Godhead In Jesus

EXPLAINING GENESIS 1:26

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26.)

The overwhelming majority of Old Testament scriptures use singular pronouns when speaking of God. For instance, Isaiah 44:24 reads:

“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and HE that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by MYSELF.”

And Isaiah 44:6 reads:

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and HIS redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside ME there is no God.”

“So God created man in HIS own image, in the image of God created HE him; male and female created HE them” (Genesis 1:27.)

In contrast to the many scriptures using singular pronouns, there are only four Old Testament passages that use plural pronouns of God. They are in the order of their appearance:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26.)

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of US, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever” (Genesis 3:22.)

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

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8.)

How can these four anomalous (deviating from what is standard) plural scriptures be explained? After all, Deuteronomy 6:4 shouts:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”

Unlike the religious Gentile triune (three-in-one) explanation of God that arose in the second century, the Jewish understanding of one is the common sense, logical numerical understanding that reasonable people have, i.e. quantity. Also, what many trinitarian scholars do not seem to wish to face is the context of Deuteronomy 6:4. “One LORD” is as related to “three-in-one” as heaven is to hell.

Now with that brief introduction, let us proceed to understand the use of plural pronouns by God in Genesis 1:26. And I will provide a reasonable explanation without bringing verse 27 into the conversation in which God reverts to the use of singular pronouns.

The first use of a plural pronoun in Genesis 1:26 is within the phrase “let US make man.” The second use of a plural pronoun is the phrase “in OUR image, after OUR likeness” that immediately follows. Here is the one scripture that unquestionably gives a rational explanation. It is Ephesians 1:11 that reads:

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

God works ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL! How many times have you said or thought:

“Let’s see.”

Fully expanded, “let’s see” is “let US see.” No one in his or her right mind would bother to suggest or argue or think that this use signifies multiple individuals or persons. It is a commonly used writing convention that everyone understands. Why should its use by God be thought to be or mean anything more?

John 4:24 says:

“God is A Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

There exists only ONE Spirit according to Ephesians 4:4. Mouthing “let us,” God resorts to counselling within His own will. As it is a natural human prerogative to think within ourselves, “let’s see,” God certainly has the right to do the same without leaving room for anyone to think He exists as a triune being.

WRAPPING UP

Ephesians 1:11 removes any of the many explanations for God’s use of plural pronouns floating around such as including the angels in a creative act or the use of plurals of majesty. Ephesians 1:11 settles this issue once and for all time.

(Receive these valuable lessons free of charge and save for future reference. Send your email address to [email protected] and I will gladly add you to my mailing list.)

BAPTIZING IN THE FATHER, (AND) THE SON, AND (THE) HOLY GHOST VS. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST

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

Name Versus Title

“A name identifies a person, place, or thing, while a title describes a role, rank, or formal designation associated with that entity.”

My mother birthed ten children – four boys and six girls. Naturally, the maternity ward of Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City, NJ required a name for each of the ten children. Because names were required, each was unique meaning none was replicated (duplicated,) i.e. same name for two or more children.

Imagine the confusion that would have arisen if my mother had given two or more of the boys or two or more of the girls the respective titles son, or daughter. All names are required to be proper names.

Even in the days of Jesus, children were given names, NOT titles. The Bible recognizes the difference between a name and a title. Look at Matthew 1:16:

“16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

Jesus is the name of the Son of God while Christ is a title that signifies “anointed.” Here is what the angel of the Lord told Joseph:

“21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his NAME Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21.)

(Nowhere in the entire four gospel accounts did the angel of the Lord tell Joseph that his wife’s Son was to be named, Son.)

Water Baptism Traditional Formula

Jesus had a controversy with the traditions of men among the religious leadership. Matthew 15:1-3 read:

“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”

The KEY clause in Matthew 28:19 is the following:

“…baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Sadly, the tradition of men has overturned the water baptism commandment recorded in Matthew 28:19. The command to baptize “IN THE NAME,” is widely replaced by the religious majority by the repetition of the commandment. The name is omitted altogether. Here are a couple of examples of widely used formulas:

“(I baptize you) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

OBEDIENCE to Matthew 28:19 is the following:

“(I baptize you) in the name of Jesus Christ.”

REPETITON of Matthew 28:19:

“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
Matthew 28:19 plainly requires A NAME! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles – NOT NAMES. Remember, the angel of the Lord commanded Joseph to give Mary’s child THE NAME, Jesus (Matthew 1:21.)

