• Elohim
• The Word
• The Angel of the LORD
• The Angel of God

In the beginning, Elohim—Gods, existed.

Isaiah recorded God’s exact words. He said, “I am the LORD [YHWH], and there is no other; there is no God [Elohim = masculine plural] but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me, so that all may know, from where the sun rises to where it sets, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD [YHWH], and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5-6).

A side note: YHWH is the Christian pronunciation of God’s name; others prefer YHUH. The modern-day use of the letter “W” was introduced in the 8th century. In the Roman alphabet the letter “V” represented both the “w” and the “u” sound. The Old English language made a distinction between the “v”, “u” and “w” sounds. The monks translated the Anglo-Saxon Runes through the Roman language to Latin. The letters “v” and “u” were added into the Latin alphabet but a “w” was not. So, the monks placed two “uu” or “double u” together forming the “w” sound. This explains the slight difference that occurs in the pronunciation of God’s name. It is preferred by some scholars as YHUH, which when saying God’s name is an exercise of breathing in and out—the breath of life.

It is acknowledged in Isaiah 45 of the existence of more than one God by the use the word Elohim. There are Gods. A distinction among the existence of the Gods is what YHWH is making very clear. “There is no Elohim but Me.” There is no other among the Gods like Him. He is actually the source of all Elohim—Gods. He is clear about exactly who He is. He provides His name, YHWH, translated as LORD. YHWH is unique, a one-of-a-kind among the Gods. He is the Supreme, the Almighty God.

While two Gods were present at creation, only the Great God has the awesome power to command beginnings from nothing. However, the Supreme God can give to another Being this astounding power. Through the second God, the power of creation was given. Everything in heaven and on earth was created through the second God and remains sustained by him to this day. Together, they are building the God-family.

The structure of the God-family demands righteousness and perfection. Both Gods worked together to formulate and engineer the grand plan for the birth of the God-family that will form the holy, royal, ruling God-family kingdom over all creation and future expansions for all eternity. The second God is the image of the Great-Creator God who is the perfection of law-keeping Kingship and righteous Lordship. The two creations: heaven and earth were intentionally created at different times with different expertise. The first creation in heaven was created to become experts in kingship—law and order, while the second creation on earth is being molded to mature into experts in lordship—priests and priestesses—grace and righteousness.

The second God is the holder of many crowns. He is Jesus Christ, Yashuah HaMashiach. Every detail of every step in the process of the grand plan for the birth and establishment of God’s family kingdom is essential to its indestructible composition and eternal longevity. Jesus Christ is at the centre; he is the cornerstone; he is the capstone; he is the anointed King over all kings and Lord over all lords serving the one and only Great, Creator God. He accepted his role before the beginning of God’s family kingdom and put both, his physical and eternal life, on the line to save and prepare the second creation for their immense calling and pre-prepared offices. This unique creation was made to become living grace—lords, while the first creation was created and prepared to be the eternal expression of living law—kings. The two roles bound together are the image of the Great, Creator God who is the ultimate KING and LORD—law-keeper and grace-giver.

The role accepted by the second God is comprised of many essential components, all revealed in the scriptures. The Bible is a master piece of writing illustrating the length, depth and breadth of Almighty God’s love for all creation expressed in His transparency, unveiling His grand plan in the scriptures for all who yearn to know Him. They will search and find wonders unknown to carnal man, truths that will excite the God-fearing believers and discover and participate in the riveting, never-ending, forever-budding expansions to come.

The first significant identifier of the roles of the Son of God in the New Testament was spoken by the Apostle John. He addressed Jesus Christ as the Word. It is a title that personifies a Being rich and complete with the knowledge of Almighty God: His very being, His essence, His character, His law and His ways. It also includes being the Communicator of God and having God’s power to speak commands and creation obeys.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2). This scripture identifies Jesus Christ as the other God with the Almighty God in Genesis one.

This Being titled as the Word was identified and announced to creation as One who is complete with the knowledge of everything that is God. He is with God; he is also a God and existed prior to the beginning of creation in heaven and on earth. It is through this One that creation was made and continues to be sustained. It is through this One that everything about the Great-Creator God can be known. He is the Speaker of God.

“All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3).

The Word, who became the Son, has the power through his voice to command and creation obeys.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3).

Many times, the Word delivered messages from Almighty God to Abraham. He delivered God’s message to Abraham in person and by speaking directly out of the heavens. He spoke in visions and in dreams all according to how God Almighty wanted.

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

The Word represented the Most High LORD in a visible format, communicating Almighty God’s message of assurance and support for Abraham.

“Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, ‘This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir’” (Genesis 15:4).

Engaging with the spirit world was a common experience for Abraham. Job experienced many long conversations with the Almighty God, directly. The Messenger of the LORD manifesting himself through visions and in person was an everyday event for many people in the ancient world, even outside of God’s people. King Nebuchadnezzar received messages from the Almighty God, either directly or through His Messenger. It was not a strange event to engage in a conversation with the Great-Creator God through His messenger, the Word or for the nations, in ancient times, to communicate regularly with their heavenly rulers.

“The LORD appeared to Abraham near the large trees of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent… Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. So, he quickly left the entrance to his tent to greet them. He bowed low to the ground. ‘My Lord,’ said Abraham, ‘if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by’” (Genesis 18:2-3).

Verse two begins with the LORD (YHWH) appearing to Abraham. When Abraham addressed the lead figure of the three men, he identified the leader in lowercase “Lord.” He recognized that the lead messenger was not the “LORD” in all capital letters—the Great-Creator God, but His messenger, His communicator—the Word. Abraham understood that these three men were not mortals. He responded by bowing low to the ground, then addressing the leader as “My Lord” and finally, asking if he was seen in a favourable light before him, that he would stay and eat.

Moses wrote the book of Genesis and fully understood the method of communication used by the Great-Creator God. Moses recorded God’s words to the ancient Israelites, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20).

The leader of the three men identified by Abraham as “Lord” spoke the words given to him by the Great-Creator God. Then the leader of the three men said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year. Your wife Sarah will have a son. Then the Lord [note lower case is used] said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Will I really have a baby, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for me? I will return to you at the appointed time next year. Sarah will have a son’” (Genesis 18:10, 13-14).

These are all the direct words of the Great-Creator God spoken to Abraham through God’s Angel Messenger.

“The LORD also said, ‘The cries against Sodom and Gomorrah are very great. Their sin is so bad that I will go down and see for myself. I want to see if what they have done is as bad as the cries that have reached me. If it is not, then I will know” (Genesis 18:21).

Two angels leave to witness the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham remains with the leading Being to plead for the righteous who may live in Sodom and Gomorrah. He understands that the leading Being is the direct messenger of the LORD Almighty. Abraham addressed this Being, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?”

The leading Being spoke the word of the LORD Almighty, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

“When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home” (Genesis 18:32-33). The Being left when there was no further messaging; “he [lowercase] left.”

When Jesus was mortal on earth, he spoke only the words of the Father. “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and how to speak. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say” (John 12:49-50).

Jesus is the Word. “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). 

The eternal Being with the Great-Creator God, titled the Word, is also addressed by God as the Angel of the LORD.

“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).

From out of heaven, the Angel of the LORD spoke the commands of the Great-Creator God. Frequently, in ancient times, God spoke directly to creation on earth as He did with Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Enoch, Noah, Job, and Gideon. It was such a common occurrence that it was taken for granted.

The Angel of the LORD spoke to Abraham, again. “And the Angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son [heir], indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies’” (Genesis 22:15-17).

God’s instructions for Abraham to sacrifice of Isaac, his only heir, was a test of Abraham’s trust and faith in Him. Abraham was prepared to complete the task. The image of a sacrifice, the life taken of the only family-heir, was a prophecy of the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is the only Heir of God Almighty. Since, there was no benefit in the sacrifice of Isaac’s life because he was not a perfect, qualifying offering, God provided a substitute according to the practice of the sacrificial system in place. Abraham proved that he was fully dedicated to the Great-Creator God, so, God made an unconditional promise to bless him abundantly. Through Abraham, the Holy Son of God would be born and he would be a father of a multitude of nations (Genesis 17:4).

The Angel of the LORD was involved in every issue arising out of the family of Abraham, during ancient times to the present. Sarai gave Hagar to Abraham with the intent to impregnate her because she was barren. Hagar conceived and began treating Sarai with disrespect and Sarai responded harshly. Hagar eventually ran away.

“Now the Angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert—the spring along the road to Shur. ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai,’ he said, ‘where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I am running away from my mistress Sarai,’ she replied. So the Angel of the LORD told her, ‘Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.’ Then the angel added, ‘I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.’ The Angel of the LORD proceeded: ‘Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers’” (Genesis 16:7-12).

