua again asked, “Whom seek ye?” And then he said, “I have told you that (ego eimi) I am [he].” In other words, get on with it. So they bound him and took him to Caiaphas, the high priest and then later to Pilate. The bogus trial is recorded in Mt 26:57-66 where the first and only evidence was presented through “false witness” (59). “Though many false witnesses came” forward (see v 60) no two agreed, which was required (De 17:6) by the law. Where were all the genuine witnesses that heard him claim to be the great I am? Where were the ones in Jn 8:58, why didn’t they step forward since they heard him say, “Before Abraham was I am (the great I am)?” What about the ones that just arrested him, they were present, according to Mt 26:57 and Jn 18:26, why didn’t they describe how when he claimed to be the great I am they fell backwards? This is what the high priest was looking for, evidence Yahshua claimed to be Yahweh, the great I am. If this is what most of Christianity says it is why wasn’t it forthcoming. At last two consistent false witnesses testified they heard Yahshua say, “I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days” (61). This didn’t help the high priest any and so out of frustration he cries, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Messiah, the Son of God” (63). He doesn’t even attempt to nail him with the charge of claiming to be Yahweh, the great I am, but only the Son of the great I am. Again I ask, why did he have to do this, where were all the people who heard him claim to be the great I am? Why did he have to resort to false testimony about destroying the temple and eventually as a last option plead with Yahshua to confess? The answer is because Yahshua never ever claimed to be Yahweh, never claimed to be God or never claimed to be the great I am, but continually and consistently only ever professed to be the Son of and a servant of the Great I am.
So what does Yahshua mean by “Before Abraham was I am?” My opinion is that considering the context where the Jews harshly asked him, “Art thou greater than our father Abraham,” and “Whom makest thou thyself,” Yahshua’s answer could very well be a response to these questions. In Jn 1:15 & 27 John the Baptist points out that the Messiah is greater then him and in Mt 12:42 Yahshua says, “A greater than Solomon is here,” and so it would not be out of the question for him to state that he was before Abraham in all things as well. Also keep in mind that Abraham’s ancestry went back only as far as Adam whereas Yahshua’s went back to forever, and he could have been subtlety alluding to that.
Just the fact that this phrase has been seized upon by believers in the Eternal Sonship and peddled as evidence that the Messiah was Almighty Yahweh, without any common sense behind it whatsoever, is evidence that their doctrine is not based on scripture but on what they have been taught. Why don’t these people stop and think this through, don’t they ever ask themselves why they believe what they believe? Are they the poor, unlearned and unstable who wrest the scriptures unto their own destruction (2Pe 3:16)? Or are they the blind leaders of the blind who all will fall into the ditch (Mt 15:14)? Don’t let yourself be one of these, do your own research and find out the reasons you believe what you do by putting a foundation under the doctrines you hold to.
The Throne of God and of the Lamb
The phrase, “the throne of God and of the Lamb” in Rev 22:1 & 3, leads many people to think that since it mentions only one throne, God and the Lamb must also be only one person. We will examine this question with a close look at “God’s throne.”
Is God’s throne a big majestic ornate chair in heaven where He sits down? Is His footstool equally as grand where he rests His feet? The Hebrew and Greek words translated throne do indeed indicate a seat, chair or stool, but does God need to sit down or rest His feet? Of course we know He doesn’t but He might sit on a throne so others can stand or bow before Him and to designate the focal point of His reigning power.
Mt 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Ac 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith Yahweh: or what is the place of my rest? (Isa 66:1)
Here Yahweh and Yahshua tell us all of heaven is God’s throne (not just the chair) and all earth is His footstool.
Re 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
If Yahshua has a throne beside his Father Yahweh’s throne then all the thousands of saints will be sitting on the Son’s throne. If he means there is only one throne that both he and the Father share then all the saints will be sitting on Yahweh’s throne.
Mt 19:28 Yahshua said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Re 4:4 Round about the throne* were four and twenty seats*: and upon the seats* I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (*Throne and seats are both translated from the Greek word thronos #2362.)
