God is good all of the time
All of the time God is good |
DIVISION I.
SUB-DIVISION (A)
Christ's Preexistence Proved In the Old Testament
In this section we will study the scriptures that prove Christ's preexistence in the Old Testament. Why? Because it is important to see Christ as eternal. It's one of the characteristics of His deity.
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6)
God's provision
is always behind
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In "Truth For Today- Biblical Essays" Paul Mizzi had this to say about Christ's preexistence:
Old Testament Christology:
The Greek term "Christos" is purely equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah," signifying "Anointed One."
The name of Jesus and His title are inseparable. Being thus denominated, Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, is the first and principal object of the Old Testament prophecies; He is therein prefigured and promised; expected and desired by the patriarchs; the hope of the Gentiles; the glory, deliverance and consolation of Christians.
The name Jesus, or, as the Hebrews pronounce it, Jehoshua, or Joshua, signifies the Saviour, or the Lord the Saviour. The name applies, in the full force of its signification, to Jesus of Nazareth, who saves His people from sin, death and hell. He is called Christ, or anointed, because He is consecrated by God to His mediatorial office.
In the Old Testament Christ is revealed as the coming God-man, having a most excellent character, about whom all the Law, the Psalms and the Prophets speak, as He himself affirmed:
"Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself"
(Luke 24:27).
"But if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me because he wrote about me"
(John 5:46).
In a very real sense, the Old Testament is full of Christ, though oftentimes in a veiled form. But with the full light of the New Testament, by His appearing, then we can read the Old Testament and cannot but be impressed and edified as we see Him there depicted in all His richness. Though the Son was incarnated at least 4,000 years after the Fall, yet all of God's elect knew about Him, trusted in Him,
endured reproach for His sake:
"It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him"
(Hebrews 11:24-26).
looked forward for His day:
"Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad"
(John 8:56).
and were justified by Him just as the New Testament saints are:
"Now this wonderful truth- that God declared him to be righteous- wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. It was for us, too, assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God"
(Romans 4:23-25).
God's people throughout the ages were dependent on the promised Messiah.
As the Westminster Confession puts it:
"Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof, were communicated unto the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed and signified to be the Seed of the woman, which should bruise the serpent's head, and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, being yesterday and to-day the same, and for ever"
(Chapter 8:VI).
A brief look at the various sections of the Old Testament will confirm how valid this affirmation is. The Son appears in numerous prophecies. All prophets before His incarnation were speaking on His behalf; Christ was speaking in and through them.
Before Christ actually clothed Himself with our nature, He made certain appearances Christophanies (theophanies) in visible form. For instance:
"Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My Angel will lead the way before you!"
(Exodus 32:34).
The poetical books are replete with Christ in various ways and means. The Psalms, for instance, are only exhausted when seen as referring to Christ. Though not mentioned by name, His glorious person and work saturate the Songs of worship.
Proverbs, which at first glance seems to be a purely ethical book, refers to Christ also:
"The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born- before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth. I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with what he created- his wide world and all the human family!"
(Proverbs 8:21-31).
"Wisdom (a name for Jesus Christ) has built her spacious house with seven pillars. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise. Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get a smart retort. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more. Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more. Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding." Wisdom (from God) will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
(Proverbs 9:1-12).
If we do not see the golden thread through all the Bible, marking out Christ, we read the Scripture without the key. The Canticle expresses His love for the Church and the response of the bride to the heavenly Bridegroom.
The prophets also saw His glory and spoke of Him:
"The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts- so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them. Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he made this prediction, because he was given a vision of the Messiah's glory."
(John 12:40-41).
Isaiah reaches such poetic heights in speaking of Christ that he is commonly known as the Evangelical Prophet. He refers to the universal dominion of Christ, the fruits of His reign and His ultimate victory. He is said to establish His kingdom through voluntary suffering and death:
"Who has believed our message? To whom will the LORD reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected- a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent
before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins- that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave. But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners."
(Isaiah Chapter 53).
In their own ways, the other prophets speak of the Christ, as Peter affirms that they do:
"Moses said, `The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.' Then Moses said, `Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be cut off from God's people and utterly destroyed.' "Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, `Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.'"
(Acts 3:22-25).
Jeremiah presents Him as the Lord our Righteousness
"For the time is coming," says the LORD, "when I will place a righteous Branch on King David's throne. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this is his name: `The LORD Is Our Righteousness.' In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety"
(Jeremiah 23:5-6).
and Ezekiel adapts and develops the theme as the Spirit addresses new circumstances. Christ is described magnificently in chapter 1, and later on as the Good Shepherd:
"And I will set one shepherd over them, even my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
"I assure you, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! For a shepherd enters through the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't recognize his voice." Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. "I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep," he said. "All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. "I
am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren't his and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd."
(Ezekiel 34:23-24; with John 10:1-16).
Daniel's prophecy is filled with divine sovereignty. The Son of Man is none else but Jesus, who is given an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and holiness:
"I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire flowed from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him, and a hundred million stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn's boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. As for the other three beasts, their authority was taken from them, but they were allowed to live for a while longer. As my vision continued that night, I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal- it will never
end. His kingdom will never be destroyed."
