How many God-persons? "I SAW..", Scenes from heaven,1 God Series

 "I SAW" by the Witnesses

Scripture Scenes from heaven, From the 1God Series:
by Rory Moore

Confused over the Creator of all things? 
Mystified by Genesis 1:26 "Let us"?

Confused by conflicting, confusing, contradicting church teachings regarding the Almighty? 

Well congratulations, you have a lot of company, and I once shared your dilemma.

"ONE" should be simple, but how often people make one complicated!
Can One be two or three? Can 1/3 or 1/2 be equal without diminishing the whole? 

You are probably reading this from the perspective of what we were taught or influenced to believe. Some of us became zealots for our belief and countless books, articles, and debates bear witness to our passion.

After 30 years in Christianity, countless studies, books, and opinions including my own, I realized in all honesty, what I had believed had problems with scriptures that did not reconcile with my church doctrine.

Before arguing, I hope you will do where I began in using this particular approach to solve my own questions regarding the #1 Subject in the universe and the questions I had in His Word, the holy scriptures..  

.... A simple search.
If you will look at scripture verses search for "I SAW" and what the witnesses described as the ONE on the throne. https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?search=I+saw&version=ASV&searchtype=phrase&spanbegin=1&spanend=73

Thus results a scripture search for "I SAW" , exact phrase, and filtered out passages that were not about God, heaven, and the Throne of God. 

These are the literal eye-witnesses: Moses, Macaiah. Isaiah. Daniel. John. Stephen. Ezekiel especially as it is most detailed, but all agree.

As I read and compared, prayed and pondered the eyewitnesses descriptions, I began to "see" what they "saw". And I found I had been wrong about some things.

First witness,  
Exodus 24:9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

10 And THEY SAW the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not his hand: also 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝑮𝒐𝒅, and did eat and drink.

Num 12:8  With him <Moses> will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude H8544 of the LORD shall he behold:
similitude:
similitude (4x), image (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage: form, image, likeness, representation, semblance
Strong’s Definitions : from H4327; something portioned (i.e. fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e. (indefinitely) phantom, or embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of favor):—image, likeness, similitude.

Second witness Macaiah said "I saw"

1kings 22:9  And Micaiah said, Therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: >>> I saw The Lord sitting on his throne <<<, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

Third witness Isaiah.  “I saw”
Isaiah 6 (ASV) :1  In the year that king Uzziah died

 I saw the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and His train filled the temple.

Fourth Witness Daniel.  He wrote “I saw”
Dan. 7: Daniel spoke and said, I SAW in my VISION by night, and, behold, the four winds of heaven broke forth upon the great sea. 9  I beheld till thrones were set, and one that was Ancient of days did sit:
His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, [and] the wheels thereof burning fire.

10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousands of thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.  .....................

Fifth Witness Ezekiel:  “I saw”
1:1.. and I saw visions of God.....and the hand of 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓛𝓞𝓡𝓓 was there upon him.
1:26  And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne as the appearance of a sapphire stone;  and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.**

26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.

27 Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him.
28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance.

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.  (YEHOVAH)

Sixth Witness angels. Jesus said:
Mat. 18:10   See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Seventh witness Stephen said "I see"
Acts 7:56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 

Eighth Witness: John    He wrote "I saw.."
Revelation 4:1
:1 After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven 2 Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and One sitting upon the throne; 3 and He that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.
10 the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sits on the throne, and shall worship him that lives for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 

11 Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for You did create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

Solomon: 2 Chronicles 7:12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: “I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself for a house of sacrifice.

All reaction

God "alone" scriptures:

Job  9:8 That alone stretched out the heavens,
Psalm 83:18 That they may know that You alone, whose name is YHWH, Are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 136:4 To Him who alone does great wonders; For his loving kindness endures for ever:

Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, that sits above the cherubim, You are the God, even You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 44:24 Thus says the LORD, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb:

I am the LORD (YHWH), that makes all things; that stretched forth the heavens alone; that spread abroad the earth (who is with Me?);

In the above passages, there is no visual, pre-Bethlehem evidence or witness of a second or third person with Him (God the eternal One, YHWH). 

There will be more in this series and I know what you are thinking  "BUT WHAT ABOUT...?",

and I will address those just as I myself asked the same "WHAT ABOUT's"..

So before getting upset with me, please look at those passages and imagine yourself being the one reporting their witness, step into their sandals and see through their vision, read their words and imagine in your mind what they say ...

© All rights reserved. Rory Moore 2018 

Tags:
trinity, Oneness, mono theism, universalism, Pentecostal, triune, fully god fully man, deity, deity of christ, one God, God in three persons, unitarian

"My Lord and My God"

Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.

People often point to that verse as a "Jesus is God" proof,
 but ignore two other passages in the same chapter that do not agree with what they think Thomas meant. 

Let’s examine in context three key verses in the same chapter.

20:17 Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them:
‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God’

20:28 And Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.

20:31  <John>  but these have been written  that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

These are FOUR possible meanings.

