I and My Father Are One, Part 3

“I and My Father Are One”

Part 3, Who Is Our Redeemer?

Chapter 29, Part 3 Preview: (Part 1?) A controversy has raged for nearly two thousand years: “How can Jesus (actually Yeshua, off site) be God”? Many theories have been proposed over the centuries concerning the “nature” of Yeshua. These ideas are at extreme variance with the Scriptures concerning His identity and they are quite dangerous. Bible prophecy says that heresy [literally: sectarianism] would be an unbridled problem. It is not just the cults that are a problem tho they do provide very convenient “whipping boys” for more traditional deceivers. This four part sequel to The Origin of Heresy explains the “Nature of God” directly from the Scriptures in a way that harmonizes the passages which have baffled heretics for nearly two millennia.

Here we see that [Yehovah’] is our Redeemer. Because the word “redeemer” is not to be found in “the Testimony of Yeshua the Messiah” (the “New Testament”), but it is frequently found in the Hebrew Scriptures, some might assume that “Redeemer” refers to God the Father, but look at these job descriptions of the Redeemer:

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the *right time* [4138] arrived, God sent away* [1821] His Son; who then *came into existence* [1096] by a woman, and *came into existence* under the Law; 5 so that He could redeem those who were under the Law; so that we could receive sonship* [5206]! NMT

Titus 2:13-14 ... looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, [Yeshua the Messiah]; 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. WEB

Here is the Redeemer who “makes all things”—the Creator God.

This brings to mind the plurality of the literal Hebrew of the following verse:

Isaiah 54:5 For your Makers are your HUSBANDS; Yehovah of Armies is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the entire earth. (literal Hebrew)

Isaiah 44:24 Thus says [Yehovah], your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: “I am [Yehovah], who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by Myself.... WEB

So we can see that this Redeemer is the One by whom “All things were made”—[Yeshua].

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him. Without Him was not anything made that has been made. WEB

1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life 2 (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us.... WEB

Yeshua, was in the wilderness with the sons of Israel! However, the “Most High God”, in this reference, is both the Father and a Redeemer.

Psalms 78:35 Then they remembered that God [#2] was their rock, AND the Most High God [#1] their Redeemer. NKJV

First, notice that the Rock was Messiah:

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual Rock that FOLLOWED THEM, and the Rock was Messiah. WEB

How did Paul know that the pre incarnate Messiah was in the wilderness with Israel?

Exodus 23:20-23 Behold, I send [a Messenger] before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Pay attention to Him, and listen to His voice. Dont provoke Him, for He will not pardon your disobedience, for My name is in Him. [Perhaps this means: WE share the same name.] 22 But if you indeed listen to His voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 For My [Messenger] shall go before you, and bring you in to the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I will cut them off. WEB

Now look at Psalms 78:35 again. The “Most High God” is “their Redeemer”. So is there a way to distinguish precisely which God Being is the Most High God, so as to prove that the Father is indeed a redeemer as well? Absolutely! Check out the next three verses:

Mark 5:7-8 ... and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, [Yeshua], you SON OF the Most High God? I adjure you by God, dont torment me. WEB

Luke 8:28 When he saw [Yeshua], he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, ‘What have I to do with You, [Yeshua], SON OF the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!’ WEB

Hebrews 6:20-7:3 ... where the forerunner has entered for us, even [Yeshua], having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest OF the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated ‘king of righteousness,’ and then also king of Salem, meaning ‘king of peace,’ 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. NKJV

“Most High God”, in the Greek, means precisely the same thing as it does in the Hebrew. “Most High” indicates that the Father has the ultimate authority, similar to the way a marriage, or even a business or government should work. Someone needs to have the final say. The Son is not quite so “High”.

Here is another Scripture that says that the Father is a “Redeemer”: But as a bonus, notice that it is also one of the very few Scriptures to make mention of “US” in the Hebrew Scriptures, with reference to Yeshua:

Isaiah 63:16 Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of US, and Israel does not acknowledge US. You, O Adonay [0136] , are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is Your name. NKJV

The other “US” that comes to mind is:

Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. WEB

So the Father can be our “redeemer” and [Yeshua] can be the “Everlasting Father”!

