The River of God

There is a river, known as the River of Life and the River of God.  According to King David the Psalmist, "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High." (Psa 46:4). It's a supernatural river, because its streams make the City of God glad.  It has supernatural qualities unlike any other river.  I'd like to explore that river with you in God's Word today.

God has always had a river
In the beginning, Paradise was on earth, which was a garden in Eden, as we read in Genesis.

"The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates." (Gen 2:8-14)

This passage teaches us that a river flowed out of Eden to water the Garden of Eden (Paradise).  So all the way back the beginning , God has always had a river.

The Lord is the River Source
It's important to note that The Lord is the River Source.  That's what He told the woman at the well.

"There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give Me a drink.' For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, 'How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.' She said to Him, 'Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?' Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.'" (Joh 4:7-14)

Only Jesus can give you living water, because He is the Well Spring.  That is the same living water that flows through the River of Life in heaven.  Whoever drinks this water shall never thirst again.  The water that Jesus gives will become in you a well of water springing up to eternal life.  I know from first hand experience that there is no other drink that will quench your thirst or satisfy your soul like the living water.

Although this passage in John's gospel may seem like a new revelation, the Lord had identified Himself centuries beforehand as the Fountain of Living Water to His people Israel.

"For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water." (Jer 2:13)

"A glorious throne on high from the beginning Is the place of our sanctuary. O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD." (Jer 17:12-13)

God's people today have done much the same as the Israelites did back then. Many have forsaken the Fountain of Living Water, even the Lord, because they do not trust in Him. Instead, they trust in themselves, so they hew for themselves cisterns.  The problem is that their cisterns are broken and leaking, so they cannot hold water.

We never thirst when we depend on Him.  If you trust in the Lord, He will always provide you with water, as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness. One of those instances was at Kadesh:

Then the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people stayed at Kadesh. Now Miriam died there and was buried there. There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, "If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! "Why then have you brought the LORD'S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? "Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink." Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them; and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink." So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, "Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.  (Num 20:1-13)

Another instance where God provided the Israelites with water in the wilderness was at a place called Beer:

From there they continued to Beer, that is the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Assemble the people, that I may give them water." Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well! Sing to it! "The well, which the leaders sank, Which the nobles of the people dug, With the scepter and with their staffs." And from the wilderness they continued to Mattanah, (Num 21:16-18)

In these instances, the Lord was the source or spring of these waters.  Likewise, the Lord revealed to Ezekiel a river that flowed from the Temple, which is still future.  I believe it will be fulfilled in the future Millenial reign of Christ.  And from the very presence of God this river will flow.

Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side. When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, "These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. "It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. "And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. "But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. "By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing."  (Eze 47:1-12)

The Millennial Temple will face east, and the River will flow eastward from the south side of temple.  What makes the temple so special is that the Lord Himself, the God of Israel will enter that place and His glory will dwell there.  The Prince will enter through the East gate, which is why Ezekiel was not allowed to use east gate, as only the prince was allowed to do so.  Therefore, the very presence of the Lord will be in the temple, and from His presence will flow this river.

We are led gradually deeper into the river
Ezekiel was led gradually deeper into the river. At a distance of 1000 cubits (1500 ft) from the temple, it was ankle deep.  At 2000 cubits (3000 ft) from the temple, it was knee deep.  At 3000 cubits (4500 ft) from the temple, it was waist deep.  At 4000 cubits (6000 ft) from the temple, it was deep enough to swim in.

Just as God led Ezekiel into the River gradually, so are we led gradually deeper into the river.  Most people want to stay close to the temple where their feet touch the bottom and they are not too far from home base.  Comfort zone.  They are still mostly in control.

The Lord gives each of us an invitation to wade out a measure further away into His River.  It may seem scary venturing off into the unknown where we’ve never been before.  Deeper waters.  But if we say, “Yes, Lord,” we will not be disappointed. We find ourselves in a place we never thought we could go.  We look back and realize the Lord took us there and it’s wonderful. But each time after we obey the Lord to go further and then make the adjustment to the new place in God, we realize we can trust Him.

When we get to the place where we are waist deep, we realize we are much less in control than ever before and the current is swift. But we are still safe.  Then the Lord beckons us deeper in Him, and we wonder if the water will overwhelm us if we go to the place He calls us to.  But if we will trust Him, we will find ourselves in a place in Him where we are out of control.  We cannot touch the bottom.  We can’t control the way things go anymore. We can’t maneuver around like we want to, and it’s unfamiliar to live like this. At this point, many people fight the current.

Professionally trained rescuers say that when people fall into the river, the mistake they make is thinking that the current will pull them under.  They say that people try to swim against the current out of fear and ignorance.  No one, not even a trained rescuer, is any match for that current.  This is how people drown. But they say the best thing is to let yourself flow with the current and even swim downstream, diagonally across the river to the other side.  If the current pulls you under, just be patient and you will pop back up to the surface again.

All we can do when we are in this place in God is to flow with the Lord.  Just rest in Him and trust Him.  Don’t fight against Him.  Go with the flow of His River.  Let it carry you deeper.  Swim in it.  Allow Him to have complete control.  You may be a mile away from the temple, and it is very unfamiliar to you.  There are many unknowns, but you are still in God’s River.  It’s exhilarating and refreshing.  You find He is still with you and you are still safe.

Wherever the River of God goes, it brings life
This river is a literal one!  And wherever the River of God goes, it brings life. As we read earlier, it makes glad the city of God (Ps 46:4). It has many amazing qualities like this.  All kinds of living creatures are found wherever the water flows.  Salt water becomes fresh. The desert springs up like a garden filled with greenery. Many trees line both banks of the river. Fruit is on the trees for food. The leaves never wither and they bring healing. Compare this river that Ezekiel saw in a vision to the River of Life in heaven.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  (Rev 21:1-8)

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. (Rev 22:1-6)

I have read accounts of those who have experienced heaven, and they say that you can swim in this river, and you can even breath under the water.  It is the Spirit of God.  When you come out of the water, your clothing is not even wet. It’s the same one that Ezekiel saw flowing here on earth during the future Millennium. It's crystal pure.  It flows from the throne of God in heaven, spirals through the Holy City, and then down to earth in the invisible form of the Holy Spirit.

Abiding in Christ and drinking from this river are keys to a victorious, fruit-bearing life.  Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary to China, discovered this great spiritual secret.  In the biography, called Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, he quoted a poet named Tersteegen, who once wrote:

He told me of a River bright

That flows from Him to me;

That I might be for His delight

A fair and fruitful tree.

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. (Rev 22:17)

Isn't that a wonderful invitation?  If God were to charge for this water of life, nobody would be able to afford even one glass of it.  All the money in the world could not buy you even a mouthful of it.  And yet God is so generous, He invites everyone to come and take the water of life without cost.  But this is only for those who believe in Jesus.  Anyone that does not believe in the Lord Jesus and follow Him, all the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

It’s the River of His delights.  As King David said:

Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (Psa 36:5-9)

When you come to know Jesus, you can drink your fill of the abundance of God's house. He gives you to drink of the River of His delights.  He alone is the Fountain of Life.

