Category: B3 – Holy God

by John Holbrook Jr.
A Biblical View, Blog #130 posted December 16, 2021, edited January 3, 2022.

Outside of Creation, the four most stupendous events in history are the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Yeshua (Jesus in English) of Nazareth, a simple carpenter whose bloodline nonetheless could be traced back to Adam through the Jewish kings, the Jewish patriarchs, and the ancient patriarchs. This bloodline derived from His mother, a simple, unwed Jewish maiden whose name was Miriam (Mary in English), and who bore Him in a lowly manger in a lowly town in a small country under the thumb of the mighty Roman Empire.

Here I will focus on the first event, the birth of Jesus, which has inspired some of the greatest literature, music, painting, and sculpture ever crafted by human hands. The musical paeans range from the poignant strains of Silent Night to the grandeur and glory of Handel’s Messiah, but all pay homage to “the King of kings and Lord of lords” who “…shall reign forever and ever.” Not surprisingly, Christmas carols are sung with gusto by believers and unbelievers alike, which I actually witnessed for several years at the annual singing of Christmas carols in the Winter Garden of the World Financial in lower Manhattan, where I worked in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Despite Jesus’ lowly estate, He did not arrive unannounced. He was preceded by proclamations of His coming that have never been matched in human history. In order to describe them however, I must first establish the context into which He was born.^[1]

1 – SYNCHRONIZATION BETWEEN SACRED & SECULAR CALENDARS

First, we need to know the date of Jesus, birth in the Gregorian Calendar.

The only sure chronological link between biblical chronology and secular chronology is found in Luke 3:1-3: “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (KJV).

On August 19, 14 AD, Augustus died and was succeeded by Tiberius Caesar. Hence, according to the accession year system, Tiberius’s accession year was 14 AD, his first regnal year was 15 AD, and his fifteenth regnal year was 29 AD (29 AD = 57/43 Augustus = 0 Tiberius).^[2] Hence, 15 Tiberius = 29 AD.

According to the Scriptures, (a) John-the-Baptist started his ministry in 15 Tiberius, (b) soon thereafter he baptized Jesus, (c) soon thereafter Jesus celebrated His 30^th birthday, (d) immediately thereafter Jesus went on a 40-day Sojourn in the Wilderness, (e) immediately thereafter Jesus commenced His 3.5 year ministry, and (f) early in April of the following year Jesus was crucified on Passover. Thus, Jesus was born in late August or early September of 2 BC and died on Passover in 33 AD.

In 2 BC, 1 Tishri (the 1^st day of the 7^th month in the Jewish calendar), fell on August 28. 1 Tishri is Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, when several shofars are blown in the Temple in Jerusalem to announce the beginning of the sacred year. There is no doubt in my mind that the 1^st Advent of the Jewish Messiah, who is also the Lord and Savior of Mankind, occurred on that day.

On March 16, 37 AD, Tiberius died and was succeeded by Gaius Caesar (Caligula). Hence, 37 AD = 23 Tiberius = 0 Gaius.

2 – THE REIGN OF KING HEROD-THE-GREAT

 Next step, we need to know the context of Jesus’ life in Judea, which occurred during the reign of  King Herod-the-Great, a satrap of the Roman Empire.

In 40 BC, which was 4 Augustus, Herod was appointed King of Judea by the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus.^[3] Hence, 40 BC = 4 Augustus = 0 Herod.

In 37 BC, which was 7 Augustus, Herod took Jerusalem. Hence, 37 BC = 7 Augustus = 3/0 Herod.

In either 5 BC or 3 BC, Herod appointed his son Archelaus as co-regent of Judea and Samaria (I prefer the former because there are indications that Archelaus reigned for a total of 10 years, 5 years (4 BC-1 AD) as co-regent and 5 years (1-6 AD) as king). Josephus appears to have erred in subtracting three years of this co-regency from Herod’s full reign, thereby arriving at a 37 year reign for Herod. He may have been influenced by the fact that, after the death of Herod and Archelaus, Antipas and Philip both claimed that their reigns had commenced at the same time as their brother Archelaus’s co-regency.

On August 28, 2 BC, Jesus of Nazareth was born.

Circa December 23-25, 2 BC, the Magi visited Herod in Jerusalem seeking directions to the birthplace of the newborn King, whom they had been prompted by prophecy and the stars to visit and to pay homage.

Probably early in January 1 BC, Herod issued an edict that all Jewish boys in his kingdom who were under the age of two be killed – an atrocity that is called the Slaughter of the Innocents.^[4]

On December 29, 1 BC, an eclipse of the moon occurred on the day on which Herod had a man named Matthias executed and another man named Matthias deprived of the position of High Priest.

On January 3, 1 AD, five days after the lunar eclipse, Herod died (40 years from his appointment as King of Judea in 40 BC and 37 years from his Conquest of Jerusalem in 37 BC).

At this point, I am ready to describe the ways in which God announced the 1^st Advent of His Son.

 3 – THE PROPHECIES IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Both the Tenakh (the Old Testament) and the New Covenant Scriptures (the New Testament) are all about Yeshua, the Son of God, who, in perfect accord with the instructions of His Father and with the help of the Holy Spirit, made, sustains, manages, redeemed, and will judge Universe. Not surprisingly, the Bible contains many prophecies concerning Him. In the Appendix – Messiah’s Prefigurement in Scripture below, I list 45 prophecies, but I am sure that I have missed others.

4 – THE PROCLAMATION OF THE STARS

As the 1^st Advent of His Son approached, God placed a message in the heavens over Mankind’s head.

In those days, everyone watched the stars. What would people throughout the world have seen in the heavens, which, for example, undoubtedly played a role in prompting the Magi to travel to Judea? Here are the highlights.

On August 1, 3 BC, Jupiter rose as a morning star.^[5]

On August 12, 3 BC, after leaving the vicinity of the Sun, Jupiter (the Father) conjoined with Venus (the Mother), and together they rose as an unusually bright morning star. Jupiter was often associated with the birth of kings, and this event would have been regarded as a harbinger of the birth of a king. Meanwhile, the sun (the Supreme Father), the Moon (also a mother), and Mercury (the Messenger of the gods), congregated in the constellation Leo (the Lion) – not only was Leo Judah’s natal sign, but Messiah was called “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” ^[6]

During the next twenty days, Mercury moved toward Venus in the constellation Leo (their conjunction occurred circa September 1, 3 BC), while the Sun moved out of the constellation Leo and into the constellation Virgo (the Virgin) and Jupiter entered the constellation Leo. These events appear to echo some of the themes surrounding Messiah’s first advent, when a Messenger, John-the-Baptist, would announce the coming of a prince (Gabriel’s term for Messiah in the vision he gave to Daniel), who would be born as the Son of God and Miriam (a virgin mother) and would reign over all as King of kings and Lord of lords.^[7]

On September 14, 3 BC, Jupiter conjoined with Regulus (the King), a star of the first magnitude and the chief star of the constellation Leo, for the first time.^[8]

On February 17, 2 BC, Jupiter conjoined with Regulus for the second time. They were joined by the Moon.^[9]

Circa February 27 or March 13, 2 BC (G), John-the Baptist was born – just over nine months ^[10] after his conception circa Saturday, May 23 or June 6, 3 BC and just over five and a half months prior to Messiah’s birth on August 28, 2 BC.

On May 8, 2 BC, Jupiter conjoined with Regulus for the third time.^[11]

On June 17, 2 BC, after continuing its westward passage across the sky, Jupiter conjoined with Venus in the constellation Leo at the exact time of a full Moon. The two planets were so close that they would have appeared as one gigantic star in a marriage union.^[12]

On August 27, 2 BC, Jupiter and Mars (the Warrior) conjoined, with Mercury and Venus nearby. Together the four planets constituted what in astrological circles is known as a “massing of the planets” in the constellation Leo. At the same time, the Sun was entering the constellation Virgo.^[13]

On August 28, 2 BC (G), which was Tishri 1 (the 1^st day of the 7th month in the Jewish calendar), Rosh Hashanah, and the Feast of Trumpets, Jesus the Messiah was born.^[14] (2 BC = 42 Augustus)

On December 22, 2 BC, after leaving the company of Mercury, Mars, and Venus and travelling westward for four months, Jupiter stopped in the sky – having reached a stationary point between its progression and regression with respect to Earth. It would have appeared motionless in the sky for a period of six days centered on December 25, 2 BC. From the perspective of Jerusalem at dawn, the normal time for astronomical observations, Jupiter would have been located in the meridian position at an elevation of 68 degrees above the southern horizon, which would have put it in the abdomen of Virgo (the Virgin) and directly over Bethlehem.^[15] In addition, the Sun reached the Winter Solstice on December 21/22 and therefore was also standing still in the sky.^[16] Thus, after following a star (undoubtedly Jupiter) for months, the Magi may have arrived in Jerusalem at the start of Jupiter’s six days of motionlessness in the sky, met with Herod, and then set out for the Holy Family’s home (see The Magi below).

