Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
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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