Listen to the relevant Scriptures from the Book of Revelation 1:1-8 and chapter 22: 6-21 (linked back-to-back for your convenience):

All English translations of the world are in agreement, except the Jehovah’s Witness version of the Bible which converts the Greek “…Ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω ἀρχὴ καὶ τέλος, λέγει ὁ κύριος ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ὁ παντοκράτωρ …” to “…I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty…”

When asked why the New World Translation replaced “Lord” (κύριος) with “Jehovah” the Witnesses recently told me that they did so to “clarify the text and who is speaking.”  Fair enough.  Christian translators have done similar things, and we do so based on the context of the passage. A literal word-for-word replacement and matching word order of the Greek text would render the English Bible unreadable.  Revelation 1:8 would, in fact, read “… I am the alpha and omega original (beginning) and finish (consummation) is saying the master the being and the was and the coming the all-holder (almighty).  Make sense?

Our gripe is not the attempt to smooth out the translation so that the English-speaking world can understand what is being said; rather, we challenge the presupposition the Watchtower Society holds in converting it to a more readable form.  The Watchtower is trying to force the text to make it say that Jesus is not speaking here. Ironic it may seem, but Christians would actually agree with the Watchtower Society that Jehovah God is indeed speaking, and His name is Jesus!  In opposition, the Watchtower would claim that Jesus is not Jehovah and therefore Jesus is not the one in this verse claiming to be the Almighty.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are intensely opposed to considering Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.  He is not Jehovah they say; He is in their view a super-human, semi-god – not quite Almighty God and someone not quite a normal human being either.  They might say he is in a category of angels and super-beings. Christians on the other hand believe Jesus is, was, and always will be the great almighty Jehovah (Yahweh) God of the Bible. He came down from heaven, taking on human flesh (identical to ours, only sinless) to die on the cross to save His people from their sins. 

The Jehovah’s Witnesses frequently encounter thorny situations such as Revelation 1:8, and when they do they must force the text to agree with their theological opinions. They have, therefore, inserted the word “Jehovah” into the English text; and they have added the word to the Bible by their own admission.

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For argument’s sake let us agree with the Jehovah’s Witnesses that the context of Revelation 1:8 permits the insertion that Jehovah is speaking (although no ancient manuscript can be found that allows it). It is implied that He is speaking here.  Christians agree with Jehovah’s Witness on this occasion. The presupposition can be proven to be technically correct if the reader reads the context and compares Revelation 1:8 with the rest of Scripture.  We will proceed, then, using the Jehovah’s Witness translation. We do so not because we agree with the Watchtower publishers. Christians do not trust the Watchtower translators. Christians do not in any way rely on this faulty translation to prove the deity of Christ; we depend on the available Greek manuscripts to do that for us. What I attempt to do here is quite a different thing. I endeavor to show Jehovah’s Witnesses that they, as believers in the reliability of the NWT, are bound to accept what it says about Jehovah and Christ’s deity in Revelation 1:8.

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You, too, might discuss these verses with a Jehovah’s Witness should you be paid a visit, and you can use the New World Translation to prove the deity of Christ.

Listen to Dr. Walter Martin discuss how to witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses using Revelation 1:8 as a proof text (from a cassette recording circa 1976):

Revelation 1:7-8 says that someone “is coming.” Who? Verse 7 says it is someone who was “pierced.” Who was it that was pierced when he was nailed up to die? Jesus! But verse 8 says that it is Jehovah God who “is coming.” Could it be that there are two who are coming? No! Verse 8 refers to “the One who … is coming.”

Revelation 1:8 states clearly that Jehovah God is the Alpha and the Omega. Note what he says at Reve­lation 22:12-13: “Look! I am coming quickly … I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. . . .’” Therefore Jehovah God is coming quickly. But notice the response when he says it again: “Yes; I am coming quickly. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus” (22:20, NWT).

Watch The Gaither Vocal Band perform The Alpha and the Omega (crank up your volume)

At this point we must point out that Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, while Omega is the last letter. Therefore, “the Alpha and the Omega” means the same thing as “the First and the Last.”

Then, again re­ferring to the New World Translation, we continue on. Who is speaking in Revelation 2:8? “These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life again. . . .” Obviously, it is Jesus. The Jehovah’s Witness will only agree that God did not and cannot die.  Who was Jesus identifying himself as being, when he called himself “the First and the Last”? This is also how Al­mighty God described himself in the Old Testament. Jesus knew that the apostle John, who wrote the Book of Revelation, and later Bible readers would all remember these Old Testament verses:

. . . I am the same One. I am the first. Moreover, I am the last. Moreover, my own hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my own right hand extended out the heavens (Isaiah 48:12-13) and “… I am the same One. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none. I, I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:10-11).

Note that the term the first and the last is used this way to refer to the Jehovah God in Revelation 22:13: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Yet John also records: “… And he laid his right hand upon me and said: ‘Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but look! I am living forever and ever . . .’” (Revelation 1:17-18).

The Jehovah’s Witness must be reminded that he has read in his own Bible that Jehovah God is the One who is coming, the One who is coming quickly, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and the only Savior. He has also read that our Savior Jesus Christ is the one who is coming, the One who is coming quickly, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.

If the Witness has difficulty reaching the right con­clusion, namely that Jesus Christ is Almighty God, we ask him to read Colossians 2:9: “… it is in Him (Jesus Christ) that all the full­ness of the divine quality dwells bodily…” (NWT). Or, ac­cording to the English Standard Version says, “…for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily…”

Names accomplish many purposes. The American Indians believe that names can have great power, and the power of naming is still a greater power. If this is true, then the names which God attributes to Himself must be of great importance.

This study examines the many names of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation. Revelation is a book which presents “the great revealing.” It discloses the full character and identity of Jesus of Nazareth by lifting the veil.

Christ’s identity and work are outlined by His various names in this great book. I provided links to the verse and chapter in the Book of Revelation (The Apocalypse) where these names can be found.  I strongly recommend that you frequently read the entire Book of Revelation so you can experience the broader context of these verses.  The Bible promises blessing to those who do!  That blessing is Christ Himself.

1:1 Jesus

“…Ἰησοῦς…”

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What Christian does not thrill to that name? The only exception is when he hears it muttered as a curse word.

 Jesus has been given a Name above all other names, at which every knee will bow (Philippians 2:9,10). We are to esteem and honor the name of Jesus just as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain. Jesus Himself said, “… that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment…” (Matthew 12:36). The Third Commandment forbids taking or using the Lord’s name in an irreverent manner. A person who misuses God’s name will not be held “guiltless” by the Lord (Exodus 20:7). Bringing dishonor on God’s name indicates his lack of reverence for God as well as a lack of fear of holy retribution. It is essentially the same as denying God’s existence and the majesty of Jesus, the Son of God.

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved – Act 4:12.

The Jesus is the Latin form (Iesus) of the Greek form (Ἰησοῦς) of the Hebrew name Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ) – a contraction of Jehoshua, meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” Sometimes the name is spelled Hoshea (הוֹשֵׁעַ – Numbers 13:8, 16).

Jesus is the hu­man name of our Lord. It emphasizes His actual and genuine humanity, but it also emphasizes the purpose of His com­ing. The angel instructed Joseph in Matthew 1:21: “… and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Since only God can truly redeem sinners, and the work of salvation is not accomplished in heaven; therefore, “… God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“This is a faithful saying, . . . that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). The Man Jesus had to come into the world to accomplish this work, for it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away the sins of men. (Hebrews 10:4). Nothing less than the blood of the human Jesus was necessary to accomplish the redemption of sinners (Hebrews 9:22; 10:8-10). When He came into the world, He told the Father, “… a body you have prepared for Me…” (10:5); therefore, “… I have come to do thy will …” (10:9), and “…By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (10:10).