5 – THE ANNUNCIATION TO MARY

Circa November, 3 BC, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the young woman whom God chose to be the mother of his Son.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored One, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly  troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall call his name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore he child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (KJ21 Luke 1:26-38)

6 – THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE SHEPHERDS

In the evening of August 28, 2 BC, an angel appeared to a group of Shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem. They were probably boys and young men from lowly families who were working for a pittance, if anything, and seldom encountered anything exciting other than an attack on their flocks by a predator.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (KJ21 Luke 2:8-14)

They immediately left their flocks and went to the manger next to the inn in town, where they gazed in wonder at the newborn babe sleeping in a bed of straw – a reaction in stark contrast to the later response of the Judean king in Jerusalem.

 7 – THE MESSIAH’S BIRTH & EARLY MONTHS

In the summer of 4 BC, Sulpicius Quirinius became governor of the province of Syria, replacing Quintilius Varus and continuing in that position until the summer of 2 BC, when he in turn was replaced by Gaius Caesar. Quirinius was undoubtedly the Cyrenius (in Greek, Kyrenios) whom Luke identified as the governor of Syria at the time that Joseph and Mary were traveling to Bethlehem.^[17]

Circa late August, 3 BC, Augustus required that the population of Palestine be registered for the fifth time during his reign (censuses occurred in 21 BC, 16 BC, 11 BC, 8 BC, and 3 BC).  Typically, a census required about a year to complete, and thus the fifth census ended a year or more later – in the summer or fall of 2 BC.

Circa November, 3 BC, the Archangel Gabriel delivered the Annunciation to Mary.

Circa November 21, 3 BC (G), Jesus was conceived – just over five and a half months after John-the-Baptist was conceived and just over nine months^[18] prior to His birth on August 28, 2 BC.

In late August, 2 BC, Sulpicius Quirinius (Cyrenius) was replaced as governor of Syria by Gaius Caesar. There are indications that Gaius was actually in Rome at the time, which might indicate that Quirinius continued to govern for a while beyond the formal end to his term.

In late August, 2 BC, toward the end of the fifth census, Joseph and Mary were making their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Joseph’s home town) to be counted in the fifth census, which had commenced the previous year and was probably nearing its end.^[19]

On August 28, 2 BC (G), which was Tishri 1 (the 1^st day of the 7th month in the Jewish calendar), Rosh Hashanah, and the Feast of Trumpets, Jesus the Jewish Messiah was born.^[20] (2 BC = 42 Augustus).

On September 5, 2 BC (G) which was Tishri 9, Jesus was circumcised.^[21]

On October 7, 2 BC (G), which was the 40^th day following Jesus’ birth, on which (a) Mary completed the ritual purification (or tahara) of a woman after giving birth to a son^[22] and (b) the Holy Family traveled to Jerusalem.^[23]

On October 8, 2 BC (G), Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated, and both Simon^[24] and Anna^[25] identified Him as the One who would be the source of salvation or redemption in Israel.^[26] Then, after Jesus’ dedication, the family journeyed to Nazareth.^[27]

Soon after October 8, 2 BC (G), the Holy Family was back living in their home in Nazareth.

On December 25, 2 BC (G), the Magi visited the Holy Family in their home.

8 – THE VISIT OF THE MAGI

The Bible indicates that Wise Men (now better known as the Magi) from the Orient (lands east of the Persian Gulf) undertook an arduous journey from their homelands to Jerusalem to pay homage to the newborn King. They claimed that they had followed a star, which is now called the Star of Bethlehem. They brought Him gifts of gold,^[28] frankincense,^[29] and myrrh.^[30] In doing so, they set an example for all Gentiles of how we should respond to the advent of the newborn King, the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah, by worshipping Him, honoring Him, and obeying Him.^[31]

Because there were three gifts, biblical commentators have assumed that there were three Magi, and they have named them Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar (or Casper). According to western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia or sometimes Ethiopia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India.

The visit of the Magi actually presents us with a puzzle which I have not yet solved. We can be reasonably sure that the Magi arrived at the Holy Family’s house or home ^[32] sometime between Jesus’ birth on August 28, 2 BC and December 25, 2 BC, just short of a four month period, although some commentators have argued for as much as a two year period.

Years ago, after reading Ernest Martin’s book, I thought that the Magi had visited Jesus in Bethlehem on December 25, 2 BC. Recently,^[33] after I worked out the chronological sequence involving (a) Jesus’ circumcision, (b) Mary’s purification, (c) the family’s trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, (d) Jesus’ dedication in the Temple, and (e) the family’s trip to Nazareth (see above), I realized that there is a serious problem here – a conflict between location and timing.

The Bible indicates that the Holy Family resided in (a) Bethlehem from August 28 to October 7, (b) Jerusalem, from October 7 to October 8, and (c) Nazareth, soon after October 8.

The Bible indicates that the Magi first visited Herod in Jerusalem to get directions, and Herod told them to go to Bethlehem, ^[34] but then the Bible does not say that the Magi went to Bethlehem. Instead, it says that “…they departed [from Jerusalem]; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” ^[35]

Well, where was He? The answer to this question is not as straight forward as it seems.

First, the Bible records that, “…when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”^[36] Clearly, the Magi left the Orient and travelled westward to Jerusalem. They explained to Herod that “we have seen his star in the east.”^[37] If you take what they said literally, they would have seen the star in the sky somewhere over China, east of their homelands. Since they started in the east and followed the star to the west, however, they must have meant that, when they were in the east, they saw the star in the west and followed it to Jerusalem. Otherwise, the verse makes no sense.

Second, the Bible is silent concerning where the star was at the time, Martin identifies the star as Jupiter and says that, on December 25, 2 BC, a viewer in Jerusalem would have seen it standing over Bethlehem roughly 5 miles to the south by southwest. Unfortunately, by then the Holy Family was in Nazareth, roughly 90 miles north by northeast of Jerusalem – a full 180 degrees difference on the compass.

Third, the church has been consistent in identifying the location and timing of the Magi’s visit as Bethlehem and December 25^th respectively. The Magi’s visit was celebrated (a) by the churches in the first and second centuries AD as the Feast of the Nativity on December 25^th, ^[38] (b) by Orthodox churches today as the Adoration of the Magi on the same date, and (c) by western churches today as the Feast of the Epiphany on January 8.

As you ponder this problem, keep in mind the Magi’s alternatives once they arrived in Jerusalem. Basically, they could travel in one of four directions: (a) to the north by northeastward to Nazareth (roughly 90 miles away, (b) eastward back to the Orient (a far distance away), (c) south by southwestward to Bethlehem (roughly 5 miles away), or (d) westward to the Mediterranean Sea (roughly 35 miles away). In my view, the only sensible alternatives are (a) and (c).

My solution to the problem, which I hasten to say involves ignoring some of the non-biblical evidence, is as follows. Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem on August 28, 2 BC. After Mary completed her ritual purification on October 7, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem, where He was dedicated in the Temple on October 8. Then, they traveled to their home in Nazareth. In late December, the Magi arrived in Jerusalem seeking the newborn King. Although Herod directed them to Bethlehem, the Magi received more up-to-date information from someone else in Jerusalem and went to Nazareth instead, where they visited the One whom they sought on December 25, 2 BC. Meanwhile, the star was standing over Bethlehem to the south. (I admit that I am not happy with this solution. If you come up with a better one, please leave a comment.)

9 – THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS

Soon after the Magi’s visit to the baby Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him that Herod sought to destroy the baby Jesus, and that he should flee to Egypt with his family until he heard again from the angel. So Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus went to Egypt.^[39]

Probably early in January, 1 BC, as noted above, Herod issued an edict that all Jewish boys in his kingdom who were under the age of two be killed – an atrocity that is called the Slaughter of the Innocents.^[40]

On January 3, 1 AD, as also noted above, five days after the lunar eclipse on December 29, 1 BC, Herod died (40 years from his appointment as King of Judea in 40 BC and 37 years from his Conquest of Jerusalem in 37 BC).

