Jesus Said, "the Spirit of Truth, Who the World Cannot Receive Because It Sees Him Not"- Part 1631

Herein, Jesus has just proclaimed to His disciples that He must go, if He is to prepare a place for them, "and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again; and receive you unto Myself that where I am, [there] ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." (John 14:1-4)

As we see, Thomas appeared confused by Jesus statement, because he says, "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way?" It is certainly an honest question, particularly since Jesus has just referred to many mansions "in My Father's house." (John 14:2) Adding to this, the idea of Jesus leaving would have garnered enough emotions -- particularly when Jesus had just told them that He would lay down His life for their sake. (John 13:36)

"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me; and as I said unto the Jews, "Whither I go, ye cannot come ..." (John 13:33)

In response to Thomas, Jesus states, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; No man comes unto the Father but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also, and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7)

Philip now enters into the dialogue, requesting from Jesus -- "Lord, shew us the Father and it sufficeth us." Jesus responds by saying, "Have I been so long time with you and yet hast Thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then -- Shew us the Father?" (John 14:8-9)

Until now, the dialogue is straightforward but Jesus does not stop there. He wants His disciples to understand not only what He is saying, but also what is going to happen after Jesus goes to the cross. Remember, there is a scripture to the effect that the disciples only understood all of Jesus' teachings after the resurrection. And this is certainly the situation here.

Jesus continues: "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwells in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in Me,or else believe for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you -- he that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he shall do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do, because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do [it]. If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever -- the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him; but ye know Him for He dwells with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you ..." (John 14:11-18)

I am sure by now the disciples are in a state of confusion, particularly, since these scriptures still confound many within the believing body of Christ -- particularly those who adhere to the false, man-made religious dogma of a tri-une/trinity God. But we have the benefit of all the scriptures, and the revelations and understandings of the disciples/apostles after the cross. For this reason, we do not need to be stumped, for the Lord Jesus clearly said, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you!" (John 14:18)

Still, Jesus says that in a little while, and the world sees Me no more; but ye see Me -- "because I live, ye shall live also. At that day, ye shall know that I [am] in the Father; and ye in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me, and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love Him, and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21)

To this Judas (not Iscariot) asks the Lord how it is that He will manifest Himself "unto us" and not unto the world? Jesus answers and said unto Judas -- "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love Him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loves Me not keeps not My sayings, and the Word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet with you. But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you -- not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you -- "I go away, and come [again] unto you." If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice because I said, "I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I." (John 14:22-28)

It is in John 14:23 that those who do not understand what Jesus is saying to them here often get stuck, so let's work our way through these scriptures to see if your understanding of who Jesus is -- so that when it comes to pass, in the same way that the disciples understood -- "ye might believe!" (John 14:29)

Jesus answered and said unto the Judas (who was NOT Iscariot -- and not the Judas who betrayed Him in the garden), "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)

It is the word "we" that becomes the stumbling block. But note that Jesus is speaking in the gospel of John about a future event, AFTER He has gone away. Jesus said, "I go away ..." Jesus also continues, saying, "and come again unto you" so that we would be comforted AND rejoice. But someone who has subscribed to the false "God in three persons" or religious trinity dogma stops here, stating that John 14:23 provides clear evidence for two persons in the Godhead -- (i.e. the Father and the Son -- the we).

But Jesus did not stop there in His communications, and neither should we either. As believers, we need to understand how Jesus words here align with the first and greatest commandment -- that was given in ancient of time and reconfirmed by Jesus, when speaking to the scribe. That is, “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) Because God is not the Author of confusion. (I Corinthians 14:33)

In II John, the doctrine of Christ from Hebrews 6:1-2 further explained -- "Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9) In other words, if someone transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, that person does not have God at all. But for those who do abide in the doctrine of Christ, these will have both the Father and Son. By the time II John was written, we begin to understand what Jesus was saying in John 14.

But what does it mean to have the Son? John explains this in John 1:1-18, and most particularly John 1:10-13 which states: " He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us ... " (John 1:10-14)

In order to have the Son, we must first believe on Him, receiving the Son. But His own rejected Jesus at the cross. It was only on the day of Pentecost that some understood what Peter (standing with the eleven) was saying. That is, "that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)

Therein, these were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-38)

Therefore, to receive Jesus is to be born again. Remember the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus -- when Jesus told him, "Ye must be born again!" and Nicodemus thought that meant returning to his mother's womb? (John 3:1-21) The only way to receive Jesus is to receive His Spirit, and that means receiving the Holy Ghost.

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ..." (Colossians 1:27)

To have the Son is to have Christ dwelling within you. Thus, the question -- how can Christ be “in you” if He is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenlies? But as we see here, Jesus said, "I must go ... " In another place, Jesus said "ye will see Me no more." (This is confirmed by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-8, when Paul states that he is the last to see Jesus)

But those who believe that God is three persons (or more, if you listen to the most recent dogma coming forth from the religious mindset) want Jesus to be physically seated at the right hand of the Father, while also stating He lives physically in our hearts at the same time. It is no wonder so many are being led astray. Nevertheless, the scriptures are clear on this point.

Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) In the womb, Luke rightly describes Jesus as a "holy thing." (Luke 1:35) This is why we need to understand (as did Nicodemus) that "no man hath ascended up to heaven BUT He that came down form heaven; [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness; even so must the Son of man be lifted up -- that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:13-15)

Not another but the One and SAME God -- the Spirit of God who moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2 -- after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) The Lord coming forth as a mighty man so that all the world could see His glorious plan of salvation. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) He Himself became the perfect sacrifice, having prepared for Himself a body, so that we might experience His love and peace in our hearts "which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ!" (Titus 3:6)

"And I will sanctify My great Name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes." (Ezekiel 36:23)

This is why we are not in the flesh -- "but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." (Romans 8:9)

As we know, Jesus can’t live bodily inside a person. Further, Jesus told us that He must go in order for the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost to come. (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 1:2-3) Therefore, it must be His Spirit which dwells within the hearts of believers when we ask Jesus to come in to our lives -- as Lord and Saviour. In the scriptures, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ used interchangeably. Paul reaffirms this point when he is speaking to the saints in Galatia.

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6)

What is the Spirit of the Son? It is the Spirit of the crucified Christ. What is the Name of the Spirit of the Son? His name is Jesus.

"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17)

Jesus said He would see that the disciples (and by extension us) had another Comforter, which would be “the Spirit of Truth" -- who at that point dwelt with them bodily, but after Jesus ascended (in Acts 1:2) He would be in them.

"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)

”Is the Spirit of truth the Spirit of the Son? The same Comforter/Holy Ghost that could not be given until Jesus was taken up. 'Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen; to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Acts 1:2-3)

"For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ..." (Acts 1:5, 7-8) This is why the disciples tarried at Jerusalem, in the upper room, continuing with one accord in prayer and in supplication -- the number of names together were about one hundred and twenty. (Acts 1:14)

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)

Why? Because Jesus is the truth, and thus, therefore, His Spirit would be the Spirit of truth. His Spirit is the Comforter. The Holy Ghost. What else can we say about this Spirit of the Son?

