Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Verses 30 and 31 of Acts chapter 2: 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. In part 2 we discussed verse 30 and how David was promised by Jehovah God that a descendant of His would be established as the eternal King of Israel sitting on the throne of David. In verse 31, Peter connects the resurrection and ascension of Jehoshua as the fulfillment of this prophecy. Peter says that David being a prophet spake of the resurrection of the Messiah as being the fulfillment of Jehovah's oath to him (David). The oath made to David was that of the fruit of his loins (male sexual organs) would one be raised up to sit on his (David's) throne. Peter explicitly says that David spake of the resurrection of Jehoshua as the very fulfillment of this promise by God. We see further evidence that indeed the resurrection and ascension of Jehoshua Messiah was when Jehoshua was raised up to sit on David's throne in the book of Hebrews chapter 1: 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews chapter 1 is an exaltation passage about the Messiah's ascension into heaven and His superiority over angels. Verse 3 clearly shows that the coronation scene of the Messiah in verses 8 and 9 of Hebrews is in heaven. Verse 3 says that after the Messiah purged our sins that He sat down on the right hand of God. We know that the throne of Jehovah is in heaven not earth and that following the death and resurrection of Jehoshua He ascended into the heavenly places (sanctuary) (Hebrews 8:1-2). Also, another key scripture in Hebrews 1 that proves that the resurrection and ascension of Jehoshua was the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant is verse 5 which reads: "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" Verse 5 of Hebrews 1 was quoted from Psalm 2:7, which in context is the coronation and enthronement of Jehovah's Messiah into Kingship. In other words, the begetting of Psalm 2 is not about literal birth but installment into office of King. The Psalm applies first to David and then all the Davidic kings culminating in Jehoshua. Three verses later, we have the actual enthronement of Jehoshua as King of Israel by Jehovah God. In verse 8 of Hebrews 1, Jehovah tells His Son that His (the Son's) throne is for ever meaning that the Son at this point is receiving a throne and this particular throne will be His eternal throne. So this means that the throne that Jehoshua sat on upon His ascension into heaven will always be His throne. Peter says that the throne Messiah sat on upon His ascension into heaven was the very throne that David was told His seed would be raised up to sit on. Infact, David's seed was only promised one throne not two. He was not promised an intermediate throne, so this throne could only be the Davidic throne that every Davidic king ruled from. Righteousness will characterize His Kingship as the Father tells the Son: "a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom" So we know from this statement that the Son of God has been given a Kingdom by the Father. This is a present tense statement that took place at Messiah's ascension into heaven. This Kingdom is not future but present tense as Paul the apostle says in Colossians 1:12-14. Hebrews 1:8-9 is quoted from Psalm 45:5-6 which is an Israelite coronation Psalm showing us that Jehoshua is being coronated as the King of Israel upon His ascension. There is absolutely no reason to put this event over 2,000 years into the future. Both Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 45:5-6 are quoted in Hebrews chapter 1 and they are both coronation Psalms about an Israelite King. This leads us to rightly conclude that Jehoshua is being coronated as an Israelite King in Hebrews chapter 1. Hebrews chapter 1 is about the exaltation of Jehoshua upon His ascension into heaven, so we also can rightly conclude that Jehoshua became the King of Israel at this very moment i.e. His ascension into heaven followed by sitting at the right hand of God. If Jehoshua was coronated as King of Israel upon His ascension then we can also rightly conclude that the throne He is sitting on is the throne of David as that was the only throne that the Davidic kings sat on and Peter confirms this in Acts 2:30-31. In verse 31, Peter quotes Psalm 16: " For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption" The first part of this verse applies to David as well as Jehoshua as it states David's confidence in the resurrection from the dead on the last day for the saints. Jehoshua of course was resurrected on the third day from His death. The second part of the verse can only apply to Jehoshua as David's body did see decay (corruption) in the grave as he has not ascended to heaven according to Peter and is still in his grave (Acts 2:29; 34). This psalm is Messianic as David wrote it as a prophet speaking of the King Jehoshua Messiah knowing that God would raise Him (Jehoshua) from the dead. The scriptures revealed the resurrection of Messiah centuries before He was born. Verse 32 of Acts 2: "This Jehoshua hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." God who is the Father raised up Jehoshua, He didn't raise Himself up. Paul also confirmed that Jehoshua was raised up by the Father's glory in Romans 6: 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Nowhere in scripture does it say that a trinity raised up Jehoshua. God the Father by the Spirit of holiness raised up His Son (Romans 1:4). Verse 33 of Acts 2: "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." Upon