Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God?

This is for Bible Belief--- please read..

by Rey Anthony Rosillo Gatela

Introduction

What did Jesus say?

For "not having ever claimed to be God," Jesus made some pretty arrogant statements. For example, in response to Thomas, Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6) From this statement alone, one would have to wonder why nobody could come to God directly. Maybe Jesus was really saying that He was God?

Rich Deem

Many members of Christian cults claim that Jesus never said He was God. However, the biblical evidence shows that this concept is false. This page examines the claims of divinity that Jesus made about Himself. For other biblical passages that claim that Jesus is God, see Jesus Christ is God (YHVH).
It is true that Jesus never said, "I am God" directly. However, most of His teachings were done through parables, and not by direct statements. His disciples asked Him why He taught this way. His answer was:

And He answered and said to them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." (Matthew 13:11-13)

Those who make the claim that Jesus never claimed to be God are blind and deaf to God's word, by their own choices.

Jesus claims to be the Son of Man

Although the title "Son of Man" may seem fairly innocuous, it is, in fact, a title of the Messiah, of whom the book of Daniel claims that all people will serve and that His kingdom would never end:

"I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. "And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)

Obviously, if the Son of Man were only human, He would not be able to establish an eternal kingdom. Likewise, He would not be able to convince all peoples to serve Him. Such abilities and honors are reserved for God alone.

Jesus claims to bethe Son of God

The Bible makes the direct claim that Jesus is the Son of God.¹  Many others, including the disciples,² a Roman Centurion,³ angels,⁴ demons⁵, John the Baptist,⁶ Martha,⁷ Saul (Paul),⁸ and the Ethiopian Eunich⁹make the same claim. Others said that Jesus Himself made the claim to be the Son of God.¹⁰ The gospels also indicate that Jesus Himself made the statement or acknowledged that He was the Son of God many times.¹¹
Virtually all cults will acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, as if the title confers no special meaning or only second class status. This assumption is unrealistic, since no other prophet ever called himself the Son of God. The Jewish leaders of the time knew exactly what this title implied - that Jesus was claiming to be God Himself:

For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. (John 5:18)

Claiming to be the Son of God also conferred the title of Messiah or the anointed One. Psalm 2 talks about the Messiah (mashiach), whom it says is God's Son.¹² This great messianic Psalm warns the reader to do homage to the Son and take refuge in Him,¹³ since He will rule the nations and judge the earth.¹⁴

Jesus claims to be the Messiah (the Christ)

The Bible says that Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah - the anointed One of God. Jesus Himself made the claim or acknowledged that He was the Messiah.¹⁵ The title is especially significant with regard to the question at hand - is Jesus God? The Old Testament tells us that the Messiah is God and the eternal Father:

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. (Isaiah 9:6)

Other prophecies of the Old Testament tell us that the Messiah would be God:

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

The title, "The LORD Our Righteousness" indicates that the Messiah is God. The Hebrew word translated "LORD" is yhvh (Yahweh), which is the personal name of God.

Jesus claims to have the attributes of God

Jesus claimed to have many of the attributes that God alone possess. Jesus claimed to have sent the prophets:

"Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, (Matthew 23:34)

However, the Old Testament indicates that God sent the prophets.¹⁶ Therefore, Jesus was claiming the authority that was previously reserved only for God.
Jesus claimed that His origins are from heaven, whereas men are from the world:

• "And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. (John 3:13)
• And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. (John 8:23)

Not only did Jesus claim to come from heaven, but He said that it was "my kingdom" Isn't heavenGod's kingdom?

• that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30)
• Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18:36)

Jesus claimed to have existed before He was born in Bethlehem:

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. (John 8:58-59)

The claim included the term "I am" - a reference God made of Himself when talking to Moses.¹⁷The Jews immediately recognized that Jesus was claiming to be God and attempted to stone Him.
Jesus also claimed to have existed "before the world began":

"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (John 17:5)

This statement is an obvious claim to deity. Not only did Jesus claim to exist before the creation of the universe, but He claimed to share the glory of God! Jesus also claimed that He had "all authority... in heaven and on earth" and that everything of God was His.¹⁸

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me inheaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18)

Jesus claimed to be the supreme judge who will exercise all judgment.¹⁹ However, there are at least 50 verses in the Bible that claim that Jehovah God will judge the earth (see Who Will Judge Mankind?). Jesus claimed to be the one to separate the "sheep from the goats".²⁰ However, the book of Ezekiel says that Jehovah God will do this.²¹ Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life.²² He said that He would personally raise everyone from the dead.²³ These are all attributes of God.
Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath,²⁴ although the Bible indicates that God held such title.²⁵
Jesus claimed the ability to forgive sins.²⁶ Even the Jews recognized that this was a function of God alone.²⁷
Jesus claimed that He would return in the clouds in glory.²⁸ Isaiah makes the same claim for Jehovah God.²⁹ Obviously, Jesus was making a claim to deity.
Jesus claimed to be the light of the world who provides salvation.³⁰ In the Psalms, David tells us that Jehovah God is our light and salvation.³¹ Jesus also claimed to be the way to life³² - an assertion that is made for God.³³ Jesus said that He was the one who searched the hearts and minds,³⁴ gives eternal life,³⁵ and rewards those who follow Him.³⁶ All of these characteristics are found only in God.^37, 38, 39
Jesus said He was the good shepherd,⁴⁰ who searches for His sheep.⁴¹ These are claims made of God in the Old Testament.^42, 43 Jesus claimed to be the fountain of living water.⁴⁴ This is a clear reference to what God said of Himself as recorded by the prophet Jeremiah.⁴⁵ Jesus said He would give rest to those who found Him.⁴⁶ The same claim is made of God in the book of Exodus.⁴⁷
Jesus claimed to send the Holy Spirit (Helper).⁴⁸ The same claim is made for God.⁴⁹ Jesus said that He raised Himself from the dead,⁵⁰ even though the Bible says that God did it.⁵¹ Among Jesus' parting words, He told His disciples to baptize new followers in "the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

It should be noted that the other two names (Father and Holy Spirit) are names for God. In fact, the text says specifically that they should be baptized in the name (singular), not names, of the three persons mentioned. In order to be one name, they must all represent God. Jesus claimed that His disciples would be unable to do anything of significance without His power. Such a statement is a clear claim of divine power.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Jesus accepts the title of God

One of the least favorite exchanges in the Bible from the cults perspective is the one that occurred between Jesus and Thomas after Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas, the ever-skeptical disciple, was unconvinced that Jesus had risen from the dead and wanted to see direct proof. However, when the Lord Jesus appeared to him, his only reaction was "My Lord and my God!"

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:28-29)

What was Jesus' reaction to the title of God? Did Jesus rebuke him for calling Him "God"? No! In fact, Jesus praised Thomas for his belief. And the belief that Thomas exhibited was that Jesus was Lord and God. If Jesus were not God, accepting such a statement for truth would be a grievous sin. Either Jesus is God or He would have to be a sinner!

