Is God A Sugar Daddy?

Many people tend to focus on a very imbalanced view of God. They only seem to focus on His love, but never His wrath or His Hatred of sin or His hatred of the wicked. Yet, God is not only a god of love, but a god of absolute holiness who hates things – sinful things – as noted here:

“The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou HATEST all workers of iniquity.” Psalm 5:5

“The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul HATETH.” Psalm 11:5

Didn’t God destroy everyone in Sodom and Gomorrah? Didn’t God destroy the entire world with a flood? Isn’t God going to come back and destroy the earth and all its inhabitants with fire, and not because He loves them:

“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the WRATH of God upon the earth.” Revelation 16:1

“God is ANGRY with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11

The god that many people, including professing Christians, believe is some kind of “sugar daddy god” is not found in the Bible. Surgically selecting only the nice and pleasant things about God, from the Bible, gives a person a very incomplete and very distorted view of the thrice-holy God of Scripture. God is a god of many facets, many attributes, including a love of moral purity and a hatred of sin. He loves righteousness and holiness and He hates unrighteousness and unholiness. He loves the righteous and He hates the unrighteous as noted above in the quote of Psalm 11:5. So if you disagree with this assessment of the God of the Bible, please read and study the verses I’ve quoted above until you believe them.— RM Kane

What The Bible Says About The Holy Spirit

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” [John 4:24]

Introduction:

The purpose of this study is to point out Bible verses that show that the Holy Spirit is a person and not some impersonal force as the Jehovah’s Witnesses erroneously believe and teach.

References To The Comforter, also referred to as the Holy Ghost:

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, HE shall testify of me:

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send HIM unto you.

References To The Holy Ghost:

Matthew 12:31 – “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

Matthew 12:32 – “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Matthew 28:19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Mark 3:29 – “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:”

Mark 13:11 – “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”

Luke 2:26 – “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

Luke 3:22 – “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”

Luke 12:10 – “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”

Luke 12:12 – “For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”

John 14:26 – “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Acts 1:16 – “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”

Acts 5:3 – “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

Acts 7:51 – “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Acts 13:2 – “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

Acts 13:4 – “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”

Acts 15:28 – “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 16:6 – “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 20:23 – “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

Acts 20:28 – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Acts 21:11 – “And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”

Acts 28:25 – “And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,”

1Corinthians 2:13 – “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

Hebrews 3:7 – “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,”

Hebrews 9:8 – “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:”

Hebrews 10:15 – “Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,”

1Peter 1:12 – “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

1John 5:7 – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

References To The Spirit Of God:

Genesis 1:2 – “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

Matthew 3:16 – “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:”

1Corinthians 3:16 – “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Ephesians 4:30 – “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

What The Bible Says About The Triune Godhead

AN IMPORTANT NOTE OF INTRODUCTION:

I wish to start off this study by making a rather significant observation about God, the God of all eternity who existed before time began. If the “Godhead” was singular (only one Divine person), then God would be incomplete in a most serious and profound way. God would not know – experientially – what a relationship was or is. In addition to being infinitely holy, God is a relational Being. He understands and appreciates relationships. In fact, God has elected certain people from among all men and women, to have a relationship with, for all eternity. When the Lord Jesus walked the earth 2000 years ago, he selected a group of 12 men to fellowship with for the duration of his 3 year earthly ministry. These were men whom Jesus spent every day with, all day at times, for 3 years straight. That in and of itself is a testimony to the desire that God has for a relationship with His people. The Bible’s primary focus is about a holy and merciful God who is reconciling estranged people back into a relationship with Himself – at an enormous cost to Himself personally. To minimize the relational aspect of God, or worse – to say it is not a necessary component of God’s Personality – is to detract from who God is, and that is a serious act of rebellion for the creature to deny what the Creator has said about Himself in sacred Scripture.

GENERAL REFERENCES TO THE TRIUNE GOD:

Genesis 3:22a – “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: … ”

Genesis 11:7 – “Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

Romans 8:9 – “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

1Corinthians 12:3-6 – “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. {4} Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

2Cor. 13:14a – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 – “[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; {5} One Lord, one faith, one baptism, {6} One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Jude 1:20-21 – “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, {21} Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Matthew 3:16-17 – “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: {17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 28:19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name [note: singular noun] of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Psalms 18:2 – “The LORD (Jehovah) [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. 1 Cor. 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

Exodus 20:2 – “I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

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

Acts 5:3-4 – “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? {4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God“

A. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS ETERNAL:

Romans 16:26 – “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

Hebrews 9:14 – “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Micah 5:2 – “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he [Jesus] come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.”

