upgraded August 5, 2008
God is love.
(1 John 4:8b NIV)WITHIN GOD'S LOVE IS JUSTICE AND MERCY.
The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, the language of the Jewish People.
Elohiym (God) is the Hebrew word that Judeo-Christianity has traditionally perceived of as God the Father. Adonai Elohiym (Lord God) is the Hebrew word that Judeo-Christianity has traditionally perceived of as the Lord God, or Jesus Christ.
I know of no other person who is able to so clearly articulate, unknowingly the contrasts of God the Father (Elohiym) and God the Son (Jesus - Adonay Elohiym), as the late Jewish Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, Dr. J. H. Hertz in his comments concerning Genesis 2:4:
LORD God Heb. Adonay Elohiym. The two most important Names of the Deity are here used. 'Lord' is the usual English translation of Adonay. Adonay is the prescribed traditional reading of the Divine Name expressed in the four Hebrew letters Y H W H- which is never pronounced as written. This Divine Name is spoken of as the Tetragrammaton, which is a Greek word meaning 'the Name of four letters.' The High Priest of old pronounced it as written, on the Day of Atonement during the Temple Service; whereupon all the people fell on their faces and exclaimed, 'Blessed be His Name whose glorious Kingdom is for ever and ever.' The Heb. root of that Divine Name means 'to be'; Adonay thus expresses the eternal self-existence of Him who is the Author of all existence. A possible rendering, therefore, for Adonay is 'The Eternal,' and this has been adopted in some Jewish versions of Scripture.
The other and more general Divine Name is Elohiym. Whereas Adonay is used whenever the Divine is spoken of in close relationship with men or nations, Elohiym denotes God as the Creator and Moral Governor of the Universe. The Rabbis find a clear distinction in the use of these two terms: Adonay (LORD) describes the Deity stressing His loving-kindness, His acts of mercy and condescension and revelation to mankind; while Elohiym (God) emphasizes His justice and rulership. The Midrash says, 'Thus spake the Holy One, blessed be He: If I created the world by Mercy alone, sin will abound; if by Justice alone, how can the world endure? I will create it by both.' In the first chapter of Genesis, which treats of the Universe as a whole, Elohiym ('God') is used; but in the second chapter, which begins the story of man, that Divine Name is no longer used alone, but together with Adonay ('LORD God'). There was soon need for the exercise of the Divine mercy.
Genesis 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
In the beginning "God" In the Hebrew text, God is written "Elohiym." (Elohiym, denoting God as the Creator and Moral Governor of the Universe, emphasizing His justice and rulership. - Rabbi Hertz) This is God the Father, the first aspect of the Trinity. The plural aspects of God are already revealed in the first verse, of the first chapter, of the first book, of the Holy Word of God. Elohiym is the plural form of Elowahh. Elowahh means singular God. Elohiym means plural "Gods." Because the Holy Word of God consistently teaches of only One singular true and living God, we are able to recognize a plurality of the One God.
430. 'elohiym, el-o-heem'; plur. of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but spec. used (in the plur. thus, esp. with the art.) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty. - Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary
433. 'elowahh, el-o'-ah; rarely (short.) 'eloahh, el-o'-ah; prob. prol. (emphat.) from G410; a deity or the Deity:--God, god. See H430. - Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary
Genesis 2:4 (NIV) This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens--
"LORD God" In the Hebrew text, "LORD God" is written "Adonay Elohiym." (Adonay-Elohiym is used whenever the Divine is spoken of in close relationship with men or nations, denoting His loving-kindness, His acts of mercy and condescension and revelation to mankind. - Rabbi Hertz) This is God the Son, the second aspect of the Trinity. The LORD God is first revealed to man in Genesis 2:4, printed above.
Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
"The Spirit of God" is the third aspect of the Trinity (God the Holy Spirit). Genesis 1:2 reveals the Spirit of God to man. The plural aspects of the singular God are again referenced in the second verse of the Holy Word of God.
Satan’s twisted attempt at forming his own trinity of evil is Allah (soul), the antichrist (body) and the false prophet (spirit). Unlike the Trinity of God which is made up of one Soul, One Body, and one Spirit, Satan’s trinity is made up of three souls, three spirits and two bodies.