Jesus claims to be God

The cults tend to acknowledge that Jesus and God were "one in purpose." However, this is a rather weak claim. Every disciple of Jesus Christ has the goal of being "one in purpose" with God the Father. Even so, Jesus never used the word "purpose" in His claims of oneness with God.

"I and the Father are one." The Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." (John 10:30-33)

Obviously, the Jews did not think that this claim of being one with the Father referred to purpose. They knew that He was claiming equality with God, which is why they tried to stone Him. In addition, Jesus said outright that He was Lord⁵² and claimed to be the first and the last,⁵³ an obvious trait reserved for God.⁵⁴

Jesus accepts worship reserved for God alone

Some of the most significant statements Jesus made regarding His deity actually involve an argument from silence - what Jesus did not say. In no less than 12 instances, Jesus was worshipped by various people - the wise men,⁵⁵ the disciples,⁵⁶ a leper,⁵⁷ a synagogue official,⁵⁸ a woman of Canaan,⁵⁹ Mother of Zebedee's children,⁶⁰ a blind man,⁶¹ angels,⁶² and everybody in heaven.⁶³ The Bible clearly indicates that God alone is to be worshipped.⁶⁴ Even Jesus proclaimed this to Satan, when he tempted Him and demanded that He worship him.⁶⁵ Some members of cults claim that the people who worshipped Jesus did so improperly. There are a number of examples where people attempted to worship the disciples⁶⁶ or angels⁶⁷ and were warned not to do so by the parties being worshipped. Jehovah's Witnesses claim that Jesus is the archangel Michael. However, the Bible clearly indicates that angels are not to be worshipped.⁶⁸ The problem arises that Jesus never told anyone to stop worshipping Him. If Jesus were not God, to say nothing in the face of worship would be a huge sin. So, if Jesus is not God, then He sinned in allowing others to worship Him. If He sinned, then Jesus could not even be the Savior, since the Savior must be without spot or blemish. By claiming that Jesus is not God, the cults turn Him into a liar and impostor.

Conclusion 

Jesus never claimed to be God? It would seem from this large collection of sayings that Jesus made the claim to divinity constantly, in many different ways. Those who claim Jesus never said he was God are not reading his claims with the understanding of the true nature of God, as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was constantly giving people advice. One of His favorite sayings is recorded below. It's good advice for those who really want to know Jesus.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

God Bless You

Rey Anthony Rosillo Gatela

http://www.cesreygatela.blogspot.com

Joseph Smith and Kabbalah

Freemasonry, Judaism, Mormonism and Kabbalah are demonic sex cults!

 While doing research on the cult of Mormonism, I came across several articles on the internet authored by Lance S. Owens. At first it appeared that Mr. Owens was against the Mormon cult, with such article titles asJoseph Smith and Kabbalah: The Occult Connection. Then I read the following quote on his website...

This work was originally published in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Vol. 27, No. 3, Fall 1994, pp. 117-194. The paper received considerable notice, and in 1995 the Mormon History Association recognized Joseph Smith and Kabbalah: The Occult Connection with its annual award for the best article in Mormon studies. There is an ongoing demand for this paper but unfortunately  Dialogue sold out its entire printing of the Fall, 1994 issue within a few weeks.  Most academic libraries will have Dialogue in their collection of journals for those seeking a print copy.

 Lance S. Owens is NOT a Christian and his writings openly reveal that Mormonism is connected with the occult. Oddly enough, the Mormons readily admit their occult roots. Joseph Smith was a heretic! Unbeknownst to many people, Joseph Smith (the founder of Mormonism in 1830) was a 33rd degree Freemason, as was Charles Taze Russell (the founder of the Jehovah Witnesses in 1874). Those who understand the Satanic roots of cults such as Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism know that Kabbalah is greatly revered in such groups.  

Demonic Kabbalah

Matthew 27:25, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”

Kabbalah is a Jewish system of black magic which originates in ancient pagan Babylon. Freemasonry is a Jewish sex cult. The primary Masonic symbol, the square and compass (which is a representation of the Jewish Star of David) is seen throughout Masonic temples and lodges. Albert Pike, a 33rd degree mason of the Scottish-rite wrote MORALS AND DOGMA. This book was given to every MASTER MASON (33rd degree). In his book, Pike said that the 33 degrees of Freemasonry is based in the Jewish Kabbalah, the source of everything that happens in the Masonic lodge. I wonder how many Christians in the Southern Baptist Convention are aware that they are members of a sex-cult?
Kabbalah is based largely upon the Zohar, and is esoteric (which simply means that you can't understand it by reading it, someone has to explain it to you). I sincerely don't think the Zohar was intended to be understood. I think it's interpretation is solely at the whim of any occultist who wants to manipulate dumb people. I've tried to read it and it's just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo that you could literally interpret to mean anything. I am confident that it was simply meant to impress and not really have any legitimate meaning at all.
The Roman Catholic Vatican, to thwart true Christians from exposing their heretical beliefs, changed all their online doctrines into Latin at the Vatican's official website. It looks impressive to the world, but no one knows what they believe. Who reads Latin these days? What a sad joke! Catholicism is a massive religious fraud intended to deceive the masses of this world. Roman Catholicism has been extremely effective for the cause of Satan, boasting of over 1,000,000,000 members worldwide. The Jehovah's Witnesses cult only has an estimated 6,000,000 members. Walter Martin authored a book, KINGDOM OF THE CULTS
In contrast, the Word of God has a definite meaning which cannot be twisted if you take the Bible at face value.  Sadly, Kabbalism has many devout followers such as Madonna (who recently built a $5,000,000 Kabbalah reading room in London) and Britney Spears (who plans to write a Kabbalah book for children). The Zohar is straight from Hell, as are the false religions of Kabbalism and Mormonism that are largely derived from it.

"What is Kabbalah and who believes in it?
Kabbalah is a branch of Jewish mysticism, which is thought to have originated in the 13th century. Its teachings come from an ancient 23-volume book called the Zohar, which offers interpretations of the inner meaning of the Torah. Traditionally, its practices were reserved for a select number of Jewish scholars who already had an advanced understanding of Jewish law, but for the past 500 years it has been followed more widely.
In 1969, a former insurance salesman, Rabbi Philip Berg, established the Kabbalah Centre International and appointed himself its leader. The centre markets Kabbalah as a "universal system for self-improvement" and attracts more than 3.5 million followers. Berg claims that Kabbalah answers the ultimate questions of human existence: who we are, where we come from and why we're here. Its followers claim that it can purify the soul and banish disease, depression and discontent using the spiritual light of the Zohar.
The Kabbalah Centre sells copies of its sacred texts and other "spiritual tools", such as Kabbalah Water. Among the best-selling items is the red string bracelet, said to protect the wearer from the evil eye. The Beckhams, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Demi Moore and Madonna have all been seen sporting one." -SOURCE: The Great Kabbalah Con Exposed.

