Jesus Reveals the Father

When Jesus was revealing the existence of God the Father and his plan for the salvation of humanity, many of the things he said offended the Jewish religious leaders. These leaders were offended because what he said was a condemnation of their perverted view of God and their incorrect worship of him.

"Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him [Jesus], because he not only had broken the Sabbath [according to their interpretation of the law], but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that he does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel" (Jn.5:18-20 KJV).

Over and over again, through his teachings, Jesus made it clear that he was the Creator God, the Son of God, and the Redeemer and Savior of humanity. However, most of the people he spoke to did not believe him because they were looking for a release from their physical problems instead of their spiritual problems.

AUTHORITY FROM THE FATHER

The Jewish religious leaders were always asking Jesus where he got the authority to teach the things that he taught and to prove that he was sent from God (Lk.20:1-8). In reply to these leaders' lack of understanding concerning his authority to teach what he did, and his relationship to the Sovereign God, Jesus said the following:

"I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me. The leaders replied, Where is your Father? And Jesus answered, 'You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also" (Jn.8:18-19 KJV).

Paraphrased in modern English Jesus said in verse 19: Look, if you had really known the God you profess to obey, you would have known me and my Father.

John 8:26-38 KJV

"I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he [God the Father] that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him. They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father" (vs.26-27).

When one understands that the Word and the Light the apostle John spoke of (Jn.1:1-9) is Jesus Christ, and that the God that the Word was with and sent from is the Sovereign God (God the Father), one can easily understand why Jesus said he heard the things that he taught directly from the Father:

"Then Jesus said to them, When you have lifted up the son of man [crucified him], then shall you know that I am [I AM, i.e., GOD] he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I always do those things that please him. . ..

Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (vs.28-32).

When the Jews heard what Jesus said concerning his position in the Family of God, and the message he was teaching about spiritual freedom, they became very angry:

"We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free? Jesus replied, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the son abides ever. If the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father" (vs.33-38).

Because of their self-righteous attitude, these Jews who wanted to kill Jesus could not understand the message that he was bringing from God the Father. Jesus told them bluntly that he received the things that he taught from his Father who is the Sovereign God of all that exists. If Jesus received these things while he was with the Father, he must have been in heaven where the Father resides. Either Jesus was telling the truth or he was lying. If he lied, he would not be our Savior.

A GREAT DECEPTION

Over and over again our Savior called the Supreme Sovereign whom he served 'Father', and over and over again he spoke about the father-son relationship between himself and the Sovereign God who was in heaven. If what Jesus said about his status in the God family is true, and what he said about God the Father is true, why do so many people believe that there is only one God-being?

The reason that there is so much confusion and misunderstanding among professing Christians today about God, the Family of God, God the Father, and Jesus Christ is quite simple. Satan has deceived most of them into believing that there is only one God-being or that God is a trinity of beings. Moreover, he has deceived the rest of the world into believing that the true God does not exist, and worshiping a false god. See Rev.12:9; 18:23; 19:20; 20:10.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour" (1.Pet.5:8 KJV).

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God [God the Father], and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night" (Rev.12:9-10 KJV).

Notice that it is Satan who deceives the whole world, and a great part of this deception is the teaching that God the Father and Jesus Christ are not separate individual God-beings.

BEFORE CHRIST

Before the advent of Jesus Christ, virtually no one knew that God the Father existed. From the scriptural record it seems that only a few were privileged to understand that there was more than one being in the God family. But for the most part, the Father who those of ancient Israel knew and worshiped was the Creator God who became the Savior. This may seem confusing, but the Savior was the One who created all things; therefore, he was the Father of all creation.

Many of the prophets, priests, and perhaps King David understood the relationship between the Father and the Son:

"The Lord [Yahweh] said to my Lord [Adon], Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool" (Psa.110:1 KJV).

Here, the Father is talking to David's Lord—the Creator God.

Speaking to the Scribes about the commandments, Christ said, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, . . ." (Mk.12:29-30 KJV).

In context, this scripture is very easy to explain. Christ was not trying to reveal the identity of God; he was answering a question put forth by the Scribes about the commandments (see verse 28). However, in explaining the first commandment, Christ who was the God of Israel stated that the nation of Israel should love God. But which God was he speaking of? The being he refers to as "Our God" (his God also) is the one he came to reveal—God the Father. Yes, "the Lord our God is one Lord"; the living Savior is one God, and the Father is the other God. See 1.Cor.8:6.

Remember the apostle Paul said the understanding of what God was doing here on earth was a mystery (see Col.2:2). This mystery also includes what the God family is and who comprises it.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, there is a Sovereign Father who reigns supreme above our Savior. And this Supreme Sovereign is the One our Savior said he was sent to reveal.

NO HUMAN HAS SEEN GOD THE FATHER

There are two scriptures that many people believe refer to the Creator God that no human has ever seen or heard; however, these scriptures actually refer to God the Father who sent Jesus Christ to earth to reveal him as the Sovereign Father of all that exists and teach his message of salvation:

"No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him" (Jn.1:18 KJV).

"And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape" (Jn.5:37 KJV).

John clearly says that no man has seen God, and Jesus says that no one has heard the Father's voice or seen his shape; therefore, there should be no question that the God spoken of by John and Jesus is not the same God that walked and talked with humans on earth.

Adam and Eve Walked and Talked with God

"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden you may freely eat" (Gen.2:16 KJV).

Some try to justify their monotheistic belief by explaining that the spirit-being in the scriptures that show people speaking to God face-to-face was only an angel who represented God. However, the scriptures plainly state in the accounts where God met and talked with people that it was actually God who spoke with people, not an angel.

"And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden" (Gen.3:8 KJV).

Not only did Adam and Eve hear the voice of God but they were also afraid to stand in his presence.

"And the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, Where are you? And he said, I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded you that you should not eat? And the man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said to the woman, What is this that you have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat" (Gen.3:9-12 KJV).

After speaking at some length to Adam, Eve, and the serpent, the Creator makes a statement that proves he was not the only God.

"And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of us to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever" (Gen.3:22).

To whom was the Creator referring when he said "as one of us"? Was he talking to an angel or was he talking to someone else? Remember, the One we call our Savior was the One who created all things (Jn.1:1-5; Eph.3:9). This reference to a plurality of God-beings becomes very important in reaching a conclusion as to the Father and Son relationship.

Cain Spoke with the Creator

"And the Lord said to Cain, where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he [the Creator] said, What have you done?" (Gen.4:9 KJV).

There is no mention of an angel speaking for the Creator here. It is clear that the Creator is doing the talking.

God Spoke to Noah

"And God said to Noah, the end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth" (Gen.6:13 KJV). See also Gen.7:1; 9:1.

Conversations with Abraham

"Now the Lord had said to Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you" (Gen.12:1 KJV). "And the Lord appeared to him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day" (Gen.18:1 KJV).

Not only did the Creator appear to Abram but also sat down and ate a meal with him and his wife Sarah:

"And Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it to a young man; and he hastened to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat" (Gen. 18:7-8 KJV).

Because this type of food preparation takes a considerable amount of time, there would have been ample time for conversation while waiting for the food to be cooked and served. During this meeting, God reveals to Abraham why he came:

"And the Lord [YHWH] said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do . . ." (Gen.18:17 KJV).

The rest of chapter eighteen details the conversation between the Creator and Abraham about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jacob and the Creator

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaks. And he said, I will not let you go, except you bless me. And he said to him, What is your name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince have you power with God and with men, and have prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray you, your name. And he said, Wherefore is it that you do ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Penial: for I have seen God [Elohim] face to face, and my life is preserved" (Gen.32:24-30 KJV).

The common belief is that Jacob wrestled with an angel, but this is not true: It was actually the Creator who wrestled with Jacob:

"And God [Elohim] appeared to Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. And God said to him, Your name is Jacob: Your name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be your name: and he called his name Israel. And God said to him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of you, and kings shall come out of your loins" (Gen.35:9-12 KJV).

Moses, Aaron, and Israel

In Exodus, chapters 3 and 4, we see the Creator personally speaks to Moses and Aaron and appoints them to be his servants. Not only did the Creator speak to Moses and Aaron but also, on one occasion, he spoke to the entire nation of Israel:

"And the Lord said to Moses, Lo, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you for ever. And Moses told the words of the people to the Lord. And the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai" (Ex.19:9-11 KJV).

In Exodus, chapter 20, God speaks to the people of Israel, which was a very frightening experience for the Israelites. In fact, it was so frightening to them that they requested that the Creator speak to them through Moses, not directly to them.

Moses and the Elders

Moses and the Elders of Israel not only had a meeting with the Creator, but they also ate a meal with him on Mount Sinai:

"Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink" (Ex.24:9-11 KJV).

Face-to-Face

"And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Ex.33:11 KJV).

This is a very clear statement, which shows the kind of close, personal communication the Creator had with Moses. Most people seem to think that the Creator hid himself from mankind and only dealt with his creation through visions or angels. However, this was not the case.

The Creator's Glory

"And he said, I beseech you, show me your glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. And he said, you cannot see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen"

(Ex.33:18-33 KJV).

It is apparent from the biblical evidence presented so far, that many people have seen the Creator in the physical form of a man, and some people were allowed to see a small glimpse of his glorified form. Without a doubt, the scriptures show that humans have talked to and seen the Mighty One who created all that exists for the Sovereign God. Therefore, who is the being that Jesus and the apostles continually refer to as "the Father" that no one has seen nor heard speak? The answer is very simple, if we let the Bible interpret itself.

JESUS SENT TO REVEAL THE FATHER

"All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whoever the Son will reveal him" (Matt.11:27 KJV). See Jn.17:25-26.

Only Christ can reveal who the Father is, which he does through the Bible for those who are sensitive to the things of the spirit. See Psa.111: 10.

"I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me. Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also" (Jn.8:18-19 KJV).

Christ says that, if they had really known the God they professed to obey, they would have known that he is the God of their fathers, whom they had prophesied would come in the flesh. And if they had known that they would have been able to know that he came to reveal the Father to them; and they would know both Christ and his Father.

"I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father" (Jn.8:38 KJV).

"These things have I spoken to you, that you should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: Yes, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me" (Jn.16:1-3 KJV).

Christ Did Not Send Himself

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (Jn.3: 16 KJV).

Christ did not send himself, as some teach. The scriptures clearly say the One who is called "God the Father" sent him to become the Savior of humanity.

"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the son honors not the Father which has sent him" (Jn.5:23 KJV).

"I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me" (Jn.5:30 KJV). See also verses 36-38.

"I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive" (Jn.5:43 KJV). See also Jn.5:30-37; 6:44,57.

Jesus clearly said that he came to earth as a representative of his Father. Just as the people did not believe the clear statements of the Savior then, they do not believe his written word today:

"Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: There is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?" (Jn.5: 45-47 KJV).

WHO IS THE FATHER?

Our Savior was the Mighty One who created all that exists for the Sovereign God (this is plainly stated by John and Paul and in a multitude of other scriptures), but who is this Father who sent him to earth? Who is this being John calls 'the Father'? The answer to this question will solve many of the mysteries about the Family of God.

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: And no man knows the son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the son, and he to whomsoever the son will reveal him" (Matt.11:25-27 KJV). See also Mk.4:11-12.

Notice it is Jesus who is able to reveal the things concerning the Father and the mystery surrounding their Father-Son relationship.

Why did Christ have to reveal certain things about the Father? The only logical answer to why the Father sent Jesus to reveal his existence and so many things about himself (e.g., who he is, what his name is, and what his plan is) was that humanity did not know of his existence, and because it was time for him to reveal himself in order for the next phase of his plan for humanity to go forward.

John 17:1-8 KJV

"These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you: As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (vs.1-3).

At this point in history, there were very few people who had any knowledge of who the Father and Jesus Christ were.

"I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was" (vs.4-5).

Here, Jesus asks God the Father to return him to his former state of existence as an immortal God in the Family and Kingdom of God.

"I have manifested your name to the men which you gave me out of the world: yours they were, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever you have given me are of you. For I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me" (vs.6-8).

Jesus had fulfilled his mission to prepare those whom the Father had called to salvation and to be taught the truth of God about the Family and Kingdom of God and their plan for humanity.

THE FATHER IS IN HEAVEN

One of the reasons that Jesus came to earth was to reveal the Father's good news message (his plan for humanity):

"Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood have not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven" (Matt.16:17 KJV).

"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Matt.23:9 KJV). See Matt.18:35.

"I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: And no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him" (Matt.11:25-27 KJV). See also Mk.11:25-26; 4:10-12; Jn.17:25-26; Eph.6:19.

These are but a few of the many scriptures that reveal the Father is in heaven. A small amount of study will reveal that the Father will not come to the earth to reside until the final phase of his plan for humanity.

It is extremely important to understand that unless a person knows who the Father is there can be no understanding of the gospel message that Jesus taught, because it is the Father's message.

WHAT IS THE FATHER LIKE?

"Thomas said to him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him. Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us. Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?" (Jn.14:5-9 KJV). See 2.Cor.4:3-4.

In reply to Thomas and Philip, Jesus said that he had revealed what the Father was like to them. Jesus revealed the Father's existence, attitudes, thoughts, desires, love, and personality through his own example and teaching.

THE FATHER'S NAME

The next few pages contain many of Jesus' references to the Father. Through these scriptures, we are able to know what the Father is like and what he wants to be called.

"These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said to him, Lo, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb" (Jn.16:25-29 KJV).

"I have manifested your name to the men which you gave me out of the world: yours they were, and you gave them me; and they have kept your word" (Jn.17:6 KJV).

"O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith you have loved me may be in them, and I in them" (Jn.17: 25-26 KJV).

"And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mk.11:25-26 KJV).

"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in your sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the son will reveal him" (Lk.10:21-22).

Why did Christ have to reveal the Father and the Father's name if the Father was the Creator God? Did the nation of Israel not know the Creator God's name? It should be obvious that if God the Father found it necessary to send someone to reveal who he is, he is not the God the Israelites had known.

His Name is Father

Our Savior said to call upon our 'Father' who is in heaven. The Greek word used in the New Testament to refer to the Father is 'Pater', and is from a root word, which means 'nourisher', 'protector', and 'up-holder'. See Matt.6:9; Lk.11:12; Jn.14:13; 15:16.

Some who believe in a monotheistic, dualistic or a triune God think that, somehow, our Savior was praying to a part of himself, which he left in heaven while he was on earth. Confusing? Yes, it is confusing and it is not very logical in light of all the very clear scriptures that state Jesus prayed to a being called the Father.

TO WHOM DID JESUS PRAY?

"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will. . ..He went away again

the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done. And,

behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus to him, put up again your sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt.26:39-53 KJV).

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said to them, When you pray, say, Our Father which is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth" (Lk.11:2 KJV). See also Matt.6:9.

Mark records an extremely interesting statement made by our Savior just before his death:

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elias" (Mk.15:34-35 KJV).

Here, Jesus quotes a prophetic Psalm (quoted below), that foretold what the Messiah's thoughts and words would be in the last moments of life as a human.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day time, but you hear not; and in the night season, and am not silent" (Psa.22:1-2 KJV).

In Mark 15:34-35, when Jesus speaks to the Supreme Sovereign, he calls him 'God'. It makes no sense whatsoever for Christ to pray to a part of himself, as the doctrines of Monotheism, Dualism, and Trinitarianism teach. All of the scriptural evidence shows Jesus praying to a spirit being who had authority and power above that of his own. See Jn.14:28.

ASK OF THE FATHER IN JESUS' NAME

Notice our Savior's instructions in what is commonly called the Lord's prayer: "After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which is in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matt.6:9 KJV).

"And he said to them, When you pray, say, Our Father which is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth" (Lk.11:2 KJV).

"And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the son" (Jn.14:13 KJV).

"Whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (Jn.15:16 KJV).

Christ says that his followers should pray to the Father, whom he came to reveal. Conceptually, if a person prays to the God of ancient Israel, they are praying to the wrong God. So says Christ who says to pray to the Father. The Father was not the Sovereign God of ancient Israel; he is the Sovereign Father of all that exists. This concept can only be understood if one understands that the Father and the Son are two separate and distinct individuals in the Family of God.

THE FATHER'S MESSAGE

The good news that Jesus Christ was sent to proclaim was not his message. He was the messenger, just as John the Baptist was the messenger who foretold and prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus Christ did not send himself as some teach; he was sent by God the Father to bring his message to humanity:

"The word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me" (Jn.14:24). See also Jn.1:1-15; Rom.1:1-3; 2.Cor.4:4-6.

"That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him" (Jn.5:23 KJV).

"I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me" (Jn.5:30 KJV). See also verses 36-38.

"I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive" (Jn.5:43 KJV). See also Jn.5:30-37; 6:44,57.

Clearly the good news message that Jesus brought is from God the Father who is the Sovereign of all that exists.

The apostle Paul also said that the good news message that he preached as a servant of Jesus Christ was not his message but was a message sent from God the Father (2.Thes.1:1-12):

"Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the good news of the Sovereign God that he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, that was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of the Sovereign God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom.1:1-4 Para.).

The Message

Since the life, death, and resurrection of the Father's Son, there has been much preached solely about Jesus as a person. As a result, millions do not believe the message that the Father sent his Son to proclaim.

The Sovereign Father sent his Son bearing his GOOD NEWS of how to become a part of his divine Family and Kingdom, and that his Family and Kingdom are coming to earth to bring peace and order to this troubled world.

The Father's message is a message of hope for a wonderful, peaceful, and happy existence under his care and protection for all eternity. This is the good news that Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church proclaimed; this is the message that has not been preached in its totality for centuries; this is the message that Jesus said would be proclaimed and published to all the world just before his return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

By B.L. Cocrell b3w