Commandment of God Water Baptism Formula

When Matthew 28:19 is fully obeyed “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” IS NOT declared or verbalized during an actual water baptism. This is repetition or parroting NOT obedience. A parrot REPEATS what he is taught to say because he does not have the brains to obey a commandment not having the ability to understand. He has a legitimate excuse, No believer does.

The traditional water baptism formula that is used by many Christian bodies is generational passed on down from pastor to lay member. And as with almost all traditions, they are accepted verbatim without question as to whether it violates the scriptures or not.

Spiritual revelation is necessary for a believer to discover the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Matthew 11:25 says:

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”

Here is what the Holy Ghost through the Word of God will reveal to ALL non-traditional believers who are “babes” at heart regarding the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38.)

The NAME that Matthew 28:19 calls for is plainly provided in Acts 2:38. It is Jesus Christ.

Biblical Proof That Acts 2:38 Is the Fulfillment of Matthew 28:19

“46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem… 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:46,47, 49.)

The disciples were “endued with power from on high” (reception of the Holy Ghost) on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4 read:

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Peter then preached:

“14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words” (Acts 2:14.)

Having been convicted in their hearts, we read:

“37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38.)

WRAPPING UP

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15.)

This passage is simple in its message. “If” makes this scripture conditional. The only way that a love of Jesus can be demonstrated is through obedience to every commandment of God. Any lapse of obedience shows God that you DO NOT love Him. Love is a word of action. A verbal proclamation of love is meaningless without an act of obedience.

(Receive these valuable lessons free of charge and save for future reference. Send your email address to [email protected] and I will gladly add you to my mailing list.)

MY FAITH IS NOT CHRISTIANITY (ANYMORE)

“26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26.)

I will never embrace a mindset that makes me believe that I have “arrived” at a state of perfection and complete knowledge regarding my walk in Christ. I will continue to consider myself to be in a continual state of growth in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While I now reject “Christianity” as my religious faith, I do regard myself as a Christian. Who are those disciples mentioned in Acts 11:26? They are all those who walked after and followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. But I have just now come to realize that “Christianity” does not necessarily follow from being a genuine Christian. The prefix “anity” means the state or condition of (being a Christian.)

(Frequently this signifies being a Christian in name only.)

However, I have come to realize just today that the term Christianity carries with it an unexpressed caveat (warning) that cannot be overlooked or condoned. What was the spiritual condition of the believers in the days of the apostles? What did they believe? Were there competing religions such as exist today among Methodists, Episcopalians, Baptists, Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics (Roman and Eastern,) Pentecostals, AME (African Methodist Episcopalian,) etc.?

Significance of Being a Christian

The Christians were first called Christians as an homage to the Son of God, Jesus Christ and through imitating His life and following His teachings. 1 John 4:6 reads:

“6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

And Jesus prayed:

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their (apostles) word” (John 17:20.)

“These alone” refers to Jesus’ disciples who became apostles.

What is the appropriate name or label for the faith of the first-century disciples and modern-day believers? I agree with Pastor Gino Jennings of the First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. He chose the name of the faith from Jude 1:20:

“20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

“2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2.)

And 1 Peter 1:16 says:

“16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Holiness Is Lacking Today

“14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14.)

Unlike the first century Christians of Acts 11:26, 21st century believers claim to be Christians without embracing the holiness of scriptures such as:

“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 22:5.)

“30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life” (Jeremiah 4:30.)

“9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1 Timothy 2:9.)

WRAPPING UP

I am a Christian and my faith IS holy. The unscriptural word Christianity carries with it a lot of polluted baggage and DOES NOT reflect Christ. We need to return to the "old paths":

"16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jeremiah 6:16.)

(Receive these valuable lessons free of charge and save for future reference. Send your email address to [email protected] and I will gladly add you to my mailing list.)

BLINDED TO THE TRUTH AND WITHOUT REVELATION

“5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (Mark 9:5.)

Jesus chose twelve men as His disciples, but they were not all equally close to Him. A good example that brings out this is Jesus’ transfiguration:

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured (transformed) before them” (Mark 9:1-2.)

Note that Jesus took three disciples of the twelve that were originally chosen to be with Him. Let us call these three, Peter, James, and John, His inner circle.

“3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them” (verse 3.)

A fuller is a person whose occupation is to clean, whiten, and otherwise process clothing. By Jesus’ transfiguration description, it is obvious that no earthly fuller regardless of skill or number of years’ experience could produce the pure whiteness that Jesus’ clothing exhibited.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (verses 4-5.)