The Angel of the LORD found Hagar. That language used in this verse points to a guardian figure searching and finding. It can appear that the Angel of the LORD is speaking his own words, but Hagar makes it very clear that she, too, understood the Angel of the LORD was a messenger of the Great-Creator God. Moses recorded, “So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘Here I have seen the One who sees me!’” (Genesis 16:13)

Moses recorded her words with the “LORD” in uppercase. She knew the Angel of the LORD present was speaking the words of the Great-Creator God. She was a servant girl from Egypt. Abraham’s God was not the god of Egypt. She was not a free woman, not directly blessed by the God worshipped by Abraham and Sarah. She was vulnerable and at their mercy. After being mistreated by Sarah, she ran away seeking escape from harsh treatment. She was found in the wilderness where God spoke to her through the Angel of the LORD. There she was told that she was pregnant and though a mere servant girl, a son would be born and her son would seed a great number of descendants.

She and her son would not fade into insignificance. The Great-Creator God promised her the blessing given to a free people, “As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation” (Genesis 17:20).

Hagar was comforted by God—the God of Abraham whom she had come to see through His Messenger by a well—a deep storage of water, in the wilderness—that place untouched by man—that place where people go to draw near to the Great-Creator God. “Therefore, the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered” (Genesis 16:14).

Beer-lahai-roi [well of the living One that sees me] has been studied with varying interpretations because the name is unique and the meaning is spiritual. It was named by Hagar to describe her revelation in the wilderness when she came to know the God of Abraham from a spiritual perspective, as if she had the inflowing of God’s Holy Spirit imaged with her by a well, the source of water—the image of God’s Holy Spirit. She learned that eternal life was accessible to her and her descendants as she knew it was for Abraham and Sarah. The Angel of the LORD was the Messenger of this very significant revelation—the news that she and her son and his descendants will live and become a great nation.

It is also important to note God’s prophecy that Ishmael would father twelve rulers. The number twelve signifies perfect government. Ishmael was circumcised with Abraham when God made a covenant with Abraham. “You will undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you” (Genesis 17:11). Physical circumcision is the representation of a humble, broken heart dedicated to serving God. Every male under Abraham’s leadership was required to be circumcised—that is, dedicated to the God of Abraham. Ishmael was circumcised; he was dedicated to the God of Abraham.

Still in the future, the descendants, under the millennial reign of Jesus Christ will worship the God of Abraham and obey His Son, Jesus Christ, and rule righteously—perfectly, as God’s use of the number twelve indicates. The great blessing Hagar received was the prophecy of eternal life for her, Ishmael and his descendants who repent of sin and accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

“So, Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ 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 32:24-28, 30).

This story of Jacob wrestling with a man was really the Angel of the LORD who is the second God present at creation. It was recorded by Hosea when he was prophesying God’s reprimanding words to Judah and Jacob, all twelve tribes of Jacob. He urged them to return to God and stop their bad behaviour.

“In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor, he wrestled with God. Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and begged for His favor; he found Him at Bethel…” (Hosea 12:3-6).

Jacob sought God’s protection from his brother, Esau. He searched, likely in prayer, and found God. It was the Angel of the LORD, who is a God, and was present in form, at Bethel. Jacob entered into a wrestling match of words and grappling the Angel to remain until it was clear and fully understood that he will be forever faithful to the God of Abraham. His life and the lives of his family and household depended on the Angel accepting his dedication of service to the LORD Almighty. As hard as the Angel pushed away, Jacob pulled him closer. Jacob would not nor could not be stopped, so grace and life was extended to him. The words uttered confirming this promise were, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28).

The name, Israel, means prince with God. The overcomers will all be royal members of the God-family. “Those who overcome/are victorious will inherit all things, and I will be their God, and they will be My descendants/children” (Revelation 21:7).

Jacob encountered a number of interactions with the Angel of the LORD. He grew to rely on the Angel and considered him to be the conduit of protection from the LORD Almighty. When Jacob blessed Joseph, he 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, bless these boys” (Genesis 48:15-16).

For Jacob, God shepherded him and the Angel protected him. Almighty God and the Angel of the LORD work together as one. From ancient times, Almighty God was pointing to the Saviour of mankind, a man they could see, their Messenger from God, their Guardian and Protector.

Moses saw the Angel of the LORD and heard God; both were together 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...’” (Exodus 3:2,4-5).

The Angel of the LORD was visible—he “appeared to him.” In a display of supernatural power, the fire of Almighty God appeared to Moses in a bush. The figure of the Angel of the LORD was visible to Moses and the voice of Almighty God was heard by him. The presence of Holiness  purified the ground and Almighty God warned Moses when he approached the burning bush, to take off his dirty sandals (dust and dirt as symbols of sin) because he stood on holy ground. A similar event occurred when the Commander of God’s army presented himself before Joshua.

“‘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 5:15).

Sinners must be clean to stand before Holiness. God began to teach Moses and Joshua the difference between the roles of Kingship and Lordship.

Job recorded Satan coming with the sons of God before the throne of God even with all his darkness and he was not turned away.

“One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them” (Job 1:6).

Satan regularly comes before God, day and night bringing charges against the overcomers of God. “For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God, day and night, has been hurled down” (Revelation 12:10b).

Satan is allowed to come before the Almighty God even as God’s enemy covered with sin and lawlessness because the place of God’s throne is the centre of His law courts where mistakes are corrected. Satan comes to discuss God’s law with Him; he is always working to set a precedent and modify God’s law to suit himself. He attempts to justify himself by hiding his errors in the folds that he makes from twisting and bending God’s law.

God’s throne is the centre of all legal matters. It is the place where the accused, the law-breakers are brought and where accusers seek justice. In contrast, the centre of God’s temple is the Holy of Holies where He sits on the Mercy Seat. This space is the most holy space where only the perfect—the pristine can enter. On earth, the High Priest, who represents Jesus Christ, enters the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, when, still in the future, God’s people will be atoned for their sins.

The role of king involves the establishment and enforcement of rules and rights for the benefit of the subjects and safety of an expanding dominion. The role of Lord is the preservation of righteousness and holiness. The two roles will be bound to work together as one with equal authority under the reign of Jesus Christ to ensure that rulership is righteous, honest, truthful, just, and gracious.

The Angel of the LORD met with Gideon and performed the priestly function of a burnt sacrifice.

“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 saw that he 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).

In this story, Gideon is talking with both the Angel of the LORD and the LORD Almighty. The LORD Almighty waits with the Angel of the LORD under the oak tree while Gideon prepared an offering. “Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him [the LORD Almighty] under the oak” (Judges 6:19).

When the Angel of the LORD vanished, suddenly Gideon realized that the Angel of the LORD is more than an ordinary angel (messenger), but a God—divine. “O Lord GOD!” he said. He remembered the words of Moses and feared that he would 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’ (written in all uppercase). He tested the Invisible asking 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, but feared the face-to-face contact with the Angel of the LORD. The Almighty God reassured Gideon, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die” (Judges 6:23).

The Angel of the LORD is not the LORD Almighty who is a consuming fire of light.

Moving through the Old Testament we see references to the Angel of God. God was very clear with Moses to distinguish his title of God Almighty from the title of LORD Almighty.

God Almighty was in a battle against the god of Egypt who was working through the human pharaoh and his magicians. He said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for because of My mighty handhe will let the people go; because of My strong hand he will drive them out of his land.’ God also told Moses, ‘I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD, I did not make Myself known to them” (Exodus 6:1-3).

The history of gods ruling over the nations in ancient times has been mythicized by wayward scholars. Heavenly rulers were given kingship over the nations at the time of Babel. These heavenly rulers were once God Almighty’s finest law-keepers and experts on His law. They were to teach the nations God’s law and to teach them to live His way. Unfortunately, creation struggles to remain righteous when given access to great power. All of the heavenly rulers over the nations rebelled against the Almighty God leaving Him to prove to His people His supremacy over all gods. The exodus out of Egypt was the most powerful example of the God of Abraham’s strength above and well beyond any god. The people needed to witness His supremacy before they began to believe and trust Him.

God Almighty holds two distinct titles: GOD, of which, He is the supreme above all gods and LORD. God is His legal title as Creator to create laws and rule as King. LORD is His anointed title as Most High Priest executing righteous judgement, forgiving sins and extending grace. The Angel of God is the representative of the King over all creation. The matter God had with the heavenly ruler over Egypt was his fall into lawlessness and his false claim to be the Great-Creator God. The focus God has with Pharaoh is a legal matter—his lawlessness into sin. The Angel with God is the Angel of God because of the role focus in this incidence.

God called Pharaoh out for his rebellion against Him with all his claims to be equal to or higher than the only Supreme God.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself” (Ezekiel 29:3).

This life-source of Egypt was essential for all their economic strength and power. Pharaoh claimed to have been the Creator of this life-source, which implies a spiritual element as if he was also the eternal Life-Giving-Source for Egypt equal to Almighty God, Himself.

Pharaoh acknowledged the God of Israel as the Supreme God when the Egyptians suffered plagues that they could not prevent or halt and when they suffered the complete loss of their military force consumed in the Red Sea while chasing the Israelites. 