Jesus also spoke of spiritual streams of living water.  He did so at the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot.  There was a ceremony at this feast, in which the priests poured out a golden pitcher of water from the top of some steps that flowed down the steps.  And it was at this feast that Jesus wanted everyone to know He was the fulfillment of that symbolic ritual.

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (Joh 7:37-39)

According to John J. Parsons of Hebrew for Christians:

"During the seven days of Sukkot a sacrificial pouring out of water (called a 'water libation') was performed at the Temple (Sukkah 51a-b). In a ceremony called nisuch ha-mayim, the High Priest would lead a procession to the pool of Shiloach (Siloam) where he would fill a golden pitcher with water and then return to the courtyard of the Temple. When the High priest would pour out the water, the great crowd of people would wave their lulavot and sing out:"
  

אָנָּא יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא
אָנָּא יְהוָה הַצְלִיחָה נָּא
בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה
בֵּרַכְנוּכֶם מִבֵּית יְהוָה

an·na  Adonai  ho·shi·ah  na,
an·na  Adonai  hatz·li·chah  na
ba·rukh  hab·bah  be·shem  Adonai
be·rakh·nu·khem  mi·beit  Adonai

"Save us, we pray, O LORD!
O LORD, we pray, let us thrive!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD."
(Psalm 118:25-26)

My friend, everyone who believes in Jesus will have rivers of living water flowing from his innermost being.  Glory to God!  That's the Spirit of God, which Jesus was speaking about.  At the time He said this, the Spirit was not yet given.  For it was not until the Day of Pentecost that the Spirit was poured out (Ac 2:4).  If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Jesus Christ and drink.

Putting it All Together
God has always had a river and He always will.  The Lord Himself is the Source of that River.

The Bible begins and ends in Paradise where the River of God flows. Sin interrupted the flow of that River to man in the pages between Gen 2 and Rev 21. Likewise, sin interrupts the flow of the River of God in our lives. When we forsake the Lord, we choose for ourselves cracked cisterns that hold no water.

Dick Eastman wrote a book called Love on It’s Knees.  He says that we will learn the lessons God wants to teach us either on our knees in prayer or through intense pain and suffering. I want to learn of the Lord on my knees in prayer.  How about you?

The Lord beckons each of us deeper in Him. Will you choose to stick close to home base where you can get your feet wet, but still be in control? Or will you wade out deeper in God to the place where he is leading you? Will you let Him have more control? Will you flow with His Spirit? You won’t be disappointed. Pretty soon you will find yourself deeper than you ever thought you could go.

He won’t just throw you into the deep end of the river.  He will take you there gradually over time. Each time you obey and flow with Him you’ll be freer in Him. Then when you get to the part that’s deep enough to swim in, you will participate with Him in seeing the Life of God brought to people and places wherever you go, because wherever the river flows is where you go, and wherever the River of God goes, it brings life.

I have a friend name Bill, who is a pastor.  One day he was preaching, and he realized he had slurred speech.  Within a couple weeks, he was undergoing brain surgery to remove a brain tumor.  He said later that his wife’s prayer life became much deeper through this experience.  That was one of those times of intense suffering, when love is on its knees, like Dick Eastman was referring to.

If the Lord is calling you deeper in Him, will you obey Him and wade out deeper? I invite you to do that today.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. "Living Waters" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the other posts in this blog, such as Baptized with the Spirit, Holy Fire Baptism, Ten Divine Expressions for Spirit Baptism, and Led by the Spirit. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Holy Spirit Speaks

Some people actually believe that the Holy Spirit does not speak.  Let’s see what the Scriptures say:

Jesus said, "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Mat 10:20)

Jesus said, "When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.” (Mar 13:11)

Jesus said, "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."  (Luk 12:11-12)

Jesus said, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,” (Joh 15:26)

Jesus said, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (Joh 16:13)

"Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” (Act 1:16)

“While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you.’” (Act 10:19)

Peter said, "The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man's house.” (Act 11:12)

In the Antioch church, “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”  (Act 13:2)

The apostle Paul said, "And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.” (Act 20:22-23)

Paul said the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah. “And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, ‘The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,’” (Act 28:25).

Paul said we cry out by the Spirit, who testifies with our spirit.  “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Rom 8:15-16)

The Spirit of Jesus is the One who cries out, “Abba, Father!” within the disciple of Christ.  Paul again said, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Gal 4:6)

Paul taught that it is the Holy Spirit speaking through us that Jesus is Lord. “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’; and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1Co 12:3).  If you want to speak by the Spirit, begin saying with power and conviction, “Jesus is Lord!”

Paul said, “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1Ti 4:1)

The apostle wrote to the Hebrews, “Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today if you hear His voice,’” (Heb 3:7)

He continues, “And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them,’ He then says, ‘And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’" (Heb 10:15-17)

Luke records what happened on the Day of Pentecost: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”  (Act 2:4).  When people are filled with the Holy Spirit, they will speak, because the Holy Spirit speaks. 

If the Holy Spirit does not speak, how could he give the disciples utterance to speak in languages they never learned?

"For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'And it shall be in the last days,' God says, 'that I will pour forth of my Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of my Spirit And they shall prophesy.” (Act 2:15-18).

God said through the prophet Joel that in the last days He would pour out His Spirit on mankind, and they would prophesy, including both children and adults.  Once again, the Holy Spirit speaks through the people who receive Him when He is poured out.

Peter affirmed this fact when He said, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2Pe 1:20-21)

“And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, ‘O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, “Why did the gentiles rage, and the peoples devise futile things?”’” (Act 4:24-25)

In their prayer, the disciples indicated that the Lord spoke the words of Psalm 2 by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David. 

The apostle John said, “This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.” (1Jn 5:6)

Jesus continued to speak by the Spirit even after His resurrection.  Luke states: “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.” (Act 1:1-2)

In fact, even when He spoke to the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, He spoke by the Spirit:

Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” (Rev 2:7)

Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” (Rev 2:11)

Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” (Rev 2:17)

Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 2:29; 3:6, 13, 22)

Here are the words of the apostle John: And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." (Rev 14:13)

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” (Rev 22:17)

Putting it All Together
It's abundantly clear from the Word of God that the Holy Spirit definitely speaks.  This is how all the Scriptures were written, as men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. In fact, everything Jesus said was spoken by the Spirit, even after His resurrection.  Even after His ascension, He continues to speak by the Spirit, as He did to John on the Isle of Patmos.

The Spirit of God speaks to and through every true disciple of Christ, who has received the Spirit.  Whenever the Holy Spirit comes upon mankind, people will speak. They will speak in tongues and prophesy, as the Spirit gives them utterance.  In fact, a disciple cannot even say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Spirit.  So let's begin to declare it out loud.  Make it known in the heavens and on the earth that Jesus Christ is Lord. If you say to God, "Abba, Father," that is the Holy Spirit testifying through you that you are God's child.

Anyone who says the Holy Spirit doesn't speak needs to read their Bible.  He still speaks today.  The only question is whether you hear what He is saying. You need to receive the Holy Spirit after you become a believer.  Have you received the Holy Spirit?  Let Him who has ears hear what the Spirit says to the Church.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The "Receiving the Spirit" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note:  You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  Also see the following posts:

The Person of the Holy Spirit
Baptized with the Spirit
Holy Fire Baptism
The Bodily Form of the Holy Spirit

Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Holy Trinity

The word "trinity" is not found anywhere in the Bible.  So does that mean it is a false teaching? Throughout the years, there have been many errors regarding the triune nature of God, and many of those errors still persist today.  I will not attempt to define or elaborate here on the erroneous teachings.  But I would like to show you what the Bible says about the Trinity.

