| Subject: Satan's Aggenda |
Author:
Theo Book
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Date Posted: 12:11:05 02/01/09 Sun
Author Host/IP: 105-239.103-97.tampabay.res.rr.com/97.103.239.105
Remember when God warned man [Gen 2:16] "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
Remember what Satan did with the words of God - Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, "Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
Remember the terrible consequence of these actions - 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And 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.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Paul tells us we still have this same circumstance going on in our day. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the {Spirit, which} is the word [rheema] of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" [Eph 6:12-18]("which" [nominative neuter singular] modifies Spirit [Genitive neuter singular], not sword, because "which" in the Greek is a substantival function.
So Paul tells us the Rheema is the Holy SPirit of God, and if we engage the Holy Spirit in our effort to correctly challenge evil spirits in Holy warfare, we should take caution, i.e., "watching thereunto with all perseverance" which should tell us the Holy Spirit is telling us something we should be paying attention to.
But the author of Hebrews tells us - "For the [logos] word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." [Heb 4:12] So the rheema is the Spirit, but the logos is sharper than rheema. We come well equipped to join the battle.
When men agree about some bible doctrine or other, that body of understanding is likened to a brick that is used in building a wall. And the logos of God is likened to mortar that holds that wall of bricks together. And when men develop a body of doctrine and reach agreement as to its necessity for salvation, and when they proceed to bind their version of understanding upon other men, it is like a wall of doctrine made with bricks and with untempered mortar.
God likens Bible teaching to bricks in a wall, and doctrine to the mortar that holds it together - "And the word (logos) of the LORD came unto me, saying, (2) Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word (logos) of the LORD; (3) Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! (10) Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar:
(11) Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.(12) Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? (13) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.(14) So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
(15) Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; [EZE 13:1-15]
God deals with the problem of men who "dream-up" some doctrine or other. He says very succinctly, if you dreamed it up, say so. Do not assign authorship to God.
"I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.(26) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;(27)Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. (28)
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word (logos), let him speak my word (logos) faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.(29) Is not my word (logos) like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (30) Therefore behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words (logous) every one from his neighbour.(31)
Behold I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, "He saith".(32) Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. [JER 23:25-32]
The words of God have come to men in a variety of ways; Logos, rheema, and now Logia -"This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles (logia) to give unto us:" [Acts 7:38]
And it was as Logia, the words of God were committed to the Jews for safe keeping, till the fulness of time was come. "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles (logia) of God." [Rom 3:1-2]
This logia was in the form of rheema and logos, for teaching, instruction, and correction.
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles (logiwn) of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the [logos] word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." [Heb 5:12-6:2]
The logia of God is our tool for learning, not the traditions and creeds of men. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (logia) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." [1 Pet 4:11]
God has interacted with men to keep his word pure and clean. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:, 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." [1 Pet 1:10-12
"We have also a more sure word (logos) of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. [2 Pet 1:19-21]
With all of this scriptural interaction between God and men for background, how then did Satan get Christians to follow another gospel than Paul preached?
Remember how Satan got Adam and Eve to disobey God in the garden? He changed the logos of God by one word. He added a little "not" to what God said, reversing the meaning of what God actually said.
What can Satan do to get man to ignore what God says, and still think we are being true to God's word? What will Satan do to "reverse the meaning" of God's words to Christians who walked and talked with Jesus himself?
Remember, with the death of Jesus and the subsequent resurrection and reassignment of Christ as Lord of the universe, Satan lost the big one. His task became that of getting Christians to believe a different gospel than that which was revealed by the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit inspired Holy men to write letters to saints at different times and in different locations. While the Holy Spirit inspired writers to address issues that were raised, as they were raised, and to also supply solutions to those issues, he also set in place a chronological pattern of how he wanted them to develope doctrines and traditions so as to sustain the church in the coming years, and centuries.
Satan however, got men to re-arrange the order in which doctrinal issues were to be understood, and completely changed the presentation of the Holy Spirit's endeavor to help men by inspiration. The issue that was destroyed by a false chronology has to do with "first things" or the meaning of "in the beginning." If Satan could get men to believe in a different "beginning" of things, he could change everything that followed into something other than what the Holy Spirit inspired men to write.
One of the first things he did was persuade Christians that to understand Christianity, they had to first understand Christ, and to understand Christ, they must first study the "life of Christ." Now, this makes perfect sense, which is why it should be questioned. It is logical. But Christianity is based upon faith, not logic. And so with an appeal to men's mental acumen, and sense of logic, Satan established his own aggenda in and through the phenomenon known coloquially as "sunday school." "Certainly there can be nothing wrong with studying the life of Christ first, in order to better understand Christianity," is what appealed to teachers as they settled in to discover "Christianity" through Satan's new and wonderful "learning tool." And, it appealed to the mind of logical men.
