This Is The True God And Eternal Life; His Name Shall Endure Forever; His Name Shall Be Continued As Long As the Sun, and [Men] Shall Be Blessed In Him- Part 1710

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; for the life was manifested, and we have seen it. and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us ..." (I John 1:1-2)

The scriptures oft speak of a "mystery" that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. In recent days, I have heard all sorts of commentary considering this mystery, but most of these opinions -- sadly -- emanating from supposition rather than the instructive Word of God. This is disappointing given that we have His Word both "with us" and "in us" so that we -- as believers in Jesus Christ by faith and who have been water baptized in His precious Name according to Acts 2:36-38 -- would not be led astray. Indeed, the Lord instructs us to test the spirits to ensure that we are not misled from the Word that is truth -- the same Word which sanctifies us when we worship Him. (John 17:17)

On that note, let's examine the scriptures in depth so that we can understand from scripture that Jesus the Christ is both the mighty God and the everlasting Father, both Lord and God, both Lord and Christ, and as well, the eternally blessed God who loved us enough to become the perfect sacrifice. (Isaiah 9:6; John 20:28; Acts 2:36; Romans 9:5) 

All the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) "But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:7) "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 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) After His kindness and love, God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)  

And, as a consequence of our obtaining we adamantly pursue this precious faith -- because of the righteousness and mercy and grace of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:1) Our salvation did not come about because of our works but because of the price He paid on the cross, shedding His precious blood so that we might be saved. This is why we look for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that we might be redeemed as His chosen, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:13-14) 

But clearly I am getting ahead of myself. To understand the "doctrine of Christ" we need to search the scriptures for truth, as a workman does in his/her workplace. (Hebrews 6:1-2; II John 1:9; II Timothy 2:15) It is from this place of a "seeking heart" that the Lord reveals His truth -- the mystery that was hidden from the world -- to His beloved. 

At one point, Jesus responds to His disciples, saying, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore, speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." (Matthew 13:11-13)

"[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)

"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began ..." (Romans 16:25)

It is herein that some are confused, because like satan, these have been led to believe by the institutions and religious constructs of this day that Jesus was only the/a "Son of God!" Or, if you adhere to the trinity/triune god theory, Jesus is 1/3 of God and therefore, somehow must be lesser than Almighty God -- since He was the 1/3 part of God chosen to become the sacrifice on the cross. It is no wonder Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I AM?" 

As an aside, for those who may adhere to the false trinity teaching (and may be hearing the truth of the good news gospel message for the first time) let me ask you this. Would it be in good character for God Almighty who created all things to send another -- in this case, His son -- to pay the ultimate price of salvation for you and I? Would this be the loving God to which we should desire to attach ourselves, if He had willingly sent another to shed His blood for you and I?

Of course not! In our hearts, we would know this act to be anything but love. But satan does not know love. Neither does the devil understand the breadth and depth of love that the Lord God exhibits to those beloved, in whom He cherished when He created them/us in His own image. Thus, when satan heard the voice at Jesus' baptism by John the baptizer in the river Jordan, that stated, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased," satan accepted the statement as truth. And this -- sadly -- is what is happening within the religious culture today.

Thankfully, we have the living Word within and the written Word available to keep us on track. And we know that the Spirit and the Word must agree for God is not the Author of confusion. Therefore, in that context, we know that there is one true God who manifests Himself in the Son. Jesus is the visible image of an invisible God. (Hebrews 1:1-13) The Son being both God and man -- Jesus in His humanity because He was born of a woman, and divinity because the Holy Ghost overshadowed that woman so that she could bring forth that "holy thing" that was within her womb. (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35)

"And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His Name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David." (Luke 1:32) 

"For He shall save His people from their sins -- Emmaneul, being interpreted, God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)

Simeon, having had revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (Luke 1:25-34)

But herein, and through the genealogies recorded in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 we begin to see that Jesus ancestry (at least the seed passing through humanity) came from David. This is why  (in part) Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promise to David that He would set One on His throne who was the fruit of David's body. 

"I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant. Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations ... Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven."" (Psalm 89:3-4; 35-37; Luke 1:33; Psalm 72:17)

"For Thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of Thine anointed. The Lord hath sworn [in] truth unto David; He will not turn from it; "Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon Thy throne evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired [it] for His habitation. This is My rest for ever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it." (Psalm 132:10-14; Psalm 110:4; II Samuel 7:12)

Note that David spoke afore concerning Him, which was later confirmed by Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) -- "I foresaw the Lord always before My face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore, did My heart rejoice, and My tongue was glad; moreover also My flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life; Thou shalt make Me full of joy with Thy countenance."