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)

And again ...

Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:16-18)

Jesus was the Comforter with them when He walked on this earth but told them He would be the Comforter IN them after being taken up. That Comforter is clearly identified by Jesus (in scripture) as the Holy Ghost. It is no wonder that Paul (who received his understanding of the gospel by revelation) wrote almost the same thing in 1 Corinthians 15:45: “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.”

Therefore, as these scriptures allude, when we “have the Son,” when the Son comes to us, we have the Spirit of the Son, which is the Holy Ghost. But wait a minute, if having the Son is having the Holy Ghost, then how can we have the Father too? Keep reading ....

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 1:18)

And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

As explained herein, the Son’s Father was also the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of the Son is the Holy Ghost, and the same Holy Ghost fathered the Son. When Jesus spoke of His Father, when we have both the Father and the Son, we have the Spirit of the Son and the Father of the Son. We don’t have two Spirits, but ONE Spirit occupying two positions of relationship. The Spirit fathered the Son, and the Spirit dwelt in the Son.

The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Returning to John 14….

Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)

“We,” the Father who conceived the Son in the womb of Mary and the Spirit of the crucified Christ, will come unto him and dwell with him. It is the same Spirit, the same God who willingly became our Saviour on the cross. His free gift of salvation -- the greatest love story ever told -- should never be tarnished by those who proclaim to know the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ but within their congregations present a false trinity message that is void of all scripture.

But there is hope in these last days. That is Revelation 3:8-9 wherein, as Jesus so clearly stated, "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews and are not, and lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee."

Jesus is the ONLY NAME whereby we MUST be saved in this current dispensation of grace. (Philippians 2:9; Acts 4:12) And it is He -- JESUS -- who is standing at the door of your heart and knocking -- "If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to Him, and will sup with Him, and He with Me. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in the throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:20-22)

Time is too short for the false teachings and religious traditions of men to prevail. Study the scriptures for yourself, and discover as Jesus said, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!"

The SAME God who willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "For The Son of Man Is [Indeed] Lord Of the Sabbath." - Part 1630

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Who is the Son of man? This is a question that surfaces from time to time, oft causing confusion among those who profess to believe. Indeed, the supposed complexity around the question itself should motivate us to search the scriptures for the truth. In lieu of this, the following scriptures should provide some insight into the answer to the question. For starters, please note that Jesus Himself asked His disciples this very same question in Matthew 16:13-17 -- "But whom say ye that I am?" -- thus, its importance.

Before getting too deep, we should note that the term 'Son of man' is used 85+ times in the gospels -- Matthew 32, Mark 15, Luke 26, and John 12. In the new testament, the term 'Son of man' is always used by Jesus (in reference to Himself) with the exception of John 12:34; when the people repeat Jesus' statement as a question -- "The Son of man must be lifted up?"

Note also that Jesus Himself said, "For the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath." (Matthew 12:8) In Mark, Jesus tells the Pharisees -- "... the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." In the latter example, the Pharisees are saying to Jesus concerning the disciples: "Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful."

How did Jesus respond? "Have ye never read, what David did, when he had need and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abithar the high priest, and did eat the shew bread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?" And He said unto them, "The sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath. Therefore, the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." (Mark 2:23-28; I Samuel 21:1-6)

In the similar fashion, Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost declared: "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) It is herein that the people were pricked in their hearts, having now understood who Jesus was -- both Lord and Christ.

And, as prophesied regarding the last days --"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 24:30)

Nevertheless, to understand Jesus describing Himself as the Son of man, we need to delve further into the scriptures. One example whereby Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of man is when He heals the man sick of the palsy. Certain of the scribes at the time were reasoning in their hearts, asking, "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" And immediately, when Jesus perceived in His Spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, "thy sins be forgiven thee" or, to say, "Arise and take up thy bed and walk? But that ye many know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins ... I say unto thee, "Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." (Mark 2:6-11)

As a notable aside, this should have been easy for the scribes to understand, given that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, " ... for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS; for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:20-23)

This statement is in perfect keeping with Luke 19:10, wherein Jesus said to Zacchaeus -- "This day is salvation come to this house, for as much as He also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

Indeed, throughout Jesus' ministry on earth, He told of the things to come concerning the Son of man.

"And He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." (Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 20:19)

This understanding of the identity of the Son of man is further clarified in Mark 9:31 -- "For He taught His disciples and said unto them, "The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him; and after that He is killed, He shall rise the third day."

Again in Mark 10:33-34, Jesus said: "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles, and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him and shall kill Him; and the third day He shall rise again."

Given what transpired, there is no doubt that these new testament citations refer specifically to Jesus. Moreover, in reference to Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, Jesus said, "The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him; but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born." (Matthew 26:24; Luke 17:1; John 17:12)

Yes, Jesus the Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and He was (as He Himself described) the Son of man. (I Corinthians 15:3)

But that is not all. In Daniel, we also see the term Son of man used in prophecy. That is to say, "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 peoples, 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 7:13-14)

Is this beginning to sound familiar?

Before Jesus shed His precious holy blood on the cross, He said, "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, and He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:30; Daniel 7:13-14; Ezekiel 32:7)

And, again in Matthew 25:31: "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory." -- "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first ... and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17; I Corinthians 15:52)

Yes, we are definitely getting ahead of ourselves here! When Jesus was led away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled, Jesus spoke the same. That is, "thou hast said. Nevertheless, I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:63)

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." (Mark 13:26) 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." (Mark 14:62) "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:27) "Hereafter, shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God." (Luke 22:69)

Why so many scriptural accounts? Because in this current dispensation of grace -- the last days, God hath given all things into His hand so that those who believe on the Son -- JESUS -- shall have everlasting life. (John 3:35-36) As Jesus said -- "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)

Christ the first fruits; afterward, they are Christ's at His coming -- then [cometh] the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom of God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power. For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under [Him], then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (I Corinthians 15:23-28; Ephesians 1:22; Philippians 2:9-11)

No longer will Jesus describe Himself as the Son of man, but instead as John describes Jesus in the book of Revelation -- "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

In the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind him a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ..." (Revelation 1:11)

And those that pierced Him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him ... And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, [One] like unto the Son of man!" (Revelation 1:6-8, 11, 13) "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [One] sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle." (Revelation 14:14; Revelation 11:15)

More to this point -- Jesus said, "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divides His sheep from the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?"

And the King shall answer and say unto them, "Verily I say unto you, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink. I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not."

