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JESUS, GOD OR NOT?
by Pastor Jeromy John Visser
(Introduction:)
This evening I'd like to further discuss the Biblical fact that Jesus Christ is the God of Israel. About a month and a half ago you might remember that I brought forth a study titled Jesus, Yahweh or Not? but there are literally so many scriptural truths that attest to this fact that this second study called Jesus, God or Not? is much like a second part to that sermon. If you're able to, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the many verses I supplied in that particular study in addition to today's topic.
I feel that this is a very important lesson because there are many false prophets out there that would love for well-meaning Christians to accept the erroneous belief that Jesus is "just a man" or not part of the perfect Godhead and equal to the Father. Ironically, these same groups refuse to acknowledge how judized they have become but would rather point the finger at Pastors like me who teach the perfect Law of Israel like it even has anything to do with the jews. Sadly, they can't even see that it's them who are promoting the jewish fables by teaching against baptism, food laws and much worse.
Tonight, I intend to go much deeper with this study and also address several questions that were put forth by those who read the first part. I also want to expand upon these same themes while offering Christian soldiers even more Biblical proof that attest to the fact that Jesus is the very God of the Old Testament. Remember that Jesus said "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (John 14:9)" so we would all do well to hearken diligently unto the Words of our Savior.
A major tactic of the unlearned is to refer to what they consider 'Biblical proofs' that support their antichrist theories. One such verse is found in Numbers 23:19 and it reads; "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Sadly, a majority of Christians also miss that this was a false prophecy given to us by none other than the bogus prophet Balaam.
You might be familiar with Balaam, he was the liar that Joshua withstood; "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: But I [Joshua] would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand (Joshua 24:9-10)." Interesting of note is that by saying "God is not a man" Balaam locks himself forever into the Biblical description of an antichrist and Joshua is considered a "type" of Jesus because his name is Yehoshua (pronounced yeh-ho-shoo'-ah) which means "Yahweh Saved (Strong's #H3091)."
Jesus Himself had this to say about Balaam's false prophecies; "I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication (Revelation 2:14)." It should also be noted that "eating things sacrificed unto idols and committing fornication" can both be considered 'serving other gods,' a clear violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).
An often overlooked passage proving that Jesus was the same God of the Exodus is found in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 which reads; "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
This would bring us to another verse used by those who doubt the Godhead -- "No man hath seen God at any time (John 1:18)." Sadly, most Christians overlook the deeper meaning by throwing out the Old Testament account found in Exodus 33:19-21 that reads; "He [Yahweh] said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee [Moses], and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And Yahweh said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock."
Now, how does that entire verse in John 1:18 read? It says; "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared." As you can see, this is yet another proof that Jesus is God. Notice how Yahweh makes yet another reference to 'the rock' and that Jesus Himself 'declared' these Words? These passages should also shed some extra light on why Yahweh was upset with Moses for 'striking' the rock instead of 'speaking' to it for water in Numbers 20:7-12. Remember when the Roman soldier pierced Jesus' side as He hung on the cross and "forthwith came out blood and water (John 19:34)?" Just a little something to think about.
Many unbelievers who doubt the deity of Jesus are quick to bring up the crucifixion account where He exclaims; "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me (Matthew 27:46)?" asking who Jesus was 'talking to.' There are many important truths within these verses that even further prove that Jesus is God but we must open our eyes to see them. Most important to note is that Jesus was quoting the first verse of the 22nd Psalm which reads; "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"
Even more interesting is the fact that this is considered the "Messianic Psalm" that accurately depicts the crucifixion way back in David's day. The entire New Testament verse reads; "About the ninth hour [3 p.m.] Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Notice that Jesus Christ quoted this verse in Hebrew even though He spoke Greek (Revelation 1:18)?
As "food for thought" I'd like to quote Adam Clarke's Commentary on this account; "Through the whole of the Sacred Writings, God is represented as doing those things which, in the course of his providence, he only permits to be done; therefore, the words, to whom hast thou left or given me up, are only a form of expression for, “How astonishing is the wickedness of those persons into whose hands I am fallen!” The words, taken in this way, might be thus translated: My God! my God! to what sort of persons hast thou left me? The words thus understood are rather to be referred to the wicked jews than to our Lord, and are an exclamation indicative of the obstinate wickedness of his crucifiers, who steeled their hearts against every operation of the Spirit and power of God."
