Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My study on the book of Revelation from a historicist position part 8
Revelation 16:1-2 1And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.2And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. The seven last plagues begin, it appears possible that the saints as seen in Revelation 15 are in New Jerusalem in heaven at this point. Otherwise, if they are on earth they will be protected from the seven plagues. The first vial is poured out on the unbelieving world. What this sore is that affects those who have the mark is not clear, however those who have the mark are those who break God's commandments and the image of the beast is likely the Babylonian Church-State union which will promote ecumenism. Revelation 16:3-4 3And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.4And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. We are already seeing waters that are turning blood red due to mass deaths of fishes and other sea animals. It appears here that these will continue in greater number especially once the second vial is poured out. The third vial shows that not only the sea will be affected by blood but also rivers and water springs. This will affect the health of those with the mark as unclean will likely cause disease and death. Revelation 16:5-6 5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.6For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. The world loves to shake their fist at God and blame Him for the evil in the world but in that day it will be Jehovah God who brings destruction and He is praised for this by the angel who says that the world deserves these plagues. This is God's judicial system executing the death sentence on the world. There is a reason for this and we are told in verse 6. The reason for Jehovah's judgment being poured out is that the world persecuted and shed the blood of the people of God. Here Jehovah is holding all the unbelievers guilty for their hatred of His people whether they literally shed their blood or approved of it or even indifferent. Revelation 16:8-9 7And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Jehovah God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.8And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.9And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. The fourth plague is one that affects the sun. It appears that the sun in that day will give off more heat than usual and the temperature of it will be unbearable. The severity of the sun's heat will be such that men will blaspheme God. In the day of the seven plagues men will not repent but only continue to harden their hearts. In that day they may continue to blame global warming rather than give God glory and acknowledge His righteous judgments. The angel starts off the plague by acknowledging that Jehovah is just and righteous in His judgments. Revelation 16:10-11 (KJV) 10And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. The kingdom of the beast is the target of this plague. The Papacy is likely in view here as the ruler of the new world order beast system. What this specific plague is seems unclear but it invloves some type of physical ailment it appears. Again, the plagues don't bring a repentant response but rather the wicked unbelieving world will continue to blaspheme God. Revelation 16:12-14 12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. This is the sixth vial. The kings of the east kay refer to the armies of the Messiah that will destroy Satan's world system. The drying up of the waters refers to the destruction of Babylon and the salvation of Jehovah's people. This indicates that the saints are indeed on the earth during the plagues. Satan, the beast and the false prophet work together to deceive the whole unbelieving world to make one final attempt to destroy God's people. These miracles spoken can be what we are seeing today with technology such as the blue beam project. With the quick spread of information through technology, the beast system could easily convince the world that it is the people of God who need to be exterminated in order for the false utopia of the new world order to be realized. The great day of God Almighty is the prophesied "day of Jehovah" it is the eschatological conflict that will end this age. Revelation 16:15-16 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. This passage is a strong indication that the saints are still here on the earth during the pouring out of the plagues. As we approach the seventh plague the coming of the Son of God is at the doorstep and He pronounces a blessing on those who are walking in righteousness (keepeth his garments). This is akin to the wise virgins who had their lamps trimmed with oil. Those who are naked are the foolish virgins had no oil. Oil represents the holy spirit and garments represent righteousness. You can't have one without the other. Verse 15 serves as a warning by Jehoshua for those in the faith to live righteously otherwise they will be found naked and not invited to the marriage supper. In verse 16 we see that the armies of the nations will be gathered together to battle against the Son of God and His armies. This is the battle of Armageddon, it will be the nations vs. The Messiah. Revelation 16:17-18 17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.18And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. The seventh plague brings about the completion of God's wrath and arrives in the timeframe of the seventh trumpet (Rev 11:15-19). Revelation 16:19 "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath." The great earthquake of the seventh vial causes the cities of the nations to fall. These will be the major metropolitan areas of the world. These are targeted due to them being urban centers of filth with the sexually immoral activity abounding as well as the love of money. The great city Babylon being divided into three parts could refer to it's political-economic-religous components. In wider application the whole world is Babylon which is why we see the cities of the nations recieving the fierceness of Jehovah's wrath. Revelation 16 20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.21And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. Due to the great earthquake the islands will be flooded by tidal waves and tsunamis and mountains will be leveled. Revelation Chapter 17 1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication The judgment of the great whore in terms of this passage is the likely the religious component of Babylon the great. The Roman Catholic Church throughout their history have played the harlot with the governments of this world in order to opress the true commandment keeping Church. The Roman Catholic Church has made the nations drunk with her wine which means false doctrine i.e. spiritual fornication. The Catholic Church has influenced the world with pagan holidays and have made merchandise of the Son of God with the commercial Christmas holiday. The worship of dead saints and mother worship are two other false doctrines that the Church has spread around the world. Revelation 17:3 "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." John is taken in vision to see the woman who sits on the scarlet covered beast. A woman in bible prophecy represents a Church. The beast is the same beast as described in Revelation 13 which is the Papacy. The woman is the Roman Catholic Church. Full of names of blasphemy was discussed in my coverage of chapter 