Tag: God

The Locust King

On By TimIn Amos 07, Last DaysLeave a comment

This is what the Lord God showed me: He was forming a plague of locusts when the latter growth was beginning to sprout up, the latter growth after the king’s reaping.

Amos 7:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The particular translation I use for reading this verse is striking. There is something that I encountered there that I don’t think I had encountered before. In my notes on this, it connects the idea of locusts to a few verses that most likely come from something I heard from Chuck Missler. The two verses are these:

the locusts have no king,
yet they go forth all of them by bands;

Proverbs 30:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek his name is Apollyon.

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

The impetus for looking at it was reading Revelation 9. Verse 11 speaks of the demonic plague of locusts that will seize upon the unbelievers in the future. It’s poignant that Mr. Missler noted the juxtaposition of the proverb that locusts have no king and Revelation says these locusts had a king. It is that they are no ordinary locusts being described. Furthermore, the Amos 7 verse shows that a plague of locusts would be used by God in a yet further time, and it probably coincides with Revelation 9.

It is the particular way the MEV translates using reaping (singular) instead of other translations that use mowings (plural.)

The setting of using this at the beginning of the latter growth. Latter growth in this instance means those saints that will come to be saved in the tribulation. This would seem to ask suit the context of these texts in a way.

It’s the “after the king’s reaping.” That immediately came to me as a sort of hidden hint of the rapture. Of course, it is only conjecture. Nevertheless, the verse is fascinating.

I then looked at the verse in the Septuagint as I was promoted to do this by someone else. What is there proves tantalizing.

Thus the Lord God showed me and behold, the offspring of locusts is coming early, and behold, one locust is Agag, the king.

Amos 7:1 — The Lexham English Septuagint (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

It’s is a whole different idea… Yet connected by the locusts. The name of the king is Agag. Agag is also the same name as Gog.

I will let your imaginations run…

Your Song is More Beautiful

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Encouragement, Exhortation, Job 35, WorshipLeave a comment

But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’

Job 35:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Have you considered that God has taught you more than He has any other beast on Earth?

Seriously consider how beautiful the song of a bird is. God has taught you more than that bird. The songs you make are going to be better. It doesn’t matter if they are sung in the night or day, in gladness or despair. Even if out-of-tune, that song is going to be far more precious than the song of any bird.

None of us ever have to wonder where God is.

What Your Behavior Accomplishes

On By TimIn Exhortation, Job 35, SinLeave a comment

If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him?
Or if your transgressions are multiplied, what does it do to Him?
If you are righteous, what does it give Him?
Or what does He receive from your hand?

Job 35:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Elihu asks Job a series of probing questions. These questions drive at something rather poignant to consider. God doesn’t need your sin. And He doesn’t need your good behavior.

Just because that is true, doesn’t mean we get to do what we want to do when we want to do it because we want to do it as a right. Look at how it continues.

Your wickedness may hurt a man like you,
and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

Job 35:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That’s exactly the point. Your actions don’t affect God. But they do affect others around you.

See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In other words, pay close attention to what you do and the way you comport yourself. You are being watched by others. You may not think your life has much impact, but it does. Most of it is in ways you may never know here. (I’ve been reminded of this just today before I read this part of Job.)

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, wisely using the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s part of what Jesus taught us to do. Second, to loving God is to love others as we love ourselves. A big part of loving both God and others is denying ourselves.

And we do it to have an opportunity to make an eternal impact.

The Surprising Way God Reveals Himself

On By TimIn Holy Spirit, Isaiah 48, Jesus, The Father, Triune God1 Comment

Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there I am. And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.

Isaiah 48:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Perhaps what is present here is clear to you. In this portion of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking the words of God. He identifies Himself in the previous context as “I am the First, and I am the Last.” (Is 48:12)

Clearly, we can identify the One speaking in First Person here as God. We also know from other Scriptures in this portion of Isaiah this Person is the Maker, and He also ascribes Himself as Redeemer, Savior, and the Lord of Hosts. If we could identify the Person speaking by New Testament names, it’s Jesus!