The plurality of the single God, is also referenced in Genesis 1:26. The Godhead was communicating between Themselves. If God was talking to angels at that time, it would make angels equal, and creators with God.
Genesis 1:26 (NIV) Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
The singular, yet plural aspects of God are beyond human comprehension.
A singular white
light directed into a prism reflects many different colors. The light of the sun
reflected through the moisture in the atmosphere creates all of the colors of
the rainbow.
The singular white light reflecting plural colors is a physical example of the spiritual truth that God would teach us concerning the Trinity.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
A very simple simile can be drawn between God (Elohiym), the Lord God (Adonai Elohiym), the Spirit of God; and the seed, flesh, and scent of a single orange. The seed of the orange is like God (Elohiym) in that the seed is the inner core of the orange, and controls everything about the function of the orange. The flesh of the orange does not exist without the seed, and the seed dictates everything to the flesh. The flesh of the orange is a direct and perfect reflection of the seed. The flesh of the orange is not the complete orange, and yet it exists with the orange. The flesh of the orange and the seed of the orange are one. The Flesh of God is (Adonai Elohiym) Jesus. The Flesh of God (Jesus) does not exist without God (Elohiym), and God (Elohiym) dictates everything to the Flesh (Jesus). The Flesh of God (Jesus) is a direct and perfect reflection of God (Elohiym). The Flesh of God (Jesus) is not the complete Godhead, and yet Jesus (Adonai Elohiym) exists with God (Elohiym). The Flesh of God (Jesus) and God (Elohiym) are one. The scent of the orange is like the Spirit of God in that the scent of the orange is not the orange, and yet it exists because of the orange. The scent cannot exist without the orange. The scent is a direct and perfect reflection of the orange. In a dark room, without sight or touch, the scent would aid in identifying the orange, as well as understanding the specific attributes and characteristics of the orange. The Spirit of God is not the complete Godhead, and yet the Spirit of God exists because of God (Elohiym). The Spirit of God cannot exist without God (Elohiym). The Spirit of God is a direct and perfect reflection of God (Elohiym). In man's spiritual darkness, the Spirit of God will aid in identifying God (Elohiym), as well as understanding the specific attributes and characteristics of God (Elohiym). We are talking in a most elementary way about the single God, and a single orange.
Because of Love, God separated Himself into Elohiym (God the Father - Justice), and Adonai Elohiym (Lord God - Jesus - Mercy). Mercy (Adonai Elohiym - Lord God - Jesus) was always within and a part of God (Elohiym - Justice). In Love, God (Elohiym - Justice) birthed Mercy (Adonai Elohiym - Lord God - Jesus) out of Himself prior to any creation in order for Mercy -(Adonai Elohiym - Lord God - Jesus) to act as a buffer between creation and Creator - because creation could not stand in God's Justice presence as He is completely Holy.
Elohiym (God) did not create Adonai Elohiym (Lord God - Jesus) as that would mean that Jesus had a beginning, and that there was a time when Jesus was not:
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
John 1:1-5 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, consequently, the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Jesus because Jesus is all the fullness of the deity in human form.
Colossians 2:9-17 (NIV) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Two thousand years ago, the Lord God took on the human form of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is therefore the physical manifestation of the Mercy of God.
John 3:16 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:30 (NIV) I and the Father are one."
WITHIN GOD'S JUSTICE IS GOD'S PERFECT CAUSE AND EFFECT ORDER.
All like actions will produce like results. If a person commits sin, they will be sentenced to death every single time.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Adonai Elohiym - Lord God - took the form of the man Jesus Christ, lived a perfect life, and died as a sacrifice, thereby atoning for our sins. When Jesus Christ did this, he made the way for man to completely satisfy the legal requirements of God's perfect Justice. Man must simply accept Jesus' Blood sacrifice as a substitute for man's personal sin, and thereby accept Jesus Christ as Lord God. When we are covered with the atonement of Jesus' Blood, we are allowed to come into the presence of Elohiym (God the Father- Justice). Jesus (Adonai Elohiym - Lord God) is now in Heaven interceding with God (Elohiym - Justice) for man. Those who accept the gift of the Blood sacrifice of Mercy are shielded from God's awesome Justice. Those who do not accept the Blood sacrifice of Jesus - Mercy - will come naked and defenseless into the presence of Elohiym - God's Justice.