Soon thereafter, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him that Herod had died, and that he should return to Israel. So Joseph took his family to Nazareth.^[41]

10 – WHAT HAS BEEN LOST

Because the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi have been conflated, His birth has been celebrated on the wrong date for over two millennia. Moreover, important aspects of His birth have been lost, such as (a) His coming being proclaimed by the stars, (b) His arrival coinciding with Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets, when the sounds of the shofars blowing in the Temple could be heard throughout Old Jerusalem, and (c) His adoration by the Magi indicating the importance to Mankind of what He would accomplish during His time on Earth, such as (a) fulfilling the requirements of the Mosaic Covenant perfectly and (b) instituting the New Covenant with His faithful Jewish and Gentile followers throughout the ages, who would constitute His Bride for all eternity.

© 2021 John Holbrook Jr.
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APPENDIX – MESSIAH’S PREFIGUREMENT IN SCRIPTURE ^[42]
(prophecies concerning our Lord and their fulfillment)

01 – He would be the seed of a woman.

This prophecy occurs in Genesis 3:15: “[God says to Satan]…I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Galatians 4:4 records its fulfillment: “…when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law….”

02- He would be the seed of Abraham.

This prophecy occurs in Genesis 12:3: “[God says to Abraham]…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Luke 3:34 records its fulfillment in the genealogy which traces Jesus’ blood line from Mary back to Adam: “…Abraham, who was the son of Thara….”

03 – He would be the seed of Isaac.

This prophecy occurs in Genesis 17:19: “…God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”

Luke 3:34 records its fulfillment in the genealogy which traces Jesus’ blood line from Mary back to Adam.: “…Isaac, who was the son of Abraham,….”

04 – He would be the seed of Jacob.

This prophecy occurs in Numbers 24:17: “…there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,….”

Luke 3:34 records its fulfillment in the genealogy which traces Jesus’ blood line from Mary back to Adam: “…Jacob, who was the son of Isaac,….”

05 – He would be from the tribe of Judah.

This prophecy occurs in Genesis 49:10: “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Luke 3:33-34 records its fulfillment in the genealogy which traces Jesus’ blood line from Mary back to Adam: “…Judah, which was the son of Jacob….”

06 – He would be a descendant of David.

This prophecy occurs in 2 Samuel 7:12-13:  “[God says to David] …when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

Luke 3:33-34 records its fulfillment in the genealogy which traces Jesus’ blood line from Mary back to Adam: “…David, who was the son of Jesse….”

Romans 1:3 also records its fulfillment: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh….”

07 – He would be heir to the throne of David.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 9:7: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

Luke 1:32 records its fulfillment: “[The angel Gabriel says to Mary] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

08 – He would appear before the scepter departed from Judah.

This prophecy occurs in Genesis 49:10: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

All four Gospels record its fulfillment: Judah still occupied the Promised Land in Jesus’s time.

09 – He would be born at a specific time.

This prophecy occurs in Daniel 9:25: “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

Luke 2:1-2 records its fulfillment: “…it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)”

10 – He would be born in a specific place, Bethlehem of Judea.

This prophecy occurs in Micah 5:2: “…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.”

Luke 2:4-7 records its fulfillment: “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

11 – He would be born of a virgin.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 7:14: “…the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Luke 1:26-35 records its fulfillment: “…in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS….Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

12 – He would be named before He was born.

This prophesy occurs in Isaiah 49:1: “Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.”

Luke 1:30-31 records its fulfillment: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”

13 – His birth would entail sorrow for others.

This prophecy occurs in Jeremiah 31:15: “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.”

Matthew 2:16-17 records its fulfillment: “…Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”

14 – He would flee into Egypt and then return to Judea.

This prophecy occurs in Hosea 11:1: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.”

Matthew 2:14-15 records its fulfillment: “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 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.”

15 – He would be preceded by a forerunner.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 40:3: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Matthew 3:1-3 records its fulfillment: “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

This prophecy also occurs in Malachi 3:1 in a slightly different form: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”

Luke 7:24-27 records its fulfillment: “…when the messengers of John were departed, Jesus began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?….This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”

16 – He would be a prophet.

This prophecy occurs in Deuteronomy 18:15: “[Moses said] The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken….”

Acts 3:20-22 records its fulfillment: “[Peter said] …[the Lord] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.”

17 – He would be a priest – after the order of Melchizedek.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 110:4: “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:5-6 records its fulfillment: “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

18 – He would be the Son of God.

This prophecy occurs in Psalms 2:7: “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

Seven passages of scripture record its fulfillment in God’s own testimony:

Three occur at His baptism.

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

“And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).

“…and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

Four occur at His Transfiguration.

“…a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).

“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 9:7).

“And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Luke 9:35).

“…there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard….” (II Peter 1:17-18).

19 – He would minister in Galilee.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 9:1-2: “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Matthew 4:13-16 records its fulfillment: “And leaving Nazareth, [Jesus] came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

20 – He would heal the broken-hearted.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 61:1: “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound.”

Luke 4:16-21 records its fulfillment: “[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

22 – He would heal the blind, the deaf, and the lame.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 35:5-6: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

All four Gospels record its fulfillment on many occasions, to which Jesus Himself drew attention in Matthew 11:4-5: “Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

23 – He would still the tempest.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 107:29: “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”

Matthew 8:23-27 records its fulfillment: “…when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

24 – He would speak in parables.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old….”

Matthew 13:34-35 records its fulfillment: “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

25 – He would enter Jerusalem in triumph, riding on a colt.

This prophecy occurs in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

Mark 11:7-11 records its fulfillment: “…they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strewed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem….”

26 – He would be poor and needy.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 40:17: “…I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”

Matthew 8:20 records its fulfillment: “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

27 – He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver.

This prophecy occurs in Zechariah 11:12: “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.”

Matthew 26:15-16 records its fulfillment: “…[Judas] said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray [Jesus].”

28 – He would be betrayed by a friend.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 41:9: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

Luke 22:47-48 records its fulfillment: “And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”

29 – He would be accused by false witnesses.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 35:11: “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.”

Mark 14:57-58 records its fulfillment: “And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.”

30 – He would not answer His accusers.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

Mark 15:4-5 records its fulfillment: “And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled.”

31 – He would be despised and rejected by His own people.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 53:3: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

Luke 23:18 records its fulfillment: “And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.”

John 1:11 also records its fulfillment: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

32 – He would be hated without cause.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 35:19: “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.”

It also occurs in Psalm 69:4: “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”

John 15:24 records its fulfillment: “[Jesus said] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.”

Luke 23:4 also records its fulfillment: “Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.”

33 – He would be spat upon and smitten.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 50:6: “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”

Matthew 26:67 records its fulfillment: “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands….”

34 – He would be crucified with malefactors.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 53:12: “…he was numbered with the transgressors….”

Mark 15:27-28 records its fulfillment: “And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.”

35 – He would be pierced in the hands and feet.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 22:16: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

John 20:25-29 records its fulfillment: “…[Thomas] said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

36 – He would be scorned and mocked.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 22:7-8: “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”

Luke 23:35-36 records its fulfillment: “…the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him,….”

37 – He would be given vinegar.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 69:21: “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”

Matthew 27:34 records its fulfillment: “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”

38 – He would pray for His executioners.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 109:4: “For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.”

It also occurs in Isaiah 53:12: “…[he] made intercession for the transgressors.”

Luke 23:34 records its fulfillment: “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…..”

39 – His executioners would cast lots for His clothes.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 22:18: “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

Matthew 27:35 records its fulfillment: “…they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”

40 – His bones would not be broken.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 34:20: “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”

John 19:32-33 records its fulfillment: “Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs.”

41 – He would be pierced in the side.

This prophecy occurs in Zechariah 12:10: “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

John 19:34 records its fulfillment: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

42 – He would be buried with the rich.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 53:9: “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death….”

Matthew 27:57-60 records its fulfillment: “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”

43 – He would be resurrected.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 16:10: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

It also occurs in Psalm 49:15: “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.”

Mark 16:6 records its fulfillment: “And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

44 – He would ascend to Heaven.

This prophecy occurs in Psalm 68:18: “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”

Mark 16:19 records its fulfillment: “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

Ephesians 4:8 also records its fulfillment: “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

45 – He would be a substitutionary sacrifice.

This prophecy occurs in Isaiah 53:5-6: “…he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Romans 5:6-9 records its fulfillment: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly….God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
__________________________________

[1] Historical dates are taken primarily from Jack Finnegan’s Handbook of Biblical Chronology, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody MA, orig. 1964, rev.1998 (identified in citations below as JF). Astronomical events are taken primarily from Ernest Martin’s The Birth of Christ Recalculated, Foundation for Biblical Research, Pasadena, CA, 1980 (identified in citations below as EM).

[2] JF (1998), p. 280 (column 2).

[3] JF (1964), p. 230.

[4] Matthew 2:16.

[5] Ernest Martin (EM), p. 6.

[6] EM, pp. 13-14.

[7] EM, pp. 14-15.

[8] EM, p. 15.

[9] EM, p. 16.

[10] See the footnote above concerning the human gestation period.

[11] EM, p. 16.

[12] EM, p. 16.

[13] EM, p. 17.

[14] Hebrew date was calculated using [http://www.abdicate.net/cal.aspx].

[15] EM, pp. 21-22.

[16] EM, p. 23.

[17] JF (1964), p. 235.

[18] The human gestation period is about 280 days or approximately nine months and a week (the months average 30.4 days), but this period is not exact and can vary a bit – particularly on the short side in the case of premature births.

[19] Luke 2:1-5.

[20] Hebrew date was calculated using [http://www.abdicate.net/cal.aspx].

[21] Luke 2:21.

[22] Luke 2:22, Leviticus 12:1-5.

[23] Luke 2:22.

[24] Luke 2:25-35.

[25] Luke 2:36-38.

[26] This is in accordance with the principle expressed in Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15 that the truth of a matter be established by two witnesses.

[27] Luke 2:39.

[28] Appropriate gift for a king.

[29] Appropriate gift for a priest.

[30] Appropriate gift for a burial. I wonder if Joseph and Mary kept it for use on Passover in 33 AD.

[31] The story indicates that they were adept at reading the stars, familiar with the Holy Scriptures, and undoubtedly believers who desired to worship the Son of God.

[32] Matthew2:2:11.

[33] December 2021.

[34] Matthew 2:8.

[35] Matthew 2:9.

[36] Matthew 2:1.

[37] Matthew 2:2.

[38] EM, p. 22.

[39] Matthew 2:13-15.

[40] Luke 2:16.

[41] Matthew 2:19-23.

[42] I prepared this as a handout to accompany a homily which I delivered at the Church of Our Saviour in Lebanon Springs on April 16, 2003.

 

 

 

 

by John Holbrook Jr.
A Biblical View, Blog D121 posted December 31, 2020, edited March 10, 2021.

A – My Experience with Creation

Being an architect by profession, I have some familiarity with the creative process where buildings are concerned. There are three phases or steps involved in creating a building.

First, an architect and his engineers develop the design and specifications for the building – e.g. a high-rise office building in lower Manhattan. They need to think through every aspect of the occupants needs, the city’s building and zoning codes, the constraints of nature, the buildings’ aesthetic impact on its occupants inside and its neighbors and passers-by outside, etc.

Second, a builder or contractor constructs the building in accordance with the architect and engineers’ drawings and specifications. He needs to order tens of thousands of specially fabricated materials from steel beams to door knobs, arrange for their delivery according to a tight schedule, and then put them together in their proper order in the structure.

Third, a local utility – Con Edison in this case – energizes the building by attaching it to its electric power grid, on which the operation of its elevators, air blowers, water pumps, lights, etc. will depend.

Thus, after becoming a Christian and beginning to reflect on Universe as a creation, I knew three things immediately:

Someone had designed and scripted Universe before it was made and set in motion.

Someone had (a) created the materials from which Universe was made (they were not available to assemble) and then (b) formed them into Universe as we perceive it today..

Someone had energized Universe and given life to its flora and fauna.

The identity of “someone” in each one of these cases was not immediately obvious.

B – The Creeds

Among the documents that I studied early in my Christian life were the creeds of the church. The Apostle’s Creed was composed by the Christians in Rome in the late second century AD. The Creed of Nicaea, was composed by the first ecumenical council in 325 AD to address the Arian controversy. It was expanded and revised in 381 AD to include a section on the Holy Spirit. It is now known now as the Nicene Creed. Among all the creeds, it is the most widely accepted today. The Chalcedonian Creed was composed by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD to define the dual nature of Christ as being both divine and human. The Athanasian Creed was composed in 500 AD to address, among other things, the equality among the three persons of the Trinity.

Briefly, the creeds describe the Godhead as consisting of three, equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Father is described (a) by the Apostle’s Creed as “…the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, (b) by the Nicene Creed as “…the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible,” and (c) by the Athanasian Creed as “incomprehensible,” “eternal,” “almighty,” “Lord,” and “uncreated,…made of none, neither created nor begotten.”

The Son is described (a) by the Apostle’s Creed as “…, (b) by the Nicene Creed as “… (c) by the Athanasian Creed as “incomprehensible,” “eternal,” “almighty,” “Lord,” and “uncreated,…of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.”

The Holy Spirit is described (a) by the Apostle’s Creed as nothing more than “the Holy Ghost,“ (b) by the Nicene Creed as “…the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets,” and (c) by the Athanasian Creed as “incomprehensible,” “eternal,” “almighty,” “Lord,” and “uncreated,…of the Father and of the Son,; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding,”

C – Comment on the Creeds

Although all of the creeds were meant to convey the fundamentals of the Christian faith in clear and simple terms, the above descriptions have often baffled even the most faithful and fervent of Christ’s followers. What is obvious from them is that the Godhead consists of three, equal persons who together are a unity that is incomprehensible, eternal, almighty, and uncreated. Also obvious from the Nicene Creed is that the Holy Spirit is the “Giver of Life.” Not so obvious are the meanings of “begotten” and “proceeding,” which have been debated for centuries. In the case of “begotten,” I have some thoughts, but no conclusions. In the case of “proceeding,” I believe that what is being described here is “deferring to the originator.” In creating Universe, which means “everything,” I believe that the creeds indicate that (1) the Father produced the immaterial concept for the creation, (2) the Son voluntarily accepted the concept and produced its embodiment in physical reality, and (3) the Holy Spirit voluntarily accepted the concept and its embodiment and infused the latter and its creatures with energy and life respectively.

D – Dorothy Sayers

Soon after I became a Christian in 1980, I read a very interesting book by Dorothy Sayers, who was – and still is – a famous, British playwright and author – particularly of detective stories.

The book, The Mind of the Maker (1941), addresses the subject of the similarity between the portrayal of the triune Godhead in the ancient creeds of the Christian Church and the tri-partite nature of the human creator.

D1 – Sayer’s Creation

Sayers observes that every creation possesses a tri-partite nature:

The Idea (DS) or Concept (JH), which she also describes as the vision of the thing to be created.[1] This concept requires a person with a mind that can imagine.

The Energy (DS) or Construction (JH), which she describes as the energy or the work of translating the immaterial concept into a material reality, which might also be called its embodiment or incarnation. This construction requires a person with (a) a mind to understand the concept and to plan the construction and (b) metaphorical hands – i.e. the ability – to do the work of acquiring and assembling the necessary materials.[2]

The Power (DS) or Capacitation (JH),[3] which she describes as the empowering of (a) the construction to affect others and (b) others to be effected by the construction. This response requires a person with a mind to comprehend the creation and to respond to it with appreciation, distaste, joy, sorrow, enlightenment, befuddlement, etc. As soon as someone does respond it, the construction possesses an independent life of its own, entirely separate from its creator.

Sayers also observes that in a successful creation, the Idea (concept), the Energy (construction), and the Power (capacitation) are in balance. In an unsuccessful creation, however, at least one these components fails the other two, thereby leaving the whole out of balance.

D2 – Sayers’ Creator

Sayers then maintains that the three persons of the Godhead can be identified with the three components of a creation and further argues that, when the Scriptures speak of God creating Mankind in his image, they are indicating that the primary similarity between God and a human is being a creative person who makes things, and that God’s creation of Universe is a model for how humans create anything.

Sayers identifies the Father of the creeds as the person who produced/produces the idea(s) for Universe. He is the metaphorical mind behind Universe, which is easy to understand.

Sayers identifies the Son of the creeds’ as the person who produced/produces the energy or activity in the making and sustaining of Universe in accordance with the Father’s idea(s) or will. He is the metaphorical body behind Universe, which is less easy to understand, but still clear.

Sayers identifies the Holy Spirit of the creeds as the person who produced/produces the power of Universe – i.e. the effect which Universe has on its Creator and creatures – which is somewhat difficult to understand. (I will return to this point later).

E – My View of Universe and its Creator

As the years passed and as I gave more thought to all of the foregoing, I realized that Sayers should have used the Scriptures as her point of departure for identifying the nature of the Godhead, not the Creeds. Not only are the Scriptures much more informative than the creeds, but they are also more reliable. The Scriptures are God-breathed, whereas the creeds are man-breathed.

E1 – The Biblical God

Since the Creator preceded his creation, I will discuss him first.

The Scriptures indicate clearly that the Godhead exists in three distinct persons,^[4] whom I call God-the-Father, God-the-Son, and God-the-Holy Spirit,[5] all of whom are divine, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnicompetent, to name a few of their attributes. They are most easily understood by what they have done and do.

God-the-Father is the creative mind of God who conceived Universe. He is the Divine Architect who designed Universe and the Divine Author who wrote its story.^[6] He determined everything that would exist in Universe and everything that would happen in Universe, from its first day to its last day. Thus the Scriptures report him saying, “…I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”^[7] Together his design and his script make up the Decrees of God that are contained in the book which he holds in his right hand as he sits on his throne in heaven.^[8]

God-the-Son is the creative body of god ^[9] who actualizes Universe. He is the Divine Builder who constructs Universe according to the Father’s plans,^[10] the Divine Sustainer, who holds all things together by the power of His Word,^[11] the Divine Director who ensures that Universe’s drama follows the Father’s script,^[12] and the Divine Redeemer, who repairs and restores Universe’s brokenness.^[13] Although He is co-equal with God-the-Father, He voluntarily defers to him in all things – i.e. He proceeds from the Father.^[14] He is “the Lamb as it had been slain,” who is worthy to take the book out of God-the-Father’s right hand, open the book, and implement the Decrees of God.^[15]

God-the-Holy Spirit is the creative spirit of God who quickens Universe and its creatures. He is the Divine Energizer who sets Universe in motion and the Divine Giver of Life who vitalizes its flora and animates its fauna.^[16] Although he is co-equal with God-the-Father and God-the-Son, he voluntarily defers to them in all things – i.e. he proceeds from the Father and the Son.^[17] He is “the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” by God-the-Father and God-the-Son.^[18] The foregoing goes far beyond Sayers’ “Power” (or capacitation).

The Scriptures are unclear concerning the precise division of responsibility between the Son and the Spirit. It appears, however, that the Son’s role is primary, “…for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,…all things were created by him, and for him.^[19] The Son did the forming or constructing [step 1] and the Spirit imparted energy and life to the Son’s formations or constructions [step 2] after the Son called for them. Example 1: “…darkness was upon the face of the deep [step 1]. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters [step 2]. And God said, Let there be light [the calling]: and there was light [energy].” ^[20] Example 2: “…the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground [step 1], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [step 2]; and man became a living soul.” ^[21] The Scriptures are clear, however, that the Son always follows the Father’s design and script exactly; He said, “… I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me.” ^[22] Presumably, the Spirit would say the same about both Father and Son.

E2 – The Biblical Drama

In explaining her view of a creation, Sayers often uses the nature of a drama to describe a creation’s tri-part nature. First, a drama originates as an idea in its author’s mind, which he then turns into a script with accompanying instructions regarding its stage settings and its’ actors’ demeanor and behavior. Second, a drama is put on the stage by a combined effort on the part of a producer and a director, who rent a theater, select, and train the members of its cast, and attract an audience through advertising and word-of-mouth. Third, the drama is given power and meaning through the response of (a) its audience when it is performed on stage, (b) its readers when it becomes available in print, and (c) its students when it is discussed in school and college classrooms by teachers and student.

As I reflected further on all the foregoing, I realized that the Bible actually describes the creation and production of a cosmic drama which exhibits a familiar plot: the story of a good guy and a bad guy struggling for possession of a beautiful girl, who finds both of them attractive and flirts with both of them without realizing (1) the loving intent of the good guy, who allows Himself to be sacrificed in order to free His future bride from bondage, and (2) the malevolent intent of the bad guy, the master of deceit and despoilation, who works assiduously (a) to hold people in bondage and (b) to lure back into bondage those who have been set free by the protagonist.

In the case of the Biblical drama:

God-the-Father (a) designed the theater in which it would be staged and (b) wrote its script.

God-the-Son (a) built, sustains, and manages the theater, (b) produces and directs the drama, and (c) plays the role of the drama’s protagonist.

God-the-Holy Spirit (a) energized and energizes the theater, (b) gives life and delivers cues to members of the drama’s cast, and (c) capacitates the audience to see and be motivated by what is happening in the drama..

Satan, the most powerful of God’s creatures, plays the role of the drama’ antagonist.

The Redeemed – i.e. all the men, women, and children who acknowledge God-the-Son as their Savior and LORD – play the role of the beautiful girl, the Bride of Christ, whom God the Father is forming and will present to his Son at the Wedding of the Lamb at the culmination of history. They will be eternally welcome in God’s presence (Heaven).

The Lost, all the men, women, and children who failed to acknowledge God-the-Son as their Savior and LORD, play the role of extras. They will be eternally banned from God’s presence (Hell).

F – My Debt to Dorothy Sayers

Although I ended up differing from Sayers regarding the nature of the Trinity – mostly with respect to role of the Holy Spirit, The Mind of the Maker got me thinking seriously about the Trinity and the roles that God-the-Father, God-the-Son, and God-the-Holy Spirit play within it. In addition, her use of the drama to explain what she means by the Idea, the Energy, and the Power got me on the way to realizing that the Biblical story is actually a cosmic drama in which God-the-Father, God-the-Son, God-the-Holy Spirit, Satan, the Redeemed, and the Lost play obvious and important roles.

Thank you Dorothy. I look forward to meeting you in the New Jerusalem.

 

© 2020 John Holbrook Jr.
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[1] The architect conceives of a building before he develops drawings and specifications for its construction. A playwright conceives of a drama before he develops a script and specifications for its stage-setting.

[2] In the case of Universe, an omnipotent God spoke it into existence, unleashing the power (energy) necessary to form all the material (matter) in Universe. (E =mc² where E = energy, M = matter, and C = the speed of light). The amount of power necessary to accomplish this act of creation is unimaginable.

[3] Biologists use the term capacitation to refer to “…the penultimate step in the maturation of mammalian spermatozoa” in which they are rendered “competent to fertilize an oocyte.” I use the term here in a far more general sense of enabling or giving someone or something the power to do something. In this case, I am writing about empowering (a) the construction to affect others and (b) others to respond to – or be effected by the construction.

[4] 1 John 5:7. A person is non-verbal. No matter how many words one uses to describe or attempt to define a person, something will be left out. A person is self-conscious, cognizant of his own existence and the existence of others who are self-conscious, able to sense (see, hear, feel, taste, and smell), able to think (reason), able to experience emotions (love and hate, joy and sorrow, excitement and ennui, satisfaction and dissatisfaction, etc.), but there is more to a person than all the foregoing. A person is real; the foregoing constitutes an abstraction or construct in someone’s mind – not the thing itself. This same distinction must be maintained in science: the redness of Mars is real; its reduction to particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is an abstraction or construct in someone’s mind.

[5] I do so to emphasize the divinity of each of them.

[6] 1 Corinthians 8:6.

[7] KJV Isaiah 46:9-10.

[8] Revelation 5:1.

[9] God-the-Son is the only person of the Trinity with corporeality. God-the-Father is invisible and intangible. In John 6:46, Jesus states that no man has seen the Father, only Jesus Himself. God-the-Spirit is also invisible and intangible. His presence is indicated by its effects, such as the “hovering” over the primordial waters (Genesis 1:2), the “wind” which comes from and goes to who knows where (John 3:8), the “dove” which descended on Jesus during His baptism (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, and John 1:32-33), and the “tongues of fire” which descended on Jesus’ disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:3).  He, however, is not identified with these corporeal phenomena.

[10] John 1:3, John 1:10 John 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:10, Revelation 3:14, & Revelation 4:11.

[11] Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3.

[12] John 8:28-29.

[13] Revelation 21:5.

[14] The language here concerning God-the-Son’s deference to God-the-Father is modeled on the language in John 15:26 concerning God-the-Spirit’s deference to God-the-Father.

[15] Revelation 5:2-9.

[16] Genesis 2:7.

[17] John 15:26.

[18] Revelation 5:6.

[19] KJV Colossians 1:16.

[20] KJV Genesis 1:2-3.

[21] KJV Genesis 2:7.

[22] KJV John 8:28; also, Hebrews 10:7.

by John Holbrook Jr.
A Biblical View, Blog #026 posted January 9, 2016, edited March 9, 2021.

There is much confusion today over the issue of God’s sovereignty over his creation – i.e.  Universe. The atheist dismisses the issue because he does not believe in God. The deist grants God’s sovereignty over his creation of Universe, but believes that he subsequently left it to develop on its own. Christians have expressed a range of beliefs on the issue, which are mostly focused on how men establish a relationship with God.

Early Christians believed the following: that all men are sinful (the doctrine of original sin), that God entered his Creation in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (the doctrine of the incarnation), that Jesus lived a perfect life (the doctrine of the sinlessness of Christ), that Jesus died on the cross at Calvary as a perfect, one-time payment for some men’s sinfulness (the doctrine of atonement), that God-the-Father ordained just who those men would be before the foundations of the world were laid (the doctrine of predestination[1]), that God raised Jesus from the dead (the doctrine of the resurrection), that Jesus ascended into heaven (the doctrine of the ascension), that only God-the-Holy Spirit can enable men to accept God-the-Son as their Savior and Lord (the doctrine of grace), and that only God-the-Holy Spirit can enable men to resist temptation, turn away from sinning, and move closer to God (the doctrine of sanctification).

In the fourth century AD, some Christians jettisoned some of the above doctrines and began espousing the view that men are basically good and can establish a relationship with God on their own.[2] This view got them branded as heretics.

Soon other Christians began occupying a middle ground between the above extremes.[3] They expressed the view that, although Jesus’ death on the cross was a necessary payment for men’s sinfulness, all men could now establish a relationship with God on their own, without the help of God-the-Holy Spirit. This got them too branded as heretics, but it survived such opposition and has waxed and waned through the succeeding centuries. Called Aminianism, it is quite common in our era, in which so many people clamor for unbridled, individual autonomy and exhibit disrespect for authority of all kinds – particularly divine authority.

The Testimony of the Scriptures

Departing from the early Christian’s beliefs on these issues, of course, entails ignoring much of what the Bible says about God’s sovereignty over his creation. Consider the following verses concerning God’s sovereignty over people’s salvation, the goal of which is the establishment of a right relationship with God:

Jesus said to His disciples, “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (KJV Matthew 16:15-17).

Jesus also said to His disciples, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (KJV John 6:38-40).

Jesus also said to his disciples, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (KJV John 6:44).

Paul wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (KJV Ephesians 1:3-5).

Paul also wrote, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (KJV Ephesians 1:10-14).

Paul also wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (KJV Ephesians 2:8-10)

Paul also wrote, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Paul also wrote, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (KJV Titus 3:5).

The common denominator among the eight passages above is the testimony that the triune God is the prime actor in a person’s establishing a right relationship with God. In temporal sequence: God-the-Father wrote the names of the redeemed in the Book of Life before the foundations of the world were laid. The triune God created them. God-the-Son died on a cross to atone for their sins. Now God-the-Father draws them to his Son. God-the-Holy Spirit enables them to accept God-the-Son as their Savior and Lord, then cleanses and regenerates them, sets God’s seal on them, and finally enables them increasingly to resist temptation, turn away from sinning, and move closer to God. Although the redeemed will die physically, God-the-Son will resurrect them on the Last Day to live with Him throughout eternity.

2 Peter 3:9

One reason that some Christians ignore the above testimony is that they misinterpret the following verse: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). They maintain that it indicates that God-the-Father is unwilling that anyone perish. As Moreno Dal Bello has pointed out,[4] what they overlook is the verse’s context. Peter is writing to the “beloved” – i.e. the faithful disciples of Christ – who are already saved, but who are impatient for the Parousia, which will bring an end to this world. He tells them that they must be patient, for God will not bring the end until everyone whose name is written in the Book of Life has come into the Kingdom. God-the-Father is unwilling to have any of them perish, which would happen if the end came before they responded to the Gospel.

 The Nature of Creation

Another reason why so many Christians reject predestination is that they don’t understand the nature of Creation. It is a drama.

Before I examine the drama of Creation, I ask you to consider this aspect of any drama or play: it has an outside and an inside. Outside the drama, its author predetermines its every aspect. He creates each character, determining his or her gender and whether he or she is good or bad. He also predestines what he or she will do and say. Inside the drama, however, each person is free – free to decide what to do and what to say within the constraints of the drama’s world. He or she can behave well or badly, nobly or ignobly, and will be held accountable for his or her deeds and words within that world.

Now back to the drama of Creation. It has an author, God-the-Father. It has a producer and stage-manager, God-the-Son. It has a director, God-the-Holy Spirit. It has a cast: its protagonist is Jesus of Nazareth or God-the-Son; He follows the Father’s script exactly.[5] Its antagonist is Satan; he also follows the Father’s script exactly.[6] Its lesser players are all the men, women, and children in history. If both its protagonist and its antagonist are controlled by God-the-Father’s script, isn’t it reasonable to assume that the lives of its bit players are as well? Finally, it has a plot: God-the-Father is preparing a bride[7] for his Son despite the opposition of Satan and his minions.

The Bride of Christ

Now here is where the doctrine of predestination is so important. Why did God-the-Father determine the makeup of the Bride of Christ before he allowed the other persons of the Trinity to lay the foundations of the world? The answer is pretty obvious. She is at the center of the drama’s story. She is the girl for whom the protagonist and the antagonist are contending (see my blog, “Will the guy get the girl?” which was posted on September 5, 2016).[8] Ask yourself the question, “Would God-the-Father leave the composition of his Son’s bride to be determined by the whim of bit players in the drama? Would he allow them to decide for themselves whether or not they will accept or reject God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. No. God-the-Son will have to live with His bride for all eternity. She must be perfect. God-the-Father designed her before Universe was created. Now she is being formed, educated, and trained to be a help-mete for her future spouse, to whom she is betrothed. When God-the-Father presents her to his Son, she will be perfect. There will be no surprises.

If you remain unconvinced on this issue, imagine a drama in which every member of the cast is free to say and do whatever he or she chooses to say and do. The result would not be a drama. It would be chaos. Consider Othello, The Moor of Venice. Imagine the thought and effort which the author[9] put into crafting the plot, the action and the lines for Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Cassio, Brabantio, Roderigo, Emilia, and Bianca. They create the drama. If the actors abandoned the script, there would be no drama. Consider what would have happened if Othello had decided to give Desdemona a dozen roses instead of a handkerchief. Or if Desdemona had tried to wipe Othello’s face with her sleeve instead of her handkerchief. Or if Othello had put the handkerchief in his pocket, instead of dropping it on the floor. Or if Emelia had decided not to pick up the handkerchief. Or if Emelia had decided to keep the handkerchief for herself instead of giving it to Iago. Or if Iago had put something else in Cassio’s room instead of the handkerchief. Or if Cassio had failed to notice the handkerchief in his room. Or if Bianca had showed no interest in the handkerchief that Cassio was carrying. Etc. The play would fall apart.

The Testimony of God’s Person

There is one more point that I want to make. Still another reason why so many Christians claim that they responded to the Gospel of Christ of their own free will is that they don’t grasp the infinite extent of God’s intellect, power, imagination, inventiveness, etc.

The Scriptures indicate that God designed, created, and manages Universe, which is the theater in which the drama unfolds, and the earth, which is the stage on which the drama occurs. He controls the movement of every atomic particle, every atom, every molecule, every drop of water, every grain of sand, every celestial body, every galaxy, etc. He ordains every sunrise and every sunset, every cloudless day and every thunderstorm, every meteor shower and every volcanic eruption.

The Scriptures also indicate that God designed, created, and manages the earth’s creatures. He controls every minnow or whale, every ant or elephant, every butterfly or eagle, and every man, woman, or child. He numbers the hairs on each creature’s body. He determines when, where, and why a sparrow falls. He selects the members of each family, church, and nation. He ordains when a nation can live in peace and when it will be engaged in war. Absolutely nothing lies outside his purview and control – particularly something so important as the makeup of the bride whom God is preparing for God-the-Son.

The point of all of the above is that God is wholly and absolutely sovereign over his creation.

© 2016 John Holbrook Jr.

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[1] The doctrine of predestination was strongly advocated by Augustine (354-430 AD) and Calvin (1509-1564 AD).

[2] Opposition to the doctrine of predestination may have started with Pelagius (c.355-c.425 AD) and been exacerbated by his follower Coelestius, a contemporary of Augustine. They rejected (a) the doctrine of original sin by claiming that children are born innocent and (b) the doctrine of the general depravity of man by claiming that men are basically good, and (c) the doctrine of grace by claiming that men have the capacity to resist evil, be good, and seek God without God’s help. This led him to claim that men can earn salvation by keeping the law – i.e. Christ’s death on the cross was an unnecessary ingredient in salvation. Pelagianism was fought by Augustine and Jerome (c.347-c.420 AD) and ultimately condemned as heretical by the eastern and western churches at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD.

[3] In the face of the church’s condemnation of Pelagianism, a softer version of it soon emerged, which was known as Semi-Pelagianism. Its adherents maintained that, while grace is necessary in order to receive salvation, God wills that all men be saved. Semi-Pelagianism was fought by Caesarius of Arles (468/470-542 AD) and condemned as heretical by the Council of Orange in 529 AD. Despite such condemnation, it was revived by Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609 AD), and later codified by his followers in the Remonstrants (1610). Its adherents today are usually called Arminians.

[4] See http://godsonlygospel.com/booklets/not_willing_that_any_should_perish.htm.

[5] See John 8:28-29; also Hebrews 10:7.

[6] See Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-6. Note that (a) Satan must appear in God’s throne room, (b) God requires Satan to give an account of what he has been doing, (c) God draws Satan’s attention to Job, and (d) God tells Satan exactly what he can and cannot do to Job.

[7] The Bride of Christ consists of all the men, women, and children in history who have faithfully trusted in and accepted God himself as their redeemer and Lord.

[8] Just as God put Adam to sleep, took flesh and bone from his side, formed Eve, and then presented Eve to Adam to be his bride on Day 6 of Creation Week, so God put Jesus to sleep on the cross, took blood and water from His side, is currently forming the “Bride of Christ,” and will present her to his Son to be His wife at the Wedding of the Lamb. Note that the Bible starts with a wedding between the First Adam and his bride and ends with a wedding between the Second Adam and His bride. These weddings are like bookends to the drama. Moreover note that, just as Satan tried to spoil the marriage of the First Adam, which he was able to do, so now he is trying to spoil the marriage of the Second Adam, which, according to the Scriptures, he will not be able to do. Nevertheless, the tension of the drama for God’s people in the audience derives from the fact that Satan seems to be succeeding in his efforts and only faith in the trustworthiness of the Word of God will sustain her through the trials which Satan has in store for her.

[9] Othello is attributed to William Shakespeare, but I believe Christopher Marlowe wrote all the plays that bear Shakespeare’s name.  See Calvin Hoffman’s The Murder of the Man Who Was ‘Shakespeare’, Julian Messner, New York, 1955.

 

by John Holbrook Jr.
A Biblical View, Blog #001 posted July 18, 2016, edited August 7, 2017 [1] and March 9, 2021.

Because God is “alpha and omega, the beginning and the ending”[2] of all things, I will start my blogs by examining what we know about him.

God exists, but he is beyond human perception or comprehension.[3] Our only clues to his existence and to his greatness, goodness, and glory lie in the testimony of his works (creation) and his words (the Bible).

God’s works, from the limits of the macrocosm to the limits of the microcosm, testify to his omniscience and omnipotence. No one can miss Universe’s stunning beauty, complexity, functionality, and immensity.[4] Indeed, the Bible indicates that they are so obvious that anyone who denies their implications – that Universe was designed and constructed and is now being managed by an omniscient and omnipotent God – are “without excuse.”[5] Consider also the titanic forces which bind astronomical objects together and to one another throughout vast, interstellar space; they cannot match the power of their Creator.

God’s words testify to some of his traits. He is fair and just.[6] He is generous[7] with his gifts. He is discriminating, but also impartial.[8] He is kind,[9] but not indulgent. He is loving, but not sentimental. He is merciful – that is, he is forgiving of the penitent[10] – but he does not minimize the gravity of transgression.[11] He is patient and even long-suffering,[12] but he is not neglectful. Moreover, he is reliable – that is, he always keeps his word.[13]

God’s words also testify to some of his attributes. He is omniscient – that is, he is all-knowing; he perceives and comprehends everything.[14] He is omnipotent – that is, he is all powerful and can do anything[15] – and limitless – that is, nothing is impossible for Him.[16] He is omnipresent or immanent – that is, he is everywhere at once.[17] He is also eternal – that is, he always was, is now, and ever shall be.[18] He is holy – that is, he is both completely and perfectly good[19] – and he is transcendent – that is, he is inside and outside, above, below, and beyond, and wholly distinct or separate from his creation (his holiness and his transcendence are related). He is immutable[20] – that is, he never changes.[21] He is perfect – that is, he is without flaws or defects – and he is infallible – that is, he does not make mistakes. He is self-sufficient – that is, he does not need anyone or anything outside of himself. He is also unquestionable – that is, he never explains his thoughts and actions or answers man’s questions.[22]  Finally, he is triune – that is, he is both a unity and a trinity which consists of three distinct persons: God-the-Father, God-the-Son, and God-the-Holy Spirit.[23]

Consider what each person[24] of the triune Godhead has done, is doing, or will do and how we can identify the offices which each person of the Trinity holds by his activities.

God-the-Father is the creative mind of God – he conceived Universe.

He is the divine ARCHITECT who designed everything that would exist in Universe.

He is the divine AUTHOR who determined every thing that would happen in Universe, from its first day to its last day. [25]

Together his design and his script make up the Decrees of God that are contained in the book which he holds in his right hand as he sits on his throne in heaven.[26]

Thus the Scriptures report him saying, “…I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”[27]

God-the-Son is the creative body of God[28] – he actualizes Universe.

He is “the Lamb as it had been slain,” who is worthy to take the book out of God-the-Father’s right hand, open the book, and implement the Decrees of God.[29]

He is the divine BUILDER who constructs Universe according to the Father’s plans.[30]

He is the divine SUSTAINER, who holds all things together by the power of His Word.[31]

He is the divine DIRECTOR who ensures that Universe’s drama follows the Father’s script.[32]

He is the divine LAWGIVER, who has given all men the Father’s moral laws which they must obey,[33] and He ensures that Universe responds to mankind’s obedience or disobedience to those laws.

He is the divine REDEEMER, who repairs and restores Universe’s brokenness.[34] He atones for the sins of all men, women, and children who accept Him as their Savior and Lord,[35] thereby clothing them in His righteousness and assuring them of eternal life in God’s presence.

He is the divine JUDGE, who will judge all men[36] according to the Father’s moral laws.[37]

He holds three critical offices among His Chosen People: He is the PROPHET of His people and of His creation[38] – that is, He has foretold the end from the beginning and explained much between those two extremities. He is the High PRIEST of His people and His creation[39] – that is, He is the only mediator between God and mankind.[40] He is the KING of His people and His creation[41] – that is, He rules by right of His person, His creative work, His sustaining work, His directive work, and His redemptive work on the cross at Golgotha. In a reflection of this office, He is called the “King of kings and Lord of lords”[42] – or just “LORD.” [43]

Lastly, although He is co-equal with the Father, He voluntarily defers to him in all things – that is, He proceeds from the Father.[44]

God-the-Holy Spirit is the creative spirit of God – he gives life to Universe and its creatures.

He is the divine ENERGIZER who set Universe in motion.[45]

He is the divine QUICKENER who animates its flora and fauna.[46]

Lastly, although he is co-equal with the Father and the Son, he voluntarily defers to them in all things – that is, he proceeds from the Father and the Son.[47] He is “the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” by the Father and the Son.[48]

There is far more to say about God than the foregoing, but time and space preclude my doing so here.

© 2016, 2017 John Holbrook Jr.
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[1] Yesterday a friend urged me to add more footnotes to this blog to make clear that my description of God is firmly based in Scripture. I have done so, but be advised that the references which appear here are but a small sampling of what is available – the Bible is replete with descriptions of the Godhead and its three persons, God-the-Father, God-the-Son, and God-the Holy Spirit.