Then shall they also answer Him, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?" Then shall He answer them, saying, "Verily I say unto you -- Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me." And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:31-46)

It is herein that we begin to see why Jesus hid His glory from the people: "And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man, Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice ..." (John 5:27-28)

In the parable that Jesus taught, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man. (Matthew 13:1-23, 37) When Jesus took unto Him the twelve, He said unto them, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked and spitted on: and they shall scourge [Him] and put Him to death, and the third day, He shall rise again." (Luke 18:31-33)

Of course, at the time, the disciples understood none of these things, "and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken." (Luke 18:34; Luke 2:50) Jesus had already asked the question -- "Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8; Hebrews 10:37)

Still, Jesus said to be comforted when people hate us and separate us from their company, reproaching us, casting out our name as evil -- and to do this "for the Son of man's sake." (Luke 6:22)

From the many cited scriptures above, we know that the Son of man would soon be betrayed and suffer on the cross, giving His life as a ransom for many. But His promise to those who believe and are baptized in His precious Name does not end there. Indeed, we know that it would be "the Son of man" who would sit on the throne of glory, from which He would draw all men unto Him.

And in the end, the Son of man would come in the clouds of heaven for His chosen people. Those believers who pressed toward the mark which is Christ Jesus, even when the Lord knew He would find little faith on the earth. Why? Because those who were called and ordained by our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ know the true identity of the Son of man.

His glory can no longer be hid because the Lord Himself came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) Although the Jewish did not recognize who Jesus was -- or, that "He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not" -- Jesus still reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the prophesied Christ -- the Messiah that John the baptist pointed to as the One who comes after him, who will baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33)

The very same Christ that abides for ever. Incline your ear, saith the Lord, and come unto Me and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David. "My covenant will stand fast with Him. His seed also will I make to [endure] for ever, and His throne as the days of heaven." (Psalms 89:28-29; Isaiah 55:3)

"The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek," (Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-10; Hebrews 6:20; Zechariah 6:13)

"Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God." Above when He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin Thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein], which are offered by the law; then said He, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all." (Hebrews 10:1-10)

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come ..." (Hebrews 10:1)

Jesus responded to the Sadducees which said there is no resurrection. Jesus said, "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" (Mark 12:24) The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. 

And this very same God loved us enough to clothe Himself in a human body -- as the Son of man - so that we might have life more abundantly. Yes, Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)

Jesus said, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 21:28; John 13:4; Philippians 2:6-; Luke 22:27; Isaiah 53:10-12; Daniel 9:24-26; Romans 5:15, 19)

That He did on a cross He did not deserve. The Lord of glory having come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13) 

Let those with ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.

P.S. More scriptural references regarding the Son of man can be found in Ezekiel -- the priest who saw the visions of God ... and the hand of the Lord was there upon him. (Ezekiel 1:1-3) We will examine these in context another day in the near future. In the interim, be blessed!

Even the Spirit of Truth -- Ye Know Him For He Dwells With You and Shall Be In You - Part 1629

"CHRIST hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14)

When one believes in Jesus by faith, and are subsequently water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are sealed in His garment of righteousness. He fills us with His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost who leads and guides into all truth.

Jesus said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me; and ye also shall bear witness, being ye have been with Me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27)

Who is He that overcomes the world? Jesus who is both Lord and Christ! (Acts 2:36) The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) God manifest in the flesh -- in a sin prone flesh (yet without sin) as a Son. (I Timothy 3:16) His Word made flesh. (John 1:1-18) 

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

"And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son -- he that hath the Son hath life; and He that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Why? Because "these things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us ..." (I John 5:11-15)

He came to forgive us and redeem us from our sin. (Matthew 1:21-23)

And, as a consequence of our faith in Jesus, we know that we are of God, even while the whole world lies in wickedness, "we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true [even] in his Son Jesus Christ -- this is the true God and eternal life." (I John 5:19-20)

In Acts 3, Peter said the following about the greatest love story ever told, wherein God Himself loved us enough to shed His precious holy blood on an old wooden cross for us:

"And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you." And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:12-26)

Hear ye Him! Jesus -- Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending! Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords! 

Hereby, know the Spirit of truth.

Stand in the offering plate.

Faith Is The Substance of Things Hoped For, the Evidence of Things Unseen; Which Hope We Have As An Anchor of the Soul - Part 1628

"By faith, Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." (Hebrews 11:8-12)

Note that Abraham was declared a "friend" of God. This contrasts the incident whereby the Jewish audience said to JESUS that they had never been in bondage. JESUS replies with the following - "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34) The point to note here is that this reply would have been spoken directly to the Jewish audience.

Nevertheless, such a statement would be also applicable to the "whosoevers" -- which includes all of Adam's prone to sin offspring. Therefore, because every one of us have sinned, it necessitates that sin prone persons (both male and female, prophet, priest, or king) are equally in need of a Saviour. [In essence, then, confessing one’s sin to another sin prone sinner is an exercise in futility.]

Unfortunately, often, in man’s eyes there are an abundance of ways to be saved. However, in God’s eyes there is only one way to be saved. That is why we continue mentioning the SEED of the Holy Ghost in these posts and the showing forth of the two promised SEEDS. That at that appointed time, the Holy Ghost did bring together the two promised SEEDS in the womb of a willing surrogate mother named Mary who, as we know was a virgin.

Herein, the two SEEDS united and thus clothed with Mary’s sin prone flesh. And lo, He who comes forth is none other than God Himself with us -- appearing in fashion as a Son. The Only Begotten Son of God! The flesh was in the image of God in "created form" whereas the Spirit within that flesh being -- the very life of the holy Spirit of God -- in this SEED is life.

Therefore, let no man rob you of God’s way of salvation for it is the Lord your God who is mankind’s only Saviour. In the late 18th - early 19th centuries, there was a saying that goes like this. "It is the duty of the educated to keep the general populace in ignorance." However, there is a prayer offered by the man JESUS the Christ which says, “I thank you Father that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, but you have revealed these [important truths] to babes!”

The prophecies foretell of a time when many false prophets and teachers will come and deceive many. And as the scriptures also reveal, many shall follow their pernicious ways departing from the truth. Indeed, the truth shall become as if it were error, and error as if were truth. Sadly, we are witnessing these days now, and the writing on the wall does not appear to be getting better.

Indeed, the Lord Himself forewarned believers that such things would come to pass, and that unfortunately, there would be a great falling away happen at the same time. In fact, the Lord said that the body of Christ church (which ought to be witnesses to the truth) would have their candlestick removed. Why?

Because they are no longer representatives of truth. The churches' initial love affair with the Lord Jesus has grown cold or at best lukewarm. It is in this context that the church, when neither hot nor cold do the scriptures reveal that the Lord will vomit the church out of His mouth.

Still, in spite of the traditional church institutions, the Lord is still seeking to save those which are lost. God’s faithfulness is true and likewise offered toward all generations. As the Bible states, God stands at the door of our hearts knocking. When we say yes and open up our hearts we let His sunshine in, We let the SONshine in so that we can live the very life that God Himself intended for us to live. For to us is the Word of this salvation sent.

