the word is god
It was in the opening words of the fourth Gospel where the great truth was capsulated for us, that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with [pros, toward] God, and the Word was God". Whether it is the spoken word, or the word written first in the stars and gradually upon the pages of the Bible, or that living Word who walked among men two thousand years ago, its purpose is always the same, to make known that which has been hidden. This has always been the purpose of GOD’s word, even from the beginning!
The "word was GOD" because it revealed the hidden GOD. As GOD is spirit and thus invisible and cannot be seen or felt, we can only know HIM as HE reveals HIMself. One of the primary ways HE has chosen to do this is with words. Out of the "thick darkness" HE has chosen to speak with words of enlightenment.
Him in the above passage might better be translated it as Tyndale thus rendered it in the first English printed version of the Bible. The word Him evidently elbowed its way into the text because of the false doctrine of the Trinity, which propagated the assumption that Yeshua (Jesus) was that word which was in the beginning with GOD. They assumed and argued that this passage must be talking about the man from Nazareth being literally with GOD in the beginning, which of course He was not, except as were others- in GOD’s foreknowledge (see EPHESIANS 1:4 and 2 TIMOTHY 1:9).
So, GOD’s word was "in the beginning" pointing towards HIM and without that word "was not anything made that was made". This statement from John's Gospel is confirmed by the creation story in GENESIS chapter one, when, GOD said. Scripture tells us that GOD said and it was so; "Let there be light" and there was light; "Let there be a firmament" and there was; "Let the waters…be gathered together" and they were; "Let the earth bring forth" and it did; "Let there be lights…in heaven" and it was so; "Let the waters bring forth…the moving creature" and it was so; "Let the earth bring forth the living creature" and it was so; "Let us make man in our image" and it was so; GOD spoke this world into being with HIS words and therefore all creation points towards its Creator.
The psalmist also testified to this, writing "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (PSALM 19:1). And again, "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (PSALM 33:6-9). Isaiah was similarly inspired to write of GOD's work, "I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself" (ISAIAH 44:24).
Perhaps a less prejudiced and more accurate rendering than that given us by the Trinitarian King James' Version of these first five verses of the fourth Gospel, is that of the Concordant Literal New Testament.
GOD's word is as light which dispels the darkness and makes known the invisible GOD (PSALM 119:130). Without the light of the word, GOD cannot be clearly understood. If one's mind is not enlightened by the words of GOD, then he cannot possibly understand what GOD is all about. As the apostle Paul wrote, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost [perishing]: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-4).
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It all turns upon this word of GOD. Where GOD's word is, there is enlightenment; where it is not, there is only stumbling and fumbling. This is why Satan was so intent upon preventing or at least hindering people from coming into the light of the word. Whether it is as the Serpent in the Garden, or as the tempter of our Lord in the wilderness, as the "wicked one" in the field, or even as an angel of light, his aim was always the same. His objective, his very purpose was to question the word spoken, to cause doubt in the word written, to choke the word sown and to blind the mind to the light of the gospel.
Notwithstanding, the prophet Isaiah wrote that "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (ISAIAH 40:8). Only one thing has GOD magnified above HIS name, that is HIS word (PSALM 138:21). Knowing all this, what shall we esteem higher or of more importance than GOD’s word?
Even our Lord had to Himself decide whether or not to bow to the word of GOD. He had a will, and He had desires, but He had to set aside His own desires and become obedient to GOD’s word. He had to say, "not my will, but thine, be done". Thus He "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross".
Regardless what torturous pain and suffering it was going to cost Him, even unto the agonizing death of the cross, "the scriptures must be fulfilled!" Thus he made choice to become obedient to the word. Likewise, what we become is the result of the choices we decide upon, as Yeshua also testified according to Matthew’s Gospel,
As GOD cannot contradict HIMself, with the written word we have a means whereby we can measure other words. Do the words of our closest friends flow with, or do they flow against the written word? Do the words of our Pastor cut across or harmonize with the written word? Do our own thoughts or our long-held traditions have their roots in the written word or are they built upon the imaginations and superstitions of the religious establishment?