13. Revelation 17:4 "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." The above colors are worn by Catholic clergy. This woman is a rich woman. The Roman Catholic Church is extremely wealthy and powerful. Her cup of abominations and fornications is speaking of the multitude of false doctrines taught in the Catholic Church. Her doctrine is called filthy doctrine which would include the doctrine of the trinity. Revelation 17:5-6 (KJV) 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jehoshua: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. The Roman Catholic Church is referred to as Mystery Babylon as she is the antitype of the pagan Babylonian religion of Nimrod's day. This would include lent, the trinity, Sunday worship, celibate priesthood and celibate nuns. The Roman Catholic Church proudly calls itself "The Mother Church" however she is the mother of many harlots as she herself is a great whore. She is the mother of the many abominable doctrines that her daughters teach. The trinity is the most notable of these as well as Sunday worship and changing (RCC) or doing away with (Protestants) God's law. One has to ask, who are the daughters of the Catholic Church? The answer is obvious, it is the Protestant and Evangelical churches as they came out of the Roman Catholic Church during the reformation of the 1500's. Every Protestant and evangelical Church can trace their roots to the Roman Catholic Church. Many Protestants and sone evangelicals even say they are the Catholic (universal) faith as stated in their creeds. Of course they mean this the way the term was used before the specific formation of the Roman Catholic Church but it reveals that they know the source of their faith is Catholic. Many of the doctrines are the same, the main differences are optical. The Protestants and evangelicals are the obvious fulfillment of the above verse as they are the harlot daughters of Rome. They just protested their Mom for a few hundred years but they are increasingly uniting with them and finding common ground. This woman has persecuted the saints, the Roman Catholic Church killed over 50 million bible believing Christians during the dark ages of their reign over Europe. Revelation 17:8 "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." There is a time where this beast will be "Not" and this likely refers to the time where the Papacy was taken captive in 1798 by the French general Berthier. The time where the beast will rise up i.e. ascend out of the bottomless pit is likely the time where it gained political sovereignty when the Italian government made the Vatican it's own sovereign nation. Also, the ecumenical movement has effectively healed the wound of the Papal beast with the 500 year anniversary of the Protestant reformation unting the Roman Catholic Church with the various denominations of the Protestant/Evangelical world. Only those who are not saved and sealed by God will fall for the Papacy's spell as they do not have their names written in the lambs book of life. Those who have their names written in the book of life only hear the voice of the Son of God because He and no one else is their shepherd. Those who are sealed will not hear the voice of a stranger i.e. the Papacy. Revelation 17:9-10 9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. The seven mountains point to Rome which is built on seven hills. The seven kings likely refer to Roman emperors, the one who has yet come is likely the office of the Papacy in its final hour. The final Pope will rule only for a short time. Revelation 17:11 "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." The final Pope will be the one to be destroyed as prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2. He will be cast into the lake of fire. While the entire historical office of the Papacy constitutes the man of sin, the final Pope will be the ultimate manifestation of this. Revelation 17:12-13 12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Their is a brief space in which the nations of this world will join the beast system. Verse 14 of Revelation 17: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." The nations of the world will make war against the Son of God at His second advent. We must not minimize the idea of a real physical war when the Son of God makes His descent to earth. Jehoshua is coming as the conquering Davidic King as the titles Lord of lords and King of kings are rooted in the Davidic covenant. In His last words in the book of Revelation, Jehoshua states His Davidic roots as a fact that alludes to His authority to give the Revelation (Revelation 22:16). Jehoshua's church is called and chosen and faithful. The Son of God's true Church is faithful to Him by keeping His commandments. These commandments are those outlined in the sermon on the mount. Verse 15 of Revelation 17: "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." The whore is a worldwide entity. The Roman Catholic Church and it's apostate Protestant daughters are all over the world. The Roman Catholic Church is the most powerful religious institution in the world. Verse 16 of Revelation 17: "And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Eventually the political aspect of Babylon turns on religious Babylon. The 10 horns signify completeness and likely represent the nations of this world that join in league with the antichrist system. Verses 17 and 18 of Revelation 17: 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. The nations of this world will give their allegiance to the beast system. This will fulfill God's plan which is this context will lead to the battle of Armageddon. The woman that reigns over the kings of the earth is likely the false religious system of Babylon most notably the Roman Catholic Church but also includes false religion as a whole. Revelation 18:1-2 1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. We are coming to the culmination of bible prophecy. A mighty angel descends and proclaims with a loud voice that Babylon the great has fallen. This statement is prophetic as Babylon will fall shortly after this proclamation. The reason for the impending destruction of Babylon is stated as it has become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. This speaks to Babylon's moral depravity such as it's rampant sexual sin most notably homosexuality but also including adultery, incest, rape and pornography. Of couse, the overall breaking of God's commandments is included such as idolatry and sorcery. America is a big promoter of sexual sin and promotion of pharmaceuticals. Verse 3 of Revelation 18: "For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Babylon is obviously a world power so much so that it heavily influences the world and is the central economic power in the world making rich the merchants of the world. America obviously fits this description. Revelation 18:4-5 4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Jehovah God calls His people to leave Babylon. This shows that He demands that we separate from false religion and loyalty to the world system. It also shows that Jehovah does indeed have people that are in the systems of false religion. We must be careful to not dismiss someone as a brother or sister just because they belong to an abhorrent Christian group. We should call them to separate but acknowledge they may be God's people. Jehovah God keeps in mind the sins of Babylon which will prompt Him to act on the Church's behalf. Revelation 18:6-8 (KJV) 6.Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. The chief sin of Babylon is soft and luxurious living. Soft and luxurious living produces apathy to the least of these. Just as Sodom and Ghomorra lived luxuriously yet maltreated the poor and less fortunate, Babylon has lived luxuriously at the expense of the poor and least of these. America was built on the back of slave labor and to this day is run by Corporations that build to what amounts as slave factories across third world countries. Many of these factories have horrible work conditions which have caused many suicides. The people of America enjoy their comforts at the expense of much of the third world. Even the Church in America is not immune to this deliciously abundant life. This privilege of the American Church has produced a despising of the poor and immigrant. America is a big consumer and user of resources producing bad environmental effects. The destruction of the earth is one of the main reasons Jehovah pours His wrath out on Babylon (Rev 11:18; Isaiah 24:5-6). In view here in Revelation 18 is economic Babylon. Babylon is political, economic and religious. Revelation 17 describes religious Babylon. All three components of Babylon intertwine. As powerful as America seems it's destruction will be swift and sudden as Jehovah God will judge her. America's arrogance has prevented its inhabitants from repenting and seeking God. The attitude of Americans is described in verse 7 where America sits as a queen and will be no widow and will see no sorrow. This is the height of arrogance. America, because of its great wealth and comfort, cannot possibly imagine hard times. The statue of liberty sits on the waters outside New York as a queen. Americans have been used to dominance and believe they are favored by God that they have been blinded to their own wickedness. America's destruction will include death and famine and burning with fire which could possibly allude to a nuclear attack. Revelation 18:9 "And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning," This could only describe America as no other country could elicit such morning by the kings of the world's nation's. This passage shows that the destruction of America will happen before the nations of the world are destroyed as they actually witness the destruction of her. Revelation 18:10 "standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour is thy judgment come." America's destruction will be swift and decisive. Her allies will not come to her aid in the day of Judgment. Revelation 18:11 "And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more" Only one nation in the world could cause such a repsonse that all the merchants of the earth would weep over her. Americans are big consumers and known as a prosperous and materlialistic people. Revelation 18:12-13 12merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stone, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble;13and cinnamon, and spice, and incense, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep; and [merchandise] of horses and chariots and slaves; and souls of men. Babylon is a nation that is a huge importer. Anyone who visits the ports on the coasts knows this. What is noteworthy is the end of verse 13 where it says Babylon purchases slaves and souls of men. For centuries America was plagued by slavery and the after effects are still with us today. Revelation 18:14-15 14And the fruits which thy soul lusted after are gone from thee, and all things that were dainty and sumptuous are perished from thee, and [men] shall find them no more at all.15The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning; The result of America's destruction will cause a lack of goods to be found in her. It will be a day of scarcity. The merchants will weep and mourn in that day as they have gotten rich off America due to the country being a huge importer of goods. Again, in that day no one will come to America's aid but they will only be able to look from afar. Revelation 18:16-18 16And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! Babylon is described as a rich city yet in just one hour these riches come to nought. Verse 17 indicates that Babylon is a port city where ships deliver their goods. The ports in Long Beach and San Pedro, Ca. bring in tons of imports from merchants all over the world who deliver by ships. All the merchants can do is look from afar and lament the destruction of their meal ticket. It will be like 9-11 where the world was basically powerless to do anything about the destruction of the world trade center. Babylon is described as the greatest city on earth "What city is like unto this great city!". This can only describe America as it is the desire and envy of many from around the world who do almost anything to come and live here. Revelation 18:19 "And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate." Again, the merchants are described as weeping over the great city Babylon wherein the merchants of the earth were made rich. America's destruction will be swift and decisive leaving her desolate. America will return to her desolate condition before the european migration. Revelation 18:20 "Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her." This scripture here causes some to doubt that indeed America is Babylon because she has never persecuted the saints of God. The titles apostles and prophets should not be seen as being limited to the 12 apostles and the old testament prophets. Apostle means "sent one" and any Christian that is sent on a mission for the Kingdom can fit this description. Also, the gift of prophecy is still for today so there are prophets today. Its important to note Revelation 18:21 "And a strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall be found no more at all." The fall of America will be devaststing and swift. It will be Jehovah God that destroys America. Revelation 18:22-23 22 And the voice of harpers and minstrels and flute-players and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft, shall be found any more at all in thee; and the voice of a mill shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived. The Babylon of Revelation 18 is an entertainment hub. America is known for it's pop culture and was the pioneer of music videos via MTV. On the day of her destruction no more musicians will be heard playing their music. Businesses will no longer operate within Babylon's borders. As the days of Noah were men and women were marrying but after Babylon's destruction there will be no more wedding joy heard. America's merchants are esteemed throughout the globe, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Elon Musk etc. The nations are decieved by America's sorcery. What is this sorcery? Hollywood! The television and movie industry has a huge influence over the world it is the standard by which the tv/movie industries throughout the world judge themselves. People all over the world either have t.v.'s or they have cell phones which enables them to watch the memorizing Hollywood productions. Much of the social morals of America are gleaned from the shows on t.v. whether reality shows, talk shows, sitcoms etc. This Hollywood culture with it's unbiblical morals is spread and promoted across the world through the airwaves. Youth from many countries have been influenced by American entertainment which have dramatically changed the fabric of their respective countries. Revelation 18:24 "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth." Many may wonder how does America fit this verse since by and large Christians have not gone under serious persecution here especially being killed. There are a couple of thoughts regarding this. One, some say that it is the spirit of Babylon that is spoken of here whether Jersusalem which has killed the prophets or Rome which brutally persecuted Christians or even the holy Roman empire which murdered bible believing Christians for centuries. Two, this could also refer to a future persecution of Christians here in America in which believers will be put to death. Once unthinkable, Christians are increasingly being maligned in the media, movies, t.v. shows and universities. During the coronavirus lockdown Pastors who chose to keep their churches open were villified by the media, spoken evil of by citizens and arrested and fined by the government. It is likely both, in that this verse (24) refers to the historical Babylon's persecution of God's people as well as a future persecution of Christians here in America.