“At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. ‘Let us flee from the Israelites,’ said the Egyptians, ‘for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!’  Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.’ So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived” (Exodus 14:24-25, 26-28).

Under God’s title of the Most High God, he executed legal judgement against the heavenly ruler over Egypt and the people under his rule. Pharoah admitted to sinning. “Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. ‘This time I have sinned,’ he said to them, ‘The LORD is right, and I and my people are wrong… When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again. He and his officials hardened their hearts’” (Exodus 9:27, 34).

They were covered in sin and sentenced to die.

“When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31).

The LORD Almighty has every legal right to demand His people to be released from under the servitude of Pharaoh. He is their King. They are His inheritance, His subjects (Deuteronomy 32:9). When the Israelites demanded a physical king after Samuel retired from being their judge, God gave them what they wanted but He did not abdicate His Kingship over them. He gave them a vice-regent, Saul—a Benjaminite. King Saul forgot whose throne he was sitting on and reigning from, so, God gave it to King David who never forgot. God has journeyed His people into hardship and into riches. All of their journeys are engineered into molding His people into righteousness to form a kingdom of holy, royal priests.

The great exodus out of Egypt was captured into memory to this day. The Angel of God was with the Almighty God protecting the Israelites when they were waiting for the parting of the Red Sea. They were cornered with only one way out—through the Red Sea without boats, with babies, young children, women and all of the herds with them. It seemed impossible for the Israelites but easy for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was part of God’s plan to show them His mighty power and the heavenly ruler over Egypt who in not comparable to the Almighty God could do nothing to stop Him. To protect them prior to the parting of the Red Sea, the Angel of God moved from leading them to stand between them and the Egyptians.

“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, so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So, all night long neither camp went near the other” (Exodus 14:19-20).

During the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, the Angel with God was always present. God assigned this Angel to lead them and protect them along their way.

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20).

This is no ordinary angel. This Angel has authority to forgive or not to forgive sins. "Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him” (Exodus 23:21).

In ancient times, Almighty God was pointing to their Saviour—the Angel of God. “He will not forgive your rebellion” indicates that this angel has power to judge and sentence; he is no mere messenger. “My Name [YHUH] is in him” reveals his identity. His name is YaHUSHa.

THE SON OF MAN

King David said, “When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—what is man that you are mindful of him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet: all sheep and oxen, and even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3-9)

There is so much discussion in these verses. King David was baffled at Almighty God’s attention to mankind. They are a fallen creation, and yet, the Great God is paying close attention. God foresees the future; He knows. They will overcome and rise into glory and honour. They will rule over everything, including all domestic animals and all wildlife. There is a bigger picture here. King David saw the rulership that will be inherited by repentant mankind would reach beyond life on earth, but to include the “beasts of the field,” “birds of the air,” and “fish of the sea,” which points to interesting life-forms in heaven. We are limited in our understanding today, and struggle to see clearly all that exists in heaven, but only for a time. Soon the sky will be rolled back and mankind will see everything.

King David marveled and the Apostle Paul was awestruck. The Apostle Paul quoted King David, unveiling a deeper level of understanding on the importance of the creation of mankind on earth. He said, “We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, for it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But somewhere it is testified in these words: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and placed everything under his feet.’ When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him” (Hebrews 2:5-8).

These verses are full of key pieces of the grand puzzle. The Apostle Paul urged Judeo-Christians to stay strong. He explained the urgency of his words and said, “if the message spoken by angels is binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, how can we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” The message spoken by angels was a warning against sinning and the accompanying legal repercussions. The angels who have sinned are already condemned and will receive their just punishment. They failed. All of the highest, most honourable offices they once held will be awarded to creation on earth. Often the sins of mankind are due to the deception covering this world. God has a plan of salvation plan for all of mankind. Our victory is the acknowledgement of our Saviour’s redemptive gift and the humble receiving of God’s Holy Spirit so that evil is recognized and hated. The choosing to obey God’s laws that bring peace and live His ways of righteousness that express love one to another is the battle at play for all of mankind. The Apostle Paul recognized the generosity of Almighty God towards mortal mankind. His salvation plan is great! He is offering the overcomers everything for all eternity!

Jesus said, “To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21). Almighty God said, “The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son” (Revelation 21:7).

When God promises that the overcomers inherit all things, it is including things in heaven.

The new world to come has not been offered to the angels. The great salvation is offered to mortals. The Son of God was made mortal for a time to accomplish many tasks. It also brought him into the blessings that God is offering all of the overcomers on earth. The Son of man was the first on earth to overcome. He was victorious over sin. In suffering, he was made perfect. Through his payment of our sins, he has brought mankind into the same family as his—the God-family. He is the way for all of mankind to overcome and succeed as he did. The Son of man, Jesus Christ, has already been coronated King over all kings and Lord over all lords. However, more coronations will come.

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:10-11).

So, why is the Almighty God so mindful of mankind? Why are the angels in heaven not included in the rulership of the new world to come? How is mankind different from the angels?

The value of being made mortal is in the process of maturing and achieving the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). The new birth is as painful as the old birth.

Overcoming and maturing spiritually involves a life-time of wrestling against the carnal self and people who relish in doing evil. God has implemented the growth process that begins as small as conception and continues into maturity. The result is an unwavering and unbreakable child of God.

This process is God designed and essential to entering into the God-family. The apostles taught this development process. Jesus Christ, the first born is the model for all of mankind. Born again Judeo-Christians begin as babes in Christ. Christ’s Spirit enters the spiritual babes and nourishes them into spiritual knowledge and understanding. The ability to distinguish right and wrong is developed when the Judeo-Christians mature, exercising their extensive knowledge and understanding of God’s law and His word. This process was difficult for followers of Christ to understand, initially.

“Jesus replied, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?’ Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:3-7).

The Son of God became the Son of man, through the miraculous power of the Almighty God. He experienced mortality fully. He walked in the steps of humanity completing each process for humans that gives you entry into the God-family kingdom.

He was baptized with water and received God’s Holy Spirit. “At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ ‘Let it be so now,’ Jesus replied. ‘It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.’ Then John permitted Him. As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!’” (Matthew 3:13-17)

Jesus set the example for all of mankind. The process of maturing spiritually begins with baptism by water and the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit. Without the completion of this step, a spiritual birth cannot take place. Not only did Jesus set the example for all humanity, he became mortal to become part of creation on earth. He became a son—a descendant of mankind, so that he can call us brothers and sisters—all from the same family.

“In bringing many children to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11).

This family in the making are all tried, tested and perfected. They are all strengthened and solidified in their faith, loyalty and love for Almighty God, His law and His way. There will never be a betrayal or rebellion from this perfected family.

Babies cry out for milk. Feedings are frequent. Growth is quick. Strength is consistent with the food intake. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (I Peter 2:2).

It is critical to the survival of an infant to grow out from drinking only milk. They begin by being totally dependent on the teachings of the spiritually mature. These people cannot yet distinguish between right and wrong. “For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness” (Hebrews 5:13).

Infants are still very much part of the world. “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ” (I Corinthians 3:1).

The meaty topics of God’s word cannot be tolerated by the babes in Christ. They are still hold to the traditions and cares of this world. They can be tossed to and fro by all sorts of misconceptions and mistranslations preached by teachers who too, remain babes in Christ.

It takes time for spiritual maturity. The fascinating Law of Christ teaches patience and kindness towards our brothers and sisters, each maturing at different rates in different circumstances.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions” (Romans 14:1).

Mature Christians can distinguish between good and evil. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

The baptized, who receive the Holy Spirit of God and are taught the law and word of God must mature into a spiritual adult. Christ anointed teachers to bring everyone into the full maturity of Christ. “And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head” (Ephesians 4:11-15).

The spiritually mature are skilful and strong. They recognize the difference between right and wrong. They choose righteousness and reject wickedness.

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

From a mortal youth, Jesus matured exceedingly quickly to image the Father in heaven. He fulfilled every process that is required for mortals to become children of God in His God-family kingdom.

“For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29).

The critical steps in the mortal-to-eternal process are the death of the old self, the birth into a new self, the spiritual maturity essential for entry into God’s kingdom and then finally, the transformation from mortal to spiritual. Jesus completed every step. His resurrection from the dead was multi-faceted. His transformation back into his eternal, glorious body was a forerunner of many more to come. He is the first of all mortals to be glorified among mankind. He is our eldest brother in the God-family. Jesus Christ is the first resurrected of the first resurrection—the better resurrection.

“But now Christ has been raised out from the dead, the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him” (I Corinthians 15:20-23).

A man introduced sin and death; another man re-opened the door to spiritual healing and eternal life.  “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead” (I Corinthians 15:21).

