The trumpet Call

Published by Beth Tanach

Box 50206, Marlborough Postal Outlet

Calgary, Alberta T2A 7P1

Telephone (403) 948-5401 email ldmitch@cadvision.com

March 2001 Issue # 3

The angel of the Lord

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

If no one has ever seen the Father, then it must have been Jesus who appeared before the Old Testament saint. Often he appeared as The Angel of the Lord. (a theophany.)

The Angel of the Lord appeared before Hagar.

Genesis 16:7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

Hagar identified this Angel as El-Roi, the God who sees. The Bible identifies him as the LORD (i.e. Jehovah)

Genesis 16:13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

The Angel of the Lord appeared before Jacob.

Genesis 31:11: And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

The Angel of the Lord identifies Himself as God.
Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

At Bethel, this Angel identified himself as the God of Abraham and of Isaac.

Genesis 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

Jesus told Nathaniel that he was the One whom Jacob saw at Bethel.

John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

When Jacob returned to Bethel, he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord.

Hosea 12:3 through Hosea 12:4 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

Hosea identified this Angel as the LORD. (i.e. Jehovah)

Hosea 12:5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

Jacob identified the Angel of the Lord as God.

Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

The Angel of the Lord appeared before Moses in the burning bush.

Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

The Angel identifies himself as I AM.

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Jesus identified himself as I AM.

“There are seven instances in this gospel (i.e. John) where our Lord uses this short sentence with telling effect. We miss most of them in our English Bible, for the translators so often felt that it was necessary to add the word “he”. It is not in the original. In one instance the words are translated “It is I”. But in every case the greek has simply Ego Eimi. I Am.”. The Seven Great I Am’s, Archibald Campbell, Christian Literature Crusade, page 17.

Here are the seven places where Jesus publicly proclaims that He is I am. Note:I have taken the liberty to remove the added words from the original text.

John 4:25-26 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I am that speak unto thee.

Using the words I am, Jesus publicly proclaims that he is the Messiah or the Christ.

John 6:19-20 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, I am; be not afraid.

After demonstrating that He had the power to walk upon the water, Jesus proclaims that He is I am.

John 8:24 For if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.

Jesus declares that if you reject the truth that he is I am, You will die in your sins. That is a polite way of saying you will be damned to eternal hell.

John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

There have been many false Messiahs who would never think of dying for someone else. Jesus proclaims when he has been lifted up on the cross, then we will know that He is I am. This is because Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would die for the sins of his people.

Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The method of his death is also significant for Zechariah told us that the Messiah would be pierced.

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

John 8:57-58 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Here Jesus proclaims that Abraham knew Him. He then says that He is I am. The Jews thought he was committing blaspheme, and tried to stone him. (See John 8:59

John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am.

The resurrection from the dead, is the greatest proof that Jesus is the I am, that is spoken of in the Bible. Many false Messiahs have come and gone, they died, and their bodies remain in the grave. But Jesus is different, for He rose from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

John 18:4-8 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

When Jesus made his proclamation that he was I am, His enemies fell to the ground.

Moses proclaimed that the Angel had the power to forgive sins. This angel possessed the name of God.

Exodus 23:20 through Exodus 23:21 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

Moses did talk to Jehovah face to face. Since no one has ever seen the Father (John 1:18), we have to conclude that he was talking to the Son.

Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.

The Angel of the Lord appeared before Manoah and his wife.

Judges 13:3 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

The Angel said his name was Pilee, here translated as secret.

Judges 13:18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

That same Hebrew word is translated Wonderful in Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Manoah identified the Angel of the Lord as God.

Judges 13:22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

Abraham also saw God. (Remember no one has seen the Father John 1:18!) He was identified as the Word of God.

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Abraham address the Word of God, as Lord Jehovah.

Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me?

The Book of Psalms Identifies the Word of God as the Creator.

Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made.

In the New Testament, the creator is also identified as the Word of God.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Revelation 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Jesus claimed to be the God of Abraham.

John 8:52 -58 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

The Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord. (Remember no one has ever seen God the Father. John 1:18)

Isaiah 6:1-5 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

The New Testament declares that Isaiah saw Jesus in his glory.

John 12:37-41 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Note NIV translation: Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

Note the quote from Isaiah chapter 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Although Jesus appeared as the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament, he is not an angel. Angels are created beings, the Son of God is eternal.

Hebrews 1:6-8 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Jesus is not Michael the Archangel. For Michael the Archangel and Jesus appear together in Daniel chapter 10.

Daniel 10:21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Note: the speaker is Jesus. (Compare Revelation 1 with Daniel chapter 10)

Check out my other sites:

The Trinity:

http://www.oocities.org/smithtj.geo/bt/trinity.html

The Divinity of Jesus:

http://www.oocities.org/smithtj.geo/bt/tc2/jesus.html

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We would invite you out to one of our Bible studies.

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