1:1 Christ

“…Χριστοῦ …”

Christ is more of a title than a name; but since it is so often used as a name, this list includes it. It is an anglicized version of the Greek (Χριστός) for the Hebrew Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ) which means “anointed one.”

The Anointed One. What does this title mean? To study this word would require many pages of commentary.  For the sake of time and space I will strain to provide as concise an overview as possible.

Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ) means in its simplest form the oiling of the body. In ancient times it was used two ways: 1) to restore physical well-being. It was an act associated with the purpose of cleansing. The aim was to give the anointed one power and strength; and, 2) it was a legal action. It was a ceremony carried out at a king’s enthronement. The act of anointing confers upon the anointed one the ability to rule.

In Jewish eschatology Messiah became a technical term for the long-awaited, divinely chosen King of the Davidic line who would rule over the golden age. The prophets and the Psalms teach that the messianic king would not be simply another in a series of “anointed” rulers, but He was The Anointed One.  He is “anointed” par excellence, a King of kings who would destroy the enemies of Israel and install a reign of peace and prosperity.

The New Testament writers bring their messianic expectations with them from their Jewish history and employ it in the Gospels and Epistles. We read in the Gospels that the messianic expectation was fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus called Himself the Messiah.

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1:5 The Faithful Witness

“… Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ μάρτυς, ὁ πιστός…”

Most English texts translate the phrase as the faithful witness.  Few would argue against this interpretation, for it is a good one. That is exactly what it means. The word-for-word, literal translation and word order is “Jesus Christ the witness the faithful.”

Jesus is faithful.  He is worthy of belief, trust, and confidence.

Jesus is The Witness. He alone is qualified to give a genuine account of the things of God. He alone is legally and historically qualified to perceive the facts, and then to come forward with them in a competent way to present them accurately to others. He alone has the direct personal knowledge of God (for He is God) to proclaim the past, present, and future the way they really are.

Jesus is faithful in the sense that He is the one on whose testimony there may be absolute reliance.

Hence, Jesus is the faithful witness concerning Himself and His mission as Prophet, Great High Priest, and King Savior. He was the faithful witness because all things He heard from His Father in heaven made known to His followers: “…the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. …” (John 1:18). He taught the way to God in truth: “…the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. …” (John 1:17). The truth He taught was confirmed by many miracles: “…Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know…”(Act 2:22). Isaiah (ca. 750 B.C.) foretold of Jesus, “…Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander…” (55:4).

By His personal conduct, constitution, declarations, ordinances, death and resurrection, infallibly bears faithful testimony of God’s mind and will, and that He Himself is the Son of God and the promised Messiah.

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1:5 The First Begotten from Among the Dead

“…ὁ πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν…”

The Greek actually states “the first-born of the dead.”  πρωτότοκος is a rare word and (as far as we know) has never occurred in literature prior to 300 B.C. It represents “bearing for the first time.”  It can also mean “first in rank.”

The Septuagint uses πρωτότοκος roughly 130 times, the overwhelming majority used in place of בְּכוֹר. The can used as the first born or eldest in a family; however, it is commonly employed as a metaphor to describe anything that is chief (in order of importance) or head among its kind.  Such is the case in Exodus 4:22 God instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh that “…Israel is My son, My firstborn …” Here it is obvious that Israel is not the first nation ever born, but rather it held preeminence in the unfolding plan of God. In Psalm 89:27, the word is used to describe David as the first-born among kings; be aware he was not first-born in regard to age among his siblings. In the minds of the LXX translators πρωτότοκος can therefore denote “chief or head,” and by no means is limited to birth order. Likewise, in Hebrews 11:17 regarding Isaac, who was Abraham’s “son of promise,” or “first-born” but having been born after Ismael was not literally his first son born.

The Lord Jesus is the first-born from the dead; that is to say He is the one who conquered death by rising in a glorified body, which type of body Christians will someday possess. Jesus’s new birth is the pattern and cause of the new birth of His people. Christ was the first who was born to eternal life after the death which ends this life.  “…He [Jesus] is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything…” (Colossians 1:18).

First-begotten from the dead is well explained by Acts 26:23: “…Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles…” Note to the critic: It is true that certain individuals both in the New and Old Testament period rose from the dead; but all of these had been raised by divine power, that is not by their own authority as Jesus did.  Moreover, they died again.

Jesus first rose from the dead to immortal life, and did so by His own power, to become the head of His Church. Jesus is the first-born of all who have been or will be raised from the dead.

Jesus is the first-begotten or first-born from (of) the dead ones.  He is the head (chief) of the resurrection; in fact, He is the resurrection. Jesus is the only one who raised Himself by His own power, and who will by this same power raise up His people from their graves to everlasting life.

Jesus is the preeminent and privileged One, the rightful ruler of heaven and earth to whom glory and dominion will be His forever and ever!

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1:5 The Prince of the Kings of the Earth

“…ὁ ἄρχων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς…”

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Jesus is the Prince of the kings of the earth.  It is from Him that worldly rulers have their authority – and by Him their power is limited and restrained. Their decrees are overruled by Jesus. He also uses their decrees toward achieving a greater end. For example, in Acts 2:23 we read that Jesus was “…delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you [Jews] nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men [Romans] and put Him to death…but God raised Him up again…” Even the actions of evil men are overruled by the sovereign plan of God! The rulers de jure will one day give an account to the Ruler de facto.

Jesus answered [Pilate], “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin – John 19:11.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God – Romans 13:1.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth – Matthew 28:18.

Christ is higher than any president, monarch, or despot from eternity past, now living, or ever will be. The kingdoms of the world belong to Jesus.

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1:8 Alpha and Omega

“… ἄλφα καὶ τὸ ὦ …”

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If written originally in English the sentence would read, “I am A and Z.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Language is made up of sounds which make words. To record them, man has developed writing; and, in most languages, writing is expressed in letters of an alphabet. In so doing man has created an ingenious way storing the accumulated wisdom of the world. All literature is composed of letters of the alphabet arranged in such a way to store knowledge. So Christ transcends all knowledge. “…you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Jesus claims to be what letters and the alphabet are meant to be, namely an expression of truth. He is The Word.  He is the First Word.  He is the Last Word. He is the embodiment of all reality from first to last.

Jesus is saying that He is the beginning and the end of all things. He is the First because all things took their beginning from Him. He is the Last because in Him shall all things have their consummation. Christ is the One who was there when anything or anyone had a beginning, and He will be there when any­thing that has an ending.

Thus He is the eternal One, who had no beginning and who has no ending. Indeed, He created all things, visible and invisible, and by Him all things cohere (Colossians 1:16-17). In Him are hid “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” as Colossians expresses it (2:3).

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1:8 Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come

“…ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος …”

This phrase is used to describe the Eternal Father; but it belongs equally to the Son. He is the great I Am God announced in Exodus 3:12-14.  Jesus is Yahweh (YHWH = יהוה).

Jesus is the same through all reckonings of time. As the Father exists in all the past, present, and future, eternal and unchangeable so Christ, who is the express image of the Father, is “the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever.”

He was with the Father before the world was. He is now at the right hand of the Father. And He is to come in the name and the glory of the Father.