These verses would indicate there could be as many as 38 thrones in heaven, Yahweh’s, Yahshua’s, the 24 elder’s and 12 disciples’.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
Re 5:6 I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
So what we have is the Son twice being pictured as sharing his Father’s throne (Rev 3:21, 22:1 & 3), often sitting on the right hand of it (Mt 26:64, Mr 16:19, Lu 22:69, Act 2:33, Ro 8:34, Ep 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1Pe 3:22) and sometimes standing in the midst of it (Rev 5:6, 7:17). As we have shown Yahweh’s throne represents all of heaven not just a single chair. The throne of heaven or kingdom of heaven doesn’t belong to only God and the Lamb or the Father and the Son but also belongs to all the saints.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Mt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 25:34 Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Lu 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Re 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the summary: Yahweh’s throne could very well be a physical chair but most often is spoken of as His centre of power and authority. Yahshua is the centrepiece of this power and authority, Rev 5:6 pictures him standing in the midst of this power and authority and he is the inheritor of it all (Heb 1:2). We also are promised a part in Yahweh’s throne because we are “Joint-heirs with Messiah” (Ro 8:17). So the phrase, “the throne of God and of the Lamb” in Rev 22:1 & 3, lends no support to the doctrine of Oneness now that we have examined the wide scope that the English word ‘throne’ encompasses.
Who Raised the Son From the Grave?
Jn. 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
First the word here translated as “power” is exousia. It occurs just over 100 times, in a majority of these occurrences the RV translates it as “authority,” and 10 times as “right.” It is not the common word for “power” which is dunamis and means – power, strength, ability.
Both KJV and RV translate exousia as “right,” for instance, in Rev. 22:14:
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right (exousia) to the tree of life.”
This obviously does not mean that obeying God’s commands gives a man the physical power to raise himself from the dead to immortality, but that he is thereby granted a right to it. Even more to the point is Jn 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power (right-NIV, RV) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
The KJV margin gives “right or privilege.” Believers have been given the right or privilege of becoming children of God, they have not been given the power to become the children of God.
These passages above illustrate what Yahshua meant when he said he had exousia – the right to take up his life again after having laid it down in death.
As to who actually raised Yahshua from the dead, the Scriptures leave not the slightest doubt. Time after time we are told that God raised him from the dead. Consider in particular the record in Acts 2 for a clear understanding of the relation between Messiah and God.
Act 2:22 Yahshua of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.
It then says in verse 24, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.”
Then in verses 25-28 it speaks of the promise that God made to David, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (27).
Verse 30 -32 goes on to say, “Therefore being a prophet (David), and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Messiah to sit on his throne: He (David) seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Messiah, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Yahshua hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” Yahweh had sworn to David that He, Yahweh, would raise Yahshua from the dead.”
Here are a few more verses which all state that God raised Yahshua from the dead: Act 3:15, 10:40, 13:30, 33, 34, 37, 17:31; Rom 6:4; 2 Co 4:14; Gal 1:1; Ep 1:19-21; Heb 13:20; Pe 1:21.
One thing to especially notice of John 10:17-18 is, it says: “I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
It will be remarkably noted that the very context of these verses quoted to support the Trinity are directly contrary to the all-powerful, co-equal, none greater or less theory. The Father gave his Son a commandment. This is not equality.
One last thing, let us look at another verse on the same subject to see even more clearly that Yahshua did not say or mean that he would resurrect himself.
Jn 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Yahshua answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days [I] will raise (1453) it (846) up (1453). 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen (1453) from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them.
They asked him for a sigh in Mt 12:38 and he answered, “There shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”(39-40). Is his reply here in Jn 2:19 the same sign? It must be, he said he was only giving them one sign.
1453 ~ egeiro; KJV-rise 36, raise 28, arise 27, raise up 23, rise up 8, rise again 5, raise again 4, misc 10; total 141. Definition: to arouse, cause to rise.
