The I AM and the Angel of the LORD

In the beginning, Elohim [Hebrew: masculine plural] created. At least two Gods were present in the creation of heaven and earth. This presentation will provide a discussion on two Gods in existence before the creation of heaven and earth and the mysteries that baffle Bible scholars taking them in many different directions.

The Apostle Paul identified two Gods. “He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the preeminent over all creation. For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-16).

What evidence is there in the Old Testament of the beings present at the creation of heaven and earth?

YAHUAH, THE SUPREME GOD

Throughout the Old Testament, the invisible God revealed Himself not in form, but spoke directly to people.

King David knew the supreme God and wrote, “And so, the heavens will praise your wonderful deed, O Yahuah [YHUH], even your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the sky is equal to Yahuah [YHUH]? Who is like Yahuah [YHUH] among the sons of God, a God feared greatly in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all surrounding him?” (Psalm 89:5-7)

Yahuah [YHUH} declared His being. “I am God [El, masculine singular], and there is no other; I am God[s] [Elohim, masculine plural], and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:9b-10).

God spoke and Isaiah recorded that Almighty God exists as well as Gods [Elohim], but there is no one like Him. He knows the end from the beginning and His purpose cannot be thwarted or changed by anyone else.

The Psalmist confirmed the word of Almighty God. “For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods” (Psalm 97:9).

And, “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3).

“This is what the LORD says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).

God’s word is true and need not be doubted. He alone is Supreme and unique to all that exists.

Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:19-20).

Job was very much aware of life in heaven. He had a personal discussion directly with God. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? ...On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:6-7)

So, at the time that earth was made suitable for mankind, at that time, angels and sons of God existed.

The Apostle Paul identified a second God who created through the power of the unique, all-powerful God.

“He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the preeminent over all creation. For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17).

The New Testament provides a clearer window into the understanding of the second God who was present at the creation of heaven and earth initially and present of course, when the earth was prepared for the second creation, that is, mankind. This being is very important to Almighty God. The Apostle Paul wrote the praising words of the Almighty God about His only Heir of His kingdom.

Hebrews 1:2 “But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”? Verse 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

Verse 13 “Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?

There are many key important points in that verse:

• This Son is heir of all things.
• God created through the Son.
• The Son is the radiance of God’s glory.
• The Son is the exact representation of His nature.
• The Son provided purification for sin.
• The Son sits at the right hand of Almighty God.
• The Son is far superior to the angels.
• The Son’s name reflects his excellence.
• Almighty God brought this being into His family as a Son.
• The angels do not have the level of sonship that this Son has with the Father.
• All of the angels are commanded to worship this Son.

“But unto the Son: "Your throne, O God, is to the age of the age, and the sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy. And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment” (Hebrews 1:11 and Psalms 102:26).

God Almighty is truly pleased with this unique Son. Key points:

• This Son’s throne will be everlasting and righteous.
• This Son loves righteousness and hates wickedness.
• God Almighty raised this Son above all creation in heaven and on earth. This leads us to believe that there was opportunity for supremacy under Almighty God.

Where is this Son mentioned in the Old Testament? Here is where we delve into the many scriptures that remain a mystery for some scholars.

THE WORD, THE SPOKESPERSON

The Apostle John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [divine]. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2).

Jesus was the spokesperson for God during the whole of his physical life on earth. “I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it” (John 12:49).

The Word, Logos, is the God-Speaker who has complete knowledge of the instructions of Almighty God and is able to teach, reason, explain and correct. The Apostle John said that he was with the Almighty God in the beginning before creation. He too, is a God.

A SPOKESPERSON—THE WORD, MUST BE EVIDENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

To identify this being in the Old Testament, a spokesperson for the Almighty God should be evident. Angels are God’s messengers to mankind. There is an angel—the angel of the LORD—of God [YHWH], who communicates many messages to many people for Almighty God.

To ABRAHAM, the angel of God spoke God’s words. “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham’ and he said, ‘Here am I’. He said, ‘Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now, I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me’” (Genesis 22:11-12).