The Heavenly Father
Many passages in the Scriptures refer to the Father in heaven, who has a face, a will, reveals things to man, loves children, and even feeds the birds.  Here are just a few:

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Mat 6:26)

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." (Mat 7:21)

But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted." (Mat 15:13)

And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Mat 16:17)

"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS." (Mat 16:27)

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven." (Mat 18:10)

"So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish." (Mat 18:14)

"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven." (Mat 18:19)

"My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Mat 18:35)

"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven." (Mat 23:9)

"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Mat 25:34)

"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." (Mat 26:29)

The Son of God 
Just as there are many passages about the Father, the Scriptures are also full of many references to His Son, known as the Son of God. Let me cite a few examples:

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Mat 16:16)

But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus *said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN." (Mat 26:63-64)

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mar 1:1)

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; (Luk 1:32)

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (Luk 1:35)

And they all said, "Are You the Son of God, then?" And He said to them, "Yes, I am." (Luk 22:70)

"I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God." (Joh 1:34)

Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." (Joh 1:49)

"He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (Joh 3:18)

But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." (Joh 11:4)

She *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." (Joh 11:27)

"but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." (Joh 20:31)

"who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord," (Rom 1:4)

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Gal 2:20)

"until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:13)

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." (Heb 4:14)

"the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." (1Jo 3:8)

"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God." (1Jo 4:15)

"Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1Jo 5:5)

"The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son." (1Jo 5:10)

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1Jo 5:12-13)

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:" (Rev 2:18)

This is not just a Christian concept from the New Testament. It's found in the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures as well. One example is Psalm 2, which says, "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 'You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'" Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (Psa 2:7-12; cf., Heb 1:5)

The thirtieth proverb says, "Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!" (Pro 30:3-4)  I would like to ask you, my dear reader, to tell me the name of the Son of the One who established all the ends of the earth. Surely you know!

The answer to that question is found in the following verse, which says, "Every Word of God is flawless..." (Prov 30:5a, NIV). His name is "the Word of God."  I will elaborate on this title more in the following section, but I would also like to point out that another hint for the answer to the question, "What is His Name or His Son's name" is found in the first verse of this proverb that says, " The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal..." (Prov 30:1b, NASB).  According to Matthew Henry, "Ithiel signifies God with me, the application of Immanuel, God with us...Ucal signifies the Mighty One." I will also elaborate further on these two titles in the following section.

Jesus is God   
Not only is Jesus God's Son, He Himself is God. I have already written at length about this in another post, called "Is Jesus God?" so I will not elaborate on this much here.  Two or three verses will suffice to prove the point:

Isaiah prophesied, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isa 9:6).  That term “Mighty God” in the original Hebrew is “El Gibbor.”

The Hebrew word “El” means God.  In the five instances in Isaiah, where El is used to mean an artificial, man-made god of wood, silver, or gold, which cannot save, the context makes it clear that it does not mean the Lord.  For example, “Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit? (Isa 44:10)

In the other seventeen instances where the Hebrew word “El” is used in Isaiah, it always means the one, true, holy and righteous God of Israel, the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it.  The Lord calls Himself “El.” (see Isa 43:12; 45:22).

And the exact same term, “El Gibbor”, which Isaiah used in 9:6, is used in Isaiah 10:21, where it says “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.” The Hebrew word “Gibbor” means “powerful; by implication warrior, tyrant: champion, chief, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man.”  So the term “El Gibbor” could be translated literally “God-Man,” “God Champion,” “Warrior God,” “Strong God,” or “Valiant Man-God.”

So I ask you, my friend, to whom does the term “us” refer in this passage, where it says, “a child is born to us” and “a Son will be given to us”?  Is it the prophet and his wife? Is it the nation of Israel?  Who do you think had a Son called “El Gibbor”?  Only One Person is worthy of that name, and that is the Son of God Himself.  Jesus Christ is the “God-Man,” the “Mighty God!” So the term “Us” in this passage refers to the triune God-head, just as Elohim spoke in the first person plural at the creation, saying, “Let Us make man in our own image.” (Gen 1:26).

Another passage that illustrates my point is a tribute to the Messiah found in Psalm 45. It says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows." (Psa 45:6-7; cf. Heb 1:9). According to Hebrews 1:8, the psalmist addresses the Son, saying, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." And in the next verse the psalmist says to the Son, "Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You." He is speaking to the Son saying, "O God...God, your God has anointed you." This could only be true of Jesus Christ, who is God, and whose God is the one, true God.

Prior to His becoming flesh, Jesus, the Word was with God at the dawn of creation. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Joh 1:1-2, 14). The Word was God!

We learn from the Revelation given to the apostle John that "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God."  (Rev 19:13, NIV).

And, of course, the term “us” in Isaiah 9:6 referred in part to Joseph and Mary, the earthly parents of Jesus. "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated, means, "GOD WITH US."  (Mat 1:23). The Lord Jesus Christ is "God with us" to all of us who believe in Him.

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  (Joh 20:28)

Exact representation of God 
Jesus is the exact representation of God's nature.

"And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," (Heb 1:3)

Jesus the Image of God 
While man is made in God's image, Jesus is the actual image of God.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."  (Col 1:15-20)

The original Greek word for “image” here is eikon, from which we get the English word icon.  It means, “a likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: image.”  If you want to know what God looks like, just look at Jesus.  He takes after His Father, and resembles Him exactly.

Jesus at right hand of God
Not only is Jesus the image of God, He also sits at God's right hand, in the place of highest honor and power and authority, ruling the universe.

"So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." (Mar 16:19)

"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear." (Act 2:33)

and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Act 7:56)

But to which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET"? (Heb 1:13)

"Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens," (Heb 8:1)

Jesus presents us to the Father 
The Bible teaches that Jesus will present the saints to the Father, making us to stand in His presence blameless, because of His atonement.

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jud 1:24-25)

The object of this sentence is "the only God our Savior," whom Jude refers to as "Him."  When Jude gives glory to "Him," the only God, he is referring to the Father in heaven. We know this for certain, because Jude says that we give this glory to God "through Jesus Christ our Lord."  We give the glory "to" God, and we do so "through" Jesus Christ our Lord. This shows a clear distinction between the Father and the Son.  And it is in agreement with the words of Jesus Himself, who said, "no man comes to the father except by Me." (Jn 14:6).

Jesus also said, "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Mat 10:32-33).  All of these verses together indicate that Jesus will one day present us in the Father's glorious presence and confess us before Him.

Father and Jesus Christ distinct Persons
By now it should be evident that the Father and Jesus Christ are distinct Persons of the Godhead. But if not, just look at the way many of the New Testament epistles begin.  There you will see the Father and Jesus Christ named separately and distinctly, which would be pointless, if they were the same Person:

"Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:" (Jud 1:1)

"Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." (2Jo 1:3).  The use of the conjunction "and" here indicates two distinct Persons.