I never got around to expanding the topic of Melchizedek in Jesus, Yahweh or Not? but it's even more proof that Jesus Christ is God so we'd do well to examine those passages now. To begin, turn with me to the begining of the seventh chapter of Hebrews where it reads; "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." A few verses down it continues "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:1-4, 17)."
Most Christians are familiar with the Old Testament account where Melchizedek the king of Salem (or the "king of peace") met Abram and blessed him after the battle he fought to free Lot. The account isn't very long; "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all (Genesis 14:18-20)." In both Old and New Testament accounts we can see that Abram was 'blessed' by Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God.
The name Melchizedek means "king of right (Strong's #H4442)" and it's locked into Messianic prophecy over in Psalm 110:4 that reads; "Yahweh hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek (1833 Webster Bible)." Who is the King of Peace? Why would Abram the great patriarch of Israel's race pay a tithe to Melchizedek? Who else can give 'blessings' but Yahweh God Himself? Notice the bread and wine? Melchizedek is also described as without father, mother or descent having no "beginning of days, nor end of life" and was "made" like "the Son of God." Who do you think this is?
Here's another very interesting passage; "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias [Isaiah], which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them (Matthew 13:13-15)."
Now here's the very prophecy that Jesus' said was being fulfilled; "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isaiah 6:5-10)." Yahweh is Jesus and vise-versa.
There are even more proofs that Jesus is God in the tenth chapter of John, starting at verse 23; "And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ [Savior, Messiah], tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one (John 10:23-30)."
There are so many Israel truths contained within these very passages. The jews call Jesus out asking if He's the Savior to which He quickly rebukes "ye are not of my sheep." He continues to state that He is identical to God because "being in the form of God, [He] thought it not robbery to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6)." He also says "I and my Father are one" -- who could deny the fact that Jesus is God? What's even more interesting is what the jews do after our beloved Savior says all this.
"Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand (John 10:31-39)."
Like usual, our Savior escapes the enemy being "wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16)" but not before once again equating Himself with Yahweh God by saying "the Father is in me, and I in him." A deeper study into this entire chapter will reveal some very interesting facts that shed light on why Jesus would later say "He that hateth me hateth my Father also (John 15:23)." Also don't overlook the final prayer illustration from Jesus where he says; "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we (John 17:9-11)." By this point in the sermon there should be no doubt in your mind that Jesus Christ is the same God of Israel.
If you remember anything from this entire sermon it would be the following passages so pay close attention to the Words of Jesus; "Serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel [murdered by Cain] unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matthew 23:33-39)."
This is what's considered Jesus "divine prerogative" and it's in relation to a prophecy found in Jeremiah 25:5 that reads; "If ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith Yahweh, that this house shall become a desolation." This also ties into another important passage; "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23)."
The important thing to take notice of in all these scriptures is that Jesus is the Judge. Notice that not everyone gets a "free ticket" to heaven including people who 'cast out devils' and 'prophesy in Jesus name.' Why not? Jesus Christ gives us the answer Himself -- they work iniquity (or lawlessness). He explains that we must "do the will" of God to gain entrance into the kingdom of Heaven, God's "will" is His Law. Beware of people who would like to have you think the perfect Law is somehow obsolete -- we just read why for ourselves. Also, let's not forbid the few true prophets, scribes and wise men that Jesus does send in this day and age. The Word of Yahweh is our only hope and weapon.
(Intention:)
My intention with this particular sermon is to get people to take out their Bibles and read these passages for themselves. There are many 'serpents' out there that would love to have well-meaning Christians break the very first commandment -- "Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3)." We can only serve one master, brothers and sisters, let's let that be Jesus, the Creator. This week I've engaged in some rather interesting debates but overall the attitude towards these sermons has been good and allowed me to accumulate even more points that will be addressed in future sermons based on the theme of 'Jesus as Yahweh' and His correct position in the Godhead. Keep it simple and keep it in the Word and we'll all do fine.
I pray that we can all remain unashamed of the Gospel and our only Lord Jesus Christ. It's His will in our lives that is most important so we should never neglect to hear His voice when He speaks. Sadly, too many Christians spend more time talking about God rather than listing to what He says, let's not be counted in those numbers! I intend on bringing the second part of Noah's Flood: Flesh or Beast? this weekend and another pro-marijuana sermon is scheduled to accompany the well-received Herb For The Service Of Man series. An extra big thanks goes out to our newer internet visitors that have sent in e-mails of support this week and offered donations, it makes everything worthwhile.
[ Date: Wednesday,
April 13th, 2005 ]
Last Page Update:
February 08, 2006
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