Here are your notes for today’s show:
This is a much more complicated, and thus, important subject than many believers will ever realize, and it can be wrought with snares and pitfalls. One needs to be very diligent to test everything Man has to say on this subject against what Scripture has to say, and this goes doubly for us here at WWAL.
With that said, let’s start with something few believers ever consider, and that is if they are even aware of this issue:
Why are both Jesus and Satan referred to as the morning star?
The point is not to confuse or malign Messiah, heaven forbid! No, the point is to show that this is actually what we claimed it to be:
An important and complicated subject deserving of our study.
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Now, let’s get down to business by starting with a list of YHWH’s titles:
What are the different names of God, and what do they mean?
And then, a similar list of names and titles assigned to Messiah:
What are the different names and titles of Jesus Christ?
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OK, let’s start with and easy one:
John 1:1, paraphrased, says Yeshua is the Word of YHWH,… right? Well, not so fast. There are those who would dispute this translation. So, to keep ourselves honest, we will start with a rather strong objection to the traditional understanding of John’s use of ‘the word’ (logos):
John 1:1 The Jewish Mind vs Greek Philosophy (Part 3)
Now, let’s look at the meaning of the word — or, rather, some of the possible meanings:
What is the Word’s origin in John 1:1?
What Does the Greek Word “Logos” Mean?
Why Did John Call Jesus “the Logos”?
Personally, I think John may be using ‘logos’ as a polemic, but, either way, Revelation 19:13 destroys the argument in the link with which we started this study on logos:
Revelation 19:12-13 New American Standard Bible12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word [logos] of God.
John is clearly stating that Messiah is the logos of YHWH, therefore, in John 1, logos is un-created, pre-existed creation, was with Elohim and is Elohim.
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For those who may wish to dive deeper into this topic, I suggest the following — to get you started:
THE MEANING OF THE LOGOS IN JOHN 1:1-18
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Now, I am assuming most believers will be at least somewhat familiar with the New testament assertion that all things were made through Messiah, and that Messiah sustains all things by His Word.
John 1:1-3 New American Standard Bible1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
Colossians 1:16-17 New American Standard Bible16 for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things old together.
But these passages, clear as they are in their meaning, present us with an apparent contradiction. This is because Scripture clearly states that both YHWH and The Spirit made things, and gives life — not Messiah:
Genesis 1:1 New American Standard Bible1 In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.
Job 33:4 New American Standard Bible4 The Spirit of Elohim has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Scripture also states that YHWH sustains things, not Messiah:
Psalm 36:6 New American Standard Bible 19956 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O YHWH, You preserve man and beast.
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Now, let’s look at something that will muddy the waters even further.
Did you know that YHWH has a right hand woman? Or does He? Language can get us into so much trouble — especially when we are not a native speaker of that language, or the culture from which it springs.
God’s Right-Hand Woman? Wisdom in Hebrews 1
Wisdom of Solomon 6:22-25, 7:22-26, 9:1-4, 9:9-10, 10:1-4
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Actually, all of the things we have been discussing serve to support my belief that John’s use of logos is a polemic.
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They also lend some credence to the notion of an Old Testament (i.e. a non-Pagan) ‘Trinity.’
1 In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.
4 The Spirit of Elohim has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
16 for by Him [Messiah] all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17
So, Who is the ‘sole’ Creator? YHWH, His Spirit or the Son? Or is it His Son’s Spirit?
Well, at least we know that Messiah is the only Savior, and there is no other ‘name’ by which we can be saved…right?
Isaiah 43:11 New American Standard Bible11 I, only I, am YHWH,
And there is no savior besides Me.
Oh, but wait! It gets better. About that ‘name’…
Exodus 23:20-21 New American Standard Bible20 “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Be attentive to him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your rebellion, since My name is in him.
By Who’s name must you be saved? The answer is…
YES!
Now, you will have to watch the show to see how I tie all this together, and explain why I think John is using ‘logos’ — at least in part — as a polemic.