If that is not clear, read the last line…

“And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.”

One Person sent at least one other Person. I say that because it is clear in the text. Whether His Spirit is a person is not clear, but from the context it is hinted at.

What is apparent in reading through Isaiah, is there are two distinct Persons ascribed to God. The One speaking, Redeemer, was sent by the Lord God. And if the identity of the One sent is not clear, the next verse remedies that.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way that you should go.

Isaiah 48:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The first sentence tells you Who is speaking, and He gives not one, not two… not four… But three attributions to Who He is. Then He sums that up with the name of God YHVH.

Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the Trinity was made up by some New Testament “church fathers.” It is right there in the text. The old rabbis knew it, taught it and then suppressed it after Christ’s ascension.

A Child is Born, a Son is Given

On By TimIn Creation, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Freedom, Heaven, Isaiah 09, Jesus, Prophecy, Reconciliation, Resurrection, Salvation, The CrossLeave a comment

Here’s something that has occupied the spare processing cycles in my brain when the screen saver is active. In other words, there is something that I have been considering deeply.

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is one of those memory verses I learned from years of listening to Handel’s Messiah. In that first line is a distinction that is easy to overlook. A child is born and a son is given. It is a prophetic announcement of the birth of Jesus. A child would be born to us humans. Not just any child, but a Son would be given. That Son would be unique. This announcement clearly shows that Jesus is God, not that He came from God.

In a discussion on the Godhead I just perused, I again pondered this idea. This God-Man… This Son, or Word, that was given to us. The interesting part of the conversation prompted me to write my thoughts down and share them.

The discussion was over the Son or Word and whether saying He is begotten by God somehow darkens the idea of His existence from “eternity past.” It’s precisely what derives from the idea of being begotten means, and sort of considers the hypostatic union. That is the union of God and man that is Jesus.

I want to give a foundation from here. This is what God says of Himself in the final chapters of the Old Testament.

For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

Malachi 3:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.

James 1:17–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

From these two witnesses, it is clear that God doesn’t change. The writer of Hebrews adds to this.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

How does a God Who doesn’t change incarnate?

It sort of intrigues me that the God Who clearly says He is the same and doesn’t change somehow put on humanity.

It is precisely that idea that I think is too simplistic of an explanation. If He puts on humanity, He changes. Or maybe that doesn’t count as a change.

God has a Unique Relationship with Humans

I think it goes back to something foundational.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 1:26–27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This idea of God making us in His image. What is that, really?

I know one of my favorite Bible nerds says we are imagers. Meaning we get to make God known to others in unique ways.

What if this image is something profound like it is something that is really a part of God?

No… I am not drifting off into pantheism or panentheism.

I’m not saying we are God. Yet there is something more here. When you read the Bible, you’re going to read some things that you might be tempted to glance over.

Beloved, now are we children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is something so spectacular reserved for humanity. It cannot be put into words.

For those whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 8:29–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s this imager-thing. We are made in His image initially and will be conformed to His image. There are other texts that iterate these ideas like being a joint-heir with Jesus.

Jesus even spoke of this in some of His last words before the crucifixion.

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they may be one even as We are one: I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:20–23— Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I don’t think we can even begin to ponder what is in store for each of us who loves Jesus.

Those Who are Sanctified are All of One

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Last Days, Return of Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, SinLeave a comment

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember how we discussed previously how our salvation will be revealed in the last time. This is a reference to a time yet future that will be the end of this temporal existence. But this salvation is not hidden from us or others but is continuously being received until its full revelation at the end.

The Old Testament prophets received from God the revelations of the Spirit of the Anointed One, Jesus. Though they didn’t clearly understand the mysteries hidden in the revelations they were given. That is, the grace extended to the gentile nations. Of which we benefit.

Paul also spoke of it. He called himself a steward of God over a commission given specifically to him for us gentiles.

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was a truth hidden in the past.