Kabbalah means "tradition" or "transmitted teaching." It is a mix of Jewish mysticism, the occult, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and uses numerology to "interpret" the Bible. Even though it claims to have been handed down orally from Abraham, the system appears to have been given its earliest formulation in the 11th century in France. It is sad in these last days to see people turning to every kind of lie imaginable, when they are seriously searching for the truth and answers to what this life is all about. 
Ever since the Tower of Babel, men have created false gods and religions out of their imagination, rejecting the One and only True God and His Truth. Kabbalah is one of the hottest cults today because of celebrities like Madonna, Britney Spears, Demi Moore, and Paris Hilton who have popularized it. Revenues are obtained primarily through the sale of books, tapes, the famous "red string" bracelet that is supposed to protect the wearer from the "evil eye," and Kabbalah water.
Like ALL cults, Kabbalists make it sound like something everyone should be involved in it. They also falsely claim that you can be a Christian and be involved in Kabbalah. Biblically, Kabbalah is a lie from the pits of hell, it has NOTHING to do whatsoever with the Christian faith! ALL cults base their final authority upon something other than God's Word. The Mormon cult uses the Book of Mormon. The Jehovah Witnesses cult uses the writings of the Watchtower Society. The Christian Science cult uses the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. The Seventh-Day Adventists cult uses the writings of Ellen G. White. The Scientology cult uses the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. And the Kabbalah cult uses the Zohar.

Mormonism is of the Devil
Let's recognize Mormonism for what it is...A CULT!  The lie of Mormonism is not a new problem.  Paul himself had
to deal with the issue of "cults," those who perverted the Gospel.  Paul spoke of this often in his writings, "...but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ" -Galatians 1:7.  Cults are nothing new.  The bottom line in Mormonism is a denial of the deity of Jesus Christ.  In Revelation 1:8, Jesus Christ proclaims that He is Almighty God!  Nearly every cult denies the deity of Christ or somehow diminishes it.  Many Mormons will lie to you and say that they believe in the Jesus of the Bible, but they are not telling you the truth.  In Mormon theology, their jesus is NOT a deity!  THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE IS ALMIGHTY GOD!

Although Mormons use the Bible, it is NOT their final authority as it is for the Christian.  Their authority
lies in the writings of the lunatic Joseph Smith and their cult's Doctrine and Covenants statement.  Only faith in Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the Bible will get you into Heaven.  The Mormon cult spends tens of millions each year in public relations to portray themselves as "just another Christian church."  DO NOT LET THEIR ADS FOOL YOU.  They are no more a Christian church than your local mosque is!

WARNING: Do NOT be taken in by the warm and fuzzy exterior of this cult, Mormons are NOT Christians.  And when they say the name Jesus, it is NOT the Jesus of the Bible!  Jesus said, "Ye must be born again!" -John 3:3.
 
The Word of God is Upfront and Honest
Thankfully, the Word of God (the Bible) is open to all.  There is no private interpretations of the Bible, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" -2nd Peter 1:20.  God has written the Bible to all mankind.  Anyone can understand the Word of God if they will come to Jesus Christ and receive God's gift of eternal life (John 1:12).  Oh how Satan blinds the masses with deception.  ANYTHING that is of the occult is Satanic.  This includes all New Age teachings, yoga, astrology, Tarot reading, palm readings, psychics, Yin Yang, spiritualism, astral projection, hypnotism, good luck charms, etc.  Mormonism is saturated with occult imagery and doctrines.  Joseph Smith was an occult Freemason.  Do not be deceived friend, Satan is the common denominator behind all false religions, all designed to blind the masses.  Satan is the god of this world (2nd Corinthians 4:4) and he works through occult organizations and false religions.  It is no surprise that the founder of the Mormon false religion was an occult member of Freemasonry.
By the way, there is NO such thing as separation of church and state.  To remove God from anything is an open invitation to Satan.   Until we bring God back, Satan will continue to reign over America.  Satan has infiltrated our schools, our churches, our government, and even our Bibles.  The only defense is the Word of God, which I believe is the 1611

God Bless You

Rey Anthony Gatela

http://cesreygatela.blogspot.com

Cabala's Pagan Origins

       Following the division of Israel and the Assyrian captivity of the northern tribes, the southern kingdom of Judah adopted the pagan traditions of the heathen nation of ancient Babylon. These traditions, with their associated rituals which included human sacrifice, provoked God to judge the southern kingdom, which judgment the prophet Jeremiah forewarned the Jews for a period of forty years, to no avail. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in three stages, from 605 to 586 B.C., in which year the Temple of Solomon was demolished and the remaining Jews were carried into captivity. During the Babylonian captivity, the prophet Ezekiel continued to reprove Judah for its apostasy from the God of Israel and their love affair with Babylon. Note, in the following passage, the Jews’ admiration for the images of rich, brightly attired Babylonian princes, which evoke visual images of the elegant processions of the princes of the Roman Catholic Church attired in their rich and colorful vestments:

“...[Jerusalem] increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion, Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity: And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them. So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness: then my mind was alienated from her...” (Ezek.23:14-18)

Moreover, as Matthew Henry noted in his commentary on this passage, the kingdom of Judah patterned its own worship after the pomp and pageantry of the Babylonians with whom they had become enamored:

“Thus she increased her whoredoms; she fell in love, fell in league, with the Chaldeans. Hezekiah himself was faulty this way when he was proud of the court which the king of Babylon made to him and complimented his ambassadors with the sight of all his treasures, Isa. 39:2. And the humour increased (v. 14); she doted upon the pictures of the Babylonian captains (v. 15, 16), joined in alliance with that kingdom, invited them to come and settle in Jerusalem, that they might refine the genius of the Jewish nation and make it more polite; nay, they sent for patterns of their images, altars, and temples, and made use of them in their worship. Thus was she polluted with her whoredoms (v. 17), and thereby she discovered her own whoredom (v. 18), her own strong inclination to idolatry.”

According to two authoritative sources, H.P. Blavatsky and the Jewish Encyclopedia, the Jews also acquired from the Chaldeans their doctrines of Eastern mysticism. These were later developed into a written compendium of esoteric literature known as the Jewish Qabbalah or Kabalah, and in the Middle Ages as the Latin Cabala.