1.  Thomas calling Jesus Lord ( a master, of authority) and God , <theos/ eloheim.  A word also applied to men, judges and kings) 

2.  As an exclamation, MY LORD AND MY GOD! -as an expression of shock and surprise to GOD above, as people do.

3. Calling him LORD (Yhwh)  and GOD (The Almighty).

4. Jesus responded to Thomas: John 20:29  Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Jesus asked Thomas about his belief.
Thomas believed what? That he was God? 
Thomas had expressed disbelief over Jesus being ALIVE.
"“We have seen the Lord.” But he said , “Unless I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

-Believe what?
-that God raised him from the dead or that Jesus was God?
The context of the conversation is the resurrection of Christ, and not deity

There's only one answer and it was the fact that God raised him from the dead.
Reading a few verses prior should help us understand the best choice.

John 20:17 (NASB) Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say, 

'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"

Because the word “God” or “theos” are not exclusive terms for the Almighty. 

It may refer to anything likened unto God, Gods Representative, or one entrusted with the word of God, a judge, a ruler, or king. All of which apply to Jesus.

Jesus said the Father is the ONLY true God and he said the Father is "MY God".
John said exactly why he wrote in John 20:31(NASB)

but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; 
and that believing you may have life in His name.

Summary:
How many times did anyone say or preach  “Jesus IS GOD”?  -0.
How many times did anyone say or preach Jesus is the “SON of God?  42 Times (NASB)
How many tome did they call Jesus "GOD THE SON"?     -0-.
What are we to believe?
-that "Jesus is God" or "Jesus is the CHRIST, the SON of GOD"?
-and that God raised him from the dead, which is what Thomas came to believe in the context.

..................................................

Does Thomas' exclamation  PROVE JESUS is GOD?

While GOD Almighty was still on the throne?

Did Thomas know that Jesus had just said "....I ascend TO MY GOD AND YOUR GOD" and somehow think Jesus was God?

DID JOHN knowingly write that Jesus was ascending "TO MY GOD AND YOU GOD"

and yet John still finished his gospel with "these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the CHRIST, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD"?

And WHY did NONE of the Spirit filled diciples in Acts say "Jesus is our GOD" or a simple "JESUS IS GOD"

***IF*** it was so?

These are clear reasons to think about and stop trying to prove what no scripture says:
 i.e. "Jesus is God".
John wrote in one of his letters to the saints:

"He that overcomes is he that believes Jesus **IS** the Christ, the Son of God".

-which was repeatedly preached and stated in contrast to zero times where the apostles said "Jesus is God".  And THAT is why we repented from what is said and taught around the church world.

Bad Fruit. Cherry Picking Tithes and Law The case of Jacob

There is only ONE Covenant

1John 2:26 These things have I written to you concerning them that would lead you astray.

An issue we were presented with was tithing when a local church spokes-person gave a good cover story from the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. On the surface it really sounded reasonable.  It might inspire some to do likewise, especially anyone who accepts whatever they are taught by ministers. 

The approach was given based on a vow from Genesis 28:
 ²⁰ Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, ²¹ and if I return safely to my fathers home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.

22 And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me."

Doesn't that sound reasonable?
Make a deal with God in exchange for protection and provision, just make a pledge or vow to give 10% of everything God gives. It's even in the Bible.

Let's look at Jacob's vow of 10% and ask ourselves:

1. Jacob's vow. Did anyone in the New Testament scriptures make this vow?
    Answer:  Easy to answer, no one did. Ever.
2. Does the New Covenant instruct us to follow Jacob's vow to be blessed and provided for?
3. Do we need  to follow Moses' Law in the OLD Covenant?
4. Did the apostles instruct observing Abraham's Covenant? 

There is a tragic error committed by many Christians who love God. They do not know or understand the Covenant God made with us in Jesus Christ. 
 Are we blindly to  let  leadership define what Christianity is?

Which Covenant?

Hebrews 7:22 By so much also has Jesus become the (surety) of a better covenant
"surety": a surety, a sponsor,  a guarantee
"better": stronger, -, that is, (figuratively) better, that is, nobler: - best, better
"covenant":  (specifically) a contract (especially a divisory will): - covenant, testament.

Jesus is the guarantor of a better contract-testament-will-covenant than ANY of the previous ones. It is a better one than the one that included tithing, the Law of Moses, Jacob's vow, Noah's Covenant, Abraham's promised blessings, and the one God gave Adam.

The NEW COVENANT is a legal Will that supersedes, dis annuls, makes void, and replaces the ones that went before, and gives us the promise:

Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law to righteousness to every one that believes."

Hebrews 9:10 being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation

Our SALVATION  is a Greek word "SOZO" which means: Saved, Healed, Made Whole, Delivered and Preserved.
We don't need to go back under an old vow and try to make a deal with God.
ALL the promises are in Christ  -better promises and "a better covenant." 

We don't need to make a deal with God by making an oath or promise based on an OLD covenant; in fact, there is a sin committed by making an oath.
 James 5:12 "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth,
nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that you do not fall under judgment"

Let's compare some of these "better promises"  with Jacob's.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power has given to us all that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:

Is something lacking  "all that pertain to life and godliness" so we need to make a deal like Jacob?