Let us therefore earnestly contend for this one faith that was once delivered to us by the Lord JESUS Himself! God bless you all with peace, joy and certainty!

Stand in the offering plate -- as we often say here, but this time, offer yourself. Many blessings in the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ!

Jesus Said, "He That Is Of God Hears God's Words" - Part 1627

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 Christ ... (Colossians 2:2)

Note that the same God who descended is the same God who is now ascending to His Throne from whence He had descended. GOD Himself, becoming all things to all men so that He might gain some. In other words, God's plan of salvation was to rescue fallen man by means of free redemption.

Thus, in so doing, God could renew and ensure the uninterrupted fellowship with JESUS our Saviour and Redeemer that was intended from the beginning of time. So that God could restore each and everyone to their original purpose through faith in the redeeming Grace of God at Calvary. Redeemed and being translated into the Kingdom of the Son of God!

JESUS, housed in a prone to sin flesh body was received whilst still in the womb of a surrogate mother named Mary. His flesh, as we read in the scriptures was capable of being tempted in all points even as all of Adam’s offspring. But as we also know, inside that flesh body did dwell the holy Spirit of God. The seeds of life issuing from the Holy Ghost. As it is written, JESUS, the only begotten son of God.

Yes, JESUS was conceived of the Holy Ghost which is why in JESUS' veins did flow the life-giving blood of the Lord. (Luke 1:35)  It is written that “God was in the man JESUS the Christ, endeavouring to reconcile sinful man to Himself.” God in Christ.

Still, as recorded in the scriptures, JESUS' Spirit suffered. He was tempted and tried by the devil, and likewise many others who were entrenched and delighted in the pleasure of sin. Then JESUS was judged by the then present judicial system, who found in JESUS no fault. In effect, Jesus was pardoned. Free to go. But in response to the crowds, the Judge washed his hands as if to say, "I played my part ... now let's go home."

Pilate the Judge then delivers JESUS into the hands of a frenzied religious mob who demanded that JESUS be crucified. JESUS was whipped, spat upon and stripped, and a crown of thorns placed upon His head. In the midst, His beard was torn. He was mocked and scorned, all of this occurring prior to JESUS being led away to a place called Calvary!

JESUS was also responsible for bearing the cross on which He was about to be crucified. JESUS now being physically weakened stumbled with the burden of the cross. He was assisted by a young man, arriving at the place called the place of a Skull. There the condemning crowd nailed JESUS' hands and feet to a wooden cross. The cruel mocking continued with the eventual plunge of a sword into His side. From this wound poured blood and water. Indeed, as the scriptures reveal, JESUS' flesh was more marred than any other person!

Within this retelling of events, what we must recognize is that the body of JESUS, being the body in which the holy Spirit dwelt, was the point upon which the fury and wrath of sinful men expended all their religious/sinful animosity. In reality, the body by itself cannot feel. Rather, the pain is felt by the spirit in the body (For the body without the spirit is dead)

In retrospect, whatever was said and done to JESUS' body was factually absorbed by His Spirit -- the inward man -- the Holy Ghost. In today's terms, yes indeed, it was our sinful nature that killed His body. Still, the good news of salvation is that we could not kill His Spirit.

The other good news is that all that transpired was not forgotten as soon as the sun went down. For what we did to JESUS, we did to the holy Spirit body too. Therefore, the crucifixion and all active deeds pertaining to the demise of the life of the SON of God are as relevant today as they were at that time!

In the end, Heaven watched as the greatest love for anyone unfolded for one and all to see. If JESUS upon the cross had called for deliverance, we would not be reading this good news message. Still, when Jesus was nailed to the cross, the earth trembled and the sun darkened. For it is declared, that “Truly this WAS the Son of God."

GOD WAS IN THE MAN JESUS AND IT WAS HIS SPIRIT THAT SUFFERED THROUGH ALL! Therefore, how shall we escape if we neglect so GREAT a SALVATION!

Please, please, please ask Jesus to be Lord and Christ in your life today. Trust Him to fulfill His purpose in your heart, and to bring you into the perfection that He has intended for you. It was never the Lord's intention that we would be condemned to damnation because He created us as His beloved. And His love and grace and mercy is what caused Him to weep after His people.

Yes, after His kindness and love, God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) But it is our responsibility to accept what Jesus did, and to believe in Him, and to then be water baptized (by immersion-buried) in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! (Acts 2:36-38)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "If Ye Were Abraham's Children, Ye Would Do the Works of Abraham" - Part 1626

If you continue in My Word, then you shall you be My disciples and as such, you WILL know the truth. And, in knowing the truth, you shall be set free! The Jewish members of the audience, upon hearing these words spoken to them by JESUS said, "We are Abraham's seed. Therefore, we were never in bondage." (John 8:31-59)

Note: When the Jews said that they were of Abraham’s seed, they were of Abraham's natural seed. As we read in the scriptures, Ishmael was born of Abraham's natural seed to a bondwoman. Sarah, who was Abraham's wife died and when Abraham remarried, he had born of his natural seed six more children.

If we examine the scriptures concerning Abraham and Sarah further, we read that Sarah's womb was sealed. However, within her did dwell the SEED of promise - the seed promised by God and first mentioned to Eve in the Eden garden. The scriptures also declare that Eve was the mother of all living with God declaring that it would be the SEED of a woman that would bruise the serpent (satan/devil's head).

The promised SEED was not one of Adam’s now sin prone seed. Rather, the promised SEED was a pure SEED, which SEED contained ALL the fullness of the Spiritual Humanity of God. Or, put another way, the Son of God or God Himself as a Son. The SEED then was the SEED of the holy Spirit. Therefore, JESUS is God Himself as a Son (reference the two SEEDS conceived in Mary).

The aforementioned SEED of promise passed from Eve into Seth and thus, we are introduced into the generational travels of the promised SEED through the scriptures. Sarah caused her bond maid to lie with Abraham which led to Ishmael being born from one of Abraham's natural seed. Ishmael was not born a Muslim. Why? Because at this time, such religion was non existent. But nevertheless, God did promise that Ishmael who had twelve sons would, as a consequence become a great nation. This is an important point to note.

How do we know all this? First, God is a God of impossibilities. There is nothing too hard that God cannot do. However, God’s way of doing things is not necessarily bound to man’s ways or the norms established within society. So when Abraham was 100 years of age and Sarah, Abraham's wife 90 years of age, God promised Abraham that in his SEED would all the nations of the earth be blessed. But as expected, Abraham's capabilities to reproduce were now non existing. In the mind of humans, this would have been the end of the story.

However, as mentioned earlier, God deals with the impossibilities. This means that God stepped in and resurrected Abraham's capabilities as a man. At the same time, God implanted into Abraham the SEED of promise, wherein, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Yes, God is God.
As a result, Abraham and Sarah were both rejuvenated of God.

