II Sam 7:5-7 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
In the book of Samuel, King David tells the prophet Nathaniel of his plans to build God a house of cedar. While Nathaniel initially agrees with David, the Lord tells him to go back to David and explain, the Lord does not dwell in houses of cedar. He has always dwelt in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a tent, or temporary, portable dwelling place. He even asks the question, when have I ever spoken the words, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”
II Sam 7:12-14 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son.
Concerning the building of the temple, the Lord makes a promise to David. He promises, David’s seed would build the house of the Lord. This same seed would, set up a kingdom that would last forever. The scriptures show us that David interpreted God’s word as, meaning his son Solomon, whom King David would build the temple. Therefore, David commissioned Solomon, upon David’s death, to build the physical temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem. King Solomon, who was only a boy at the time, enlists the aid of the pagan Hiram, King of Tyre to help him build the temple. Hiram incorporates his pagan influence in the design of the temple. While God promises to honor the temple as long a Solomon only worships him, Solomon eventually allows pagan forms of worship to enter into Israel by way of his wives.
We also know that Solomon’s kingdom, contrary to God’s promise, was only temporary. Because of the sin of idolatry, Solomon’s kingdom was divided after his death. The northern ten tribes of Israel, eventually fell into Assyrian captivity in 721 BC. Then in 606 BC the southern two tribes of Judah are taken captive by the nation of Babylon. The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the temple.
Isa 9:6-7 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, Counseller, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The prophet Isaiah, prophesying hundreds of years later, would repeat Nathaniel’s prophecy, by saying the child is coming, from the lineage of David, who would be called the mighty God, and the everlasting Father. This child would establish the throne of David and there would be no end to his reign.
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah also prophesied, a virgin would give birth to a son, who would be called Immanuel or God with us.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah prophesied that a descendant of Judah would be born in Bethlehem, who would become the ruler in Israel. He also prophesied, this descendent of the tribe of Judah, “would be from old, from everlasting.” This scripture, infers the divine nature of the Messiah. The old testament, clearly shows that there is but one God and he alone is from everlasting to everlasting. Christians know that this child, the Jewish Messiah was Jesus, born or a virgin, in the city of Bethlehem.
Mt 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew records the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. The husband of Mary according to the law was a direct descendant of David. The Messiah was born by of a virgin, since his mother had not known her husband yet. The Messiah would be called Emmanuel, or being interpreted, God with us. He had come to save his people. The belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed one, is the basis for anyone calling themselves a Christian. Here are some scriptures that substantiate this belief.
Heb 11:16 . . . for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, . . .
We have already established in the last chapter, we must believe in God.
Jn 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
The Bible is very clear that we must also believe in Jesus. Belief in Jesus is foundational to all Christian doctrine. Belief in Jesus is equal to believing in God the Father.
Jn 3:15-18 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Jn 6:35-36 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Jn 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Jn 11:24-25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Well many people believe, a man named Jesus lived approximately 2000 years ago. Even some of the larger faiths of the world, that are not based on the Bible accept him as a good man, a teacher, an ascended master or a prophet. The real question is, What are we to believe about Jesus? Who was he really? The only real authority on Jesus, comes from the Bible. So what does the Bible have to say about his true identity.
Mt 16:13-14 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
In this well known exchange between Jesus and his disciples, he asks the very same question posed in this blog. Notice how his disciples respond. If you think about it, they are responding just like our world responds today. Jesus is not interested in what the world in general thinks of him or his identify. He rephrases the question.
Mt 16:15-16 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus wanted to know what his disciples, his close followers thought. There are many who profess to be Christians or followers of Christ. Jesus is interested in who they think he is. We see Peter answers that he is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Many people miss the importance of this statement. First to be the Christ, is to acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah. Messiah or Christ means to be the anointed One. It means that he was a human, who had a very special anointing of the Spirit of God dwelling within and operating through his person. Next he proclaims that, Jesus is the “Son of God.” What did the phrase “Son of God” mean to the Jews? Notice the phrase “Son of God” is capitalized, inferring deity. When Peter a Jew recognized that Jesus was the “Son of God,” he was making a very serious observation in the eyes of a Jew. The Jews do not look at this statement the way modern people look at it. We look at it from a purely carnal view point. Generally when someone proclaims, they are someone’s son, we think of it as another person who is a genealogical descendant. Look at how the Pharisees took that statement though.