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1:8 The Lord

“…Κύριος …”

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This word Κύριος had a technical meaning in the first century Roman Empire, when the book of Revelation was penned. It does not merely signify “Master,” as Adonai (Lord) meant in the Old Testament.

Ignorant and unbelieving Jehovah’s Witnesses and some Muslims point out that Κύριος simply means “Sir” or “Mister” in the New Testament.  While it is true that Κύριος can be used as a term for respect and honor for a person of high rank, here the meaning carries greater significance.  Do they seriously believe the passage should be translated “…I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says Mister God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty”?

When used religiously, it meant that the person so titled was worthy of divine honors. Deified Roman emperors were wrongly called Κύριος. Polycarp, the early Christian martyr, died rather than say Κύριος (Lord) Caesar. He would only say Lord Jesus! Many have failed to recog­nize that the apostles and those to whom they preached knew very well what they meant when they declared Jesus was Κύριος!

1:8 The Almighty

“…ὁ παντοκράτωρ…”

There is no higher name. It declares the com­plete and unqualified subjection of all created things to our Lord Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly, if this were the Old Testament, this would be El Shaddai (שַׁדַּי-אֵל). Jesus is El Shaddai, God Most Powerful! He is the supreme, all-powerful Lord!.

“Almighty God” occurs eight times in Revelation, underscoring God’s power as supreme ruler over all creation: He is worshipped by the creatures of heaven (4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7); devils and creatures are mocked for their attempt to overthrow Him (16:14); the armies of heaven follow Him into battle against the forces of evil (19:15); He Himself becomes the glorious dwelling place in which His people exist throughout eternity (21:22).

How rousing it is to Christians’ hearts to read these Old Testament names for God assigned in such a way to show New Testament readers the majesty of the person of Christ, as one with the Father and Spirit. Jesus is the Lord God, the Almighty!

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1:13 Son of Man

“ … υἱὸν ἀνθρώπου…”

This is a noteworthy title throughout the Bible. A survey of the Gospels will reveal that this is the designation Christ used most often of Himself during His earthly ministry. The term refers to the humanity of Jesus.  He is 100% God and 100% Man – at the same time!

In John 5:27 the Father has committed all judgment to Jesus Christ, “because he is the Son of man.” God wishes to assure men of a fair trial. In other words, He says, “My Son who was down there with you is the One to whom I have committed judgment. He can understand you because He became human, like you are. So I have committed your judg­ment to Him.” 

In Daniel 7:13, 14 we read that “… with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. To Him [Christ] was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.…”

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1:17 The First and The Last

“…Ὃ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος …”

The Qur'an calls God the "First and the Last," the identical name that Jesus calls Himself in the Book of Revelation

This is similar to “the beginning and the ending” (1:8), but it carries further emphasis of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. He holds primacy as well as preeminence. And all things will be gathered up into Him; He is the goal of all of God’s purposes in the universe.

In Isaiah’s prophesies the Creator God calls Himself the “First and the Last” to sum up His supremacy over idols:

“Who has performed and accomplished it, Calling forth the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’” (41:4) and “Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. “Surely My hand founded the earth, And My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together” (48:12).

Jesus is the great sovereign Lord over both ends of history and everything in between.

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1:18 The Living

“… ὁ ζῶν …”

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In a world where we hear the fatuous cry “God is dead,” this is an uplifting and powerful designation.

Christ is the Ultimate Living One, who has life in Himself: “…For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself…” (John 5:26).  Does Muhammad have life in himself?  How about Joe Smith?  Moses?  Religious teachers come and go, but Jesus lived before them.  He lives now.  And He will live forevermore.

Christ is the bearer of life. Jesus is the Life (John 14:6). This life, which is His essence, is in sharp contrast to the idols of paganism or the false prophets of our time. They are all dead, but Jesus is alive, a life He shares with His people. His people will live because He lives.

John 1:4: In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 3:16: …. whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 6:48: I am the bread of life.

John 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

John 10:10: I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 11:25: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies …

John 11:26: everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

Christians serve a living God, a living Christ. He is the self-existent one. Jesus cannot possibly cease to be, or be other than he is, or less than he is. What reason would Christians  have to fear anything at all?   He has an endless life: Alive Jesus is to the ages of the ages! (…ζῶν εἰμι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων…”).  

What need to do we have of Muhammad, Joseph Smith, or Bahá’u'lláh?  How can they help others, for they are all dead!

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2:18 Son of God

“… υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ …”

This is a familiar name for Christ, but its occurrence in this passage is significant. The title comes from Psalm 2:7, 9: “…I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You … You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware …”

The humanity of the Lord and His relation to the human race are conveyed in the title “Son of Man.” His relation to God is expressed in the title “Son of God.”

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3:12 My New Name

“…τὸ ὄνομά μου τὸ καινόν …”

Whatever title or name Christians have ever called or understood the Lord Jesus, will pale when we meet Him in person. He will give us a new, eternal name by which we will know Him.

This is an unrevealed name; yet it is a glorious privilege to be so loved by Christ to the extent that He would honor His people with a very special name of His choosing, allowing them to be called by it. As a wife shares her husband’s name, so the Church, His bride, shall share in the new name that the Father gives Him.

Christ’s name written on the Christian denotes he shall wholly belong to Him. The name is beyond description, inexpressible, and only known to God; it is to be revealed at a future time.

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3:14 The Beginning of the Creation of God

“…ἡ ἀρχὴ τῆς κτίσεως τοῦ θεοῦ …”

The title is not saying that God created Him first, but as in Colossians 1:15-18 He is the Beginner of all creation. His preeminence over all created things is what is meant.

In this instance ἀρχὴ does not denote the first of a series but priority; rather, He was before all created things, and therefore He is first place and its Head. In Ephesians 1:21 we read that “[Christ is]  far above all principality (ἀρχὴ), and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” In Colossians 2:10 it says “… in Him [Christ] you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule (ἀρχὴ) and authority.”

By Christ everything begins to be. He is the origin, the active cause -  He is the originating mechanism from which all things stem. He is the First Causer, the Creator, and the Governor of it.  When there was a beginning, Christ was there.

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4:8 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

“…ἅγιος ἅγιος ἅγιος κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ…”

This passage is often designated as the trisagion (thrice holy). Many commentators believe this verse is an reference to the Trinity, an attribution to the holiness of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

In Isaiah 6:3 we read “And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” Again in Psalm 99:3,5,9: “Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He …Exalt the Yahweh our God And worship at His footstool; Holy is He … Exalt the Yahweh our God And worship at His holy hill, For holy is the Yahweh our God.”

We should praise Jesus on account of His holy majesty and His holy justice and His holy mercy

Holy, is He who was. Holy, is He who is. Holy, is He who is to come.

He showed Himself an object of holy worship in the past: the creation of all things. More fully He shows Himself holy in governing all things. He will, in the highest degree, show Himself holy in the consummation of all things. “From Him, through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).

Listen to Holy, Holy, Holy performed by H. Vincent Mitzfelt Orchestra:

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5:5 The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

“…ὁ λέων ὁ ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Ἰούδα …”

The Lion of Judah is the municipal emblem of Jerusalem

Observe that Jesus is expressly called The Lion. Jesus It is a reference to Genesis 49:8, 9: “… Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? …” In the prophecy concerning his sons, Jacob had called his son Judah “a lion’s whelp.” The founder of the tribe was called a lion, and now the name is applied to the greatest of all the members of Judah’s tribe, Jesus. 

The figure of a lion presents Jesus as the Great One of the tribe, for the lion is the king of beasts. When a lion roars the entire forest is terrified. When he seizes his prey, none can escape.  Jesus is compared to a lion because of His fierceness and strength.