(Daniel 7:9-14)
The minor prophets are certainly not lacking in their reference to Christ. Even Jonah, which is a pure historical account, is not devoid of its Christological character. For Jonah himself is a type of Christ:
"But Jesus replied, "Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here- and you refuse to repent."
(Matthew 12:39-41).
Others, such as Micah, were privileged to give particular details about His coming, such as His birthplace:
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past"
(Micah 5:2).
With Zechariah comes a lot of Christological predictions. Jesus is variously described as:
1. The Source of His people's strength:
"On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem; the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David! And the royal descendants will be like God, like the angel of the LORD who goes before them!"
(Zechariah 12:8).
2. (Malak, Messenger) of Jehovah and God's Fellow:
"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died."
"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner, says the LORD Almighty. Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs."
(Zechariah 12:10; 13:7).
3. Rich in salvation:
"Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey- even on a donkey's colt. I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and I will destroy all the weapons used in battle. Your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth"
(Zechariah 9:9-10).
4. High Priest and King:
"Then I received another message from the LORD: "Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Accept their gifts and make a crown from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Tell him that the LORD Almighty says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. He will build the LORD's Temple, and he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between the two. "The crown will be a memorial in the Temple of the LORD to honor those who gave it- Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah son of Zephaniah." Many will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of the LORD. And when this happens, you will know my messages have been from the LORD Almighty. All this will happen if you carefully obey the commands of the LORD your God."
(Zechariah 6:9-15).
5. The Fountain (opened for sin and uncleanness):
"On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement"
(Zechariah 13:1).
6. And as the One pierced by His own people:
"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died"
(Zechariah 12:10).
Malachi predicts that the results of His coming will be world-wide acknowledgement of Him:
"But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty."
(Malachi 1:11),
and great blessings for His people:
"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the LORD Almighty"
(Malachi 3:10-12).
As the body without the spirit is dead, so the Old Testament is meaningless without Christ therein presented. He being the principal subject, the Old Testament is ever fresh and living because it presents us with the Living Word, who in the fullness of time was made of a woman:
"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law"
(Galatians 4:4).
Christ in Genesis
Christ is in all the Scriptures. We may discover a relationship therefore between events (Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel Crisis) and characters (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph) in Genesis to our Lord Jesus Christ.
CREATION
Christ's relationship to creation is that of the firstborn (prototokos) over all of it
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation"
Colossians 1:15).
In thus designating him, Paul is not intimating that the Son was the first created being. In the Old Testament, a firstborn son would be the principal heir of an estate:
"He must give the customary double portion to his oldest son, who represents the strength of his father's manhood and who owns the rights of the firstborn son, even though he is the son of the wife his father does not love"
(Deuteronomy 21:17).
Used of Christ, the term 'firstborn' means that He has such honour and dignity, not only that He was the oldest child in a family, but that Christ is especially loved by His Father:
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son."
(Colossians 1:13),
and all things were created in Him, by Him, and for Him:
"For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; All things were created and exist through Him (by His service, intervention) and in and for Him. (Amplified Bible). He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together"
(Colossians 1:16-17).
Christ is Creator and Sovereign and Owner of all things.
THE FALL
As soon as Adam apostasied from his Creator, the Son of God entered into his role as Mediator, or Second Adam. He was then promised as the seed of the woman that should eventually crush the serpent's head. As the Fall was decreed in God's wise and holy counsel, so Christ was predestined as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. What was lost and forfeited in Adam, Christ will not only regain but elevate to an even higher status. Man, as creature, was made lower than the angels, but will be higher than the angels, in that the elect will sit with Christ on his throne.
Christ's relationship to the Fall is one of Restorer and Deliverer; and also that of Judge of all sinners.
THE FLOOD
The same Hebrew terms for 'ark' and 'pitch' (with which the ark was covered) are used in
Exodus 2:3 for the ark (of bulrushes) that protected Moses, whom God also used to bring forth a new humanity from a world under judgement.
The Lord uniquely specified the design for the building of the ark, the Exodus tabernacle and Solomon's temple. The ark preserved Noah's covenant family through chaotic waters; the latter structures would sustain the later covenant people among the chaotic nations. When the judgement of the global flood came, God preserved his creation in miniature. God's work here was a type of Christ's work of definite redemption:
"And they sang a new song with these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation"
(Revelation 5:9),
where Christ is said to have purchased some from 'every tribe and tongue and people and nation'.
The parallelism is seen principally in this: those who were in the ark were preserved (saved); those outside perished. The same happens to the human race throughout history: when the flood and tempest come and the winds beat and blow against each man's house, those who are in Christ will be saved, those without Christ will perish.
BABEL CRISIS
At Babel God confused the tongues of men and separated them, constraining them to fill the whole earth. Those ancient people wanted to make a "name" for themselves, with the connotation that they were ambitious for fame and progeny, and wanted to find significance and immortality in their own achievements.
But only God, through Christ gives an everlasting name:
"I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life"
(John 5:24),
as he does shortly afterwards in calling Abraham from the midst of idolatry and giving him promises:
"I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others"
(Genesis 12:2):
"I will make thy name great...". God grants significance and name to those who magnify
His name:
"When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. It was during his lifetime that people first began to worship the LORD."