Jn 10:29-33 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Jesus calls God his father, proclaiming himself to be the “Son of God.” Then in verse 30, he says he is one with the Father. In other words he is the “Anointed One” or the one human vessel in which the Spirit of God dwells. The Pharisees take up stones to stone him. Jesus asks them, why? They respond, for blasphemy because you are a man who is making yourself God. The truth is, Jesus was the manifestation of the Spirit of God. God who made himself a man, or in other words whom created Himself a human vessel through which He could reveal himself to men. The Jews recognized what we often miss, that Jesus was saying he was God. Now let’s go back to the exchange between Jesus and Peter.
Mt16:17-18 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
When Peter answers correctly, identifying Jesus as the Son or flesh of God, Jesus says, the revelation or understanding did not come from flesh and blood. Said another way, it did not come from man, it came from God. Then he goes on to tell Peter that upon the principle of who He is, He will build a church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Ps 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Ps 94:22 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of God declares himself to be the rock. He is the Rock of our salvation.
Eph 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
In Ephesians, the apostle Paul puts any question to rest concerning, what was meant by Jesus being the rock. The principle of Jesus true identity was the cornerstone of the foundation of the church. Anyone who knows anything about stone buildings, knows the cornerstone is the key to the strength and stability of the structure. The cornerstone must be hewn from solid material and set in place first. It must be perfectly cubed, four square, set perfectly level and plumb. Everything else in the building is leveled and plumbed from the cornerstone. The corner stone is the point of reference from which the rest of the building is built. If the corner stone is not properly set, the building will not be level and plumb, which will lead to all kinds of structural problems. The floors will slope, doors and windows will bind. If the building leans a little it will not last, as it will succumb to gravity much more quickly. The identity of Jesus Christ, is the cornerstone of the foundation, of the New Testament Church. If it is not solid and true, then everything else crumbles and falls.
I Pt 2:5-8 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
The apostle Peter quotes Old Testament scripture, pointing out that many people stumbled over the identity of Christ. That instead of becoming, the intended cornerstone of their faith, He became an offense and caused them to stumble, or fall away from the truth. If you base your faith on the identity of Jesus Christ, then you will not be confused. This is the cornerstone, or key that unlocks, the understanding of all of the rest of the Bible. It is like a key that unlocks the door to truth. So many people that call themselves Christians today miss this very simple truth. Instead they are confused about God and Jesus. They see two persons in God instead of just one person, in the person of Christ.
Lk 6:47-49 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Jesus, himself, tells the parable of the person who builds his house on a rock. If we come to Him, hear what he is really saying, we will not be shaken. He was illustrating the importance of the understanding of his identity, which is the foundation of Christian belief. People must understand the importance of His identity in building a their faith. If a person comes to Jesus and really get’s a hold of who Jesus is, they will never be shaken in their faith. If they do not get this principle of who Jesus is, their faith will be like a house built on the sand. It will eventually crumble and fall.
Jn 1:1-5&14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. . . . 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.
The Word is God. God is a Spirit. Therefore the Word is that eternal Spirit that created everything. Nine times in chapter one of the book of Genesis, it is recorded that “God said.” What ever God said was then done. What is being seen in Genesis, is God speaking all things into existence by his Word. When the Spirit of God created everything, it was created by his spoken Word. The Word is light and so when the Spirit shined into our world, the world did not understand what was happening. How did the Spirit shine light into the world. When the Word was made flesh. God, manifest his Spirit in the human flesh of the Messiah. In other words, the flesh is not God, it is human just like us. God is a Spirit, therefore, the Spirit that dwelt in the flesh is God.
I Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
God, an eternal Spirit, that no man could see, was revealed or manifest in the flesh of the Messiah. This is why the Pharisees wanted to stone him. They were jealous, because he was drawing the attention away from a dead religious system they had created and perpetuated. His teachings were tearing down the traditions of the Talmud. God himself came in the flesh to correct the false doctrines, and traditions of the religious establishment of the day. The same situations applies today, through the body of Christ, bride of Christ, assembly of believers the church. Jesus true disciples are here to tear down the false doctrines of established church traditions and to introduce people to the saving grace of the One True God, in Jesus Christ.
Jn 12:44-46 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
If we understand that there is only one God, if we understand that God was revealing himself in the human flesh of the Messiah, then If you believe in Jesus, you believe in the One who sent him. Why? Because it is the same person. The Spirit of God was operating and speaking through the flesh of the Messiah. Jesus was God manifest or reveled in flesh.