In this passage in the KJV the Greek word egeiro is translated as ‘I will raise’, and also as ‘up’ and in verse 22 as ‘he was risen’. The order of the words in Greek is, “Destroy this temple and in three days raise it” (EGNT). Egeiro is translated only once as ‘I will raise up’, which is correct because in verse 19 it is only written in the Greek once, not twice as the KJV implies. ‘Raise’ is the translation of egeiro with the words ‘I will’ and ‘up’ added by the translators for their interpretation. What we have then is Yahshua telling the Jews, as he did in Mt 12.38, that he will die and in three days rise from the dead. A more plausible translation that corresponds with other scriptures is, “Destroy this temple, and in three days it will raise up.”
Conclusion – It is very clear who raised Yahshua. Let us end this study with two verses, “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son (Greek-pais, RSV, NIV servant) Yahshua” (Act 3:13).
Who glorified his servant? “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors.” Do you interpret the verse above as if Yahshua is the God of our ancestors? Of course not! Yahshua is His servant.
Ac 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Yahshua, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Which Creator?
Pr 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
This verse is stating that whoever “Hath established all the ends of the earth,” has a name and has a son, which makes him a father. Here we see the Father credited with creating everything and almost as an after thought it mentions His Son.
There are 143 (possibly more) verses in the Bible that speak of the Heavenly Father Yahweh as the Creator.
Ge 1:1, 11, 16, 21, 25, 27; 2:4, 7, 19, 22; 3:1; 5:1, 2; 6:7.
Ex 20:11, 31:17.
De 4:32.
1Sam 2:8.
2Ki 19:15.
1Ch 16:26.
2Ch 2:12.
Neh 9:6.
Job 9:8; 12:9, 10; 26:7, 8, 10, 12; 28:25, 27; 37:15, 16, 18.
Ps 19:1; 24:1, 2; 95:5, 6; 96:5; 102:25; 104:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 19, 24; 115:15, 16; 119: 89, 90; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; 135:7; 136:5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 146:6; 148:5, 6.
Pr 3:19; 22:2; 30:4.
Eccl 11:5.
Isa 17:7; 37:6; 40:12, 22, 28; 42:5; 43:15; 44:24; 45:5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 18; 48:13; 51:13, 16; 54:5; 65:17,18; 66:1, 2.
Jer 5:22; 10:11, 12, 13; 14:22; 23:24; 27:5; 31:35; 32:17, 27; 33:2; 51:15.
Amos 4:13; 9:6.
Jonah 1:9.
Zech 12:1.
Mal 2:10.
Mt 11:25; 19:26.
Mr 10:6; 13:19.
Ac 4:24; 7:49,50; 14:15; 17:24, 25, 26, 28.
Ro 1:20, 25; 11:36.
1Co 8:6.
Eph 3:9.
1Ti 4:3.
Heb 1:2; 3:4; 11:3, 10.
Rev 4:11; 10:6; 14:7.
There is not a single verse in the Bible that tells us the Son, Yahshua Messiah, created the universe. However, many translator’s pre-conceived, indoctrinated beliefs led them to interpret scripture instead of doing their job of strictly translating. This has made a few verses appear to indicate the Son did the creating but at the same time they contradict the 100 plus verses that tell us the Father alone did the creating. Here they are.
Jn 1:10 He (the Light) was in the world, and the world was made by (dia) him, and the world knew him not.
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of (ek) whom are all things, and we in him; and one Master Yahshua Messiah, by (dia) whom are all things, and we by (dia) him.
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by (dia) Yahshua Messiah:
Col 1:16 For by (en) him (Son vs 13) were all things created, that are in (en) heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by (dia) him, and for (eis) him:17 And he is before all things, and by (en) him all things consist.
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by (en) his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by (dia) whom also he made the worlds.
#1223 dia; a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act. KJV – by 241, through 88, with 16, for 58, for … sake 47, therefore (+ 5124) 44, for this cause (+ 5124) 14, because 52, misc 86; total 646. Definition: by, by the means of, through, the ground or reason by which something is or is not done, by reason of, on account of, because of for this reason, on this account.