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The problems with the trinity
1st Thessalonians 1:8-10 8For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything.9For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jehoshua, who delivereth us from the wrath to come. Paul here makes a clear distinction between the living and true God and Jehoshua. Paul mentions the Thessalonians turning from idols to serve a living and true God. Who is this living and true God? Is it Jehoshua? Is it the trinity? Niether as the answer is obviously the Father as Paul says that we are waiting for the living and true God's Son from heaven. So who is Jehoshua in identity? He is the Son of the living and true God. Matthew 16:15-17 15He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God.17And Jehoshua answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. Paul is simply agreeing with the apostolic doctrine that Jehoshua is the Messiah and Son of the living God. This confession was made by Peter when asked by Jehoshua "who say ye that I am? To Peter, Jehoshua was not part of some triune god or God Himself but simply that Jehoshua was the Messiah and Son of the living God. Jehoshua could have easily corrected Peter's non complicated convoluted confession but instead actually says that Peter was blessed in making this simple yet powerful statement of faith and said that the Father had revealed it unto them. My friends, we are being told by Trinitarians that indeed we are not blessed by our agreement with Peter in his statement of faith and are rather told that we are not sophisticated enough to understand their trinity doctrine. John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jehoshua Messiah." How do we know there is a real devil? Because only the serpent would be able to take the simplest verse that even a four year old could understand and make it mean the very opposite of it. This much is clear, no matter what a trinitarian thinks, Jehoshua Himself believes that the Father is the only (alone, monos) true God. This automatically denies any other person including Himself from being the true God. This also agrees with the testimony of Paul above and with His own validation of Peter's confession. Who does Jehoshua claim to here? It's simple, He claims to be Jehovah's apostle "whom thou didst send" "Send" from the Greek word "apostello" (Strongs 649) which means "to send forth, send out, to go to a place appointed" from where the word "apostolos" i.e. apostle. 1 John 5:20-21 20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jehoshua Messiah. This is the true God, and eternal life.21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. Who is the one that is being described by John as true? Obviously not Jehoshua as His mission was to give us an understanding of Him that is true, showing that the one that is true and Jehoshua are two distinct beings here. This agress with John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." John in his gospel says that Jehoshua as the only begotten Son has declared the Father. To declare here means to unfold or delcare things related to God, to unfold a teaching or as John says above in 1 John 5:20 to give us an understanding of Him is that is true. Remember, John already identifies Jehoshua as the begotten Son of God as that was His whole purpose for writing His gospel: John 20:31 "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jehoshua is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Back to 1 John 5:20 John says that the Son of God has given us an understanding of Him (the Father) that is true and that we are in Him that is true. This being in Him that is true refers to being in covenant relationship. Who is this one that is true that we are in covenant with? Obviously the Father as John then goes on to say we are even in the one that is true's Son Jehoshua Messiah. So again, the one that is true is identified as the Father so then in verse 20 when John says that this is the true God who is He referring to? The context plainly and without controversy shows it is the Father which agrees with Jehoshua's own statement in John 17:3. Infact, John almost reiterates Jehoshua's statement from John 17:3 when he says here in verse 20 "This is the true God, and eternal life". I believe that the reference to eternal life not only includes the Father as the only (alone) true God but it also includes Jehoshua as the apostle and Son of God. In verse 21 John gives a warning to the congregation to stay away from idols which is anything outside what he just stated that the Father is the true God and only (alone) true God. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 4 Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jehoshua Messiah, through whom are all things, and we through him. Trinitarians way over complicate this passage by saying that just because Paul says that we have one God the Father that it doesn't mean Jehoshua is also not the one God. They reason so because Paul also says we have one Lord Jehoshua Messiah and that it doesn't mean that the Father is also not our Lord. So because the Father is obviously also our Lord in addition to being our God this doesn't discount Jehoshua from also being our God in addition to being our Lord. This is the reasoning of the trinitarian. However, we need to look at the overall testimony of scripture and not make assumptions. The trinitarian is making a huge leap on this passage reading in 4th century theology into Paul's passage. If we remain in the solid foundation that the Father is the only true God as stated by Jehoshua then we won't wrest Paul's statement here to conclude a plurality in the Godhead. Just because the Father is Lord of us all doesn't mean that Jehoshua is also the one God of us all. We know this because Jehoshua Himself already stated emphatically that the Father is the only true God (John 17:3). John the beloved apostle also reaffirmed this in 1 John 5:20. How should we understand this passage then? Psalm 110:1 is a good foundation to remain on in understanding what it means for Jehoshua to be called our one Lord. Psalm 110:1 "Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Jehovah is obviously the Father in this text as acknowledged even by Trinitarians because it is the Father who installs Jehoshua on the throne of David. This is a prophetic Davidic covenant fufillment passage. The Lord referred to here is Jehoshua. The word "Lord" is not the tetragrammaton i.e. the divine name "Jehovah. The word "Lord" used