Category: Jesus

I Am the Lord, I Will not Share my Glory with Another

On By TimIn Isaiah 42, Jesus, Luke 21, Sovereign, The FatherLeave a comment

I am the Lord, that is My name;
and My glory I will not give to another,
nor My praise to graven images.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here is God telling us yet again Who He is.

In the former post, we saw how Jesus quoted the verses before these and said they have come to pass in the very presence of His audience.

My Glory I Will not Give to Another

There are teachings that abound that deny Who Jesus Christ is. Some declare Him to be just the brother of Satan — another created being. Other teachings say He is Michael. Suffice it to say, those are wrong. It is because of these very words. God doesn’t share His glory with another.

In this Messianic prophecy, the identities of the Father are established. We’ve also witnessed from previous posts that the identity of this Chosen Servant, this Messiah is Jesus. We’ve also understood that Jesus is the fulfillment of the calling of Israel. The two ideas are so intertwined that Jesus really is the True Israel.

But here, we are given a bit of information that when coupled with Jesus’ own words… He is clearly God.

When Jesus spoke these words, He lifted His eyes toward heaven and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may also glorify You. As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:1–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the words of Jesus, as He prays, He tells us He shared the glory with the Father.

It is the Son Who reveals the Father. We see the glory of the Father as Jesus went to the cross, and was glorified by being raised up doing the veg thing the prophet Isaiah wrote hundreds of years in advance.

There is an assent to the prohibition of graven images. God won’t share the praise given to them. It is an encouragement to us to understand Who Jesus is in the rightway. Not running afoul of the command to not praise idols.

Former things have come to pass, and as we read this it encompasses some of the things prophesied of this Servant.

But… There is only One God Who can tell you of something before it happens. He wrote it in Isaiah as a pattern for us. We see the pattern partially fulfilled. But more is yet to come.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He is yet to come in great glory. For some, it will be a blessing. To the whole creation that awaits redemption, it will be a blessing. But for many, this will be a day of dread.

The True Israel

On By TimIn Isaiah 42, Israel, Jesus, Prophecy, The Father, The ServantLeave a comment

I the Lord have called You in righteousness,
and will hold Your hand,
and will keep You and appoint You
for a covenant of the people,
for a light of the nations,
to open the blind eyes,
to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 42:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This Servant is now being identified in another unique way. He is being given the same identity as Israel. The nation was called in righteousness, with the sure promise of God to uphold and defend it. It was given a covenant and a particular calling. These things are established beginning in Exodus chapter 19.

Now therefore, if you will faithfully obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is Mine. And you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.

Exodus 19:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are God’s words to Moses which he was to deliver to the people. Israel is to be a light to the nations. Priests are the ones who make God known to people, they intercede. This peculiar kingdom of priests was called to be a witness to all nations of the goodness of God.

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be His special people, treasured above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 7:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, treasured above all the nations that are on the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The intertwined calling of the Chosen Servant is applicable to the nation Israel. As prophecy is given to us as patterns, the calling of the nation Israel serves as a pattern for the Messiah. He would ultimately fulfill the mission the nation failed at. Jesus is the True Israel.

This is purposeful, in the earliest texts that tell the history of Israel.

Israel is My son, even My firstborn.

Exodus 4:22b — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The calling of Israel is extended to Jesus by another prophet.

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

Hosea 11:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The way Israel is called by God serves as a pattern to identify the Coming Messiah.

Not so unexpectedly, I find a particular peculiarity in this pronouncement of the Chosen Servant. As the One called to open blind eyes, heal the sick, and release captives, this is the calling of priests. Israel is a kingdom of priests.

Yet we know they were blinded in their own pride. Some couldn’t recognize the Messiah. The most likely cause is an errant identity. The nation identified in their calling and not the One Who called them. Even when He spoke clearly of Who He is.

He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. And He stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. When He had unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
because He has anointed Me
to preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed;
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Then He rolled up the scroll, and He gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all those who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:16–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We see all of these things fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry on earth by His own words. Jesus would build His church and give to them all of the privileges of service extended to the nation Israel. It would be another body identified solely in Him. But would mean the nation Israel would be set aside for a time.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.

Romans 9:3–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is a different body that has been grafted into these privileges through Jesus. It is the body that does those things cited by the prophet Isaiah as part of the identity of the Chosen One.

That is how the church is now called elect… Chosen… To serve God in a peculiar way. It is to shine the light of Jesus to all nations.

We see clearly that the call of election is not to salvation, nor would salvation be limited to a group of people. It was the calling to a peculiar appointment of service to God.

The Everlasting Kingdom

On By TimIn Daniel 07, Heaven, Jesus, Salvation1 Comment

I saw in the night visions, and there was one like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. There was given to 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 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This Son of Man Cloud-Rider is the One given an everlasting kingdom. We know this is Jesus, as Jesus has been given all things by the Father.

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness of what He has seen and heard, yet no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure to Him. The Father loves the Son, and has placed all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life. He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:31–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus uses this language to identify Himself as the Cloud Rider given all things by the Ancient of Days. There is a default kingdom in which all who can understand find themselves in. There is another one… His.