#1519 eis; a primary preposition indicating the point reached or entered. KJV – into 573, to 281, unto 207, for 140, in 138, on 58, toward 29, against 26, misc 322; total 1774. Definition: into, unto, to, towards, for, among,
#1537 ek; a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause). KJV – of 366, from 181, out of 162, by 55, on 34, with 25, misc 98; total 921. Definition: out of, from, by, away from
#1722 en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively). KJV – in 1902, by 163, with 140, among 117, at 113, on 62, through 39, misc 265; total 2801.
Jn 1:10, 1Co 8:6, Eph 3:9, Col 1:16 and Heb 1:2 in the KJV read as if the universe was created “by him,” that is the Son. “By” is translated from the Greek word “dia” and properly could be inserted in all these verses if that was what the context of the particular verse required, as well as the context of the entire Bible required. In the following verses try to insert “by” in place of “for” without destroying the true original meaning.
Mr 2:27 He said unto them, The sabbath was made for (dia) man, and not man for (dia) the sabbath.
Jn 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for (dia) my name’s sake.
Ac 21:35 When he (Paul) came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for (dia) the violence of the people.
1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for (dia) the woman; but the woman for (dia) the man.
1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for (dia) thy stomach’s sake.
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for (dia) you.
Rev 6:9 I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for (dia) the word of God, and for (dia) the testimony which they held.
Would you accept the doctrine you’ve been taught if you had to believe that the Sabbath was made BY man or that woman was created BY the man? Would you acknowledge that Yahshua was manifested BY you or that the saints were slain BY the word of God and BY their own testimony? Of course you would not because it would conflict with what the rest of the Bible teaches.
Try and replace “because” or “because of” with “by” and see what happens.
Jn 12:30 Yahshua answered and said, This voice came not because of (dia) me, but for (dia) your sakes.
Ac 16:3 Him (Timothy) would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because (dia) of the Jews.
Heb 7:24 But this man (Yahshua), because (dia) he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through (dia) the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause (dia) he is the mediator of the new testament.
Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because (dia) ye ask not.
This small sample from many, effectively shows how “dia” is often translated “because” or “because of” or “for this cause.” The definition of “dia” is based on two primary causes: 1. Indicates the path of the action, often translated by, through, with; 2. The reason of the action, translated for, on account of, because of etc.
Now when we read Jn 1:10 we see The world was made FOR or BECAUSE of (dia) him.. 1Co 8:6 shows us there is “One Master Yahshua Messiah, FOR (dia) whom are all things, and we BY or THROUGH (dia) him. Looking at Eph 3:9 it should read, “Hath been hid in God, who created all things FOR or BECAUSE of (dia) Yahshua Messiah.
Any Father builds his business or empire to leave to his son and Heb 1:2 reveals this is what Yahweh has done. Yahweh (vs 1)“ hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, FOR (dia) whom also he made the worlds.” The Son is the heir not the creator, the Son inherits, as do all heirs, he does not bequeath. The Creator Yahweh created everything in order to bequeath it to His Son. The entire Bible is agreed that the Father creates and gives to the Son who accepts and receives, (Dan 7:14, Mt 28:18, Lu 1:32, Jn 13:3 & 16:15, Ac 2:36, Ro 8:17, 1Co 15:27, Ep 1:10 & 22, Phi 2:9-11, Col 1:19 and Heb 2:8). Read them and rejoice.
Let’s now look at how the translators treated the Greek word “en” (#1722). The writers of the KJV translated it 1902 times as “in” and 163 times as “by.” But in Col. 1:16, where “en” appears twice in the first sentence, they take the opportunity to make the Son the creator when they use the word “by” the first time (by him were all things created), but then have to revert back to “in” seven words later (that are in heaven).
Col 1:16 For by (en) him were all things created, that are in (en) heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by (dia) him, and for (eis) him:17 And he is before all things, and by (en) him all things consist.
Yahweh saw fit to unfold and accomplish His design in Yahshua, just look for yourself at Jn 13:31-32; Ac 10:43; 2Co 1:19-20, 5:21, 13:4; Ep 1:4; Phi 3:9; Col 1:19, 2:6-10; 2Th 1:12; and 1Jn 2:5 where all things are in (en) him, not by him.
