My fellow Substacker Richard Sandlin, has written a piece called The Eternal Present, regarding the eternal and unchangeable “I AM”. I have prepared a piece which take his thoughts a bit further, perhaps deeper into the weeds.
Several years ago Jehovah’s Witness’s would canvass our neighborhood on a somewhat regular basis. I haven’t seen them lately but I’m confident they’re still close by. They have great zeal and courage, I’ll grant them that. However not unlike your average door to door salesman of various commodities, they have a limited scope of understanding coupled with a very targeted agenda. Be aware that Jehovah’s Witnesses have restarted their door-to-door ministry after more than two and a half years on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. What follows will derail any belief system which denies the deity of Christ while claiming to be “a” pathway to God.
There are seemingly endless names and titles for the divine “I am” of Scripture. These consist of synonyms for one another, each expressing different characteristics of the Divine. For example, the Bible draws no distinction between the titles of Almighty God and Mighty God in reference to the identification of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Why is this particular distinction important to make? Well, your Jehovah’s Witness friend will be quick to point out that the Bible calls Jesus a mighty god, but not Almighty God. Are they correct in their interpretation?
The Bible speaks of Jesus as the Mighty God and everlasting Father in perhaps one of the most beloved and often quoted prophecies that Isaiah was inspired to record for our benefit. In chapter 9, verse 6 we read:
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, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end…
Yet Isaiah in chapter 10, verse 21 speaks of the Father:
…the remnant of Israel shall lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of
Israel, in truth. A remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
Note that there are two mighty Gods mentioned, one being the Christ, the other being Jehovah. Nonetheless, scripture is quite clear in numerous passages that there is only one God:
I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. Isaiah 45:5
The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, hath spoken… Psalm 50:1
Yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him. 1 Corinthians 8:6
Jesus answered, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Mark 12:29
Since scripture confirms that Christ is identified as a Mighty God, one must decide whether He is a true Mighty God or a false Mighty God. The evidence of God’s nature continues in Isaiah 49:26 as it is Jehovah Himself who is referenced as Savior, Redeemer and Mighty God simultaneously:
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, Jehovah, am thy Savior, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Scripture confirms that there is only one true God. Isaiah reminds us that there is but one Savior:
I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no savior. Isaiah 43:11
Naturally this also is highly significant as it relates to Jesus Christ who also claims this title:
Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
And they said to the woman, now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Savior of the world. John 4:42
In respect to our redemption, Christ is either a true Savior or a false Savior since Jehovah Himself states that there are no other Saviors. Scripture confirms that there is only true Savior. Isaiah continues as Jehovah further assures us that He alone in the first and the last:
Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6
Yet centuries later Christ appears before John in his vision as the first and last:
Fear not; I am the first and the last, and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold,I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17.18
Logically as well as theologically there can only be one first and one last and Scripture confirms this. Isaiah also writes that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Jehovah is Lord:
By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Isaiah 45:23
Yet John’s Revelation also states:
Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Revelation 2:9-11
Scripture confirms that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Christ is Lord. This merely scratches the surface of all the divine titles attributed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Holy Scripture. 1 Corinthians 8:6 proves to be the ultimate apologetic concerning this Mighty God as is plainly states:
Yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
I close with the historical words of Matthew 2:22, 23 quoting Isaiah 7:14 and as they unite to bring forth the promise of a Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace:
Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. Matthew 2:22, 23
And God will be with us unto the very end of the age!
I’ll be praying for your seed planting.
Jim
Jim and Keith, I have carefully read the exchange noted below. I must say, Jim your case for Jesus Christ being the Son of God as well as God is an immovable doctrine. In fact, it is the corner post of authentic salvation. Here is the gig. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one person functioning in three distinct positions. However, all three are to be referenced as God. One does not function without the other. For example. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, who lives in Jesus Christ and His Bride. This is what makes us all one in and through Christ. This is the point I make in most of my writings regarding "followers" of Christ are fake Christians if they are not possessed by God Himself, in Christ, via the Spirit that lives in Jesus, who dwells within us after a born-again experience of receiving the Holy Spirit. Bright minds tend to complicate this. Keep the faith of a child I say.
Amen. As usual, well written. As God's norm, immovable. Thank you for writing this piece.