"After that, Abram traveled southward and set up camp in the hill country between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar and worshiped the LORD"
(Genesis 4:26; and Genesis 12:8).
"Where is the one whose power divided the sea before them, when Moses lifted up his hand, establishing his reputation forever? Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling. As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation"
(Isaiah 63:12-14).
ABRAHAM
Jesus' relationship to the great patriarch is that of Lord and son. He is before him ("Before Abraham was, I am.") and after him, according to the flesh. Matthew's gospel opens by tracing Jesus' genealogy from Abraham onwards, and starts with the statement: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
Abraham's hope was centred in the promised Messiah: "He (Abraham) saw it (Messiah's day) and was glad..." Christ is Abraham's greater son, through whom all believers are blessed
"So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians- you are one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you"
(Galatians 3:26-29).
ISAAC
Having already graciously committed himself to Abraham, God tested Abraham's obedience in commanding him to offer his son Isaac on the altar. Abraham displayed his full commitment to the Lord, symbolically receiving Isaac, the child of promise, back from death
"Later on God tested Abraham's faith and obedience. "Abraham!" God called. "Yes," he replied. "Here I am." "Take your son, your only son- yes, Isaac, whom you love so much- and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you." The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son Isaac. Then he chopped wood to build a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place where God had told him to go. On the third day of the journey, Abraham saw the place in the distance. "Stay here with the donkey," Abraham told the young men. "The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back." Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the knife and the fire. As the two of them went on together, Isaac said, "Father?" "Yes, my son," Abraham replied. "We have the wood and the fire," said the boy, "but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" "God will provide a lamb, my son," Abraham answered. And they both went on together. When they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood. And Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to kill his son as a sacrifice to the LORD. At that moment the angel of the LORD shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes," he answered. "I'm listening." "Lay down the knife," the angel said. "Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me"
(Genesis 22:1-12).
This event then typifies the death and resurrection of Christ, for Abraham had received the promise that it was through Isaac that his seed shall be called. Abraham knew that God was obliged to keep his promise, and he knew that a dead Isaac could not continue the covenant line.
Hebrews 11:19 unveils Abraham's secret: he concluded that "God was able to raise (Isaac) up, even from the dead." In God's provision of the ram the sacrifice of Christ is also typified, who died instead of the elect so that they would live:
"Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering on the altar in place of his son. Abraham named the place "The LORD Will Provide." This name has now become a proverb: "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided"
(Genesis 22:13,14).
"Instead of his son," signifies the substitutionary purpose of the sacrifice, and points forward to the sacrifice of Christ who died in our stead:
"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
"He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right."
"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."
(Mark 10:45; Titus 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
JACOB
In general, Abraham is the root of all promise, and the picture of the life of faith; Isaac is a type of the heavenly Man, who receives the bride Rebekkah (God's elect); and Jacob represents Israel as heir of the promises, by grace.
Though Jacob was heir of the promises, and valued God's blessing in a selfish manner, he sought it not by faith, but tried in an evil and mean way to obtain it; first in buying the birthright when his brother was at the point of death; and then, in obtaining the blessing from his father by lying and deceit; a blessing which would surely have been his in God's way if he had waited. Refer to
"But Jacob crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys' heads. So his right hand was on the head of Ephraim, the younger boy, and his left hand was on the head of Manasseh, the older. Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May God, the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life, and the angel who has kept me from all harm- may he bless these boys. May they preserve my name and the names of my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac. And may they become a mighty nation." But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim's head. So he lifted it to place it on Manasseh's head instead. "No, Father," he said, "this one over here is older. Put your right hand on his head." But his father refused. "I know what I'm doing, my son," he said. "Manasseh, too, will become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. His descendants
will become a multitude of nations!" So Jacob blessed the boys that day with this blessing: "The people of Israel will use your names to bless each other. They will say, `May God make you as
prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.' "In this way, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh"
(Genesis 48:14-20).
Jacob being named Israel led to his descendants being called the children of Israel.
They are however frequently addressed as Jacob, or house of Jacob, as if they had not preserved the higher character involved in the name of Israel. In Jacob (and his seed) then, we see most pre-eminently the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for His (unmeriting) people tabernacled among them, so that the promises of God, in Him, might become yea and amen.
JOSEPH
In many respects Joseph is a striking type of the Lord Jesus. He was the beloved one of his father: this with the intimations given to him of his future position, destined for him by God in the midst of his family, stirred up the envy of his brethren and resulted in his being sold to the Gentiles: as the Lord was hated by His brethren the Jews, and sold by one of them. Joseph was accounted as dead. He was brought very low, being cast into prison, under a false accusation against him because he would not sin: his feet were "made fast in the stocks," and the iron entered his soul: in all these circumstances he was foreshadowing the Lord in his humiliation.
On the elevation of Joseph to power he was unknown to his brethren, as the Lord in exaltation is now to His brethren after the flesh. During this time he had a Gentile wife and children and became "fruitful": so while the Lord is rejected by the Jews, God is gathering from the nations a people for His name. Joseph rules over the Gentiles, as Christ is doing now.