Yahweh is glorified IN HIM.
Sinners believe IN HIM.
Yahweh’s promises are yea IN HIM.
We are made righteous IN HIM.
We are weak IN HIM.
We are chosen IN HIM.
We are found IN HIM.
All fullness dwells IN HIM.
We walk IN HIM.
We’re rooted and built up IN HIM.
We are complete IN HIM.
We are glorified IN HIM.
We are IN HIM.
So Col 1:16, in order for it to conform to the NT theme, must also most definitely read: For IN him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created because of him, and for him: And he is before all things, and IN him all things consist.
Paul said almost the exact same thing in Eph 1:10, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he (Yahweh) might gather together in one all things in (en) Messiah, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”
Yahweh takes total credit for creation, claiming to have created by himself, alone.
Ne 9:6 Thou, even thou, art Yahweh alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Isa 44:24 Thus saith Yahweh, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am Yahweh that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Isa 45:18 For thus saith Yahweh 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 Yahweh; and there is none else.
The Bible specifically points out that the name of the creator is Yahweh.
Am 9:6 It is he (Yahweh of hosts vs. 5) that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: Yahweh is his name.
It appears Yahweh didn’t so much build the universe with His hands or with hard labour but simply told it to become what He said and it did.
Ps 33:6 By the word of Yahweh were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear Yahweh: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
Yahweh’s Son, Yahshua, never claimed to have any part in creation, in fact he told us his Father did the creating.
Mt 11:25 Yahshua answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
Mr 10:5 Yahshua answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
Mr 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
There is, was and forever will only be one, single, lone, by himself, solitary Almighty God, and His name is Yahweh.
De 6:4 Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our God is one Yahweh.
De 4:35 Yahweh he is God; there is none else beside him.
De 4:39 Yahweh he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
De 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me.
Ps 83:18 Thou, whose name alone is Yahweh, art the most high over all the earth.
Isa 43:10-11 Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Yahweh; and beside me there is no saviour.
Isa 44:8 Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
Isa 44:6 Thus saith Yahweh the King of Israel, and his redeemer Yahweh of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am Yahweh, and there is none else.
Isa 45:18 I am Yahweh; and there is none else.
Isa 45:21-22 Who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I Yahweh? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 46:9 I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
Ho 13:4 Yet I am Yahweh thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
Mal 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?
Mr 12:32 The scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he. 34 Yahshua saw that he answered discreetly.
Ro 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith.
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things.
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well.
Hello, is anybody listening, does anyone have ears to hear or eyes to read? How many times does Yahweh have to state that He is the only True God that is ever going to exist and that is a fact!
Mystery of the Godhead
Many people feel they don’t have to understand all the fine details as to just exactly what took place when Yahshua was conceived and when he died. Discussions with Trinitarians (and sometimes Oneness) often end with them falling back on their last defence, which is that the Godhead is beyond our comprehension, more than we were meant to understand, we just must believe it through faith, not understand it. Of course that is a mainstay of their doctrine and they’re just repeating what they’ve been told. But as far as I know no one told you the mystery of the relationship between Yahshua and Yahweh can’t be understood. You certainly didn’t get it out of the Bible, because it tells us it has been revealed and we are to understand it.
Ro 16:25 According to my gospel, and the preaching of Yahshua Messiah, according to the REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But NOW IS MADE MANIFEST, and by the scriptures of the prophets.
Ep 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, WHEN YE READ, YE MAY UNDERSTAND MY KNOWLEDGE IN THE MYSTERY OF MESSIAH) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as IT IS NOW REVEALED unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING, to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD, and of the FATHER, and of MESSIAH.
Col 4: 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to SPEAK THE MYSTERY OF MESSIAH, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
I pray Yahweh would today open a door for us to explain the wonderful news of the mystery of the Father and of Messiah.
Mr 4:11 Yahshua said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God.