Messiah's ascension into heaven He was exalted to the right hand of God the Father in the holy of holies in heaven. Hebrews 8 makes it clear where Jehoshua went upon His ascension into heaven: 1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Jehoshua sits on the very throne of Jehovah God in the heavens. Seventh Day Adventists say that this is in the holy place not the most holy place where the ark of the covenant is. However, scripture clearly teaches that the throne of Jehovah God is in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary which was also true in it's earthly counterpart as the presence of Jehovah God would rest between the cherubim above the mercy seat. Exodus 25:17-22 (ASV) 17And thou shalt make a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.18And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat.19And make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end: of one piece with the mercy-seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends thereof.20And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.21And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.22And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel It was between the cherubim above the mercyseat where Jehovah would meet and commune with Moses. The mercyseat is the lid of the ark of the covenant which is located in the second compartment of the tabernacle and/or temple. Hebrews 10:19 and 20 indicate that at Messiah's ascension He went into the most holy place not just the holy place: 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; The use of the word "holiest" in verse 19 is a clear reference to the most holy place which by default also includes the holy place (1st apartment). The new living translation reads verse 19 like this: "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." The NLT and NIV render "holiest" as "most holy place" very appropriately. The Berean bible version also says appropriatley "holy places". The phrase "thru the veil" is a reference to the curtain that separates the holy from the most holy place. Thereby, because of what Messiah did at the cross and then His subsequent ascension He gives us access to the holiest by metaphorically tearing apart the dividing veil. Thereis no doubt that the overriding theme of the ascension of the Messiah into heaven is that He fulfilled the day of atonement giving us full access to the most holy place. Back to verse 33 of Acts 2, the Holy Spirit that was poured out on the day of Pentecost was sent directly by Jehoshua having received the fullness of it at His ascension. Jehoshua had earlier told the disciples that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them in a powerful way. Verses 34 and 35 of Acts 2: 34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, Jehovah said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Peter reiterates that David has not ascended to heaven proving the doctrine of soul sleep to be accurate as it makes no sense for Peter to say this if David was somehow in heaven as a disembodied soul. Peter then quotes the Messianic Psalm from chapter 110 which prophesied of the Son of God's exaltation to the most holy place at Jehovah's right hand. Jehoshua is not a standing High Priest like the Levites which stood daily offering sacrifices in the holy place (1st apartment of the sanctuary) but rather He is primarily a sitting High Priest who reigns on Jehovah's throne in the holy of holies. Jehovah God told His Son to sit at His right hand until the time comes to destroy His (Jehoshua's) enemies. We know this time to be the second advent. The Psalm 110 quotation was a prophesy of the Son of God's ascension into heaven and His enthronement as King of Israel on the right hand of God. We know this a coronation of an Israelite King prophecy as Hebrews 1:8-9 describes the culmination of Jehoshua's ascension with being enthroned and installed as King. Two coronation Psalms are quoted within Hebrews 1, which is also a passage about the Messiah's ascension into heaven, showing us that what took place in Hebrews 1 was indeed the coronation of Jehoshua as the King of Israel (the Church). Jehoshua will reign from the throne until His enemies are made His footstol and then He will come down to earth to vanquish them, smashing them to pieces like a potters vessel. Zechariah 6 also prophesied of the Son of God's unique dual office of King and High Priest: 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. Jehoshua is the man who is called the Branch which is a reference to His Davidic lineage. The building of the Temple of Jehovah is Jehoshua the Son of God building His Church which is the new Temple as stated in scripture. Also, Jehoshua said that He would build His Church i.e. Temple (Matthew 16:13-20). Jehoshua is the builder of Jehovah's new covenant Temple which is the Church built on the foundation of the Sonship and Messiahship of Jehoshua. Verse 36 of Acts 2: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Both of these titles "Lord and Messiah" were used of Jehoshua during His life on earth. He was called "Messiah and Lord" the day He was born (Luke 2:11). He was predestined to be "Lord and Messiah" before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:18-21). He was propesied as such all throughout the old testament. It was however at His baptism in which Jehoshua was anointed i.e. made Messiah as the meaning of Messiah means to rub with oil. Jehoshua received the Holy Spirit at His baptism and oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. At