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born. To us a Son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting FATHER, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of [Yehovah] of Armies will perform this. WEB

Who is the “Mighty One”?

The mighty one divorced Israel:

Isaiah 49:26...50:1 I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, [Yehovah], am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the MIGHTY ONE of Jacob. [Which One?] Isaiah 50:1 Thus says [Yehovah], “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away. WEB

Isaiah 19:20 It will be for a sign and for a witness to [Yehovah] of Armies in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to [Yehovah] because of oppressors, and He WILL SEND them a Savior [The Son] and a defender, and He will deliver them. WEB

“The Mighty One of Jacob” is the Savior who was sent!

How many Saviors are there, and who might they be?

How is the above mentioned divorce of the LORD going to be resolved? Notice that the answer is only three verses further down. Here is a rather obscure text that describes the sacrificial nature of our Redeemer to the letter. “Hidden” in the text of Isaiah are clues about the sacrifice of Yeshua. Yeshua died for his future wife—Israel!

Isaiah 50:4-11 ‘The Lord’ [Adonay, 0136] ‘God’ [Yehovah, 03069] has given Me [His Son] the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary: He wakens morning by morning, He wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5 [Adonay Yehovah] has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward. 6 I gave My back to the strikers, and My cheeks to those who plucked off the hair; I didnt hide My face from shame and spitting. 7 For [Adonay Yehovah] will help Me; therefore I have not been confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be disappointed. 8 He is near who justifies Me; who will bring charges against Me? Let US stand up together: who is My adversary? Let him come near to Me. 9 Behold, [Adonay Yehovah] will help Me; who is he who shall condemn Me? Behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up. 10 Who is among you who fears [Yehovah], who obeys the voice of His servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of [Yehovah], and rely on his ‘God’ [Elohim, 0430]. WEB

To make a long story short—Yeshua is One God with His Father. If Yeshua is a bridegroom, then so is His Father! They are both: Saviors, Fathers and Redeemers.

John 10:30 I and My Father are one. NMT

John 14:8-11 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 9 Yeshua said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. WEB

Another glaring omission from venerated “heavenly marriage ceremony” discussions, is the fact that there are to be guests, “both bad and good”, present!

Matthew 22:8-10 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited werent worthy. 9 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’ 10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests. WEB

This alludes to an earthly wedding—a wedding where there are wicked people present who will be cast from the wedding into “outer darkness”! At this wedding “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. (Matthew 22:13) So the Marriage Supper is the same as the separation of the sheep from the goats—Judgment Day!

The wedding supper does not sound very appetizing either, unless you understand that at this time, the nations of Israel have just been freed from their captors. The captors are destroyed and God’s relationship with His chosen people will now commence. It’s the knight slaying the dragon and marrying the princess scenario again, leaving the dragon’s body (in this case, the Beast’s body!) for the buzzards.

Might it be better to meet the Master as He returns FROM the Wedding Supper?

Luke 12:36 Be like people who expect* [4327] their master, so that when he returns FROM the *wedding banquet* [1062], and he comes and knocks, they will welcome him immediately. 37 The master’s servants will be elated when he comes, and he finds them still serving*. Assuredly, “He will *dress up*, but have them relax*, and will come to each of them and serve them! NMT

Revelation 19:7, 17-18 Let’s rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and give the glory to Him; for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb has come, and His bride-to-be [3565] has made herself ready.... 17 I saw a *holy messenger* standing engulfed within the rays of the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly overhead in heaven, “Come, assemble at this great Supper of Yehovah. Eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains of thousands, the flesh of valiant men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, the flesh of everyone free-born and slaves, the small and the great”. NMT

I surmise that the reason for the emphasis on the Lamb being married in “the Testimony of Yeshua” (the so called “New Testament”), is to illustrate that the well documented marriage covenant with the God of the Hebrew Scriptures was actually referring to the prior marriage that the One who became the Messiah had with Israel.

While Israel numbered perhaps three million people at the time that the Ten Commandments were given, only “thousands” of them were to be blessed—as illustrated from the very text of the Ten Commandments!

Exodus 20:6 ... and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep My Commandments. WEB

Whose Commandments are “My Commandments” anyway?

