Leviticus 9:23-24 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed
the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all
the people. 24Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of
fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell
on their faces.
The Uncreated Fire of God
The place of worship in the Old Testament was known as the tabernacle or the "dwelling place of God" (tabernaculum=Latin term meaning dwelling place). Prominent in the courtyard of the tabernacle was the Altar of Burnt sacrifices, where the priests would offer sacrifices brought by the people. Day and night was that altar to be kept lit. It is in this text where we see the beginning of the sacrificial system. It was not man who lit the flames upon the altar - it was God.
According to the text, fire sprang forth from before the Lord. This fire was not any ordinary fire. This was celestial fire, uncreated fire. The fire that was to burn on this altar was an other worldly, Divine fire. This fire was lit by the very Shekinah glory of God.
What is God's Shekinah Glory?
The Jews employed this term "Shekinah" in the days between the Old and New Testaments. According to the New Bible Dictionary, the term "Shekinah" derives from a Hebrew word "Shekan" meaning "to dwell". It was God's intention the whole time to dwell with His people, which is why He initated the construction of the tabernacle in the first place. (compare Exodus 25)
The Shekinah of God was what we could term the "inner glory" of God. Another term in the Hebrew Bible, translated glory (Hebrew term is pronounced "cavod"), as well as other terms, describe the presence of God revealed to people, more of an "outer glory". So with these ideas of "inner glory" and "outer glory", God was aiming to making his inner most identity known to His people. He wanted to dwell, to "shakan".
The connection between the "Shekinah glory" and Christ's incarnation
When God the Son came in human flesh, He was doing in the New Testament what God the Father had done in the Old - dwelling among the people. The difference being was that the "tabernacle" of the Son was not made of fabric, metal and wood, but was a "flesh and bone" tabernacle. John 1:14 states - "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of
the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
That word "dwelt" in John 1:14 is a Greek word which could also be translated "tabernacled". Quite literally, God in the Person of the Son tabernacled Himself in human flesh! But there is more to this word.
According to the New Bible Dictionary, the Greek word that we just mentioned in John 1:14 may very well be connected to the word "Shekinah". If so, then the inner uncreated glory of God has literally manifested in human flesh! Christ quite literally is the walking, breathing Shekinah glory!
God the Son fulfilled the will of the Father by dwelling amidst the people as the Flesh and Blood Shekinah Glory of God
When the Jews had coined this term "Shekinah", they were assigning a term to the otherwise indescribable being of God that was revealed throughout Old Testament revelation. . When Christ came, He literally was able from His Co-Equality with the Father "explain God". (John 1:18) The Shekinah Glory which is first met in the Creation account of Genesis 1 came to dwell over the tabernacle and the temple in the Old Testament. This Shekinah glory, which was uncreated fire and light in the Old Testament, manifested in human flesh. As Colossians 2:9 states - "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form".
The Shekinah of God signals the completion of God's purposes for history and Eternity
Revelation 21:3 "And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God
is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and
God Himself will be among them". At the center of all the activity leading from history into eternity will be the outer glory of God radiating through the inward glory of the "Shekinah" God the Son. God the Son is God tabernacled, "Shekinahed" among the people. He reveals in perfect clarity what will be the background uncreated glory of the Father. The Spirit of God will be forever impressing into the hearts of God's people the deepening delight of dwelling in Christ, and He in them.
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Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The unending power of God
Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the LORD forever, For in
GOD the LORD, we
have an everlasting Rock"
Special Video Link to Venus. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=134334781 After reading today's blog, go to this link to see a video depicting the atmosphere of the planet Venus being affected by the Solar wind blowing from the sun through the Solar system. You can click on the supplied link, then click a scond time, and you will be directed to NASA's website, with the video playing automatically. The video is only 24 seconds in length.
In the above verse, we see reference to the Lord God Eternal. Elsewhere in the scripture the name "God Eternal" is the translation of the Hebrew name revealed by God "El-Olam" (God Eternal).