in this passage comes from the Hebrew word "adown" (Strongs 113) and means "sovereign i.e. controller (human or divine), meaning to rule, lord, master, owner. This Hebrew word "adwon" is mostly used for humans and few times angels. It is not the divine name for God. That divine name is used of the Father who tells His anointed King to sit on His right hand. So when Paul says that Jehoshua is our one Lord it is to be understood in the context of Psalm 110:1 in that Jehoshua is the prophesied Davidic King who would be given authority to rule over Jehovah's Kingdom. That's how Jehoshua is our one Lord and no one else because it is Him alone that is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and in whom the promises are fulfilled. The statement that Jehoshua is our one Lord should be understood in the title given to Him that He is the only begotten Son. The title "only begotten Son" denotes being the unique Son that is the inheritor of His Father's estate. It is not a title to be understood literally in terms of literal birth but morseo being the child of promise. Jehoshua is the one Lord and no one else in terms of being the one who was raised up to sit on David's throne and installed as the Davidic King fulfilling the hope of Israel prophesied all throughout the old testament. Acts 2:29-36 gives us the perfect picture of why Jehoshua is the one Lord and no one else. The end of that passage which focuses on the Davidic covenant says: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both King and Messiah, this Jehoshua whom ye crucified." See, the old testament gives us the truth of who the Messiah would be and the exact nature of his relationship with Jehovah God. All throughout bible prophecy we see that the Messiah of the seed of David would be exalted by Jehovah God to sit on the throne of David. The Messiah would be God's servant and begotten Son. The Sonship of the Messiah would be rooted in the Davidic covenant promise that Jehovah made with David in 2 Samuel 7:14 "I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men" This is unique Sonship between the royal royal seed of David and Jehovah God hence the Davidic King is called the "only begotten Son". Jehovah is our one God because He is the creator of the cosmos and Jehoshua is our one King because it is Him alone that was chosen by God to fulfill the promises made to David in that an eternal King would be given David from his loins. This is how we should understand 1 Corinthians 8:6 when Paul says we have one Lord Jehoshua Messiah in that Jehoshua is indeed the one and singular Lord (King) of the Davidic covenant promise to David. No one else is that King (Lord), even the Father is not the one Lord in the sense that Paul is stating. Jehoshua is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the Lord of the Psalm 110:1 prophecy made by David. Jehoshua is the one who recieved the sure mercies of David by establishing the throne, crown and Kingdom of David forever. The Father is in a class by Himself in that He is our one God agreeing with the words of Jehoshua and others. Remember what Paul said his gospel was based upon and rooted in? 2 Timothy 2:8 "Remember Jehoshua Messiah , risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel" When Paul speaks the words of 1 Corinthians 8:6 he is obviously gleaning from the Davidic covenant and Psalm 110:1 in particular. When we come to 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 with entrenched ideas of 4th century theology then we automatically read things into the text like plurality in the Godhead or divine nature etc. These are things that the 1st century church likely paid no mind to since there's was a Hebraic faith not a greek philosophical one that entertained such fanciful notions of substance, plurality of god's etc. The Hebraic faith knew God to be one singular person and the title "Son of God" was rooted in the Davidic Kingship not in some divine substance. They knew that the term "Messiah" was also rooted in the Davidic Kingship and denoted a human being that was anointed by Jehovah God. They likely were not obsessed with God's substance or the exact specifications of his divine nature. They just knew He was the Almighty God, the maker of all things. Also, they knew that the coming Messiah was going to be fully a human being that was the seed of David. Beautiful in it's simplicity and prophetic truth. Satan used men shortly after the 1st century ended to corrupt a faith rooted in a Hebraic mindset and bring in fanciful speculations about a second god who was a preexistent Son who then took on flesh. There are many Christians who reject the trinity and believe that the Father alone is one true God yet they differ amongst themselves whether or not Jehoshua preexisted His birth as a divine being. While it is great that these Christians have come out of the lie of the trinity and the violation of the shema and first commandment, there still needs to be clarity on exactly who Jehoshua is in identity.
Remember, there is only one Jehoshua and we cannot simply make Him into the image that we desire but we have to submit to the overall testimony of scripture. Coming out of the trinity is not enough as Paul warns of another Jehoshua being preached: 2 Corinthians 11:4 "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jehoshua, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him." Do you see how important it is to have the right Jehoshua? If you preach the wrong Jehoshua then you have received and bring with your preaching a different spirit. Remember, there are only two spirits in the world, the Spirit of Messiah and the spirit of anti-Messiah. You then have received and bring with you a different gospel. Just making up our own Jehoshua is not an option, at least if you want the holy Spirit and the right gospel. In order to have the right Jehoshua we need to understand what the old testament scriptures say about who the Messiah would be. We also have to understand what the terms "Messiah" and "Son of God" mean in the context of the scriptures and the Israelite mindset. Often times people go to unclear texts in order to come to a conclusion on doctrine and ignore or explain away clear texts that contradict their conclusion. While some biblical subjects can afford this type of inconsistent study method, the identity of the Messiah in terms of who He is, His nature cannot afford this approach. We need to go to clear foundational texts that tell us who the Messiah would be and who He is in terms of identity and nature. This matters in a big way as ideas have consequences. It is not a small thing. To have the right Jehoshua means you are on the narrow road because you have the right spirit and right gospel. To have the wrong Jehoshua means you are on the broad road to destruction as you have the wrong spirit (anti-Messiah) and the wrong gospel (not the gospel of the Kingdom). Many non trinitarian Christians believe that Jehoshua was a preexistent divine being before He was born here on earth as a human being. Some believe He was Michael the archangel, some the angel of Jehovah and some both. They may very on the mechanics of how exactly Jehoshua was begotten of the Father before time began and they may vary on the exact nature of His substance but all in all they agree on His literal preexistence. As I stated above, ideas have consequences and the idea that Jehoshua preexisted His birth has a serious effect on the message of the gospel. It also conveys another "Jehoshua" which leads to