Fierce Majesty!

Every culture in every land esteems the lion: the crest of British monarchy depicts a lion (England’s most famous king was Richard the Lionheart; Kings and potentates, sultans and viziers, Khans and maharajahs have pursued the lion. So majestic is the mighty lion that Amos 3:8 says “The lion has roared – who will not fear?”

Christ is a lion, clothed with power and majesty. In His lion-like character Jesus crushes every opposing force and establishes His universal kingdom.  He devastates all opposition.

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5:5 The Root of David  22:16 The Son of David

“…ἡ ῥίζα Δαυίδ …”

David, King of Israel by Nicolas Cordier

By this designation Jesus’s right to rule is grounded in history. The verse connects Him directly to David, the great and glorious monarch of Israel.  Jesus has the legal right to occupy David’s throne.

Jesus is described as the Root of David, as He is in Romans 15:12 as the Root of Jesse (quoting Isaiah 11:10): “There shall come the Root of Jesse, and He who arises to rule the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope.” This verse declares Him a descendent of the David – the royal king – who with devastating force will compel the wicked of the earth to succumb to His authority. Jesse was David’s father, through whose line the messianic king would come.  The Root of David will also attract non-Jews who will inhabit the future kingdom.

Jesus Christ is the foundation on which the Davidic hopes rest. God made a covenant with David involving a dy­nasty and throne rights which are fulfilled by the Lord Jesus. They have not been and cannot be abrogated, for God has given His Word, which ascribes this royal title to Jesus!

5:6   A Lamb 6:16 The Lamb

“…ἀρνίον…”

The Conquering Lamb is a recurring theme in Christian art

The name, often used for Christ in this book, is seen in amazing contrast in these verses. Here we see His love for His people by the self-sacrifice of His precious blood as payment for our redemption.

Note that the writer of Revelation, John, does not use the ordinary word for lamb (ἀμνός) but instead calls Him ἀρνίον – a pet “little” lamb – in sharp contrast with the wild herd. God required the Jews to bring the Passover lamb into their houses four days, essentially making it a pet, before it was to be violently slain (Exodus 12:3,6). This brings out His particular mildness and familiar identification with His people. Hence, it is utterly inexcusable for rejecting, persecuting and warring against the Lamb of God. The guilt of those who spurn the Lamb of God is thus compounded and enlarged.

It is by His sacrifice as a Lamb slain that He comes to us to assert and enforce the qualifications necessary for the office of a roaring Lion.

A lamb is typically associated with meekness and vulnerability. He who had been described as a fierce Lion is now appears as a Lamb. The two titles seem incompatible. What more opposite picture than the monarch of the forest, in strength and majesty and terror is there to be found? Unlike other defenseless lambs, Jesus has complete, sovereign power.

Christ presents Himself before the throne as The One most worthy of judging men. He is the innocent sacrificial Lamb who suffered on behalf of His people, bearing our sins in His own body; He therefore vanquished all legal debts owed by the sinner through His atoning blood.

Observe that the Lamb is standing in the midst of God’s throne. Having despised the Lamb, men will indeed fear the Lamb when He sends judgment upon them. They call for the mountains to fall on them to hide them “[and] Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16).

Are you fearful of little, pet lambs?  You ought to dread this One should you not be a Christian. He who was the compassionate Savior to the worst of sinners now appears in retributive judgment against those who reject Him.

Listen to Worthy is the Lamb by George Frideric Handel:

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15:3 The King of the Nations

“…ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν ἐθνῶν…”

This verse is a song of praise in which both Christ and God are worshipped. The unbelieving people among the nations are about to come under judgment. At the same time Christians of all nations, the redeemed of all time, will come to worship Him. The vast international church will grow and flourish, eventually gathering as a great multitude before the throne of God where there will be “every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” (Revelation 7:9).

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17:14 Lord of lords is He and King of kings  19:16 King of kings and Lord of lords

“…κύριος κυρίων ἐστὶν καὶ βασιλεὺς βασιλέων…” and “…Βασιλεὺς βασιλέων καὶ κύριος κυρίων …”

Is Muhammad the King of kings?  Is Joseph Smith the Lord of lords?  No, they are not kings or lords, for their graves are with us to this day. What need do we have for these other religious teachers, now dead in their tombs?

This title summarizes many of those already mentioned, picturing the Jesus Christ in His great role as supreme conqueror and ruler. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul uses this title also, further describing Him as “… [the One] who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” (6:15, 16).

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. This title is His coat of arms – written on His thigh and military vestments – asserting His authority and rule. The thigh is where we would expect to find the sword of a king; instead we read His title. Jesus is the supreme Monarch of all lesser royalties. He has, both by nature and by office, supreme dominion and power over all things. Earth and hell are subject to His restraint and command.

Jesus is the High King of Heaven. His throne is where God is, and from it He rules all things. For ages the temporal government of the world had been in other hands. They have abused their power against Him and His people. The Lion of the tribe of Judah now comes to judge them all.

22:16 The Bright Morning Star

It is fitting that this title should be given at the end of the book. Jesus is “… the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man…” (John 1:9). He is the Star whose orbit encircles both the physical and spiritual universe, whose revolutions are without suspension or end, and whose rays no cloud can eclipse, no time can reduce.

Balaam prophesied centuries before Christ “… the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered. ‘I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel…’” (Numbers 24:17-19).

When Jesus returns He will be the brightest star who will shatter the darkness and herald the dawn of God’s glorious kingdom! The Lord of lords is the fountain of all light. The King of kings will usher in an everlasting day of glory that will vanquish all evil, sickness, and death.

The Bright and Morning Star invites people to come! Those who are thirsty for eternal life should come to Jesus!    The time is near. When He comes He will come quickly.  Do not delay in being wise.

  ***

America's National Debt is a "tragedie" of the first magnitude

We surely tried to matter,

We could not earn a dime for doing good.

To borrow, and to borrow, and to borrow,

“Creeps” in this petty place do day to day,

Screw the last imbecile with our sordid crime;

So small your interest pays you blighted tools

The wake of trusty debt. Clout, clout, thief “can do!”

Lies buy a mocking handout, a whore monger

That gluts and sets this horror upon the age

Intending for still more. It is a “veil”

Sold by us bureaucrats, fools for Bonds and Duty

Monetizing “nothing.”

His names reveal His attributes: faithfulness, wrath, love, grace, mercy, and peace. The more we know God the more we can appreciate our great salvation. Our faith is strengthened by meditating on His compound names. To know God and Jesus Christ is to have eternal life (John 17:3).

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Yahweh is Israel’s special national name for God. The name Yahweh translates the Hebrew tetragrammaton YHWH.  Because the name was originally written without vowels, it is uncertain how it should be pronounced.  

The Old Testament, particularly the Five Books of Moses, connects the name with the Hebrew verb hayah (הָיָה), which means “to be” (Exodus 3:13, 14).  The sense of the word is explained in the passage which is rendered, “I am that I am” or “I shall be what I shall be.”  The name stresses the unchangableness of His Being.

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” – John 8:58.

The Mesha Stele bears the earliest archeological reference (840 BCE) to the sacred Hebrew name of God – YHWH.

Jewish scholars have generally pronounced it “Adonai” instead of pronouncing YHWH. In the English New Testament Yahweh, is rendered “the LORD.” Take note “LORD” is in the uppercase to indicate that the text is referring to YHWH.

