To Whom Will Ye Liken Me And Make Me Equal, And Compare Me, That We May Be Like? - Part 2557

"In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts, of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the Name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion." (Isaiah 18:7; Isaiah 45:14) 

"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent." (Zephaniah 3:9)

"... that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour ..." (II Peter 3:2)

The Word of the Lord endures forever. (I Peter 1:25)

The last two posts focused primarily on how the Lord God confirms His Word (each scripture with at least one other corresponding scripture in another place, and/or by His oath. To understand, we considered a number of scriptures from both the Old and the New Testaments -- both the scripture(s) in context, and by comparison. Today, a specific scriptural example shall be highlighted.

Before beginning, let's reiterate some of the key points. First, there is a confirming verse for every scripture written. Second, the scriptures are the Word of God and thus, without error. We see this in Matthew 4:4 - when Jesus answered and said, "It is written - man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Third, Jesus shared in one of His parables that the seed is the Word of God. "Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God." (Luke 8:11) Fourth, by rejecting the Word of God, we are "making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." (Mark 7:12; Luke 4:4) Fifth, as Jesus said, "Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it." (Luke 11:28)

We know from the gospel of John that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not." (John 1:10-11) His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) But I digress.

The example for today is Matthew 28:19, wherein Jesus continues to say (after telling the eleven that "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" to "go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." 

Baptizing them in the Name!

The corresponding verses for Matthew 28:19 are these: 

Jesus said unto them, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature: he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16)

Jesus speaking again (just before He is taken up) says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in part of Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) 

Witnesses unto Jesus in all parts of the earth. And that water baptism is part of salvation. If we continue to consider the corresponding verses for these, we need to look further into John 3:36 and I Peter 3:21. In the beginning, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus (a man of the Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews), saying, "Ye must be born again!" After these things, Jesus and His disciples come into the land of Judaea. John the baptizer is baptizing in AEnon near to Salim (because there was much water there). 

Then arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John has already told them he is not the Christ, but sent before Him. Referring to Jesus, John said, "He must increase but I must decrease. He that comes from above is above all; he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth, he that comes from heaven is above all." (John 3:31) 

Continuing, John confirms that he that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. "For He whom God hath sent speaks the words of God; for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loves the Son and hath given ALL things into His hand ... he that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides in him." (John 3:30-36)

I Peter 3:21 (also about water baptism) states, "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us {not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Interestingly, not one of these corresponding scriptures tells us "how" to be water baptized. Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 --"in the Name!" But what name? 

If we jump over to Acts 2:36-41, we see that Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost is ready to tell us the Name. Indeed, when asked what the people must do to be saved, Peter (still in one accord with the other apostles and the 120 from the upper room) said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:36-41) 

So, what was the Name? 

JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) Is this the only scriptural cross reference? The answer is no for every single person water baptized in the new testament (after the cross) was water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. We see this happening in Acts 19:1-5; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 8:14-16; Acts 9:17-18; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:35-38; Romans 6:3-4. 

Jesus said, "I and My Father are One!"(John 10:30)

Jesus said, "If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father and know Him." (John 14:6-12)

Jesus said, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father; if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." (John 8:19)

Jesus said, "If ye do not believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24)

This is why Jesus could say, "Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:45-59)

This is also why Jesus could say -- I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am the Bread of life. I am the living water, wherein if ye drink, ye shall never thirst again. And now, as the risen Jesus (no longer constrained by human flesh) He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen; whom He had said to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the power from on high -- the Comforter who could not come until Jesus had ascended. (Acts 1:2-3, 4-5, 8) 

Just like the angel of the Lord who said, "And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins" -- this same Jesus whom we crucified (now both Lord and Christ) is still inviting us to Come to the most elaborate wedding feast ever. (Acts 2:36) The King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8)

My question -- with so many new testament scriptures on the subject of water baptism, why did those responsible for inserting corresponding scriptures not include the verses specific to water baptism? Do they not believe that Acts 2 represents the beginning of the new testament church? (Acts 1:22) Do they not believe that the apostles had the authority (particularly Peter) to reveal to those who would listen that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory -- according to I Timothy 3:16?

Nevertheless, when we are water baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus, we become clothed in His righteousness -- putting on His garment -- and like the scripture states, then ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

Stand in the offering plate.