The power of the sun seen in its effects
If you did not get a chance, check out yesterday's blog, wherein was included a High Resolution Video of the Sun from the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission. Today's featured video depicts the so-called "solar wind", the stream of magnetic particles that comes off of the sun and makes their way through the solar system. Just the smallest amount of effort from the sun is needed to affect the entirety of a planet like Venus.
Just think about it for just a moment. Venus, a planet slightly smaller than our Earth, is over 60 million miles from the sun (and roughly 35 million miles from us). It is shrouded in a thick cloud of Carbon Dioxide whose Green House effect makes the surface temperature of Venus to be about 900 degrees F. That seemingly unmoveable cloud is affected by the power of the sun (as seen in the video link above)
The power of the Eternal God, El Olam, is seen in His effects
The Eternal nature of God is seen in this name "El Olam". No doubt about it, the Eternal God is the One who made the sun which moves and affects our planets. In Genesis 21:33 we see the first mention of the name "God Eternal" or "El-Olam" - "Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God."
Abraham was acknowledging the power of "El-Olam". God had protected Him, sustained Him and guided Him. It is also significant that the power of El-Olam moved and promised Abraham that from Him would come a "seed" - that is - God in human flesh. God alone could back up His promises. He alone has the power to direct the course of prophecy and history through what is termed His "Providence". (Romans 11:36).
As powerful as the affects of the sun are in our solar system, it pails in comparison to the power of the Eternal God - "El Olam".
Special Video Link to Venus. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=134334781 After reading today's blog, go to this link to see a video depicting the atmosphere of the planet Venus being affected by the Solar wind blowing from the sun through the Solar system. You can click on the supplied link, then click a scond time, and you will be directed to NASA's website, with the video playing automatically. The video is only 24 seconds in length.
In the above verse, we see reference to the Lord God Eternal. Elsewhere in the scripture the name "God Eternal" is the translation of the Hebrew name revealed by God "El-Olam" (God Eternal).
The power of the sun seen in its effects
If you did not get a chance, check out yesterday's blog, wherein was included a High Resolution Video of the Sun from the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission. Today's featured video depicts the so-called "solar wind", the stream of magnetic particles that comes off of the sun and makes their way through the solar system. Just the smallest amount of effort from the sun is needed to affect the entirety of a planet like Venus.
Just think about it for just a moment. Venus, a planet slightly smaller than our Earth, is over 60 million miles from the sun (and roughly 35 million miles from us). It is shrouded in a thick cloud of Carbon Dioxide whose Green House effect makes the surface temperature of Venus to be about 900 degrees F. That seemingly unmoveable cloud is affected by the power of the sun (as seen in the video link above)
The power of the Eternal God, El Olam, is seen in His effects
The Eternal nature of God is seen in this name "El Olam". No doubt about it, the Eternal God is the One who made the sun which moves and affects our planets. In Genesis 21:33 we see the first mention of the name "God Eternal" or "El-Olam" - "Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God."
Abraham was acknowledging the power of "El-Olam". God had protected Him, sustained Him and guided Him. It is also significant that the power of El-Olam moved and promised Abraham that from Him would come a "seed" - that is - God in human flesh. God alone could back up His promises. He alone has the power to direct the course of prophecy and history through what is termed His "Providence". (Romans 11:36).
As powerful as the affects of the sun are in our solar system, it pails in comparison to the power of the Eternal God - "El Olam".
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Seeing what is infinitely greater than the sun
Habakkuk 3:4 God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the
heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.
4His radiance is like the
sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And
there is the hiding of His power.
Special Link to the latest NASA video of the Sun: NASA - Year Two: SDO Highlights On Its Anniversary http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=141041161
Elohim - the Eternal God and the rays of His glory, illustrated by the sun which he made
We have been exploring the name of God "Elohim" in the past couple of blogs. We've noted that this name answers the question: "What kind of God is God" in the Bible. Today I wanted to explore the significance of this name through the means of an object of which we are most familiar - the sun. If you click on the link above, and then click again, you will be treated to an HD video from the Solar Dynamics Mission (SDM), one of the the most detailed studies of the sun ever undertaken. The link will take you to a 2 minute video on the NASA website which should start automatically for you. The SDM is a probe circling our sun, equipped with the latest technology. As you view the video, read Habakkuk 3:4 (see above).