YAHWEH-AB (יהוה אבינוּ) = “LORD, our Father” (Isaiah 63:16; 64:8). This compound name may be linked with Psalm 23:6.

In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men – John 1:1-4.

 ADONAI-ELOHIM ( אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהִים ) = “LORD [my] God” (Psalm 38:15). “Adonai”= “a name for God only, my Lord.”   Place this compound name with Psalm 23:1, 6.

 YAHWEH-ELOHIM (יהוה אֱלֹהִים) = “LORD, [my] God” (Psalm 7:1,3; 13:3; 18:28; 20:7; 30:2,12; 31:5; 35:24; 38:15,21; 40:5; 41:13)  Meaning: “Superlative, Supreme GOD.”    (Psalm 23:1,6).

Thomas answered and said to [Jesus], “My Lord and my God!” – John 20:28.

YAHWEH-EH-YAH-LOOTH (יהוה אילות ) = LORD, my Strength” (Psalm 22:19).
This may be linked with Psalm 23: 4.

YAHWEH-ELYON (יהוה אל עליון) = “The LORD, the most High” (See Genesis 14:22; Psalm 7:17; 47:2; 83:18; 91:9; 92:8).   Link this compound name with verse 6 of Psalm 23.

“He [Jesus] will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David …” – Luke 1:32.

YAHWEH-GAW-AL (יהוה גאל) = “LORD, my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 44:6,24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7,26; 54:8; 60:16; 63:16; compare to Jeremiah 50:34). Meanings: Redeem by kinship; buy back a relative’s property; marry a widow (as Boaz did with Ruth), purchase, ransom, redeem, avenge, deliver. Compare this with Psalm 23:4.

 … Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood … – Revelation 1:5.

YAHWEH-YI-REH (יהוה יראה) = “The LORD will provide” (Genesis 22:14). Place this compound name with Psalm 23:1,5.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:19.

YAHWEH-KHAY-ZEK (יהוה חזקי) = “The LORD, my Strength” (Psalm 18:1). Link this compound name with Psalm 23:4.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me – Philippans 4:13.

YAHWEH-MAKH-SHEH (יהוה מחסה) = “The LORD, the Hope (of His people)” (Joel 4:16; compared to Psalm 14:6; 91:2,9 -”Refuge”). Meaning: “Shelter, hope, place of refuge, or trust; to trust, to confide.” Place the “Lord of hope and Refuge” with Psalm 23:4.)

And [Jesus] got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm … They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” – Mark 4:39, 41.

YAHWEH-MAW-OWZ (יהוה מעוז) = “The LORD, the Strength [of my life]” (Psalm 27:1; 28:8; 37:39; compare this to Joel 3:16).   This compound word may also be placed with Psalm 23:4.

YAHWEH-MEH-LEK (יהוה מלך) = “The LORD [my] King” (Psalm 10:16; 24, 8, 10; 84:3; 98:6; Isaiah 6:5; 33:22; 44:6).   This may be Place with Psalm 23:6.

Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” – John 18:37.

YAHWEH-MIS-GAWB (יהוה משגב)= “The LORD, my Refuge” (Psalm 9:9). Meanings: “lofty, inac­cessible place, refuge, defense, high fort.”   Place this with Psalm 23:4.

YAHWEH-NISSI (יהוה נסי) = “The LORD, my Banner” (Exodus 17:15; compare to Psalm 20:5; 60:4). Study this compound name with Psalm 23:5.

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful. – Revelation 17:14

YAHWEH-ORE (יהוה אורי) = “The LORD, my Light” (Psalm 27:1). Meaning: “Luminary in every sense; e.g., lightning, happiness, glorious, set on fire.”   Place with Psalm 23:5.

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” – John 8:12.

YAHWEH-RA-AH (יהוה רעי) = “The LORD, my Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1; compare to Philippians 4:19).

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me … – John 10:14.

YAHWEH-RAFA (יהוה רפא) = “The LORD that heals” (Exodus 15:26; Compare to 23:25; 103:3).
Link this compound name with Psalm 23:3.

Many followed [Jesus], and He healed them all … – Matthew 22:15.

YAHWEH-RISHON (יהוה ראשון), Akh-ar-one (אַחֲרוֹן) = “The LORD, the First, the Last.” (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12). “First” = “Beginning, of old time.” “Last” = “facing western, uttermost.”   These also go with Psalm 23:4,6.

“I [Jesus] am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” – Revelation 22:13.

YAHWEH-SABAOTH (יהוה צבאות) = “The LORD of hosts” (280+ times in Old Testament) (1 Samuel 11:3; 2 Samuel 7:26,27; 1 Kings 18:15; Psalm 24:10; 59:5; 84:3; 89:8; Isaiah 3:1; 5:16; 6:1; 10:24; 19:16; 28:5; 44:6; 54:5; Jeremiah 7:3,11; 20:12; 32:18; 46:18; 51:57; Hos. 12:5; Amos 5:15,17; 9:5; Micah 4:4; Habakkuk 2:13; Haggai 2:4,8; Zechariah 1:14; 8:2,14; 14:16; Malachi 1:14; 2:7; etc.). “Hosts”= God’s royal, angelic Air Force. Compare to Hebrews 1:14-”Ministering spirits.”   Place this compound name with Psalm 23: 4, 6.

The Son of Man will send forth His angels … – Matthew 13:41.

YAHWEH-SHALOM (יהוה שלום) = “The Lord give (or is, or send) Peace” (Judges 6:24; Compare to John 14:27).   Connect this name with Psalm 23:2.

Jesus said “… Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful – John 14:27.

YAHWEH-SHAMMAH (יהוה שם היה) = “The LORD is there.” (Ezekiel 35:10; 48:35; Compare to Exodus 33:14,15; Psalm 16:11; 97:5; Isaiah 41:10; 43:2,5; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; etc.). Link the Lord’s presence with Psalm 23: 4,6.

… and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the age – Matthew 28:20. 

YAHWEH-TOB (טוֹב יהוה) = “The LORD, good” (Psalm 34:8; 86:5; 100:5; 145:9). Meanings: “Good, kind(ness), beautiful, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, gracious, joyful, pleasant, precious”   This fits the entire Psalm 23.

Jesus said … Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls – Matthew 11:28-29.

Note: One may go through the attributes of God or the Lord—such as His love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, peace, joy, etc.—and link them with the LORD’s compound names: Lord of love; Lord, gracious; Lord, merciful; Lord, faithful; etc. The New Testament especially does this with the characteristics and attributes of God: “The Lord God omnipotent… and God of all comfort, God of all grace,” etc.

YAHWEH-TSIDKENU (יהוה צדקנו) = “Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16; Compare to 1 John 2:1).   Place this name with Psalm 23:3.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes – Romans 10:4.

YAHWEH-TSUR (יהוה צור) = “The LORD, my Strength” (Isaiah 26:4. “Tsur” is often translated “Rock” or “Refuge.”)   Link this with Psalm 23:4.

Finally, be strong in the Lord [Jesus] and in the strength of His might – Ephesians 6:10.

YAHWEH-YAY-SHAH (יהוה יִשְׁע) or, Yaw-shah. Also “YAHWEH-Jesh-oo-aw” (or, Tesh-co-aw). = “The LORD, my Salvation,” or “Savior.” (Psalm 27:1; 38:22; 88:1; 89:26 (Tesh-oo-aw); Compare to Isaiah 49:26-”Savior.”) Meaning: “Deliverance, salvation, safety, victory, prosperity, welfare; to be open and free, defend, help, preserve, rescue, save.”   Especially good for Psalm 23:4 and 6.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord – Luke 2:10-11.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many other compound names for “the LORD.”