Now let us first establish that the above is true. And that is simple. Look in most volumes dealing with an introduction to the New Testament, and they will mostly agree, Mathew was not the first New Testament book written, nor was Mark the second, nor was Luke the third. John was the last book written, not the fourth.
If we understand the chronology of the inspiration of the New Testament, we understand something of the chronology of what the Holy Spirit considered important, and in what order he inspired writers to reveal his mind to the saints.
And if the chronology of the New Testament is approximately along the lines of -
a.d.= book........................ Author
45 = James........................ James
48 = Paul......................... Galations
50 = Paul......................... 1st Thessalonians
51 = Paul......................... 2nd Thessalonians
52 = Mathew....................... Gospel of Mathew
54 = Paul......................... 1st Corinthians (fall)
55 = Paul......................... 2nd Corinthians (spring)
56 = Paul......................... Romans
58 = Luke......................... Gospel of Luke
60 = Paul......................... Colossians
60 = Paul......................... Ephesians
60 = Paul......................... Philemon
61 = Paul......................... Philippians
61 = Luke......................... Acts
64 = Paul......................... 1st Timothy; Titus
65 = Peter........................ 1st Peter
67 = Peter........................ 2nd Peter
68 = Paul......................... 2nd Timothy
69 = ............................. Hebrews
69 = John......................... Apokolypse
70 = Mark......................... Gospel of Mark
75 = Jude......................... Epistle of Jude
85 = John......................... Epistles 1st,2nd,3rd John
96 = John......................... Gospel of John
Why is this significant? Because terminology is defined by use, and meaning is established by earlier inspired works, not later, so that those books inspired later would not develope "issues" that resulted only because they were taken out of chronological arrangement.
Look at how differently doctrine would develope if it was locked in chronologically. For example, Look at how the doctrine of "personification of the logos" naturally flows from the correctly applied chronology of inspiration; yet is contradicted by a chronology taken out of the original inspired arrangement.
First, let us determine if there is a difference established between the definitions of "person" and "personify?"
According to Webster's new International Dictionary, a "person" is a rational, self-conscious being. "Personify" is to attribute human characteristic or nature to inanimate object or abstraction.
An example of "personification" is found in the sixtieth anniversary issue of Life Magazine, page 42, in which is stated - "Colonel Charles Lindbergh, who flew solo from the North American continent to Europe, is the American Dream made flesh."
Now, I think it safe to say, we still recognize there is an "American Dream." And that the American Dream can still be personalized and personified and lived among men to this day. Mr. Barack Hussein Obama is an example of one for whom the American Dream has become flesh. He is the perfect fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "American Dream."
Is there a standard established in scripture, by which a "person" can be identified or defined, or to put it another way, What does scripture require to be considered a "person?"
In scripture, a person is equivalent to a soul, which is comprised of a spirit in a body. When God breathed into Adam the "breath of life" Adam "became a living soul." [Gen 2:7]
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."[Gen 2:7]
Death is a separation of the spirit from the body: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." [Ecc 12:7]
Seventy "souls" went into Egypt: "all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten." [Gen 46:27]
Seventy "persons" went into Egypt: "Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons;"[Deu 10:22]
Eight "persons" went into the ark: "In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;" [Gen 7:13]
Eight "souls" were saved in the ark; "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was apreparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."[I Pet 3:20]
A logical conclusion from scripture is, "a person" is equivalent to "a soul."
Which brings us to the concept of this essay. Can it be shown anywhere in a chronological arrangement of scripture, that a "person" is ever identified as the logos of God?
Or to put it another way - Was the "Logos" who "became flesh" identified as "Jesus?"
Is the "person" of the Logos of God established in scripture, or is it rather that the logos was "Personified" similar to the example of Colonel Charles Lindbergh, a personification of the American Dream; or President Barrack O'bama's fulfillment of Dr. King's dream, in which the American Dream "became flesh."
It must then be defined and made clear what it means to say "a person is identified as..."
It means to identify a person as a thing other than simply a reference to a person "named" a thing. For example, in Israel, the name of a man who refused to build up his brother's house, is identified as "the house of him that hath his shoe loosed."
It came about this way; "If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall goin unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. 6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.
7 And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; 9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, "The house of him that hath his shoe loosed."[Deu 25:5-10]
In the example above, a name is tied by reference to a man, for the deeds of the man. The man is not the man's deeds, nor is the man the name he is given. It is a name given to the man based on his deeds. It is a name recognized by all who hear it, as referencing one who is identified as a man who refused to build up his dead brother's house.