a false spirit and a false gospel message. The teaching that Jehoshua was a preexistent divine being takes attention away from His earthly life and many people then start to focus heavily on pre human career of Jehoshua reading Him in to all sorts of situations in the old testament. This leads to speculation about His pre human activities and takes attention away from what He actually taught and how he lived when He conducted His ministry. It also changes the start date for the beginning of the gospel of the Son of God. Mark 1:1 "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." In the context of the above statement by Mark, the beginning of the gospel of Jehoshua Messiah is when He got baptized at the Jordan river by John the Baptist. The teaching of the preexistence of the Messiah obscures this and puts focus on his supposed preexistent career. It also changes the identity of the Messiah from what scripture testifies about Him to a spirit being of some sort thereby replacing the true Messiah of bible prophecy with an angel. Genesis 3:15 "and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This is Jehovah God talking to the serpent and telling him that the seed of Eve would bruise his head. This is a prophecy about the Messiah. We see that the future Messiah would be a descendant of Eve who is a human being. Genesis 17:7 "And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee." Jehovah God established an everlasting covenant between Himself and the seed of Abraham. Remember, the covenant is made with Abraham's seed not an angel or some sort of preexistent divine being. Genesis 17:19 "And God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him." Jehovah God narrows the promise He made to Abraham in that the covenant would be made specifically through Isaac's seed not Ishmael. Again, the promise was made to the human descendants of Isaac. Galatians 3:16 " Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Messiah." Jehoshua is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham that many nations would be blessed through His seed. Those nations are the one's who are in covenant with Jehoshua, it is not about ethnicity. The Son of God is the sole inheritor of the covenant promises made to Abraham and no one else other than those in a faith-love-obedient relationship with Him. Only those connected to the holy vine of David (Jehoshua) are the seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:29 "And if ye are Messiah`s, then are ye Abraham`s seed, heirs according to promise." Paul says that if we are Messiah's, meaning in covenant with Him, then we are Abraham's seed. Abraham was a man and in order for Jehoshua to be the inheritor of the promises made to Abraham's seed He also has to be a man. It matters not whether you are Jew or Gentile as to be Abraham's seed you must be in Messiah: Galatians 3:26-28 26For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Messiah Jehoshua.27For as many of you as were baptized into Messiah did put on Messiah.28There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Messiah Jehoshua. We see here that it matters now whether you are a Jew as that gives you no special standing before God. What approves you before God in order to be His child is to have faith in His only begotten Son Jehoshua. This and only this makes you Abraham's seed. Clearly we see that the promises to Abraham are to one of his human descendants which of course is Jehoshua. Genesis 49:8-10 8Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise: Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father`s sons shall bow down before thee.9Judah is a lion`s whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up: He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler`s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come: And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be. Now we see the promise of where the future Messiah would come from narrow from Isaac to the tribe of Judah. Again, the tribe of Judah came from the nation of Israel who was a son of Isaac in whom the Abrahamic promises were made. What is the commonality here? These are all humans in whom the future Messiah would come out from. The promise of where the future Messianic saviour would come from starts with Eve then Abraham then Isaac and now Judah, again all human beings. Judah out of all the 12 tribes was promised the Kingship and the one tribe that would have it's hand in the neck of Israel's enemies. It's fascinating that after the 10 lost tribes were scattered that Judah remained. All the other tribes were to bow before Judah, as again they were promised the Kingship. The sceptre of kingship was promised by Jacob to never depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet. This phrase "from between his feet" is likely a euphemism for the male penis showing that the Kingship of Judah would be passed through the seed of a man. The Judean Kings would inherit their right to kingship through being the seed (sperm) of their father. This means their right to kingship would be reckoned through the paternal line not maternal. They would literally have to be the seed of a male from the tribe of Judah. This promise would last until shiloh would come. Shiloh is the final Judean King unto whom all the gathering of all peoples would be. This means that one particular Judean King would be the final one that all God's people would gather unto in covenant. Shiloh means "place of rest" as it was a city in Ephraim and temporary home of the ark of the covenant and tabernacle. Shiloh also means "he whose it is, that which belongs to him, tranquility". This reference to Shiloh is speaking about Jehoshua Messiah as He bought us His rest and easy yoke. Matthew 11;28-30 28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Jehoshua is our place of rest and He gives us spiritual tranquility. "He whose it is, that which belongs to him", Shiloh would be the one who would receive the promises of God in full, fulfilling the Abrahamic, Davidic covenants and ushering in the new covenant and put in charge of God's Kingdom. Jehoshua is the one whom Jehovah tabernacled in and found His (Jehovah's) rest. The Father Jehovah dwelt in Jehoshua during His earthly ministry reconciling the world unto Himself through His Son Jehoshua. Let's now go to the next promise of who the Messiah would spring from: 2 Samuel 7:12-14 12 When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; Jehovah God is making a covenant with David and promises him that one of his descendants would establish His Kingdom, throne and crown forever. The word seed is used to denote that this descendant will come from the sperm of David and the phrase "proceed out of thy bowels" denotes the male seat of generation i.e. loins or male sexual organs. This promise applies in immediate context to Solomon and the rest of the Davidic kings but is ultimately fulfilled in Jehoshua Messiah. In verse 14 we see that Jehovah is making a Father-Son covenant relationship with David's royal seed. Again, we see that the future Messiah is to be a human being whose origin is the seed of David and further back to Judah, Isaac, Abraham and then Eve. Nowhere in scripture does it posit the future Messiah from the stock of angels or a preexistent spirit being. Moses prophesied this very thing in that the future Messianic prophet would be a human being from among the Israelite brethren: Deuteronomy 18:15 "Jehovah thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken" This passage was