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Muslims do not worship Yahweh; therefore they worship a pagan deity.

One of many proofs that Muslims do not worship the one true God is that the god of Islam is not called יהוה.  Click here for more information regarding the false god of Islam.

Did you know that the God in the Bible is the Amen God?

1. Deuteronomy 7:9“…God, the faithful (= Amen) God…”

Isaiah 49:7-”…the Lord that is faithful (= Amen)…”

Jeremiah 42:5-”The Lord be a true and faithful (Amen) Witness…”

2. Isaiah 65:16 (twice)- “… God of truth…”   (Your Bible might indicate in the margin ”The God of Amen…”)

3. If God is faithful, His testimonies and precepts are sure (Amen).   See Psalm 19:7; 93:5; 111:7.

Hosea 5:9- God’s warnings are sure (Amen).

Isaiah 22:23,25; 33:16; 55:3- God’s promises are sure (Amen).

1 Samuel  2:35; 25:28; 1 Kings 11:38- A promised “sure (Amen) house.”

“Amen” is also used of men

The very next entry after "Amen" in the dictionary is AMENABLE

Proverbs 11:13- “… a faithful (Amen) spirit …”

Proverbs 25:13- ” … a faithful (Amen) messenger (= missionary)…”

Proverbs 27:6- “… Faithful (Amen) are the wounds of a friend…”

Proverbs 28:20- “… A faithful (Amen) man will abound with blessings…”

Isaiah 8:2-”… the faithful (Amen) witnesses …”

Hosea 11:12- ” … Judah…faithful (Amen) with the saints …”

Numbers 12:7 – “… Moses … faithful (Amen) in all Mine house—”

1 Samuel 2:35- “… [Samuel]…a faithful (Amen) priest…”

Nehemiah 7:2; 13:13- “… Nehemiah’s faithful (Amen) co-workers—the “Amen” men …”
Psalm 31:23; 101:6- “…The LORD preserves the faithful (the Amen ones)…”
Psalm 89:37- Christ’s Throne (typified by David’s) “…established…as a faithful (Amen) witness in heaven …”

5. Sometimes Israel used “Amen” to express assent to the Law and their willingness to submit to the penalty attached to the breach of it (Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Nehemiah 5:13—connected with praise here).

6. “Amen” is used to express acquiescence in another’s prayer (1 Kings 1:36), where it is defined as “[Let] God say so too.”

7. “Amen” is used in agreement with another’s thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:36), whether by an individual (Jeremiah 11:5) or by a congregation (Psalm 106:48).

8. “Amen” was used in unified (congregational) praise to the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:36; Nehemiah 5:13).

9. “Amen, Amen^” was used in solemn worship of God (Nehemiah 8:6).

10. “Amen and Amen” was used for emphasis in blessing God and His eternal glory (See Psalm 41:13; 72:18; 89:52).

11. In Jeremiah 11:5, the prophet says, “So be it (Amen), Lord.”

Thus “Amen” is used by God = “It is and shall be so.” It is used by man to God = “”So let it be.”

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Sorry for the poor video quality.  The audio is great!

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Use of “Amen” in the New Testament

13. “Amen” is used once as the name of Christ (Revelation 3:14), God’s faithful One.

14. All of God’s promises and purposes are “Amen” (or  established) in Christ (2  Corinthians 1:20).

15. The early Christian Church followed Israel’s example, in associating themselves audibly with others’ prayers  and thanksgivings (1 Corinthians 14:16). Here the NASB has the better rendering, “the Amen,” which points to a common practice.

16. This “Amen” custom conforms to the pattern of things in Heaven (see Revelation  1:18; 5:14; 7:12; 19:4—mostly connected with the worship of God.)

17. Christ used “Amen” to His Apostle John the Apostle (Revelation 1:18).

18. Christ’s coming again, “Amen” was used to express “let it be so” in response to the Divine, “Thus it shall be” (Revelation 22:20).

19. “Amen” was usually added to the end of prayers and doxologies (see Matthew 6:13; Romans 9:5;11:36; 15:33; Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 4:11; 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:6; 7:12; Jude 25, etc.).

20. Paul closed all his epistles with “Amen.” (See Romans 16:27) The Gospels close with “Amen,” but not the book of Acts; some conjecture that God’s work in this particular instance (spreading the Gospel) is thought to be in progress or ongoing.

21. The Lord Jesus often used “Amen ( “verily” or “truly” in some translations), to introduce new revelations of the mind of God.    In John’s Gospel “Amen, Amen” is used 25 times.

22. Luke never uses “Amen” as Matthew (16:28) and Mark (9:1) do. Luke uses “Of a truth” (9:27; 12:44; 21:3), so throwing some additional light on “Amen’s meaning.

Amen’s possible meanings (Verb, noun and adjective)

“To build up, support, render firm or faithful, trust, be permanent, be true or certain, have assurance, to believe, establish, be faithful, steadfast, sure, trusty, verified, truth, faithfulness, firm, trustworthy, surely, verily, “so be it.”

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Agree, Agreement, Concord

It's not a symphony; it's a hearty Amen!

συμφωνέω (transliteration: symphōneō) literally means “to sound together.” It conveys “to be in accord,” and is primarily used of musical instruments. Hence, we have the word “symphony.”

It is used in the New Testament concerning agreement in seven ways:

1. Of persons concerning a matter in prayer (Matthew 18:19).

2. Of persons concerning   a matter of working at an agreed wage (Matthew 20:2,13).

3. Of persons concerning a matter of deceiving (Acts 5:9).

4. Of the writers of Scripture (Acts 15:15).

5. Of things that are said to be congruous in their nature (Luke 5:36).

6. As a noun (συμφωνέω), “concord” in 1 Corinthians 6:15. “What concord hath Christ with Belial?” (King James Version)

7. Regarding music (noun again) in Luke 15:25.

However, Christians and Jews are primarily concerned with #1 above and that is why we say “Amen” at the close of our prayers—with which we agree.

U.S. Deaths in Vietnam War by Year

The United States government has the ability to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi regime, yet can’t muscle the intelligence and power to knock out a few uneducated drug dealers across the Rio Grande?

According to a recent Attorney General report 47,515 drug-related killings occurred from December 2006, when President Felipe Calderón deployed thousands of troops to drug hot spots, through September 2011. The violent death and senseless destruction caused by the Mexican drug cartel has reached a critical stage. Action must be taken to protect the lives of innocent unarmed people of Mexico.  It is only a matter of time before the bloodshed flows north to America.

The Mexican drug cartels must be destroyed.  The citizens of Mexico must be permitted to arm themselves in order to protect their families and communities.  If not the citizens of the country, who will?

FROM THE BACK COVER: This book is an unsparing and uncompromising attempt to alert, even to jolt the reader into seeing the vital need to prepare for death and the world to come.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. – John 3:16

 ***

PEOPLE

some are humble … some are bold

some are young … others old

some are healthy … some half-dead

NEVER, NEVER, LOOK AHEAD.

 *

some have plenty … others none

some are bright … some are dumb

some just laugh … and others cry

LIVE, AND NEVER REASON WHY.

 *

some are heartless … some are kind

some are loafers … others grind

some are bored … some have fun

IGNORING “ZERO” … MINUS ONE.

The Prayer at Valley Forge by Arnold Friberg

Simply believing in Jesus as the Messiah is no longer the adequate creed it once was, for there are many jesuses in the age in which we live. “Believing in Jesus” can mean many things to many people. Christians are thus compelled to defend the precise meaning of words and concepts found in the Bible, especially those related to Christ’s work on the cross.