A man introduced sin and death; another man re-opened the door to spiritual healing and eternal life.  “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead” (I Corinthians 15:21). This scripture is emphasizing the success of man—the mortal creation on earth. One man brought death; one man brought life. It does not give credit to the spiritual world by saying “one man brought death; one spirit being, the Son of God, brought life.” The successful man, the Son of man, redeemed all of mankind and raised them all up to his level and be with him. The God family is being birthed and matured. The creation of mankind and their success is important to God; He is mindful of them all.

Almighty God wants mankind to choose life. The Son of man is their only source to life-eternal. People in ancient times bitten by a snake were told by Moses to merely look upon the snake fastened to a stick and they were healed. By the way, the image of a snake on a stick is used by the medical associations, today. Jesus became the image of a snake fastened on a stick by taking upon himself the sins of mankind. God prophesied to ancient Israel, but like many of the shadows of our Saviour in the Old Testament, the meaning remained a mystery until recent times.

“No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:13-16).

It was so very difficult to convince the Jews at the time of Christ, that their Saviour came and only by his name can mankind be saved. “Then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12).

The nations on earth will be angry when Christ returns. They will have surrendered to the beast accepting slavery as the new norm. They will choose the alien technology that extends life and continue to spread hatred towards everyone who chooses differently from them.

God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Almighty God alone takes His plan to the next step. While the nations sink deeper and deeper into darkness, the time will come to resurrect the righteous. “The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth” (Revelation 11:18).

At Christ’s return, he will resurrect the righteous. The first resurrection will be those that belong to Jesus Christ and Almighty God.

“Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. ‘They will be mine,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession.’ I will spare them… And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not” (Malachi 3:16-18).

The men and women of the first resurrection will rule with Christ for the duration of his millennial reign.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their right hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4-6).

God Almighty is a God of order. There is an order in the first resurrection. The righteous dead will be resurrected first, then the saints who are still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet Jesus Christ.

“For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first, after that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

When all of the righteous are changed into their glorious bodies, death will be defeated; righteousness will be victorious.

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (I Corinthians 15:51).

The Son of Man was resurrected first to teach mankind and creation in heaven that he has pre-eminence; he is the head of the God-family (under Almighty God). He is the beginning of the God-family and the firstborn from creation on earth. The sons of God and angels in heaven are not the beginning of this God-family. The righteous will be brought into this God-family at God’s set time.

“And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have pre-eminence” (Colossians 1:18).

“I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” (Psalm 89:27).

The image of God is comprised of two roles: King and Priest. Creation on earth is destined to become a creation of holy, royal, priests. Experts in this role must experience sin and suffer in order to learn patience, kindness, goodness, compassion, and love for one another. This is a role that is can only be perfected through a process of growth pains and suffering into spiritual maturity. The Son of man was made perfect through this suffering. He is as much a member of mankind as he is a spirit being in heaven.

“And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62).

The reference to a Son of Man seated at the right hand of God Almighty—not the Son of God or God seated at the right hand of God Almighty, elevates all of mankind by Christ’s association with mankind as a family member. It is indicative of their role, as a creation of priests, which must be exceptionally important to the LORD God Almighty. 

King David pondered why God Almighty cares for mankind putting all of mankind into the same category with Jesus Christ, Son of man. Psalm 8:4 speaks inclusively of Jesus Christ and all of mankind. “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:4-5).

The Apostle Paul unveiled a mystery in Psalm 8 which was recorded in Hebrews 2:5. “For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.” God’s kingdom is the world to come and the angels will not be controlling it.

Jesus is crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death on the cross. Suffering brought him to perfection. Many of the faithful believers have suffered persecution and death at the hand of Wickedness. In the future, the Great Harlot will fill her cup with the blood of the saints. Jesus said that those who are prepared and willing to give their life, remaining faithful and loyal to God, will get life.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you… But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name” (I Peter 4:12-14,16).

When believers suffer because they are following Christ, they will share with Jesus Christ in his highly honoured office, ruling in the God-family kingdom. This is how King David could marvel. He saw that believers will also be crowned with glory and honor. 

The Apostle Paul continued, “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers… For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:10-16).

A quick note of importance, heirs with Christ are not limited to only God’s people. “If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

The Apostle Paul doubled down to press his point that the angels will be the servants of the repentant and humble mortals who complete the processes of spiritual maturity and receive eternal life. “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?’ Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14)

What the Son of man achieved, no one in heaven or on earth could. He has been anointed the High Priest over all creation through his perfect sacrifice, his suffering, his acquisition of knowledge, understanding and wisdom in dealing with sin and sinners, and his love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness.

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:9).

He fulfills the role of a priest. Nothing will turn him away from righteousness. The title of Son of man that Jesus holds acknowledges his qualification as a priest of whom Almighty God has anointed him to the highest level. He will also enjoy the blessings that come with the priestly role. The destiny of all of mankind is to become a kingdom of priests, experts in righteousness. Having suffered in the darkness of sin and at the hands of cruel, selfish, and corrupt leaders and merchants, the righteous will never return to suffer again under Wickedness. The Son of man is leading the way and behind are his faithful followers who, also, love righteousness and hate wickedness.

It was a grand announcement when the God Almighty declared that the God with him at the creation of heaven and earth is His Son on a specific day—today. Which day was “today”?

The Old Testament has only hints of the change in relationship between the Almighty God and the God through whom heaven and earth was created. The New Testament, however, is peppered with Almighty God’s declaration of the victorious Son of God.

THE SECOND GOD AT CREATION IS THE WORD; THE WORD IS JESUS, THE DEITY SON OF GOD

To guide mankind in understanding the magnitude of the strength, holding the whole structure of God’s kingdom-in-the-making together, the Almighty God provided named-doorways for entry into each supporting structure of His kingdom-in-the-making that unveils a key role in the engineering of His eternal, forever-enduring kingdom. He linked one the earliest named-doorways of the second Deity present with Him at creation with the name, the “Word.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). The word “God” in Greek is Theos refers to a deity with an emphasis on being supreme.

Almighty God is very clear. While He is most supreme, the second Deity with Him is superior to all creation. Both of them are supreme in their own right.

Genesis 1:1 state, “In the beginning God created heaven and earth.” The word “God” is the Hebrew word “Elohim.” Elohim is masculine plural meaning Gods. In the beginning, Gods created the heaven and earth.

Two Gods were present at the creation of heaven and earth. One God is most supreme and only one God holds all power. 

“Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me” (Isaiah 46:9).

Through the power of the One Most-Supreme God, the second God created everything.

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

Only one God, the Son, through whom the Most-Supreme God gave the power to create all things, became flesh and dwelt for a time among mankind.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The Word is a deity; the Word is Jesus who became flesh; Jesus is the Son of God through whom the Supreme God gave the power to create all things.

At every key event, God Almighty identified His Son and in doing so, announced the beginning of the God-family. At His Son’s conception, Mary was told that the new-born is the Son of God. At his baptism, Almighty God spoke from heaven. At his death, God Almighty declared His love for all of mankind by giving His Deity Son to pay the price of their sins. At his resurrection, God confirmed his divine perfection by resurrecting him back into his former glory, and finally, throughout scriptures He announced the special day when it was decided that the Almighty God would seed a family—a holy, royal God-family into a kingdom.

AT HIS CONCEPTION, THE DEITY SON OF GOD WAS ANNOUNCED

At the conception of Jesus, Almighty God declared that he is the Son of God. 

“The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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).

The mortal birth of the Deity Son of God is essential to his training and qualification of the role of High Priest of the most-high order, the Order of Melchizedek. Every action Jesus undertook on earth was necessary for him to fulfill in order to be anointed High Priest. This role is the second but not inferior to the first, most-essential pillar in God’s eternal forever-enduring kingdom. Almighty God has two most-essential pillars that support His eternal forever-enduring kingdom: Kingship and Lordship. The Deity Son of God is King over all creation. His success on earth gave him the title of Lord. He is now, King over all kings and Lord over all lords.

AT JESUS’ BAPTISM, ALMIGHTY GOD DECLARED HIS FAVOUR FOR HIS BELOVED SON.

When Jesus was baptized a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 13:17)

GOD PROMISED ALL OF MANKIND THAT THEY ARE NOT A FAILED CREATION, ETERNAL LIFE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AGAIN THROUGH HIS DEITY SON.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

•  He is the SON of God

•  He is mankind’s Saviour

•  He is the coronated King over all kings

•  He is the anointed High Priest, Lord over all lords

Believe in him and you will not die.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS BACK INTO HIS GLORIOUS BODY IS THE PROOF OF HIS PERFECTION AS THE DEITY SON OF GOD.

“Regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:3-4).

The God-family began with the Deity Son of God which Almighty God confirmed when He resurrected him back to his former glory.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15).

“TODAY” WAS THAT MOMENT WHEN ALMIGHTY GOD ANNOUNCED THE BIRTH OF THE GOD-FAMILY. IT WAS THAT MOMENT WHEN THE SECOND GOD ACCEPTED THE ROLE OF SAVIOUR BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.