John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My Commandments. WEB (Also John 14:21 and 15:10)

So it will be with the next Marriage of Israel. While the bride will be composed of multiple millions, only a small fraction of humanity has faithfully kept the Ten simple Commandments of God.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patient endurance of the Saints, who keep the Commandments of Yehovah, and the faith of Yeshua. NMT

So if we are not to be part of the Bride; might we be a part of the Bridegroom? Could we share that responsibility with Yeshua?

Revelation 3:21 He who overcomes, I will [grant] to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father on His throne. WEB

The “Second Coming”?

With so many accounts of “Yeshua” coming to earth before He was born as a flesh and blood human it makes the idea of His “Second Coming” a bit silly. Perhaps the phrase “Second Coming” should be ammended to include “Second Coming—to be seen by ‘the world’”.

John 14:18-19 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and THE WORLD will see Me no more; BUT YOU WILL SEE ME. Because I live, you will live also. WEB

Yeshua has been here repeatedly since His crucifixion. He was here on numerous times shortly after His death as seen by many witnesses. Those incidences are well known but apparently they dont count as “comings”.

It appears that Yeshua spent three years personally teaching Paul in Arabia:

Galatians 1:12, 16-18 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of [Yeshua the Messiah].... 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didnt immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. WEB

About thirty years later Yeshua literally stood next to Paul:

Acts 23:10-11 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome. WEB

Dont suppose that John was given the book of Revelation telepathically!

Revelation 1:17-19 ... He laid His right hand on me, saying, “Dont be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.... WEB

Today Yeshua literally walks among His Seven “Churches” (Revelation 2-3) that are also word pictured as Seven Lampstands!

Revelation 2:1 To the angel [or messenger] of the Assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, He who WALKS among the seven golden lampstands says these things.... WEB

I doubt that you will have recognized Yeshua in your local Assemblies or at a Feast. He was the lone guy with the “strange ideas” who may have been told to leave. Laodiceans actually leave Him outside knocking at the door! Some day He will tell us about His visits among us. As you read about these Assemblies it is quite apparent that He is very upset with most of them. But God is not an invisible man. While He can appear into our realm and disappear from it in an instant, He does not sneak around invisibly. He is not omnipresent—a pagan concept. He occupies one place at a time, tho He can inhabit that given place at any time of eternity!

Isaiah 57:15-16 For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. 16 For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls who I have made.

In a sense God is always with the “contrite and humble” because they are the “souls” that God will “revive” for keeps in the resurrection.

Does Yeshua Still Need to Mediate?

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man [our Messiah Yeshua].... WEB

In 1 Timothy 2:5 The term “man” (anthropos) is clearly a reference to the role of Mediator that [Yeshua] played while in the flesh. [Yeshua] is the firstborn of many brethren so many other brethren will be born into the same realm as He is—and they will no longer be men!

Is Yeshua presently a Mediator? Is He telling our Father to take it easy on us mere humans, because, after all, He knows what it is like being human? Three of the six references to “Mediator” are in the context of the time when the future “New Covenant” with Judah and Israel will be fulfilled (listed below). Hebrews 9:15 says that the mediation was performed “by means of death”. So the Mediator role was performed by the flesh and blood Yeshua, not the resurrected One. When the New Covenant is actually fulfilled by “the Lord and His Messiah”, no further mediation will have been needed!

The following verse explains to us that Yeshua mediated between all of us and our Father. Prior to the time when Yeshua mediated for us, there was only the written word of the law; a substitute for the Word of God who became flesh. Moses’ Law served as the prototypical mediator until “the Seed” came.

Galatians 3:19-20 Why then the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed [Yeshua] should come (to those) to whom it had been promised, having been ordained through angels in a mediator’s [Moses’] hand. 20 But the Mediator is not of one, but God is one. —The Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible

A common alternative rendering of verse 20 reads as follows: “Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.” NKJV This rendering, with the lower case “m”, is seemingly gibberish to me. I think that the meaning of verse 20 is that Yeshua, the Mediator, of necessity intervened (mediated) on behalf of humanity (past, present and future) suffering our death penalty. He did not mediate for “one only”, Himself, but rather He was actually mediating for the one God, Yehovah. The second thought is that He accomplished this while still being One with the Father: “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30) Yeshua’s sacrifice works retroactively for the patriarchs who knew little of Yeshua and certainly could not have called upon His name to be saved.