His baptism, He was also anointed with the Spirit of Jehovah to be the King of Israel just like David was (1 Samuel 16:13). It was after His baptism in which Jehoshua was identified as the Son of God and King (Lord) of Israel (John 1:49). Both designations are Messianic titles. Peter confessed the Sonship and Messiahship of Jehoshua which was acknowledged as the foundation of the Church that Jehoshua would build. The making of Jehoshua to be Messiah and Lord (King) by God wasn't neccessarily at one precise moment but rather predestined before time began then made manifest by anointing at His baptism and then ultimately culminating in His resurrection and ascension into glory. After Jehoshua finished His work on the cross the Father manifested the glory of the resurrected Son in a far greater way than had been seen during His earthly ministry. Phillipians 2:5-11 captures this beautifully: 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jehoshua being in the form of God alludes to His having the Father dwell in Him literally during His earthly ministry. Jehoshua was given all things into his hand by the Father (John 3:35) and possessed a functional eqaulity with Him, yet He (Jehoshua) humbled Himself. Jehoshua made Himself of no reputation as He took on the form of a servant which alludes to His earthly ministry as He stated that He came to serve not to be served. This has nothing to do with changing from one substance (divine) to another (human) but rather the servant nature of His ministry. This was how he was made in the likeness of men in that He did not seek the exaltation and glory of a King while on earth. Jehoshua was a suffering servant during His life not a conquering exalted King that lived luxuriously. Jehoshua had God dwelling in Him and was the chosen King of Israel yet denied His right to rule while He was on earth and instead loved His enemies and blessed those who cursed Him. While Jehoshua allowed Himself to be worshipped as the Son of God and King of Israel while on earth, He continually gave of Himself and forsook any of the earthly privileges fit for a King so that He could ransom Himself for us by dying on the cross. Jehoshua denied His own will and did the will of the Father, going to the cross and emptying Himself. It was prophesied that the Messiah would be a suffering servant during His life. In fact, servant is one of the designations used of Jehovah's future Messianic King. Isaiah 53 prophesies of this very thing: 10Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.11He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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The heroes of old considered themselves as strangers and pilgrims on this earth. The patriarchs could not recieve the inheritance apart from the rest of God's people (verse 40 of Hebrews 11).
"They seek a better country" not a homeland that could be traveled to in this life because if it was, they might have had oppurtunity to have returned. All believers are to seek the heavenly homeland of New Jerusalem as we, like the patriarchs of old, are just pilgrims and strangers here in this earth including earthly Jerusalem. Even the heroes of old didn't place their home and hope in earthly Jerusalem but rather were desiring the heavenly Jerusalem that was to come. Those who consider themselves strangers and pilgrims on this earth, including earthly Jerusalem, plainly declare that they seek a heavenly country which they believe is a better country than anything that's on this earth. It's very telling that even the ancient saints of God knew that earthly Jerusalem was not their eternal destination or their hope. They had their hope on heavenly things and the city of the living God New Jerusalem. Because the saints of Jehovah declare that they are strangers on this earth, which includes earthly Jerusalem, God is not ashamed to be called their God. The saints that have the heavenly hope have no desire to return to their earthly homelands. This includes the Israelites of today who are in Messiah as they don't seek to return to earthly Jerusalem but seek the free Jerusalem, the mother of us all: Galatians 4:26 (KJV) 26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Jehovah God has prepared a city for the saints which is the heavenly Jerusalem that will come down out of heaven: 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV,) 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him As much as scripture talks about the heavenly Zion, we cannot possibly fathom how glorious this city will be. Those that love God will get to enter into the gates of New Jerusalem. Loving God is equated with keeping His commandments: Revelation 22:14 (KJV) 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. God has prepared New Jerusalem for those who keep His commandments which are those who love Him. Ezekiel 48:35 (ASV) 35It shall be eighteen thousand [reeds] round about: and the name of the city from that day shall be, Jehovah is there. In Ezekiel 48 verses 31-35, the city of Jehovah is described and the name of the city is "Jehovah Shammah" meaning Jehovah is there. Not only will the city be beautifully prepared for us but the Father Himself will dwell there with us and spread His tabernacle (presence) over us. Revelation 21:2-3 (ASV) 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven of God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. The city of New Jerusalem is prepared (made ready) as a bride adorned for her husband. New Jerusalem is the tabernacle of Jehovah God and