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;"  (2Pe 1:2)

"what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1Jo 1:3)

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort," (2Co 1:2-3)

"James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings." (Jam 1:1)

"Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Heb 13:20-21)

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph 1:2)

Jesus Himself indicated that while He was one with the Father, He was distinct from the Father. He prayed, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (Joh 17:3).  Eternal life is knowing the the Father in heaven, only true God, and Jesus Christ.

"And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'" (Rev 6:16-17)

“And they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” (Rev 7:10)

“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’"  (Rev 11:15)

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.’” (Rev 12:10)

“So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Rev 12:17)

“These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.” (Rev 14:4)

“Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” (Rev 14:12)

“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Rev 20:6)

“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Rev 21:22)

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev 21:23)

“Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,” (Rev 22:1)

“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;” (Rev 22:3)

cf., 1Co 1:3; Rom 1:7; Philemon 3; Titus 1:4; Philip 1:2; 1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2; 2 Thes 1:2; 1 Thes 2:16; 1 Thes 1:1; Gal 1:1,3

The One "Who is and Who was and Who is to come"
As I have just proven, the Father and Jesus are distinct Persons.  This is very clearly evident throughout the entire book of Revelation, including John's greeting, which makes explicit reference to the Trinity.

He writes: "John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--" (Rev 1:4-5).  Here John conveys a blessing of grace and peace to the seven churches in Asia.  The grace and peace are from 1) The Father, whom he refers to as "Him who is and who was and who is to come," 2) "and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne," which explicitly refers to the Spirit of God, 3) "and from Jesus Christ."  Each of these references are separated by the word "and" (Greek: "kai"), indicating that they are each distinct.  If they were not distinct Persons, then it would make no sense for John to use this expression the way he did.

Therefore, it seems quite clear to me that the Father is the One Who identifies Himself by declaring, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:8).  He refers to Himself as "the Almighty," and John refers to Him as "the Lord God."  This is consistent with the distinction made throughout the book of Revelation, where only the Father is referred to as "God," or "the Almighty," or "the Lord God Almighty," and Jesus is referred to as "Christ," "the Son of God," "the Word of God," "the Lamb" and "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." (Rev. 1:1,2,6,8,9; 2:7,18; 3:1,2,12,14; 4:5,8,11; 5:6,9,10; 6:9; 7:2,3,10,11,12,15,17; 8:2,4; 9:4,13; 10:7; 11:1,11,13,16,17,19; 12:5,6,10,17; 13:6; 14:4,7,10,12,19; 15:1,2,3,7,8; 16:1,7,9,11,14,19,21; 17:17; 18:5,8,20; 19:1,4,5,6,9,10,13,15,17; 20:4,6; 21:2,3,7,10,11,22,23; 22:1,3,5,6,9,18,19).

That is why I am convinced it is the Father once again to Whom John was referring when he wrote: "And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' And He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.' Then He said to me, 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.'" (Rev 21:5-6) This was spoken by Him who sits on the throne, and all throughout the book of Revelation, the Father is consistently referred to as He "who sits on the throne," (Rev. 4:9,10; 5:13; 6:16; 7:10,15; 19:4; 21:5).  You can find the description of the Father, sitting on the throne in Revelation 4, and the description of Jesus the Lamb standing between the throne and the elders in Revelation 5.  Jesus is also depicted at the center of the throne (Rev 7:17)

Therefore, whenever you find expressions of worship to the One "who was and who is and who is to come," and to "Him who sits on the throne," they are referring to God the Father.  Here is one great example of such a praise:

“And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.’ And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.’” (Rev 4:8-11; cf., 19:3-7)

The Alpha and the Omega
The term Alpha and Omega means First and Last, just as the letters alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The term "first" comes from the Greek word, protos, meaning – foremost (in time, place, order, or importance); before, beginning, best, chief, first (of all), former.

The term "last" comes from the Greek word, eschatos, meaning – farthest, final, end, lowest, uttermost.

As I have just proven with certainty, it is the Father Who calls Himself "the Alpha and the Omega" in Rev 1:8 and 21:6. However, as with other names or titles for the Father, His Son Jesus shares many of the same ones.  This is also true of the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Rev 22:12-13).  Here we know it is Jesus speaking, because He says, "I am coming quickly," and in the same context, "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." (Rev 22:16)

Jesus refers to Himself as the Alpha and Omega.  Not only does He exist now, but He was and He is to come. Jesus is the beginning and the end. Jesus took the lowest place. He became the lowest during his passion and crucifixion. He was farthest from God when He prayed, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” No one has ever been farther from God than Jesus was. Now He is in the highest place! (see Phil 2:5-11). He declares the end from the beginning (see Is 46:10). He is exalted above all else! 

Jesus calls Father “My God” 
One of the most interesting things to me about the Godhead is that Jesus calls Father “My God.” That's right!  Even Jesus, Who is Himself God, has a God -- the one true God, which His Father.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" (Mat 27:46). 

Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" (Joh 20:17)

Jesus said, 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God." (Rev 3:2)

Jesus said, "'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.'" (Rev 3:12)

The apostle Paul understood this correctly when referred to the heavenly Father as the God of Jesus: "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him." (Eph 1:17; also see 1 Cor 15:24-25)

Finally, the apostle John also referred to the Father as the God of Jesus: "and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Rev 1:6)

The Father's relationship with Jesus
There are many passages that show the beautiful relationship that Jesus and the Father have with each other.

At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."  (Mat 11:25-27)

At the baptism of Jesus, while He was praying to the Father "...a voice came out of heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.'"  (Luk 3:22b)

And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."  (Mat 26:39)  If Jesus and the Father were the same person, the this prayer would not make any sense.  Jesus would have said, "Not as I will, but as I will."  However, their wills are separate and distinct from one another, which indicates two persons.

He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done." (Mat 26:42)

"Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Mat 26:53)

"The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand." (Joh 3:35)

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. (Joh 5:19-20)

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." (Joh 6:37)

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me." (Joh 6:44-45)

So they were saying to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." (Joh 8:19)

"I and the Father are one." (Joh 10:30)

"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God," (Joh 13:3)

"...I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me." (Joh 17:8b)

Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (Joh 14:6-7)

"You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. (Joh 14:28)

"...then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet." (1Co 15:24-25)

The Father knows things Jesus does not
Something else I find fascinating is that the Father knows things that Jesus does not.

For example, the Father knows the day and the hour when Jesus will come back to the earth.  But Jesus does not know.

Jesus said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Mat 24:36). 

The book of Revelation begins with the words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John," (Rev 1:1). Put differently, God gave this revelation to Jesus Christ.  If God had to give the revelation to Jesus Christ, then the Father is the source of the revelation.  Just as Jesus only said what He heard the Father saying during his earthly ministry, in the same way after his resurrection and ascension, He received a revelation from the Father, which He delivered to the saints.

Pray to the Father 
Jesus always prayed to the Father in heaven.  A perfect example was in the garden after He ate the last supper with His disciples.  Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You," (Joh 17:1)

If Jesus was praying to Himself, why would He lift His eyes to heaven and address God as "Father?"