Acts 4:10-12 ... be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of [Yeshua the Messiah] of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in Him does this man stand here before you whole.... 12 There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved! WEB

To say that Yeshua still needs to mediate is tantamount to saying that He needs to be crucified again! Deviating too far from the teachings of God brings shame upon Yeshua—the topic of Hebrews 6:

Hebrews 6:6 ... seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. WEB

Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as He is also the Mediator of a better [New] covenant, which on better promises has been given as law. WEB

Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. NKJV

Hebrews 12:24 ... to [Yeshua], the Mediator of a New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. WEB

1) Yeshua was a man

2) Yeshua was a mediator whose sacrifice allowed the future New Covenant to become a reality.

3) Yeshua returned to His throne in heaven.

Here is a Scripture that unitarians use to discredit the Deity of the Messiah.

1 Corinthians. 8:5-6 For though there are things that are called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords;” 6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one [Master, Yeshua the Messiah], through whom are all things, and we live through Him. WEB

The problem here is that people simply arent acquainted with the Greek terms used. When it says one “God”, the Greek literally means “the Supreme Divinity”, unfortunately, the origin of this title is unknown. When it says one “Lord”, the Greek word is “kurios”. Kurios means “supremacy”. As the Online Bible Greek Lexicon says: “This title is given to: God, the Messiah”.

A more literal translation would say: “yet to us there is one Supreme Divinity, the Father ... and one Supremacy, Yeshua Messiah....” Rather than detract from Yeshua’s Supremacy, this verse distinguishes the two Supreme Beings.

Here is another example of where unitarians say that Yeshua is not “God”.

2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of the [Master Yeshua the Messiah], He who is blessed forevermore, knows that I dont lie. WEB

Again, if we understand that the word “God”. means “the Supreme Divinity”, then we can see that the idea being conveyed is that the Father is the higher authority of the Two. Yeshua had no problem with the Father being the “greater” authority, do you?

John 14:28 You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to My Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. WEB

Here are a couple more Scriptures that are clarified as relating to the degree of authority.

Ephesians 1:3-5, 10 3 Blessed is the Supreme Divinity, the Father of [our Master Yeshua the Messiah], who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing of the Spirit in heaven, by [the Messiah]: 4 even as He had previously chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and without blemish* before Him; and, in love, 5 He predestined that we belong to Him; *making us sons*[5206] of [Yeshua the Messiah], anticipating*[2107] *what He has determined will be done*[2307]... 10 While *managing the affairs of His household*[3622], when the time comes that everything is fulfilled, then everything can again be unified*[346] by [the Messiah]—things in heaven and things on earth. NMT

John 17:1-3 Yeshua said these things, and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify You; 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. 3 This is eternal life, that they should know You, the only true [Supreme Divinity], and Him whom You sent, [Yeshua the Messiah]. WEB

Again, it seems that Yeshua has more glory but less authority. The Father “delegated” His Son to rule over “all flesh” and to even “give eternal life to all whom” His Father had called and “given Him”.

Mistranslations & Figurative Speech

Most of the Scriptures that prove that the Messiah and the Father are distinct individuals have come under attack. Some are making claims about dozens of Scriptures in essence describing as an enormous conspiracy on the part of Bible translators. While a couple of feeble corruptions were made in support of the Trinity, no such conspiracy is underway to cause people to believe that Yeshua is God. That Yeshua is God is the backbone of “the Way which they call a sect” (Acts 24:14). People who constantly say about a Scripture that, “That is a mistranslation”, when it is not or, “That is figurative” when it is not, are flirting with coming under the curse of Revelation 22!

Revelation 22:18-19 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. 19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. WEB

Why Has The Identity of God Been Lost?

Had Israel remained a sovereign nation then the Levitical priesthood would have remained the teachers and administrators of Law and government to this very day.