Elohim is the fulness of God's being, with other names acting as rays revealing the glory of His being
I pray as you viewed the video, you were blown away like I was. It really reveals what Habakkuk was speaking about when He said that God (Elohim) came and had rays flashing from His hand. I want to suggest to you that the name "Elohim" is illustrated by what He made, the Sun, with other names revealed in scripture in conjunction with this name acting as "rays". Let me show you what I mean:
1. "El" or the Strong God. "Elohim" is the plural form of "El". God's very existence bespeaks of His unending strength and power. It is the name "El" to which God's people cry out to when in need of help. Jesus on the cross cried out in His humanity "My God, my God" which in the language He would had been speaking (Aramaic) would had been equivalent to "My El, My El".
2. "El-Elyon" God most High. In Genesis 14 we see God revealing Himself in another "ray" of infinite light, God most High. Melechizedek, an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ, is speaking to Abraham. He tells Him that it is "El-Elyon" who delivered the mighty Patriarch.
3. "Elah or Eloah" God most Adorable. Is not God worthy of Love and Adoration? In Job 19:25,26 Job utters one of the first references we see to the hope of resurrection. It is here where Job in His sufffering looks to God, "Eloah", for His Help. As always, God's names are revealed in contexts where He is making Himself known to His people.
4. "Elroi" God who sees. In Genesis 16 the slave Hagar is about to lose her boy, Ishamael. Suddenly in the midst of her agony and cry, the mysterious figure of the Angel of the Lord appears. He is none other than an Old Tetsament appearance of Jesus Christ. We know this figure to be divine because Hagar acknowledges Him as "El-roi" - the God who sees.
God's glorious rays are endless, while the sun is limited
There are more names connected to this incredible name of "El" or "Elohim" (El-shaddai "God Almighty"; El-Olam "God Eternal"). According to astronomers, the sun converts hydrogen into Helium and burns many many tons of its own fuel as second. In size, the sun is a million miles across, or over a 1,000 times larger than the earth. It is 93 million miles from us and its light takes 8 minutes to reach our eyes from the moment those light rays leave its surface. As wonderful as the sun is, it is a limited, created object.
God on the other hand is without beginning and without end. Just one of His names or attributes reveals in unending depth an aspect of His being, and yet through that one name or aspect we can behold the other qualities of Him. May Elohim, the God of the Bible and Creation, capture our hearts. May we by grace through faith bask in the warmth of His grace and may the hardness of our hearts be melted by the heat of His Holiness.
Special Link to the latest NASA video of the Sun: NASA - Year Two: SDO Highlights On Its Anniversary http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=141041161
Elohim - the Eternal God and the rays of His glory, illustrated by the sun which he made
We have been exploring the name of God "Elohim" in the past couple of blogs. We've noted that this name answers the question: "What kind of God is God" in the Bible. Today I wanted to explore the significance of this name through the means of an object of which we are most familiar - the sun. If you click on the link above, and then click again, you will be treated to an HD video from the Solar Dynamics Mission (SDM), one of the the most detailed studies of the sun ever undertaken. The link will take you to a 2 minute video on the NASA website which should start automatically for you. The SDM is a probe circling our sun, equipped with the latest technology. As you view the video, read Habakkuk 3:4 (see above).
Elohim is the fulness of God's being, with other names acting as rays revealing the glory of His being
I pray as you viewed the video, you were blown away like I was. It really reveals what Habakkuk was speaking about when He said that God (Elohim) came and had rays flashing from His hand. I want to suggest to you that the name "Elohim" is illustrated by what He made, the Sun, with other names revealed in scripture in conjunction with this name acting as "rays". Let me show you what I mean:
1. "El" or the Strong God. "Elohim" is the plural form of "El". God's very existence bespeaks of His unending strength and power. It is the name "El" to which God's people cry out to when in need of help. Jesus on the cross cried out in His humanity "My God, my God" which in the language He would had been speaking (Aramaic) would had been equivalent to "My El, My El".