Christ in the Psalms
Christ Himself affirmed that He is mentioned regularly in the Psalms of Israel:
"These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
(Luke 24:44).
He is in the Psalms:
a. As the Good Shepherd
Psalm 78:52: "But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies."
b. As the Rock of Ages
Psalm 62:1-2: "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved."
c. As our Light and Salvation
Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
d. As the Bringer of Righteousness
Psalm 24:5: "He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
From Psalms 22 and 69 we may point out many references to the sufferings of the Saviour:
Forsaken of God Psalms 22:1, Psalms 22:11
Not heard of God Psalms 22:2, Psalms 69:17
A reproach among men Psalms 22:6; bearing reproach for God Psalms 69:7, Psalms 69:9b
Despised of the people Psalms 22:6; shame-faced Psalms 69:7
Ridiculed and laughed at Psalms 22:7; Psalms 69:11, Psalms 69:12
His trust in God- mocked at Psalms 22:8
No help from anywhere or anyone Psalms 22:11; not pitied Psalms 69:20
Physical sufferings, Psalms 22:14, Psalms 22:16b, Psalms 69:3
Encompassed by evil men, Psalms 22:16, Psalms 69:19
Anguish of soul, Psalms 69:1, Psalms 69:20, Psalms 69:29
Overwhelmed with sorrow Psalms 69:2; weeping Psalms 69:10
Hated without reason Psalms 69:4
A stranger to His own brethren Psalms 69:8
Spoken against Psalms 69:12
Offered vinegar to drink Psalms 69:21
Smitten and wounded of God Psalms 69:26
Gracious attitudes are found in the hearts of the psalmists towards Christ:
1. The Psalmists expressed trust, a godly dependence, upon the Messiah they anticipated:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."
"O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for you always do what is right."
(Psalm 23:1-3, and Psalm 31:1).
2. They also loved Him:
"I love you, LORD; you are my strength."
(Psalm 18:1),
and consequently praised Him:
"Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, I tell myself."
"Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name."
"He has not done this with any other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD!"
(Psalm 146:1, Psalm 103:1, Psalm 147:20).
3. They called upon Him, invoking His Name:
verse 3 "I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies."
verse 6 "But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears."
"Give victory to our king, O LORD! Respond to our cry for help."
(Psalm 18:3,6, Psalm 20:9).
4. They rejoiced in Him, and found in Him all their good:
"Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD, for it is fitting to praise him."
"So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"
"The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him."
"But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy."
"May all who are godly be happy in the LORD and praise his holy name!"
(Psalm 33:1, 32:11, 64:10, 68:3, 97:12).
5. They blessed Christ, and expressed their thanksgiving to Him:
"Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everywhere in his kingdom. As for me- I, too, will praise the LORD."
"Praise the LORD, I tell myself; O LORD my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and with majesty..."
"Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done."
"Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD? Who can ever praise him half enough?"
(Psalm 103:22, 104:1, 105:1, 106:1-2).
Different aspects of Christ's kingship are shown in the Psalms:
1. A glorious kingship, marked by brilliance, magnificence and excellence:
"Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, invincible in battle. Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD Almighty..."
(Psalm 24:7-10).
2. An effective kingship of judgement over His enemies:
"Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits- for his anger can flare up in an instant. But what joy for all who find protection in him!"
(Psalm 2:11-12).
3. A gracious kingship over his elect:
"For the LORD declares, "I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, my holy city."
"It is magnificent in elevation- the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King!
"O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King."
(Psalm 2:6, Psalm 48:2, Psalm 149:2).
4. An everlasting kingship of righteousness:
"Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in justice. You love what is right and hate what is wrong.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else."
(Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 10:16).
5. A sovereign and supreme kingship over the universe, His created order:
"The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever."
verse 2 "For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth."
verse 7 "For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm!"
(Psalm 29:10, Psalm 47:2 and 7).
as well as over the spiritual realm:
"For the LORD is a great God, the great King above all gods."
(Psalm 95:3).
Psalm 23
"There is no difficulty in ascertaining the person here intended; for the description agrees to no other than our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at one JEHOVAH and the SHEPHERD promised to the fathers" (J.M.Mason).
In Psalm 23, the best-known hymn of confidence in Christ, He is depicted by David's pen as the Lord who exercises care and goodness, the shepherd who abundantly provides for his own. The image of shepherd is inexhaustibly rich. The shepherd:
a. stays with his flock
"He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young."
"In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. That is why he became their enemy and fought against them. Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, "Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people? Where is the one whose power divided the sea before them, when Moses lifted up his hand, establishing his reputation forever? "
(Isaiah 40:11, 63:9-12).
b. owns sheep who are totally dependent upon him for food and sustenance, as well as for water.
In the same way, and fulfilling this prophecy, Jesus is revealed as both
the Good Shepherd
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me"
(John 10:11, 14).
as well as the Great Shepherd of the sheep
"And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen"
(Hebrews 13:20-21),
who:
a. promises His continual presence with His people:
"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
"For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people here in this city belong to me."
"That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said,
"Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome."
(Matthew 28:20; Acts 18:10, 23:11);
and
b. provides them with life and nourishment
"Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst."