Exodus 3:14 – “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

John 8:58 – “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

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

B. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS HOLY:

Isaiah 6:3 – “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.”

Rev. 4:8 – “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

Rev. 15:4 – “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

Acts 3:14 – “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you”

1 John 2:20 – “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

C. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS TRUE:

John 7:28 – “Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.”

John 15:26 – “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me”

Rev 3:7 – “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth”

D. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS OMNIPRESENT (EVERYWHERE AT ONCE):

Jer. 23:24 – “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD [Jehovah].”

Ephesians 1:23 – “Which is his body, the fulness of him [Jesus] that filleth all in all.”

Psalms 139:7 – “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”

E. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS OMNIPOTENT (ALL POWERFUL):

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

Rev 1:8 – “I [Jesus] am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Romans 15:19 – “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”

Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:”

Hebrews 1:3 – “Who [Jesus] being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

Luke 1:35 – “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born [Jesus], unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

F. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS SUPPLYING MINISTERS:

Jeremiah 3:15 – “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Ephesians 4:11 – “And he [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

Acts 20:28 – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Matthew 10:5a – “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, …”

Acts 13:2 – “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

G. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS CREATOR:

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Genesis 1:26a – “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the … ”

Colossians 1:16 – “For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

John 1:3 – “All things were made by him [Jesus]; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Job 26:13 – “By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.”

H. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS SANCTIFIER:

Jude 1:1 – “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, [and] called:”

Hebrews 2:11 – “For both he [Jesus ]that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,”

1Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

I. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS WORKER OF SPIRITUAL OPERATIONS:

Hebrews 13:20-21 – “20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Colossians 1:28-29 – “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: {28} Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”

1Cor. 12:11 – “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

J. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE:

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John 10:28 – “And I [Jesus] give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.”

Galatians 6:8 – “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

K. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS TEACHER:

Isaiah 54:13 – “And all thy children [shall be] taught of the LORD [Jehovah]; and great [shall be] the peace of thy children.”

Luke 21:15 – “For I [Jesus] will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”

John 14:26 – “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Isaiah 48:17 – “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD [Jehovah] thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go.”

Galatians 1:12 – “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1John 2:20 – “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

L. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS RAISING CHRIST FROM THE DEAD:

1Cor. 6:14 – “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.”

John 2:19 – “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

1Peter 3:18 – “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

M. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS INSPIRING THE PROPHETS:

Hebrews 1:1 – “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”

2Cor. 13:3 – “Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.”

Mark 13:11 – “But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”

N. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS DESCRIBED AS OMNISCIENT (ALL KNOWING):

Acts 15:17-18 – “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. {18} Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

John 21:17 – “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him [Jesus], Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

1Cor. 2:10-11 – “But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

O. EACH PERSON IN THE TRIUNE GOD IS INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF SALVATION:

2Thessalonians 2:13-14 – “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: {14} Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Titus 3:4-6 – “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, {5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”

1Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

P. THE NAMES OF ALL 3 PERSONS IN THE TRIUNE GODHEAD ARE USED IN BAPTISM:

Matthew 28:19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost“

CONCLUSION:

We can see from the above overwhelming biblical evidence that those who recognize the God who manifests Himself in three divine persons are in perfect agreement with the Bible and they are not worshipping three separate gods.

Introduction by RM Kane, Verses compiled and categorized by James Riscinti

Is God’s Name Jehovah Or Yahweh Or What?