Deeds often brought name references as reminders of deeds: A city was called by a name as a memorial of deeds done therein: "Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because..."[ Gen 11:9]
Edomites were named for a vegetable eaten by their forefather, Esau: "And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom." [Gen 25:29-30]
Isaac named a well "Sheba" to remind his people of an oath: "And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; 29 That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD. 30 And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink. 31 And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water. 33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day.[Gen 26:28-33]
Several names in scripture hold significance for reasons having nothing to do with who the namebearer is.
"And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. {Reuben: that is, See a son} 33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. {Simeon: that is, Hearing} 34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. {Levi: that is, Joined} 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. {Judah: that is, Praise}"[Gen 29:31-35]
Even Rachel understood the value of "naming" for an event, or as a reminder: "And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. {Dan: that is, Judging}" [Gen 30:6]
God established a name which is above every name when he "magnified thy word above all thy name." [Psa 138:2]
God prophesied: "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high." [Isa 52:13]
And God promised His Messiah he would be exalted, and given a name above every name: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name"[Phil 2:9] At what point in scripture and a corresponding point in human history do these two events come together in the narrative account?
We pause first to clarify a point. What is meant by "gave" him a name above every name?" Is it considered "given" at that point at which God reveals it to him? Or is it only "given" when he actually "receives" it? Jesus is the only one who knew the "new name" that is to be given to him, and which he is going to write on the saints who overcome. So according to this view, Jesus "receives" the new name when he is given the revelation s to what the "new name" is to be. Clearly, he has this knowledge in Rev 3:12, but it is not yet revealed to mankind in general, nor to the saints specifically. Even in Rev 19:12-13 he does not tell us he has received the new name, only tells us what that name will be when he does receive it.
In 48 A.D., Paul explained to the whole world, a mystery, a concept that was in God's mind, for his people: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." [Gal 2:20]
Twelve years later, in 60 A.D. Paul says he was given a commision to "FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD," and he then tells us he preached this mystery TO EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS UNDER HEAVEN; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" [Col 1:24]
PAUL SAYS HIS MINISTERY WAS "TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD:"
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD; Paul goes on to explain that the word of God was hidden in a mystery, from ages and generations: 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;" [Col 1:25-27]
And Paul In explaining that which was mystery from ages and generations, tells us that this mystery, this "WORD [LOGOS] OF GOD" is "CHRIST LIVING IN YOU," [Gal 2:20] and that this ("christ in you") is the hope of glory. "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" [Col 1:23-28]
So according to Paul, there was a mystery named "logos of God", hidden from ages and from generations, and it consisted of a concept of the saints losing themselves in Christ so thoroughly, it was no longer them living their life, but Christ living in them. When others see this, they will seek God so they also will have this blessed life, and in turn, be a blessing to yet others.
That was the focus and scope of the "word of God" THAT is when "the word" was personified among men. THAT mission, of giving that concept to men, was given to the Apostle Paul.
God had already assigned to this mystery, glory among the gentiles, and assigned it to Paul to spread through preaching: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;" [Col 1:27]
Remember back up the page when God "placed his word above his name:" "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." [Psa 138:2]
Not until 69 A.D. was the "word of God" tied to Jesus, in the form of a name given. "The word of God" is NOT who Jesus was. It is a NEW NAME Jesus was GIVEN. And the record of this transaction was not made public until 69 A.D. So it was historically impossible for the New Testament generation of Christians (First century) to have had such an understanding that "Jesus is the word of God."
AT LEAST 27 years (two generations) passed between the ascension of Jesus and John's writing of the apokolypse, in which he tells us of a NEW NAME Jesus has, but doesn't yet reveal what it is;
John, in the Apokolypse, references a "NEW NAME" -
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." [Rev 3:12]
Notice Two significant things about this "new name:"
1) It is 69 a.d. when John speaks of it as a "New name" -[onoma kainon] kainon is an accusative neuter adjective modifying the noun onoma, and means "new, not there before, not yet used."
2) Jesus is going to "write his new name" on "Him that overcometh." The significance of this is found in the practice of "branding" possessions, such as cattle, lambs, etc. He is marking his people with a brand of ownership. Just as God is going to write his new name on Jesus [Rev 19:12-13] He is "going to write his new name" on the saints.[Rev 3:12]
3) The events of Rev 19 are yet future, as unfilfilled prophecy. So the "New Name" has yet to be given to Jesus. It could not therefore, have been a name applied to Jesus in John's gospel.
Nor could it be a name "from eternity" as it is by definition a "new, unused name." John tells us in 69 a.d. that it is an unknown name, "which NO MAN KNEW but He himself," and that it had not yet ben used at the time John wrote of it.