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord:
The Torah declares that the Lord is God. And that there is only one Lord. God is that Lord.
Phl 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul writes in his epistle to the Philippians that Jesus Christ is Lord. If Jesus Christ is the Lord and there is only one Lord, then the only logical conclusion is the Jesus Christ is the God or as the scriptures say, God manifest in the flesh of the Messiah.
Jn 14:9 Jesus 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?
If you have really understand who Jesus is? If your really understand that Jesus is the invisible Spirit of God manifest in human flesh? Then you have seen the father. Jesus was the Father, the eternal Spirit of God revealing himself to man. Are we just splitting hairs or is this really all that important. In other words, is this really a salvation issue or is it just semantics.
Jn 8:24 . . . for if ye believe not that I AM he, ye shall die in your sins.
This is one of the most powerful statements in the New Testament. The King James version translators wrote that Jesus said that, unless you believe that “I AM he” you would die in your sins. It is interesting to note that the word “he” is italicized in the King James Version. Italicized words in the Bible means, they were not part of the original Greek text, but rather added by the translator for clarity. Why is it important to understand this. Well, it simply means you can remove the italicized word, and not alter the meaning of the phrase. So what did Jesus say without the clarifying word “he”? He said unless you believe that “I AM” you will die in your sins. Jesus was proclaiming that unless you believe that he was the One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush, you would die in your sins. Unless you believe that Jesus is the eternal “I AM,” or the self existent One True God of the entire Old Testament, you were going to be lost. Jesus is the I AM, Jehovah, the Eternal, Alpha and Omega, First and the Last, Root and Offspring of David, without beginning a ending, He who is was, who is and who always will be.
Jn 10:1&10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
In the parable of the sheepfold, Jesus says that if anyone tries to enter his sheepfold, (analogy for the church) any other way but by the door, they are a thief and a robber. Then he goes on to say he is the door to the sheepfold. Here again, the only way into the body of Christ is to go through the door.
Jn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
What Jesus does not say is just as important as what he does say. He says he is the Way. Jesus did not say he is a way, a truth or a life. The word, “the” is an absolute. That means there is no other way. If Jesus is the way, that means just like in John 10:1, any other way we approach God is wrong. Any other way we attempt to enter God’s Kingdom or the assembly of believers is wrong. He is the truth, that means everything else is a lie. He is the life, that means there is death in other way. No man can come to the Father, except, by recognizing Jesus is the Father manifest in human flesh. We must approach God on his terms, not our own. He says we must come through the door, which is Jesus Christ. Only through him, can we come to the eternal Father.
Is 9:6 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, Counseller, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament, that the child that would be born, would be the “The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
OR
Mt 1:23 . . . Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Here we see him referred to as Emmanuel or God with us. Jesus was the mighty God, the everlasting Father living and dwelling with us in the form of a man.
Koran, Women 4:174 . . . The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was no more than God’s apostle . . .
Koran, The Table 5:11 . . . Unbelievers are those who declare: “God is the Messiah, the son of Mary” . . .
Koran, Mary 19:29 . . . Jesus son of Mary . . . God forbid that he himself should beget a son! . . .
The Biblical understanding of the true identity of Jesus Christ filters out those of the Islamic and Jewish faiths who do not accept Jesus as the Messiah or the Son of the one true God. The Islamist believe that Jesus was a prophet. The Koran calls Jesus the “son of Mary.” The Jewish people do not accept Jesus as their Messiah and thus reject the entire New Testament. The belief that Jesus is the manifestation of the Spirit of God as the Bible teaches eliminate a number of religious groups who do not recognize Jesus as God. The Jehovah Witnesses say that Jesus is the manifestation of Michael the Archangel, while the Latter Day Saints believe he is the brother of Satan. There are many trinitarian groups that believe that Jesus is the second person of a triune God head.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Jesus did not have the Spirit of God by measure. In other words he did not have some small portion of God’s Spirit dwelling within him.
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
The Bible teaches that in the body of Jesus dwelt the fulness of the Godhead. Jesus was not a separate person in the Godhead, because the fulness of the Godhead, representing everything that God was dwelt in him.
Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
If Jesus has “All power” in heaven, then that means, there can not be a Father God in Heaven that has more power then Him. If there was something more powerful then Jesus, then He would not possess all power. Jesus possess all power, because as the scriptures reveal, “the fullness of the Godhead” dwelt in the human vessel of the Messiah.