The God-family was seeded on the moment of “today.” The Supreme God foreknew the success of the Deity God with him and declared him a Son on that moment beyond time. The eternal forever-enduring kingdom began before the foundation of the world. 

King David recorded the prophetic declaration. “I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession’” (Psalm 2:7).

Psalm 2 is the written word of the Almighty God offering the Deity Son, kingship over all the nations on earth.

The Deity Son of God was dearly loved by the Father Almighty God before creation began. “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

The planning of the establishment of the holy, royal God-family kingdom was before the foundation of the world. The Apostle Peter urged Judeo-Christians to be holy, separated from the ways of the world. He stressed the importance of the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, which was understood before creation as a necessary element for sanctification of the foreknown fall of man. The fall of man was even an essential growth piece where grace subdued the seeding of pride and arrogance, instead produces the level of humility essential for God’s eternal, holy and righteous priesthood.

“As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you” (I Peter 1:14-20).

The Deity Son of God was dearly loved by the Father Almighty God before creation began. “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

Today, it is known that Almighty God is building His eternal forever-enduring kingdom. It will be headed by Jesus Christ, the King over all kings and co-ruled with his Bride, the church, those he transforms into a glorious body at the first resurrection. The Deity Son is head of the family and his Bride is a mother-church nurturing a congregation fit for the holy, royal, loving God-family kingdom.

This forever-enduring God- family kingdom will be ever-expanding. Many more members are yet to be transformed into their glorious bodies and beyond, there are no limits. “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29).

God is not limiting His children only to His people, rather all people on earth who repent, get baptised and receive and accept the lead of the His Holy Spirit within them are all of God’s children. Many more children of God will be birthed and adopted into God’s family kingdom.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).

The relationship Jesus Christ, the Deity Son of God has, is a special father and son relationship that has been extended to all of mankind on earth, if they choose.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (I John 3:1)

“I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me” (John 17:23).

A great salvation has been offered to all of mankind. Yet, so few understand the enormity of this gift.

THE RELATIONSHIP GOD HAS WITH THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HE HAS WITH THE DEITY SON OF GOD AND THOSE WHO INHERIT SALVATION.

The angels in heaven do not appear to have the honoured relationship that Jesus Christ has with Almighty God.

“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’"? (Hebrews 1:5)

“Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

“For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking” (Hebrews 2:5).

God is clear that the Deity Son of God is supreme over all creation in heaven and on earth. The angels not contenders for rulership over the world to come. It is the repentant people from earth who have been offered a great salvation.

JESUS CHRIST HAS BEEN ANOINTED HIGH PRIEST, THE SECOND SUPPORTING PILLAR OF THE STRUCTURE WITHIN ALMIGHTY GOD’S KINGDOM.

Jesus Christ completed every requirement for the role of High Priest. “So also, Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek’" (Hebrews 5:5-6).

Jesus Christ is both the first and second supporting pillar of the structure. He is King over all kings and Lord over all lords. He is the image of the Father who too, is KING and LORD.

God’s people remain destined to become a kingdom of holy, royal priests. Despite their long history of shameful rebellion, God Almighty will not break His covenant and His love is so enduring that He prophesied, “For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 14:1).

These two groups in Isaiah 14, Jacob and Israel, point to the five foolish virgins [Jacob] and the five wise virgins [Israel, the overcomers]. God will have compassion on the five foolish virgins who are slow to awaken, repent and overcome. He will choose again, the five wise virgins who are ready as guests for the wedding of Jesus Christ and his Bride.

Jesus Christ has been anointed the High Priest over the kingdoms on earth. He has also been coronated King over all of them. Creation in heaven will serve the kingdom of priests on earth. From before creation, mankind was drawn into the grand plan to become a church-kingdom on earth. The LORD Almighty has made it clear that rulership must be bound with grace, love, patience, kindness, tolerance, compassion and goodness.

The Son is the visible image of God Almighty. The Son of God is King over all kings. He rules with love and firmness. He teaches the law and way of God that brings life and leads to eternal peace and happiness. The Son of man is Lord over all lords. He forgives sins, he heals and gives life. His Bride will follow his lead perfectly. She will be a display of radiance in righteousness that will draw attention to a creation lifted up out of darkness into God’s glorious light. She will be a wonder and a delight before the Almighty God, her skilful Potter.

CONTENT

• The Lion of Judah: Exudes the strength of a Lion—a King
• From a stump to a Root of Jesse: God’s people dying spiritually, receive a Life-Giver
• Son of David: From the family line of David, the love for God’s law continues into righteous leadership—a God-Fearing King.
• Lord Jesus: Anointed High Priest of God: Healer, Life-Giver, a God-Serving Priest.

Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, is identified by another title—the Lion of Judah. Every identifier of Jesus Christ is a named-doorway that adds a clearer visual of the indestructible structure of God’s kingdom in the making. 

The Apostle John wept from the news that no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was worthy to open the scroll that held the details of the events and judgements that will bring a close to this evil age. Immediately, the Apostle John knew that mankind was doomed. He understood the gravity of God’s legal judgment on sin. A Saviour for mankind was not found in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth. A quick note, this scripture points to life under the earth, likely in inner earth where prisoners are being held—the failed Adam-types. Then one of the elders said to the Apostle John, “Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5).

The lion of Judah was in transition from earth to heaven when the announcement was made, which was important news for creation in heaven who were attempting to be what only the Son of Man from the lineage of King David, achieved. A sinless mortal was successful. He raised all mortals up with him. It was part of Almighty God’s salvation plan from before creation that mortals would be raised up; they have a special calling. They will be a holy kingdom of royal priests—experts in righteousness and forever-warriors against sin.

The image describing Jesus the Messiah, as a lion, points to his royalty and strength among the very strong. He is King over the strongest of the strong. Isaiah recorded Almighty God’s prophecy of the death of His only begotten Son.

“Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:10-12).

Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, will be given, by the Almighty God, a portion among the great. There is still much that is unknown about the creation in heaven. Almighty God acknowledged the existence of the great in heaven. The great prince, Archangel Michael is likely one of them.

God’s descriptor of a lion illustrates his strength to stand against the temptation of power abuse and power hunger, to devour God’s enemies and to bring a total end to Wickedness.

God’s enemies are the fallen heavenly rulers, powers and principalities. These are the only enemies that the Apostle Paul said that mankind should concern with (Ephesian 6:12). Some think of Russia as the bear in Revelation, but that is not the case. The final beast to come is described as an animal unlike anything on earth. The nations on earth are not the enemy.

Jacob, the patriarchal father of the twelve tribes of Israel, passed over his three eldest sons: Reuben, Simeon and Levi, giving the birthright sceptre to his fourth son, Judah. In him, he saw the long-term employment of God’s law enacted, through which, the rise of the Saviour of mankind was seeded. Sin is a legal matter requiring a legal solution in God’s legal system.

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk” (Genesis 49:8-12).

When that glorious day comes, the Christians will recognize the work of the Jews who embraced God’s law and held it close for hundreds of years. They were not guilty of lawlessness, like their brothers, rather lawfulness by adding hundreds of additional rules and regulations that often nullified the law of God. Jesus Christ will correct their mistakes when he returns; he will also correct the mistakes of the Christians.

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people… He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth” (Isaiah 11:10a, 11).

After this evil age, Jesus the Messiah will rule, teaching the nations God’s law and His ordinances. There will be no deviating away from law and order. “And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (Revelation 19:15).

Some may think that the sword is a weapon that slices into the flesh and kills. That is not the sword God Almighty is referring to. The sword represents the word of God (Revelation 1:16, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17). The returning Saviour will use the word of God to strike down the nations. He will declare their sins, judge the leaders and the people. He will remind them of the great witness by the two witnesses and the saints that is yet to be completed, warning and urging them to repent and turn away from their sins.

Through the power of Almighty God, the Son of God spoke and creation came into being (Hebrews 11:13), in the same way, the Son of Man will speak the truth against them and they will be subdued, judged and sentenced. Like grapes in a wine press, the unrepentant will be crushed. The fury of God will be executed and the wicked will be dashed into pieces and crushed under foot (Psalm 2:9). The Messiah’s return will be marked by great power and radiant glory.

Solomon’s wisdom will become history when Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to overthrow Wickedness once and for all. “The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life” (Proverbs 20:2).

Both Almighty God and the Son, Jesus Christ are described as a lion in scripture. Their call is like the roar of the powerful King in the wild.

God’s slow repenting people will feel the power of God’s roar.

“‘I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath. They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes,’ declares the LORD” (Hosea 11:9-11).

The house of Israel [the ten tribes] is often identified in the Old Testament under their ancient leader’s name—Ephraim. These people are living in the West and western Europe. Many are still slow to repent even after the great witness to come during the great tribulation. When they awaken, like the five foolish virgins, they will be humbly grateful of God’s extended compassion towards them. Almighty God will roar like a lion. They will feel the moving blasts of His power and they will return to Him, weeping and begging for life.