Now, it’s almost fully revealed. What I mean is, those old-time Israeli prophets spoke of both a suffering Messiah and a triumphant Messiah. Though the prophets diligently sought to know what we know, His suffering has already been revealed to the world. It is recorded for us to read.

The glories to come are still for some future time when our salvation will be fully revealed. And that to the glory of Jesus!

We know the sufferings of the Messiah and in a similar fashion as they, we look forward to the glorious appearing and consummation of time when all is fulfilled. (The time when the New Jerusalem comes down from God.)

His triumphs and glories, though very real today and being revealed in us His saints… Are yet for a future time when He returns to Earth. When He defeats the evil that preys on humans and the world. He then takes the throne of David and rules Jerusalem and Earth. It will be as God had desired from the beginning, humanity having dominion over creation. After which Jesus will finally and gloriously put an end to the rebellion.

Those prophets knew they were serving a people yet future. Such things have resulted in your salvation. Those first-century Christians shared the testimony of the Jewish prophets who spoke of the sufferings of the Anointed One. They could show them this very same Jesus that was known among them and attested of long ago.

Why would angels want to look into these things?

Angels serve humanity. These are things also revealed by these messengers of God to men. These messengers desire to look in on. It’s salvation. The hope of glory that lives in each of us who are saints.

Considering that humans were made of the dust of the ground, with the breath of God breathed into us, we are not made in the same hierarchy as angels. We are made a little lower and intimately united with the physical reality we occupy. Humans are made of the very dust of which the earth is made.

We also have a spirit that connects to the reality that supersedes ours. Better said, it is the supernatural realm where spirits dwell. Because of sin, that reality has been veiled to us.

It’s these glorious heavenly angels who were assigned to serve the dirt creatures. It’s like that in God’s economy. The older serves the younger, the least is greatest.

That idea has been corrupted, though. When sin entered, the dirt creatures took upon themselves the desire to be like God. They fell away. And corrupted His order by serving their own selfishness. Not serving others, let alone the least.

What is this?

That the very Creator of these dusty men would humble Himself and add that very same dusty nature. He would step that low, placing Himself even under the angels.

I am thinking wholly of the first two chapters of the book of Hebrews and how eloquently it describes the suffering and then triumphant Messiah. This is how the author says it:

But someone in a certain place testified, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in subjecting all things under him, He left nothing that is not subjected to him. Yet now we do not see all things subject to him.

Hebrews 2:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This speaks of how Jesus came to us as One of us, made lower than the angels. Yet at the same time, crowned with glory and honor. (Yet to be revealed in the last times and for which we patiently wait.)

It was that sin. Rebellion was taken on by creatures made of dust. That very thing would be used to defeat sin and death.

Sin earns wages paid in blood. The God of all paid His own blood to satisfy the wages of sin. Sin had no claim on Him, but death attempted to master Him.

The enemy, thinking this would be a perfect way to vanquish God, seized Him. He was crucified and died. Being perfect, death really had no claim on Him.

Yet His blood was shed.

His divine-human blood was the perfect payment for an infinite human debt. A debt He didn’t owe, but one that encumbered all of humanity was completely satisfied.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels to suffer death, crowned with glory and honor, so that He, by the grace of God, should experience death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I can scarcely comprehend that. Even as I write this stuff. It’s above my pay-grade. Yet I know it is true.

There is more.

This Son of God is now (also) a Man. (I am writing it like that for lack of a better way to understand. The Son of God took on humanity. The divine and human United in One. I italicized the One to emphasize not only this but the Unity of Father-Son-Spirit.)

He has wrested the rights to dominion over the creation as God had intended at creation. Men will master it. In this case, One Perfect Man.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of One.

Hebrews 2:10–11a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Things into which angels desire to look.

Now is the time to recall why One is emphasized earlier.

God becomes the Author of salvation by that suffering. The suffering that came by submission to His own creation.

It could only be done with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Blood that only exists in our temporal physical reality. Angels don’t have blood. Blood cannot be shed for them. That is why those fallen spirits tremble at the name of Jesus. Their destiny is sure and there is no hope for them.