(Peter was blind to the truth lacking revelation which led to his desire to construct three tabernacles. But only ONE was truly worthy of having a tabernacle made for him, and that one was Jesus.)

At this point in time, Moses and Elias (Elijah) had been dead for centuries. Moses’ body was buried by God at some undisclosed location and Elijah was translated to heaven. Evidently Peter, James, and John recognized Moses and Elijah although they had never met in life. Peter was so taken aback (surprised or shocked) that he blurted out a statement that had no spiritual basis.

“Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”

Peter’s response to the appearances of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah arose from carnality rather than from a spiritual revelation. His desire to make three tabernacles for each of them demonstrated that Moses and Elijah were deemed to be equal to Jesus in authority and power.

“6 For he wist (knew) not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Mark 9:6-7.)

Peter, James, and John were overwhelmed by this supernatural experience. They were afraid and did not comprehend what they saw. Look at verse 7. They were overshadowed by a cloud.
8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves” (Mark 9:8.)

(Many trinitarians mockingly refer to we who reject the triune God nonsense as “Jesus only.” But this reference is scriptural.)

When that happened Moses and Elijah were removed from the scene leaving Jesus ONLY (alone.) This can be likened to a scriptural example of someone rushing to judgment minus Holy Ghost revelation or conviction. I will compare Peter’s reaction to today’s religious elite generating a trinity from the introduction of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in the New Testament scriptures, i.e. Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.

The Old Testament laid a solid foundation of the ONE Spirit of God beginning with Deuteronomy 6:4:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”

There are the multiple scriptures about God being the numerical holy One. For instance:

“Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee” (Isaiah 49:7.)

“25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One” (Isaiah 40:25.)

“41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:41.)

“29 Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel” (Isaiah 30:29.)

“15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King” (Isaiah 43:15.)

“15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15.)

And then there are virtually innumerable examples of God referred to using SINGULAR pronouns:

“So God created man in HIS own image, in the image of God created HE him; male and female created HE them” (Genesis 1:27.)

“43 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1.)

“3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee” (Isaiah 43:3.)

“10 Ye are MY witnesses, saith the LORD, and MY servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe ME, and understand that I am HE: before ME there was no God formed, neither shall there be after ME” (Isaiah 43:10.)

“24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and HE that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens ALONE; that spreadeth abroad the earth by MYSELF” (Isaiah 44:24.)

It never ceases to amaze me how any so-called biblical scholar could rationalize singular pronouns or words such as “alone” and “by myself” to reference or mean three persons in one (three-in-one)! Apparently these lost trinitarian souls are so adamant onto embracing a triunity that they would gladly discard common sense and words that in no way, shape, or form allow for anything other than a numerical one with no shame.

Next there are the plethora of passages that record ONE God using terms such as “beside me,” “by myself,” “alone,” and “none else.”

“11 I, even I, am the LORD; and BESIDE ME there is no saviour” (Isaiah 43:11.)

“6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and BESIDE ME there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6.)

“24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and HE that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens ALONE; that spreadeth abroad the earth BY MYSELF” (Isaiah 44:24.)

“5 I am the LORD, and there is NONE ELSE, there is no God BESIDE ME: I girded thee, though thou hast not known ME” (Isaiah 45:5.)

The New Testament also makes plain that God IS ONE and there IS ONE GOD!

John 4:24 reads:

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

And according to Ephesians 4:4 there is ONLY ONE Spirit:

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.”

Now consider 1 John 5:7:

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

Pay special attention to what follows. God the Father, the Word, AND the Holy Ghost were ALWAYS in heaven. The Son of Matthew 28:19 WAS NEVER in heaven neither was He Spirit!

The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) IS this ONE SELFSAME SPIRIT! These are the diversities of operations of one God:

“6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all” (1 Corinthians12:6.)

Even the demons (KJV, devils) know there is one God:

“19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19.)

(Trinitarians are NOT doing well and of that they should be ashamed of themselves.)

As Peter became OVEREXCITED at the revelation on the mount of transfiguration, carnal-minded trinitarians have become overexcited and overzealous concerning the one God of Deuteronomy 6:4 existing in three distinct persons each of whom is God, i.e. God the Father, God the Son (so called,) and God the Holy Ghost/Spirit. But this trinitarian lie which if the truth is faced honestly by the acceptation of the standard definition/explanation of the doctrine of the trinity results in out-and-out TRITHEISM!

WRAPPING UP

As Peter was blinded to the truth he encountered on the mount of transfiguration, the trinitarian majority that has existed since the time of the death of the apostles are blind to one God. These sad souls literally stumble over God’s three redemptive manifestations attempting to mangle the truth with three distinct persons. But like oil and water, they do not mix.

The trinitarian religious majority are blind to the fact that merely by referring to what are distinct manifestations to being distinct persons forces a meaning of tritheism on their settled explanation. Man by nature WILL ALWAYS associate the word person with a human being. And human beings are BY NATURE distinct AND SEPARATE!

The doctrine of the trinity attempts the impossible. It tries to force the numerical one in Deuteronomy 6:4 to be synonymous with “three-in-one.”

(Receive these valuable lessons free of charge and save for future reference. Send your email address to [email protected] and I will gladly add you to my mailing list.)

THE NEW TESTAMENT ARK (THE FEW VERSUS THE MANY)

“20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water” (1 Peter 3:20.)

Everything that exists – from the material to the abstract (without concrete or physical existence,) all lifeforms, all forms of energy, all spirit entities, everything without exception – was brought into existence by God. The abbreviated manner of declaring this truth is to state that all things were brought into existence with THE SINGULAR exception of God Himself.

Based on the above statement an unquestioned corollary (a natural or direct consequence) is that the Creator is greater than His creation. Another corollary is that whatever the Creator makes, He controls. My former pastor always said that:

“What God creates, He controls.”

Reader, I am going to pose a hypothetical question to you to test your level of spiritual maturity and knowledge. This question is as follows:

Is there anything that the human mind can think of that man or angel is able to do or achieve, or some arbitrary level that can possibly be reached by man or angel that will excel what God can perform or achieve? Think very carefully and critically about this question.

(I will not give an answer to this question because I wish you, the reader, to think very critically on this matter. The answer will be obvious when you have fully read and understood this lesson.)

Have you as a regular reader of these daily Bible lessons ever considered whether the written Word of God provides an answer to the question:

Will more people be saved or damned based on God’s plan of salvation for fallen man? Will most people enter the kingdom of God, or will most be damned to an eternal hell? Here is the gospel message:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4.)

Here is the positive, soul-saving application of this gospel message:

“37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38.)

Now to return to the important question that I posed just before the gospel message and application in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Acts 2:37-38.

Who will achieve the greater number of adherents to the gospel message – God through obedience (acceptance) or Satan through disobedience (rejection)? In other words, will God’s sole message of salvation be obeyed by MANY versus few people as opposed to being rejected by MANY versus few followers of God?

The essence of this question is the MANY who freely choose God’s salvation plan versus the MANY who freely reject salvation. We have in terms of sheer numbers:

(A) Eternal life: MANY versus FEW (winner: God.)
(B) Eternal damnation: MANY versus FEW (winner: Satan.)

This choice/possibility was first posed to sinful man after Adam freely and willfully disobeyed God’s commandment TO NOT eat any fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17.) 1 Peter 3:20 records whether many or few will choose God’s plan. It reads:

“20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”
The MANY freely chose to side with the devil and be lost. Few voluntarily chose to side with God to the saving of their eternal souls.

What is the story with believers – Christians? Surely what happened in the dark days of Noah will be reversed during Christ’s second coming. Let us see if that will be true. Matthew 7:21-23 read:

“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The truth of the matter is unambiguous and as clear as running water. The individuals who protest the Lord’s negative judgment do so by reminding the Lord of what they have accomplished IN HIS NAME! They claim to have prophesied in His name, to have cast out devils (demons) in His name and have performed many wonderful works in His name. But the ALL-KNOWING Lord does not agree. As a matter of truth, Jesus claims to have never known them!

Does Matthew 7:21-23 snag many or few Christians in its net? Sadly, MANY Christians contrary to human thought will be damned, i.e. “MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord”!

Our next example is recorded in Matthew 7:13-14:

“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Jesus declares that contrary to what the preponderance of godly and ungodly human thought may be, MANY people will be damned. The sad and unquestionably terrifying reality is that FEW people will gain eternal life.

WRAPPING UP

The sad truth of sinful man in the days of Noah is that it predicts by type (or shadow) the destination of sinful man on the last day. Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 7:21-23 provides incontrovertible evidence from the mouth of Jesus of the eternal destruction of the MANY versus the few.

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live” (Isaiah 38:1.)

SET YOUR (THINE) HOUSE IN ORDER!

The New Testament church is the latter day’s Noah’s ark.

(Receive these valuable lessons free of charge and save for future reference. Send your email address to [email protected] and I will gladly add you to my mailing list.)