These heavenly roars out of heaven are the final calls to awaken the people on earth. A mighty angel in Revelation will roar like the voice of Almighty God—powerful and commanding. “Then he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices” (Revelation 10:3).

The powerful roar of the lion draws everyone’s immediate attention. “The lion has roared— so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— so who can refuse to proclaim his message?” (Amos 3:8)

A time is coming on our near horizon when Almighty God will again engage directly with mankind. From out of the vast blue sky, the powerful roar of God will be heard and the whole world will immediately stop and listen.

Lions are fearless. The Lion of Judah is intrepid and will stop at nothing to destroy his lawless enemies. He is King over all kings and Lord over all lords. He has been awarded the sceptre for his love for God’s law and his great courage, strength and determination to cleanse all creation of wickedness.

“There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk: the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him” (Proverbs 29-31).

Having the heart of a lion is fearing nothing. Believers have Almighty God and their Saviour as their protectors. They, too, have nothing to fear. They are prepared to put this frail and dying physical life on the line to stand with Almighty God and Jesus Christ. “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

King David was described as having the heart of a lion. His love for God’s law brought him very close to Almighty God. He leaned on Him and never forgot whose throne he sat on. “Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father [King David] is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men” (II Samuel 17:10). This verse details that moment in time when King David’s son, Absalom, was out to take the throne of Israel. His father, King David, was a highly trained and a courageous warrior with a heart of a lion who served and revered God, the King of Israel. He was in the habit of putting his life on the line to do God’s will. Absalom lost against his father. It was not God’s will for him to have the throne.

As the lion is the king of the animal world, so Almighty God is the ultimate King above all and Jesus Christ the anointed King over all creation in heaven and on earth. God uses earthly images to describe heavenly matters. God is imaged as a lion illustrating His strength as a King.

He is also imaged as the east wind illustrating His power to move with a force that is very familiar with people living in the Middle East. He pushed His unrepentant people westward away from Him in the east. God never rejected His wayward people. He is the master potter and they will during of great hardship to come, repent. Then, He will roar when it is time for His people to stop their wavering and commit to serving Him forever. Many of them, will awaken in a fright. They are the five foolish virgins who are slow to acknowledge Almighty God, slow to let go of the cares of this world, and slow to repent.

“They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west” (Hosea 11:10). The slow-repenting people of God will finally awaken to reality. They had forgotten their God—the Great and All-Powerful God and His Son, their Saviour. At a time of great distress, they will be mocked and ridiculed, taken into captivity, sold and purchased. During this horrific time, they will cry out to the Almighty God—the God of Israel and He will hear them.

They will plead with Christ. Like Jacob, returning home, they will wrestle with him begging for his favour and the blessing of eternal life. God and Christ will have mercy on them. God said that He will have compassion on Jacob and choose Israel again (Isaiah 14:1).  God’s extended grace will ignite a burning desire to serve God. They will trigger a final religious revival and go out to fight against Wickedness with the heart of a lion. Their renewed passion for righteousness, having received grace and seeing with their own eyes the existence of God and their Saviour, they will be like their King—a lion destroying their prey.

“And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver” (Micah 5:8).

Revelations of the Messiah of mankind are hidden in the stories of the Bible from ancient times. A well-known example is the image of Abraham willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in obedience to God. While God did not allow Abraham to fulfill His request, it remains a prophecy of our Father in heaven willing to sacrifice His Son to save mankind. The Messiah’s redemptive sacrifice provided a source of life, spiritual teaching and growth into maturity with his Spirit in each repentant believer.  This important message, God trumpeted throughout the Old Testament. The prophets of old searched and longed to know their Saviour. Hidden in Samson’s riddle is another mirror of the prophecy of mankind’s Saviour. Samson’s mystery riddle has teased Biblical scholars for hundreds of years. God’s use of imagery is key to unlocking the mystery riddle. How much Samson understood is unknown? He formulated a riddle from a lion that he killed and sometime later, when he passed by the carcass, he saw a hive of bees among the decaying body. He reached in and ate some of the honey. 

“Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring” (Judges 14:5).

“After some days he returned to take her [the girl to be his wife]. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey” (Judges 14:8). And as the story goes, he ate some honey.

Many of Samson’s life events have an embedded spiritual lesson. The lion that Samson killed is a mirror of God’s people who killed their Messiah—the Lion of Judah. But, from out of his death, eternal food became available, like the carcass of the lion from which, a hive of bees produced honey, an imperishable food.

Our sins, whether intentional or through deception, have a penalty of death. Jesus paid the price. His redemptive sacrifice has opened the door again for eternal life for all of mankind; the choice is theirs. However, spiritual growth is essential. Honey from the carcass of the lion is a mirror of eternal food—God’s word through Jesus Christ, as the Teacher that when acted upon strengthens and provides the sustenance for spiritual maturity.

It is not a natural habitat for a hive of bees to live in a carcass, so too, it is not a natural practice for God’s eternal word to come out of a spiritually dead being. In addition, God forbade the touching of a dead animal, which required a special cleansing practice, to warn His people against engaging with spiritually dead people because they are toxic. Fortunately, through an impossible feat by anyone else, a perfect sacrifice was successful. Jesus Christ took on the sins of mankind polluting his righteous body to make eternal life possible for all of mankind.

Only the death of Jesus Christ provides the mechanism for eternal food for mankind. He is their only Teacher. 

“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:8, 10-11).

It can be misunderstood what is recorded in Matthew 23. What Jesus was saying is that he, alone, is the central source of God’s word. He has a perfect understanding. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus established a theological body. He gave them roles: some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to school the saints, men and women, who will also go out and teach until everyone has reached the full measure of the stature of Christ.

“And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Jesus Christ is the only Teacher who holds a perfect understanding of God’s law and His word. Everyone else are equal members under Christ who must always look to him for clarity and perfection in understanding. Members under Christ cannot change God’s word or act declaring to have the authority to be the central source of God’s word. Jesus didn’t change God’s word, His Sabbath or God’s law. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God’s people have only one Teacher and that is Jesus Christ.

King David was promised that the eternal King and Saviour of all of mankind will come from his family. 

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1).

The reference to the “stump of Jesse” in Isaiah 11, signifies a dying people; all that is left is the stump. However, a shoot comes out of the dying stump and from that shoot, branches that bear fruit. The shoot described by Isaiah is the Messiah and from him, spiritual growth is made possible where fruit—righteous people mature and do good works.

God is showing through the language used that His people were dying spiritually; a stump only remained. They needed a Saviour so that they could be reborn, bear the fruit of good works, faithfulness and righteousness.

The prophet Isaiah refers to the “root of Jesse” because the roots of every plant provide the stability and life of all growth above it. That stability did not die out in family line of Jesse. It is interesting that David was the last son of Jesse’s seven sons and the first son to receive God’s Holy Spirit.

God is constantly unveiling layers upon layers of detail built into his indestructible structure that will form his eternal kingdom. The indestructible structure is comprised of great leaders, like King David. Almighty God and Jesus Christ are described as the first and the last in their own right. David, too, was a first and a last.

FIRST: Son of Jesse was the first to receive God’s Holy Spirit in his family

LAST: Son of Jess was the youngest of seven, the last, in his family

“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. . . . Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (II Samuel 7:12-16).

From a dying stump, the house of Jesse was given life through a life-giving Root.

“On that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10).

“On that day” is an exact point in time. “On that day” is the time at the end of the great tribulation. The slow-repenting of the twelve tribes of Israel will finally bend their knee and acknowledge the anointed Kingship of Jesus Christ. These are the foolish virgins in Matthew 25 who “at that time” were sleeping along with the wise virgins. Both groups will awaken during the great tribulation. The wise had the essential spiritual maturity to be invited by Jesus Christ to attend, as guests, the wedding supper. These two groups: the foolish and the wise are not the Bride of Christ. She is a separate group who did not fall asleep. This group of men and women continued to overcome and grow spiritually so that when “that day” came, they were ready.

The “root of Jesse,” is no longer referred as the “stump of Jesse” because “on that day” a strong spiritual leader will be present, Jesus Christ, who will have returned. He is the life-giving root who will sprout, grow tall and produce branches bearing fruit. From him, men and women will mature spiritually, become leaders who will work with him to teach God’s people and all people God’s law and His way. The nations of the world will inquire about the arrival of this Spirit Being after witnessing the peace and joy people will enjoy under his rule.

Jesus’ proclamation to be a Son of David is his prophetic acknowledgement to have the sceptre promised through the family-line of David.

While many Jews rejected Jesus as king, others recognized his authority and declared it. “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly” (Matthew 15:22).

This Canaanite woman believed that Jesus could and would heal. Addressing him, she acknowledged also his royal line by adding “Son of David.”

Two blind men cried out to Jesus, addressing him as both priest and king—Lord, Son of David. They asked for their eyes to be opened. “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him” (Matthew 20:32). A double meaning of “eyes to be opened” is apparent because these blind men were healed both physically and spiritually; they followed Jesus.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus of Nazareth is the prophesied root from the stump of Jesse and the Offspring of David; he was before the birth of David and after his birth; his existence goes beyond David.

