The Case For The Trinity
Topic: The Trinity
Lesson PDF link: Trinity Lesson
I prayed for a way to explain the Trinity in an easy way to understand. After much of this, I finally got an answer. I prayed even more and still got the same answer. My testimony is that this lesson is written under the inspiration of God for people who have questions about the Trinity and why we as Christians believe in it.
There are three persons of the Trinity or The Living God that are distinctly different and yet the same, but all rooted in Love. This is a hard concept and has probably been debated for many years. The three persons of God (I have to use attributes to perhaps make it easier to understand, but these are inadequate) are Judgment, Mercy, and Comfort. The reason why the word "persons" is being used is to say we are taking the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) individually at first as to show what the Bible teaches about them. After this, we will put them all together (as they should be and are) and show what the Bible teaches about God and show that the Trinity (Father, Son, And Holy Spirit) is the same yesterday today and forever.
Amen!!
Section I-----Mercy (Jesus)
Section II----Comfort (Holy Spirit)
Section III----Judgment (Father)
Section IV----My thoughts on The Trinity As a Whole (very short hypothesis)
Section V----Love (God)
Section VI----Closing Thoughts
Section VII----Closing Prayer
Note: All Scripture references and quotes taken from the NIV Bible and Commentary.
Section I----Mercy (Jesus)
From prophecy, to His birth, to His ministry, to His death, and His resurrection we see the true story of He who died to save the world from its sins and claim ultimate victory over death, hell, and the grave.
There are two passages of Scripture: Isaiah 9: 1-7; 52: 13-53: 12 that are prophecies of our Lord Jesus' coming that look to be probably held to be one of the strongest prophecies concerning Jesus our Lord. They teach that Jesus will come to save us from our sins, but will taste physical death in the process.
The Bible States:
Isa 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--
Isa 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Isa 9:3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
Isa 9:4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Isa 9:5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
The Bible States:
Isa 52:13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Isa 52:14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him-- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness--
Isa 52:15 so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Isa 53:1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isa 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isa 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isa 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
Isa 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it was the LORD'S will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Isa 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Luke 2: 1-20 is on Jesus birth. This tells how Jesus was born of a virgin, thus fulfilling another prophecy in Isaiah 7: 14-16. According to my Bible commentary, this passage foreshadows Jesus' coming.
The Bible States
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isa 7:15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.
Isa 7:16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
The Bible States In Luke 2: 1-20
Lk 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
Lk 2:2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
Lk 2:3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
Lk 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Lk 2:5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Lk 2:6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, Lk 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Lk 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Lk 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Lk 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Lk 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Lk 2:12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Lk 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Lk 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Lk 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Lk 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Lk 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
Lk 2:18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Lk 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Lk 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
So, Why did Jesus have to die?
John 3:14-18 says it best.
The Bible States:
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up that everyone who believes in him shall have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
Jesus is referring to this scripture; The Bible States in the book of Numbers 21:4-9
Nu 21:4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;
Nu 21:5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"
Nu 21:6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
Nu 21:7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
Nu 21:8 The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
Nu 21:9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
These scriptures match. Isn't this neat!! So, we see that Jesus claims to be God's Son. OK, now here are some scriptures to show that Jesus is God. We have to go back to the book of Isaiah and to the book of Revelation to find other scriptures. This is to show what and who God claims to be.
The Bible States:
Isa 44:6 "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
Isa 44:7 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come.
Isa 44:8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
Isa 44:9 All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.
Isa 44:10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?
Isa 44:11 He and his kind will be put to shame; craftsmen are nothing but men. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and infamy.
Isa 44:12 The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.
Isa 44:13 The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.
Isa 44:14 He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.
Isa 44:15 It is man's fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.
Isa 44:16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm; I see the fire."
Isa 44:17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me; you are my god."
Isa 44:18 They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
Isa 44:19 No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, "Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"
Isa 44:20 He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie? "
Isa 44:21 "Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you.
Isa 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."
Isa 44:23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
The Bible States:
Isa 48:12 "Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
Isa 48:13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.
Isa 48:14 "Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD'S chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians.
Isa 48:15 I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.
Isa 48:16 "Come near me and listen to this: "From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit.
Isa 48:17 This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isa 48:18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Isa 48:19 Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me."
Isa 48:20 Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, "The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob."
Isa 48:21 They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.
Isa 48:22 "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
The Bible States:
Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
Rev 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Rev 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Rev 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Rev 21:6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Rev 21:7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Rev 21:9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
Rev 21:11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
Rev 21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rev 21:13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.