"So Jesus said again, "I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day. For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me, and I in them. I live by the power of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, those who partake of me will live because of me. I am the true bread from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and not die as your ancestors did, even though they ate the manna."
"On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you are thirsty, come to me!"
(John 6:35, 53-58, 7:37).
David spoke about the Lord Himself (Adonai), the supreme and only God being his all-sufficient Master. That same title, Lord, is freely given to Jesus Christ, and thus marked out as the same One about whom David sang. David spoke with confidence about his future, in perfect fellowship with His Lord, forever: exactly what Christ promises His disciples
(John 14:1).
DIVISION I.
SUB-DIVISION (B)
Some Titles of Jesus Christ
In this section we will study some of the titles of Jesus Christ. Why? Because the titles (and names) of Jesus Christ help prove the fact that He is eternal.
An unknown author at Direction Inc. furnished the following info about the "Titles of Jesus Christ:"
The complex nature and mission of Jesus Christ is revealed in the many names and titles that He is referred to throughout scripture. As we review those titles we are left with the reality that our human minds will never fully comprehend the magnificence and goodness of our Creator in His merciful efforts toward our human family.
The salvation of God as revealed in His son Jesus Christ is the greatest act of love man will ever experience. The titles of Jesus helps us to appreciate this wondrous gift that God is offering to us.
In defining who Jesus is the Bible uses some 260 names and titles from "Advocate" to "Word". Many of these titles are duplicate in meaning to define His specific involvement with our human family. For example, the title "Savior" is duplicated with the titles "Savior, Jesus Christ", "Savior of the Body" and "Savior of the World".
The summary of Jesus can, however, be found in four of His titles:
1. The Son of God
2. The Son of Man
3. The Messiah
4. The Prophet
5. Other Titles
Jesus, The Son Of God
There are 205 references in the Bible declaring Jesus to be the Son of God- emphasis being on the word, the.
While all human beings may claim to be "sons and daughters of God" in that we are His physical creation- the Bible reveals only "One begotten of the Father" as The spiritual Son who possessed the complete nature, attributes, power and authority of God. This One is identified to be Jesus of Nazareth.
"When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who are the people saying I am?"
"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; some, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." Then he asked them,
"Who do you think I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "The Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
"God has blessed you, Simon, son of Jonah," Jesus said, "for my Father in heaven has personally revealed this to you- this is not from any human source"
(Matthew 16:13-17).
"While he spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him’"
(Matthew 17:5).
Jesus, The Son Of Man
In contrast to being the Son of God the Bible further reveals Jesus to be the Son of Man.
Many find this confusing, especially when it is understood that Jesus was the physical son of Mary (but not Joseph) who was born through the birth process as other human beings.
The Bible reveals the birth of Jesus as a miraculous event whereby a virgin woman was impregnated by God’s Holy Spirit. Joseph, who was then Mary’s fiancée awaiting their marriage, was informed by a heavenly Angel that Mary had been selected to be the physical birth mother of God’s Son…and that her pregnancy was not of human conception.
The question sometimes heard is…"Why didn’t Jesus appear on earth in a miraculous revelation (like suddenly floating down from heaven in a cloud) to erase all doubt as to who He is?" Why did he choose to enter the world through the natural birth process like other human beings?
The Bible answers that question in several places. First of all, had Jesus chosen to enter the world through some mystical event there would still be those who challenged and questioned that it actually happened. This is human nature- to be suspicious and skeptical of mystical religious events- especially when humans had already settled in to their own religions.
A more compelling evidence of Jesus’ credibility would be that He had fulfilled certain prophecies spoken centuries before regarding Him…prophecies that began with the sign of the virgin birth- spoken through Isaiah some seven-hundred years prior to His birth.
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel"
(Isaiah 7:14).
Throughout history there have been many self-proclaimed "saviors of mankind." All have been proven to be counterfeit- ordinary men of ordinary parents. One of the reasons that God chose a physical virgin birth was to give a clear sign that would identify His Son beyond doubt.
There are also other prophecies regarding the coming Messiah that were explicitly fulfilled in the life of Jesus. These prophecies were all recorded hundreds of years before the birth and life of Christ. Their fulfillment is a forceful confirmation to the credibility of Jesus- that He is who He claimed to be- the Son of God who came to earth as the promised Messiah.
"Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And he humbled himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal's death on a cross. Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"
(Phillipians 2:5-11).
Another reason for the physical birth of Jesus was that God wanted to experience what human beings experience. God, who is a spiritual Being far above the circumstances of human beings, wanted to understand human experiences- including birth, life and death.
God became human to understand human dilemma- especially our dilemma with sin. In order to do that God chose to experience every phase of human life beginning at birth through adulthood.
"And that is the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to Jewish laws and rituals, for we thought they could save us. But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons.And because we are his sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, so now we can rightly speak of God as our dear Father. Now we are no longer slaves but God's own sons. And since we are his sons, everything he has belongs to us, for that is the way God planned"
(Galatians 4:3-7).
"Since we, God's children, are human beings- made of flesh and blood- he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could he deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread. We all know he did not come as an angel but as a human being- yes, a Jew. And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us"
(Hebrews 2:14-18).