In Hope Of Eternal Life, Which God, That Cannot Lie, Promised Before The World Began -- Part 2556

"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following. Amen." (Mark 16:20)

"... confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

" ... even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace." (Philippians 1:7)

"For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us ..." (Hebrews 6:16-18)

In searching the scriptures, it is critical to understand that there is always a confirming scripture (at least one) to validate the Word. Interpreted, this means there are no contradictions within the scriptures because there is always a second scripture to confirm the first. Obviously, there can be many more scriptures. It is for this reason that we search the scriptures wherein the Lord has said, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" (Psalm 40:7; Hebrews 10:7)

In Hebrews 6, for example, we also see that God's oath is unchanging -- "for when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself." (Hebrews 6:13; Luke 1:73) 

Why is this important? Because "God is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do [it]? Or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19) " .... for He is not a man that He should repent." (I Samuel 15:29)

Or, as apostle Paul said in writing to Titus, "according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 1:1-3)

Similarly, Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost confirmed the same oath when he prophesied about his son John (the baptizer). 

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people; and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David: as He spake by the mouth of the holy prophets, which have been since the world began; that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shat go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways ... to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us!" (Luke 1:67-80) 

For those who may not know, God said previously to Abraham, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath -- that by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6:13-20; Genesis 22:17; Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 5:6) 

"And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of the heaven the second time, and said, "By Myself have I sworn," saith the Lord ..." (Genesis 22:15-16)

Abraham (by faith) was called out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, 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." (Hebrews 11:8-9) 

In the new testament, we see Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, wherein the risen Jesus had instructed them to tarry. There, Peter speaking freely states: "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre 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." (Acts 2:29-31)-18

Hebrews 7 adds even more clarity and insights for those interested in learning more. Nevertheless, the point today is this -- the Lord God confirms His Word throughout. Thus, when we search the scriptures, we see evidence of His promises -- each verse supported by a second (or even more) within the scriptures. 

"He hath remembered His covenant for ever, the Word which He commanded to a thousand generations, which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant ..." (Psalm 105:8-10)

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us -- looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

So, with all these scriptural confirmations and so many witnesses around us, what will we who believe say when we meet the King of kings and Lord of lords face to face -- for not searching the scriptures for His clarity and truth. It's an interesting question. 

Indeed, "O Lord our God, other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us; but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy name!" (Isaiah 26:13)

More to come on this topic. In the interim, stand in the offering plate. 

Am I A God At Hand, Saith the Lord, And Not a God Afar Off?- Part 2555

“For Thou hast confirmed to Thyself Thy people Israel to be a people unto Thee for ever; and Thou, O Lord, art become their God.” (II Samuel 7:240

“ … and hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant.” (II Chronicles 16:17; Psalm 105:10)

“Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, “The Lord saith, and the Lord hath not sent them, and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the Word. Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken?” (Ezekiel 13:5-7)

“How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, which think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten My name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream: and he that hath My Word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? Is not My Word like as a fire?” Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets,” saith the Lord, “that steal My words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets,” saith the Lord, “that use their tongues, and saith, “He saith.” Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams,” saith the Lord, “ and do tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commandment them: therefore, they shall not profit this people at all,” saith the Lord!” (Jeremiah 23:26-32)

In this context, the Word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel saying, “Son of man, prophecy against the prophets of Israel, that prophesy and say unto them that prophecy out of their own hearts, “Hear ye the Word of the Lord” … thus saith the Lord God, “Woe unto the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing. O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle of the day of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 13:1-5)

It is at this point that the Lord reveals that what these prophets are actually seeing is vanity and lying divination — making others to hope that they would confirm the Word. Then He asks, “Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination …?”

Moreover, the Lord God responds to His own question, stating, “Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold I AM against you,” saith the Lord God. And Mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel, and ye shall know that I AM the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 13:8)

Note that the Lord does not stop there. He then states, “Because, even because they have seduced My people, saying, “Peace, and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar, say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, “Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?” Therefore, thus saith the Lord God: “I will even rend it with a story wind in My fury: and there shall be an overflowing shower in Mine anger, and great hailstones in My fury to consume it. So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I AM the Lord. Thus will I accomplish My wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered porter, and will say unto you, “The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; to wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace,” saith the Lord God.

“Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of Thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart, and prophecy thou against them, and say, “Thus saith the Lord God, “Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of My people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? And will ye pollute Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to salt the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to My people that hear your lies?” Wherefore, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I AM the Lord. Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he would not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: therefore, ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and ye shall know that I AM the Lord.” (Ezekiel 13:1-23)

“For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard His Word? Who hath marked His Word and heard it?” (Jeremiah 23:18; I Corinthians 2:16)

But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. (Jeremiah 23:22)

“Because ye have not hearkened unto Me,” saith the Lord!” (Jeremiah 25:5)

“Because ye have not heard My words …” (Jeremiah 25:8)

All the whilst, the people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy; yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And, as the Lord said, “I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:29-30) ‘’

We have a choice to make — whether we who profess to believe follow those who call themselves prophets, or instead seek in our hearts to hear the Word of the Lord.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (I Corinthians 2:16; John 15:15; Romans 11:34-35)

If we believe that this same Jesus whom we crucified is both Lord and Christ, we should understand that the voices of hirelings we will not hear, but rather the Good Shepherd who willingly laid down His life for His sheep. (Acts 2:36-41; John 10:12-13)

Stand in the offering plate.

And His Dominion Shall Be From Sea Even To Sea, And From The River Even To The Ends Of The Earth - Part 2554

" ... they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, "It is My people" and they shall say, "The Lord is my God!" (Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 50:15; Isaiah 48:10)

"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore, they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats; for the Lord of hosts hath visited His flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as His goodly horse in the battle. Out of Him came forth the corner, out of Him the nail, out of Him the battle bow, out of Him every oppressor together, and they shall be as mighty [men],which tread down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them: for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off; for I [am] the Lord their God and will hear them." (Zechariah 10:1-6; Isaiah 30:23)

Zechariah is a prophet. In the eighth month in the second year of Darius, the Word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, "The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers." Therefore, say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord of hots, "Turn ye unto Me," saith the Lord of hosts, "and I will turn unto you," saith the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 1:1-3)

What we are witnessing here is the Lord of hosts crying for the people to turn from their evil ways, their evil doings but sadly, the people would not hear, or hearken unto the Lord. They did not want to hear the name of the Lord, even though they would (from doing so) be strengthened in the Lord. (Zechariah 10:12; Micah 4:5; Zechariah 10:6) Why? Because the Lord would have mercy on them -- because He is the Lord their God and does hear them when they cry out to Him.

A point worth noting here is that Zechariah is not the only prophet with a message to proclaim from the Lord. For example, Jeremiah the prophet declared a similar message in Jeremiah 10:"When He utters His voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings with rain, and brings forth the wind out of His treasures. Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name." (Jeremiah 10:13-16)

It's also important to understand that the prophets not only spoke to the people but the shepherds assigned to minister for the Lord. This is evident from the Lord God who desired the shepherds hear the Word of the Lord. From Ezekiel 34:

"And the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: [but] ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after] them.

Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord; "As I live," saith the Lord God, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, because [there was] no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord." (Ezekiel 34:7-9)

Thus saith the Lord God; "Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them." (Ezekiel 34:1-10)

No shepherds willing to feed the flock. No shepherds willing to strengthen the diseased, or those who are broken, or lost. And this -- even though the sheep wandered though all the mountains and upon every high hill seeking the Word of the Lord. Most telling is that the shepherds did not search for them.

Thankfully, the Lord our God has never forgotten us! It is for this reason, knowing that God willingly became our Saviour; that He willingly shed His precious blood on the cross; that He has redeemed us from all our transgressions; and clothed us in His righteousness -- that "we will remember the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7; II Chronicle 32:8; Isaiah 31:1; Acts 20:28; Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 2:36-41)

Stand in the offering plate.

Therefore, Let All The House Of Israel Know Assuredly, That God Hath Made This Same Jesus Both Lord And Christ - Part 2553

"Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection?" (Acts 1:22)

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from 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 so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved ... he that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:12-20)

This post focuses specifically on the misunderstood word ascended -- as in "no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven." Note that Jesus in this scripture offers clarity to who it is that has come down from heaven. Jesus states, " ... the Son of man which is in heaven." Just in case the point is missed, Jesus further clarifies by saying, " .... even so must the Son of man be lifted up!"