“Kabalah (Heb.) The hidden wisdom of the Hebrew Rabbis of the middle ages derived from the older secret doctrines concerning divine things and cosmogony, which were combined into a theology after the time of the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. All the works that fall under the esoteric category are termed Kabalistic.” (Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary, p. 168)

“The Pythagorean idea of the creative powers of numbers and letters, upon which the ‘Sefer Yetzirah’ is founded, and which was known in tannaitic times…is here proved to be an old cabalistic conception. In fact, the belief in the magic power of the letters of the Tetragrammaton and other names of the Deity…seems to have originated in Chaldea (see Lenormant, ‘Chaldean Magic,’ pp. 29, 43). Whatever, then, the theurgic Cabala was …, the very fact that Abraham, and not a Talmudical hero like Akiba, is introduced in the ‘Sefer Yetzirah,’ at the close, as possessor of the Wisdom of the Alphabet, indicates an old tradition, if not the antiquity of the book itself…

“The whole dualistic system of good and of evil powers, which goes back to Zoroastrianism and ultimately to old Chaldea, can be traced through Gnosticism; having influenced the cosmology of the ancient Cabala before it reached the medieval one…

“The gradual condensation of a primal substance into visible matter, a fundamental doctrine of the Cabala, … is the ancient Semitic conception of the ‘primal ocean,’ known to the Babylonians as ‘Apsu’ (compare Jastrow, ‘Religion of Babylonia’), and called by the Gnostics βύθος =  (Anz, ‘Die Frage nach dem Ursprung des Gnostizismus,’ p. 98).”

The Chaldean religious tradition that was embraced by apostate Jews during their captivity in Babylon was delivered to subsequent generations by word of mouth. According to Blavatsky, these disseminators of the Chaldean tradition in the few centuries before Christ were known as Tanaim:

“Kabalist. From Q B L H, Kabala, an unwritten or oral tradition. The kabalist is a student of ‘secret science’, one who interprets the hidden meaning of the Scriptures with the help of the symbolical Kabala… The Tanaim were the first kabalists among the Jews; they appeared at Jerusalem about the beginning of the third century before the Christian era… This secret doctrine is identical with the Persian wisdom, or ‘magic’.” (Ibid. p.167)

The dictionary defines the Medieval Latin cabala as derived from the Hebrew word “qabblâ” which means “received doctrine, tradition, from qibbl, to receive.” According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, Cabalists claimed to have received these oral traditions, not from ancient Chaldeans, but from the Patriarchs and Prophets “by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Cabala comprised originally the entire traditional lore, in contradistinction to the written law (Torah), and therefore included the prophetic and hagiographic books of the Bible, which were supposed to have been ‘received’ by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than as writings from God’s hand... Each ‘received’ doctrine was claimed as tradition from the Fathers...to be traced back to the Prophets or to Moses on Sinai... The chief characteristic of the Cabala is that, unlike the Scriptures, it was entrusted only to the few elect ones;…’”

Because of its heretical nature, the Cabala was not generally promulgated among the Jews but remained the “secret doctrine” of “elect” Jews. That is to say, certain Jews who were deemed worthy could comprehend hidden teachings in the written Torah and, through mystical techniques, make direct contact with “God.”  Among these practices are rapid recitation of the “Holy Name of God” (YHVH, or Tetragrammaton), meditation on the 11 Sephiroth of the Tree of Life which are believed to be emanations of God, learning to use the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as force-carrying energy patterns which serve as the building blocks of the cosmos, and, finally, transcending the space/time limitations of the physical world to realize one’s “inner divinity.” This “secret doctrine” has been preserved throughout the ages to the present time by a spiritual brotherhood who progress individually to various stages of enlightenment and proficiency in the hidden wisdom—from “elect” to “adepts” to “wise men” to “adepts in grace”:

“Cabala... The specific term for the esoteric or mystic doctrine concerning God and the universe, asserted to have come down as a revelation to elect saints from a remote past, and preserved only by a privileged few. At first consisting only of empirical lore, it assumed, under the influence of Neoplatonic and Neopythagorean philosophy, a speculative character. In the geonic period it is connected with a Mishnah-like text-book, the ‘Sefer Yetzirah,’ and forms the object of the systematic study of the elect, called ‘mekubbalim’ or ‘ba’ale ha-Kabbalah’ (possessors of, or adepts in, the Cabala). These receive afterward the name of ‘maskilim’ (the wise), after Dan. xii. 10; and because the Cabala is called (‘Hokmah nistarah’ = the hidden wisdom), the initials of which receive the meaning ‘adepts in grace’ (Eccl. ix. 11, Hebr.).” (Ibid.)

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"Kabbalism is a system of Jewish mysticism and magic and is the foundational element in modern witchcraft. Virtually all of the great witches and sorcerers of this century were Kabbalists." -William J. Schnoebelen, The Dark Side of Freemasonry

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 God Bless You

Rey Anthony Gatela

http://cesreygatela.blogspot.com

Kabbalah Exposed!

The photo to the left is of Madonna, a big fan of Kabbalism.  Kabbalah is straight from hell!  The Freemason occult is based upon occult mysticism (a bunch of hodge-podge) from the Zohar.  Kabbalah is a branch of Jewish mysticism, which is thought to have originated in the 13th century.  Its teachings come from an ancient 23-volume book called the Zohar, which offers interpretations of the inner meaning of the Torah.  Traditionally, its practices were reserved for a select number of Jewish scholars who already had an advanced understanding of Jewish law, but for the past 500 years it has been followed more widely.  Kaballah WILL take you away from Jesus Christ.  Jesus was NO follower of Kabbalism!  John 14:2 clearly reveals that Jesus said what He meant, and meant what He said.  Jesus wasn't into mysticism, "...if it were not so, I would have told you."  The Word of God is straightforward.  The FACT that occult groups worldwide cherish the Kabbalah should speak volumes to anyone who may consider it a holy book, it is NOT!

Kabbalah promises many things to help out your life, by taking away grief, pain, misery, worries, and much more.  On the contrary, the Word of God promises us persecution if we live godly in Christ (Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." -2nd Timothy 3:12).  Isaiah 53:3, a prophecy about Jesus, declares "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" John 15:20 reads "The servant is not greater than his Lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." 

Kabbalism should be suspect for drawing attention to ones own "spirituality" rather than drawing attention to and glorifying Jesus Christ (God Almighty).  As Isaiah 64:6 declares, "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."  Kabbalist mysticism is the basis for Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, the Illuminati, Knights Templar, and many other occult organizations.  Their holy book is the Zohar.  "Spell oils and incense blends produced according to Kabbalah" is the advertisement on this witchcraft website.  The Bible is quick and powerful enough (Hebrews 4:12), without the need to resort to extra-Biblical religiosity, occult practices, or Satanism.  Jesus clearly said that He was the ONLY Way to the Father (John 14:6).  Kabbalah is wishy-washy and fails to present a Biblical plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.   Kabbalah is of the devil.  I dare anyone to show me a clear Gospel presentation from the Kaballah.  Again, the FACT that Satanic occult groups base their damnable religions upon the Kabbalah speaks volumes.  The "mysticism" of the Kaballah is demonism.

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Question: "What is Kabbalah?"

Answer:  Kabbalah has many different ways of being spelled in English. It can be as you have spelled it, or one of the following: Kaballah, Qabalah, or Cabalah.

Kabbalah developed between the 6th and 13th centuries among Jews in Babylonia, Italy, Provence, and Spain. The word Kabbalah means "to receive" and refers to revelation from God received by Jews and passed to succeeding generations through oral tradition. The word was first used by mainstream Judaism but later came to refer to those who believed that only a select few were given the secret knowledge from God as to the "true" meaning of Scriptures.  Kabbalah uses occultic practices and is considered to be a cult.

Kabbalah resembles closely some of the beliefs held by the Greek Gnostics in that both groups held that only a select few were given deeper understanding or knowledge. Also, Kabbalah teaches that emanations from God did the work of creation rather than creation being directly from God. With each descending emanation, the emanation became further away from God. The final emanation took the personal form of angels. This would be like God created a lesser god, and that one then created a lesser god, and this kept happening until the end result were angels. This directly contradicts God's revelation of Himself in the Bible. In the Bible, God teaches that He is both separate from all of His creation and yet is directly accessible by those who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Kabbalah does hold to the inspiration of Scripture, but does not seek the plain meaning of Scripture. The Kabbalah approach is mystical and very subjective, using such things as numerology to find "hidden" meaning. Through this method, almost any teaching that one desires could be "found" in Scripture. This goes against the very heart of communication. God provided Scripture that He might communicate with mankind and teach humanity of Himself. It is obvious that Scripture is meant to be taken at face value and Not mystical interpretation. This can be demonstrated by fulfilled prophecy. God said something would happen, and it happened as He said it would. The greatest example of this is the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the first coming of Jesus Christ. The were hundreds of verses referring to His coming, and they were fulfilled literally (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 53. This is why the Bible should be interpreted literally or normally.

Kabbalah even has a pantheistic characteristic. Pantheism is the idea that God and His creation are one. This of course is not what God has told us in the Bible. God created all that exists from nothing (the Hebrew word "bara"). Kabbalah says that creation is one of God's emanations - this is the pantheistic quality that Kabbalah has.

Of course I do not know why you have asked this question (what is Kabbalah?), but if you are seeking to know God and have a personal relationship with Him, look no further that Jesus Christ and the Bible. Jesus is God in the flesh, and He came to die for every person's sins. If an individual trusts in Christ -- that He is God (John 1:1-3) and paid for sin (Romans 8:3) -- then that person is forgiven and becomes a child of God (John 1:12).

Recommended Resource:  The Kingdom of the Cults, revised and updated edition.

SOURCE

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Modern Kabbalah
In 1969, a former insurance salesman, Rabbi Philip Berg, established the Kabbalah Centre International and appointed himself its leader. The centre markets Kabbalah as a "universal system for self-improvement" and attracts more than 3.5 million followers. Berg claims that Kabbalah answers the ultimate questions of human existence: who we are, where we come from and why we're here. Its followers claim that it can purify the soul and banish disease, depression and discontent using the spiritual light of the Zohar.
The Kabbalah Centre sells copies of its sacred texts and other "spiritual tools", such as Kabbalah Water. Among the best-selling items is the red string bracelet, said to protect the wearer from the evil eye. The Beckhams, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Demi Moore and Madonna have all been seen sporting one." -SOURCE: The Great Kabbalah Con Exposed.

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Question: "Where did the Kabbalah originate?"

Name of group: Qabalah (modern "cultic" spelling, also known as Hermetic Qabalah), Kabbalah (traditional Jewish spelling), Cabala (Christian spelling).  All of these spellings are merely transliterations of the word in Hebrew.  Therefore, one spelling is not necessarily right over another, but each group tends to spell it differently.
Founder: Isaac the Blind (It is not known for sure that he was the original founder, but he is considered the Father of Kabbalah. Aspects of Kabbalah can be traced back to the first century A.D.)
Date of Birth and Death: c. 1160-c. 1236
Birth Place: Provence
Year of founding: Kabbalah can be traced as far back as the first century A.D. It was formed as a scholarly group sometime during Isaac the Blind's lifetime (c. 1160-1236), but the exact year is unknown.
Why and how it was founded: The first Kabalistic ideas emerged in ancient times as an attempt by the Merkabah mystics to reach what they called the "higher throne" of G-d.  Isaac the Blind was the first to name Jewish mysticism Kabbalah, and he formed a scholarly group based on the tradition.

Question: "Which groups use the Kabbalah?"

"It is probably accurate to say that from the Renaissance on, virtually all occult philosophers and magicians of note had a working knowledge of some aspect of Kabbalah . . ." (Low, Colin. Hermetic Kabbalah. "Frequently Asked Questions").  Some groups that currently practice Qabalah are the Hermetics, the Gnostics, Knights Templar, the Neoplatists, the Pythagoreanists, the Rosicrucianists, Tantra, the English Order of the Golden Dawn, and the French magician Eliphas Levi.  Some Qabalists practice ritual magic -- "names of power, the magic circle, ritual implements, consecration, evocation of spirits, etc." (Low, Colin. Hermetic Kabbalah. "Frequently Asked Questions." http://www.digital-brilliance.com/kab/)

Also, celebrities Madonna, Britney, Demi, and Paris have have become new followers of Kabbalah.  Madonna in 2003 spent $5,000,000 to build a Kabbalah reading temple in London.  The latest trend is "red Kabbalah string (pictured to the left).  Increasingly, Hollywood celebrities have been seen adorning these red strings promoting Kabbalah.  No Christian should ever get involved with these works of darkness.  Though Kabbalah may seem fun-loving and peaceful on the surface, it is infested with occult demonology and Satanic lies.  Please don't be deceived!  The fact that a woman as wicked as Madonna could promote such a book with no sense of guilt or repentance for her wickedness speaks volumes. 

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Kabbalah and Occultism

Kabbalism is the basis of nearly every tradition covered under the general heading of "occultism"

Kabbalah: aka Qabala, Cabala, Kabala, Qabballa, etc.