[2] Revelation 1:8, 1:11, 21:6, and 22:13.

[3] His incomprehensibility: Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalms 147:4-5, Romans 11:33-34, and particularly Genesis 1, which records that God spoke Universe into existence ex nihilo – that is, out of nothing. Now he exercises absolute sovereignty over Universe and everything which it contains, including earth’s creatures

[4] “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (KJV Psalms 19:1). See also Job 38-41, in which God confronts Job with questions concerning the wonders of his creation. Job could only respond by prostrating himself before God, repenting of his sins, particularly the sin of questioning God concerning the fairness of his treatment, and begging God for forgiveness.

[5] Romans 1:20.

[6] His fairness and justness – that is his judgments are dispassionate, equitable, even-handed, impartial, legitimate, unbiased, and unprejudiced: Deuteronomy 10:17, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Job 8:3, 34:12, 37:23, Psalms 19:9 and 119:137, Jeremiah 32:19,

[7] His generosity: Genesis 1:29-30, Leviticus 26:4, Deuteronomy 7:13-15 and 28:1-14, Ezra 8:22, Psalms 23, 65:9,-13, 147:8, Matthew 6:26-33, and 1 Corinthians 2:9. The gist of the foregoing is that God is prepared to pour out his blessing on individuals, families, and nations if they will just honor him and obey his commandments.

[8] His impartiality: Deuteronomy 10:17, Job 34:19, Acts 10:34, Romans 2:6, Colossians 3:25, and 1 Peter 1:17.

[9] His kindness: “With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer” to Israel (KJV Isaiah 54:8).

[10] His mercy and forgiveness: Exodus 20:2, Exodus 33:19, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 4:31, 7:9, and 32:42, 1 Kings 8:23, 1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Chronicles 5:13, 30:39, Nehemiah 9:17 and 9:31, Psalms 25:6, 30:5, 31:7, 57:10, 62:12, 78:38, 85:2, 86:5, 100:5, 106:1, 108:4, 111:4, 116:5, 119:64, and 145:8, Isaiah 12:1,  Jeremiah 9:24 and 33:11, Lamentations 3:22, Ezekiel 33:11, Daniel 9:9, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Nahum 1:3,Luke 1:50,  2 Corinthians 1:3, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 4:16 and 8:12, James 2:13 and 5:11, and 1 Peter 1:3; it is captured in his willingness to become incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth and die on the cross at Golgotha to atone for the sins of all who will acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

[11] Romans 11:22; also John 8:11, where Jesus forgives the adulterous woman while identifying her behavior as sin: “Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.”

[12] His patience: Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, and Psalm 86:15.

[13] His reliability: “I will not fail thee or forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5) and “…scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35).

[14] His omniscience: 2 Chronicles 16:9, Job 28:10, 34:21, and 42:2, Psalms 33:13, 44:21, 139:1, and 147:4, Proverbs 15:3, Isaiah 29:15, 40:28, 46:10, 48:5, and 66:18,Jeremiah 23:24, Ezekiel 11:5, Daniel 2:20, Matthew 10:29-30, Luke 16:15, Acts 15:18, Romans 8:27Hebrews 4:13, and particularly KJV 1 John 3:20, which states: “God…knoweth all things.”

[15] His omnipotence: Deuteronomy 3:24, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Revelation 19:6; it is captured in one of his names, the “LORD God Almighty,” which appears in KJV Revelation 4:8, 11:17, 15:3, 16:7, and 21:22.

[16] His limitlessness: Genesis 18:14, 1 Samuel 14:16, Job 42:2, Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, and Luke 1:37.

[17] His omnipresence: 1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139:3, Jeremiah 23:23, and Acts 17:27-28.

[18] His eternity: Genesis 1:23, Exodus 3:15, Deuteronomy 32:40, 33:27,Psalms 9:7, 41:13, 90:1 and 102:27; it is captured in the name by which he identified himself to Moses, “I AM.” (KJV Exodus 3:14).

[19] His goodness: Exodus 33:19, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Psalms 25:8, 33:5, 34:8, 52:1, 86:5, 100:5, 106:1, 107:8, 118:29, 119:68, and 145:7, Nahum 1:7, Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18, and Luke 18:19.

[20] His immutability: Psalms 33:11 and 119:89, Proverbs 19:21, Ecclesiastes 3:14, and particularly KJV Malachi 3:6, in which God states: “I am the LORD, I change not….”

[21] Although the Bible records a few instances in which God appears to change his mind, a careful examination of the situation reveals that he only postponed doing what he had decided to do in order to allow a test of the individual(s) involved. When the individual(s) failed the test, God went ahead with his original plan. One example of this is God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; when Abraham argued in favor of leniency in order to spare the faithful men in those cities, God postponed the execution of his plan until it became evident that there were no faithful men in those cities.

[22] His unquestionableness: Job 33:13 states, “…he giveth not account of any of his matters.”

[23] This three-in-one nature is certainly a mystery. Yet God has given us indications of its reasonableness. One is the molecule consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. This molecule manifests itself in three forms – ice, water, and steam – the form it takes depends on its temperature. Thus it has three forms, but one substance. Another is the fact that this three-in-one nature solves the philosophical problem of the one and the many.

[24] It is important to point out here that a person is non-verbal. No matter how many words one uses to describe or attempt to define a person, something will be left out. A person is self-conscious, cognizant of his own existence and the existence of others who are self-conscious, able to sense (see, hear, feel, taste, and smell), able to think (reason), able to experience emotions (love and hate, joy and sorrow, excitement and ennui, satisfaction and dissatisfaction, etc.), but there is more to a person than all the foregoing. A person is real; the foregoing constitutes an abstraction or construct in someone’s mind – not the thing itself. This same distinction must be maintained in science: the redness of Mars is real; its reduction to particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is an abstraction or construct in a scientist’s mind that enables him to understand better the behavior of what he sees.

[25] 1 Corinthians 8:6.

[26] Revelation 5:1; also Hebrews 10:7.

[27] KJV Isaiah 46:9-10.

[28] God-the-Son is the only person of the Trinity with corporeality. God-the-Father is invisible and intangible. In John 6:46, Jesus states that no man has seen the Father, only Jesus Himself. God-the-Spirit is also invisible and intangible. His presence is indicated by such manifestations as his moving or hovering over the primordial waters (Genesis 1:2), which produced light, the “wind” that comes from and goes to who knows where (John 3:8), the “dove” that descended on Jesus during His baptism ( Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, and John 1:32-33), and the “tongues of fire” that descended on Jesus’ disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:3).  He, however, is not identified with these corporeal phenomena.

[29] Revelation 5:2-9. Also Hebrews 10:7.

[30] John 1:3, John 1:10 John 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:10, Revelation 3:14, & Revelation 4:11.

[31] Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3. There are no such things as scientific laws. Things behave the way they do because God ordains that they do so. What scientists call laws are merely descriptions of the way God usually does things. What people call miracles are merely instances in which God has departed from His usual way of doing things.

[32] John 8:28-29.

[33] Specifically the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ three imperatives.

[34] Revelation 21:5.

[35]  All men, women, and children are sinners and, because of their sinful nature, break God’s laws. Only some of them, however, acknowledge their sinfulness, repent of their sins, acknowledge God-the-Son’s incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth and affirm His sinless life, His death on the cross to atone for their sins, His resurrection from the dead on the third day, and His ascension to heaven, where He sits on the Throne of God as LORD. The names of these redeemed men, women, and children were written in the Book of Life by God-the-Father before the foundations of the world were laid.

[36] 2 Timothy 4:1, Revelation 19:11.

[37] John 12:48 – “the word that I have spoken” includes the Ten Commandments which He conveyed to Moses on Mount Sinai.

[38] John 6:14 and Acts 2:30 and 3:22,

[39] Hebrews 5:5-10, 6:20, 7:26, 8:1, and 9:11.

[40] 1 Timothy 2:5.

[41] John 18:33-37 and 19:19-22.

[42] 1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 17:14 and 19:16.

[43] Philippians 2:9-11.

[44] The language here concerning God-the-Son’s deference to God-the-Father is modeled on the language in John 15:26 concerning God-the-Spirit’s deference to God-the-Father.

[45] Genesis 1:2.

[46] Genesis 2:7.

[47] John 15:26.

[48] Revelation 5:6.