Rev 21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Rev 21:15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.
Rev 21:16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long.
Rev 21:17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using. Rev 21:18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.
Rev 21:19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
Rev 21:20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
Rev 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.
Rev 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Rev 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Rev 21:24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.
Rev 21:25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Rev 21:26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
Rev 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
What does Jesus claim? Well, before we get to that, let's see what the Gospel of John and then the book of Hebrews says.
The Bible States:
Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jn 1:2 He was with God in the beginning.
Jn 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Jn 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Jn 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Jn 1:6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
Jn 1:7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
Jn 1:8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
Jn 1:9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Jn 1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
Jn 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Jn 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
Jn 1:13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Jn 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jn 1:15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' "
Jn 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Jn 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Jn 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
The Bible States:
Heb 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
Heb 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Heb 1:4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father'" ? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son" ?
Heb 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
Heb 1:7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
Heb 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
Heb 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
Heb 1:10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
Heb 1:11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
Heb 1:12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
Heb 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" ?
Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? This is what Jesus claims about himself as one will see.
The Bible States
Rev 1:4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
Rev 1:6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Rev 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
The Bible States:
Rev 2:8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
Rev 2:9 I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
The Bible States:
Rev 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
Rev 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Rev 22:14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Rev 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
So, we can see that the quotes in Isaiah and John (purple quote) and the words of Jesus (in red) match.
Jesus' kingdom is prophesied to last forever. The Bible States in Psalms 110:
Ps 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
Ps 110:2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.
Ps 110:3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth.
Ps 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Ps 110:5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
Ps 110:6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
Ps 110:7 He will drink from a brook beside the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
This of course matches the section of this lesson series on Jesus (Son) with the Hebrews 1 scriptures (refer to this if necessary--linking to v. 13).
Jesus is our high priest as well.
The Bible States:
Heb 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Heb 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Heb 5:2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
Heb 5:3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
Heb 5:4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
Heb 5:5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.'"
Heb 5:6 And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Heb 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Heb 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
Heb 5:9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
Heb 5:10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
The above stated verses link to Psalms 110:4
Jesus quotes Psalms 110: 1 and puts the emphasis on himself and claims it.
The Bible States in Matthew 22: 41-46
Mt 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
Mt 22:42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied.
Mt 22:43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,
Mt 22:44 " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." '
Mt 22:45 If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?"
Mt 22:46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
According to my NIV commentary, Jesus doesn't deny being of the lineage (physically) of David. Jesus here is claiming the Pharisees are grossly inadequate in thought. One can see a lot of truths that are concrete, not just generalities. Now, let's go on to the next section.
Section II: Comfort (Holy Spirit)
The Holy Spirit comforts us when we are troubled and need help. The Holy Spirit cleanses as well. Naturally this prayer was granted King David in Psalms 51. This psalm teaches about the Holy Spirit helping in times of lament.
The Bible States:
Ps 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Ps 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Ps 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Ps 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Ps 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Ps 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Ps 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Ps 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Ps 51:9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Ps 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Ps 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Ps 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Ps 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Ps 51:14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Ps 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Ps 51:16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Ps 51:18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Ps 51:19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
David is praying for the Holy Spirit of God to deliver him from his sins. Doesn't this sound familiar (Jesus literally has the power to forgive sins--only God can do this when it comes to Final Judgment)?
John 14 teaches on Jesus' promise to come back someday, in the meantime be comforted by the Holy Spirit that is in His name and be glad. Also, Jesus says he is the Father (obviously in flesh form).
The Bible States:
Jn 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
Jn 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
Jn 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Jn 14:4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jn 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jn 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jn 14:7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Jn 14:8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jn 14:9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Jn 14:10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Jn 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
Jn 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
Jn 14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jn 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.
Jn 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--
Jn 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Jn 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Jn 14:19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
Jn 14:20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
Jn 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Jn 14:22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jn 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Jn 14:24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Jn 14:25 "All this I have spoken while still with you.
Jn 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Jn 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jn 14:28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Jn 14:29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
Jn 14:30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,
Jn 14:31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.
When it says "The Father is Greater than I", we believe this is because of Jesus being both fully God and fully human.
The Bible States in Philippians 2:1-11:
Phil 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Phil 2:2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phil 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Phil 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Phil 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Phil 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is actually Jesus' Spirit (literally) Acts 2 talks about Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came so strong that everyone, though from different countries and languages understood each other perfectly. The Holy Spirit is the guardian of our mind, heart, and soul. The Holy Spirit gives power and authority as well. It's assuring to know that the Holy Spirit has this kind of punch.
The Bible States:
Ac 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Ac 2:2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Ac 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Ac 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Ac 2:5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
Ac 2:6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
Ac 2:7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
Ac 2:8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
Ac 2:9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Ac 2:10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome
Ac 2:11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Ac 2:12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
Ac 2:13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.'"
Ac 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
Ac 2:15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!
Ac 2:16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
Ac 2:17 " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Ac 2:18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Ac 2:19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
Ac 2:20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
Ac 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
Ac 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
Ac 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Ac 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Ac 2:25 David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Ac 2:26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
Ac 2:27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
Ac 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
Ac 2:29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
Ac 2:30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
Ac 2:31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
Ac 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
Ac 2:33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Ac 2:34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
Ac 2:35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '
Ac 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Ac 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Ac 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ac 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Ac 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Ac 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Ac 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Ac 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
Ac 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
Ac 2:45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Ac 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
Ac 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Note the Bible parallel with Hebrews 1: 13
Heb 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" ?
Below is another Bible parallel.
The Bible States in Joel 2: 28-32 (Linking to Acts 2 14-21--above in this section):
Joel 2:28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Joel 2:29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Joel 2:30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
Joel 2:31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
Joel 2:32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.
The Holy Spirit is truly a big comfort with convicting and keeping power. We see in I Thessalonians 1, we look at Paul's letter to the church there. This is yet another thing that The Holy Spirit provides believers with: faith and trust in Jesus gives us the right and privilege to be anointed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit of God.
1Th 1:1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
1Th 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
1Th 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 1:4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
1Th 1:5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
1Th 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
1Th 1:7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
1Th 1:8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,
1Th 1:9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
One can see more concrete things about what Jesus did and now the Holy Spirit reveals himself through these Scriptures as God as well. Now, let's go on to the next section.
Section III: Judgment (The Father)
There are many scriptures on final judgment of righteous vs. the unrighteous. In the Old Testament, Prophets like Daniel and Malachi. In the New Testament, All four Gospels touch on the topic of the Judgment somewhat. Luke 16:19-31 is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This is an extremely graphic illustration on what the second death is and how awful it would be to have to experience it.
The Bible States:
Lk 16:19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
Lk 16:20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores
Lk 16:21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Lk 16:22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.
Lk 16:23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
Lk 16:24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
Lk 16:25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
Lk 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
Lk 16:27 "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,
Lk 16:28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
Lk 16:29 "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
Lk 16:30 " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
Lk 16:31 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
In the Bible also there is the section on the sheep and the goats. This is found in Matthew 25: 31-46. If we look all the way back to Matthew 24: 36 and on through the sheep and the goats section, we will see that we are told over and over to be ready for this to take place.
The Bible States:
Mt 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Mt 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Mt 24:38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
Mt 24:39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Mt 24:40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
Mt 24:41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Mt 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Mt 24:43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
Mt 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Mt 24:45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
Mt 24:46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
Mt 24:47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
Mt 24:48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,'
Mt 24:49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
Mt 24:50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.
Mt 24:51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mt 25:1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mt 25:2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
Mt 25:3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
Mt 25:4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
Mt 25:5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
Mt 25:6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Mt 25:7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
Mt 25:8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
Mt 25:9 " 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
Mt 25:10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Mt 25:11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
Mt 25:12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
Mt 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Mt 25:14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
Mt 25:15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
Mt 25:16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.
Mt 25:17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
Mt 25:18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
Mt 25:19 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
Mt 25:20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
Mt 25:21 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Mt 25:22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
Mt 25:23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Mt 25:24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
Mt 25:25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
Mt 25:26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
Mt 25:27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
Mt 25:28 " 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
Mt 25:29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
Mt 25:30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Mt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
Mt 25:32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Mt 25:33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Mt 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
Mt 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
Mt 25:36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Mt 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
Mt 25:38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
Mt 25:39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
Mt 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Mt 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Mt 25:42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
Mt 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
Mt 25:44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
Mt 25:45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Mt 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
This means to be ready for the bridegroom (Jesus), believe in Jesus, and not to be bad stewards of our talents (in this case money), gifts, or witness. We don't want to be lukewarm here.
Revelation 3: 14-22 is clear on that.
The Bible States:
Rev 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.