Malachi 2:1-10 Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says [Yehovah] of Armies, “then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may be with Levi,” says [Yehovah] of Armies. 5 “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him who he might be reverent toward Me; and he was reverent toward Me, and stood in awe of My name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of [Yehovah] of Armies. 8 But you have turned aside out of the way. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says [Yehovah] of Armies. 9 “Therefore I have also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according to the way you have not kept My ways, but have had respect for persons in the law. 10 Dont we all have one father? Hasnt one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? WEB

God absolutely detests our politicians and our religious ministers who have taken over the governance of the things that were assigned to the Levites.

Jeremiah 23:1-6 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! says [Yehovah]. 2 Therefore thus says [Yehovah], the God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed My people: You have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, says [Yehovah]. 3 I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, says [Yehovah]. 5 Behold, the days come, says [Yehovah], that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is His name by which He shall be called: [Yehovah] our righteousness. WEB

I hope that you will read the entire 23rd chapter of Jeremiah.

Ezekiel also elaborated on the same disastrous failure of our self governance:

Ezekiel 34:1-7 The word of [Yehovah] came to me, saying, 2 son of [Adam], prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and tell them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldnt the shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, and you clothe yourself with the wool, you kill the fatlings; but you dont feed the sheep. 4 You havent strengthened the diseased, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have you bound up that which was broken, neither have you brought back that which was driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor you have ruled over them. 5 They were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill: yes, My sheep were scattered on all the surface of the earth; and there was none who searched or sought. 7 Therefore, you shepherds....

I also hope that you will read the rest of Ezekiel 34 as well to see what God has in mind for your minister and your favorite political party.

This will all change when God puts a faithful (and reeducated) Levitical priesthood back in charge under the control of the resurrected king David (Jeremiah 30:9). The last nine chapters of Ezekiel tell of this time and the circumstances involved. None of this prophecy has ever been fulfilled. The uninitiated may not realize that these nine chapters are entirely prophetic except that chapter 47 describes the river of living water that you will recognize from Revelation 22, and of course Ezekiel 48 tells of the near future time when all twelve tribes of Israel will again occupy the soon-to-be Holy Land. Here is a thumbnail sketch of the Levites job description:

Ezekiel 44:9...24 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah], No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into My sanctuary, of any foreigners who are among the children of Israel. 10 But the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who went astray from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity. 11 Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house, and ministering in the house: they shall kill the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.... 15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok.... 23 They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 24 In a controversy they shall stand to judge; according to My ordinances shall they judge it: and they shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed feasts; and they shall make My Sabbaths holy.

From Genesis to Revelation

From this point on I am simply going to present Scriptures in the order that they appear in English Bibles and show some related Scriptures in brackets for clarification. Hopefully much of this is self evident concerning the nature of both God the Father and God the Son.

Genesis 1:1, 26 In the beginning God* created the heavens and the earth…26 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. WEB

* After “God,” the Hebrew has the two letters “Aleph Tav” (the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet) inserted purportedly as a “grammatical marker”. It’s no wonder that in the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah He states:

Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him [yep, them too]. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so, Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. WEB]

These are, of course, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Yeshua is the creator of Genesis 1!

Did Yeshua Destroy Sodom?

Genesis 18:1 [Yehovah] appeared to him [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. WEB

Genesis 18:22-25 The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before [Yehovah]. 23 Abraham drew near, and said, “Will You consume the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will You consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Be it far from You to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from You. Shouldnt the Judge of all the earth do right? WEB

Compare to:

John 5:22-24 For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesnt honor the Son doesnt honor the Father who sent him. 24 “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and doesnt come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. WEB]

This is not the invisible God:

Genesis 32:30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” WEB

Exodus 3:11-16 Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and He said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘[Yehovah], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘[Yehovah], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.... WEB

Exodus 4:5 That they may believe that [Yehovah], the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you [Moses]. WEB

Did you know that seventy-four people saw God at one time? It appears that they had a banquet with Him.

Exodus 24:7-11 He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, “All that [Yehovah] has spoken will we do, and be obedient.... 9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. 10 They saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was like a paved work of sapphire stone, like the skies for clearness. 11 He didnt lay His hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank. WEB

Carefully compare the next two segments of Exodus 33. Here is a situation where Moses dealt with both beings of the God family, the One who could be seen and the One who could not be seen! YeHoVaH actually refers to both members of the God Family.

