THE SON OF GOD
*[[Eph 4:13]] KJV* Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a per fect man, unto the measur e of the statur e of the fulness of Christ:
*[[Eph 4:14]] KJV* That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craft-iness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
*[[Eph 4:15]] KJV* But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Unity - what a precious state. To be totally in unity and harmony with our fellow believers and the Son of God and the Father in heaven is a wonderful objective and a desire which can become a reality. It is important to know how unity can become a reality. The answer is in Ephesians 4:13 -" Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,".
The knowledge of the Son of God is a critical factor essential to reaching a state of unity. This knowledge will help us to not be tossed to and fro by winds of doctrine and instead will help us 'grow up into him' and 'speak the truth in love'.
It is this knowledge of the Son of God that this article will endeavour to convey. Keeping in mind that if we have a knowledge of the Son of God it will help unify us in the truth. Initially we will explore the use of the phrase "the son of God" throughout scripture.
The very first reference to "the son of God" in the word is found in :
*[[Dan 3:25]] KJV* He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Nebuchadnezzar sees an additional person walking in the midst of the fiery furnace and exclaims that his form is like the Son of God. What led Nebuchadnezzar to express his observation in such a manner? Ellen White helps us understand why:
How did that heathen king know what the Son of God was like? The Hebrew captives filling positions of trust in Babylon had in life and character represented be-fore him the truth. When asked for a reason of their faith, they had given it without hesitation. Plainly and simply they had presented the principles of righteousness, thus teaching those around them of the God whom they worshiped. They had told of Christ, the Redeemer to come; and in the form of the fourth in the midst of the fire the king recognized the Son of God. PK 509.2
When the Son of God manifests himself to men, an unseen power speaks to the soul that this is God. And befor e his majesty, kings and nobles tr emble, and acknowledge the superiority of the living God over every earthly power. Review and Herald, February 1, 1881 — The Life of Daniel an Illustration of True Sanctification
Daniel's friends had been witnesses to Nebuchadnezzar and other high ranking officials in his kingdom. They had told them of Christ, the redeemer to come and Nebuchadnezzar recognised the form in the fire as the Son of God.
Well before the birth of Christ, as the babe of Bethlehem, the Son of God appears and saves his witnesses from the fiery flames of Nebuchadnezzar's roaring furnace. Is the Son of God referred to anywhere else in the Old Testament? Was he really the 'Son of God' before he was born in Bethlehem?
*[[Pro 30:4]] KJV* Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
King Solomon who compiled the wise sayings of many authors including himself, includes a prophecy of Agur in which he testifies to the 'Son of God' declaring that alongside his father they established the 'ends of the earth'
*[[Mic 5:2]] KJV* But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
The prophecy in Micah foretells the birth of Christ yet in the same verse states that his 'goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.'. The phrase 'goings forth' refers to Christ's sonship and according to the Strongs Concordance refers to a family descent. His beginning or goings forth or his family descent ex-tends from eternity. Christ was the Son of God and had come forth before the world and time as we know it was created. He became the Son of God in eternity past so he could become the Son of man and offer eternity in the future to those who would accept the free gift of eternal life and salvation.(Romans 6: 22, 23).
The wisest man on earth, Solomon, when reflecting on the Son of God referred to him as wisdom. In Prov-erbs 8 he expounds under the inspiration of the Son of God himself :
*[[Pro 8:20]] KJV* I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
*[[Pro 8:21]] KJV* That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
*[[Pro 8:22]] KJV* The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
*[[Pro 8:23]] KJV* I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
*[[Pro 8:24]] KJV* When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
*[[Pro 8:25]] KJV* Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
*[[Pro 8:26]] KJV* While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
*[[Pro 8:27]] KJV* When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a com-pass upon the face of the depth:
*[[Pro 8:28]] KJV* When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
*[[Pro 8:29]] KJV* When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
*[[Pro 8:30]] KJV* Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was dai-ly his delight, rejoicing always before him;*
[[Pro 8:31]] KJV* Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
*[[Pro 8:32]] KJV* Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
*[[Pro 8:33]] KJV* Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Ellen White refers to the passage in Proverbs and states:
And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: "The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting.... When He appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him." Proverbs 8:22-30. PP 34.1
Examining the verses in the above passage we find strong evidence for the conclusion that this treatise on wisdom refers directly to the Son of God. In Proverbs 8:20 Solomon states in reference to wisdom (Christ) : I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:.Does this remind you of another passage in the scripture with a similar theme? The well known Shepherds Psalm - Psalm 23 states: *[[Psa 23:3]] KJV* He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. This is of course referring to the great shepherd - Christ (Psalms 23:1). Verses 23 and 24 refer to the timing of Christ's beginning or entrance in eternity as the Son of God. It states that: 'I was set up from everlasting'. The phrase 'set up' can refer to an anointing. Christ was truly anointed and ordained as the Son of God from everlasting or eternity.
The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. "His name shall be called Wonder-ful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isai-ah 9:6. His "goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2. PP 34.1
The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. This was no robbery of God. "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way," He declares, "before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a com-pass upon the face of the depth" (Proverbs 8:22-27). 1SM 247.4
There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was one with the Father be-fore the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light, unapproachable and incomprehensible. 1SM 248.1
Christ the beloved Son of God was born of God in eternity and Proverbs 8 describes it thus:
*[[Pro 8:30]] KJV* Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was dai-ly his delight, rejoicing always before him;
If you read this verse through the eyes of a parent you can easily picture the Father and the Son. The son was 'by him' or right beside him just as a child would be with a parent. The Son was 'brought up with him' or was trained by his Father and acquired skills in this process. And the Father delighted as he observed his Son learn, grow and rejoice in being in his Fathers presence and with the 'sons of men' (verse 31).
Knowing that Christ is truly the Son of God helps us begin to imagine what it must have been like for the Father to have risked losing his Son when he became the Son of Man. His Son in the frailty of human flesh had to combat the devil and sin and although embattled, overcame and still remained the pure and holy lamb of God. What a sacrifice! What a gift to humanity! The Father's only begotten Son.
Resuming our study of scriptural references to the 'Son of God' we now focus on the gospels. The devil himself who had been expecting the deliverer, when tempting Christ wanted him to doubt his divine origin as the Son of God:
At the birth of Jesus, Satan knew that One had come with a divine commission to dispute his dominion. He trembled at the angel’s message attesting the authority of the newborn King. Satan well knew the position that Christ had held in heaven as the Beloved of the Father. That the Son of God should come to this earth as a man filled him with amazement and with apprehension. He could not fathom the mystery of this great sacrifice. His selfish soul could not understand such love for the deceived race. The glory and peace of heaven, and the joy of communion with God, were but dimly comprehended by men; but they were well known to Lu-cifer, the covering cherub. Since he had lost heaven, he was determined to find re-venge by causing others to share his fall. This he would do by causing them to un-dervalue heavenly things, and to set the heart upon things of earth. DA 115.2
Satan saw that he must either conquer or be conquered. The issues of the conflict involved too much to be entrusted to his confederate angels. He must personally conduct the warfare. All the energies of apostasy were rallied against the Son of God. Christ was made the mark of every weapon of hell. DA 116.3
After Christ's baptism he was led into the wilderness:
*[[Mat 4:1]] KJV* Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
*[[Mat 4:2]] KJV* And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
*[[Mat 4:3]] KJV* And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
*[[Mat 4:6]] KJV* And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
The Saviour was faint from hunger, He was craving for food, when Satan came suddenly upon Him. Pointing to the stones which strewed the desert, and which had the appearance of loaves, the tempter said, "If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." DA 118.2
Though he appears as an angel of light, these first words betray his character. "If Thou be the Son of God." Here is the insinuation of distrust. Should Jesus do what Satan suggests, it would be an acceptance of the doubt. DA 118.3
Satan subjected Christ to his most artful temptations. The test on appetite was the very test which Eve and Adam failed in the Garden of Eden:
The tempter plans to overthrow Christ by the same means that were so successful with the human race in the beginning. How artfully had Satan approached Eve in Eden! "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" Genesis 3:1. Thus far the tempter’s words were truth; but in his manner of speaking them there was a disguised contempt for the words of God. There was a covert negative, a doubt of the divine truthfulness. Satan sought to instill into the mind of Eve the thought that God would not do as He had said; that the withhold-ing of such beautiful fruit was a contradiction of His love and compassion for man. DA 118.3
Satan knew very well that Christ was truly the 'Son of God' and in Christ's weakened state he was hoping he could cause him to doubt his divine origin and purpose. In fact he wanted Christ to believe that he was not the 'Son of God' but rather the angel that had been exiled to earth:
Satan told Christ that one of the exalted angels had been exiled to the earth, that His appearance indicated that, instead of His being the king of heaven, He was the angel fallen, and that this explained His emaciated and distressed appearance Con 39.3
We need to ask ourselves the question : Do we really believe that Christ is truly the beloved 'Son of God'?
Satan knew that Christ was the 'Son of God'. The devil and his angels had no doubts about who they were contending with. Or are we going to fall for Satan's temptations today and disbelieve our Father in heaven who gave us the greatest gift he could - his only begotten son?
*[[Mat 8:29]] KJV* And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
The demons that possessed the two men that met Christ and his disciples in the country of Gergesenes ex-claimed through their human vessels : 'What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?' If the fallen angels testify that Jesus Christ was the 'Son of God', having once lived in heaven with the Father and the Son, would it be wise to doubt that Jesus was the 'Son of God'? Why do people despise the thought that Jesus was in reality the Son of God brought forth in eternity? Why is this truth deemed to be undesirable and almost abhorrent, even though it is plainly revealed in scripture? The concept of a trinity god has undermined the truth that the 'Son of God' is truly the begotten 'Son of God'. A discussion on the trinity is not the purpose of this article but you are encouraged to read articles on this website that reveal the origins of the trinity and how the sonship of Christ has been discredited and annulled.
Throughout the gospels we find numerous references to Christ being recognised as the 'Son of God' by people who knew him and those who had the opportunity to hear him speak or be healed by him. The disciples had been instructed by Christ to get in their ship and head to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22) whilst Jesus went to the mountains to pray. In the fourth watch of the night Christ headed out to the disciples in the midst of the sea who were being buffeted by contrary winds. He miraculously walked on the water to them and frightened them in the process because they thought he was a 'spirit'. This was also the time when Peter walked on water towards Christ and sank when he became afraid of the blus-tery conditions of the wind and waves and began to doubt Christ's ability to sustain him in those condi-tions. He was not left to drown as Christ rescued him. Both Christ and Peter entered the ship and this was when the wind ceased.
*[[Mat 14:33]] KJV* Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
After witnessing such amazing events the disciples truly realised who their companion was. Christ not only accepted their worship but did not rebuke them for stating that he was truly the 'Son of God'.
At the beginning of three of the gospels the fact that Christ was the Son of God is stated at the outset by Mark, Luke and John:
*[[Mar 1:1]] KJV* The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
*[[Luk 1:35]] KJV* And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: there-fore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
*[[Joh 1:34]] KJV* And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Mark, Luke and John from the outset of their written records want to make it very clear that Christ is in-deed the Son of God.
Matthew in the first gospel of the New Testament painstakingly endeavours to reveal that Christ truly is the prophesied 'Son of God' by describing his lineage as a direct descendant of Abraham and David. He refers to the prophecy in Hosea as being fulfilled by Christ:
*[[Mat 2:15]] KJV* And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
*[[Hos 11:1]] KJV* When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
After Herod died, then Christ - the Son of God' was called from Egypt.
Nathanael was another disciple who was drawn to Christ. Ellen White records Nathanael's spiritual journey and tells us that Philip called Nathanael:
The latter had been among the throng when the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. As Nathanael looked upon Jesus, he was disappointed. Could this man, who bore the marks of toil and poverty, be the Messiah? Yet Nathanael could not decide to reject Jesus, for the message of John had brought conviction to his heart. DA 139.7
Initially Nathanael was disappointed. The appearance of Christ in his humble attire caused Nathanael to question whether he was truly the messiah. Nathanael did not reject Christ but needed to spend more time studying the prophecies to confirm if Christ was truly the prophesied messiah.
Ellen White continues to write:
At the time when Philip called him, Nathanael had withdrawn to a quiet grove to meditate upon the announcement of John and the prophecies concerning the Messi-ah. He prayed that if the one announced by John was the deliverer, it might be made known to him, and the Holy Spirit rested upon him with assurance that God had visited His people and raised up a horn of salvation for them. Philip knew that his friend was searching the prophecies, and while Nathanael was praying un-der a fig tree, Philip discovered his retreat. They had often prayed together in this secluded spot hidden by the foliage. DA 140.1
The message, "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the proph-ets, did write," seemed to Nathanael a direct answer to his prayer. But Philip had yet a trembling faith. He added doubtfully, "Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Jo-seph." Again prejudice arose in Nathanael’s heart. He exclaimed, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" DA 140.2
Philip entered into no controversy. He said, "Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" In surprise Nathanael exclaimed, "Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." DA 140.3
It was enough. The divine Spirit that had borne witness to Nathanael in his sol-itary prayer under the fig tree now spoke to him in the words of Jesus. Though in doubt, and yielding somewhat to prejudice, Nathanael had come to Christ with an honest desire for truth, and now his desire was met. His faith went be-yond that of the one who had brought him to Jesus. DA 140.4
*[[Joh 1:49]] KJV* Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
The confession of Nathanael not only stipulated that Christ was the Son of God but also stressed that Christ was indeed the expected messiah - the King of Israel. Nathanael's journey to find the truth about God and his Son led him to the Son of God himself who answered his prayer in a direct manner.
The journey to find the truth can be long and arduous, however Nathanael's experience will hopefully mirror our own. Ellen White records vital aspects that we must ensure are themes of our own spiritual journey.We need to ask ourselves the question : Do we really believe that Christ is truly the beloved 'Son of God'?
If Nathanael had trusted to the rabbis for guidance, he would never have found Jesus. It was by seeing and judging for himself that he became a disciple. So in the case of many today whom prejudice withholds from good. How different would be the result if they would "come and see"! DA 140.5
While they trust to the guidance of human authority, none will come to a sav-ing knowledge of the truth. Like Nathanael, we need to study God’s word for ourselves, and pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree will see us in the secret place of prayer. Angels from the world of light are near to those who in humility seek for divine guidance. DA 141.1
In your personal seeking to understand the sonship of Christ and what it means are you relying on the 'rabbis' and trusting in human authorities to sustain your beliefs or are you 'seeing and judging' for yourself what God's word reveals? With the enlightenment from the holy spirit and angels you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32)
Martha was another witness of Christ and a believer in the resurrection of the faithful in the last day. Her brother Lazarus had died before Christ arrived and he had delayed his journey stating to the disciples: *[[Joh 11:4]] KJV* This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Christ referred to himself as the 'Son of God'. Lazarus did enter the sleep of death before Christ arrived on the scene. Martha and Mary were pleased to see their beloved friend when Christ arrived, but were disappointed he could not have been present earlier to heal their brother of the illness that had robbed him of life. It was during Christ's conversation with Martha that his true intents were made known:
*[[Joh 11:21]] KJV* Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
*[[Joh 11:22]] KJV* But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
*[[Joh 11:23]] KJV* Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
*[[Joh 11:24]] KJV* Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day.
*[[Joh 11:25]] KJV* Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live
:*[[Joh 11:26]] KJV* And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
To Christ's question Martha responds with an amazing declaration: "Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." She did not comprehend in all their significance the words spoken by Christ, but she confessed her faith in His divinity, and her confidence that He was able to perform whatever it pleased Him to do. DA 530.4
It is important to recognise that the Son of God and his divinity are inextricably bound. Confessions of his sonship also testify to his divinity. The Jews of Christ's day knew that when Christ claimed to be the Son of God that he was also claiming to have divine origins and this claim infuriated them. They accused him of blaspemy :
*[[Joh 10:33]] KJV* The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
The Jews condemned Christ's healing of the paralytic beside the pool of Bethesda because it happened on the sabbath day. They accused him of breaking the fourth commandment. Responding to their concerns about him performing such an act on the sabbath day :
*[[Joh 5:17]] KJV* Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
In doing so: Jesus claimed equal rights with God in doing a work equally sacred, and of the same character with that which engaged the Father in heaven. But the Pharisees were still more incensed. He had not only broken the law, according to their understanding, but in calling God "His own Father" had declared Himself equal with God. John 5:18, R. V. DA 207.3
The whole nation of the Jews called God their Father, therefore they would not have been so enraged if Christ had represented Himself as standing in the same re-lation to God. But they accused Him of blasphemy, showing that they understood Him as making this claim in the highest sense. DA 207.4
Another miracle of healing also brought upon Christ the ire of the Pharisees. When healing the paralytic that had been lowered down through the roof of a house (Mark 2) Christ also reassured him by forgiving his sins.
Jesus had declared that the sins of the paralytic were forgiven. The Pharisees caught at these words as blasphemy, and conceived that they could present this as a sin worthy of death. They said in their hearts, "He blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but One, even God?"
Mark 2:7, R. V. DA 269.1
Christ, when teaching in the temple, on the day he was confronted by the woman caught in adultery (John 8), said some things that also angered the Pharisees. Christ had just stated:
*[[Joh 8:56]] KJV* Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
*[[Joh 8:57]] KJV* Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
*[[Joh 8:58]] KJV* Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, "whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity." Micah 5:2, margin. DA 469.5
Again the priests and rabbis cried out against Jesus as a blasphemer. His claim to be one with God had before stirred them to take His life, and a few months later they plainly declared, "For a good work we stone Thee not; but for blasphemy; and be-cause that Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God." John 10:33. Because He was, and avowed Himself to be, the Son of God, they were bent on destroying Him. Now many of the people, siding with the priests and rabbis, took up stones to cast at Him. "But Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." DA 470.1
The heavenly father sent his Son to earth as a precious gift for all mankind and his Son was rejected by God's chosen people, the children of Israel. Jesus Christ's claim to divinity and sonship was deemed blas-phemy and they conspired to kill him for claiming to be the Son of God and for being one with the father (John 10:30).
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The majority of churches and christians today worship a trinity god. According to their understanding of god the son there has never been a time, even in eternity when he was not in existence, or in other words he has always been with the father.
http://www.theopedia.com/eternal-sonship-of-jesus
Christian churches who believe in a trinity god deny the sonship of Christ and are repeating the history of the Jews. They reject the Word of God and would rather believe their own traditions. The trinity is a god that was officially recognised in 325 AD at the Council of Nicea that rejects that the Father brought forth a Son in eternity.1
'*[[Joh 3:16]] KJV* For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
*[[Joh 3:17]] KJV* For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Our heavenly Father had a Son that according to John 3:17 he sent into the world so he could save the world. Be careful! Be very careful about WHO YOU WORSHIP! YOU NEED TO KNOW WHO YOU WORSHIP! YOU NEED TO OPEN YOUR EYES AND NOT BE DECEIVED!
An SDA author Max Hatton on his website that is totally supportive of the Trinity being a true God states :
The Trinity doctrine is a wonderful truth. Jesus has always existed and He is com-ing back soon to rescue those who are faithful to Him. http://thetrinitydoctrine.com/articles/jesus-as-monogenes/
Please note a very integral part of his statement above: Max states that Jesus has always existed! Max believes in a trinitarian god and does not believe that the Father in heaven brought forth a Son who was then sent to the world as John 3:17 states. This is what trinitarians believe - there has never been a time when the Son did not exist, even in eternity. In other words the Father has always been with the Son and the Son has always been with the Father. You need to SEE and KNOW that the Trinity doctrine does not believe that the Son of God is God's son. Walter Martin, a well known christian commentator states:
The Scripture nowhere calls Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, and He is never called Son at all prior to the incarnation, except in prophetic passages in the Old Testament. The term "Son" itself is a functional term, as is the term "Father" and has no meaning apart from time. . . . Many heresies have seized upon the confusion created by the illogical "eternal Sonship" or "eternal generation" theory of Roman Catholic theology, unfortunately carried over to some aspects of Protestant theology. Finally; there cannot be any such thing as eternal Sonship . . . . the word "Son" definitely suggests inferiority." The Kingdom of the Cults, pp. 117-118
According to Walter Martin scripture NOWWHERE calls Jesus the eternal Son of God or in other words Jesus was not the Son of God before he was born on the earth. The conclusion Walter comes to is: if Jesus Christ was an eternal son he would be inferior to the Father. If you are reading this right now and you are a 'son' do you regard yourself as INFERIOR to your father? Inferior implies you are of a lesser quality. Is this how you regard yourself as a son? Or are you less 'human' than your father - seeing this is the quality you both possess? Then we can ask ourselves was Jesus Christ less divine than his Father because he was the Son of God? The scriptures are very clear about the Sonship of Christ:
*[[Heb 1:2]] KJV* Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
*[[Heb 1:3]] KJV* Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by him-self purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
*[[Heb 1:4]] KJV* Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inher-itance obtained a more excellent name than they
.*[[Heb 1:5]] KJV* For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
*[[Heb 1:6]] KJV* And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
In Hebrews the eternal sonship of Jesus Christ is declared. A comparison is made between the angels and Christ and in verse 5 the question is asked: For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
None of the angels have been told by the Father 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee'. This is actually a reference to Christ's resurrection from the dead and the Father is rejoicing that He can once more be a Father to his Son, just like He was since before the worlds were made. In verse 6 it then states: And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world. This verse reinforces the fact that Jesus was the 'firstbegotten' or 'firstborn'. The verse states that the 'firstborn' was brought into the world. In other words before he was brought into the world he was the 'firstborn'. The Father wanted the angels to recognise that the baby born in Bethlehem was the 'Son of God' they had known in eternity.
Walter Martin also stated :The term "Son" itself is a functional term, as is the term "Father" and has no meaning apart from time. This statement reveals that Walter believes the terms 'Father' and 'Son' are not indicative of a relationship ie. parent and child. The 'Son' according to Walter is not a literal 'Son' of the 'Father'. And the Son certainly wasn't a 'Son' before the worlds were made in eternity.
As a seeker for the truth you now have to ask yourself 'WHAT DO I BELIEVE ABOUT THE SON OF GOD? Did the Father truly give his firstborn Son from eternity to save me from my sins and offer me ever-lasting life if I believe in him? Or am I going to believe that the Father did not have a Son to give?
Are we given any indication that if we don't believe in the Son of God that our salvation is at stake? What do the scriptures say?
.*[[Joh 20:31]] KJV* But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name
[[1Jn 5:10]] KJV* He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:12]] KJV* He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life
1 John 5:10 is very clear - if you dont believe the record that God gave his Son you are making God a liar. In verse 12 you will not have life if you don't believe the precious truth that God gave his son who was brought forth in eternity and who was willing to become the Son of Man and die for the sins of the world.
Jesus Christ when witnessing to those around him made direct reference to his divine origins and relationship to the father.
*[[Joh 8:14]] KJV* Jesus answered and said unto them Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Christ was talking to the Pharisees when he responded to their statement: *[[Joh 8:13]] KJV*Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.The Pharisees had just heard Christ say he was the light of the world after he had rescued the woman caught in adultery. To make sure the attentive audience in the temple were not led astray the Pharisees wanted them to know that Christ was basically telling them lies, that he was a false apostle and not worthy of their attention.
In Christ's response to the Pharisees accusations he affirms that he is telling the truth and states 'for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.' Christ knows where he comes from and where he is going but the Pharisees cannot tell where he comes from or where he is going.
"Ye can not tell whence I come, and whither I go," Christ said to them. Virtually He told them that they had no desire to know whence He came. They had closed the eyes of their understanding to the evidence which again and again He had given them. You have allowed prejudice and imagination to control you, He said. You may claim to have authority over the people by virtue of your piety, you may pride yourselves on your superior knowledge of God, but you do not know the Father, and therefore you do not know Me; for to know the Father is to know Me. It is your lack of a true knowledge of Me that destroys your spiritual eye-sight. ST August 22, 1900 — Resistance to Light—No. 2
Knowing who Christ is and where He comes from is essential. The knowledge of the Father and his Son is critical to your spiritual eyesight. Christ spoke about his close connection with the father:
"When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father hath taught me." "And he that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." These words were spoken with thrilling power, and, for the time, closed the lips of the Pharisees, and caused many of those who listened with attentive minds to unite with Jesus, believing him to be the Son [of] God. SP 355.2
Jesus, with startling emphasis, denied that the Jews were following the example of Abraham. Said he, "Ye do the deeds of your father." The Pharisees, partly compre-hending his meaning, said, "We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." But Jesus answered them: "If God were your Father, ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." The Pharisees had turned from God, and refused to recognize his Son. If their minds had been open to the love of God, they would have acknowledged the Saviour who was sent to the world by him. Jesus boldly revealed their desperate condition:— 2SP 356.2
*[[Joh 8:42]] KJV* Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. This statement is designed to be a revelation to all Christ's listeners including the bigoted Pharisees. He tells them that he 'proceeded forth' and 'came from God'. There is a distinct two stage process mentioned by Christ in this verse. He 'proceedeth forth' or arises from or comes out of and as the Thayer definition states this phrase can mean : to come forth from physically, arise from, to be born of. Jesus states that he was born of God, his father and then came from God. He came into the world and did not come of himself but the Father sent him.
This same emphasis is also made by Jesus in :
*[[Joh 16:27]] KJV* For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
*[[Joh 16:28]] KJV* I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
*[[Joh 16:29]] KJV* His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
*[[Joh 16:30]] KJV* Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
The two stage process is even more clearly spelt out in John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world. Christ came forth from the Father. He is emphasising his connection to his Father as his Son and then he came into the world. The disciples response to Christ's declaration is an affirma-tion of who Christ is - the 'Son of God'. Christ has spoken clearly and they believe that Christ came forth from God,
Such declarations from Christ himself about his relationship to his Father and that his Father had brought him forth before he came into the world are clear. The disciples believed he was truly the Son of God whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world (John10:36).
Jesus Christ well knew the records of Micah and Solomon which testified of the Son of God's beginnings. Micah had written: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2) and Solomon who wrote: Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth (Proverbs 8:25) and : I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight (Proverbs 8:30). Jesus Christ knew that he was truly the 'Son of God' as scripture testified. No matter how much the devil tried to get him to doubt who he was and despite the derogatory remarks made by the church leaders at that time and their desire to destroy him, he maintained the integrity and love of his Father. *[[Joh 14:10]] KJV* Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. The spirit of the Father given 'without measure' ( John 3:34) dwelt in Christ and reassured him of his sonship and upheld him and strengthened him in all his earthly trials.
The lesson we can learn from the Pharisees is a very important one. Christ informed them that : "ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go" (John 8:14). In the churches that worship the trinity god today, the leaders do not believe that Jesus was a literal Son of God brought forth in eternity - they cannot tell from whence Christ comes. The false god of the trinity, a creation of the devil himself, denies scripture testimony that the Father so loved the world that he gave us his Son, who he sent into the world. According to the trinity doctrine the Father did not have a son to give.
The SDA 28 Fundamental beliefs about Christ states:
"God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ." 2015 Edition
Note that the 'Son of God' is called GOD THE ETERNAL SON OR GOD THE SON. It is very evident that the SDA leadership subscribe to the belief that the Son of God was never 'brought forth' from the father as scripture states. God the son in eternity has always been with the father, there has never been a time in eter-nity when the son was not with the father. So the question remains Does the official Adventist church be-lieve that the Son of God is in reality the Father's son? No! They do not believe God had a son. They be-lieve the lie that Satan has perpetuated since his downfall in heaven. On the South Pacific Division website it is stated:
Finally, Adventists have found the expression "eternally begotten/born" or "born before all ages" of little help in presenting the gospel. The wording, not least the phrase "born before all ages" played a role in the discussion among the Adventist pioneers from the latter part of the 19th century where they attempted to understand the relationship between Jesus and the Father and pondered upon such traditional phrases. Since then close Bible studies have persuaded Adventist scholars that the term "Son" means "representative" and does not indicate that Jesus had any beginning. http://www.adventist.org.au/fs-theological-questions
It is very sad to see the church leadership and the members that agree to being led by them, lay claim to believing that Jesus never had a beginning and is not a son. God is made a liar because they believe not the record that God gave of his Son.(1John 5:10) Such a tragic outcome for a church that once worshipped the Father and the Son in spirit and truth.
The Word of God is replete with evidence of who Christ was before he came to earth. He was truly the Son of God and a son brought forth from the Father. Abraham, a servant of the Most High God is described by Christ as: *[[Joh 8:56]] KJV* Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Abraham was given an experience and vision of Christ's 'day'. He knew and experienced personally what it was like to prepare to sacrifice his son. With the knife in his hand, Abraham was about to plunge it into his son's chest, when God intervened and provided a ram for the burnt offering.
Ellen White writes:
Abraham had greatly desired to see the promised Saviour. He offered up the most earnest prayer that before his death he might behold the Messiah. And he saw Christ. A supernatural light was given him, and he acknowledged Christ’s di-vine character. He saw His day, and was glad. He was given a view of the di-vine sacrifice for sin. ?... This terrible ordeal was imposed upon Abraham that he might see the day of Christ, and realize the great love of God for the world, so great that to raise it from its degradation, He gave His only-begotten Son to a most shameful death. DA 468.4
Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal. His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered. He saw Christ; he saw all that mortal can see, and live. By making an entire surrender, he was able to understand the vision of Christ, which had been given him. He was shown that in giving His only-begotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin, God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make. DA 469.1
Surely the Pharisees knew of Abraham's experience? Couldn't they understand the significance of Christ's words : 'Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.'?
Christ’s words concerning Abraham conveyed to His hearers no deep significance. The Pharisees saw in them only fresh ground for caviling. They retorted with a sneer, as if they would prove Jesus to be a madman, "Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" HLv 317.4
With solemn dignity Jesus answered, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." HLv 318.1
The lack of spiritual insight and superficiality of their understanding of scripture led the Pharisees to crucify the Son of God. Christ, in the above conversation, finally declares whence he came from in no uncertain terms : "Before Abraham was, I am.". Christ, the fully divine Son of God is described by Ellen White as the 'Commander of heaven' :
It had been difficult even for the angels to grasp the mystery of redemption—to comprehend that the Commander of heaven, the Son of God, must die for guilty man. PP 155.2
Christ's claim to be the 'Son of God' before Abraham was, fuelled the Pharisees indignation:
Because He was, and avowed Himself to be, the Son of God, they were bent on destroying Him. Now many of the people, siding with the priests and rabbis, took up stones to cast at Him. "But Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." DA 470.1
The Light was shining in darkness; but "the darkness apprehended it not." John 1:5, R. V. DA 470.2
The same attitude is alive and well today in the SDA church. History is repeating itself. The trinity and its doctrine that god the son is not really God's son, because if he was a literal son he would be a contingent or inferior being to the Father is a total an absolute denial of the doctrine of the 'Father and the Son'.The scripture is very clear where the trinity comes from:
*[[1Jn 2:22]] KJV* Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
*[[1Jn 2:23]] KJV* Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
What does it mean to 'deny the Father and the Son'?
Spiritualist teachers refuse to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. Concerning such teachers the beloved John declares: "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either." (1 John 2:22, 23). Spiritualism, by denying Christ, denies both the Father and the Son, and the Bible calls it the sign of the antichrist. BOE 346.5
When you do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God and deny that he is in reality the literal son of the Father, you do not believe the Father had a Son and you deny both the Father and the Son. This denial of both the Father and the Son is called SPIRITUALISM. Spiritualism is defined at the beginning of the passage as: 'a revival of the witchcraft and demon worship that God condemned long ago'.
This is a shocking revelation. The worship of the trinity which denies that Christ is the 'Son of God' and that the Father never had a literal son in heaven which he sent into the world to save humanity is in reality DEMON WORSHIP or SPIRITUALISM.
If you worship the trinity god you are worshipping antichrist. Satan has been ultimately successful in sup-planting the worship of the true and living God and his Son in the majority of trinity worshipping protestant churches and the Catholic denomination.
Jesus Christ pleads with you today to recognise the true and living God and his precious Son:
*[[Joh 17:3]] KJV* And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
*[[1Jn 5:20]] KJV* And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
*[[1Jn 4:15]] KJV* Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
In John chapter 8 Jesus presented to the Pharisees and other observers in the audience the doctrine of the Father and the Son.
*[[Joh 8:18]] KJV* I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.*[[Joh 8:19]] KJV* Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
The Pharisees were willingly ignorant when it came to understanding who Christ was. Christ told them plainly:'ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.' (John 8:14). Christ bore witness of himself and the heavenly father had bore witness (Matthew 3:17) yet the Pharisees chose not to believe.
Just like the Pharisees, you, the reader, will also need to make a choice. Is Christ truly the literal Son of God and did the heavenly Father send His Son into the world? Or will you choose to believe that Christ is an 'eternal son' who has always been with the Father and is not a 'son' in the real sense of the word?
In Christ's discussion with the Pharisees about the 'Father snd Son' doctrine he informs the Pharisees in no uncertain terms what will happen if they refuse to believe that he was in reality the Son of God:
*[[Joh 8:21]] KJV* Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
*[[Joh 8:23]] KJV* And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
*[[Joh 8:24]] KJV* I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
He reiterates to the Pharisees: "if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Christ was trying to get through to the Pharisees and convict them that he was the Son of God. He told them very plainly what would happen if they did not believe in his sonship and from whence he came—they would die in their sins. There would be no salvation for anyone who did not believe in the Son of God and from whence he came.
In the audience Christ spoke to, there were Jews who were being impressed by the Spirit of God:
*[[Joh 8:31]] KJV* Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;*[[Joh 8:32]] KJV* And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The truth about the 'Father and the Son' will make you free. *[[Joh 8:42]] KJV* Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of my-self, but he sent me. All Christ's words were designed to draw the hearers to a knowledge of the marvel-lous heavenly gift that the Father had sent to save humanity - his Son Jesus Christ.
Christ told the disbelieving Pharisees who their father really was :
*[[Joh 8:44]] KJV* Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Imagine how the Pharisees felt when they were told that their father was the devil. It would have been an abhorrent message to them and it is no surprise that they took up stones to throw at him when he told them that:
"Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58).
Christ identified the doctrine that the Pharisees held - it was the doctrine of antichrist. (1John 2:21)
Today as you complete reading this study about the Son of God and from whence he came, you too have a choice to make. Are you going to believe that the Father gave his literal only born son (brought forth before the worlds were made) so "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Or will you choose to worship the trinity god whose son is not a literal son? If the Father never had a literal son to give what happens to your salvation? Will your destiny be the same as the Pharisees? Or maybe you will be like Peter:
*[[Mat 16:15]] KJV* He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
*[[Mat 16:16]] KJV* And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
*[[Mat 16:17]] KJV* And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Si-mon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
May the Father of Jesus Christ bless you with the revelation that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of the living God.
1 And whosoever shall say that there was a time when the Son of God was not, or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence [from the Father] or that he is a crea-ture, or subject to change or conversion—all that so say, the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.
http://www.religionfacts.com/council-of-nicea
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