He will dwell with men. John says God Himself will be the redeemed saints. This is why New Jerusalem is called "Jehovah Shammah" because Jehovah Himself will be with His people in the city. John 14:1-4 (KJV) 1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Jehoshua spoke about the city of God to His apostles and guaranteed to them that there are many mansions in the Father's tabernacle of New Jerusalem. He said this to encourage them and give them hope. Jehoshua never promised earthly Jerusalem as the inheritance or hope of His apostles but rather gave them the heavenly hope of New Jerusalem. Jehoshua told them that He was going to heaven, by way of resurrection and ascension, to prepare a mansion for them. Let's go to Acts 15 and show that the new covenant does not include keeping the law of Moses: Acts 15:1 (KJV) 1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Paul and Barnabas firmly disagreed with the brethren who tried to impose the law of Moses on the Church (Antioch). Specifically circumcision was the controversy. The disputation was great verse 2 says. The church determined that Paul and Barnabas should go up to Jerusalem and get counsel from the apostles concerning this matter (verse 2). Verse 5 of Acts 15: "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Not only was circumcision alone the point of the controversy but also the law of Moses as a whole. Circumcision related to a required ceremony in the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-10) and the law of Moses encompasses the ancient ceremonies that God required in His covenant with the nation of Israel (as in the book of Leviticus). Verse 7 of Acts 15: "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe." This one verse destroys the notion that the gospel of the Kingdom includes the keeping of the law of Moses as Peter says point blank that He preached the word of the gospel to the Gentiles and verses 8-10 show that the Gentiles believed and received the Holy Ghost. Chapter 10 of Acts details Peter's encounter with Cornelius. Did Peter's preaching to the Gentiles include a call to keep the law of Moses? Let's let Peter speak for Himself: Acts 15:8-10 (KJV) 8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Jehovah God is no respecter of persons and blesses those who by faith believe regardless if they are a Jew or Gentile. The Father purified the hearts of the Gentile believers by faith in the Son of God circumcising their hearts (Romans 2:29). "By faith" trust in Messiah, not the old ceremonial law, is Jehovah's means for cleansing the soul (Acts 26:18). In verse 10, Peter says the words that condemns every Hebrew roots person who is teaching the necessity of keeping the law of Moses: "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" Do we really want to believe that when Peter preached the gospel to the Gentiles that he included the law of Moses as part of it? Go back to Acts 10 and there is no mention of Peter telling Cornelius and his household to keep the law of Moses. Also, here Peter refers to the law of Moses as a yoke, so obviously he didn't include something that is a "yoke" as part of his gospel preaching to the Gentiles. That would make Peter double minded and a hypocrite, on one hand preach the keeping of the law of Moses to the Gentiles and on the other to call it a yoke. Peter says that you are actually tempting Jehovah God when you tell people they must keep the law of Moses. That is dangerous ground to be on. Even the Israelites of old couldn't bear the yoke of the Mosaic law yet somehow Gentiles think they can. Verse 11 of Acts 15, "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jehoshua Messiah we shall be saved, even as they." Salvation is a free gift and powerful work of God through the death and resurrection of the now glorified Jehoshua Messiah. This is how every single new testament saint is saved. Even the old testament saints were saved by faith in the Jehovah's future Messianic King and salvation program. Peter concluded from God's manner of saving the Gentiles that Jews must be saved the same way. We heard from Peter one of the 12 apostles, now let's hear from Jehoshua's brother James who headed up the Jerusalem Church: Acts 15:13-19 (KJV) 13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: The above is one of the most powerful passages in relation to the new covenant and what constitutes Jehovah's new covenant Israel. Let's look at the above verses. Verse 13, James tells those present at the council to listen to what he is about to say. Verse 14, James attributes Peter's gospel preaching to the Gentiles as fulfillment of prophecy. Jehovah's purpose in sending Peter to the Gentiles was to graft a remnant of them into the Commonwealth of Israel. These Gentiles would then be sealed with the Father's name on their forehead (Revelation 14:1). They would become Jehovah God's purchased possession. Verses 15-17, James quotes Amos 9:11-12 and attributes this to the gospel going out to the Gentiles in the new covenant. The returning of Jehovah God was Him bringing the long awaited Davidic Messiah into the world and then anointing Him as King with the Spirit at His baptism. By the time of Jehoshua's first advent into the world, the Davidic dynasty was in ruins i.e. fallen down. Jehovah God rebuilt the tabernacle (Kingdom, throne) of David by anointing Jehoshua as the King of Israel at His baptism and then subsequently enthroning Him as King at His ascension into heaven. Jehoshua was of the fruit of David's loins and was qualified to be the King of