Angels were made higher than humans. The Creator made Himself human. He placed Himself lower than them. He died, rose again. Setting humans higher than angels. (Do you not know you are going to judge angels?)

Just as Jesus partook of the nature of humanity, taking it wholly upon Himself… He invites us dirt-creatures to partake of the divine nature. It starts at our salvation when He comes to live in us.

Those who are sanctified are all of One.

We celebrate that every single time that we come to the Lord’s Table. As we hold in our hands the broken bread and the wine, these represent His human body broken for us and His human-yet-divine bloodshed from it. We are to take that inside of us. It’s a typification of what is yet to be revealed. We partake of the divine nature.

But to partake, one needs to be like Him. We all need to humble ourselves.

1. Acknowledge in our minds that the things written about Him are really real.

2. Believe that what He says is really real. That He rose again. That is for us. Trusting in it like you would trust a chair to hold you up by sitting in it.

3. Confess the truth out loud with our mouths. And the. Confess our sins to Him asking Him to remove them completely.

That’s the first step to partaking in the divine nature. You are then given new hope through the resurrection.

A Living Hope

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Last Days, Resurrection, Salvation, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now, if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials, in order that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom, though you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the resurrection, really. This is our one hope. But it isn’t a dead hope, it lives. That’s because Jesus Christ lives! If you are truly born again, you are born into a living hope.

This world isn’t our home.

With much of what has happened of late, it makes many hearts heavy, even mine. It seems as if every man is pitted against another, and it even tends to be true for Christians. How sad that.

Brothers and sisters, we have hope in Jesus! We know this world isn’t our home. That’s not an escape fantasy, just the plain truth. Sometimes we pay more attention to what’s plastered in front of us by various media. That tends to make our focus drift to temporary problems. We lose our true objective.

The entire world is careening toward chaos. That isn’t unexpected. All things have been defiled with corruption. Yet what we have reserved for us is pure and undefiled. Why occupy our minds with that?

Some may criticize, saying we Christians are too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good. Yet that isn’t true. What hope can we accomplish with perishing things?

More laws are not the answer. The number of statutes that govern any one of us is mind-boggling now. Adding to them will accomplish little. It certainly cannot change the hearts of men.

Think of it this way. There will be some who might not ever see the hope we have by the way we live. I don’t mean to say we don’t care about things here and now, but let them not occupy our thoughts and weigh us down. Let us point our thoughts to the hope we have. It’s the only hope for a dying world. We witness that daily.

Rejoice in what God has done.

Because you are saved, you are protected by God Himself through believing what He says is true. Though Peter hints our salvation is yet to be revealed, in a future sense, is it ours now?

When the trials come, it is a test of our faith. It is to reveal authenticity. It might be that what each of us suffers demonstrates to those looking at us in the trial, the really real reality of what we believe. It could very well be the impetus that inclines their own heart toward God. More than that, I think the trials are to demonstrate to our own selves our own real genuine faith. They are there to reveal our salvation in the present moments.

We haven’t seen Jesus. But we believe and love Him. We rejoice in Him. To do those things brings joy is unspeakable.

I know as I set out to write this, my heart was heavy with the cares of this world. But this text, and thinking through it right my reality. It brings joy! I have a real Hope!

It’s real joy!

I remember my salvation is real. I have an incorruptible inheritance with Jesus Christ.

Just as Peter said, our salvation will be revealed in latter times. We are continuously receiving it in the present. We are obtaining our salvation as a result of our faith.

Jesus finished the work.

We believe it.

We get the benefit, now.

He Knows Those Who Take Refuge in Him

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Nahum 01, SalvationLeave a comment

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; and He knows those who take refuge in Him. As a flood running forth, He will bring to an end the distress, and He will pursue His adversaries into darkness.

Nahum 1:7–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He knows those who take refuge in Him. If you’re worried that He might not know you, it is an easy thing to change. Take refugee in God right now. You can talk to Him. He’ll listen.

But… If you don’t take refuge in Him, then He doesn’t know you.