Hebrews 10:28-31 (NIV) Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The Lord God is and was always a part of God, but because of the potential for sin God separated himself where mercy (The Lord God) could interact with man, because God in His justice could not interact with sinful man. God separated himself into Justice and Mercy. The Lord God is closely associated with the mercy aspects of God. The Lord God is God, yet He came from God and is therefore God’s offspring. Jesus Christ is the form that the Lord God took on this earth.
“A God all mercy is a God unjust.” – Edward Young 1683-1765
We can look to the physical realm to understand more about the spiritual realm. The physical creation of Adam and Eve gives us insight into the Trinity. God created mankind in God's own image. God's character and attributes including His mercy and justice were too wonderful to be contained in a single individual human. While man and woman alone are created in God's image, the man and woman together more accurately reflect God's image.
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:24 (NIV) For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Genesis 5:1-2 (NIV) This is the written account of Adam's line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."
Eve was from, and came out of Adam. Originally woman was separated out from the man. In marriage the man and woman come back together into one flesh – man and woman become one yet they are two. The sharing of organs from both the man and the woman are required in order to complete their function and reproduce the species. When they combine their organs, they become one complete unit. The man and woman compliment on another and complete each other. Mankind more accurately reflects the attributes of God when man and woman become one in marriage. The woman stereotypically reflects Jesus' mercy. The emotional side or mercy side of man was separated out and stood on her own in the form of woman. There is an infinite number of examples recorded throughout history reflecting the mercy of mothers whose respective children have committed heinous crimes. A mother loves on, either refusing to accept, or justifying in her mind the reason for the crime. Many people know that their mother will love them no matter what they do. The father more stereotypically reflects God's justice, demanding that punishment be administered for the offense. In a home, both mercy and justice are required. The father is directed to be the head of the home, and so we can know that mercy must finally subordinate to justice. Emotion is weaker than logic. Woman is the weaker vessel.
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Mercy without justice would create disorder. God is and requires perfect order. It is not coincidental that the Spirit of God through Paul referenced the fact that God is a God of perfect order in stating that women must be silent in the churches:
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 (NIV) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
Modern man has attempted to create equality in the sexes, and has ignorantly refused to acknowledge that men and women are different. The President of Harvard University recently got in political trouble for stating the known scientific fact that men and women think differently. God designed women to typically be merciful. Mercy is an emotion. Women are typically emotionally motivated. God designed men to typically be concerned with justice. Justice is unemotional, factual logic. Men are typically logically motivated. We either think purely emotionally or purely logically or some combination of both. Faith that is built on emotion is quickly built and just as quickly disappears because it is unstable and transitory. Faith that is built on logic is stable and immovable. This is why the Spirit of God through Paul directed that women not speak in the church. The Spirit of God does not want emotional women attempting to interpret law to the Body of Christ. Failure to comply with the Word of God has destroyed the effectiveness of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion both in the depreciation of the Word of God, and in the appointing of women leaders. This has resulted in a deterioration of not only Judeo-Christian Organized Religion, but in our entire society as a whole. Eve was deceived logically and became a sinner because her logic was weak. Adam understood logically and became a sinner because his emotions were weak.
1 Timothy 2:11-14 (NIV) A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
I challenge those women who are attempting to function as clergy within Judeo-Christian Organized Religion, to build and collate a sermon based on the Holy Word of God found in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 printed above, 1 Timothy 2:11-14 printed above, and Matthew 15:13-14 printed below.
Matthew 15:13-14 (KJV) But he answered and said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
In his rebellion against God, modern man is attempting to force his confused thinking and will onto society. This will ultimately fail as it has in the U. S. military, and mankind will have to accept the reality of the differences in men and women. Confusion has been created in our society because men and women do not understand and accept their God given roles. This confusion is brought forth by sin and has spawned the seeds of homosexuality because the children are insecure in the roles that their confused father and mother play.