Imagine you're Madonna. You're too smart for Scientology, but not calm enough for Taoism. You've pretty much burned your bridges with Catholicism. And Methodism was never really an option. So where do you go for your religious fulfillment?
If you're thinking Hinduism, well, actually she was over that back in the '90s after it failed to catch on as the Next Big Thing. Her current fixation, kabbalah, might have more potential.
Technically, kabbalah is not a religion, and it never was. It originated around the 11th century as an outgrowth of earlier Jewish esoteric-occult traditions. Kabbalah is mainly based on two texts, the Sepher Yetzirah ("the book of creation") and theZohar ("the book of enlightenment").
Sepher Yetzirah is a collection of secret traditions supposedly passed down from Abraham. It describes the structure of the universe and the method of its creation, including an extremely convoluted series of planes of existence, based on geometry and key numerical sequences derived from the Hebrew alphabet. While probably not dating back to the time of Abraham, whenever that actually was, it is the older of the two texts and probably runs at least as far back as the second century B.C.
The Zohar was first seen in public during the 13th century, offered up by Moses de Leon, a Spanish Jew who claimed it was the work of a second-century miracle-working rabbi. After de Leon's death, there were numerous charges that the work was a forgery. There is quite a bit of legitimate controversy around the book, but the scholarly consensus is that the Zoharlegitimately conveys a tradition that predates the 13th century, including several elements found in Jewish and Christian Gnosticism.
The Zohar is a commentary on the Pentateuch, the first five books of both the Jewish and Christian bibles.  OK, maybe "commentary" isn't the right word. The Zohar claims that the words of the Torah are simply a smokescreen behind which the real meaning of the Jewish scriptures lurks, like an ancient stereogram: you can't see it unless you're looking past it.
Together, the books outline a sweeping vision of the structure of reality, including guidelines on how to alter it in nontraditional ways, which more or less amount to magic. Based on the two key texts, medieval occultists and Jewish mystics created a massive body of writings about metaphysics, alchemy and magic. Because it covers material related to the Old Testament, kabbalah was adopted by both Jews and Christians. Kabbalism also led to the development of Hasidism among Eastern European Jews.
The most readily identifiable concept in Kabbalism is the Tree of Life, a diagram that is essentially a map of reality. The Tree of Life consists of three columns known as "pillars", and 10 sephiroth, or spheres, each of which represents an aspect of the process God used to create the world.
At the top of the diagram is Kether, "The Crown", which represents the divine intelligence of God, from which all of creation emanates. The three pillars emanate down from Kether all the way down to Malkuth at the bottom. (The word means "Kingdom"; the bottom sephira is also sometimes called Shekhinah.) Kether is the angle at which reality points toward the creator; Malkuth is the angle at which is points toward His creation -- the earthly world.
In traditional Kabbalism, there are 10 sephiroth, although some schools teach of a "hidden" 11th in the middle of the diagram. Each sephira has different characteristics and is represented by a different Hebrew letter, which also corresponds to a number. The 10 sephiroth are connected by 22 lines, known as "paths," each of which carries a specific meaning. Some occult traditions teach that the paths correspond to the major arcana in the Tarot.
The chart comes to life as a result of emanations, a concept which covers the movement of will, force, divine spark, light, energy and reality from God to creation. Emanations are the manifestation of divine intelligence as a material or metaphysical thing, such as an angel or a soul.
Because the shape of emanations is outlined by the Tree of Life (supplemented by information contained in numerous other kabalistic writings), the Tree and the Hebrew alphabet can be used to calculate the "true names" of things. If you know the true name of something, you can control it, which quickly led medieval kabbalists to become ritual magicians (as well as inspiring medieval ritual magicians to become kabbalists).
With kabalistic secrets firmly in hand, the well-informed can construct magic words that presumably empower users to command the very forces of the universe. Angels and demons, in particular, are susceptible to this sort of control.
Truly ambitious sorcerers also sought the true name of God, the most powerful magic word imaginable. The search for God's true name took on epic proportions during the middle ages. The name was referred to as the Tetragrammaton, because it was believed to have four letters.
The Torah provides one version of this name, of course, which practicing Jews are forbidden to speak -- YHWH, pronounced as Yahweh (or JHVH, Jehovah) by those who are not especially worried about eternal damnation and a divine curse. YHWH is derived from the first letter of each Hebrew word God spoke to Moses from the burning bush story found in Exodus. The rough English translation of the statement is "I am who am", "I am who I am", or "I am that I am."
Finding the name in the Bible, of course, was far too easy. Obviously, recipients of secret knowledge would have a better name, a more powerful name. Unfortunately, no one could quite agree on what that name was, although a number of alternatives were proposed, such as AGLA or ADNI.
None of these names hold up to the obvious test: After pronouncing them, neither divine wrath nor infinite power arrives within any reasonable time frame.
Other esoteric concepts were covered in some depth by the kabbalists. Many kabbalists were also alchemists and scientists. As a result, some kabalistic texts about the nature of emanations and the behavior of light (as a divine power) have a remarkable power even to this day. For instance, one Latin kabalistic text from the Middle Ages discusses the properties of spirit and body in some detail. If you substitute "spirit" for "energy" and "matter" for "body", the text looks suspiciously like a sneak preview of Einstein's theory of relativity.
To a greater or lesser extent, Kabbalism is the basis of nearly every tradition covered under the general heading of "occultism". Kabbalah is the basis for the rumored occult practices of the Freemasons, the Illuminati and the Knights Templar, the stylings of the O.T.O., the antichrist rituals of Jack Parsons, and the creation of mystical beings such as the Golem. Scientology is also roughly modeled on the Kabbalah, albeit filtered through a Battlestar Galacticasensibility.
When it started, the study of Kabbalah was secretive, especially among medieval Christians who feared the wrath of the Inquisition. After Aleister Crowley exposed the secrets of the Golden Dawn in the early 20th century, the cat was out of the bag, and Kabbalah began to be talked about among the religious intellectuals of the day. Crowley himself wrote extensively about the Kabbalah for the general public, as well as for his fellow students of esoterica.
The movie Pi (1998) was a cult hit featuring a gang of malevolent Hasidic Jews who are searching for a way to decipher the true name of God from the number codes in the Torah. The movie coincided with a revival of mainstream interest in Kabbalah.
The latest iteration of Kabbalism has more in common with the New Age than with traditional occultism. Kabbalah centers (both Jewish and non-Jewish versions) have popped up around the United States.
Perhaps partly as a result of widespread coverage of Scientology's quirks, a fair number of celebrities have embraced Kabbalism as the spiritual flavor of the month. In addition to Madonna, celebrity kabbalists include Elizabeth Taylor, Demi Moore, Mick Jagger, Jeff Goldblum, Ivana Trump, and Roseanne Barr.
Although the new Kabbalism downplays claims of exotic superpowers, the magical aspect of Kabbalism is still an important part of the modern movement.

God Bless You

Rey Anthony Gatela

http://www.cesreygatela.blogspot.com

"The I AM sayings prove Jesus to be Divine"

LET US EXAMINE " I AM "

by rey anthony gatela

As we reflect on the whole witness of the inerrant and infallible Scriptures, regarding the Person of Jesus, we can see many elements and various passages that assert, affirm and prove His divinity. For example, there are the Messianic prophesies, such as, Ps.2:7,12, which speaks of Him as God's Son. Ps.110:1 declares Him as lord, while Ps.45:6 and Isa.9:6 speak of Him as God. Then there are the didactic passages, for instance, Jhn.1:1,14 speak of Jesus the Christ being the Word and the Word also being divine (God), then becoming flesh [human]. Phil. 2:5-11 speaks of Him being the "form of God" and Heb. 1;2-3; Col. 1:15 declare that "He is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact representation of His being and the image of the invisible God," while Heb. 1:8 boldly states that He is God, and 1 Tim. 3:16 asserts that this God "appeared in a body." We also have the narrative materials, such as, Mk. 2:27-28; Lk. 5:20; Jhn. 11:43-44, amongst many others, which testify that Jesus claimed divine prerogatives. These include, redefining the Sabbath, forgiving sin and raising the dead.! However, besides His own bodily resurrection, I genuinely believe that it is in the "I am" sayings of Jesus that we are presented with some of the clearest assertions, affirmations and proof of His divinity. For in them we have the very words of Jesus concerning His "true identity." Here we have the self-disclosure of the Incarnate God. It is with the assistance of the Apostle John, who recorded the very words of Jesus Christ as an eyewitness, along with other eminent theologians, that I seek to present this truth.
I begin by stating that the implicit intentions of the Apostle John, in writing his version of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ, are to be found in Chapter 20 verses 30-31. There, John clearly states, "Jesus did many more miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. So, we see that John's aim is two-fold. Firstly, it is revelatory, he seeks to reveal and demonstrate "that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Secondly, it is evangelistic, he wants people to know the true identity of Jesus, so "that you may have life in his name." Now, for the purpose of this essay, it is the initial aim of John that I want to highlight. As we have seen, John is seeking to prove that " Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world" (4:42). And in his attempt to do so he enlists the aid of many things. For example, the statements of witnesses, such as John the Baptist (1:29, 32-36), the Samaritan woman and villagers (4:39-42), Jesus (8:13-14), and God Himself (8:17; 12:28-30), accounts of the life, ministry and works of Jesus, including His many discourses and His eventual death and resurrection. He also introduced, or recorded, various miracles (signs) performed by Jesus, which are also recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. However, it is he alone, of all the Gospel writers, who that gives an account of the sermonic discourses of Jesus, which shed light on the meaning of the message behind the miracles that took place. Hence John's use of the Greek word `semeion` [sign], rather than simply `dunamis` [miracle]. Now, included in these sermonic statements are some of the "I am" sayings, for example, "I am the bread of life" (6:35) and "I am the resurrection and the life." The remainder of the sayings took place during his verbal interactions with the people (8:12), the Pharisees (10:7, 9, 11), and His disciples (14:6; 15:1).
Another thing which I seek to draw the readers attention to is the actual Greek words `ego eimi`, translated (I AM). Leon Morris correctly states, "Jesus uses an emphatic "I AM" to bring out important teaching about his person. In Greek, the personal subject of the verb is not normally expressed: the form of the verb makes clear what the subject is. But if it is desired to emphasize the subject, then the appropriate pronoun may be used. What makes this so important in John is that we find a similar usage in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. There we find that the translators used the emphatic form of the speech when they were rendering words spoken by God." He then goes on to say, "When Jesus used the "I AM" construction he was speaking in the style of deity." And, "There is general agreement among Johannine scholars that this kind of language is a significant pointer to what John is telling us about the person of Jesus." (1) In other words, when Jesus was using the "I AM" construction he was indicating His divinity, and in John recording His statements he was doing likewise.
Morris, also, correctly observes that there are two groups within the "I AM" sayings. One with the predicate and one without the predicate. Commenting on them he says, "Both constructions are somewhat unusual, and the form a Johannine distinctive." Quoting J.H.Bernard, he goes on to say, "This is clearly the style of Deity...Its force could at once be appreciated by one familiar with the LXX version of the Old Testament." (2) In examining both groups of the "I AM" sayings, I would like to follow Morris's example and present the former group first and the latter group second.

"I AM the Bread of Life"

The first of the notable "I AM" sayings, in the book of John, is "I AM the bread of life" (6:35). This was uttered in the discourse which followed the feeding of the multitude. During the discourse, Jesus tells the crowd, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you" (6:27). As He seeks to elicit their faith in Himself, He is met with a challenge to "demonstrate His credentials." (3) "What sign do you do that we may see and believe?", they ask. To this they add, "Our forefathers ate manna in the desert, as it is written: `He gave them bread to eat`" (v.31). They were obviously implying that Moses gave them the manna, for Jesus goes on to correct their misunderstanding. He states, "I tell you the truth, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it was my Father" (v.32). To that He adds, "My father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven" (v.33). By this, Jesus was not only implying that God gave "bread from heaven" in the past and continues to do so in the immediate present, but was also implicitly stating that He Himself is "the bread of God come down from heaven" (v.33). "In apparent expression of some stirring of spiritual desire they ask for this bread from heaven, though how earth- bound their understanding remains will emerge as the conversation continues." (4)
Now, it is in response to their request that Jesus makes the astounding claim, "I AM the bread of life, he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (v.35). This saying actually enshrines the essence of Jesus' message. He is the answer to the needs of the human heart. "The bread of life implies the fundamental, elemental role Jesus claims to fulfil in relation to the yearning human spirit. For Jesus' bread was `the staff of life`, the primary source of nourishment. But since bread is a basic food universally, there is also the implicit claim that he fulfils this role for everyone. He is (the Saviour of the world)" (5), and gives life to the world (v.33). Morris, interestingly, points out that the definite article, before the word bread, indicates the fact that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the one who is the bread of life. (6) While Milne states that, "the bread of life also points to the satisfying nature of Jesus." (7) This is clearly seen in the corollary, "never go hungry, and never be thirsty." All other bread, like manna in the wilderness, leave a sense of dissatisfaction. The inner ache is not assuaged: we hunger again. By contrast Jesus, once tasted, obviates the need for further satisfaction. In conclusion, we contend that in the claim, "I AM the bread of life," Jesus is making His heavenly origins known, and the fact that He alone supplies the spiritual need of His hearers.

"I AM the Light of the World"