"Dearly loved friends, don't always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around, and the way to find out if their message is from the Holy Spirit is to ask: Does it really agree that Jesus Christ, God's Son, actually became man with a human body? If so, then the message is from God. If not, the message is not from God but from one who is against Christ, like the "Antichrist" you have heard about who is going to come, and his attitude of enmity against Christ is already abroad in the world"
(1 John 4:1-3).
"Watch out for the false leaders- and there are many of them around- who don't believe that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human being with a body like ours. Such people are against the truth and against Christ. Beware of being like them and losing the prize that you and I have been working so hard to get. See to it that you win your full reward from the Lord. For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will leave God behind; while if you are loyal to Christ's teachings, you will have God too. Then you will have both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to teach you, and he doesn't believe what Christ taught, don't even invite him into your home. Don't encourage him in any way. If you do, you will be a partner with him in his wickedness"
(2 John 1:7-11).
Jesus, The Messiah
The words "Messiah" and "Christ" both mean the same thing and refer to the same person. Each is used to identify "The Anointed One." Messiah is the Hebrew word while Christ is the Greek translation.
Throughout the Bible we are introduced to a Messiah. The Old Testament contains prophecies of a Messiah who would eventually come to earth as the negotiator between God and man. The New Testament identifies Jesus of Nazareth to be that Messiah who fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies. Later we will discuss the specific role of Messiah, "The Anointed One," in relation to our human family.
"Now when John (the Baptist) had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and said unto them,
"Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me"
(Matthew 11: 2-6).
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying,
"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"
And they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He saith unto them,
"But whom say ye that I am?"
And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him,
"Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven"
(Matthew 16:13-17).
"Philip now went off to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the Messiah!- the very person Moses and the prophets told about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth!"
(John 1:45).
"The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her,
"I who speak to you am He"
(John 4:25-26).
Jesus, The Prophet
The words prophet and prophesy are used in two distinct ways in the scriptures. The Hebrew and Greek words, nabiy’ and prophetes, from where we get our English word, prophet, mean "an inspired speaker" (who speaks by Divine inspiration). They also imply "a fore teller" (who foretells or predicts future events).
The two-fold role of God’s prophet is seen in scripture to "speak or teach by Divine inspiration" and to "foretell future events" as God revealed them. On occasion the prophet may speak inspired words (powerful truths) that do not include the foretelling of the future.
There have been numerous men throughout history who were chosen of God as prophets- who spoke powerful truths as God inspired them to do so. Some were also inspired to reveal future events long before they happened…events that were fulfilled hundreds and thousands of years after the life of the prophet.
But while there were a number of men of Old Testament times chosen as prophets, God ordained One to be The Prophet who would declare God’s truths as never before spoken. This One Prophet was Jesus, God’s Son.
The two-fold role of a prophet (inspired teacher and foreteller of future events) was extraordinarily expressed in the life of Jesus. His message and revelations have proven Jesus to be the most inspired teacher in all of history. The truths which He taught are so timely and eternal that they suffice even today as the answer to all our human needs. Nowhere in all of human teachings is there to be found such wisdom as what Jesus, the Prophet of God, has left with us.
Jesus also was the most enlightened "seer of the future" that the world has ever known. He foretold future events so accurately that even the most critical skeptic must give respect to His prophetical ability.
"A great fear swept the crowd, and they exclaimed with praises to God, "A mighty prophet has risen among us," and, "We have seen the hand of God at work today"
(Luke 7:16).
"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him"
(John 3:1-2).
"When the people realized what a great miracle had happened, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!"
(John 6:14).
"Jesus traveled all through Galilee teaching in the Jewish synagogues, everywhere preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven. And he healed every kind of sickness and disease. The report of his miracles spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that sick folk were soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were insane, or paralyzed- he healed them all"
(Matthew 4:23-24).
"They said to Jesus, "Sir, we know what an honest teacher you are. You always tell the truth and don't budge an inch in the face of what others think, but teach the ways of God"
(Luke 20:21).
An understanding of Jesus as "The Son of God", "The Son of Man", "The Messiah" and "The Prophet" is a beginning toward realizing who He is- and how He relates to our human family."
John A. Hardon in his writing on "Christology" had this to say about the names and titles of Jesus Christ:
Meaning of the Name of Jesus:
"At the Annunciation, when the angel told Mary she was to become the mother of the Son of the Most High, she was told, "You are to conceive and bear a son and you must," yet the imperative verb, "you must name him Jesus." Then when Joseph was in a quandary whilst he discovered that Mary was with child he knew it wasn’t his child, again, the angel appeared to him, told him, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must," again the imperative, "you must name Him Jesus because He is the one Who is to save His people from their sins."
And the evangelist goes on recalling the prophesy of Isaiah. Two names are synonyms- Jesus and Emmanuel. Why is Jesus the one Who will save His people from their sins? Because He is God with us. God became man. That’s the reason for the Incarnation. The invisible God became a visible man. Talk about being with us. He could be seen, heard, touched, felt. And His touching us and our being touched by Him is the means, the channel, by which the Almighty become a man, saves us from our sins. Then, in one crisp verse when the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave Him the name, Jesus; the name the angel had given Him before His conception.