Today, God's mercy is displayed in infinite ways, including the complete salvation plan, His calling of sinners to repent and accept the salvation plan, and the advocacy of Jesus Christ. Today, the mercy of God is working for man.
1 John 2:1 (NIV) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
At some point, every man will face the Judgment of God.
Hebrews 9:27a (NIV) Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement,
At the Judgment of God, perfect justice will rule. Mercy will subordinate to perfect justice. Mercy will have gone as far as it will go, then it will be time for Justice. God will not say to anyone, "Because I like you, I'm going to let you get by with a little sin."
1 Peter 1:17 (NIV) Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
If after the provisions of grace and mercy have been ignored or unheeded, a person is convicted of any unrepented sin, they will be justly sentenced to Hell!
Isaiah prophesied that the virgin would give birth to a Son whose name means "God with us." Some "scholars" have foolishly attempted to defense the position that virgin simply means "young woman." Would a "young woman" who became pregnant in the natural way and then named her son Immanuel be considered a sign from God? Would this event even warrant mention in God's Holy Word? Whoever takes the position that Isaiah was simply referencing a "young woman" becoming pregnant in the natural way does not give much importance to the Spirit of God inspired "jot and tittle" wording of the Holy Word of God. Immanuel is a very common name in Mexico. I guess those who take the position that Isaiah was referencing a "young woman" believe that every young woman in Mexico who names her child Immanuel is producing another sign from God.
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Was the virgin that Isaiah referenced a hermaphrodite? The answer to that ridiculous question is obviously no. If the virgin mother of the Messiah was not a hermaphrodite, who is the Sire? Only the Creator God is able to speak life into existence without the physical planting of a seed. If the virgin mother of the Messiah was impregnated by God, what is the relationship title of the Sire? - It has to be "Father". What is the relationship title of the male Offspring? - It has to be "Son".
The Word of God clearly implies the concept of God the Father. God is the Father of all creation through His spoken Word. All creation is His offspring, and in that sense He is the Father of all. God created the demons, consequently they are His sons, and He is their Father. The Word of God states that they are God's sons.
Genesis 6:1-6 (NIV) When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
When "the sons of God" mated with "the daughters of men", this physical intercourse was so wicked that it grieved God that He had made man. This physical intercourse was not simple fornication, adultery, homosexuality, or bestiality, as when the sins of fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality were recorded, we did not get the equivalent horrific reaction from God. This was humans mating with something that was not human. The process of elimination only leaves us with the conclusion that this physical intercourse was between humans and demons. Prior to the flood, fallen angels (demons) mated with human women. Their physical intercourse dealt a horrible physical blow to man. When fallen angles (demons) mated with human women, man's DNA was damaged to the extent that man's life was reduced to approximately 1/8 or only 12% of what it had been. Man's replenishment cycle was damaged to the extent that man's life cycle was ultimately reduced to 70 years.
While God as the creator of everything has many sons, God only birthed One Being out of Himself. That Being was not created, and has existed from eternity. That Being is the Lord God (Adonai Elohiym - Jesus - mercy). Consequently the Lord God (Adonai Elohiym - Jesus) is God's first born and only Son (Capital Letter S). God birthed Jesus out of Himself consequently Jesus is God's Son, His first Born, His only Son.
The physical man Abram had Ishmael as a son at age eighty-six:
Genesis 16:16 (NIV) Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
The spiritual man Abraham had Isaac as a son at age one hundred:
Genesis 21:5 (NIV) Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
God only recognized the spiritual descendant of Abraham:
Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV) Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
God is the physical Father of all creation, but He is the spiritual Father of Jesus. Jesus is God's first born Son. God is also the spiritual Father of all who are filled with the Spirit of God, consequently, they are brothers to Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 2:11 (NIV) Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
The United Pentecostal Church has taken a "Oneness" position identical to Judaism that denies the existence of the Trinity. They consider the acceptance of the Trinity to be poly-theistic, or having many gods. Their position is that when you see Jesus, there is no Father, there is no Spirit of God. When the Father speaks, there is no Son. Their thinking is that God exists only in a singular form at any given time. The great tragedy in taking the "Oneness" position is that a person must place a haze over their eyes to the Word of God, or they could not keep this "Oneness" position.