• Philipians 4:20 "And my God shall supply every need  of yours accordingto his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
  
  You don't have to "tithe" to have your needs met in our "better covenant", that's ridiculous. 
  We only need to put faith in what God said He would do and act accordingly.
• Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
  
  
  
• Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
• Matthew 6:31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
• 33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these shall be added to you.
  
   All we are required to do is to BELIEVE in what He said, put our FAITH in Him, TRUST him,  and walk in them accordingly.
  Proved by Jesus' instructions to His apostles, who gave us what He said; the terms of the New Covenant to the churches. (John 17:20)

So the CHURCH was never told to tithe, keep weekly sabbath, observe Jewish feasts and new moons, keep all the dietary laws, go to Jerusalem 3 times a year, pay a temple tax, or keep the commands, ordinances, and statutes that are written in the law of the old Covenant.

People are told to repent, live holy, and abide in the Words Jesus gave us through His disciples.
And the church is told *not* to make vows as Jesus said and James wrote.

1Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Where did the apostles, the foundational writers of the New Testament scriptures, 

command us to observe or keep any part of the sabbath day laws, an Old Testament feast, keep dietary laws, circumcision, or a tithing covenant?
No dear reader, these commands are not found in a single verse in our New Testament covenant, after the cross.

Where was the dividing line?
It was at the death of the testator, Jesus Christ. His death gave us His Will and the apostles and early church did what he told them to do.  It began in the Book of Acts. 

Here is where they said you would come under a curse if you go back to law:

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continues not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and stumbles in one point, he is become guilty of all.

( the curse includes things like sickness, disease, unbelieveing people coming against us, "accidents", debt, broken relationships with family. I wonder if any Christians ever have these happen in their lives or their churches?) 

The apostles said this of people who would put you under a law or vow God never made with the church: Galatians 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Even in the early church, a problem arose regarding the Old Testament laws and Christians:

Acts 15: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God...

NO TITHING!! No circumcision!! No mandatory sabbaths!!
No more blood sacrifices, no stoning of rebellious children!
No death penalty for breaking the sabbath laws, no stoning someone with a familiar spirit, no responsibility to kill witches.
No more  smiting the heathen with the sword.

No careful observance of feast days, unleavened bread, new moons, and 600 other mandatory requirements under as demanded under the Old Covenant.

What DOES this New Covenant offer?
The Promise of the Holy Ghost, Christ IN you.
The forgiveness of sins.
Righteousness, peace and joy.
Salvation for the soul.
Healing and health for our bodies.
Provision for food and clothing.
Deliverance from evil.
Release from bondages and addictions.
The faith to conquer and pull down our enemies strongholds.
Our needs being met.
Promises for our family and children to be saved.
Promises for  contentment with what we have.
Freedom from fearfulness and worry.
Walking in a love relationship with God.
Freedom from the Law of sin and death.
God's free gift of grace, His favor towards us..
The promise of "all things that pertain to life and godliness"
The opportunity for a fresh and new beginning in life.
The promise of power and authority through Christ.
Spiritual gifts including miracles, signs, and wonders.
The power and authority to cast out demons.
The power to overcome our trials through faith.
The authority to be kings and priests in His kingdom..............

The truth is the deal Jacob made with God for provision and safety pales in comparison to the promises of God in the New Testament which were purchased for us through the blood of Jesus.

Jesus made a sacrifice of His Life, body, and blood to bring us the same things Jacob desired to get from God in his bargaining. Except the Jesus Covenant isinfinitely and eternally greater than the one way back there that no one ever instructed the church to imitate.

The heart of the matter is many churches pervert these scriptures so they can pass along leavened teachings and benefit from the people they mislead and from whom they receive their livelihood.
Oh yes, they will say nice things like "God wants to bless you 100 fold, so if you do such and such He will", or other vain reasoning’s that sound good but lead astray those who were once delivered.

We repeat, the difference between Jacob's bargaining and Jesus' FREE gift is one of which covenant will you abide in? Why do you think Paul warned the Galatians about "another Gospel"? -that is a false gospel that sounds good like it will bring a benefit but is not part of the TRUE gospel given in the New Testament. 

There is only ONE Covenant in force that saves, don't believe anyone who explains away what Jesus gave us through the apostles, or let them put you in bondage to laws like tithing, dietary law, sabbath keeping, or a multitude of ordinances.

Addendum.

We encourage you to look at what God says about OUR Covenant: 

Jeremiah 31:31
Malachi 3:1
Luke 22:20
2 Corinthians 3:6
Hebrews 8:8, 8:13, 9:15, 12:24
Hebrews 9:16-17
Psalms 50:5
Ezekiel 37:26
Matthew 26:28
Mark 14:24
Romans 11:27
2 Corinthians 3:14
Hebrews 7:22
Hebrews 8:6-13
Hebrews 9:1
Hebrews 10:16
Hebrews 12:24
Hebrews 13:20
now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep with the BLOOD of AN ETERNAL COVENANT, even our LORD JESUS CHRIST.