2. "El-Elyon" God most High. In Genesis 14 we see God revealing Himself in another "ray" of infinite light, God most High. Melechizedek, an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ, is speaking to Abraham. He tells Him that it is "El-Elyon" who delivered the mighty Patriarch.
3. "Elah or Eloah" God most Adorable. Is not God worthy of Love and Adoration? In Job 19:25,26 Job utters one of the first references we see to the hope of resurrection. It is here where Job in His sufffering looks to God, "Eloah", for His Help. As always, God's names are revealed in contexts where He is making Himself known to His people.
4. "Elroi" God who sees. In Genesis 16 the slave Hagar is about to lose her boy, Ishamael. Suddenly in the midst of her agony and cry, the mysterious figure of the Angel of the Lord appears. He is none other than an Old Tetsament appearance of Jesus Christ. We know this figure to be divine because Hagar acknowledges Him as "El-roi" - the God who sees.
God's glorious rays are endless, while the sun is limited
There are more names connected to this incredible name of "El" or "Elohim" (El-shaddai "God Almighty"; El-Olam "God Eternal"). According to astronomers, the sun converts hydrogen into Helium and burns many many tons of its own fuel as second. In size, the sun is a million miles across, or over a 1,000 times larger than the earth. It is 93 million miles from us and its light takes 8 minutes to reach our eyes from the moment those light rays leave its surface. As wonderful as the sun is, it is a limited, created object.
God on the other hand is without beginning and without end. Just one of His names or attributes reveals in unending depth an aspect of His being, and yet through that one name or aspect we can behold the other qualities of Him. May Elohim, the God of the Bible and Creation, capture our hearts. May we by grace through faith bask in the warmth of His grace and may the hardness of our hearts be melted by the heat of His Holiness.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The richness of God's name "Elohim"
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.
Yesterday we talked about the significance of the name "Elohim" or God in the Bible. We mentioned that this name answers the first question we can ask when approaching the God of the Bible: "What kind of God is God"? Today I wanted to continue giving some more details about this first name of the many names revealed in God's book.
The richness of God's name "Elohim"
The incredible reference work: "Theological Dictionary of Old Testament Words" contains an article that sheds much light on this incredible name of God "Elohim". Note what it states from page 45: "When indicating the True God, 'Elohim' functions as the subject of all Divine activity revealed to man'". God then is the subject, the source of His own revelation to us. He reveals Himself generally through creation and the conscience, specifically through the Bible and most gloriously through Jesus Christ in the Bible.....(Elohim) is the object of all true reverence and fear from men".
According to the article God or Elohim is knowable. He can be perceived in creation and the conscience. (Romans 1:18-31; Romans 2:15) God or Elohim is then Personally known and relateable through scripture and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:8-15; John 14:1-8)
Elohim reveals what kind of God that Bible reveals and what He does
Again turning to the reference work I quoted from above, the name Elohim gives us five categories in which we can understand the being and work of God:
1. Work of Creation. Isaiah 45:18; Jonah 1:9
2. Sovereignty. Isaiah 54:5 (God or Elohim of all the Earth); Jeremiah 32:27 (God or Elohim of all flesh); (God of gods and Lord of Lords) Deuteronomy 10:17; and (God or Elohim Most High) Ps 57:2.
3. His Majesty or Glory. (God or Elohim of Eternity) Isaiah 40:28; (God or Elohim of Certainty) Isaiah 65:16.
4. His work of Salvation. (The God or Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) Exodus 3:6 and (The God or Elohim of Salvation) 1 Chronicles 16:35; Psalm 18:46.
5. Intimacy of God with His people. (The God or Elohim of Nearness) Jeremiah 23:23; (Your God or Elohim in Whom you Trust) 2 Kings 19:10 and (God or Elohim of my strength) Psalm 43:2.