Rev 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Rev 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Rev 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
All of these scriptures warn about Jesus coming and judgment. In these scriptures it says that Jesus will judge us. Looking at the sheep and goats section of Matthew 25: 36-41 again, we see that it talks about what final judgment will be like. The sheep are righteous and the goats are the unrighteous. The sheep go to the right hand of God for eternal life; the goats go to the left and eternal punishment. Those whoever are righteous in God's sight won't go through the second death. In the book of Revelation we see in chapter 20: 7-15 we see that Satan finally loses and is thrown into hell forever along with his angels and anyone who followed him.
The Bible States:
Rev 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison
Rev 20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.
Rev 20:9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Rev 20:13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.
Rev 20:14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
Rev 20:15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
God judges evil harshly when repentance is not there. God is calling for repentance now. God does not want anyone lost. He is merciful on those who come to Him through Jesus our Savior. Jesus is God's mercy and is God. Now, let's go on to the next section.
Section IV: My Thoughts On The Trinity As A Whole
During this series so far, we have found that The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit work together. The above scriptures testify to this. All three persons of God that have these attributes are one in the same. So, we as Christians use the three interchangeably, we feel that talking to one of them is talking to all of them. You cannot have mercy without comfort and cannot have judgment without mercy. This is so things will be just. When Jesus walked the earth physically, he was so filled with the Spirit of God, that he really couldn't, by his very nature, do anything but what he did. Jesus' physical body was tailor made for the Spirit of God. By what I feel like I know is the very inspiration of God, I think that when Jesus was resurrected and eventually left and went back to heaven, God's spirit went back to itself. Jesus, of course, still very much exists. The Triune God witnesses about himself to whomever and however needed, but still are together as one in heaven as well. When the Day of Judgment happens, my godly hypothesis is that the three persons of God may appear to seem to be seen separately and it might go something like this:
Judgment (Father): "Mercy do you know this man/woman/spirit?"
Mercy (Son): "Yes/No"
Comfort (Holy Spirit) may help those who lose loved ones to the second death. As I said, this is my holy imagination talking. Now, let's go on to the next section.
Section V: Love (God)
It says in the Bible "God is Love". (Refer to I John 4: 7-21 in this section of the lesson). I Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. It explains all of the properties that "Love is". Without it, nothing else matters period. Love is the very heart of who God truly is as 1 John 4: 7-21 will state too.
The Bible States:
1Jn 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1Jn 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1Jn 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1Jn 4:13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1Jn 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
1Jn 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1Jn 4:17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
1Jn 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
1Jn 4:21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
The Bible States:
1Co 12:31 ...And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1Co 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1Co 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1Co 13:5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1Co 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1Co 13:7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1Co 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
1Co 13:10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
1Co 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1Co 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
This means that we cannot be self- absorbed or distracted in our quest to know the Triune God. Now, let's go to our final section.
Section VI: Closing Thoughts
In closing, I will give some scripture passages about the "I AM". This is interesting, in Exodus 3: 13-14, God says this.
The Bible States:
Ex 3:13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
Ex 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
Jesus says this about Himself.
The Bible States:
Jn 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
Jn 8:49 "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.
Jn 8:50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
Jn 8:51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
Jn 8:52 At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.
Jn 8:53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
Jn 8:54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
Jn 8:55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.
Jn 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
Jn 8:57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
Jn 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
Jn 8:59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
We know from the other scriptures that the Holy Spirit is God and "I AM" because God is "I Am" (Refer back to Holy Spirit--comfort and Exodus 3: 13- 14. This last scripture really hits home with me about the fate of believers and what we have to look forward to in Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bible States:
Rev 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
Rev 7:10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
Rev 7:11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
Rev 7:12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
Rev 7:13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"
Rev 7:14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
Rev 7:16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
Rev 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
We have to understand that the Holy Spirit is our comfort as believers. The Revelation scriptures here in my opinion talk about the Holy Spirit Of God because it is talking about comfort in Heaven for the righteous ones and no tears. All is at peace.
Please, whoever reads this take what is meant to heart. The reason God gave me this originally was and is still for one of my closest friends; however now the message needs to be seen so more people might know who God is. The Great I AM!!!
Section VII (Closing Prayer) Thank you Oh God--Loving Father for teaching through this lesson the truth about you. I praise you forever. Thanks for anointing this lesson and its sessions with the oil of joy that is given only to kings and other things ordained by you regardless of any human approval. I bless your holy name. Amen!!!