As we live life, we are consistently being told what to think about this or that. Do we reject the counsel of the world and conform to the counsel of Scripture, or do we reject the counsel of Scripture and conform to the counsel of the world? We must choose to allow the Scriptures to shape our beliefs, and not be fashioned by the traditions of the Church. Only by this way will we find the life He came to make available. As our Lord declared, "...the words that I speak unto you...they are life" (JOHN 6:63). The course we cleave to, will determine whether or not we find that life.
Whenever HIS Book is opened, our hearts should rejoice as if a great treasure had been found. This is how it was for the remnant, the chosen of Israel, after they had returned from their Babylonian captivity. When Ezra the scribe read from the law "from the morning until midday", it is written that "when he opened it, all the people stood up" (NEHEMIAH 8:5). They were so thankful to once again find the way which had been for so long lost, that they all stood to hear the Scriptures read. What priceless treasure we have here if we only fully realized it.
Fortunately for us today, the Bible has no seals upon it forbidding us to open it and look within. There is no "strong angel" preventing us from entering in. Not even the "Romish Church" can any longer threaten those called by GOD with tortures and death for daring to cast their eyes upon its page. Most can at their own leisure enter in and feast upon its treasures.
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We can learn both of the love as well as of the wrath of Almighty GOD. We can be given a glimpse of the beginning as well as of the ending of HIS purposes. We can see what has been lost and we can discover what has been found. We can witness attempts by the Adversary to frustrate the purposes of GOD come to naught, and we can learn how to trust only in HIS omnipotence. We can see ourselves drawn out of the darkness and into the light by the patience of an eternal GOD.
It is interesting that out of all nations of the world, GOD chose only one, Israel. And out of all Israel HE chose only one city, Jerusalem. And within all Jerusalem HE chose a single place to dwell, the Temple. And within that temple, was one most holy thing, the Ark of GOD. And placed within that ark, GOD selected one special item, HIS written word! GOD has impressed upon us the most vital importance of the written word. Wise is the man who puts his trust therein.
GOD has not however limited HIS word to a single form. When most Christians think of GOD's word, they picture only the Bible. True, as our Lord promised, "one jot [the Hebrew letter `, the smallest of them all] or one tittle [the little lines or projections, by which the Hebrew letters in other respects similar differ from one another] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (MATTHEW 5:18). Every minute detail of the law was to be fulfilled; but not the law nor even this Bible itself, as great as it is, can contain all the words of GOD.
Our Lord used this written word to answer Satan's temptations with it is written. The tempter had tried to get Yeshua to question who He was by asking, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread". The author and finisher of our faith fired back, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [thing] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (MATTHEW 4:4). Every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of God are more than just the words which are bound together in our Bibles. What Scripture does for us is show us the way unto every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD and those are the things which actually show us the way into life. Those are the things which we are ultimately suppose to "live by".
It has been taught that the Bible is the "Revealed Word and Will of GOD". That may be true, but that is not the whole truth. The word of GOD was spoken before it was ever written. The written word lies within the spoken word, for it was the spoken word which was in the beginning, pointing towards GOD. Eventually HIS word began to be written in the Book, but the Bible cannot possibly be the sole depositing of GOD's word.
Furthermore, the Bible contains the words of many different participants. Of course it contains the words of the Creator, but it also contains the words of HIS created. The words of the Serpent, the words of the angels, the words of devil spirits, the words of man, even the words of Balaam's ass are found within its covers.
Sometimes the words of GOD's created speak the truth, but often the words spoken are as Job's "miserable comforters" of whom GOD said, "ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right" (JOB 42:7). Sometimes the true word is spoken by evil men, as did the High Priest when he crafted our Lord's capture and murder, prophesying, "Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not" (JOHN 11:49-50).
In addition, much of the Bible is simply GOD's servants venting themselves to their Maker, as is the thirteenth psalm.
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However, most of the Bible is simply narration. So if the Bible isn't solely the Word and Will of GOD, of what profit is it? That is a very important question and must receive an immediate answer. The Bible reveals the true way! It is the true way of and it is the true way unto. Scripture is the revealed way of the hidden GOD. It is also the true way of angels, both those in good stead and those who have fallen. This Scripture reveals the true way of man; the way of both the sons of Beliel as well as the sons of GOD. It shows the way of a vengeful GOD and the way of a forgiving heavenly Father. This written word also reveals to us the very purpose of the ages.
Not only is the Bible the way of the creation, it also reveals to us the way unto the Creator. It reveals the true way, the very path unto life. Entering the Bible is like entering through a door into the hidden kingdom of GOD. As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17).
Adhering to this written word keeps us on the narrow way through the "strait gate" unto GOD's kingdom. It reproves us when we become vain and foolish. It chastens us when we are lifted up with pride. It encourages us when we fall into despair. Ultimately, Scripture reveals to us the way of the called, even the very way of the chosen unto their Creator.
So we must cleave unto this written word, but let us not think we have in our hands "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD". Those words are spoken, they are sown and implanted in our hearts as HE determines to send them.
It is by that spoken word of GOD that we are turned from death unto life. Those are the words that illuminate our understanding. The Bible on its own accord cannot enlighten us, otherwise everyone who read the Book would become enlightened. Enlightenment requires a hearing. HIS written word opens our ears to HIS spoken word and by HIS spoken word we shall someday be awakened and ushered into HIS kingdom, a place of enlightenment where eternal life reigns. The old life of the old man should be abandoned and this new life of the new man, the new creation should be embraced. In the old life we were enemies in our minds by evil works. Now as we renew or renovate our minds to HIS word, we are being prepared unto good works and developing the necessary fruit of the spirit.
page 4/4^
It was in the opening words of the fourth Gospel where the great truth was capsulated for us, that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with [pros, toward] God, and the Word was God". Whether it is the spoken word, or the word written first in the stars and gradually upon the pages of the Bible, or that living Word who walked among men two thousand years ago, its purpose is always the same, to make known that which has been hidden. This has always been the purpose of GOD’s word, even from the beginning!
The "word was GOD" because it revealed the hidden GOD. As GOD is spirit and thus invisible and cannot be seen or felt, we can only know HIM as HE reveals HIMself. One of the primary ways HE has chosen to do this is with words. Out of the "thick darkness" HE has chosen to speak with words of enlightenment.
- JOHN 1:3 All things were made by him [it, the word]; and without him [it, the word] was not any thing made that was made.
Him in the above passage might better be translated it as Tyndale thus rendered it in the first English printed version of the Bible. The word Him evidently elbowed its way into the text because of the false doctrine of the Trinity, which propagated the assumption that Yeshua (Jesus) was that word which was in the beginning with GOD. They assumed and argued that this passage must be talking about the man from Nazareth being literally with GOD in the beginning, which of course He was not, except as were others- in GOD’s foreknowledge (see EPHESIANS 1:4 and 2 TIMOTHY 1:9).
So, GOD’s word was "in the beginning" pointing towards HIM and without that word "was not anything made that was made". This statement from John's Gospel is confirmed by the creation story in GENESIS chapter one, when, GOD said. Scripture tells us that GOD said and it was so; "Let there be light" and there was light; "Let there be a firmament" and there was; "Let the waters…be gathered together" and they were; "Let the earth bring forth" and it did; "Let there be lights…in heaven" and it was so; "Let the waters bring forth…the moving creature" and it was so; "Let the earth bring forth the living creature" and it was so; "Let us make man in our image" and it was so; GOD spoke this world into being with HIS words and therefore all creation points towards its Creator.
The psalmist also testified to this, writing "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (PSALM 19:1). And again, "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (PSALM 33:6-9). Isaiah was similarly inspired to write of GOD's work, "I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself" (ISAIAH 44:24).
Perhaps a less prejudiced and more accurate rendering than that given us by the Trinitarian King James' Version of these first five verses of the fourth Gospel, is that of the Concordant Literal New Testament.
- In the beginning was the word, and the word was toward God, and God was the word. This was in the beginning toward God. All came into being through it, and apart from it not even one thing came into being which has come into being. In it was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light is appearing in the darkness, and the darkness grasped it not.
GOD's word is as light which dispels the darkness and makes known the invisible GOD (PSALM 119:130). Without the light of the word, GOD cannot be clearly understood. If one's mind is not enlightened by the words of GOD, then he cannot possibly understand what GOD is all about. As the apostle Paul wrote, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost [perishing]: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-4).
page 1/4^
It all turns upon this word of GOD. Where GOD's word is, there is enlightenment; where it is not, there is only stumbling and fumbling. This is why Satan was so intent upon preventing or at least hindering people from coming into the light of the word. Whether it is as the Serpent in the Garden, or as the tempter of our Lord in the wilderness, as the "wicked one" in the field, or even as an angel of light, his aim was always the same. His objective, his very purpose was to question the word spoken, to cause doubt in the word written, to choke the word sown and to blind the mind to the light of the gospel.
Notwithstanding, the prophet Isaiah wrote that "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (ISAIAH 40:8). Only one thing has GOD magnified above HIS name, that is HIS word (PSALM 138:21). Knowing all this, what shall we esteem higher or of more importance than GOD’s word?
Even our Lord had to Himself decide whether or not to bow to the word of GOD. He had a will, and He had desires, but He had to set aside His own desires and become obedient to GOD’s word. He had to say, "not my will, but thine, be done". Thus He "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross".
- MARK 14:48-49 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled…
Regardless what torturous pain and suffering it was going to cost Him, even unto the agonizing death of the cross, "the scriptures must be fulfilled!" Thus he made choice to become obedient to the word. Likewise, what we become is the result of the choices we decide upon, as Yeshua also testified according to Matthew’s Gospel,
- MATTHEW 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
As GOD cannot contradict HIMself, with the written word we have a means whereby we can measure other words. Do the words of our closest friends flow with, or do they flow against the written word? Do the words of our Pastor cut across or harmonize with the written word? Do our own thoughts or our long-held traditions have their roots in the written word or are they built upon the imaginations and superstitions of the religious establishment?
As we live life, we are consistently being told what to think about this or that. Do we reject the counsel of the world and conform to the counsel of Scripture, or do we reject the counsel of Scripture and conform to the counsel of the world? We must choose to allow the Scriptures to shape our beliefs, and not be fashioned by the traditions of the Church. Only by this way will we find the life He came to make available. As our Lord declared, "...the words that I speak unto you...they are life" (JOHN 6:63). The course we cleave to, will determine whether or not we find that life.
Whenever HIS Book is opened, our hearts should rejoice as if a great treasure had been found. This is how it was for the remnant, the chosen of Israel, after they had returned from their Babylonian captivity. When Ezra the scribe read from the law "from the morning until midday", it is written that "when he opened it, all the people stood up" (NEHEMIAH 8:5). They were so thankful to once again find the way which had been for so long lost, that they all stood to hear the Scriptures read. What priceless treasure we have here if we only fully realized it.
Fortunately for us today, the Bible has no seals upon it forbidding us to open it and look within. There is no "strong angel" preventing us from entering in. Not even the "Romish Church" can any longer threaten those called by GOD with tortures and death for daring to cast their eyes upon its page. Most can at their own leisure enter in and feast upon its treasures.
page 2/4^
We can learn both of the love as well as of the wrath of Almighty GOD. We can be given a glimpse of the beginning as well as of the ending of HIS purposes. We can see what has been lost and we can discover what has been found. We can witness attempts by the Adversary to frustrate the purposes of GOD come to naught, and we can learn how to trust only in HIS omnipotence. We can see ourselves drawn out of the darkness and into the light by the patience of an eternal GOD.
It is interesting that out of all nations of the world, GOD chose only one, Israel. And out of all Israel HE chose only one city, Jerusalem. And within all Jerusalem HE chose a single place to dwell, the Temple. And within that temple, was one most holy thing, the Ark of GOD. And placed within that ark, GOD selected one special item, HIS written word! GOD has impressed upon us the most vital importance of the written word. Wise is the man who puts his trust therein.
GOD has not however limited HIS word to a single form. When most Christians think of GOD's word, they picture only the Bible. True, as our Lord promised, "one jot [the Hebrew letter `, the smallest of them all] or one tittle [the little lines or projections, by which the Hebrew letters in other respects similar differ from one another] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (MATTHEW 5:18). Every minute detail of the law was to be fulfilled; but not the law nor even this Bible itself, as great as it is, can contain all the words of GOD.
Our Lord used this written word to answer Satan's temptations with it is written. The tempter had tried to get Yeshua to question who He was by asking, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread". The author and finisher of our faith fired back, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [thing] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (MATTHEW 4:4). Every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of God are more than just the words which are bound together in our Bibles. What Scripture does for us is show us the way unto every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD and those are the things which actually show us the way into life. Those are the things which we are ultimately suppose to "live by".
It has been taught that the Bible is the "Revealed Word and Will of GOD". That may be true, but that is not the whole truth. The word of GOD was spoken before it was ever written. The written word lies within the spoken word, for it was the spoken word which was in the beginning, pointing towards GOD. Eventually HIS word began to be written in the Book, but the Bible cannot possibly be the sole depositing of GOD's word.
Furthermore, the Bible contains the words of many different participants. Of course it contains the words of the Creator, but it also contains the words of HIS created. The words of the Serpent, the words of the angels, the words of devil spirits, the words of man, even the words of Balaam's ass are found within its covers.
Sometimes the words of GOD's created speak the truth, but often the words spoken are as Job's "miserable comforters" of whom GOD said, "ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right" (JOB 42:7). Sometimes the true word is spoken by evil men, as did the High Priest when he crafted our Lord's capture and murder, prophesying, "Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not" (JOHN 11:49-50).
In addition, much of the Bible is simply GOD's servants venting themselves to their Maker, as is the thirteenth psalm.
- PSALM 13:1-6 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? how long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
page 3/4^
However, most of the Bible is simply narration. So if the Bible isn't solely the Word and Will of GOD, of what profit is it? That is a very important question and must receive an immediate answer. The Bible reveals the true way! It is the true way of and it is the true way unto. Scripture is the revealed way of the hidden GOD. It is also the true way of angels, both those in good stead and those who have fallen. This Scripture reveals the true way of man; the way of both the sons of Beliel as well as the sons of GOD. It shows the way of a vengeful GOD and the way of a forgiving heavenly Father. This written word also reveals to us the very purpose of the ages.
Not only is the Bible the way of the creation, it also reveals to us the way unto the Creator. It reveals the true way, the very path unto life. Entering the Bible is like entering through a door into the hidden kingdom of GOD. As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17).
Adhering to this written word keeps us on the narrow way through the "strait gate" unto GOD's kingdom. It reproves us when we become vain and foolish. It chastens us when we are lifted up with pride. It encourages us when we fall into despair. Ultimately, Scripture reveals to us the way of the called, even the very way of the chosen unto their Creator.
So we must cleave unto this written word, but let us not think we have in our hands "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD". Those words are spoken, they are sown and implanted in our hearts as HE determines to send them.
It is by that spoken word of GOD that we are turned from death unto life. Those are the words that illuminate our understanding. The Bible on its own accord cannot enlighten us, otherwise everyone who read the Book would become enlightened. Enlightenment requires a hearing. HIS written word opens our ears to HIS spoken word and by HIS spoken word we shall someday be awakened and ushered into HIS kingdom, a place of enlightenment where eternal life reigns. The old life of the old man should be abandoned and this new life of the new man, the new creation should be embraced. In the old life we were enemies in our minds by evil works. Now as we renew or renovate our minds to HIS word, we are being prepared unto good works and developing the necessary fruit of the spirit.
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