God opened Sarah's womb and lo and behold Isaac was born. Isaac was the product of Abraham and Eve’s natural seed whereby the two SEEDS of promise passed into Isaac. Indeed, the SEEDS of promise now continue on their generational travels awaiting God’s appointed time to be brought together by the Holy Ghost.

So neither ISHMAEL nor ISAAC did bring forth or show forth the life of God. Ishmael for sure was not in the genealogy of the two seeds. More to come on this subject in the days following.

Stand in the offering plate.

For It Pleased the Father That In Him Should All Fullness Dwell; and Having Made Peace Through the Blood of His Cross - Part 1625

"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed, for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 1:9-11)

In other words, we are instructed not to bless someone or wish them prosperity if they willingly preach another gospel, and not the saving good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Indeed, apostle Paul said that when someone teaches a gospel other than the established apostolic doctrine, they are to be accursed. And the apostle did not just say this once to the Galatians but twice.

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9)

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness ..." (I Timothy 6:3)

Why? Because without the truth of salvation -- Thy Word is truth -- we will never fully understand the doctrine of Christ. We will not understand the greatest love story ever told, wherein the same Lord God who created us in the beginning loved us enough to make a way for our salvation. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counselor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again. For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to whom be glory forever, amen." (Romans 11:32-36; Galatians 3:22; Isaiah 40:13; Isaiah 23:18; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 13:21)

But I digress. The doctrine of Christ is named in the foundation of the gospel outlined in Hebrews 6, wherein, if fully understood, we can as believers in Jesus by faith move on unto perfection."Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God ..." (Hebrews 6:1-2)

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, where unto thou hast attained." (I Timothy 4:6) 

So, what is the doctrine of Christ? Let's examine the following references from the new testament:

"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath BOTH the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)

The Holy Ghost! (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 1:2-3) The Comforter! The Spirit of wisdom that will lead and guide us into all truth, when our hearts are willing to receive His goodness and grace. The expression of the mind of God revealed. His plan of salvation wherein God Himself became flesh and dwelt among us.

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

The Word made flesh -- the same Word that was in the beginning with God, and was God. (John 1:1-18)

This is why once Jesus was taken up (and as He stated, we will see Him no more) He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2)

"So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

"He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction(s)." (Psalm 107:20).

Thus, His Word is not a separate person as the traditions of men teach. Rather, the Lord is ONE, as evidenced by the first commandment. Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE Lord! (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all ... (Ephesians 4:5-6)

The purpose of God inseparable from Himself because as John so clearly stated, the Word was not only with God but "the Word was God." (John 1:1) The same God who created the world in the beginning -- the same Spirit of God who moved upon the face of the waters, and said, "Let there be light and there was light" -- He knew of the mystery that was in His bosom from the beginning of the world. (Genesis 1:1-3)

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16) 

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)

But many today want to redefine the mystery that would be revealed to all mankind in these last days. They desire to change the narrative into some earthly spin, void of any scripture to support their premise. And, sadly, some who profess to believe are swallowing this false deception that can only lead them further into darkness. Nevertheless, the Word of God is clear on all points and if we study the scriptures we would understand God's plan from the very beginning -- wherein, He decided then to redeem His people. He would prepare Himself a body. He would come into the world that was made by Him, knowing full well that He would be rejected. (John 1:10-11; John 1:1-18)

 

And Jesus said unto them, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:" (Mark 4:11)

Still, for those who seek the truth, it was never intended that we would be left in darkness.

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, "There shall come out of Sion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them in all unbelief that He might have mercy upon all ..." (Romans 11:25-32)

"Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself ..." (Ephesians 1:9) "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ ..." (Ephesians 3:4) "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 Jesus Christ ..." (Ephesians 3:9) 

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ..." (Colossians 1:26-27)

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His Name. And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called." (Isaiah 54:5-6)

This is why we are to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience -- 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 Christ." (I Timothy 3:9; Colossians 2:2)

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself..." (2 Corinthians 5:19)

In other words, He was the Creator of the earth and all things within. And, as such, He would also be the One to restore mankind from his/her fallen state. At an appointed time, God would manifest Himself in the form of a man. The Lord coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) 

He would be born of a virgin women and born under the law. 

"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law... to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:4-6; Romans 5:5; Romans 8:9-16). 

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:21-23).And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. And if ye be Christ's, then ye are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)

Stand in the offering plate.

Nevertheless, The Foundation of God Stands Sure, Having This Seal - Part 1624

“Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal -- The Lord knows them that are His. And, let every one that names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (II Timothy 2:19)

There appears to be so much confusion emerging regarding the doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2) Some (like the devil) believe that Jesus was and remains as the "Son" of God -- co-existent and separate from the Father, even when Jesus Himself declared otherwise. What is sad about this is that the Lord has so much more for His people, if we would only turn away from man-made traditions and seek His counsel. As the scripture states, we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

Giving diligence to our calling, making our election sure "for if ye do these things ye shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!" (II Peter 1:10-11)

How do we do this? By understanding that the scriptures are like a puzzle wherein all the puzzle pieces align so that we can all come into one accord. In other words, God is not the Author of confusion. Right from the beginning, God had carved out a plan of salvation for His chosen. And now, the mystery that was in the bosom of the Father from the beginning has been revealed for one and all to behold. That is, "the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily" in Jesus. (Colossians 2:9)

And He is the Head of the body of Christ church, revealed in this current dispensation of grace. As a consequence, we no longer follow cunningly devised fables and the traditions of men. Instead, we remain grounded in Jesus, being drawn unto the Light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in our hearts. (II Peter 1:19-21)

This is why we study His Word in earnest so that we are not led astray by those false prophets who are among the people, and false teachers who privily bring in damnable heresies -- even denying the Lord that bought them. While many follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, the Holy Ghost leads us and guides us away from those who have forsaken the right way and gone astray. (II Peter 2:1-22)

Still, as we are so clearly instructed: "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: for with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the Word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." (Isaiah 28:10-13)

And it is herein that we discover the promise of liberty. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have escaped the pollution(s) of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "For the life was manifested and we have seen and bear witness and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father was manifested unto us ..." (I John 1:1-10)

"For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:19-20).

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself..." (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Is the Light of the World - Part 1623

Have faith in God! Many shall come in my name saying "I am the Christ" but the scriptures warn not to believe them. Why is this? Because if they speak not according to this Word, the scriptures reveal that it is because there is/was no enlightenment within them.

Rather, Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus, the embodiment of the humanity of God, is manifest in form appearing as a Son. In the beginning, Adam was a "created" son of God, but lost his status as a son when he was disobedient to his Creator. By the same token, we are Adam’s offspring. Adam along with Eve were the root cause of all the negatives inhabited and experienced by the earth's populace.