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear ,,,

"For David is not ascended into the heavens: but He saith Himself, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand until I make Thy foes Thy footstool." 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 2:25-36; Acts 13:22-37)

As Jesus had said previously to the scribes and Pharisees, "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day!" (Matthew 12:8) The One greater than the temple that was in the midst and yet these did not know Him -- the Kingdom of God that had drawn nigh! (Matthew 12:6; Matthew 3:2) The SAME Lord who came forth as a mighty man to redeem those who believe  in Him. (Isaiah 42:13; John 14:6-12) 

"Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His Name!" (Romans 1:1-5) 

Line upon line, precept upon precept does our learning come from the scriptures. Like a puzzle, we desire to understand the He in which we worship.

Still, at this point, and before moving forward, I feel it is important to interject the simplicity of the good news gospel message of Jesus Christ, so as to not lose anyone who may be less acquainted with the scriptures and finding this teaching a tough read.

Jesus said specifically unto you, and to your children, and to all those who may be afar off -- "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 2:36-47)

The ONLY NAME in this current dispensation of grace whereby we MUST be saved! (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) Jesus the promised/prophesied seed -- "for the promise, that He should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or to his seed through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect, because the law worketh to wrath, for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all ... who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken -- "So shall thy seed be." (Romans 4:13-18; Galatians 3:18; Romans 3:20-24; Romans 9:26; Genesis 17:4-6; Genesis 22:17)

" ... and to Thy seed, which is Christ, and this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul that it should make the promise of none effect ..." (Galatians 3:16-17; I Corinthians 12:12; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 12:3,7; Exodus 12:40) 

God was manifest in the flesh, made a little lower than the angels and yet crowned with glory and honour. As the scriptures declare, to be made a little lower than the angels. Still, Thou has "set Him over the works of Thy hands." This is why we see Jesus "who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Psalm 8:4-5; Hebrews 2:7-9) 

But not from the priesthood of the religious/Jewish/tribe of Levi system(s), but instead He took on the seed of Abraham. "Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:10-12, 14-17) 

"For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren ... for as much as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy Him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all lifetime subject to bondage; for verily He took not on Him the nature of angels but He took on Him the seed of Abraham ..." (Hebrews 2:10-18; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 5:7-9; Hebrews 10:10; Acts 17:26; Matthew 28:10; Psalm 22:22; Luke 1:74; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 5:1-10)

This provides some insight into why the high priesthood of Jesus depended on Him being made like us in all things human, and after the order of Melchizedek. "Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared ..." (Hebrews 5:7) The prayers from the humanity of Jesus were heard, and consequently, we can have assurance that there is no infirmity known to man that God has not already been touched by. But we do have to respond with a heart willingness to His invitation to come unto Him, searching for ourselves the scriptures for His truth and knowledge and wisdom.

And, as we see in the scriptures, "He of whom things are spoken pertained to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises another priest, who is made -- NOT AFTER THE LAW OF A CARNAL COMMANDMENT, BUT AFTER THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE, for He testifieth, "THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC." (Hebrews 7:13-17; Genesis 48:8-10; Isaiah 1:1; 11:1; Matthew 1:2; Psalm 110:4) 

Jesus therefore did not come from the priesthood under the law of Moses, because even though He was born during a time when the Law prevailed, He would not have qualified -- because those priests that served had to be from the tribe of Levi. But as we know from the scriptures, Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. His priesthood was after the order of Melchizedec and not Levitical.

Note too that in order to be a priest, God had to cloth Himself in sin-prone flesh, in the robe of humanity (and yet without sin) and in so doing, because of His shedding of blood on the cross, the vail which hid the glory of God from His creation was ripped in twain, from heaven to earth. Yes, in offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice, the Lord God fulfilled the promise to the serpent in Genesis 3:14-15.

That is, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) Ironically, satan did not see it coming because he still understood Jesus to be the Son of God, and not God Himself as a son, robed in human flesh so that we could behold His glory -- He that dwelt among us and desired to bring His beloved back to Him.

In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS! 

And as Jesus said to His disciples before He was taken up, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning Me." (Luke 24:44) And then opened He [Jesus] their understanding that they might understand the scriptures, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations! (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:2-3) 

And they worshiped Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise ..." (Ephesians 1:13)

Let those with ears to hear, hear, and eyes to see, see and understand the "mystery" that was hid from the foundation and from those who do not desire the One and Only absolute in their hearts. The One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism that is the foundation of our faith, with Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone and Head of the body of Christ church. 

Admittedly, while this teaching may be difficult to follow (at least initially and/or for new believers who are still learning how to discern the scriptures) I fully encourage you to continue willingly and with earnest to press into His Word -- both the living Word that dwells within -- the Lord Jesus -- and the written Word wherein our standing in Christ Jesus has been confirmed forevermore. He has so much more for those who seek to know Him, desiring His love that surpasses all human understanding -- with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) 

Indeed, we can rejoice because of the kindness and love of God our Saviour! (Titus 3:4-7)

Stand in the offering plate.