“But when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:3). In particular, the title of Lord was applied to Jesus after his resurrection. He died for the sins of mankind; he bought them with his blood; he is their Saviour, their Healer, their Life-giver, their High Priest.

Jesus, the Son of God became more than a priest, but the High Priest of God. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess” (Hebrews 4:14).

Fortunately, mankind has a high priest who understands the weaknesses of being human. “For this reason, He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:7).

Again, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Thomas, the doubter, learned this important lesson quickly. “Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’" (John 20:27-28)

Thomas believed after he saw the wound sites on Jesus. Then he acknowledged Jesus as both his Saviour [Lord] and God [a divine being].

The Apostle Paul clarified their confusion. “For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I place Your enemies as a footstool of Your feet.” 'Therefore, let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” (Acts 2:34-36) God declared that Jesus is both High Priest [Lord] and Saviour [King, as he purchased them and now, he is their Ruler].

Since Jesus is the Saviour for all of mankind, he will be the One to offer them grace, forgive sins, heal them and give them life. Healing and giving life will not be limited only to God’s people. God Almighty does not show favouritism. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all’” (Acts 10:36).

In the Old Testament, the Almighty God declared the Sabbath as one of His Holy Days. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” (Exodus 20:8-10).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ declared that he is Lord of the Sabbath. “He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat. Then Jesus declared, ‘The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath’” (Luke 6:4-5).

What Jesus was stating was that he is a priest—Lord, and Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a weekly holy day; it is a day of worship. Jesus is the priest and teacher on all of God’s theological matters. By keeping the Sabbath and resting from work, you are spending time with him and learning from him. The Sabbath is the indicator that a special relationship exists between everyone who is resting: Sabbath-keepers, their Saviour, and the Great Creator God.

The Sabbath is also a sign between the LORD Almighty and the Lord Saviour and those who rest on that Day that they are made holy by the LORD Almighty in ancient times, and now the Lord Saviour who paid the price for their sins in present times.

“Also, I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy” (Exodus 20:12).

Jesus Christ is mankind’s High Priest. He has the power to judge, forgive, give grace and life eternal. People who choose to work on the seventh day, are choosing to remain in rebellion against God. These people are changing six days of rebellion into a full seven days of rebellion, picturing no period of time when mankind repents to obey God and bend their knee before Jesus Christ. It is an indicator that they will rebel during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.  These rebels will be judged and destroyed. 

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:9-11).

Keeping the Sabbath holy has a direct correlation to refraining from sin. "How blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil" (Isaiah 56:2).

God’s house is a house of prayer for ALL nations. “And FOREIGNERS who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, and love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, and all who KEEP THE SABBATH WITHOUT DESECRATING IT and who hold fast to my covenant—THESE I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS” (Isaiah 56:6-7).

Those who joyfully keep the Sabbath with reverence to the Eternal God will be blessed generously by God.

“If because of the Sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and honor it, desisting from your own ways, from seeking your own pleasure and speaking your own word, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to FEAST ON THE INHERITANCE OF YOUR FATHER JACOB." The mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 58:13-14).

• The Spirit of Christ in you
• The Rider on the white horse
• The living Capstone
• The first and the last
• The only begotten SON of God

Before Jesus died, he said to his disciples that he must go so that the Comforter—the Advocate can come.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26).

God’s Holy Spirit will come in Christ’s name, hence the expression “Christ in you” and teach everyone who repents and is baptized through the Holy Spirit.

“But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned” (John 16:7-11).

While Jesus would have dearly loved to stay with the disciples and help them, he knew that his return to heaven would then provide a greater spiritual resource for all believers until he returns. On Pentecost, God opened the door for His Holy Spirit to come upon this reborn gathering of people. God’s Holy Spirit now flows from Him, through Jesus the Messiah, to all people who repent and are baptized. This Spirit flowing from Almighty God is the Comforter and Spirit of Christ creating a new person.

Through the Messiah, God’s Holy Spirit births a new being with Christ in them. Jesus said, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him” (John 14:19-21).

Total unity will be achieved. The Son in the Father, the saints in Christ and Christ in the saints.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (11 Corinthians 5:17-21).

The Spirit in Jesus, our Messiah, is God’s Holy Spirit. It is our Comforter and Christ, our Mediator.

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). Christ is identified in this verse as “the man” because he suffered the temptations and human battles experienced by mortals and understands our struggles.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (II Corinthians 3:18).

Christ’s Spirit within us, is the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit through him. It comes with the added benefit of Christ interceding for us. He has the knowledge of our difficulties as mortals and our handicaps against the evil spiritual rulers, powers and principalities. He understands the continual attacks from Satan who deceives and tries to force wickedness upon us.

“But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).

The spiritual new birth is already forming while in mortal decaying bodies. The Spirit of Christ is alive within shining out the knowledge and glory of God in believers. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us” (II Corinthians 4:6-7).

The great prophets of old pondered feverishly how God was going to transform repenting people into righteousness. His beloved Son is means through his Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me” (Colossians 1:27-29).

The Spirit of Jesus engages with God’s servants, directly. “After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them” (Acts 16:6-7).

The riders on horses in Revelation symbolize their victories in the battle of evil against good. They are warriors and commanders of military spiritual forces.

The white horse with the rider holding a bow in Revelation is successful in spreading false religion throughout the world by false Messiahs wearing a crown of religious authority. The Antichrist and the false prophets from ancient times to the present and future deceive many people. These evil false theologians are set on the complete destruction of all of mankind.

“For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:5).

The fiery red horse with the rider taking peace from the earth is promoting war. All leaders worldwide pursuing and engaging in war are puppets of the rider on the red horse who hold a large sword, stirring up strife, setting countries against each other, and provoking one another.

The black horse with the rider holding a pair of scales controls the world’s commerce. Financial corruption, insider trading, price fixing, money laundering, debt promotion, government inflation, unemployment, financial loss, poverty and severe unnatural weather patterns destroying homes, towns, businesses, crops, orchards and farmland.

The pale horse with the rider named Death, and Hades following, describes a spiritually unhealthy, dying state, which occurs when people are lured back into sin and become imprisoned in Hades. After Satan and his beastly coalition are thrown down to earth, lawlessness and wickedness will cover the earth like dust. The nations will surrender to this alien arrival. They will witness the immense power of this alien spiritual force and they will say, “Who can make war against it?” and “Who is like this coalition of forces?” (Revelation 13:4)

God’s people will open the Bible to Revelation panicking to understand the scriptures that forewarned them of this beastly arrival.

The seals, Jesus the Lamb, opened unveiled events that would take place during this evil age until he returns. The rebel spiritual forces on earth and in heaven are working feverishly to destroy mankind and prevent their awakening to reality. Returning to worship the Almighty God, their God and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Saviour will be attacked with every kind of deception.

God Almighty planned from before creation, to offer all of mankind wonderful, eternal positions in His God-family kingdom. The rebel heavenly forces are working to prevent the knowledge from surfacing. They are propagating false religion; they are keeping nations at war—people one against each other, nations against each other; they are impoverishing the people through economic corruption of mass destruction; they are flipping right into wrong and wrong into right leading people into spiritual confusion. Jesus said that these events are only the birth pains of what is yet to occur.

A spiritual war is at play. Jesus, the anointed King over all kings and Lord over all lords, will arrive on a white horse with the sword of judgement against all of the rebel, heavenly forces. The description of a white horse is a picture of victory; the sword is the spiritual word of God. He will convict the rebels and destroy them single-handedly because the Almighty God has given him all power to restore all things to how it was before iniquity was found.

The reference to “capstone” in scripture points to the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is imaged as a stone because of the strength and durability of stones.

The Apostle Peter taught believers that Jesus is a living Stone. He died and was resurrected.

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him” (I Peter 2:4).

When Jesus died, his redemptive sacrifice qualified him to be the leader for all leaders to follow. His love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness, keeps all those under his rule from wandering into darkness. His leadership has laid the cornerstone for the structure of the kingdom of God. His return will be the capstone holding the whole structure of God’s kingdom firmly in place for all eternity.

God’s people will rejoice. “What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” (Zechariah 4:7)

Zechariah recorded God’s word. “What are you, O great mountain?” That descriptor of a great mountain is the world governments ruling lawlessly under Satan’s influence. Zerubbabel will be with Jesus Christ to witness the total destruction of the rebel world-ruling government on earth. It will be flattened and crushed. He will have the honour of presenting Jesus Christ, King of all kings and Lord of all lords, shouting “Grace, grace to it!” It will be a display of riveting events of great joy.

Foretold to the Jewish religious leaders that the good leader they sought to kill is their long-awaited Saviour of whom they rejected. Their arrogance blinded them from recognizing all of his miracles and good works. “Then know this, you and everyone else in Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you completely healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone’” (Acts 4:10-11).