As said so often humanity is spiritual, requiring only a body to display the mind of the indwelling spirit. But God is the Father of all spirits. God is the Seed of life in all creation. In order for a seed to flourish, it must be planted in weed free soil, watered, and exposed to light or the potential life within the seed cannot be revealed. So it is in the scriptures.

God planted Adam in a weed free created environment. As a consequence, Adam at creation was so pure that God walked and talked with Him in the cool of the day. As the created image of God, one might envision Adam as perfect. Perfect at least until satan turned up, opposing God’s direct instruction to Adam. As the Book of Genesis reveals, what satan said to Eve sounded so good and even tasted so good, that the duo's disobedience to God’s instructions introduced them to another world. A forsaken world.

Like Adam and Eve, we inherit the capability of opposing God’s directions, becoming satan’s prisoners -- prisoners of sin. The wars of the past pale in comparison to the raging ongoing war within the members of our flesh, constantly desiring to lead us into captivity.

Now, satan has become the described prince of this world. Our innocence has been removed, being superimposed instead by disobedience. At the same time, satan endeavours to overthrow God. As we know, that battle is still ongoing. In fact, satan is enraged as he sees his territory being diminished, and the war intensified while thrones and dominions fall.

Why is this happening? Because of Calvary! It is there that God dealt the final blow. Here, satan realizes that his days of terror are numbered. However, in the dying throes of his kingdom, those in whom he has successfully set up his kingdom (granting them power) that power endowed upon them hates God. But ironically, these powers love religion. All this will I give to you if you will fall down and worship me says satan. Sound familiar? Adam and Eve heard the same plea.

Still, while satan en route to hell is sadly directing multitudes of persons along the broad road of destruction, we need to remember that God never willed that any man or woman boy or girl should perish.

He clearly tells us that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" so that we can also reach out by faith, believing Jesus to be both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

"For God so loved the world ..." (John 3:16)

Indeed, salvation is the gift of God. It was He who was willing to sacrifice His humanity on the cross for you and I. As a consequence, Heaven’s door is open to one and all.

JESUS -- THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST!

Call upon Jesus today. Reach out to Jesus and ask Him to come into your heart and to reveal His purpose for your life this day -- the day that the Lord hath made so that we can rejoice and be glad in His goodness, and mercy, and grace.

Stand in His offering plate.

Simple Words; Jesus Said, "If Any Man Serve Me, Let Him Follow Me!" - Part 1622

Jesus said, "If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will [My] Father honour ... Father, glorify Thy Name." (John 12:26-28)

“And Levi made Him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.” (Luke 5:29)

In the new testament, people were often known by two names, and sometimes (as was the case with Saul, who later became Paul) the Lord changes that person's name into something completely new. For the casual reader of the scriptures, this can become somewhat confusing, particularly when there is more than one individual bearing the same name. When questions like these emerge, we should yearn to search the scriptures for clarity so that we can fully understand why each individual is named specifically in the scriptures, and how the Lord fulfilled His purpose for them within the world.

Certainly, there is no shortage of examples in the new testament, that show us how the members of the body of Christ at that time laboured to fulfill His will. It is in this context, that the example of Levi caught my attention, and not whether his name was changed to Matthew or James (as religious tradition over the last 2,000 years dictates), or perhaps, in fact, neither.

Let's begin with what we do know. Alphaeus was Levi's father (Mark 2:14). So was James (the lesser) a son of Alphaeus, according to Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; and Luke 6:15.

When Jesus first met Levi, he was a publican -- a public servant -- a tax collector, and a known profession that people despised because corruption was oft linked with the position. The account of Jesus meeting Levi for the first time is explained in three of the gospels.

"And as He [Jesus] passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, "Follow Me." And he arose and followed Him." (Mark 2:14)

"And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto Him, "Follow Me." And he arose, and followed Him." (Matthew 9:9)

"And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, "Follow Me." And he left all, rose up and followed Him." (Luke 5:27)

From these examples, we further understand that the scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, "Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?" And Jesus answering said unto them, "They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." And they said unto Jesus, "Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees, but Thine eat and drink?" And Jesus said unto them, "Can ye make the children of the bride chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the day will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days ..." (Luke 5:27-35)

But more to the point being made here ....

"And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?" When Jesus heard [it], He said unto them, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance ..." (Mark 2:16-22)

The example to us as believers in Jesus by faith is that our walk with Jesus should not end in believing by faith only. In fact, there is much more when Jesus calls us to "follow Me!" This is evident in Levi (regardless of whether the scholars claim Levi to be either Matthew or James. That is, when Levi decided in his heart to follow Jesus, and indeed did, there was fruit that followed. In Levi's case, the fruit appeared to be immediate.

"And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many and they followed Him." (Mark 2:15)

Whose house? In Levi's house. It was Levi who fed the "many" publicans and sinners. (Matthew 9:10)

From this example, we understand that following Jesus includes leaving everything behind. Leaving that which is earthly and the things of this world, in favour of the heavenly. (Luke 18:28) Just as the publican named Levi did -- he left all, rose up and followed Jesus. (Luke 5:27-28) In so doing, he opened his home so that the publicans and sinners could sit with Jesus and His disciples.

"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples." (Matthew 9:10)

"Holding forth the Word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." (Philippians 2:16)

Levi did not just open his heart, but his home also-- to publicans and sinners. And there was a cost because as Jesus sat at meat in the house, so did those who came and sat with Him and His disciples.

Note too that there is one more point worth making here -- about the reputation of publicans. Jesus later offers two viewpoints on publicans. In the first, (as we read in Matthew 18:17) Jesus links a heathen man with a publican -- when He explains what to do if a brother trespasses against you and does not listen. 

And then, secondly, there are Jesus' words to the chief priests and the elders of the people when He was come unto the temple, and the chief priests desired to know "by what authority" did Jesus teach these things. (Matthew 21:31, 33)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell Me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?" And they reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we shall say, from heaven; He will say unto us -- "Why did ye not then believe Him?" But if we shall say, "Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, "We cannot tell." and He said unto them,"Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons, and He came to the first and said, "Son, go work today in My vineyard." He answered and said, "I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And He came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir" and went not."

Jesus asks them, "Whether of them twain did the will of [his] father? They say unto him, "The first." Jesus saith unto them, "Verily, I say unto you -- that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and ye, when ye had seen repented, not afterward that ye might believe him." (Matthew 21:23-32)

As we learn, Jesus goes on to tell another parable -- that of the householder which can be referenced in Matthew 21:33-46, wherein Jesus says unto them "Therefore, I say unto you-- the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matthew 21:43)

Not to take this dialogue too far from Levi, it is important to note that when we ask Jesus to become Lord and Saviour in our hearts, there will be fruit that comes from following Jesus. Our hearts and lives will change, and our friends will note that difference. Indeed, Jesus said, " Ye shall know them by their fruits ... wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:16-20)

As for Levi, who is not mentioned again as Levi in the gospels, after deciding to follow Jesus, we do know that there were fruits, among those publicans and sinners who came to hear Jesus share the good news gospel of His Kingdom in Levi's home. Yes, Jesus knows our hearts. He knows our innermost heart desires, and He has a purpose specifically for you. Stand in the offering plate.

For The Lord Gives Wisdom: Out Of His Mouth Comes Knowledge And Understanding. - Part 1621

For as we read in the scriptures, the angel declared to Mary that the "holy thing" that shall come forth from her shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) So the Wisdom of God counsel now appeared in fashion as a man. Why is this? Because only God could reveal His (formerly) hidden plan of Wisdom.

This is why we required God Himself as a Son to speak. The Word had to be veiled in flesh so that we might be able to hear and understand the unveiling (Wisdom) of the mystery of God. For the time of these events were spoken of in the scriptures as being the fullness of time. "The Lord coming forth as a mighty man." (Isaiah 42:13)

At that time, JESUS was brought forth. Jesus - who is Himself the Wisdom of God. For it is written that JESUS is the Wisdom of God and similarly that JESUS is the glory of God. Therefore, JESUS is the Word of God, who also is the same Wisdom of God.

But we without hearing in Word the revealing of the Wisdom of God would still be without understanding. But JESUS as flesh is the living manifestation of the Wisdom of God. Let us see and understand what the scriptures are stating here. One without the other would be like a bird without wings. Where would we be then?

Still, when JESUS spoke, there was something distinctive about His presence. JESUS did not speak like the scribes and the Pharisees. There is a reason for this. That is, JESUS is not only the Wisdom and Glory of God but JESUS is the Power of God too.

For again it is written that His Words were with power. Yes, indeed, His Words were with power. When JESUS' Words of Wisdom and power impacts a person, something happens. Something wonderful happens. The songwriter penned this experience as "oh, for a thousand tongues to sing, To express my tongue indeed would be the pen of a ready writer, I am come that you might have LIFE, a more abundant life."

Meditate on these things this day! Stand in the offering plate.

The Sower Soweth The Word - Part 1620

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” (Luke 8:5)

"The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side, and great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that He went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And [Jesus] spake many things unto them in parables, saying, "Behold, a sower went forth to sow. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:1-9)

In the gospels, Jesus spake a parable about the sower. A sower went out to sow, and as he sowed some of the seeds fell. The sower of the Word (or the wisdom of God that is God Himself) sowed seeds that was His own Word. This makes sense when we read it within a scriptural context.

In Genesis and John, for example, the scriptures say that in the beginning was the Word - the Wisdom and the Word - and this Wisdom was with God and the Word/Wisdom was God. The very same Word/Wisdom that was with God was veiled in flesh and we beheld His glory.

For the Word/Wisdom of God is now being revealed in fleshly form. As alluded to earlier, this Word/Wisdom of God is being revealed in prone to sin flesh even as Adam was. After Adam and Eve's banishment from the Garden of Eden, the Sower’s flesh that was capable of being tempted in all points like as we humans are did not succumb to sin. Neither in thought, word or in deed.

The Sower of the Word /Wisdom was clothed in flesh as a man. For the Sower of the Word/Wisdom (in form) Himself was the only (singular) SEED of God’s holy Spirit. At birth, we see a child to be named JESUS with an applied descriptive title declaring that He was the SON of God. For indeed He was.

As it is written, God who is Spirit was manifest in the flesh as a Son. Our human outer shell - like all seeds - is visibly only a shell whilst the inner life is spirit. How does the scriptures describe this outer shell. For the body without the spirit is dead.

However, in JESUS did dwell all the fullness of the invisible God who is Spirit now embodied in the flesh. This is the embodiment of the Spirit of God as a Son capable now of being seen and handled and heard. We can now view and hear the purpose of God’s visitation in form as a Son (Word/Wisdom) sowing a Word/Wisdom message in total contrast to that which was then presently preached (sowed).

God is personally a Sower, sowing His Word / Wisdom as a SEED. In this perspective, God was delivering to man His unchanging Word/Wisdom. Indeed, God’s life giving Word / Wisdom was veiled in flesh and dwelt among us.

We realize that without the word it would be impossible for men and women to even theorize. Why? Because the entrance of word/wisdom into our minds brings forth enlightenment. The same word/wisdom gives understanding, and with all our learning we ought to endeavour to get understanding.

How does this happen? God is the source (Sower) of all Word / Wisdom, for the power of the Word/Wisdom is mightier than even the sword. Whether the Word is spoken, written or in song, it remains mightier than the sword. The Word /wisdom is the expression of the indwelling life of the spirit for we are spirit beings, our carcase in action displays what is the determination of our indwelling spirit.

As a result of Adam’s disobedience, Adam directed his carcase to do that which God advised him not to do - that is, adhere to the Sower’s instructions. But when Adam didn't listen, we lost our way too, stepping onto a road of self destruction. That road is like a dead end road whose builder and making was not God‘s will.

This explains why the sower soweth the Word. (Mark 4:14)
But as we'll read in the days to come, there is a better way ...

God Was In Christ, Reconciling The World Unto Himself -- Part 1619

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature -- old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5:17-20)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

Who was/is the "He" herein? This is the question that the modern day religious community wants to negate, or confuse by introducing a "false" teaching of God as three persons, rather than the established doctrine of Christ, as attested to in the scriptures. (Hebrews 6:1-2) These attempt to explain away scriptures such as -- Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, and that He -- the Lord came forth as a mighty man -- instead posing a series of questions intended to confuse and rile up the people as did the religious authorities in His day did when they attempted to kill Jesus for suggesting that He and His Father are ONE! (I Timothy 3:16; John 10:30; Isaiah 42:13) 

Nevertheless, the dayspring from on high visited His people. And on this point, the Word of God is clear. There is ONE Lord God and His Spirit moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1-2; Acts 1:2-3) The same Spirit -- the Holy Ghost who overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son brought our world into being. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:21-23) The same Spirit who said, "And I looked and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold; therefore, Mine own arm brought salvation unto Me; and My fury, it upheld Me." (Isaiah 63:5)

Yes, God became our Saviour according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses for He said, "Surely they are My people, children [that] will not lie; so He was their Saviour." (Isaiah 63:8)

"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all." (Ephesians 4:5-6) 

This is why in Hebrews, when referring to the meat and no longer believers drinking only the milk the scripture informs us -- "Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection ..." (Hebrews 6:1-2) 

Because in order to move onto perfection, we need to understand in "whom" we have salvation. It is critical for us to understand that the fullness of the Godhead was in Christ. (Colossians 2:9; John 1:14; Colossians 1:19) Not another G/god but rather this same JESUS who was the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible, and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created BY HIM AND FOR HIM ... AND HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS AND BY HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST." (Colossians 1:12-19)