Early in their relationship, Moses asked God to reveal His name. God readily complied with Moses’ request by giving Him not one but TWO names of God…		Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?‘ what shall I say to them?” Ex 3.13
Name #1 – The first name that God told Moses about was Hayah. Hayah is a Hebrew word meaning I AM. Part One of this analysis discusses Hayah.		God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM (hayah) has sent me to you.'” Ex 3.14
Name #2 – The second name that God told Moses about was YHWH. YHWH is a Hebrew word for which we have only the four consonants. We do NOT have the vowels. Ergo, we aren’t quite sure what YHWH means, or how to pronounce it. Part Two of this analysis discusses YHWH.		Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD (YHWH) God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'” Ex 3.15
Part One: God’s name: Hayah – I AM Jesus often referred to Himself by God’s name, “I AM” (Hayah).		Jesus said… I AM the bread of life John 6.35a I AM the light of the world. John 8.12a I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet he shall live. John 11.25a (See also John 8.57-58, 9.5, 10.7, 10.9, 10.11, 10.14, 14.6, 15.1, 15.5)
NOTE: The New Testament of your English-language Bible is a translation of Bible manuscripts written in Koine Greek. Where those Greek manuscripts record words spoken by Jesus, they are themselves a translation of His actual words. It is our OPINION that Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew. As the basis for the preceding opinion, we note that the Lord’s actual words (in Aramaic) were recorded in some cases, as shown by the four examples alongside.		Jesus took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Mk 5.41 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mk 15.34 When Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). John 1.42 (Jesus said…) No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Mt 6.24
Accordingly, it is our studied OPINION that, when Jesus referred to Himself as “I AM,” He said Hayah — the name of God.		Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8.58
The Jews were well aware that Jesus was calling Himself Hayah — God’s name. This fact is clearly demonstrated by their violent reaction to His words.		Then they took up stones to throw at Him John 8.59a
Of course, Jesus was perfectly within His rights to call Himself “I AM” (Hayah). He was, IS, and always shall be God.		(We are…) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ Titus 2.13 Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh 1 Tim 3.16a
Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus referred to Himself as “I AM” (Hayah)one final time… The event took place one evening in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Judas brought an armed troop to arrest Jesus on trumped-up charges. The leaders of the troop asked Christ if He was Jesus of Nazareth. Christ simply replied, “I AM!” Hayah !!!! The name of God Almighty, spoken from God’s own lips, caused the troop to be flung backwards, onto their (uhh) posteriors. This tired old world was fortunate indeed that our Lord ALLOWED Himself to be taken captive and slain, so that you and I might have eternal life in Him. Halleluyah!		Then Judas, having received a band and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went out and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I AM!” And Judas who betrayed Him also stood with them. As soon as Jesus said to them,” I AM,” they went backward and fell to the ground. John 18.3-6
Part Two: God’s name: YHWH Now let’s move to the subject of God’s other name, YHWH. We will discuss possible meanings of YHWH in a moment. But first we have to explain some rather odd translating practices to you.
The verse shown alongside gives the first use of God’s name, YHWH, in the Bible. Notice that the King James Version translates YHWH as “LORD” — all in capital letters. The practice of representing YHWH by “LORD” is done in many translations, including but not limited to the KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NAS.		These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD (YHWH) God made the earth and the heavens Gen 2.4, KJV
Of course, “Lord” is also a titleof God… When God is referred to as “Lord” (in caps and lower case) it translates the Hebrew word adonay, as shown alongside. So LORD represents God’s name, YHWH Whereas Lord represents God’s title, adonay.		And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord (adonay), although I am but dust and ashes. Gen 18.27
As you might expect, there are times when the Bible refers to God by both His title (adonay) AND His name (YHWH). Not wanting to translate “adonay YHWH” as “the Lord LORD,” the Bible’s translators did what you see in the verse alongside. That is, in cases such as that shown, the translators translated YHWH with the word GOD — all in capital letters.		Abram said, “O Lord (adonay) GOD (YHWH), what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Gen 15.2
Thus, the Old Testament of many English-language Bibles has the following usages… God (caps and lower case) almost always translates Elohiym, which means “mighty ones.” GOD (all in caps) translates YHWH. Lord (caps and lower case) translates adonay. LORD (all in caps) translates YHWH.
Now we are at last ready to seek out the POSSIBLE meaning and pronunciation of YHWH… The Jewish people often read the Hebrew Bible aloud. When they come to YHWH they do not pronounce it, because of the Third Commandment (quoted alongside). Instead of pronouncing YHWH, they say “adonay,” which is the Hebrew word for “Lord.”		You shall not take the name of the LORD (YHWH) your God (Elohiym) in vain, for the LORD (YHWH) will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Ex 20.7
Ergo: When Hebrew scribes copied the Bible’s ancient manuscripts, they inserted the vowels a–o–a (from adonay) above God’s name, YHWH. Using our letters (rather than Hebrew letters) the result would have looked something like this… Y^aH^oW^aH And now you know why our old Bible translations (such as KJV and ASV) use Jehovah as a possible representation of God’s personal name.
Nowadays (in the year 2002, that is)… Some Bible scholars think that YHWH is a form of Hayah (I AM) and should be pronounced Yahweh. The extracted portions of Exodus 3.14-15, shown alongside, support this scholarly OPINION.		(God said to Moses…) Thus you shall say to the children of Israel… HAYAH has sent me to you. YHWH Elohiym is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations. Extracted from Exod 3.14 & 3.15
Additional support for pronouncing God’s name as Yahweh is given by Psalm 68.4, quoted alongside. Moreover, the oft-heard expression “Halleluyah” means… Praise Yah! In Bible Bell’s OPINION, Yahweh is probably a good representation of God’s personal name.		Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH (Yahh), And rejoice before Him. Psalm 68.4
Speaking of God’s name, please be aware that… The family and friends of Jesus probably never called Him Iesous (His name in Greek) or Jesus (His name in English). Rather, Christ’s family and friends most likely called Him by His Hebrew name, Yeshua. P.S. Christ’s Hebrew name is also spelled and pronounced Yehoshua. Yeshua is what most Hebrew believers use as the Christ’s personal name.		In either case (Yeshua or Yehoshua) Christ’s name means Yahweh is salvation. Thus, the name Yeshua tells you two altogether beautiful facts about Christ… He is Yahweh, the LORD God, AND He is Yahweh, YOUR salvation!!! Amen and amen.