John only reveals what this "new name" is to be, not when it is to be applied: this name Jesus was given which NO MAN KNEW but he HIMSELF - "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." [Rev 19:11-13]
"THE WORD OF GOD" then, is a name which God raised to a position above his own Holy Name, and now in prophecy, appoints in glory to his son, the "new name" which is "above every name" which is to be written on his people. And THIS is how the first generation of Christians had it presented to their understanding.
And Paul wrote this [61 a.d.] 27 years before John's statement in John 1:1 [96 a.d.], so people already knew that "word of God" is a name above every name, to be given to Jesus at some future time, to remind people of this "mystery made known" in "Christ living in the saints." [The "personification of the logos"]
Remember the example above of the "personification" of the American dream? The whole point there is to demonstrate how the development of the personification of the Logos was understood by the "first-generation" Christians.
Remember the issue to be resolved? "Can it be shown anywhere in scripture, that a "person" is ever referenced as the logos of God? It has been shown that there is no "person" ever addressed as being the word of God. It has been demonstrated how the American dream was personified using the same language John used in John 1:14, "The American dream was made flesh" in the person of Barack Hussein Obama. The word of God was made flesh in the persons of the saints as they so lived life that it is no longer they that live, but Christ living in them.
Paul says to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ IS IN YOU, except ye be reprobates?" [II Cor 13:5]
The early councils and synods were contrary to what Paul preached. Later, Men were put out of the assembly and called "Heretic" for suggesting Jesus is not the "same substance" as the father. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" [I Cor 1:9-13]
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Jesus is never addressed nor referenced as "the word of God." He is often referenced as "the Lamb of God" and "the Son of God," but never as "the Word of God." THAT is a NEW name he is to be given. AND it is a name he will write on his people. So to say Jesus is the logos of God is misleading, because it is a new, unused name written, both on Jesus, [Rev 3:12] AND on his people BY Jesus. [Rev 19:13]
"Logos" has a simple meaning in the Greek, and John did not intend to start the controversy that has arisen over his use of logos in John 1:1-3.
Remember the warning Paul gave to Timothy about Satan providing doctrine? "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to SEDUCING SPIRITS, and doctrines of DEVILS; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats..." [Remember the practices of Catholicism as they forbid their Bishops, Clergy and Nuns to marry, and their practice of not "eating meat on fridays?"]
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the [logos] words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' [inventions] fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." [I Tim 4:1-7]
For two approximately thousand years, Satan has convinced man to rearrange the scriptures to study and exegete and parse and research, according to Satan's chronology, not the Holy Spirit's, who inspired men to write in the order in which He wanted them to understand it.
Holy Men began to develope an understanding which was totally alien to the scriptures, instead substituting an aggenda based upon a chronology of logic instead of a chronology of faith. Men began to learn of the life of Christ before they learned of Christ in their life,
allowing "logos" to take on a whole new meaning as it appeared in the fourth book written of the New Testament of the bible instead of the last; insisting their interpretation is correct, and claiming John's language is "ambiguous", and "a mystery," and something that cannot be understood by the "finite mind of man"
John's language is NOT ambiguous; the mystery was explained by Paul; and the mind of man is not finite, it is made in the image of God, and is limitless. Finite means "measurable; i.e., capable of being counted." The diversity of the mind of man does not fit that parameter.
Paul had already preached the logos of God to the world, it was already understood to reference "Christ in you, the hope of glory" and it was already personified in the saints, had become flesh in those same saints, and dwelled among men, also in those same saints.
So until at least 69 a.d., the saints had no idea of Jesus being named "The word of God" at some future point in time. It was NOT an issue.
Then, when John wrote his epistle in 96 a.d., and began with "in the beginning" he was not referencing the beginning of creation, but the beginning of the gospel. Remember, John had already established the "logos" as a "NEW [unknown, nor used yet] NAME," so the beginning was established by John's own writings. "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God," There was absolutely NO issue of Jesus being the word of God, because it was already understood for over sixty years, that the saints, living so that it was not they who lived, but Christ living in them, was the personification of the word of God, and the word of God was personified in the saints, and dwelled among men. The logos concept was already understood prior to John's gospel.
It was left to later generations, who studied the new testament from the standpoint of "life of Christ" FIRST, who began to understand John's gospel to reference an preexistent Jesus who somehow became a human.
If the books are studied in the order in which they were revealed by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they CANNOT be understood to develope a preexistent Jesus. They will however, begin to develope a Christ centered humanity as we struggle to understand scripture in the same order in which the Holy Spirit presented it for publication, and so live our life that "it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me," "fulfilling the logos of God," and "the word becomes flesh" all over again, "and dwells among us."
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