And His prayer was for the Father to glorify Him, so that He may glorify the Father.  Again, this prayer would not make any sense if Jesus were praying to Himself.  He would have to say, "I now glorify myself, so that I may glorify Myself."

When Jesus was asked by His disciples how to pray, He taught them and us to pray to the Father in Heaven.

And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come." (Luk 11:2)

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." (Joh 15:16)

Jesus taught us to pray to the Father in Jesus' name.  Consider this fact in relation to the distinction between the members of the Godhead.  It is consistent with the evidence throughout Scripture that the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct Persons.

The Father Has Given Jesus Authority
In His high priestly prayer on the night He was betrayed, Jesus prayed to the Father, saying, "Even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life." (Joh 17:2)

After His resurrection, Jesus came up and spoke to [His disciples], saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Mat 28:18)

If the Father were Jesus, there would be no need to give Himself authority.  Likewise, there would be no need to give Himself the disciples, as Jesus said in this prayer the Father had done: "to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life."

The Father and Jesus Have the Same Name
As I mentioned already, Jude referred to God the Father as the only God our Savior (Jud 1:25).  This is consistent with the Scriptures written before Christ, in which God was referred to as Savior (2Sa. 22:3; Psa. 17:7; 106:21; Isa. 19:20; 43:3,11; 45:15,21; 49:26; 60:16; 63:8; Jer. 14:8; Hos. 13:4).

And Jesus was named after His Father, for the very name "Jesus" means "Savior."  "Jesus" in Hebrew is "Yeshua," which means "Yahweh [the Lord] is Salvation."  The angel of the Lord told Joseph, "...You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Mat 1:21)

Jesus said, "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him." (Joh 5:43)

Jesus prayed to the Father, saying, "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. (Joh 17:6).  What name did Jesus manifest?  He manifested or displayed the name of the Father, which is the same as His name, Jesus.

Again in His prayer to the Father, Jesus said, "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." (Joh 17:11)

Once more He prayed to the Father, "I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." (Joh 17:26)

Isaiah prophesied, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isa 9:6)

Jesus also equated Himself with the "I AM" title God gave Himself in Exodus 3:14, when "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.'" (Joh 8:58). In Hebrew, this name that we translate "I AM" in English is "YHWH," the tetragrammaton for Yahweh, meaning approximately "he causes to be" or "he creates".  The Hebrews understood the holiness of this name, and did not write it out in full, preferring to use only the four consonants.  Rather than pronounce it, they preferred to say instead, "the Lord."

These passages and others make it clear that the Father and Jesus have the same name, as well as the same title.  It is part of the ancient Hebrew culture for a son to be named after his father, which is why it was so surprising to everyone when Zechariah named his son John (Lk 1:59-63).  We still do the same thing today, naming sons after their father.  The son always carries the father's family name, or surname.  For example, I have the same "Lacroix" name as my father, which is French for "The Cross." And sometimes a son also carries the father's given name.  For example, a father named "Charles" sometimes names his son, "Charles."

The heavenly Father did this when He named His Son Jesus.  However, having the same name does not mean they are the same person.  For more on this topic, see The Name of Jesus.

The Father gives the Spirit 
Many Scriptures teach that it is the Father who gives the Spirit:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luk 11:13)

"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luk 24:49)

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;" (Joh 14:16)

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (Joh 14:26)

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me," (Joh 15:26)

The Spirit of God
The Word of God is full of references to the Spirit of God.  In the Old Testament, He was called the ruach, meaning "wind" or "breath.  In the New Testament, He is called the pneuma, meaning "spirit," "current of air" or "breath."  The Old Testament revealed long ago that not only is God the Father, He also has a Spirit.  

He was present at the dawn of creation: "The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." (Gen 1:2)

There are many other Scriptures in the Old Testament about the Spirit of God.  But here are just a few examples: Is 11:1-2; 61:1; 42:1; Ps 51:11; Ez 11:1.  The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon Messiah.  King David asked the Lord not to take the Holy Spirit from him.  The prophets, like Ezekiel, said the Spirit lifted them up. Now let's look at some from the New Testament.

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit," (Eph 5:18)

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." (Gal 5:16-18)

"Do not quench the Spirit;" (1Th 5:19)

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. (1Co 12:3-5)

"They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;" (Act 16:6)

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed." (Luk 4:18)

c.f., Ac 4:25-31; 1 Co 2:10-16; Jn 20:22; Mt 10:20; Lk 1:15; Rom 8:1-27 (Spirit raised Christ from dead);

For more on this, see The Person of the Holy Spirit.

Outpouring of the Spirit 
Even in the Old Testament book of Joel, the prophet foretold the outpouring of the Spirit that would happen in these last days.

"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days." (Joe 2:28-29)

For more about the fulfillment of this prophetic promise, see Baptized with the Spirit.

Sevenfold Spirit 
We know there is only one Holy Spirit, since He is referred to in the singular form throughout Scripture, including the book of Revelation.  Yet another very amazing aspect of God is that the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the seven-fold Spirit, which is sometimes translated as "the seven Spirits of God."

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.'"  (Rev 3:1)

"Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;"  (Rev 4:5; cf., 5:6)

Plural Oneness
Moses wrote in the Hebrew shama, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one [echad]." (Deuteronomy 6:4). In this passage of Scripture, Moses used the Hebrew word "echad" for "one" when he referred to God's oneness. This is the same Hebrew word used for a unified oneness between two people in Genesis 2:24, in which Moses wrote, "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one [echad] flesh." We also find the same Hebrew word "echad" used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures for plural oneness, such as "one people" (Gen 11:6; 34:16,22), "one heart" (2 Chr 30:12; Jer 32:39), and forming "one stick" by joining two (Ez 37:17). 

Trinity 
Lastly, I would like to point out some of the Scriptures where the inspired Bible writer referred explicitly to all three members of the Holy Trinity at once:

First of all, when Jesus was baptized, we see all three Persons of the Godhead manifested at once.  Luke wrote in his gospel: "Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.'" (Luk 3:21-22).  Jesus was in the water praying to the Father, who was in heaven speaking to Jesus about how pleased He was with His Son, and the Holy Spirit was descending upon Jesus in bodily form.  This is undeniable evidence that the three Persons of the Godhead co-exist simultaneously.  They are not three manifestations of God that occurred at different points in time.

Jesus said, "For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Act 1:5, 7-8)

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…” (Mat 28:19)

The apostle Peter said to the high priest and his associates, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Act 5:30-32)

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."  (1Pe 1:1-2)

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4-6)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (2Co 13:14)

"Then God [Elohim, a plural form of 'God'] said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'" (Gen 1:26)

Jesus said, "'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (Rev 3:21-22)

Each of these passages above refers to the three members of the Trinity separately yet concurrently (cf., Joh 14:16, 26; 15:26).

The Prophet Elijah's explanation
One of my favorite people in the Bible is Elijah the prophet.  In John Bunyan’s Vision of Heaven, the holy prophet Elijah, who is apparently one of the twenty-four elders, told him:

“We clearly see here that from eternity God was sole existing, but not solitary, that the Godhead is neither confused in unity, nor divided in number. We see that there is a priority of order but no superiority among the persons of the Trinity, but that they equally have the same excellency and power, and equally are adored.”