The carnal kingdom whose master is death by sin leads to everlasting perdition. Perdition isn’t annihilation or soul sleep, but a real eternity away from everything God gives freely to all. Think about that… The air we breathe is His. As is cooling rain, water to quench thirst, food to date hunger, and the fellowship and camaraderie of others. Imagine being conscious without these things. It gets ugly.

The other, better kingdom is eternal and everlasting. It is a dominion given to Jesus. It doesn’t pass away. It is a kingdom of life. Those who enter into it are also everlasting by definition. The only way into this kingdom is to be born again into it.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

John 3:5–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Once born into that kingdom, there is no way out.

We are physically born into this carnal kingdom where death reigns over our bodies encumbering our soul and spirit. We cannot leave it. Death isn’t a way out, it is the portal to judgment and perdition.

But we can be born again into this new everlasting kingdom. Just like in that carnal kingdom, where there is no death. This everlasting kingdom also has no way out.

Of which kingdom would you be a citizen?

Did Jesus Already Return?

On By TimIn Acts 01, Jesus, Rapture, Return of JesusLeave a comment

When He had spoken these things, while they looked, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him from their sight.
While they looked intently toward heaven as He ascended, suddenly two men stood by them in white garments. They said, “Men of Galilee, why stand looking toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:9–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I was just reading where someone was attempting to claim Jesus has already returned in the first century. That is, He came to Paul. Given the testimony above, let’s examine the evidence for such a claim.

As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
He said, “Who are You, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what will You have me do?” The Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. Saul rose up from the ground. And when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 9:3–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

“As I journeyed and came near Damascus, about noon suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’
“I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’
“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Those who were with me saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who was speaking to me.
“I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’
“The Lord said to me, ‘Rise and go into Damascus. There you will be told what you have been appointed to do.’ Since I was blinded by the glory of that light, those who were with me led me by the hand into Damascus.

Acts 22:6–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the two accounts of Paul’s experience. The latter seems to be a quotation of Paul recounting the event to others. Let’s note some things.

The angels at Jesus’ ascension said Jesus would come again in like manner. To wit: “a cloud receive Him from their sight.” Do notice that there are multiple eyewitnesses to this event. The angels said this same Jesus would come again in like manner. They… Many… Saw Him go into heaven.

In contrast to the Damascus Road experience. Neither Paul nor his companions saw Jesus come from heaven. His companions didn’t see Jesus.

There is also something that is easily overlooked. Jesus had a body as He ascended. If He has a body at Damascus Road, how is it such was veiled from Paul’s companions, who heard a disembodied voice?

Luke helps with another witness of the event.

While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.

Luke 24:51 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We clearly see that there are multiple eyewitnesses present at Jesus’ ascension to heaven. For the Damascus Road experience to qualify as the second coming, it necessitates multiple eyewitnesses to the event. As we’ve covered Paul’s experience, at best, there could only be one eyewitness. It is debatable that Paul did not see Him there either, since his own testimony declares he was blinded by the light.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is a Sabbath day’s walk from Jerusalem.

Acts 1:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We also see another qualification for the like manner… Location. To meet the qualifications the angels gave to the eyewitnesses, As Paul “came near to Damascus,” this is now not even near the Mount of Olives.

I must also point out the reaction to Paul’s companions. They were in fear!

Read what Paul writes about this event…

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, righteously, and in godliness in this present world, as we await the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a special people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:11–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Unless there is a third time Jesus comes, Paul’s experience by his own testimony cannot qualify as the second coming.

I the Lord have Called You

On By TimIn Election, Isaiah 42, Jesus, The ServantLeave a comment

Thus says God the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread forth the earth and that which comes out of it,
who gives breath to the people on it,
and spirit to those who walk in it:
I the Lord have called You in righteousness,
and will hold Your hand,
and will keep You and appoint You
for a covenant of the people,
for a light of the nations,
to open the blind eyes,
to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.
I am the Lord, that is My name;
and My glory I will not give to another,
nor My praise to graven images.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:5–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As we continue in Isaiah 42, we see this Elect Servant of God is indeed called to a specific purpose. That is Biblical election. It isn’t being elect to salvation, but to a purpose.

Perhaps as you’ve read Romans 9, you miss what is taught. Paul introduces the chapter outlining the service Israel was appointed to do for God.

to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.

Romans 9:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is this exclusive calling given to Israel. But with Isaiah’s prophecy we can see that this calling is also to an Individual, One we know as Jesus Christ. One of the names applied to Jesus is Israel. As He fulfills the purposes of their calling.

As the One do the calling, we see God establish His “bona fides,” which is His right to elect. He does that in a specific way, which will be demonstrated in the next post on this subject.

God then promises to be the One to uphold and establish this Servant. He appoints unique characteristics and abilities to this Servant to help us identify Him. He would be the covenant of the people and to open blind eyes.

God then calls out attention back to Who He is. In the midst of that, He also gives us another way to identify this unique Servant. It is how John identifies this Servant.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We saw His glory, that is God’s glory… given to another. John is establishing this Servant as God Himself.