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A Christian declares,”Jesus died for me.”  What does this mean?

“Jesus died for me” is a familiar testimonial that has necessarily evolved, for the reasons stated above, into a complicated and precise academic treatise. It is articulated by theologians and seminarians (wishing to graduate and become ordained ministers) as “Jesus Christ’s death is a propitious and vicarious penal substitution atonement for His elect people. “

THE DEATH OF CHRIST

The death of Christ is a necessary condition to His resurrection, which is the crowning proof of Jesus’s claim to be God. Skeptics and critics, with Muslims being the primary unbelievers, challenge the reality of His death. But the overwhelming historical and factual evidence is that Jesus died on the cross, was buried in the grave, and rose again on the third day. Muslims who wish to debate the death of Christ should leave a comment so that a discussion can be arranged under a separate post.

The Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would die. Psalm 22 describes the crucifixion with great precision, as does Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12. In the book of Daniel it is said that the Messiah would be “cut off.”

Jesus Himself predicted his death and resurrection many times in the New Testament.  In fact He claimed to have power over His own life: “… I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again…”  In Matthew 12:40 He says of His burial, “… just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth…” He “…must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again…”  In a confrontation with Jewish authorities, Jesus said, “…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  The Jews take Jesus’s statement literally and responded, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body, not the physical temple.  So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

There are also several non-Christian accounts from the first and second centuries who recorded the death of Jesus as an indisputable fact. Among these are the Talmud as well as the Jewish historian, Josephus, and the Roman historian, Cornelius Tacitus.

The earliest Christian writers after the time of Christ affirm Jesus’s death on the cross.  Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John wrote, “…our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins suffered unto death…” A friend of Polycarp, Ignatius, said, “… and [Jesus] really suffered and died, and rose again…otherwise all His apostles who suffered for this belief were in vain.” Justin Martyr noted that the Jews of his day believed that “…Jesus [was] a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified…”

To sum up this section: Jesus suffered at the hands of Romans, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and rose again in a glorified body just as the Scripture declare.

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HIS DEATH IS A PROPITIATION

Propitiation is not a term invented by the modern theologians.  Its origin is in the Bible. ἱλάσκομαι is used four times in the New Testament to describe the concept that God’s righteous and holy demands were met by the sacrifice of Christ’s body on the cross. Additionally, the notion of propitiation is impressed across every page of Bible, Old Testament and New.

The word carries the concept that justice has been satisfied.  The whippings and other unspeakable tortures placed upon Christ’s body by the Roman soldiers are sufficient to the extent that no additional punishment is necessary. Justice has been served. God’s anger has been appeased.

WARNING! GRAPHIC VIDEO!

SCRIPTURE CITED IN THIS VIDEO IS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOK OF ISAIAH

(ISAIAH WAS  A JEWISH PROPHET WHO LIVED 750 YEARS BEFORE CHRIST’S BIRTH)

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After making a terrifying, yet truthful, case that you and I and everyone who has ever lived, are guilty of sin and thus deserve our punishment, the Apostle Paul says “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith …”

Paul states that Jesus is our perfect and complete sin-bearer.  Those who belong to Christ have their penalty reconciled because the whipped and bloody back of Jesus was given over to meet the full weight of perfect justice; therefore the wrath of God and the demands of His law are settled.

In the book of Hebrews it is written, “…He [Jesus] gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people…”   Jesus became human so that He could bear the sin burden of His people in His own body. Christ is the faithful high priest who intercedes on behalf of the people of God.  The wrath of God is no longer directed toward them since any retribution that was due was placed upon the sinless High Priest, who is Jesus Christ.  

What happened to your hand?

The Apostle John employed the term on two occasions. First “…I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world…”  and then “…By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins…”  Jesus is the expiatory victim: the one who makes amends, redeems, pays, makes reparation and makes the wrongs right. Jesus is our Mediator to God; we need Jesus to stand between us and the Holy Judge and no one else.  He is our eternal sacrifice, the Living One.  Some may be inclined to suppose that Jesus’s blood has lost its redeeming value since the time it was first shed on Calvary.  They would be wrong.  And damned.

In non-Christian religions, the idea is that man must appease a just and holy God by various gifts or sacrifices. But man is utterly incapable of satisfying God’s justice except by spending eternity in hell.

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HIS DEATH IS VICARIOUS

The Bible teaches that Christ’s death was our substitute. What this means is that while on the cross He occupied the place of His people.

The word “vicarious” comes from the Latin vicarius meaning “one in place of another.”

The New Testament, written originally in Greek, not Latin, uses two prepositions to carry the identical meaning. The preposition anti, translated “for,” means Christ died “instead of sinners.”  In Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 we read “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many…” 

… Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God ..

The preposition huper, also translated “for,” means Christ died “in behalf of” or “in place of” sinners: “…Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us…” (Galatians 3:13); “… [Jesus] who gave Himself as a ransom for all … (1Timothy 2:6); “…He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him…” (2 Corinthians 5:21); “… For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter  3:18).

The Old Testament animal sacrifices pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah:

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There are many passages that support this doctrine: Only in Christ the Savior is a man freed from the liability of guilt, sin, and shame. Our right standing before our Judge is established on one thing only: the finished work of Christ crucified who shed His blood so we could live (John 19:30). We are released from our sins by His blood (Revelation 1:5).  He has reconciled us in His earthly body through His death (Colossians 1:22). Jesus bore our sins in His own Body on the cross so that by His wounds we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). We are made holy through the offering up of Jesus’ Body as a sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 10:10). Christ appeared once for all to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26). God sent His Son to remove the wrath that we ourselves deserved (1 John 4:10). The penalty of sin that is rightly ours is absolved by grace through faith, not by any righteous deeds of our own (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The sense is that Christ is the Substitute who bears the punishment rightly due sinners.  The guilt of the sinner is assigned to Christ in such a way that He represented them when He bore their punishment.

The biblical principle of vicarious atonement represents the highest form of mercy, honor, obedience and love: “…Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends…”  (John 15:13), and it is the single most important  doctrine when comparing Christian theology with the teaching of other religions. Christians believe that through His death the righteous demands of God have been met by a legal transaction in which Jesus dealt with the sin problem of His people.  Cults such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Islam all teach in one form or another that a personal atonement is necessary to appease God.

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HIS DEATH IS A PENAL-SUBSTITUTION

What has been said already may be adequate to explain the doctrine of penal-substitution.  I include it again to elaborate more on the topic of guilt, penalty, and atonement.  Since it is a theological term frequently used by Christians, I wanted to include it here.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:11-15

Keep these ten simple laws and God won't condemn you

A courtroom scene: A number of serious crimes are committed. The guilty ones are located and brought to justice.  They are found accountable and do not deny they have done these evil deeds. So massive is the evidence against them that they do not attempt to make an excuse.  Instead, they curse the Judge. Now they must pay for their sins.  The penalty dictated by law is strictly enforced.  They cannot be pardoned.

The penal-substitution view is that Christ’s death is a sacrifice offered in payment of the penalty for our sins.  It is accepted by God the Father as replacement of the penalty due to us.  But to what degree is the punishment carried out? What boundaries, if any, are established whereas the crime matches the penalty? Our sins are severe and heinous enough that the suitable punishment is scourging with whips.  Added to this is thirst, public ridicule, abandonment, thorns placed upon our head, nails driven into our hands and feet.  Finally, the sinners are placed in prison where they continue in their sinful nature, cursing God.  Here they experience an eternal death in a place where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”  The prisoners must abandon all hope of ever leaving this dreadful place, just as Dante said.