This revelation was given to John Bunyan by Elijah in heaven.

Putting it All Together
Both the Old and the New Testament Scriptures clearly teach that the Divine Godhead is a Holy Trinity, although the term "trinity" is never used in the Bible. 

Surely the eternal God is One God.  As Moses taught, "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!" (Deu 6:4).  We are strictly monotheists.  Nevertheless, He is one Triune God in perfect unity of three Persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  In fact, many times the three Persons of the Trinity are referred to concurrently in Scripture.  They are simultaneous and co-eternal.

Therefore, we should not reject the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, as if it were a form of tritheism.  On the contrary, we should guard against error regarding the Holy Trinity, and believe the truth of God's Word.  Jesus is not only the Son of God, He IS God!  He is the exact representation of God, the perfect image of God.  He sits at right hand of God, reigning in majesty on His throne, and calls the Father “My God”.

The heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are distinct Persons.  One day, Jesus will present his bondservants to the Father.  And just as He prays to the Father, He taught us to pray to the Father as well.  It's the Father who gives the Spirit in the name of Jesus.  And the Holy Spirit is being poured out in these last days, just as the Father promised.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The "Trinity" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note:  Also see the following posts:

Refuting the Oneness Christology Heresy
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Baptized with the Spirit
Holy Fire Baptism
Is Jesus God?
The Name of Jesus

You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Testing the Spirits of False Prophets

Jesus warned us that in these last days there would be false prophets, who would come to us in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  Now more than ever, we need to be on our guard against false prophets. So I'd like to examine this important task with you from Scripture, and also explain the difference between lies and L.I.E.S., both of which are dangers to the flock.

Shepherds Are Responsible to Guard the Flock
First of all, the Lord gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11 NASB).  They are to prepare God's people for works of service.  And those who are in oversight of the church must guard the flock against these wolves.

I simply mention that, because it is not really the responsibility of the newborn babe in Christ to be able to determine who is a false prophet or not.  The responsibility primarily lies with the shepherds, not the sheep to defend the flock. So if you are in such a role in the church, whatever title you wear, then the onus is on you to test false prophets, who come into range of the flock you are tending.  You cannot ignore the false prophets or neglect this duty of your ministry.  God will hold you accountable.

That said, each sheep does have a responsibility to grow up into the fullness of Christ, who is the head, so that they will no longer be tossed about by every wind of doctrine.  If the ministry gifts are doing their duty, then the members of the church will mature in this way.  Then the sheep will learn to detect potential wolves themselves.

Culinary fruit. Picture by Bill Ebbesen

Fruit Testing
Jesus did not tell us to focus so much on the doctrine of these false prophets, although that is also very important.  He taught us to test the messengers themselves, not just their message, because you cannot separate the message from the messenger!  And the method He gave us for doing so is to test their fruit.

Right after He warned us to beware of false prophets, He said, "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit."  (Mat 7:17-18 NASB).  What He meant here is that the false prophets are like bad trees, which cannot produce anything but bad fruit.  Conversely, the true messengers of God are like good trees, which can only produce good fruit.  So in order to determine if someone is a false prophet, examine their fruit. Jesus said He would cut down all the bad trees.  And He also assured us that we would be able to identify them, when He said, "So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Mat 7:20 NASB)

To check someone's fruit, look at their ways, their actions, and the results of their actions.  Look at their lifestyle, their children, their disciples, their church, and their other works. Find out what the fruit of their works are.  If you see good fruit coming forth from their life, then you can be sure that they are not a false prophet.  On the other hand, if you find bad fruit, then you can be sure they are not a true prophet.

Does that mean this person never makes a mistake?  No!  Even true men of God make mistakes.  The difference is that they correct themselves immediately when they realize they've been mistaken.  And when they realize they've sinned, they repent immediately. They don't go on living that way.

The apostle Paul's credentials were questioned by false apostles, who were disguising themselves as apostles of Christ (2Co 11:13-15). Paul's response was to show to the Corinthians his good fruit, which were his labors for Christ, imprisonments, beatings, near death experiences, whippings, being stoned, shipwrecked, being on frequent journeys, in dangers of many kinds, as well as his hardships, sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, going without food, in cold and exposure. (2Co 11:23-27). By showing his fruit, he felt he was able to prove his true apostolic calling. Likewise, if someone is loving God with his whole heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving his neighbor as himself, then that's the kind of good fruit you want to find!

Fruit testing is essential and cannot be bypassed.  Yet so many times I see people rejecting a message without bothering to check the fruit of the messenger.  My friend, if you are a shepherd over a flock or actively serving the Church as one of the five ministry gifts, you cannot skip the fruit test!  You cannot say that you didn't have time or any personal interest in checking the fruit.  You have to do it.

As the apostle John wrote: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1Jo 4:1 NASB).  Notice he said, "test the spirits."  He then went on to explain by saying that every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.   Conversely, every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.  It's pretty basic.

Peter gave examples of some of the bad fruit that accompanies false prophets and false teachers. For example, they often "deny the Master who bought them," while others are involved in sensuality or greed. (2Pe 2:1-3). Paul also described some aspects he had seen, like pushiness, pride, control, and physical abuse (2 Cor 11:20). Those would be the kind of things you're looking for when testing fruit.

But people prefer to simply go strictly on their knowledge of the Bible and what they believe it says, and if someone's message does not agree with that, then they don't accept it.  This is not what Jesus taught. If you don't do what He says to do, and you simply call Him "Lord, Lord," you will be cast away from His presence in the end into everlasting destruction.  All you have to do is follow Matthew 7 to the end of the chapter and you will see what I mean.  Obey Jesus' command on how to test for false prophets, and don't rely solely on your own understanding of the Bible.

Likewise, Jesus wants us to check and see if a messenger obeys the words of Jesus, or whether he only calls Jesus "Lord," but does not do what He says.  That is the true test of a false prophet, in my opinion.  It is not simply making an intellectual evaluation of doctrine (information), analyzing only what a man teaches, and comparing that to your own interpretation of Scripture. It is also not simply a matter of evaluating his gifts.

Now to underscore what I've just said about fruit testing, I'd like to show (in the table below) what Jesus said, by comparing how Matthew and Luke recorded his teaching about dealing with false prophets:

Gospel of Matthew Passage	Gospel of Luke Passage
(Not in Matthew)	"Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets." (Luk 6:22-23 NASB)
(Not in Matthew)	"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. (Luk 6:26 NASB)
(Not in Matthew)	And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? (Luk 6:39 NASB)
"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Mat 7:4-5 NASB)	"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. (Luk 6:41-42 NASB)
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Mat 7:15 NASB)	(Not in Luke)
"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit."  (Mat 7:17-18 NASB)	"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit." (Luk 6:43 NASB)
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat 7:19 NASB)	"Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Luk 3:9 NASB)
"So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Mat 7:20 NASB)	"For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. (Luk 6:44 NASB)
(Not in Matthew)	"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." (Luk 6:45 NASB)

Here are some of my observations from this comparison:

1. Just because a person is hated and men ostracize them, insult them, and scorn their name as evil, it does not mean they are a false prophet.  The true prophets of God were treated this way.   Don't assume without checking the person's fruit! If they have good fruit, truly living in a way that is pleasing to God, and they are hated, ostracized, scorned for the sake of their devotion to Christ, then they are blessed.
2. Just because a person is well-liked and everyone speaks well of him, it does not mean he is a true prophet.  False prophets are usually treated this way, so you still need to check fruit. And ask yourself if all men speak well of you. If so, then woe to you!
3. If you yourself are blind, you cannot lead others who are blind.  So first be sure that you are not blind.  If you say you can see, when in fact you are blind, the Lord will consider you guilty. Don't attempt to test a false prophet without first testing yourself for possible blind spots.
4. If you've got a log in your own eye, then all you will see will be logs in the eyes of others.  So don't try to test for false prophets until you first get the log out of your own eye!  I call this L.I.E.S., which stands for "Log In Eye Syndrome."  Would you want to have an eye doctor or friend trying to remove something from your eye, if they were blinded by a log in their own eye?  The Pharisees and other religious leaders of Jerusalem had logs in their eyes, and whenever they looked at Jesus, all they could see was logs or specks. In the end, they said, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?" They answered, "He deserves death!" (Mat 26:65-66 NASB).  I've seen people jump to conclusions like this about true messengers of God, or about their messages.  Beware of this and don't repeat the same mistake!
5. The final destiny of anyone who does not produce good fruit is the same as that of a bad tree -- thrown into the fire (Mt 7:19; Luk 3:9; Jn 15:6).  This is very serious!  It's not your job to burn them.  God will take care of that. First make sure you are not the one who's failing to bear good fruit.  And then if you test someone else and discover bad fruit, don't follow them or their message.
6. You will know them by their fruits. (Mt 7:20; Lk 6:44).  Bad fruit = bad tree = false prophet.  Good fruit = good tree = true messenger. Their fruit includes everything that comes forth from their life, including attitudes, deeds, and words. 
7. Do not disregard what someone says with their mouth.  That's part of their fruit. Their prophecy, vision, dream, teaching, or message will overflow out of the abundance of their heart, so you should check it for evil. They must preach what is in accordance with sound doctrine. Anything they say that contradicts the teachings of Christ and His apostles is bad fruit and is evil. However, the definition of evil is NOT simply anything you disagree with theologically. If you find any evil, then don't receive the messenger. And listen to their words outside the message they give for the Lord.  If they speak evil, then you know their heart is full of evil also.

Two Attitudes
There are basically two, possible attitudes you could have when testing false prophets.   One is the "Zechariah attitude" and the other is the "Mary attitude." You can find these in Luke 1.

When the angel Gabriel told the elderly Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth would have a baby, he doubted, saying, “How can I be sure of this?" (Lk 1:18a).  As a result, Gabriel struck him with muteness until the prophecy was fulfilled. 

Conversely, when Gabriel told the virgin, Mary that she would conceive a child, she said almost the same words as Zechariah did.  She initially said, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34). Yet her attitude was not one of doubt like Zechariah.  It was one of faith and obedience, because she later said, "may it be done to me according to your word." (Lk 1:38).  The angel and the Lord saw the difference, and she was blessed by God.

When you listen to or read a message, and you are unsure whether it is true, approach it with a "Mary attitude" not a "Zechariah attitude."

Shouldn't We Search the Scriptures?
When Paul preached to the people of Berea, they checked what he said against the word.  The Bible says, they were "examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."  So shouldn't we do the same? Yes, but again, your attitude in doing so must be the same as the Bereans. Their attitude was that they "they received the word with great eagerness." (Ac 17:11).

When you listen to or read someone's message from the Lord, until your test has proven them to be false, receive the word with great eagerness and definitely examine the Scriptures to see whether the things they are saying are truly so.

Testing the Spirits
As I wrote in The Rise of Antichrists, the apostle John warned us that there would be many antichrists.  He warned us to test the spirits, and not to believe them all.  He gave us a simple way to test them, saying, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world." (1Jn 4:1-3).  According to this simple test, the way you know whether the spirit by which a person speaks is from God is that it confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.  On the other hand, every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.  This is a helpful test.

However, even then we must be careful, because plenty of false religions confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, such as the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.  The Mormons do not believe the Bible to be inerrant, complete or the final word of God; therefore, they have accepted false doctrines that nullify the Word of God.  Likewise, the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, and they consider themselves devoted followers of His. However, they too hold to false teachings, such as their belief that Jesus Christ was Michael, the archangel, who came in the flesh!  They do not believe that Jesus Christ is God. Therefore, while John's simple litmus test of the spirits is helpful, it alone will not expose all false prophets.  We should view it as a basic, first-level test of the spirits.  That is why we also need the "fruit test" given to us by our Lord Jesus, as well as the "Berean test," which I have already explained earlier.

When Does Unity Take Priority?
Oftentimes people want to maintain unity in the Body at all costs.  But that is not biblical either.  Jesus said He did not come to bring peace, but division.  "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." (Luk 12:51-53 NASB). So when is it appropriate to set aside differences for the sake of unity?

In the fifth century, Augustine said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” This really sums it up well, so please allow me to explain what it means.

In Non Essentials, Liberty
If two parties have differing views or practices that are non-essential, and they either cannot come to agreement, or they see no need to be in agreement on those matters, then they should overlook their differences. This is a case where they need to give liberty to one another.

Perhaps one party prefers a choir at their church, and the other prefers a worship team.  Or one prefers pews to cushioned chairs.  Or one likes to shout when he preaches and the other prefers to speak calmly.  Or they differ on whether Matthias or Paul replaced Judas as the twelfth apostle.  Unity takes priority over these differences.

In Essentials Unity
On the other hand, when at least one party believes that the matter is an essential one in the Christian faith, and that it cannot be any other way, then they must work to resolve the difference.  There is no other option.  One party cannot counsel the other to stop focusing on the matter, and expect to silence them on something they believe is essential.  Doing so would violate the person's conscience and deeply held convictions.

One example would be if one party believes that Jesus did not come in the flesh.  Anyone who does not believe that Jesus came in the flesh is not from God. We cannot compromise on this.  So the person who does not believe that Jesus came in the flesh must either get into agreement with the Word or lose the relationship with the other party. The same goes for anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God's Son, or that there are many ways to be saved through other religions apart from Christ.

Another example would be if someone receives a revelation from God, such as the Lord speaking to him or taking him to heaven or hell to witness something first-hand. Such a person would have a testimony about his experience and would speak about the revelation God gave to him.  If someone else has a reservation about his experiences and his message, they cannot simply dismiss it as not from God, unless it clearly contradicts plain Scripture.  Otherwise, they cannot simply say it's not what the Bible says.

The person who is confronted with this other one, who's had the revelation, dream or vision from the Lord must do due diligence to test the fruit of the one they suspect could be a false prophet.  If they find the fruit to be good, and the message does not contradict Scripture, then they need to come into unity with the person receiving the revelation.

In All Things, Love
Regardless of whether the matter is one of essentials or non-essentials, we have to always treat people with love.  We need to treat them the way we would like to be treated (Luk 6:31).  So in the process of checking fruit and making a determination, our attitude and behavior must be a loving one.  The apostle Paul said,

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1Co 13:4-7 NASB)  That's how we should handle someone we suspect could be a false prophet. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of darkness.