But then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice evil.’

Matthew 7:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s really interesting that the practiced evil being done and counted here is rejecting Jesus!

If you’ve ever taken refuge in God, He couldn’t know you. Do note the words Jesus uses. They are a comfort for those Who love Him and a terror to those who offer lip service.

You can change your relationship with God. In fact, only you can do that.

Forsaking your True Loyalty

On By TimIn Jonah 2Leave a comment

Those who follow vain idols forsake their true loyalty.

Jonah 2:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That’s a no-brainer.

There is only One Giver of life. If you are alive it is because of Him… God. That is, the Most High God.

Fame and fortune cannot give life. Buddha cannot give life. Neither can Allah, Krishna, or Vishnu.

The One Who gives you life is due to your true loyalty. To give that to another is to forsake Him.

The Lord Who Created the Heavens is the Servant

On By TimIn 27 - Daniel, Apologetics, Creation, Daniel 07, Isaiah 42, Psalm 104Leave 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)

Thus says God the Lord

We don’t take His words lightly. When God makes a pronouncement, it’s important. God is identifying Himself as the Creator. The One Who made all things.
Remember the verses that come before this. They are a proclamation of the coming Servant, Messiah.

Who Created the Heavens

Creator is a unique identifier of God. He made the heavens. He had no help.

That’s the first declaration of the Bible for a reason. It is the foundation for all of reality. That is why God calls attention to these simple truths repeatedly. God is, and He made the heavens and the Earth.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

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

And Stretched them Out

Long ago, there was a Servant of God named Job. The important parts of his life are recorded for us. In them, we know Job knew God. Even in the midst of a great trial, his friends offered counsel on his situation. Job’s faith didn’t waver. He made a declaration about God to his friends. In it, there is an identity of God that I think is enlightening.

He who alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea. He who makes the Bear, Orion, and Pleiades, and the constellations of the south.

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

It is God alone Who spread out the heavens. It’s He Who makes the stars. The Psalmist agrees.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psalm 19:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is His Handiwork

Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great!
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
covering Yourself with light as a garment,
who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,
who lays the upper beams of His chambers on the waters above,
who makes the clouds His chariot,
who rides upon the wings of the wind,
who makes His angels as winds,
His ministers a flaming fire.

Psalm 104:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Though poetic, the language is telling us the heavens we created. They were made by God. They have a message for us. It is a testament of this great God Who would come to serve His creations made of dust.
Now, these last citations have referenced water and waves as a unique identifier in connection to this great God. The Psalmist includes another, He makes the clouds His chariot. This great God walks on water and has chariots of clouds.
To recap, we see the Servant in this prophecy would make advent. We are given many ways to identify this Chosen Servant. Now God chooses to identify Himself uniquely as Creator.

This Chosen Servant is the Creator

This Creator treads on the waves. We know Jesus walked on water. It is recorded in the Gospels for our edification, and to help us identify the Chosen Servant. The Gospels also identify the Servant as the Creator in many ways.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:2–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is layer upon layer of truths through the Scriptures. There are more crumbs that have fallen from the Master’s table for us.

The Cloud Rider

Let’s go to an episode toward the end of the Servant’s ministry on Earth. He has been arrested and is brought before the then High Priest of Israel. This is the one man who was assigned to intercede for Israel before God. One would think he would know the Scriptures that speak about God.
The priest demands succinctly, “I adjure You by the living God, tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further need do we have for witnesses? See, now you have heard His blasphemy. What do you think?”

Matthew 26:64–66 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Caiaphas knew Who Jesus claimed to be. He also knew from the other identifiers in the Old Testament, exactly those things exclusive to the Messiah.
Those same Scriptures also give us exclusive identifiers of the Great God. He treads on waves of the sea. This Man before him did that. This Man calls Himself publicly the Son of Man. Now He identifies Himself as this chariot-of-clouds riding God.

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 Chosen Servant is given an everlasting kingdom. This Servant is none other than God.

Of this Coming Servant… As Caiaphas asked, “What do you think?”