Thus "Elohim" or God is a rich name indeed! In the Bible, this name is telling us what kind of God we are dealing with and that is dealing with us. Praise be to His Wonderful greatness!
Yesterday we talked about the significance of the name "Elohim" or God in the Bible. We mentioned that this name answers the first question we can ask when approaching the God of the Bible: "What kind of God is God"? Today I wanted to continue giving some more details about this first name of the many names revealed in God's book.
The richness of God's name "Elohim"
The incredible reference work: "Theological Dictionary of Old Testament Words" contains an article that sheds much light on this incredible name of God "Elohim". Note what it states from page 45: "When indicating the True God, 'Elohim' functions as the subject of all Divine activity revealed to man'". God then is the subject, the source of His own revelation to us. He reveals Himself generally through creation and the conscience, specifically through the Bible and most gloriously through Jesus Christ in the Bible.....(Elohim) is the object of all true reverence and fear from men".
According to the article God or Elohim is knowable. He can be perceived in creation and the conscience. (Romans 1:18-31; Romans 2:15) God or Elohim is then Personally known and relateable through scripture and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:8-15; John 14:1-8)
Elohim reveals what kind of God that Bible reveals and what He does
Again turning to the reference work I quoted from above, the name Elohim gives us five categories in which we can understand the being and work of God:
1. Work of Creation. Isaiah 45:18; Jonah 1:9
2. Sovereignty. Isaiah 54:5 (God or Elohim of all the Earth); Jeremiah 32:27 (God or Elohim of all flesh); (God of gods and Lord of Lords) Deuteronomy 10:17; and (God or Elohim Most High) Ps 57:2.
3. His Majesty or Glory. (God or Elohim of Eternity) Isaiah 40:28; (God or Elohim of Certainty) Isaiah 65:16.
4. His work of Salvation. (The God or Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) Exodus 3:6 and (The God or Elohim of Salvation) 1 Chronicles 16:35; Psalm 18:46.
5. Intimacy of God with His people. (The God or Elohim of Nearness) Jeremiah 23:23; (Your God or Elohim in Whom you Trust) 2 Kings 19:10 and (God or Elohim of my strength) Psalm 43:2.
Thus "Elohim" or God is a rich name indeed! In the Bible, this name is telling us what kind of God we are dealing with and that is dealing with us. Praise be to His Wonderful greatness!
Monday, April 30, 2012
What Kind of God is God? Elohim
John 17:3“This is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
The beginning and goal of salvation - knowing God
What kind of God is God? Who is God? What can God do? These three questions are starting point when approach the God of the Bible. According to Jesus Christ, this is the beginning and goal of salvation - to know (by experience, not just in theory) the true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Ways that God reveals Himself in the Bible
In the Bible, we get to know God in a number of ways.
1. Firstly through what theologians call His attributes or characteristics.
2. Secondly, through His works (such as creation, providence, redemption and what will be the renewing of the Heavens and the Earth following Christ's Return).
3. Thirdly, by seeing the covenants or agreements that He made with His people (the patriarchs and Israel in the Old Testament and the church in the New Testament).
4. Fourthly, by His names.
5. Then finally and most significantly, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who is the fulness and complete manifestation of the invisible God in History (The Gospels), in Missions (Acts), in the church's life (The Epistles) and at the end of all time (Revelation).
What kind of God is God?
In Creation I learn about God, which means I understand that ultimately One God created all that I see and know. (Romans 1:18-20). By means of the conscience and creation I can answer from God's General revelation what God is. Of course it is in the Bible too that God reveals much more detail about what kind of God He is in terms of His goodness, mercy and salvation. The Bible is what we call "special revelation", since it deals specifically with issues pertaining to God's identity, eternity, history, salvation, man and the coming Kingdom through Christ's return.