So far the meaning with one more word added. What does the name mean? It means Saviour. The one Who saves sinners estranged from God. Save sinners, that’s not some generic name for humanity. That’s us. Saves us by reconciling us with a God we’ve offended. Without Jesus, there is no reconciliation. With a just God, He saves us by removing the penalty we’ve deserved for our sins. Sin means two things: loss of God’s friendship and pain, suffering as a penalty for having sinned. This being saved locks up everything that we believe we need, because we have sinned."
The titles of Jesus Christ prove His deity:
Christ (Matthew 16:16 Revised Standard Version or RSV)
Messiah (John 4:25 RSV)
Leader and Saviour (Acts 5:31 RSV)
Redeemer (Isaiah 49:26 RSV)
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
(Isaiah 9:6 RSV)
Faithful Witness, First-born of the Dead, and Ruler of Kings on Earth
(Revelation 1:5 RSV)
Word (John 1:1 RSV)
the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6 RSV)
Light of the World (John 8:12 RSV)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11 RSV)
the Mediator of a New Covenant (Hebrews 9:15 RSV)
Deliverer (Romans 11:26 RSV)
High Priest (Hebrews 6:20 RSV)
the Author of Life (Acts 3:15) (RSV)
Advocate (1 John 2:1) (RSV)
Emmanuel, which means, God with us (Matthew 1:23) (RSV)
Son of God (Matthew 4:3 RSV)
Holy One of God (Mark 1:24 RSV)
King of kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16 RSV)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David (Revelation 5:5) (RSV)
Lamb of God (John 1:36 RSV)
Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8) (Revelation 21:6 RSV)
the First-born of All Creation (Colossians 1:15 RSV)
The Son of Man (Matthew 24:29-31)
King of the Jews (Mark 15:1-2)
Adonai (Psalm 110:1; Mark 14:61-63; Luke 20:41-44)
(Thanks to Key-Way Publishing in Canada for this info)
Who Is Jesus To You?
In Genesis, He is your Creator.
In Exodus, He is your Redeemer.
In Leviticus, He is your Sanctification.
In Numbers, He is your Guide.
In Deuteronomy, He is your Teacher.
In Joshua, He is your Mighty Conqueror.
In Judges, He gives you Victory Over His Enemies.
In Ruth, He is your Kinsman, your Lover, and your Redeemer.
In I Samuel, He is your Root of Jesse.
In 2 Samuel, He is your Son of David.
In 1st and 2nd Kings, He is your King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your Intercessor and High Priest.
In Ezra, He is your Temple, your House of Worship.
In Nehemiah, He is your Mighty Wall, (protecting you from your enemies).
In Esther, He Stands in the Gap (to deliver you from your enemies).
In Job, He is your Arbitrator (who not only understands your struggles,
but has the power to do something about them).
In Psalms, He is your Song- and your Reason To Sing.
In Proverbs, He is your Wisdom,
(helping you make sense of life and live it successfully).
In Ecclesiastes, He is your Purpose, (delivering you from vanity).
In the Song of Solomon, He is your Lover, (your Rose of Sharon).
In Isaiah, He is your Mighty Counselor, your Prince of Peace, your
Everlasting Father, and more. (In short, He's everything you need).
In Jeremiah, He is your Balm of Gilead, your Healer.
In Lamentations, He is your Ever-faithful One (upon whom you can depend).
In Ezekiel, He is your Wheel in the Middle of a Wheel
(the one who assures you that your dry, dead bones will come alive again).
In Daniel, He is your Ancient of Days, the Everlasting God
(who never runs out of time).
In Hosea, He is your Faithful Lover, (always beckoning you to come back
if you have abandoned Him).
In Joel, He is your Refuge, (keeping you safe in times of trouble).
In Amos, He is your Husbandman, (the One you can depend on).
In Obadiah, He is your Lord of the Kingdom.
In Jonah, He is your Salvation, (bringing you back within His will).
In Micah, He is your Judge.
In Nahum, He is your Jealous God.
In Habakkuk, He is your Holy One.
In Zephaniah, He is your Witness.
In Haggai, He is the Overthrower of Your Enemies.
In Zechariah, He is your Lord of Armies.
In Malachi, He is your Merciful One.
In Matthew, He is your King.
In Mark, He is your Servant, (washing your feet).
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, (feeling what you feel).
In John, He is the Son of God (your Saviour).
In Acts, He is your Miracle Worker.
In Romans, He is your Righteousness.
In I Corinthians, He is your Rock (Who is immovable).
In II Corinthians, He is your Triumphant One, (giving you the victory).
In Galatians, He is your Liberty, (He sets you free).
In Ephesians, He is your Head of the Church.
In Philippians, He is your Joy.
In Colossians, He is your Completeness.
In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is your Hope.
In I Timothy, He is your Faith.
In II Timothy, He is your Stability.
In Philemon, He is your Benefactor.
In Titus, He is your Truth.
In Hebrews, He is your Perfection.
In James, He is the Power Behind Your Faith.
In I Peter, He is your Good Example.
In II Peter, He is your Purity.
In I John, He is your Life.
In II John, He is your Pattern.
In III John, He is your Motivation.
In Jude, He is the Foundation of Your Faith.