Israel. Jehoshua was coronated as King of Israel upon His ascension into heaven and was given an eternal Kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14; Hebrews 1:8-9; Acts 2:29-36; Col 1:12-14). Jehovah God set up the tabernacle of David by bringing forth the Messiah at the Jordan river and then ultimately resurrecting Him to glory. Jehoshua fulfilled the oath made to David by Jehovah God (2 Samuel 7). Jehoshua was the promised seed of David and made the firstborn of all creation at His baptism and higher than the kings of the earth at His resurrection. Psalm 89:26-27 (ASV) 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. Jehovah adopted the royal line of David (2 Samuel 7:14) making it a type of Jehoshua, the glorified Son in His resurrected Kingship. Firstborn here is not necessarily about birth but rank and designation. Jehoshua is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19). Psalm 89:28-29 28My lovingkindness will I keep for him for evermore; And my covenant shall stand fast with him.29His seed also will I make to endure for ever, And his throne as the days of heaven. Jehovah promised that He would be loyal to the covenant He made with David. Jehovah promised David that His seed (family descent) would endure forever and that his throne would be established eternally. This was all fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jehoshua. Psalm 89:35-37 (ASV) 35Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:36His seed shall endure for ever, And his throne as the sun before me.37It shall be established for ever as the moon, And as the faithful witness in the sky. Selah God's commitment to exalt the Son of David is forever sealed with a solemn oath, communicating its unchangeable nature (Psalm 110:1; Heb 6:17-18). The psalmist reiterates Jehovah's promise to David that his seed (sperm) would last forever. This alludes to a male descendant of David establishing the throne and Kingdom of Israel forever. Both verse 36 and 37 show that the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant will result in a throne that is established in heaven as the sun and moon are in the heavens. The throne will be a faithful witness in heaven not on earth. Faithful, because it shows that Jehovah kept His covenant with David and made good on the promises of the covenant in that David's seed (family descent) and throne would be established eternally. Again, Jehoshua is the fulfillment of this covenant and just as He is the faithful witness (Rev 1:5) His heavenly throne is a faithful witness in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary (Heb 8:1-2). So going back to Acts 15, James says that Jehovah would return to the nation of Israel and rebuild the Davidic dynasty setting it up eternally as the new covenant Kingdom. This was fulfilled in the life, death, resurrection and ultimately the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. The birth of Jehoshua was a sign that God was with His people, the nation of Israel, and had not forgotten His promise to raise them up a Davidic savior. Jehoshua was brought forth publicly by Jehovah at His baptism being anointed as the King of Israel and begotten as God's Son. He was confessed as both just two days after His baptism by Nathanael: "thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." Then five days before the Passover, a multitude of people took palm branches and went forth to meet him and proclaim Him the King of Israel. They sang Psalm 118:25-26: 25 Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah. They knew that the arrival of the Messianic Davidic King was the day of salvation and prosperity. They acknowledged that Jehoshua was indeed the fulfillment of the oath made to David by Jehovah God. Jehoshua was Jehovah's anointed King and came proclaiming the Father's name. In the passage detailing this great event, Zechariah 9:9 is quoted: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass." This was a day of salvation for the house of Israel, their King Jehoshua arrived humbly sitting on an ass's colt and yet bringing salvation to His people. The events following this would lead to Jehoshua's glorification and enthronement as Israel's eternal Davidic King. Now to the event that sealed the deal and fully established the raising up of David's tabernacle (Kingdom): Hebrews 1:5-9 (ASV) 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?6 And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels winds, And his ministers a flame a fire:8 but of the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1 is an exaltation passage about the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. Psalm 2:7 is quoted here and it significant that it is, because in context Psalm 2 is about the trials and eventual coronation of an Israelite King. The author of Hebrews wants us to know what exactly took place upon Messiah's ascension into heaven. The quotation of Psalm 45:5-6 in Hebrews 1:8-9 further shows us what actually took place at the Son of God's ascension. Psalm 45:5-6 is another coronation Psalm of an Israelite King. These coronation Psalms are being applied here in Hebrews chapter 1 to Jehoshua's ascension into heaven. This clearly shows us that upon Jehoshua's ascension into heaven He was crowned and enthroned as the King of Israel. The tabernacle of David was now rebuilt and established as a new covenant Israelite Kingdom, in which Gentiles are now grafted into as fellow citizens (Ephesians 2). This is what James is referring to in his quotation of the book of Amos. Part and