The name Elohim tells us what kind of God God is
The chief Name that tells us what kind of God the Bible reveals is the name "Elohim". Translated "God" in all English Bibles, "Elohim" (which is Hebrew by the way) or "God" occurs over 2700 times in the Old Testament alone. The name "Elohim" refers to God as a covenant keeping God, the "strong one". The root of the name is "Elah", which means "Strong or mighty one" or "One who Swears". The "im" ending is a plural ending in the Hebrew, which tells us that God is One, and yet also relates in and of Himself.
Elohim (God) in Genesis 1
Genesis 1:1 is where we see the first mention of God or "Elohim" - "In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the Heavens and the Earth." Undoubtedly the emphasis of the text is that One God, not many gods, created the universe. Then when you go down to Genesis 1:26-27 you read - "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. "
Elohim tells us that God is One God in existence and plural in His identity
Notice what we see in the underlined words? We see plural words: "Let us" and "Our" - telling us that something about Elohim is in the Plural. Yet in the next verse we see singular words: "God created" and "He created" - stating the truth of God being One God. Although the Old Testament does not fully bear out the biblical doctrine of the Trinity like we find articulated in the New Testament, yet this "plurality and unity" of God points in that direction. (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:12 are just some of the New Testament passages of which we speak)
God is a God who relates. He is Elohim. He is One God who is Plural in His dealings within Himself and with His people. Relationally then, God is plural. Existence wise, God is One. Elohim sets the stage for what would become the Biblical doctrine of God's true nature: The Triune God head. This then is the One True God.
The beginning and goal of salvation - knowing God
What kind of God is God? Who is God? What can God do? These three questions are starting point when approach the God of the Bible. According to Jesus Christ, this is the beginning and goal of salvation - to know (by experience, not just in theory) the true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
Ways that God reveals Himself in the Bible
In the Bible, we get to know God in a number of ways.
1. Firstly through what theologians call His attributes or characteristics.
2. Secondly, through His works (such as creation, providence, redemption and what will be the renewing of the Heavens and the Earth following Christ's Return).
3. Thirdly, by seeing the covenants or agreements that He made with His people (the patriarchs and Israel in the Old Testament and the church in the New Testament).
4. Fourthly, by His names.
5. Then finally and most significantly, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who is the fulness and complete manifestation of the invisible God in History (The Gospels), in Missions (Acts), in the church's life (The Epistles) and at the end of all time (Revelation).
What kind of God is God?
In Creation I learn about God, which means I understand that ultimately One God created all that I see and know. (Romans 1:18-20). By means of the conscience and creation I can answer from God's General revelation what God is. Of course it is in the Bible too that God reveals much more detail about what kind of God He is in terms of His goodness, mercy and salvation. The Bible is what we call "special revelation", since it deals specifically with issues pertaining to God's identity, eternity, history, salvation, man and the coming Kingdom through Christ's return.
The name Elohim tells us what kind of God God is
The chief Name that tells us what kind of God the Bible reveals is the name "Elohim". Translated "God" in all English Bibles, "Elohim" (which is Hebrew by the way) or "God" occurs over 2700 times in the Old Testament alone. The name "Elohim" refers to God as a covenant keeping God, the "strong one". The root of the name is "Elah", which means "Strong or mighty one" or "One who Swears". The "im" ending is a plural ending in the Hebrew, which tells us that God is One, and yet also relates in and of Himself.