Exodus 33:9-11 It happened, when Moses entered into the Tent, that the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and spoke with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the Tent, and all the people rose up and worshiped, everyone at their tent door. 11 [Yehovah] spoke to Moses FACE TO FACE, as a man speaks to his friend. WEB

Exodus 33:18-23 He said, “Please show me Your glory.” 19 He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of [Yehovah] before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 20 He said, “You cannot see My face, for man may not see Me and live.” 21 [Yehovah] also said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 It will happen, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away My hand, and you will see My back; but My face shall not be seen. WEB

Exodus 34:5-6 [Yehovah] descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of [Yehovah]. 6 [Yehovah] passed by before him, and proclaimed, “[Yehovah]! [Yehovah], a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.... WEB

Yehovah is coming to judge the earth ... Yeshua is coming to judge the world.

1 Chronicles 16:33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD [Yehovah], for He is coming to judge the earth. WEB

[Compare to: Acts 17:31 ... because He has appointed a day in which He [Yeshua] will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ‘ordained’ [appointed]; of which He has given assurance to all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead. WEB]

Who is Immanuel?

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. WEB

[Compare with Matthew 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son. They shall call His name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.” WEB]

Here is a plain statement that Immanuel was born of a virgin and that His very name indicates that God is with us, meaning that He has dwelt with us and will again.

Yehovah is “a Stone of Stumbling”

From the midst of a depressing prophecy about the destruction of both houses of Israel—about the treachery of our leadership—comes one of the most encouraging Messianic encouragements. Both the KJV and the NKJV use the poor translation “The Lord of Hosts” instead of the “Yehovah of Armies”, but the thing not to miss is that Isaiah is saying that Yehovah [YHVH] is the Messiah!

Isaiah 8:13 [Yehovah of Armies], Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. 14 He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. WEB

[Compare with 1 Peter 2:4 & 8 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious.... Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone 8 and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.... NKJV]

If you didnt notice that Yehovah is a “stone of stumbling” and a “rock of offense”, and that these titles are attributed to Yeshua, then you read too fast.

Yeshua is the “Mighty God” and the “Everlasting Father”!

Isaiah 9:6-7, 14-16 For to us a Child is born. To us a Son is given; and the government will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of [Yehovah] of Armies will perform this.... 14 Therefore [Yehovah] will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. 15 The elder and the honorable man [political leadership], is the head, and the prophet [religious leadership] who teaches lies is the tail. 16 For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed. WEB

Isaiah chapter 8 is part of the same story flow as chapter 9. By comparing 1 Peter 2:6-8 we see that one of the three references to “Immanuel” is found in Isaiah 8:8, but it appears to refer to Isaiah himself. I suspect that it is a play on words since the name Isaiah means “Yehovah will save”. Interestingly tho, the only place in the Bible where the words “God is with Us” appears is two verses later. When I read thru these chapters, I come to the conclusion that Yehovah of Armies is the same “person” as Immanuel; the same person as “God is with us”; the same person as “a Son is given”; and He who is “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

In 2006 I came across another very interesting article that had been written by the late Earnest L. Martin: He explained some points about the plurality of Elohim (Gods) very well. It’s good reading. Yet, from what little I have read from Earnest Martin—he thought so far “out of the box” that I dont think that he knew there was a box! I am not certain how Earnest viewed the holy messengers (angels). While it is true that these messengers and even humans are sometimes referred to as Elohim—I would not classify them in the same league that we can be a part of:

Hebrews 1:5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are My Son. Today have I become Your father?” and again, “I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?” WEB

Hebrews 1:13 But which of the angels has He told at any time, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies the footstool of Your feet?” WEB

Hebrews 2:5 ... he didnt subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. WEB

Also he seemed to imply that “all” people will eventually be a part of the family of God. For my purposes, it doesnt matter how he viewed these related issues; my only concern is the main element of his article—that “Elohim” must definitely be viewed as plural.

I would have added the following information to this article:

In Hebrew, adding an “im” to the end of a word pluralizes it in the same way that adding a “s” does in English. Examples:

Now for Part 4: