“Who Was and Is and Is to Come”

 

Part 1     Creator-Word-Spirit

 

 

 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come. Revelation 4:8b.

 

There is only One man who has ever been past, present and future tense. His name is Jesus the Christ.

 

Let us read: In the beginning [before all time] was the Word [Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. John 1:1-3.

 

And the Word [Christ] became flesh (human, incarnate) and dwelt –  lived awhile – among us; and we [actually] saw His glory – His honor, His majesty; such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving kindness) and truth. John 1:14.

 

He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him – did not know Him. John 1:10.

 

To some these words are difficult to hear, to some they are confusing but to the believer they are profound. Why? Because God the creator is the great intellect, the one with the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed.

 

In the world where man exists there are two kinds of intellectual, the one who agrees and accepts the word of God as the higher authority and the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God” and is deceived by carnal thinking that he alone is wise.

 

Look at this, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” “So shall My word be that goes forth out of my mouth; it shall not return to Me void – ineffective - but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55: 8-9-11.

 

Once again, confusing and difficult for some but not for the believing one. Why? Because we are born of God, new creatures in Christ Jesus who now posses the wisdom of our creator and the ability to understand His ways and thoughts and to receive all of His instruction.

 

We began with a scripture from the book of Revelation, which we know from reading the whole book that it is making reference to Jesus the Christ. Here it calls Him the Lord God Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come.

 

Now some would argue that it makes reference to God the Father and they would be right also. Why do I say this? In the beginning was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God and the Word was God. You see the Son does nothing more than what He sees the Father do and they are in total agreement at all times.

 

As a matter of fact if you back up a little to Revelation 3:12-13 we can actually see the triune Godhead in action doing the one thing that they have always desired to do, handing out rewards to the overcoming one. The one who takes up his cross and follows with diligence one day at a time.

 

This and this alone is the reason that He came to conquer the enemy of man. He paid the price so that we could stand tall in Him and say, “Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.

 

Now we are not foolish enough to believe that by our own efforts we have risen to the status of overcomers and conquerors but we learn and accept who we are through hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17). If the word says I am then I am, all I have to do is make the choice to agree with Him and I am on my way to victory. And I owe it all to the One Who was and Who is and Who is to come.

 

 

Now why does it refer to Christ as the One Who was? And how could He possibly be past tense?

 

When we think of Him our lowly minds settle on the fact that He became flesh and dwelt among us. Though we’ve never seen Him we accept the word that says He was born of a virgin and was raised up to be a man. So we try to picture what He may have looked like when He walked the shores of Galilee. We can look at pictures that portray His features as others perceive Him to be but none are true because they have never seen Him either. We just have to be patient and accept the word that says; when we see Him we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.

 

To see Him before His physical birth is to see Him through the spiritual eye of faith. If the word says He existed before His natural birth then I believe it and accept it. But I do have the right as a child of God to ask how did he exist before His natural state?

 

To find out we go to the word, which is final authority.

 

First of all the Bible says that God is a triune being and has always been so. Genesis 1:1 says, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Continuing on in Genesis chapter one we see that God speaks and whatever he speaks comes to pass. This is the spirit of faith, the God kind of faith. Through His word He creates life by calling things that do not exist as though they did. Romans 4:17. We see this as a fact through the life of Abraham who believed Gods word and through faith in that word received the promise. He was simply imitating his creator.

 

In Genesis 1:26 the Bible makes reference to God as a triune being when it says this, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness.” This refers to Father, Son and Holy Spirit or we could say it this way, Creator, Word and Spirit. It’s just another way of expressing the Three in One.

 

But if we choose to see them as Creator, Word and Spirit through Genesis chapter one I believe it shines a light on how things came to be in a more acceptable manner to our human understanding. Remember that Gods ways and thoughts are higher than mans.

 

If we accept the fact of creation then we can visualize the Creator speaking the Word and the creative Word (John 1:3) moving forth joined with the Spirit (Genesis 1:2b.) who is the power, causing these things to come into existence. The Bible says that He created what we see out of things that we can’t see which today has been confirmed by medical science.

 

We see that Christ was the creative Word working with the Creator and the Spirit in unison preparing a place for mankind to exist in harmony with his Creator.

 

So man was made in the image and likeness of God and He blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it [with all its vast resources] and have dominion.” Genesis 1: 28.

 

Because man was created a spirit being in the same class as God and the angels it was necessary that he also be given a free will to make choices on his own even if it meant going against the will of his Creator. This is where obedience comes into the picture. Although men and angels were created as spirit beings they must remain true to Him or they will be cast out of His presence forever just as Lucifer was. There can only be One God and One Word.

 

We know that man has the ability to create but many times what he creates is used for evil as well as for good. It is only when he is made righteous through the living Word that man can finally get back his right standing with the Father that he lost through disobedience. This was only made possible by the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

 

After the fall of man God confronted the serpent (the Devil) with His word and it was this word that sealed his fate forever. “Because of what you have done you are cursed above all of creation, I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He (the Word) shall bruise and tread your head under foot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:14-15.

 

This is the first example of God calling things that be not as though they were concerning the coming Messiah. From this moment on God used His prophets to pass on His word concerning the coming of the Christ, then at the appointed time in history when Mary answered the angel and said, “Let it be unto me according to your word,” this is when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

 

In John chapter one, we read about John the Baptist who came to tell the world about the Light. (John 1:6-7). It goes on to say that John was not the Light but only a witness regarding the Light. The word continues: There it was; the true Light coming into the world – the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light – that illumines every person. He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him – did not know Him. John 1:9-10.

 

There would be many who would believe in the true Light but also many who choose not to believe.

 

To those who chose to believe He gave the authority to become children of God, that is to those who believe – adhere to, trust in and rely on – His name. John 1:12.

 

 

Written by: R W Nagle.

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

    

   “Who Was and Is and Is to Come”

 

Part 2        Father-Son-Spirit

 

 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come. Revelation 4:8b.

 

There is only One man who has ever been past, present and future tense, His name is Jesus the Christ.

 

In part one we saw Him as the Word of God who was with the Father in the beginning, before, during and after creation. In part two we are going to look at the One who became flesh, dwelt among us and rose from the dead with full authority in the earth, in heaven and in hell.

 

At the end of part one we agreed with John the Baptist that a great light has come into the world, the word tells us, “There it was; the true light coming into the world – the genuine, perfect, steadfast light – that illumines every person.”

 

This is the One who was and is the great lighthouse that shines throughout the world illuminating the hearts and minds of those who choose to believe His word as it attempts to reveal the Fathers heart to all who are lost and alone with no direction home.

 

In reading from the Amplified Bible we can see clearly that at the moment of creation, the Creator, the Word and the Spirit were in agreement concerning the make up of mankind as they speak in unison, “Let Us make man in Our image, after our likeness, and let them have complete authority and dominion.” Genesis 1: 25 & 28.

 

I like what the writer of Hebrews says concerning creation, “By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3. And this certainly includes the ones who were made in His image and likeness.

 

Isn’t it wonderful that the so called super brains of science, in trying to disprove the truth of creation have in fact proven once again that God is truly the author of life as we know it; having discovered for themselves that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

 

We could try to explain the facts of faith to an unregenerate man for hours on end but they still would not have a clue what we are talking about. Why? Because the things of God are spiritually discerned and spiritual discernment comes from only one source, “For in the gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith – disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith.” Romans 1:17.

 

You cannot step outside the realm of faith and profess to know God and His ways, while walking in disobedience you will eventually come face to face with these immortal words, “They became futile and godless in their thinking, claiming to be wise, they became fools – professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves.” Romans 1:21-22.

 

We know from Romans 1: 17b that the righteous man is commanded to live by faith, but those living outside of faith have no such commandment therefore they are in subjection to their father the devil and his ways are their ways, just as Gods ways are our ways.

 

We are the ones who look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, the One who became flesh and dwelt among us. The One who died, descended, ascended and now sits at the right hand of Majesty on high. The One who is mediator of a better covenant. Hebrews 8:6.

 

If we believe that He is Lord and that His function now is High Priest and mediator of the New Covenant then we should be diligently pursuing all that He has provided for us within the pages of our covenant.

 

Within the personal revelation given to Paul the apostle by his risen Lord are many commands and suggestions that if adhered to will lead any believer from a life of defeat into a life of victory once he makes a personal choice that this is the straight and narrow path that he is to walk while living in the flesh on this earth.

 

In his first letter to Timothy, Brother Paul gives some suggestions that we should rightly pursue but then he gives a commandment that is no doubt next in line, after we begin to follow the commandment of love.

 

He says, “But you, O man of God, flee these things (evil) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession (of faith) in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.”                    1 Timothy 6:11-14.

 

In my estimation from studying the New Covenant and putting into practice the faith of Abraham, if the body of Christ were to pursue these things suggested to us by Brother Paul and began to confess the good confession of faith which in reality is the good fight of faith we may someday look around and see that Christ has presented us to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but as it should be, holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27.

 

Now we understand from scripture that this is the will of our Lord and that He did His part to bring this plan into reality so we must also understand that each and every part of the body has a debt to pay and it can only be paid as we encourage maturity and accept the fact that precepts with commitment are the one and only avenue left open to us if in fact we are ever to appear holy and without blemish.

 

I personally think that every member of the body has got to stop the merry go round that we are on, sit back and relax, then ask ourselves, what exactly does it mean to walk the straight and narrow pathway?

 

Look at the Israelites, they were given many chances to walk with God the Father, but in every instance they failed miserably because of this one fact, they refused to be obedient to His word.

 

By looking at natural circumstances and their inability as carnal men to control their birth nature which relies solely on the physical senses, unlike Abraham, they were never fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was well able to perform. Romans 4:21. And so the word tells us, “Now with whom was He (God) angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:17-19.

 

In contrast to unbelief he goes on to say, “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.” Hebrews 4:1-3.

 

Could those whose corpses fell in the wilderness have chosen the better way or did they walk unhindered into their final destiny which was laid out for them since the beginning of time?

 

To find the answer let us look at another group of individuals commonly known as the Patriarchs.

 

In Hebrews chapter eleven we have a list of folks that the writer refers to as the elders, whom he says obtained a good testimony because of their faith. Hebrews 11:1-2.

 

Now this group and the ones who fell in the wilderness both heard the word of God and because all men past, present and future were created with a free will to choose, they obviously made a choice, and as we ourselves are witnesses concerning the gospel, some believe and are saved while others disbelieve and are condemned.

 

So what is the answer? Could it be that all men are created equal and God not being a respecter of persons but of faith, has given His Son as Redeemer for all of mankind and that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall inherit eternal life?

 

Thus the gospel of the kingdom must continue to be preached to a lost and dying world in order for those who have not heard, to hear the truth and to make their own decision concerning eternal life.

 

So all things being equal, it would seem that the one who chooses to walk by faith and not by sight would eventually be the one who is referred to as having victory in Jesus both now and in the world to come.

 

Fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternal life through his personal confession keeps the believer on the straight and narrow and far from the clutches of the enemy who is living in defeat even as we speak.

 

 

Written by: R W Nagle.

             

 

   

 

        

    “Who was and Is and Is To Come”

 

Part 3        Father-King-Spirit

 

 

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come. Revelation 4:8b.

 

There is only One man who has ever been past, present and future tense, His name is Jesus the Christ.

 

In part two we saw that because of what Christ did for us through redemption we are now made able through the commandment of faith to lay hold on eternal life by way of our confession, which is in reality the good fight of faith, that by appropriating this commandment on a daily basis, we may someday look around and see that He has presented to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but as it should be, holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27.

 

In order to bring this to pass we understand that every part of the body has a debt to pay and it can only be paid as we encourage maturity and accept the fact that precepts with commitment are the one and only avenue left open to us if in fact we are ever to appear holy and without blemish.

 

We believe our Lord and King will return, especially those of us who are convinced by His word just as Abraham was fully convinced (persuaded) that what God has promised He is well able to perform. Romans 4:21.

 

What has he promised the faithful?

 

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed, (through faith) do enter that rest.     Hebrews 4:1-3.

 

So, as we look expectantly toward our great hope, we have the realization that our enemy is a defeated foe and the only weapon he has is deception and fear, but we who fight the good fight of faith are being made aware of his tactics more every day and it is just a matter of time until we hear these eternal words spoken by the Master as he welcomes us home, “Well done good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21.

 

Until that day of rest we are compelled to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, trusting and abiding in the Lord of our salvation.

 

We understand from Pauls revelation that Christ is seated at the right hand of Majesty on high ever living to make intercession for the saints. This is His function until the Father gives the command to go and gather the saints from around the world. At that moment He will be known as King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

Since none of us have as yet paid a visit to the throne of grace in person and had a quiet discussion with the Father when the exact day and hour the King will be returning, in spite of what some have taught and continue to teach, then I guess we will have to continue with the great commission until the day arrives.

 

Within the church we can find many traditions being taught that neither spring from faith nor lead to faith but seem to have the opposite effect once they are accepted as doctrine.

 

Since Jesus of Nazareth was the extreme example of a man who walked by faith at all times and taught nothing but what the Father revealed to Him then I believe we can learn from His words what happens when man made traditions are intellectually infused into the body and accepted as truth.

 

A perfect example happened one day as Jesus was once again trying to break through the barrier of tradition concerning the religious minded folks of His day.

 

After listening to their foolishness concerning washing etc., He finally makes a statement that must have ruffled a few feathers, especially the ones of a self righteousness nature.

 

He says, “Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing.”          Mark 7:13.

 

Then as if to say, “You hypocrites are not interested in the truth”, He turns to the common folk and says, “Listen to me all of you and understand what I say. There is not even one thing outside a man which by going into him can pollute and defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him and make him unhallowed and unclean. If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening [and let him perceive and comprehend by hearing].”       Mark 7:14-16.

 

Jesus was forever trying to get across to anyone who would listen that the God kind of faith comes one way and one way only, by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17.

 

What happens when a person has ears to hear?

 

He wakes up one morning and finds himself growing up spiritually. He is now beginning to perceive and comprehend the truth of Pauls personal revelation of the Christ and what He has done for the church both individually and collectively.

 

As he keeps growing, the illumination of the Word begins to mirror Himself through the inner man and he begins to get a glimpse of who he is in Christ, as Christ is formed in him, and not so very far off is the revelation that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

Someday he will awaken just as Peter and John awoke to the fact that the greater One lives within and desires to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20.

 

But wait a minute, doesn’t tradition teach us just the opposite to what Brother Paul is teaching here?

 

We do believe that the early church consisted of those who were born from above, who were Spirit filled when tongues of fire settled upon them, who began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, who agreed with Peters discourse that this was indeed the prophecy of Joel come to pass and that those who received the gospel were saved that very same day.

 

Of course we believe all of this because the word of the living God says it is so, but today, now that we have become pseudo intellectuals we don’t really need what the early church had because that was just for a certain time and place, plus with great words of persuasion can we not convince those who are lost that we are the only group worth joining?

 

After all, are we not the modern, contemporary church, certainly not the one referred to in the following passages, “But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet Gods will) and do the works you did previously [when you first knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.”

Revelation 2: 4-5.

 

Thank God there are still those in the body who allow the pure word of life to change the inner man and refuse to be conformed to this world, while desiring to be transformed by the renewing of the mind that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2.

 

Therefore we agree with the Master’s voice from the garden of Gethsemane those many years ago, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42.

 

I rejoice in the spirit man whenever I read the words of John the Baptist concerning Jesus of Nazareth, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, I have been sent before Him. He must increase (in me, RW), but I must decrease. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.”                   John 3: 28, 30, 33.

 

As He increases in me, the living word becomes more real especially concerning His imminent return.

 

This is surely the time to take notice of the apostles attitude when shortly after being brought before the council and threatened they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree (cross). Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince, Leader, Savior, Deliverer and Preserver, in order to grant repentance to Israel and to bestow forgiveness and release from sins. And we are His witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.” Acts 5: 29-32.

 

I like this word bestow from the Amplified version because it denotes forgiveness and mercy from a loving and giving Father who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Ephesians 1: 3-4.

 

Even so as we wait for the day of the Lord to come we practice our faith on a daily basis never ceasing to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.

 

Written by: RW Nagle.