Elohim (God) in Genesis 1
Genesis 1:1 is where we see the first mention of God or "Elohim" - "In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the Heavens and the Earth." Undoubtedly the emphasis of the text is that One God, not many gods, created the universe. Then when you go down to Genesis 1:26-27 you read - "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. "
Elohim tells us that God is One God in existence and plural in His identity
Notice what we see in the underlined words? We see plural words: "Let us" and "Our" - telling us that something about Elohim is in the Plural. Yet in the next verse we see singular words: "God created" and "He created" - stating the truth of God being One God. Although the Old Testament does not fully bear out the biblical doctrine of the Trinity like we find articulated in the New Testament, yet this "plurality and unity" of God points in that direction. (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:12 are just some of the New Testament passages of which we speak)
God is a God who relates. He is Elohim. He is One God who is Plural in His dealings within Himself and with His people. Relationally then, God is plural. Existence wise, God is One. Elohim sets the stage for what would become the Biblical doctrine of God's true nature: The Triune God head. This then is the One True God.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Biblical beginnings and endings
Revelation 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen
We have been studying various principles or "laws of mention" that can be used in tracing themes through the scriptures. So far we have looked at:
1. The Law of first mention
2. The law of illustrative mention
3. The law of progressive mention
4. The law of full mention
The fifth and final principle in our "5 laws of Bible study series" is the "Law of final mention". As the name suggests, it is where the Bible makes "final mention" of an idea or concept. Several days ago when we began this blog series, I talked about how a "first mention" is like the "seed-form" of that truth or concept. With that being the case, the final mention functions like the full and mature stage of that idea. Like an acorn to an oak tree, so it is with a "first" mention to that of a "final mention".
Below is a list of some of the "first mentions" and "last mentions" in the scriptures.
a. God's kind of Love first mentioned - Genesis 22:2 seen in the giving of a son
God's kind of Love final mention - Revelation 20:9 seen in the coming of the Son
b. God's word or speaking first mention - Genesis 1:3
God's word or speaking final mention - Revelation 22:21
c. Mercy or Grace first mentioned - Genesis 6:9
Mercy or Grace final mention - Revelation 22:21
d. Jesus Christ in the flesh first mentioned - Matthew 1:21
Jesus Christ still in the flesh, now glorified, final mention - Revelation 22:21
If you notice, in all of those final mentions, Jesus Christ is connected to all of them. If find it no coincidence, since the scriptures do point to Him! If anything, the law of final mention should lead you to a fuller understanding of the written word - the Bible, and the Living Word - Jesus Christ.
We have been studying various principles or "laws of mention" that can be used in tracing themes through the scriptures. So far we have looked at:
1. The Law of first mention
2. The law of illustrative mention
3. The law of progressive mention
4. The law of full mention
The fifth and final principle in our "5 laws of Bible study series" is the "Law of final mention". As the name suggests, it is where the Bible makes "final mention" of an idea or concept. Several days ago when we began this blog series, I talked about how a "first mention" is like the "seed-form" of that truth or concept. With that being the case, the final mention functions like the full and mature stage of that idea. Like an acorn to an oak tree, so it is with a "first" mention to that of a "final mention".
Below is a list of some of the "first mentions" and "last mentions" in the scriptures.
a. God's kind of Love first mentioned - Genesis 22:2 seen in the giving of a son
God's kind of Love final mention - Revelation 20:9 seen in the coming of the Son
b. God's word or speaking first mention - Genesis 1:3
God's word or speaking final mention - Revelation 22:21
c. Mercy or Grace first mentioned - Genesis 6:9
Mercy or Grace final mention - Revelation 22:21
d. Jesus Christ in the flesh first mentioned - Matthew 1:21
Jesus Christ still in the flesh, now glorified, final mention - Revelation 22:21
If you notice, in all of those final mentions, Jesus Christ is connected to all of them. If find it no coincidence, since the scriptures do point to Him! If anything, the law of final mention should lead you to a fuller understanding of the written word - the Bible, and the Living Word - Jesus Christ.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The meaning of fully walking with the Lord
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Today we continue in our study of "5 laws of Bible Study" by considering what is termed: "The Law of Full mention". So far we have considered the following principles or "laws" of Bible Study:
1. Law of first mention - Where we see a word or idea first mentioned in the Bible
2. Law of illustrative mention - Where we see that idea or word illustrated by a person or an event in the Bible
3. Law of of Progressive mention - How we see that word or idea develop through the progressive revelation of God's Word (through the Bible books)
In this fourth "law", we are interested in chapters or sections that give us a multitude of mentionings. Often when this occurs, the author is giving us that idea in its full form. Yesterday we looked at the concept of "walking with God", and noted its progressive unfolding through the th first five books of the Bible. We can go into the New Testament and find this concept spoken of multiple times in Galatians 5 - i.e Fully mentioned.