Jesus would not have suffered as He did, nor to the degree He did, unless there had been an adequate reason for it.

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THE WORD ATONEMENT

The word “atonement” is not used, as such, in the New Testament; yet, the idea is presented on every page.  In the Old Testament the word occurs frequently. 

This term may include a broad range of themes found in the Bible, many aforementioned in this article. It describes the priestly work of Christ, and particularly His death, which makes possible the restoration of fellowship between individual believers and God.

The word “atonement” is often used in reference to the work of Christ. It is considered a “work” because of what it accomplished and that He performed it on behalf of the beneficiaries. Christ’s death did not come upon Him unavoidably or by surprise; rather, it result from a definite choice on His part, when He could have avoided it.

God sending His Son to die as a sacrifice is prefigured in the Old Testament by Abraham sacrificing Issac.

Though Old Testament references to Christ’s death were previously mentioned (above), we will cover it again in more detail.  The death of Christ is the subject of many types and prophecies in the Old Testament. We can trace the concept through the whole Bible: the sacrifice of Abel (Genesis 4:4), the ram on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:13), the sacrifices of the patriarchs in general (Genesis 8:20; 12:8; 26:25; 33:20; 35:7), the Passover lamb in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-28), the Levitical sacrifices (Leviticus 1-7), Manoah’s offering (Judges 13:16-19), Elkanah’s yearly sacrifice (1 Samuel 1:21), Samuel’s offerings (1 Samuel 7:9f.; 16:2-5), David’s offerings (2 Samuel 6:18), Elijah’s offering (1 Kings 18:38), Hezekiah’s offerings (2 Chronicles 29:21-24), the offerings in the days of Joshua and Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:3-6) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 10:32f.). These all point to the one great offering to be made by Christ.

Furthermore, there are Old Testament prophecies that point forward to the death of Christ. The Psalms predict the betrayal of Christ (Psalm 41:9), the crucifixion and events (Psalm 22:1), and the resurrection (Psalm 16:8-11). Isaiah writes, “He was pierced through for our transgres­sions, He was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Daniel indicates that after sixty-nine weeks Messiah will be cut off and have nothing (Daniel 9:26). Zechariah foretells the selling of Christ for thirty pieces of silver and the investment of that sum in a potter’s field (Zechariah 2:12). Zechariah also predicts the striking of the shepherd (13:7) and the opening of a fountain for sin and impurity (13:1). Thus it is clear that the death of Christ is a theme running throughout the Old Testament.

The Atonement is a prominent topic in the New Testament.  The last week of our Lord’s earthly life occupies about one-fifth of the Gospel narratives. Likewise, the Epistlers are filled with references to it.

The Atonement is the chief purpose of Christmas

The Atonement is the chief purpose of Christmas. Christ did not come primarily to set us an example or to teach us doctrine, but to die for His people. (Mark 10:45; Hebrews 2:9, 14; 9:26; 1 John 3:5). When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph he said, “[Mary] will bear a son; and you will call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”

The Atonement is the fundamental theme of the Gospel.  The Apostle Paul says that the Gospel (literally, Good News) consists of the death of Christ for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection.  The death of Christ for the sins of His people is good news!  This means that man does not need to die for his sins. The Mosaic Law, the Sermon on the Mount, the teaching and example of Christ reveal our need for a Great Savior, but they do not provide the remedy for sin.  This remedy is found only in the death of Jesus Christ.

The Atonement is essential to Christianity. Take away the death of Christ as interpreted by the Scriptures and you reduce Christianity to the level of other religions. Though we would still have a higher system of ethics, were we to take away the cross of Christ, we would have no more hope of salvation than false religions. Take away the cross, and the heart of Christianity is gone: “…But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.…” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).

The Atonement is essential to our salvation. The Son of Man must be lifted up if man is to be saved (John 3:14); the grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die if it is to bring forth fruit (John 12:24). God cannot pardon sin merely on the ground of the sinner’s repentance. That would be impossible for a righteous God to do. God can pardon only when the penalty is first paid. In order that God might be able to pardon a sinner and to remain righteous at the same time, Christ paid the sinner’s penalty (Romans 3:25). Christ repeatedly said that he must suffer many things, be killed, and be raised the third day (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; 17:25; John 12:32-34). The two men who were in the tomb after Christ had arisen reminded the women who came to anoint the body that Christ said that he must be crucified and arise again (Luke 24:7). Paul sought to prove to the Thessalonians the necessity of Christ’s death (Acts 17:3).

From God’s standpoint, the death of Christ is an absolute necessity if man is to be saved.

The Atonement is of supreme interest in heaven. When Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration, they conversed with Christ “of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang a song of the redemption accomplished through the death of Christ (Revelation 5:8-10). Even the angels around the throne, though not in need of redemption themselves, joined in the song of the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:11). Since those who have the veil of human limitations completely removed from their eyes and have entered into the fuller truths of redemp­tion through the blood of Christ extol Christ’s death above all else, we who are yet in the flesh ought to probe into the full and true meaning of the death.

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THE ATONEMENT IS FOR HIS ELECT PEOPLE

You did not choose Me but I chose you … – John 15:16

At last we approach the end of the discussion.  Thank you for making it all the way.

Christ’s atoning death is limited to the elect. If God intended to save everyone then no one would be in hell.  If the Lord intended to send Christ to the cross to die for the masses, then we must say that God had failed, or that He was unable or unwilling to carry out His plans.

In Matthew we read “ … the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many …” This verse does not say for a few lives, nor does it say for all lives.  It says for many lives.

Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?"

Jesus Himself limited the purpose of His death when He said, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” If He laid down His life for the sheep, the atoning character of His work was not for everyone. On another occasion He said to the Pharisees, “You are not my sheep;” and again, “You are of your father the Devil.” Will anyone maintain that He laid down His life for these Pharisees, seeing that He so pointed­ly excludes them? The angel which appeared to Joseph told him that Mary’s son was to be called Jesus, because His mission in the world was to save His people from their sins. He did not come into the world merely to make salvation possible but actually to save His people, and what He came to do we may confidently expect Him to accomplish.

Since the work of God is never unsuccessful, those who are chosen by the Father, those who are redeemed by the Son, and those who are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, — or in other words, election, redemption and sanctification, — must include the same persons.

Christ declared that the elect and the redeemed were the same people when in the intercessory prayer He said. “… I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word…” and “… I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them…” (John 17:6, 9, 10)

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. – John 6:44

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep…” (John 10:14, 15). The same teaching is found when we are told to “… feed the Church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood…” (Acts 20:28). We are told that “… Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it…” (Ephesians 5:25). “He laid down His life for His friends” (John 15:13). Christ died for such as were Paul and John, not for Pharaoh and Judas, who were goats and not sheep. We cannot say that His death was intended for all unless we say that Pharaoh, Ju­das, etc. were of the sheep, friends, and Church of Christ.

God does not wish for possibilities; He decrees certainties. For example, everyday expressions such as “It rained” are not found in the Bible, for rain does not simply happen; God sends the rain.  And so it is with people.  Men and women who “come to Christ” will agree that salvation was not an arbitrary decision on their part, though from their perspective it seemed so at the time of their conversion.  Everyone who has genuinely experienced the new birth through Jesus Christ will attest, looking back on “their decision,” that it was God who called them; not the other way around.

Here’s an excerpt:

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