But he didn’t say it would be a 10-minute study. Many question whether they need to understand or be able to prove that Yahshua was just a man in order to believe he died for them.
If he wasn’t just a man then he didn’t die and we are lost. Why is it so hard to believe Yahshua was 100% human and 0% spirit just like ever human being? When Yahweh created Adam how did He turn the dust into flesh? He said dust turn into flesh, and the dust turned into flesh.
Read Heb 5:11-14.
Verse 11 talks of these important things that must be spoken about but they are hard to speak if people won’t listen. We need to deal with the “strong meat,” because if we only want to deal with the milk we are going to be “unskilful in the word of righteousness.” We should by now be “of full age” and able to tackle the strong meat.
Why was it impossible to accept what Matthew and Luke had so clearly described in their gospels? A virgin became pregnant with, not her own husband’s child, but with Yahweh’s child. Yahweh claims the child is His and Mary and Joseph agree. Matthew and Luke write that the child is human, pointing out that he needs food to live, gets tired, needs sleep, grows, not only physically but his mind has to develop as well, and then he dies, all this to prove he was not God or divine but human. But this could not be accepted and had to be changed, as the church drifted away from the guidance of the apostles and into the hands of the world. Matthew and Luke’s stark truth didn’t line-up with the pagan tradition of gods coming to earth, and through earthly women, begetting sons that were half god and half human. Not just Greek and Roman gods did this but it has been found in the histories of China and Africa, right over to South America, more often then not with a 3-person trinitarian godhead to boot.
So it wasn’t Matthew or Luke’s gospels they decided to manipulate, they were written too factual, straightforward and historical. On the other hand much of John’s gospel was written in poetic form, like Proverbs. So what they did was interpret the gospel story through John’s gospel and have Matthew and Luke conform to it. This was like taking 3 pictures of a landmark, all from the exact same spot, the first 2 on a bright, sunny day but the 3rd on a misty, foggy day, then using the 3rd picture to explain the first two?
We often hear this unscriptural saying, “the mystery of the godhead.” This piece of fiction was written by the Roman Church over 1500 years ago and people have been swallowing it ever since. Let me tell you point blank, there is no mystery to the godhead. Furthermore (hold onto your seats) there is no godhead. That’s correct, there is no godhead.
First let me explain about mysteries. The Greek word musterion, which means hidden thing or secret, because of the influence of the Roman Church it was translated by the KJV translators as ‘mystery.’ Their intention was to insist these things are mysterious, too difficult for our human minds to understand. But Paul tells us they’re not mysteries but secrets. Mysteries have to be solved, whereas secrets are hidden and then have to be revealed.
Col 1:26 The mystery (secret) which hath been HID from ages and from generations, but NOW is made MANIFEST (revealed) to his saints:
Eph 3:9 And to make ALL MEN SEE what is the fellowship (plan RSV) of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath BEEN HID in God, who created all things by Yahshua Messiah.
Ro 16:25 The preaching of Yahshua Messiah, according to the REVELATION of the mystery, which was KEPT SECRET since the world began, But now is made MANIFEST.
1Ti 3:16 Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness (eusebeia).
#2150 eusebeia [from 2152; devout, godly, pious] KJV-godliness 14, holiness 1; 15. Definition: reverence, respect, piety towards God, godliness.
Eusebeia is better translated God-like-ness or holiness, as it is in Act 3:12.
The word “Godhead” is only found 3 times in the Bible. It is translated from three different Greek words theios, theiotes and theotes, which, as is easy to see, are all derived from the Greek word for God, theos. Now theios, theiotes and theotes mean, divine, divinity and deity. To the Trinitarian translators those definitions were not suitable to describe the God they had been taught to believe in and so today “Godhead,” as you can see in most dictionaries and encyclopedias, is defined as the Trinity or, God as revealed in three persons. All the pagan religions had a godly hierarchy, mostly of 3 gods, that the Roman Church adapted and they used the word Godhead to describe it.
So you see there is no longer any mystery to the relationship of the Father and Son and there is no godhead.