SOURCE: http://www.biblebell.org/mbag/mailbagba.html

The Sovereignty Of God

Who Is In Charge Anyway?

“Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!” [Psalms 71:19]

In this study we are going to discuss Bible verses that few people know about and that few people like once they hear about them. Those that don’t like these verses usually say… “Well. they don’t really mean that.”… or …. “Well, that’s just your interpretation.”… or … “The Bible must have been mistranslated.” In spite of the detractors and naysayers of God’s Word, let us move forward with this all-important study. It will hopefully shed much light on questions that we may have thought there were no answers to like:

Why does a good God allow suffering and evil?
Is the “devil” really the god of this world?

What is the definition of “sovereignty”?

Noun: sovereignty

1. government free from external control

2. royal authority; the dominion of a monarch

What this word means in reference to God is that He is free to do whatever He pleases. In no way is He subject to man’s will or actions.

One of my favorite passages describing the sovereignty of God is EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1:

Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

Does this mean that God is responsible for even the most terrible tragedy? It most surely does. What may appear to be a terrible tragedy to us, from our microscopic point of view, may be the source of great blessings from God’s eternal point of view. God may allow a terrible automobile accident to occur as part of His plan to bring salvation to a wretched drunk driver or to bring salvation to the mother whose child was killed by a drunk driver. You may wonder “Why couldn’t God do it some other way?” To this we can only look to God and trust Him to know what is best. He is the One who designed us and His word tells us that:

Romans 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

ROMANS CHAPTER 9 is another portion of Scripture that causes people, even professing Christians, to be perturbed:

Romans 9:13 – “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”

God can do and He does do whatever He pleases, whether or not sinful men think He is being “fair” according to their sin-corrupted minds.

God is not a “sugar-daddy”:

The problem people have with the above passage from Romans is that they were taught that God loves everybody unconditionally. However, the Bible does not talk about this kind of sin-blind, sugar-daddy god. Such a god exists only the minds of those who do not know the truth about the real God, who is a God who hates sin and the ungodly as much as He loves holiness and the righteous…

Psalms 5:5 – The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Psalms 11:5 – The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

Psalms 10:3 – For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

Prov 6:16 – These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

ADDITIONAL VERSES describing the sovereignty of God:

Isaiah 46:10 – Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Isaiah 43:13 – Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

Psalms 33:11 – The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Psalms 135:6 – Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Proverbs 19:21 – There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Daniel 4:35 – And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

And let us take a look at the gospels where we see Christ’s sovereignty in choosing whom He pleased to heal and to save as He walked this earth.

In John chapter 9 we see that God caused a man to be born blind on purpose: “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

John 9:1 – “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

In John chapter 5 we see “a great multitude” of crippled people, all of whom Jesus walked by with no mention of Him healing any of them except the one particular man whom Jesus choose to heal:

John 5:2 – “Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

Many would think that this kind of a God and Saviour is unfair (who does as He pleases and only saves and heals whom He chooses to heal based on simply “His good pleasure”) but who are we to cast judgment on God?

If we are truly Christ’s, we will bow the knee to God’s sovereignty – His right to do as He pleases with His world and His creation – and instead of showing resentment, we will take comfort in knowing that we have a God who “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” [Daniel 4:35].

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” [Exodus 15:11]

R.K.