In the Hebrew language "Elowahh" is one god. "Elohiym" is the plural form of "Elowahh." Who is "Elohiym?" If "Elohiym" is plural and means "Gods," how is that congruent with Deuteronomy 6:4?
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
If there is no Trinity, who was God speaking to in the "us" of Genesis 1:26?
Genesis 1:26 (NIV) Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
How did the Spirit of God descend in the form of a dove, and whose voice from heaven was claiming to be God the Father?
Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV) As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Who was Jesus praying to in the garden of Gethsemane?
Matthew 26:39 (NIV) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Who was Jesus praying to on the Cross?
Matthew 27:46 (NIV) About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
These are just a few of the many Scriptures in the Word of God that completely destroy the "Oneness" theological position. The tragedy is the self induced haze that must be placed over the eyes concerning the Holy Word of God in order to maintain the "Oneness" position. This haze does not restrict itself to the "Oneness" position, but darkens the persons understanding of the entire Word of God. I would urge extreme caution in any position that forces a person from the literal interpretation of the Word of God. Unfortunately the same haze is placed over "pre" and "mid" tribulationists. To move from the literal interpretation of the Word of God into the interpretations of man, can and will be DAMNING.
The pronunciation of the name Y H W H was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, and was passed from High Priest to High Priest. It was pronounced only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest had bells sewn on his garment. When he went into the Holy of Holies, if he was found unworthy he was struck dead. If the bells stopped ringing, the people knew he had died.
The pronunciation of this name was lost with the destruction of the Temple in A.D.70.
In Torah, to name something is to exercise dominion over it. Adam is an example of this, as he was given dominion over the beasts, and the fowls, and was allowed to name them.
Genesis 1:28 (NIV) God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Genesis 2:19-20 (NIV) Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.
The Jewish people, having lost the exact pronunciation of this name, would never speculate as to the correct pronunciation, because to do so would be to name God. This would be assuming a position of dominion over God. Other people, in an attempt to pronounce this name added vowels to change it to YAHWEH. The name Yahweh is some disgusting sacrilegious figment of a man's imagination.
Y H W H is used whenever the Divine is spoken of in close relationship with man or nations, describing His loving-kindness, mercy, condescension, and revelation to mankind. Hebrews 13:8, and John 1:1-2 give us insight into theological truth.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
John 1:1-2 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever, and
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved, and the fact that
Philippians 2:11 clearly states that Jesus Christ is Lord (Iesous Christos is Adonai) then we know the correct name of the Tetragrammaton Y H W H.
"Jesus" is the English translation for the Greek word "Iesous" pronounced "ee-ay-sooce." The name through which God would be in close relationship with man or nations, or describe His loving-kindness, mercy, condescension or revelation
To the "wise and learned" Matthew 11:25 (NIV) who have sought through language mechanics to know exactly how Moses chose to scribe a name in Hebrew, 3,500 years ago, after the language has been practically dead for 2,000 years; - please explain to me today about the mechanics of the pronunciation of xylophone and zucchini.
The high priest Caiaphas, and his father-in-law Annas, the former high priest;
John 18:13 (NIV) and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
knew the pronunciation of Y H W H. They knew it was Jesus. They may not have known that this Jesus was the Messiah, but they did know that God's name and this Man's name were the same. They shielded the people from the truth because of their personal interests. When the Spirit of God revealed this to me, the Spirit of God asked me in view of the saints ruling the earth:
1 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
Revelation 20:4 (NIV) I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
what would my judgment be if Annas and Caiaphas were brought into my court. I concluded that it would only be just if Annas and Caiaphas were compelled to review the individual hell of all they cost the Hebrew people through 2,000 years of pogroms, holocausts, and personal hell, and then were sent to Hell with those whom they had caused to be there. The Spirit of God asked me, "Will justice allow a lesser sentence for Judeo-Christian ministers who shield the people from the truth?"