The Jews who have still to this day, rejected Jesus Christ will come to bitterly weep when the veil of stupor is lifted and before them, their loving Saviour-King and Lord saves them from destruction.

Almighty God will awaken them during their time of extreme distress. Hostile powers will surround Jerusalem. Through the strong arm of Almighty God, anyone who crosses the boundary line into Jerusalem will totter like a drunkard and fall. Jerusalem at that time will be like a cup of wine that sends those who drink from it reeling and tottering incapable of defending themselves or escaping. God’s enemies will plan to destroy Jerusalem.

“On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured. On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and every rider with madness. I will keep a watchful eye on the house of Judah, but I will strike with blindness all the horses of the nations” (Zechariah 12:3-4).

The Jews will recognize the supernatural events protecting them then “The leaders of Judah will say in their hearts: ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD of Hosts is their God.’ On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among the sheaves; they will consume all the peoples around them on the right and on the left, while the people of Jerusalem remain secure there” (Zechariah 12:5-6).

“Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half the mountain moving to the north and half to the south. You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him. On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a day known only to the Lord, without day or night; but when evening comes, there will be light. And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike. On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone” (Zechariah 14:3-9).

The Jews will see and experience the goodness of the Great God of Israel and their Saviour as both work to protect them during their darkest hours. “The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. So, on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:7-9).

God will give grace to the Jews, the house that rejected grace seeking only to enter into eternal life through works and strict obedience to their laws. Jesus tried to guide them back to keeping God’s law but they would not listen. They rejected him; they rejected grace. God placed a veil of stupor over them until all of their brothers from the house of Israel, who became known as Christians, have been re-grafted back into the covenant family. The last rescue of God’s people are the Jews who rejected the Capstone.  Christ will give them grace and they will humbly accept it.

“Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo” (Zechariah 12:10-11).

Almighty God is often described in the Old Testament as the Rock—the infallible strength and power, guiding and protecting His people. His federal government is described as a great mountain.

“There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God” (I Samuel 2:2).

The nations in the time of Babel, were given skilful and knowledge-rich heavenly rulers to guide them back onto the righteous path. None of these heavenly rulers come close to the Almighty God—the God of Israel.

“For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede” (Deuteronomy 32:31).

Samuel, ancient Israel’s faithful leader knew the God of Israel. He declared, “My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence” (II Samuel 22:3).

King David knew the throne upon which he sat belonged to the Great King of Creation. Almighty God gave Himself an inheritance—kingship over the descendants of Jacob at the time of Babel. Though Abraham was not yet born for another 200 years, after that time, God waited patiently knowing that from the seed of Abraham, a people could be molded and transformed. King David leaned on his Great King for guidance and direction. “He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation’” (Psalm 89:26).

King David urged his people to call out and lean on the Great God, their Creator. “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:7-8).

The Almighty God is perfect in wisdom, judgement, and justice. The leaders of the world both the heavenly and mortal rulers are faulty, self-glorifying, self-directed and self-reliant. They lay heavy weights on the people and the people groan. The Almighty God will bring relief, righteousness and peace. “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” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Traveling with the God of Israel, throughout ancient times was the Angel of the LORD, the Word, the Teacher. Ancient Israel was taught God’s law and His ways, but they still failed.

“They all ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were drinking from the spiritual rock accompanying them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness”  (I Corinthians 10:3-5).

The Rock struck by Moses, during ancient Israel’s travels in the wilderness, symbolized the death of the begotten Son of God who would save them. Water flowed out from that Rock and they all drank. That water symbolized the outflowing of God’s Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ for all of mankind to drink.

“Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink." So, Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:6).

“Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink” (Numbers 20:11).

The outflowing of God’s Holy Spirit gave life to the congregation and even their livestock benefited. Christ’s redemptive sacrifice will benefit all species on earth.

King David remembered. “He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert” (Psalm 105:41) and “He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas” (Psalm 78:15).

Jesus Christ is the rock—the strong leader to follow.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Jesus Christ is the foundation of eternal stability and strength. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11).

Like Father, like Son both are the Rocks for mankind to build on and establish their righteousness.

Jesus Christ is the first stone to be laid forming the cornerstone of the God-family kingdom. He is the last stone, the capstone, who will finalize and complete the structure of the holy, eternal, royal-ruling God-family kingdom.

“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13-14).

From the moment God chose Abraham, the beloved—the only begotten Son of God, worked intimately with the LORD God to speak to God’s servants on earth and spread the word of God. He is bringing all repentant believers into his state of righteousness. He is the first-born into this God-family kingdom. He is the leader for all creation to follow. He is the anointed King over all kings and Lord over all lords.  He will close out this evil age with his one-thousand-year reign. He will complete God’s plan and establish a model nation of priests for all nations to follow. He was with Almighty God from the beginning and he will remain loyal and faithful to his Father—our Father, the Supreme and Awesome Most High God for all eternity.

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life” (Revelation 2:8).

All that Jesus Christ has done was to help creation on earth. “Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

The Messiah urges people to repent and receive God’s Holy Spirit because important and highly valued positions await them in the holy God-family kingdom.

“In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).

“Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:34).

Jesus Christ walks in the footsteps of his Father—our Father in heaven. Almighty God is the first of the First and the Last.

“Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—the first and the last—I am He” (Isaiah 41:4).

All things are possible for the Almighty God. He engineered mankind’s walk into righteousness; He knew the outcome of creation before He began to create through His Son. Almighty God is unique in every aspect of His being. 

“Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: "I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me” (Isaiah 44:6).

God pleaded with His people in ancient times to recognize their King and His unique Supremacy over all that exists. He is their Highest High Priest—the LORD, King and their Rescuer.

“Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last” (Isaiah 48:12). Almighty God was very clear. He is the first Almighty God and no other God will come after Him that is like Him.

"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come” (Isaiah 43:10).

Again, “Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: "I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me” (Isaiah 44:6).

The heavenly rulers were given kingship over the nations at the time of Babel. These heavenly rulers were all from God’s heavenly court and highly skilful and knowledgeable on His law. Almighty God had given Himself kingship over a nation also, at the time of Babel, along with the heavenly rulers. He chose the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham was not yet born at that time, not for another 200 years. But, in that short period of time, the heavenly rulers fell into deep darkness and confusion rose to cover the earth. All of them, one-by-one, turned from ruling righteously to rebelling against the Great God. Power and pride festered into arrogance leading to them wanting more and more power. God guarded His people, but the sins of the nations crept in. He beseeched them to embrace righteousness, but ancient Israel became ensnared into the values of the fallen nations. They craved self-glory, self-direction, and self-reliance. A humble kingdom of humble, holy priests was not what they desired. They lost their focus and forgot their calling.

Jesus prophesied, “the first will be last and the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31, Luke 13:30). Most of ancient Israel will be last to enter into God’s kingdom. The believers in the last days will be first. They were not present for the great miracles Almighty God performed when Israel left Egypt; they were not present when Almighty God fed ancient Israel manna in the wilderness; they were not present to witness the sun and moon stand still when Joshua called out to God to halt time so they finished the battle at Jericho in one day. They were not present to witness the countless miracles of Jesus healing and teaching people; they were not present to hear the voice of God from heaven say, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The first to be resurrected are those in the last days who have faith in what they have not seen; they trust their Father in heaven, they recognize Him, honour Him and serve Him. They know their Saviour and they all follow him in humble devotion. The last will be first and most of the first will be last to enter into the humble, holy, royal-ruling, God-family kingdom.

Like Father, like Son

Almighty God is one-of-a-kind. He is the first and the last because there will never come a God anytime in the future of His Kind. He is the first and the last of His kind. The only begotten Son of God is also, one-of-a-kind. He is unique from all creation in heaven and on earth. He, too, is the first of his kind. He existed before creation; he was first a spiritual Being then made mortal to return to his original glory. He is the last because there exists no other Being like him nor ever will come in the future. He is the first and the last of his kind.

The only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, has conquered and overcome; he has been perfected and readied. He alone is King over all kings and Lord over all lords in all creation. He only is the Word, the Angel of God and the LORD, the Lamb, the Son of God and Son of Man, our High Priest, the chief Cornerstone and living Capstone, the righteous Rider on the white horse with the sword of God’s law. He truly is the first of his kind and the last; no one will ever match his achievements. His crown is layered with successes, brilliance, goodness, humility and love. He is God like his Father—our Father. He is the irreplaceable, begotten Son of God.

Jesus Christ had to be trained and tested by Almighty God at His level on every aspect of the royal-ruling roles: king and lord. An eternal kingdom remains alive only when leaders rule righteously, when leaders have all knowledge, understanding and wisdom of God’s word and His law and apply this knowledge in kindness, compassion, with patience and in love. The establishment of God’s kingdom is only the beginning. From within this holy, royal-ruling God-family, creation will expand indefinitely to fill the endless vastness of space.