Walking with God fully mentioned
Galatians 5 finds its main point at the very end of the chapter in 5:25, where Paul writes: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Thus we see a distinction made between living by the Spirit (that is, by the the Spirit's presence in our hearts and lives) and walking by the Spirit (that is, conducting ourselves by the Spirit's power over our hearts and lives). All Christians have the Spirit living inside them. (John 14:23) However not every Christian lets the Spirit lead them.
To walk by the Spirit means to conduct our lives as followers and He as the Leader. But now the whole of Galatians 5 gives us a full treatment of this concept of walking by the Spirit. Consider the passages:
a. Galatians 5:1 - "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery". Walking with the Lord includes standing firm for Him
b. Galatians 5:7 - "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Walking with God also means running for Him. Running can only be maintained when the truth of the Gospel is central in our hearts and our actions.
c. Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Walking with the Lord means not just living by principles and morals, but having His power and majesty operating in our lives.
d. Galatians 5:18 - "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality". Walking with the Lord includes the idea of holiness. Holiness is an attitude that desires to be like the Lord Jesus Christ in thought, word or deed. When we walk with the Lord, our "walk" should matach with our "talk".
e. Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" Thus Paul takes the conviction of 5:1, the consistency of 5:7, the change brought about in 5:16 and the character of 5:18 to bring the "fullness" of what it means to walk with God here in 5:25.
As you can see, this tool is valuable in that it helps you get the "full view" of a given teaching or truth in the Word of God. May you this day walk in the Lord as you aim to live in Him, and He in you.
Today we continue in our study of "5 laws of Bible Study" by considering what is termed: "The Law of Full mention". So far we have considered the following principles or "laws" of Bible Study:
1. Law of first mention - Where we see a word or idea first mentioned in the Bible
2. Law of illustrative mention - Where we see that idea or word illustrated by a person or an event in the Bible
3. Law of of Progressive mention - How we see that word or idea develop through the progressive revelation of God's Word (through the Bible books)
In this fourth "law", we are interested in chapters or sections that give us a multitude of mentionings. Often when this occurs, the author is giving us that idea in its full form. Yesterday we looked at the concept of "walking with God", and noted its progressive unfolding through the th first five books of the Bible. We can go into the New Testament and find this concept spoken of multiple times in Galatians 5 - i.e Fully mentioned.
Walking with God fully mentioned
Galatians 5 finds its main point at the very end of the chapter in 5:25, where Paul writes: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Thus we see a distinction made between living by the Spirit (that is, by the the Spirit's presence in our hearts and lives) and walking by the Spirit (that is, conducting ourselves by the Spirit's power over our hearts and lives). All Christians have the Spirit living inside them. (John 14:23) However not every Christian lets the Spirit lead them.
To walk by the Spirit means to conduct our lives as followers and He as the Leader. But now the whole of Galatians 5 gives us a full treatment of this concept of walking by the Spirit. Consider the passages:
a. Galatians 5:1 - "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery". Walking with the Lord includes standing firm for Him
b. Galatians 5:7 - "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Walking with God also means running for Him. Running can only be maintained when the truth of the Gospel is central in our hearts and our actions.
c. Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Walking with the Lord means not just living by principles and morals, but having His power and majesty operating in our lives.
d. Galatians 5:18 - "if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality". Walking with the Lord includes the idea of holiness. Holiness is an attitude that desires to be like the Lord Jesus Christ in thought, word or deed. When we walk with the Lord, our "walk" should matach with our "talk".
e. Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" Thus Paul takes the conviction of 5:1, the consistency of 5:7, the change brought about in 5:16 and the character of 5:18 to bring the "fullness" of what it means to walk with God here in 5:25.
As you can see, this tool is valuable in that it helps you get the "full view" of a given teaching or truth in the Word of God. May you this day walk in the Lord as you aim to live in Him, and He in you.
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