applied to Jehoshua by the apostle Peter in Acts 3. Here Moses plainly says that the future prophet (Jehoshua) would come from among the Israelite brethren and be like Moses i.e. a human being of Hebrew origin. All throughout the old testament the future Messianic king was prophesied to be a man namely of the seed (sperm) of David. Psalm 89:3-4 3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant: 4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, And build up thy throne to all generations. Ethan the Ezrahite remembers the covenant that Jehovah God made with David. Jehovah has chosen David and has sworn to him that He (Jehovah) will establish David's seed forever and his throne (Kingdom) forever. Jehovah will do this through a future descendant of David. Again, the emphasis is on the literal offspring of David through one of his male descendants as seed indicates sperm. A future descendant of David will be established on the throne of David forever as the final Davidic King who would reign forever. This shows that the future Messianic King of bible prophecy would absolutely have to be a literal descendant of David. This is a covenant that is unconditional in that Jehovah has sworn to David that He (Jehovah) would accomplish this i.e. the establishment of the eternal Davidic Kingdom with one final eternal King. Psalm 89:26-27 26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation. 27 I also will make him my first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth. The future Davidic King would have Jehovah as His God and would be made Jehovah's firstborn Son in connection with being installed as King. So unlike those who teach that Jehoshua is God the scriptures teach that He Himself has a God and is the firstborn Son of God. We see in the new testament that Jehoshua being the firstborn Son of God is tied into His resurrection from the dead (Colossians 1). It was at His resurrection and ascension that He fulfilled the Davidic covenant and received the sure mercies of David (Acts 2:29-31; Acts 13). John the beloved apostle says that Jehoshua is the first begotten from the dead and connects that event and title with His Kingship: Revelation 1:5-6 5 and from Jehoshua Messiah, [who is] the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood; John pulls from Psalm 89:27 and connects Jehoshua being the firstborn from the dead with Him being ruler of the kings of the earth. Jehoshua is the first begotten Son of God precisely because He was enthroned on the throne of David. Jehoshua cannot be Jehovah God and yet be Jehovah's first begotten Son and also Himself have a God who He worships. Psalm 89:28-29 28 My lovingkindness will I keep for him for evermore; And my covenant shall stand fast with him.29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, And his throne as the days of heaven. Jehovah states that His covenant with David will stand fast meaning that it will remain and not change or be taken away. It means that the covenant He made with David will be sure and will happen exactly as He promised. And the covenant is this, that David's seed will endure forever meaning that there will always be a descendant of David to reign on the throne. Although there may be gaps where the Davidic dynasty lacks a King on the throne there will be one descendant in particular who will fulfill this covenant to it's fullest realization. This was Jehoshua who received the sure mercies of David at His ascension into heaven (Acts 13; Isaiah 55). Jehoshua being raised from the dead to eternal life literally and fully fulfilled the covenant that Jehovah made with David in that David's seed would endure forever. Again, the promises of an eternal throne, crown and Kingdom is reserved for the seed of David not an angel or some sort of preexistent divine being. Psalm 89:34-37 34 My covenant will I not break, Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.35 Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:36 His seed shall endure for ever, And his throne as the sun before me.37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, And [as] the faithful witness in the sky. Selah Jehovah God says that He will not break His covenant with David so it is unconditional. However, more than that it cannot be altered so it has to happen exactly as promised by Jehovah. He has sworn by His holiness that He will not lie unto David in that his seed (sperm) will endure forever and that his throne would be eternal and that the throne of David would be a heavenly witness before Jehovah God. This part of the text is a prophecy that the throne of David would one day be in heaven. Psalm 132:11 "Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne." Here, David remembers the covenant that Jehovah made with him, in that of the fruit of his body He (Jehovah) would set one upon His throne as an eternal King. This mirrors Peter's statement in Acts 2:29-31 where he says that David was promised by Jehovah that of the fruit of his loins one would be raised up to sit on his throne. The phrase "fruit of his body" means the same as fruit of his loins" denoting the male sexual organs and that the future Messiah would come from a male descendant of David. Also, here is the reiterating of Jehovah swearing to David that one of his offspring will fulfill the covenant in it's fulness. The writer of this Psalm also says that Jehovah will not turn from the promise made to David that of the fruit of David's loins will one be raised up to sit on his throne. This parallels Psalm 89 where Jehovah says He will not alter the thing that has gone out of His lips concerning the covenant He made with David that He (Jehovah) would establish His seed forever. Isaiah 9:6-7 6 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, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this. The phrase Mighty God should not trouble anyone as it is being used within the context of the Davidic King (verse 7) not some preexistent 2nd person of a triune god or angel. Again, in Psalm 82 the human judges of Israel were called gods and Jehoshua used this passage to show that it wasn't blasphemy to call Him the Son of God. Also, the Davidic King is called god in Psalm 45:6-7. Isaiah 11;1-2 1And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.2And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah. This is a prophecy of Jehoshua's baptism. Here Isaiah prophesies that a man of the stock (vine) of Jesse (David's father) will shoot forth i.e spout out from and be anointed by the full power of the Spirit of Jehovah God. The word "stock" comes from the Hebrew word "geza" (Strongs 1503) and means "to cut down a tree, the trunk or stump of a tree, stem, stock". This shows that the very root of the future Messiah's origin is David's family tree of which Jehoshua is a vine/branch. Nowhere is it said that Jehoshua is of the stock of angels. Isaiah 42:1-2 1Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. The future Davidic Messiah would be the servant of Jehovah God not Jehovah God Himself. He is Jehovah's chosen elect servant as He is the royal seed of David in whom the Spirit of Jehovah rests upon as Isaiah also prophesied in Isaiah 11. The elect servant of Jehovah God here in Isaiah 42 is the same shoot out of Jesse as Isaiah 11. Isaiah 52:13-14 13Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.14Like as many were astonished at thee (his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men) This is the same servant as Isaiah 42 who is the stock of Jesse in