And in case there is any doubt as to who is being referenced here, this same He in this scriptural passage in Colossians "IS the Head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead that in all [things] He might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18) Again, His Name is Jesus ... Emmanuel, being interpreted -- God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

This same message is repeated throughout the volume of the book, which Jesus said, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" (Hebrews 10:7-8; Psalms 40:7)

Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) told the crowd of 3,000 souls that this SAME Jesus whom ye have crucified is BOTH Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) 

God manifest in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16) 

The Lord come forth as a mighty man (Isaiah 42:13) 

After His kindness and love, God became our Saviour (Titus 3:4-7) 

Acts 1:2-3 further clarifies how Jesus after He was taken up, THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. By this time, Jesus had already told His disciples that you would "see" Me no more but that He -- Jesus -- would never leave them [us] nor forsake them [us]. Jesus said, "It is expedient that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you ... and when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment -- of righteousness because ye see Me no more ..." (John 16:7-14)

The last to see Jesus clearly identified in I Corinthians 15:1-8. 

The disciples came to know who Jesus was -- Jesus having told them -- "I and My Father are ONE!" (John 10:30; John 14:6-12) And when Philip asked Jesus to shew them the Father and it would suffice them, Jesus said unto them, " ...he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." (John 14:6-9) As we can see, these came to understand that Jesus was not only the Son but the Father also. Indeed, as Jesus said, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him and HAVE SEEN HIM." (John 14:7) 

Further, Jesus told them "the Comforter [which is] the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in My Name" -- the Name of Jesus -- "He shall teach you all things and bring things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) Jesus said these things being "yet" present with His disciples. (John 14:25) 

The first commandment confirmed by Jesus to one of the scribes, perceiving that Jesus had answered them well says it all -- "Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD!" (Mark 12:28-31; Deuteronomy 6:4-5) 

But the wolves in sheep's clothing keep trying to lead believers in Jesus by faith astray from the truth of the good news gospel. Thus, the issue we face today (as was ironically the very same issue in 325 AD when the argument made by the false church even then was whether to accept that Jesus the Christ was in fact God manifest in the flesh) is the man-made false trinity doctrine of a triune g/God -- God in three persons theology. But by even suggesting that Almighty God is a person, and that this One God -- "the Creator and Preserver of all things, infinite in being and perfection exists eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are of one substance and equal in power and glory" [as most statements of faith allude] is in and of itself a mockery to the God we serve. 

How can I say this? Because false teachings such as the trinity denies the very essence of our Lord God who came forth as a mighty man to redeem us from our sins. (Isaiah 42:13; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Acts 2:36) It is almost like satan was when he was stuck on the "Son" even while Jesus was saying to him, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God!" (Matthew 4:7)

What is written matters, and as a believer we shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Him only shall thou serve. (Matthew 4:4-10)

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4)

The same Almighty God who repeatedly proclaimed in prophecy that there is only ONE GOD and there is no Saviour beside Him. (Isaiah 43:10-12; Isaiah 45:5-6; Isaiah 45:12; Isaiah 45:14-18; Isaiah 45:22-23; Isaiah 46:5, 9-10; Isaiah 48:12; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 59:16)

"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

"I am the Lord; that is My Name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; BEFORE they spring forth I tell you of them -- sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth ..." (Isaiah 42:8-9)

"To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal?" saith the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:25)

"... the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken [it]." (Isaiah 40:5)

"Behold, the Lord God will come with strong [hand], and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward [is] with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry [them] In His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young ... who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or [being] His counsellor hath taught Him?

Isaiah wrote: Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then said I, "Here am I; send Me." (Isaiah 6:8; 9:6) "And there shall come forth out of the stem of Jesse, a Branch shall grow out of his roots; and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord ... " (Isaiah 11:1-2)

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth -- for [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and man -- the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:3-6)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

Jesus - Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, (Revelation 1:8, 11)

Don't be taken in by the lies of this world -- because He Himself has already proclaimed His free gift of salvation unto the end of the world -- for one and all to behold. Take hold of the truth as He proclaimed - the Word made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14) Study His Word to show thyself approved -- for we shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them ... and it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while thy are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:23-24)

We are all destined to see His glory .... and shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 66:23)

However, for now, we need to recognize that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.

"O Lord, Thou art our Father, we are the clay, and Thou are potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand." (Isaiah 64:8)

Let him/her with ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.

I Count All Things But Loss For the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus May Lord -- Part 1618

"Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which i through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith -- that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead ...

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus -- let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." (Philippians 3:8-15)

From the Word Saviour, it is manifest that "I am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Saviour." And you shall know no God but Me for there is no Saviour beside Me. Mary said, "My Spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour" while the Samaritans said to the woman, "Now we know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world." These revelations according to His grace made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Simon Peter indicated that they have obtained precious faith with us -- through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus the Christ. Therefore, he said, we suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men. It is for this reason that we align to the only wise God. To our Saviour be the glory from which we conclude Christ to be God.

Why? Because no one can save, or be styled properly to offer humankind salvation but our Saviour God. The scriptures state that Christ is said to save, and as such, properly called a Saviour. It must then follow that Christ the Saviour is God.

To those who might consider departing from the faith and returning to the darkness of trinitarian-ism, think on this scriptural example. There were times when the Galatians had been swayed by those who desired to water down the Word and turn back to the weak and beggarly words of men. But it is one thing to depart from a group of believers if that particular group is found to be spinning wheels. However, it is a horse of a different colour to turn one's back on scriptural foundations that entertain God to be three distinct and separate person.

Indeed, there is no getting around "One Lord, One faith, One baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)

Still, God has chosen the foolish things of the earth -- the unlearned and in their eyes ignorant men -- to confound the wisdom of this world. The Bible asks, "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you" that you are intent on laying aside the Word of God? For the same reason, why adopt the heresy of Matthew 28:19 which the Romans admittedly changed to its current form? Actions speak louder than words, and those who were Jesus' chosen apostles baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-47)  They were not baptized into descriptive titles such as Father, Son, Spirit, which of course is what some might refer to today as a 'no name' brand.

Indeed, at the end of the day, there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby men can be saved. The name of Jesus is above every other name in heaven and on earth. When asked, "Who are you Lord?" the response was, "I AM JESUS." Undoubtedly, Jesus. It is for this reason that it is difficult to kick against the written Word of God.

It also explains why we do not need to dip our right hand into the erroneous teaching of the church fathers. When God saved you and brought you out of the darkness of ignorance and the Word of God, on whom did you call? And who answered? Pray! Whisper His name. Jesus. Love you all who are faithful.

Indeed, Jesus is the sweetest name I know, and in Him, I have found Him to be just -- the same as His lovely name. God bless. Keep the faith. Stand in the offering plate.