parcel to the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David is Jehovah taking out for Himself a people from among the Gentiles. Peter was Jehovah's vessel to this very thing (Acts 10) as was Paul. It was actually the mystery of the gospel (that the Gentiles would be brought into the Commonwealth of Israel) that Paul later talks about in his epistles. Philippians 2:5-11 (KJB) 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Messiah Jehoshua: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jehoshua every knee should bow, of things celestially and things terrestrially and things subterraneanly 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jehoshua Messiah is King, to the glory of God the Father. This is one of the most discussed passages of scripture in terms of what people call "Christology". Trinitarians, semi-arians/arians and Unitarian/Adoptionists all interpret this according to their understanding of "Christology". I am not a scholar nor do I desire to be one so I will be taking a dive into this passage praying that the Spirit of Jehovah guides me into all truth. Remember it is the Holy Spirit who is our teacher not so called scholars that can't even agree on what to order for lunch let alone be depositors of biblical truth. Prior to verse 5, Paul is exhorting the Messianic's/Christian's to have care for their brethren and to be "others" centered rather than "self" centered. This leads him to discussing the example that the Messiah left us. Let's dig in: Verse 5, Paul encourages the brethren to have the same mind Messiah had, using the word "was" indicates that Paul is referring to the past. Verse 6, this is the touchpoint verse in terms of Christology, "existing in the form of God". Paul here is obviously referring to the past and not Jehoshua's present resurrected state. All the various Christological beliefs mentioned above would agree that Jehoshua in His resurrected state is in the "form of God". However the context here is about Messiah's past not His present as Paul is taking us chronologically from "existing in the form of God" to His exaltation to heaven and then ultimately to judgment day which coincides with the second advent. If Jehoshua's "existing in the form of God" was in His past, prior to His exaltation, then when did He exist in the form of God? Trinitarians, semi arians and arians would all say this was in regards to the preexistence of the Messiah. Many (not all) Unitarians and Adoptionists would say that this was at some point during the earthly ministry of Jehoshua. Some Unitarians and Adoptionists attribute Jehoshua existing in the form of God to His resurrected state yet the context here doesn't support that. So what is the answer? If we are to go by scripture alone then the earliest that we can posit that Jehoshua was in the form of God would be His baptism at the Jordan river. It was after His baptism that for the first time Jehoshua is described as full of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:1 (KJB) 1 And Jehoshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit in the wilderness. Let's go to the book of Isaiah for a better understanding of what transpired at the baptism of Jehoshua and what He received from Jehovah God. Isaiah 11:1-4 (ASV) 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.3And his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears;4but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the Messiah was endowed with the fulness of the divine attributes of Jehovah God. John the baptist confirms that during Jehoshua's earthly ministry He (Jehoshua) had the full measure of the Spirit of God in Him: John 3:34 (KJV) 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. Jehoshua told Thomas and Phillip that if they had seen Him (Jehoshua) he had seen the Father: John 14:5-11 (KJV) 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. How could Jehoshua with confidence tell His disciples that if they had seen Him they had seen the Father? It's a simple answer, because the Father literally dwelt in Him (verse 10). Jehoshua twice states this in one verse. Either we believe the Son of God or we believe so called scholars that try to rationalize spiritual truths and make the word of God of none effect. In verse 11, Jehoshua states again that the Father is in Him. The truth of the Father literally dwelling in the Messiah during His earthly ministry sheds light on the phrase in Philippians 2:5 - "existing in the form of God". Let's also go to a very early account of Jehoshua's baptism that I believe was later corrupted by the Orthodox Church's i.e. the proto-Catholic church. This early account is in many of the older manuscripts and many scholars acknowledge that this was the original account of Jehoshua's baptism: Epiphanius recorded near 400 AD that this original Hebrew Matthew had God speak from heaven at the baptism "today I have begotten thee." - There is much more historically regarding the words uttered in the Matthew baptism account that prove the quotation of Psalm 2:7 to be the original words spoken by the voice from heaven. However, we will proceed with looking at Matthew 3:16-17: 16 After the people were baptized, Jesus also came and was baptized by John. And as Jesus came up from the water, Heaven was opened, and He saw the Holy Spirit descend in the form of a dove and enter into Him. 17 And a voice from Heaven said, ‘You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.’ And again, ‘Today I have begotten thee. - Luke 3:22 In Old Manuscripts The baptismal account of Jesus in Luke 3:22 in old manuscripts likewise had this account that the Father spoke from heaven to Jesus: "This day I have begotten you." A modern study Bible comments on Luke 3:22: "Other ancient authorities read You are my Son, today I have begotten you." (Wayne A. Meeks, Jouette M. Bassler, The HarperCollins Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version (HarperCollins: 1997) at 1962.) The New American commentary reads: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased: this is the best attested reading in the Greek manuscripts. The Western reading, ‘You are my Son, this day I have begotten you,’ is derived from Psalm 2:7.” http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/luke/luke3.htm(last accessed 2005.) This reference to a "Western" text that reads "begotten thee" is because it appears in the Greek Western type text known as Codex D. It also appears in many other texts of Luke 3:22. Throckmorton in Gospel Parallels (1992) at 14 lists some of the sources for "This day I have begotten thee." He lists - "D it Justin, Clement, Origen, Augustine, Gospel of the Ebionites. Just like in the account of David being anointed as king, the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Jehoshua in a mighty way. Here in Matthew, it says that the Holy Spirit entered into Jehoshua and in Luke it went upon Him. Both are true of course as the life of Jehoshua shows us that the Father was in Him as Jehoshua also said as much. With this understanding of the significance of Jehoshua's baptism we can now see how He was existing in the form of God during His earthly ministry. The bible teaches that Jehoshua was begotten as God's Son at His baptism which Jehoshua Himself confirms in His discussion with Nicodemus: John 3:3-8 (KJB) 3 Jehoshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be begotten from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be begotten when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be begotten?5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be begotten of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6That which is begotten of the flesh is flesh; and that which is begotten of the Spirit is spirit.7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be begotten from above.8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is begotten of the Spirit. The phrase "begotten from above" is the more accurate rendering than "born again". Jehoshua is clearly telling Nicodemus that in order to see and be in the Kingdom of God one must be begotten from above by the Spirit. Clearly Jehoshua is telling Nicodemus that one must be begotten by the water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. This is exactly what took place at Jehoshua's baptism as He entered the water and coming up received the Holy Spirit of Jehovah God. Jehoshua at the Jordan river was begotten by water via immersion (baptism) and by the Spirit as it came down from heaven to enter into Jehoshua anointing Him as the only begotten Son of God as testified in the original most reliable manuscripts with the Psalm 2:7 quote: "Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee" Jehoshua was only referred to as the only begotten Son after His baptism not before. In fact, only 2 days after His baptism, He is acknowledged as the Son of God and King of Israel: John 1:49 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. John 1:14 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John the beloved apostle connects the Word being made flesh in Jehoshua, at His baptism per the context, with Jehoshua being indwelt with glory (The Father's) as of the only begotten Son, showing us that Jehoshua became the only begotten Son at His baptism. Matthew 17:1-2 (KJV) 1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. This is the famous transfiguration of Jehoshua in which His face shines with the glory of God. This is likely what John was referring to in 1 John chapter 1: 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) John and the other apostles saw and handled Jehoshua only after His baptism which is also identified in the book of Mark as the beginning of the gospel of Jehoshua Messiah, the Son of God. This is what John means when he says: "That which was from the beginning" John refers to the baptized Jehoshua as the Word of life showing that this is precisely when the Word was made flesh as that Word came down from heaven to dwell in the Messiah anointing Him to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. The Word prior to Jehoshua being baptized was God's actual words and His actual Spirit (breath), see Psalm 33:6. John identifies Jehoshua as that eternal life which was with the Father in the beginning which in context is about the baptism of Jehoshua (Mark.1:1). That eternal life i.e. the Word made flesh in Jehoshua was manifested to the disciples after His baptism which is precisely when the Word was made flesh. I think we have enough scriptures to show us that Jehoshua was indeed in the form of God the Father during His earthly ministry. Let's now look at the second part of verse 6 which reads: "counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped" Despite being anointed and indwelt by Jehovah God, Jehoshua didn't seek to be equal with Him. This is overwhelmingly evident from reading the gospels. Over and over again, Jehoshua exalted the Father above all including Himself. Let's look at some examples : John 17:3-4 (ASV) 3And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.4I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. Jehoshua confesses that the Father is the only true God (verse 3). Central to Jehoshua's mission was to glorify the Father (verse 4). 