In the first chapter of Acts, after Jesus has been taken up and now gives commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen through the Holy Ghost, Peter stands up in the midst of His disciples (120 in the upper room in one accord) and says, "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." (Acts 1:2-3; Acts 1:15-16) This is when the apostles went on to appoint a twelfth to take part in the ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell. [After praying and drawing lots, Matthias was chosen and numbered with the eleven apostles.] (Acts 1:24-26)

By the time the day of Pentecost is fully come, note that Peter standing with the apostles speaks, sharing that "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21) Peter then goes onto speak of David - "For David speaks concerning Him, 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 ..." (Acts 2:22-29) 

Peter goes onto speak freely concerning the patriarch David. In other words, Peter is now going to explain what the prophet and psalmist David's writings from afore meant -- from the context of "after" Jesus has risen. Peter says, "that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre 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 God raised up -- whereof we are all witnesses." (Acts 2:29-32; Psalm 16:8-12; Psalm 73:23; Psalm 110:5; Psalm 49:15)

Peter is telling us that when David initially spoke these words, he was not speaking of himself. Why not? Because (as Peter points out) the prophet David is dead and buried, and his sepulchre still with us to this day. But knowing that God swore an oath to him, we know from the genealogies in both Matthew and Luke that Jesus was a line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.of David. 

For the record, "... all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17; Matthew 1:6; Luke 3:31; I Samuel 17:12)

 

In Acts 2, Peter continues to elaborate. 

"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 2:33-36)

This same Jesus -- both Lord and Christ. 

But in this day and age, we have been deceived into believing the erroneous religious error that the Son has existed forever, rejecting the scriptures wherein the Lord Himself hath said, "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee." (Psalm 2:7) "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee." (Acts 13:33)"For unto which of the angels said He at any time, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?" And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:5)

To believe this religious lie, one would have to recognize that an always existing Son (as the modern day religious culture would have us believe with their three-in-one analogies) is that if the Son existed side by side with God the Father throughout eternity, there would not be a need for "this day" to have occurred. 

As well, an eternal son could not grow in stature and wisdom as the scripture stated the "only begotten Son" did. Neither could an eternal Son "be made of a woman 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 4:2-6)

When the fullness of time was come -- only then did God send forth His Son. Only then did God say "I will" -- future tense -- to Him a Father and He to Me a Son. David was prophesying to a future time when God would be manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) David was prophesying to a future time when after the kindness and love of God our Saviour would appear toward man. (Titus 3:4-7) David was foretelling the future coming of the Messiah that would personally deliver to us His plan of salvation. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

"For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:10) 

David's status as a prophet is confirmed by Peter  -- "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" -- David 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." (Acts 2:30-32) 

"Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should beholden of it." (Acts 2:24; Acts 2:32) 

"And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by His own power." (I Corinthians 6:14; Acts 2:27; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:24)

In his prophecy, David saw that according to the flesh, God would raise up Christ to sit on His throne. A second throne? No, Christ would sit on His throne as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) The same Lord Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ.

"Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath sed forth this -- which we 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 Ty foes Thy footstool." (Acts 2:33-36) 

"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19)

This is what those 120 believers assembled together in the upper room recognized when Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but rather to "wait for the promise of the Father, which," [saith He], "ye have heard of Me." (Acts 1:4)

"The Lord said unto my Lord, "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." (Psalm 110:1)

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." (Acts 2:24; Acts 2:32)

Thus, if the Son were an eternal spirit (as the false religious culture would have us believe) it would not have been necessary for God to raise up this man made of a woman under the law. 

Again, "... 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." (Galatians 4:4-5)

"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" (Hebrews 7:11)

But as we know, there was a need for another priest -- His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

As Jesus declared, "If ye do not believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24)

"Then said Jesus again unto them, "I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." Then said the Jews, "Will He kill himself?" because He saith, "Whither I go, ye cannot come." And He said unto them, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM [He], ye shall die in your sins."

Then said they unto Him, "Who art Thou?" And Jesus saith unto them, "Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him."

They understood not that He spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM [He], and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him."

As He spake these words, many believed on Him." (John 8:20-30)

We need to believe in the risen Jesus -- as both our Lord God and the promised Christ -- understanding that Jesus is the He that from the very beginning loved us so much that He Himself would shed His precious, holy blood so that we might be saved. (Acts 2:36; Jude 1:25; Isaiah 45:5; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:8)

And that this same Jesus is inviting us to come to the most elaborate wedding feast ever. (Revelation 22:12-13; Revelation 22:16)

Stand in the offering plate.