Isaiah 11. Note that the Messianic servant of Jehovah God is a man (verse 14). His visage was marred more than any other man. The Messianic servant is highly exalted by Jehovah God showing that He Himself is not God. Isaiah 53:3-4 3He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Jehovah's servant was to be a man of sorrows smitten of God. The future Messiah was prophesied to be a man smitten of God and the servant of God. He would not be an angel nor would He be God as the prophet Isaiah makes a clear distinction between Jehovah God and His servant whom He would afflict. Here the Messiah is clearly posited to be a man. Jeremiah 23:5-6 5 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness. Jeremiah prophesies about the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in which Jehovah would raise unto David a righteous Branch. The word "Branch" comes from the Hebrew word "tsemach" (Strongs 6780) and means "a sprout, branch, bud, that which (where) grew (upon), spring(-ing)." This passage is obviously speaking of the future Davidic Messiah which Jeremiah prophesies would sprout (Branch) out of David i.e. the Davidic family line. Jeremiah says thay this King would grow out of the lineage of David. The idea of the Messiah being a Branch of David indicates His origin is from the line of David as the word "Branch" means to sprout out from. The future Messiah would sprout and grow out of the Davidic family tree. Jeremiah is not saying anything new but is simply prophesying in agreement with what has already been promised to David and also prophesied by Isaiah. In the day of the raising up of the Davidic Branch, the Israel of God shall be saved. This took place during His first advent and will also take place upon His return. He shall be called "Jehovah our righteousness" indicating that He will be the perfect representation of Jehovah God's righteousness. This is why He is called the express image of God in Hebrews 1 and also the image of God in Colossians 1. Jeremiah 30:8-9 8 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondman; 9 but they shall serve Jehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. Here is a passage about the restoration of Israel to the land. We know that the true Israel is the church not a geo political nation. This speaks of the great and terrible day of Jehovah in which He will break off Babylon's noose from the neck of His people. It will be after the day of Jehovah comes that we will serve Him day and night in His temple as well as David their King whom He (Jehovah) will raise unto them. The raising up of the Davidic King is speaking about the covenant that Jehovah made with David that he would have an offspring that would establish the throne, crown and Kingdom forever. The raising up of Jehoshua as the Davidic King took place during His first advent when He was anointed as the King of Israel at His baptism and the enthroned at His ascension into heaven. Again, this agrees with the prophets and the covenant that Jehovah made with David that in that the future Messiah would be from the seed of David. Verse 9 mirrors that of 1 Chronicles 29:20 where it says: "And David said to all the assembly, Now bless Jehovah your God. And all the assembly blessed Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped Jehovah, and the king." Just as old covenant Israel served and worshipped both Jehovah God and David their King, the new covenant Israel is to do the same and worship Jehovah God and His Davidic King Jehoshua. This shows that just because Jehoshua receives worship and service from His congregation it doesn't mean He is God but rather He is due this because He is the Davidic King of bible prophecy. Ezekiel 34:22-24 22 therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David prince among them; I, Jehovah, have spoken it. Ezekiel prophesies that Jehovah would raise up a shepherd to Israel who will be the Davidic King. We know this is a prophecy of Jehoshua. In that day Jehovah would be their God and David their King. This passages matches Jeremiah 30:8-9 where Jehovah raises up a Branch of David to be the King of Israel. Just as David was Israel's shepherd so will His promised seed be. We know that Jehoshua said He was the good shepherd of the congregation (Israel). The future shepherd that Jehovah God would raise up would be of the royal seed of David. Ezekiel 37:24 "And my servant David shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in mine ordinances, and observe my statutes, and do them." The Davidic King was to ordained to be the shepherd of Israel and as stated above this is what qualifies Jehoshua to be the shepherd of the congregation of God: John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" Jehoshua is the shepherd of the new covenant Israel as He is the King of Israel: John 1:49 "Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel" Two days after His baptism Jehoshua was confessed by Nathanael as the Son of God and King of Israel which are equated titles rooted in the Davidic covenant. We see from Ezekiel that the future shepherd of Israel was to come from the line of David. The future shepherd was not to be of Angelic stock nor a preexistent spirit. Zechariah 6:12-13 12and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah;13even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Zechariah prophesies about a future Branch of David that will be a man and grow up out of his place. Again the word "Branch" means "a sprout, branch, bud, that which grew, spring(-ing)" This denotes that the man spoken of here will grow from the family tree of David and stem of Jesse. The Davidic lineage will be where the Messiah's origin comes from, it will be the root of who He is. Again, this passage about the future King-priest is prophesied to originate from the line of David not an angel or even from God's essence. The Branch of David will build the temple of Jehovah which is the congregation (church). He will bear the glory of the temple meaning the Davidic King will be it's banner. In verse 13 Zechariah says that the Branch of David will be priest upon His throne showing that He will be a King-priest bringing those two offices into one man which was not done in Israel. Zechariah says that the counsel of peace will between them both i.e. the Davidic Messiah's Kingship and priesthood. We see that indeed Jehoshua was given both the office of King and High Priest thereby fulfilling this prophecy. Unlike the Levitical priests Jehoshua would conduct His priestly duties from His throne in the holy of holies. Zechariah 12:8 "In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them." This is a prophecy that the people of Jerusalem shall be mighty as the Kingdom of David and that the dynasty of David shall be as God powerful like the angel of Jehovah that destroyed Israel's enemies. The new covenant Congregation is the New Jerusalem and the day is speaking of the day of Jehovah God which is also the second advent of Jehoshua Messiah His Son. The house of David refers to the Kingdom of David. In Acts 15 James the apostle equates the Messianic congregation with the restored Davidic Kingdom. The new covenant Davidic Kingdom will be delivered in the day of Jehovah. All these promises from the old testament regarding the future Messiah are tied into the family lineage of David and through the tribe of Judah, seed of Abraham and descendant of Eve. What do they all have in common? They are all human beings. |
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