1 John 5:20-21 (ASV) 20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.21My little children, guard yourselves from idols. John the beloved confirms that Jehoshua's mission was to give us an understanding of Him that is true which is an obvious reference to His Father (John 1:18). John, in agreement with Jehoshua, identifies the one that is true as the true God which is an obvious reference to the Father. We know this because John says we are in Him that is true and even in His Son Jehoshua Messiah. So the one that is true has a Son and the one that is true is identified as the true God showing that the Father is absolutely identified here as the true God. Mark 10:18 18 And Jehoshua said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God. When Jehoshua was called Good master by someone who ran over and bowed to him asking Him about eternal life, Jehoshua made sure to let this man know that there is only one who is good and that is God. We have already seen that Jehoshua identified the Father as the one true God. John 14:28 (ASV) 28Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I Jehoshua Himself said that the Father is greater than Him. This statement is consistent with His own confession that the Father alone is the only true God (John 17:3). Luke 4:7-8 (ASV) 7If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine.8And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve The Devil promised Jehoshua the kingdoms of this world if He would worship him. Jehoshua refused to worship Satan no matter what he promised. The Son of God quoted scripture (Deuteronomy 6:13) and said that we are to worship Jehovah thy God alone and serve Him only. I have already shown who Jehoshua says is the only true God and that is the Father so His response to Satan is about worshipping and serving the Father alone. All over the new testament the Father is acknowledged as the living God, true God, God, the Almighty God etc. In a conversation with a fellow Jew, Jehoshua quoted the shema of Israel and stated that it was the most important commandment: Mark 12:28-30 (ASV) 28And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?29Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: 30and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength Jehoshua says that to know that Jehovah God is one is the most important commandment and the scribe agrees and both confirm that God is a He confirming that "one" means singular not plural in terms of persons. Of course, the one God has repeatedly been identified by Jehoshua as the Father alone. This truth of the Father being the one true God is a running theme throughout the new testament. Even in Jehoshua's resurrected state He says that He has a God: Revelation 3:12 (KJV) 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. In one verse Jehoshua says He has a God four times. This should be enough to convince any naysayers and it also shows that even in His resurrected state that the Son of God is not seeking an equality with the Father. John 4:23-24 (ASV) 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers.24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. Jehoshua plainly states that true worshippers worship the Father. Jehoshua consistently defers to the Father as the true God and the one deserving of our worship. Verse 7 of Philippians 2: "but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men" The KJV says "humbled himself" which means the same as "emptying". There is no need to posit "emptying" as some sort of laying aside a preexistent divine nature. It simple means that Jehoshua, despite being in God's form, humbled Himself. It has already been proven from scripture that Jehoshua was in God's form during His earthly ministry and that He exalted the Father above Himself. Along with Jehoshua not seeking eqaulity with the Father, was Him humbling Himself even further and taking on the form of a servant. Jehoshua humbled Himself to be the servant of others: Matthew 20:28 (ASV) 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Jehoshua came to serve others despite being Jehovah's Messiah and also to make the ultimate sacrifice which was to give His life as a ransom for the Church. The above statement by Jehoshua came after a discussion His disciples had about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom in which Jehoshua responded: Mark 10:42-44 42 And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister ;44 and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. Jehoshua made it clear that in His Kingdom economy leadership is top down as those who desire to be leaders or greatest must be the servant of all. Zechariah the prophet described the future Messiah as Jehovah's servant: Zechariah 3:8 8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee; for they are men that are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch. Joshua the high priest and his fellow priests were symbolic of the future High Priest Jehoshua who is the branch that Jehovah would bring forth at the appointed time. Isaiah the prophet describes the Messiah as a suffering servant: Isaiah 53:11 (SSV) 11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities Jehovah calls His future Messiah a righteous servant and says that He (Jehoshua) will bear the iniquities of many showing that the Son of God's mission was a sacrificial one. |
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