In the Revelation, He is your Coming King.
From the beginning of the world to its end, there is no place you can look and not see Jesus.
He is everywhere.
He is everything.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
(Colossians 1:17)
(Thanks to Food for Thought for sharing this with us).
An unknown author at gotquestions.org had this to say about the names and titles of Christ:
Question: "What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Answer:
"Jesus is not God’s Son in the sense of how we think of a father and a son. God did not get married and have a son. Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God made manifest in human form
(John 1:1, 14). Jesus is God's Son in that He was conceived by the
Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 declares, "The angel answered, '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.'"
In Bible times, the phrase "son of man" was used to describe a human being. The son of a man is a man.
Another example can be found in John 17:12 where Judas as described as the "son of perdition."
John 6:71 tells us that Judas was the son of Simon. What does
John 17:12 mean by describing Judas as the "son of perdition"? The word "perdition" means "destruction, ruin, waste." Judas was not the literal son of "ruin, destruction, and waste"- but those things were the identity of Judas' life. Judas was a manifestation of perdition. In this same aspect, Jesus is the Son of God. The Son of God is God. Jesus is God made manifest"
(John 1:1, 14).
An unknown author at Direction Inc. furnished the following information on the "Biblical Titles of Jesus Christ:"
Biblical Titles of Jesus
1. Adam (the last) 1 Corinthians 15:45
2. Advocate 1 John 2:1
3. Almighty Revelation 1:8
4. Alpha and Omega Revelation 1:8
5. Amen Revelation 3:14
6. Angel Exodus 23:20
7. Anointed Psalms 2:2
8. Apostle Hebrews 3:1
9. Arm of the Lord Isaiah 51:9
10. Author and Finisher of Our Faith Hebrews 12:2
11. Beginning and End of the Creation of God Revelation 3:14
12. Beloved Ephesians 1:6
13. Bishop 1 Peter 2:25
14. Blessed and Only Potentate 1 Timothy 6:15
15. Branch Zechariah 3:8
16. Bread of Life John 6:48
17. Bridegroom Matthew 9:15
18. Bright and Morning Star Revelation 22:16
19. Brightness of the Father's Glory Hebrews 1:3
20. Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:14
21. Captain of Salvation Hebrews 2:10
22. Carpenter Mark 6:3
23. Carpenter's Son Matthew 13:55
24. Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4
25. Chiefest Among Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10
27. Child Isaiah 9:6 Luke 2:27
28. Chosen of God 1 Peter 2:4
29. Christ: Matthew 1:16 Luke 9:20
a. The Christ Matthew 16:20 Mark 14:61
b. Christ, a King Luke 23:2
c. Christ Jesus Hebrews 3:1
d. Christ Jesus Our Lord 1 Timothy 1:12
e. Christ of God Luke 9:20
f. Christ, the chosen of God Luke 23:35
g. Christ, the Lord Luke 2:11
h. Christ, the Power of God 1 Corinthians 1:24
i. Christ, the Wisdom of God 1 Corinthians 1:24
j. Christ, the Son of God Acts 9:20
k. Christ, Son of the Blessed Mark 14:61
30. Commander Isaiah 55:4
31. Consolation of Israel Luke 2:25
32. Cornerstone Ephesians 2:20
33. Counselor Isaiah 9:6
34. Covenant of the People Isaiah 42:6
35. David Jeremiah 30:9
36. Daysman Job 9:33
37. Dayspring Luke 1:78
38. Day Star 2 Peter 1:19
39. Deliverer Romans 11:26
40. Desire of All Nations Haggai 2:7
41. Door John 10:7
42. Elect Isaiah 42:1
43. Emmanuel Isaiah 7:14
44. Ensign Isaiah 11:10
45. Eternal life 1 John 5:20
46. Everlasting Father Isaiah 9:6
47. Faithful and True Revelation 19:11
48. Faithful Witness Revelation 1:5
49. Faithful and True Witness Revelation 3:14
50. Finisher of Faith Hebrews 12:2
51. First and Last Revelation 1:17
52. First Begotten Hebrews 1:6
53. First Begotten of the Dead Revelation 1:5
54. Firstborn Psalms 89:27
55. Foundation Isaiah 28:16
56. Fountain Zechariah 13:1
57. Forerunner Hebrews 6:20
58. Friend of Sinners Matthew 11:19
59. Gift of God John 4:10
60. Glory of Israel Luke 2:32
61. God John 1:1
62. God Blessed Forever Romans 9:5
63. God Manifest in the Flesh 1 Timothy 3:16
64. God of Israel, the Savior Isaiah 45:15
65. God of the Whole Earth Isaiah 54:5
66. God our Savior 1 Timothy 2:3
67. God's Dear Son Colossians 1:13
68. God With Us Matthew 1:23
69. Good Master Matthew 19:16
70. Governor Matthew 2:6
71. Great Shepherd of the Sheep Hebrews 13:20
72. Head of the Church Ephesians 5:23
73. Heir of all Things Hebrews 1:2
74. High Priest Hebrews 4:14
75. Head of Every Man 1 Corinthians 11:3
76. Head of the Church Colossians 1:18
77. Head of the Corner Matthew 21:42
78. Holy Child J