It was Almighty God instructing Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, to test him and it was His words again refraining Abraham from continuing. God provided the ram for the sacrifice that would mirror the future, redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

It may appear that it is the angel speaking, but it becomes clear when the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time and said, “I swear by myself,” declares the LORD, “that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the starts in the sky and as the sand on the seashore” (Genesis 22:15-17). The angel of the LORD does not swear a vow to anyone.

On a side note, but important to review, God recognized Isaac as Abraham’s only heir. Isaac was not Abraham’s only son because Ishmael was born from Sarah’s handmaid and after Sarah died, he later married Keturah and they have six sons from their union. There are some important points that need to be detailed here.

• God Almighty changed Abram and Sarai’s name to Abraham and Sarah. This name change indicates a conversion that took place with Abraham and Sarah and the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit
• Though other sons were born to Abraham, only one was born from Sarah, the woman with God’s Holy Spirit, mirroring a church filled with God’s Holy Spirit. 
• Some chapters in the life of Isaac mirrored the only heir of Almighty God, Yashuah. “Take your son,” God said to Abraham, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you” (Genesis 22:2). God was prophesying the sacrifice of His only heir. He was prophesying a Saviour for all of mankind, one that would come from the seed of Abraham and be conceived and birthed from Sarah.
• God Almighty has other sons in heaven. These sons of God were created by the Son through the power of the Father. But, only one Son is heir to His kingdom.
• The request to sacrifice his son, did not puzzle Abraham because he knew the Almighty God and completely trusted Him. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, [the Apostle Paul noted from the spiritual perspective] he did receive Isaac back from death’” (Hebrews 11:17-19).

To HAGAR, God heard the boy and He sent the angel of God to speak. “Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, "What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation” (Genesis 21:17-18).

• The angel of God spoke to Hagar informing her that Ishmael would not die, but grow up and become a great nation. God Almighty did not neglect Ishmael. “God was with the boy as he grew up” (Genesis 21:19a).

To Abraham, God Almighty promised that His angel will go ahead to find a suitable wife for Isaac. Abraham said to his servant, “The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there” (Genesis 24:7).

• The angel of God guided the servant to God’s choice for Isaac.

To JACOB, the angel of God repeated God’s instructions. Jacob said, “And the angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob’: And I said, ‘Here am I’ He said… ‘I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you… I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land’” (Genesis 31:11-13).

For JACOB, the angel of the LORD was his protector. Then Jacob blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers: Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm—may he bless these boys” (Genesis 48:15-16).

• The Angel of God had become more than a spokesperson for God Almighty, but also a protector.

To MOSES, God with the angel of the LORD, spoke in the burning bush. “Now Moses was tending the flock… There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up… When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look,God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses, Moses’ and Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God” (Exodus 3:1-6).

The angel of the LORD was the visible form within the flames of the burning bush see by Moses, but Almighty God was invisible. After God introduced Himself to Moses, he was afraid to look because nobody can look directly at the Almighty God and live. Moses understood that.

God commissioned Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. But Moses said, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

To MOSES, God Almighty revealed His title, I AM.  Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

God added, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation” (Exodus 3:13-15).

• God declared to Moses that He is the ultimate being in existence; He is the I AM. This is important because sons of God ruled over the nations on earth and many of them were declaring themselves to be the Ultimate Being, the Source of all that exists.

THE I AM

Scholars have mythicized the gods who ruled over the nations in ancient times. It is all part of Satan’s plan to run amuck unnoticed. God Almighty had to prove His superiority to the ancient Israelites because the rebel sons of God ruling of the nations on earth had professed to be equal to the Almighty God. The king of Egypt, declared himself to be a Creator.

KING OF EGYPT

“Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself’” (Ezekiel 29:3).

The heavenly king over Egypt declared to have created the prized resource that blessed Egypt abundantly. He wasn’t the only son of God who elevated himself to the level of the Supreme God.

KING OF ASSYRIA

The king of Assyria in heaven tried to overthrow Almighty God. All is seen by God. He said to this rebel, “Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: ‘With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests’” (Isaiah 37:24).

God is using His same imagery to describe His federal government as a mountain, His headquarters named Lebanon, cedar and cypress trees as the great leaders in His government. The King of Assyria participated and likely lead the overthrow of God’s headquarters in heaven, but this rebel failed to see that God foreknew the great fall from the beginning. The event strengthened the righteous in heaven and purged the proud and arrogant. God said, “Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone… But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came” (Isaiah 37:26, 28-29).

KING OF WICKEDNESS

Lucifer tried to overthrow Almighty God, too. God said, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain, I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Many people in the 21st century embrace the scholars mythicization of the rebel ancient gods because there is no visible interaction today. Believers live by faith and the knowledge of God’s promises today, but in the past, the people felt the strike of the whip of these rebel gods and heard the voice of the Great God.

THE POWER OF THE GODS

The story of Jonah reveals the fear the ordinary person felt if they angered the gods. Jonah ran away from the LORD when he was asked to preach to Nineveh. He boarded a ship and a violent storm rose jeopardizing their lives. Immediately, the crew on board knew one of the gods was angered. “All of the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god… Jonah was below deck asleep… The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.’ Then the sailors said to each other, ‘Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.’ They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah” (Jonah 1:5-7).

Jonah confessed that he was running away from the God of heaven, “who made the sea and the land.” “This terrified them and they asked, ‘What have you done?’” (Jonah 1:10)

They threw Jonah overboard and the sea became calm. People in ancient times experienced the wrath of rebel sons of God and the Almighty God moving His servants to accomplish the task given to them. This was not a strange event; it was common.

This is important to remember because God had to constantly prove His superiority to His people who lived witnessing the power the rebel gods ruling over the nations wielded.

This is the reason for God to declare His title to Moses and the ancient Israelites. He is the I AM. He is the Ultimate Being, the Source of all things.

GOD ALMIGHTY AGAINST BAAL ZEPHON

Because Almighty God is invisible to mortals, He cannot show himself lest they die, God needed to prove Himself. He had the Israelites camp at the Red Sea opposite Baal Zephon. This great statue troubled the Israelites. Baal Zephon is equated with the Greek god Zeus who was considered to be King over all gods. The God of Israel would confront this heavenly rebel god at the very place that would require a great miracle to prove who was the most powerful. Almighty God had planned this decisive event. He would show His great power and perform the wonder miracle of parting the Red Sea and dry it for the Israelites to walk on without sinking or stumbling. It was this event that brought the escaping ancient Israelites to finally respect and trust God Almighty (Exodus 14:31). 

“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”

Baal Zephon could not protect the Egyptian army that was swallowed up in the Red Sea.

To MOSES, Aaron would be his spokesperson as the prophets on earth were for God. The Angel of the Lord speaks the words of Almighty God. God replicates His way of doing things. He also uses people to speak for Him.

God said to Moses about Aaron, “He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him” (Exodus 4:16).

The LORD answered Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet” (Exodus 7:1).

To the ANCIENT ISRAELITES, their God and the angel of God traveled with them all the way to the Promised Land.

The Egyptian army followed the Israelites into the Red Sea pounding the ground with the hooves of their horses and iron chariots. The angel of God moved and stood behind the Israelites to protect them and Almighty God did the same in the pillar of cloud.

“And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them” (Exodus 14:19).

To the ANCIENT ISRAELITES, the angel of the LORD has authority to forgive or not to forgive sins."See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your transgression, since my Name is in him” (Exodus 23:20-21).

“He will not forgive your transgression” indicates that this angel of the LORD has power to judge and sentence; he is no mere messenger. “My Name [YHWH] is in him” reveals his identity. His name is YasHUaH—the only angel known with God’s name in his. God Almighty mentioned this key point because He knows His people will come to know this Angel very soon and they better be ready to obey.

This verse disclosed who the angel of the LORD who traveled with the ancient Israelites to and into the Promised Land. This angel has power to forgive sins. God Almighty waits to inform ancient Israel of the power this Angel has to just before they enter the promised Holy Land. It is a marker, a prophecy that will be fulfilled when the 21st century nations of Israel return home. The Messiah will begin his reign and rebels will not be allowed to enter.

To JOSHUA, the commander of God’s army appears

Out-of-the-blue, the heavenly Commander of God’s army appears before Joshua. He identifies himself and then tell Joshua to take off his sandals because before him stands a holy being who has just made the soil around him holy. This is exactly Almighty God’s statement to Moses.

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell face-down in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:13-15).

To GIDEON, the angel of the LORD met with him and performed the priestly function of a burnt sacrifice.  Through these stories we see the different roles and responsibilities of the Angel of the LORD. This story begins where God Almighty commissioned Gideon to lead a battle for freedom against the Midianites. While Gideon initially tried to escape this task, he eventually put his trust in God that He would give him victory. He asked the angel of the LORD who is present to stay because he wanted to give an offering to God Almighty. 

“Then the angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD,he said, ‘Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.’ The LORD said to him, ‘Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die’” (Judges 6:21-23). Almighty God is not alarmed because the angel of the LORD is not the I AM, the Almighty God. However, While Gideon learned that the angel that disappeared was not the one that mortals cannot look upon else they die, still, he acknowledged the angel of the LORD as a God, a divine being.

In this story, Gideon was talking with both the angel of the LORD and the LORD. The LORD was waiting with the angel of God under the oak tree while Gideon prepared the offering. “Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak” (Judges 6:19).

When the angel of the LORD vanished, suddenly Gideon realized that the angel of the LORD was more than an angel-messenger, but a God—divine. He remembered the words of Moses and feared that he will die.

Moses said, “Now, show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18) God said, "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). 

Gideon remained talking with someone that he called ‘LORD’ and believed that He was the LORD Almighty because he asked for proof. “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me” (Judges 6:17). The LORD was invisible only His voice could be heard. Gideon did not fear for his life when talking with the LORD because He was invisible. He feared only the face-to-face contact, which was with the angel of the LORD.  The Almighty God reassured Gideon, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.”

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD, A PRIEST OF GOD

When the title, “lord” is used in scripture, it is to point to the authority of the priesthood who, in the heavenly realm, are the masters in righteousness, wisdom, understanding and God’s word. Both the Father and the Son are rulers and priests.

The Psalmist wrote, “The LORD [the Father] says to my Lord [the Son]: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth.’ The LORD [the Father] has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:1-4).

Before Jesus Christ judges the nations for their treason and wicked behaviour, his role of a priest is confirmed by Almighty God who adds that the Son will remain a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. This is important because “grace triumphs over judgement” (James 2:13). Jesus Christ will exercise righteous judgement against the nations.

“The Lord [Jesus Christ] is at your [the Father] right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. He will drink from a brook beside the way; therefore, he will lift up his head [Christ will be rejuvenated by “drinking from the brook” that is, his case against the wicked will be complete so that he can confidently go onto to victory]” (Psalm 110:5-7).

Notice the Apostle Paul is specific about the role of a priest. To prevent tyranny and a dictatorship, God’s theology must be applied to judgement.

“Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness… So, Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father… You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek’” (Hebrews 5:1-3, 5-6).

The job of a priest is to:

• Deal gently with the ignorant, bring them to repentance
• Destroy the unrepentant, bent on doing evil
• Bring peace.

The Psalmist prophesied about the Son of God who is both King and Lord. He taught God’s people to keep the Law of God and understand the depth of His Law. He preached God’s word, unveiled God’s grace and His love and taught all people to love God Almighty with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one another.

JESUS RULES OVER HIS KINGDOM IN HEAVEN

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

Scriptures state that Jesus, the Son of God is both king and priest.

To JACOB, the angel in the form of a man blessed him. “But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ Then the man asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob,’ he answered. Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.’ … Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face-to-face, and yet my life was spared’” (Genesis 32:30).

Jacob understood that the Angel that he wrestled with was able to bless him. Jacob was begging for the blessing of life. On a quick side note, this event was a prophecy; it will take place during the last days of the last days of this evil age. The Jacob covenant people who were slow to mature spiritually will come into the full realization of the existence of the I AM and the spiritual world. The first resurrection will have taken place and they will be terrified that they will lose out on eternal life. They will wrestle with Jesus Christ, King over all kings and Lord over all lord begging as Jacob did for life, this time they will beg for eternal life.

Jacob knew this angel was a God, one of the Elohim. He didn’t understand the distinction between the I AM—the Ultimate Source of life, energy, radiance so brilliant humans die when they look upon Him. The other Gods-Elohim are not the Great Source of all things.

While no one in human form can see God Almighty—the Father, face-to-face and live, Yashuah, God’s Son does manifest himself in human form and interact with humans, face-to-face. Yashuah is no mere messenger, but has authority and as God’s plan unfolds, he is given more and more authority as he works with his Father.

This Angel of the LORD works as a partner with the I AM throughout God’s engagement with His people beginning with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is God’s messenger to them. He is the Commander of God’s army protecting them during the Exodus, their wandering in the wilderness and fighting with them, as they fought their enemies entering the Promised Land. This Angel was commissioned by the I AM to lead God’s people into the Promised land and given authority to judge their sins. This responsibility to lead and judge is that of a ruler, a prince, a king. This Angel holds the role of a priest qualified to conduct a sacrifice to the Almighty God. This is the responsibility of a priest. This Angel is a ruler—a prince—a king and a priest—a lord.

GOD SPOKE FROM HEAVEN DIRECTLY TO MOSES

God does speak to people directly. He has not spoken from heaven since He praised Jesus after his baptism. His silence has given rise to disbelief. Proving God’s existence through His spoken word is a challenge in a physical world. Even Moses had to remind the ancient Israelites that God spoke from heaven giving them His instructions.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven’” (Exodus 20:22).

GOD SPOKE DIRECTLY TO ELIJAH AND THE WORD CAME TO HIM ALSO

Elijah’s chat with Almighty God and the Angel is clear that two were there with him. Before God spoke directly to Elijah, “The word of the LORD came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (I Kings 19:9b).

Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

Then an utterance was heard, “‘Go and stand on the mountain before the LORD.’ And the LORD passed by.”

Now, begins a powerful piece of writing. 

“A strong wind tore through the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD. But the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind the earth shook. But the LORD was not in the shaking of the earth. 12 After the earth shook, a fire came. But the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a sound of gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he put his coat over his face, and went out and stood at the opening of the hole. Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (I Kings 19:11-13)

Elijah proceeded to respond with the same answer that he gave to the word of the Lord, word-by-word to the gentle voice. “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

The word of the Lord asked the same question as the LORD, word-by-word because he is the messenger for God. Elijah understood that. His repetition indicates that he understood that he was speaking to two separate beings. God’s messenger to Elijah is like Jesus who speaks only the words given to him by the Father and how to say it. The presence of Yashuah, God’s messenger, sparkles out throughout the Bible in the deliverance of the word of the LORD.

Peter applied the same Old Testament phrase when remembering the words of Jesus. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62).

This time the word “Lord” is lower case distinguishing it from “LORD” all uppercase who is the Supreme God.

THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO THE PROPHETS

Many of the prophets in the Old Testament, like Zechariah, had the word of the LORD come to them in the form of a vision. “On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo. During the night I had a vision—and there before me was a man riding a red horse!” (Zechariah 1:7)

Samuel’s introduction to the voice of Almighty God trumpets the knowledge of first knowing the word of the LORD before recognizing the call of God.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.” This introduction is true for all Believers. No one can come to the Father except through the Son, the Word of God.

“Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy. “Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (I Samuel 3:7-9).

The Apostle Peter reminded the weak, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20-21).

THE WORD CAME IN THE FLESH

The work of Jesus during his ministry on earth was extensive and reached far and wide. The Apostle John wrote, “If every one of them [things done by Jesus] were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). His works alone should have brought every Jew and all who knew him to their knees.

“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 1:14).

Many people witnessed the truth and still, some rejected him. “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:35).

Why bury a curious mind? Why judge before hearing? Why hate before loving?

Jesus said, “Why do you call it blasphemy when I say, 'I am the Son of God'? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world” (John 10:36).

THE OLD TESTAMENT CONFIRMS:

•  The Angel of the LORD lead ancient Israel into the Promised Land and had authority to forgive or not forgive sins

•  The Angel of the LORD is holy, where he stands the soil is holy

•  The Angel of the LORD has God Almighty’s name in his name

•  The Angel of the LORD is a priest, commander and king

•  The Angel of the LORD is Elohim.

The Jews refused correction. Jesus wanted to rescue them from the burdens placed onto the congregation from their added traditions of the elders. They plotted to kill him, disregarding the commandment of God: Do not kill. The pendulum had moved far into self-righteousness. The leadership had become conceited and arrogant. They were not humble and far from the teachable mind of a little child. Spiritual blindness had set in, causing them to walk away from the path of righteousness.

GOD SPOKE FROM HEAVEN

Many people were a witness to God Almighty speaking from heaven praising His beloved Son. 

“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16-17)

This is not to be disregarded because the Apostle Paul confirmed God’s legal practice that establishes fact.

“Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (II Corinthians 13:1). Indeed, there were two or three witnesses at Jesus’ baptism.

“A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15).

The disciples were eye witnesses to the works of Jesus. “We did not follow cleverly invested stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from a Majestic Glory, saying’ ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain” (II Peter 1:16-18).

JESUS SPOKE FROM HEAVEN

“As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied” (Acts 9:3-5).

Paul fully understood the words of Jesus and warned, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven” (Hebrews 12:25).

A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, THE WORD—THE SON, SPOKE TO CORRECT A WRONG BEHAVIOUR

The Jews were continuing their practice of not fellowshipping with gentiles.

Jesus had brought the divorced gentiles house of Israel, the ten tribes back into the covenant family, but the Jews were not ready to accept their return. “But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy’” (Acts 11:9).

END TIMES, GOD WILL SPEAK FOR ALL TO HEAR

THE TWO WITNESSES RESPOND TO A VOICE FROM HEAVEN

“And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them” (Revelation 11:12).

A VOICE FROM HEAVEN URGING HIS PEOPLE

“I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).

GOD’S DECLARATION OF THE KINGSHIP OF HIS SON WILL BE HEARD WORLDWIDE

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God, day and night” (Revelation 12:10).

“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

The Old Testament is a rich source of writing that unveils the Almighty God—the I AM, of which, there is none like Him. The Son is the second God present at the creation of heaven and earth. 

The Son of God is the angel of God and the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament who spoke to the patriarchs and their wives, to ancient Israel and led them into the Promised Land. He made himself known to Joshua as the Commander of God’s army who makes holy the place where He stands. He is the second God present upon creation of heaven and earth. He was the word to the prophets. He is a priest who performed the sacrifice for Gideon. Almighty God warned ancient Israel to listen to this angel because he is no ordinary being. His name is in the name of Almighty God. He is YasHUaH.  Throughout the Old Testament, God revealed the details of His salvation plan for His people and all of mankind. The Psalmist sang in joy anticipating the victory of this Son of God, God’s only Heir as King and Lord over His kingdom.

OLD TESTAMENT TESTIMONY

·  The I AM is Supreme, none like Him

·  The Angel of the LORD is the Spokesperson of God—the word of the LORD

·  The Angel of the LORD is the Commander of God’s army

·  The Angel of the LORD is judge

·  The name of the Angel of the LORD is in God’s name YASHUAH

·  The Angel of the LORD is priest of God

·  The Angel of the LORD is one of the Elohim [Gods, masculine plural] made in their image: King and Lord.

The New Testament is a companion to the Old Testament. It is a book filled with God’s teachings on love. The I AM of the Old Testament is the Almighty God who gives the gift of grace to repentant mankind. Law without love is tyranny. God Almighty is a high priest who is the master on righteousness. His gift of grace humbles creation. Humility gives rise to the invincible strength of servitude. “Ask for wisdom,” God says. She is central to justice and love. A solid understanding of both books Is vital. 

NEW TESTAMENT TESTIMONY

·  The I AM is Most High Priest: Master on righteousness

·  The I AM the giver of grace

·  The Word was with God Almighty and is a God [Elohim, masculine plural] present at the creation of heaven and earth

·  The Word is the Son of God

·  The Son of God is High Priest forever

·  The Son of God is King over all kings and Lord over all lords.

Pieces to the great puzzle come together from the two books to unravel the mysteries, reveal God’s saving plan for mankind, the stepping stones to the return of our King of kings and Lord of lords and give glory to the Great God—the Most High—the Ancient of Days, our Father in heaven, the I AM.

The Gods-Elohim at creation can be identified. Needed is both the Old Testament and the New, together to fully understand the magnitude of our Creator, the Son of God—the only Heir, and the calling of mankind and the future high positions we will hold.