When Paul said love believes all things, I think there are at least a couple different applications.  We should believe all things the person is saying, until we have proven them false. Don't begin with the assumption that what they say is a lie. If you do so, then you yourself may have L.I.E.S. Secondly, assume they are innocent until proven guilty.  The US justice system is based on this principle.  Give them the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise, lest you find yourself rejecting one of God's true messengers.

You need to love the Truth (2 Thes 2:10). However, bear in mind that we all know just a part of the truth, and we prophesy in part. "For we know in part and we prophesy in part;" (1Co 13:9 NASB).  This means that no single individual or church has a corner on the Truth.  The Lord has given part of it to various members of the Body, so that we are dependent upon each other.  Therefore, don’t just love the part of the truth that you or your church group subscribes to.  Ask the Lord to show you the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  And remember that the Truth is a Person, whose name is Jesus Christ, and who speaks through His mufti-faceted Body.

Rejecting Jesus
You need to be very careful you don't reject Jesus in the process of testing for a false prophet.  If the person is a true messenger of God and you reject them, then you are rejecting Jesus.  He told His disciples, “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects Me.” (Lk 10:16). He also said that whatever you do to the least of these brothers of His, you do it to Him.

The way to avoid possibly rejecting Jesus is to prepare your own heart through repentance.  Those who had been baptized with the baptism of repentance, by John the Baptist, acknowledged God's justice. (see Luk 7:29).  John's calling was to preach that people should prepare the way for the Lord through repentance (see Mk 1:3-4). Those who did so were well positioned to receive Jesus.

"But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John." (Luk 7:30 NASB).  Beware you are not like the Pharisees and lawyers, who did not repent.  It is possible to repent and to know you have repented, yet, have no fruits of repentance. In that case, you have repented with no evidence. There is no broken heart, no sincerity!  If you are like that, then you are positioned to reject God's purpose for yourself.  You could easily end up rejecting one of God's messengers, and thereby rejecting Jesus.

You’ve got to receive the kingdom like a little child, or you will not enter it at all (Mk 10:15; Lk 18:17).  So have a childlike attitude in the way you receive kingdom messengers.  Remember that Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. He also told His disciples, "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. (Mat 10:40). This means that when you receive a true messenger of God, you receive Him.

Therefore, you’ll receive a prophet’s reward, if you receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, and you’ll receive a righteous man’s reward, if you receive a righteous man as a righteous man (Mk 10:40). Conversely, if you do not listen to the prophet of God or righteous messenger, it will certainly not bode well for you.  Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet against the town of those who would not listen to them, as a testimony against them.  And He said it would be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for such a town.

Listening to Input
It’s important to always remain accountable, correctable, and teachable, as I have written about in another blog.  Appolos was like that.  Although he was eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, instructed in the way of the Lord, speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, he was only acquainted with John's baptism of repentance.  "But when Priscilla and Aquila...took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately," he received their input and made the adjustment. 

So does that mean that we do everything that people counsel us to to or believe everything they tell us to believe?  No.  Each of us must ultimately determine through prayer, the Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit what the Lord is saying. 

There will be times when someone holds fast to what they are firmly convinced of in God's Word to be true, and they don't waiver from it.  They sincerely believe the Lord has made it clear that this is an "essential."  If they do not back down from their position, when you try to give them input or share your concerns, you should be careful not to assume they are closed to input or refusing to listen. Consider the other possibility that it could be you who is unwilling to listen.

Even Appolos, once he made the adjustment, went on to "powerfully refute the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ." (Act 18:28 NASB). He stood firm against them in debate.

Martin Luther

Peter and John are also good examples.  The religious leaders of Jerusalem ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. "But Peter and John answered and said to them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Act 4:19-20 NASB). The Council members could easily say that the apostles were not listening to them or not receiving their counsel.  I only use this as an example to show that there are situations like this when we disciples need to stand our ground, because we must always obey God, even if it means disobeying man.

Stephen was like this, too. Some men from a synagogue rose up to argue with him, "but they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." (Act 6:10 NASB).  He didn't go looking for an argument, yet when they brought one to him, he didn't compromise, but spoke boldly for the Lord.

The Lord did promise to give us words and wisdom that none of our adversaries would be able to resist or contradict (Lk 21:15).  This means there will be times when you need to stand up for what you believe and not back down.  Just be meek and humble about it.

Martin Luther, the reformer that preached against abuses and false doctrines in the Catholic Church, was given the opportunity to recant some of his statements: “Do you defend them all or do you care to reject a part?”

He replied without horns or teeth, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils because they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” There before the Diet of Worms, Germany in 1521, he took his stand for the truth, knowing he could be burned at the stake like his predecessor, Jan Hus.

Jan Hus

About a hundred years earlier, Hus had preached against the doctrines of the Catholic Church, such as indulgences.  His opponents displayed bad fruit in the way they handled it.  They also failed to check his fruit.  They based their test solely on the fact that he didn't agree with their official position.  When given the chance to recant his teachings, he refused to do so.  He cried out to God for help, and they silenced him.

He later fell upon his knees and asked God with a low voice to forgive all his enemies. His last words were, "Christ, son of the Living God, have mercy on us!"  This is another great example of someone who didn't back down from the truth, and whom the Church viewed as a false teacher.  Consequently, in 1415 they burned him at the stake for it.

Putting it All Together

I have written about this today, because I believe these are widespread issues in the church.  This is not about one isolated incident, but a pattern I have seen in various places.  Let's not be ignorant of the enemy's schemes.

We live in the last days when deception from false prophets is on the rise.  If we were to count all the false prophets in the world today, I suppose it would number in the hundreds or thousands.  They are wolves in sheep's clothing.

The Church needs to watch out for them, and the shepherds are responsible to identify them.  But the Church needs to stop using merely the intellectual test of doctrinal correctness (although that is certainly still needed), and return once again to the true test of the false prophet that Jesus commanded -- the fruit test.

Otherwise you could end up rejecting God's purpose for your life and treat true messengers like false prophets.  This would be a symptom of having a condition known as L.I.E.S.  The Lord knows that this is the evil generation, and that even many Christians are not believing correctly.  So in His mercy, He is giving prophecies, visions, dreams, and revelations to many people on an unprecedented level, in order to warn the Church to wake up.  But you have a choice to either disregard them all, and throw out their message, or test the fruit of these messengers.

There are two dangers affecting the Church -- lies and L.I.E.S.  And you need to do your part to guard against both.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The images of John Hus and Martin Luther are faithful photographic reproductions of original two-dimensional works of art. The works of art are in the public domain and images were taken from Wikimedia Commons.The portrait of Luther was done by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a German Renaissance painter.

Author's note:  Also see Judging Revelations, Visions, and Prophecies, Discerning the Things of the Spirit, Exposing Heresy, A Warning to the Nay Sayers, Scripture Alone, The Rise of Antichrists, Sequence of Signs Preceding the Coming of Christ, and Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit: What's the Difference?  And I invite you to visit Eternal Destinations, where you will find many testimonies of people claiming to have a revelation from God, a vision, or a dream.  You can find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and also access my complete blog collection of blogs at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.