This is the second "I AM" statement that is followed by a predicate. John has previously informed us, in the Prologue, that the Incarnate Word was "the life," and "the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" (vv.4- 5). He once again picks up the light metaphor, and elaborates what he has previously said. John states that Jesus made the claim, about being "the light of the world," and other similar statements, on various occasions. For example, 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46. Although John does not actually identify exactly when Jesus maid the claim in 8:12, he does tell us where He made it. He gives the Feast of Tabernacles, and the possibly the temple courts, as the backdrop to this eventful drama (7:14).
During the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, two major religious, and highly symbolic, ceremonies took place. The first was the out- pouring of water on the west side of the alter, by the Levitical priests, as the choir sang the Great Hallel (Ps. 113-18). (8) The second was the lighting of several large candels in the temple precint. John indicates that Jesus took the opportunity of using these two symbols to illustrate His teachings (7:37-38; 8:12). The light metaphor is steeped in Old Testament allusion. The glory of the very presence of God in the cloud led the people to the promised land (Ex. 13:21-22), and protected them from their enemies (Ex. 14:19-25). The Israelites were trained to sing, "the LORD is my light and my salvation" (Ps. 27:1). The Word of God, the law of God, is a light to guide the path of those who cherished instruction (Ps. 119:105; Pr. 6:23); God's light is shed abroad in revelation (Ezk. 1:4,13,26-28), and salvation (Hab. 3:3-4). "Light is Yahweh in action" (Ps. 44:3). Isa tells us that the Servant of the LORD was appointed as a light to the Gentiles, that He might bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Isa. 49:6). The coming eschatological age would be a time when the LORD Himself would be the light of His people (Isa. 60:19-22; cf Rev. 21:23-24). Perhaps Zech 14:5b-7 is especially significant, with its promise of continual light on the last day, followed by the promise of living water flowing from Jerusalem-this passage probably forming part of the litergical reading of the Feast.
So, with these verses in mind and "in the context of such powerful ritual, Jesus' declaration must have come with stunning force." (9) What is also stunning is the note of universality about the claim. He is not simply the light of the Jews, but "the light of the World." This reference to light is not just physical or moral light. As Morris correctly points out, that when Jesus declared, "If anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him" (11:9-10), that the reference to the light not being in him, shows that we have moved from physical illumination to spiritual truth. He then comments, "Jesus is telling his hearers that those who reject him, who do not take him into their lives are in grave danger." (10) By way of summary, we contend that in each of the "I AM the light of the world" passages, the main thought is that "Jesus is the only light and that people must respond to the coming of the light by giving him a welcome and believing in him. Apart from that they are lost eternally. That Jesus is the light of the whole world and that people's eternal destiny depend on their reaction to him tell us something very important about him." (10)

"I AM the Door"

The next "I AM" saying of Jesus is found in the context of a disputive discourse with the Pharisees. We see in chapter 9 Jesus healing the blind man, who is subsequently excommunicated for defending Jesus and who eventually believes in Him (vv.34-38). After this miraculous sign, and the subsequent ill treatment of the former blind man by the Pharisees, Jesus contrasts Himself with the religious leaders of His day, whom He terms as "thieves and robbers." This contrast is dressed in the form of a "figure of speech" (v.6), which consists of some very striking metaphors. For example, "sheep pen" (10:1), "shepherd" (v.2), "watchmen" (v.3) and "door", or, "gate" (v.3). Despite the vividness of the metaphors, the Pharisees did not grasp Jesus' point (v.6). Therefore, Jesus, seeking to explain His message and expand its meaning , not only elucidates, but also amplifies and inter-relates the metaphors. For example, He now claims, "I AM the door" (by which the sheep of the sheep pen enter) (v.7). Previously, He spoke of Himself as "the shepherd" (v.2), which HE will do again with a further modification (v.10).
What does Jesus mean when He says "I AM the door."? In order to answer this, we may find it helpful to remind ourselves that a sheep pen normally has one doorway, and that the shepherds of the Near East often slept in the doorway, acting as the door itself. Its is plain to see then, in order for the sheep to enter the pen they would obviously have to enter through the doorway, and metaphorically speaking through the shepherd. Thus in answer to our question, we see that Jesus is saying He Himself, and no other, is the means by which the sheep may enter into the promised fulness of life (vv.9-10). For as Morris points out, "Jesus says He is "the door", not "a door." There is something exclusive about "the" door. He is saying that the way into life goes through him, and him alone. He is the door." (11) This is further emphasized when Jesus says, "The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life; and have it to the full." "This is a proverbial way of insisting that there is only one means of receiving eternal life, only one source of knowledge of God, only one fount of spiritual nourishment, only one basis for spiritual security-Jesus alone". (12) Jesus also said, "If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and go in and go out, and find pasture" (v.9). Although He does not explain what He means exactly by "saved", we can take it as meaning having "eternal life." For we find the two concepts of being "saved" and having "eternal life" linked in Jhn 3:16-17. Therefore, expositional consistency demands that we understand a similar linkage here.
Thus in conclusion, as Morris has so astutely observed, "once again we encounter the thought of an exclusive salvation, exclusive in the sense that it can be entered only through the door, Jesus Christ. If there is one door for all the race, then once more we are reminded of something very important about Jesus. Like the other I AM sayings, this one leads us to think of deity." (13)

"I AM the Good Shepherd"

The next I AM saying of Jesus is closely related to the one previously discussed, in the sense that it is a metaphor that has been used in the same "figure of speech", in which we find "I AM the door." In chapter 10 verve 1, Jesus speaks of "the shepherd." He now adds an adjective to the word shepherd, and makes the claim "I AM the good shepherd" (10). Here again Jesus is contrasting Himself with the religious leaders, whom He is speaking too, who are the not-so-good-sheperds, or retaining the metaphor in the passage, "the hired hand" (vv.12-13). That He is referring to the Pharisees, as the "hired hand", is evident in verse 13. For there He speaks of the hired hand as "not caring for the sheep." This is an obvious referal to their harsh treatment of the former blind man.
When Jesus used the term "the good shepherd", He is speaking of His intrinsic goodness, as well as His moral rectitude and beauty. In His using the term "shepherd", He is speaking of His position. He is the shepherd of the sheep, He is the one who protects, leads, guides and nourishes the sheep. In turn, the sheep are utterly defensive and totally dependant upon the Shepherd. It is hard not to see an allusion to Ps 23, where the LORD is the Shepherd, who protects, leads, guides and nourishes His sheep. Jesus is also referring to His mission. For on no less than three occasions, He speaks of "laying down" His life for the sheep (vv.15,17,18). The Shepherd, who protects the sheep, now protects them to the point of death. The Shepherd now reveals that He is also the sacrificial "lamb of God" (1:29,35), who willingly lays down His life for the sheep. "The death of Jesus is no tragic accident, but the divinely appointed way whereby salvation would be brought to those who trust in Him." (14) It was not just for the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" that He was to lay down His life, but also for the "sheep of another pen" (10:16), the Gentiles. Thereby, making one flock, resided over by one Shepherd (v.16). How can the death of one man avail the redemption of so many, unless it was rendered more than sufficient by the divinity of this one man.! Thus, we contend that this I AM saying screams out the divinity of Jesus the Christ.

"I AM the Resurrection and the Life"

This particular I AM saying was made to Martha, who's brother Lazarus had recently died. When Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise again she took this to refer to "the resurrection of the last day" (11:23-24). It is at this point that He makes this explicit and astounding claim, "I AM the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me , even if he dies, he will live, and everyone who lives, and believes in me will certainly not die." (11:25-26). With this claim, Jesus is not simply stating that He imparts resurrection and life, but that He Himself is resurrection and life. As John said in his Prologue Jesus, (the Word), was life (1:4). Morris notes, "That he is the resurrection means death, which to us appears so final, is no obstacle, and that he is the life means that the quality of life that he imparts to us here and now never ceases." (15) This claim of Jesus is fully sustantiated in the following raising of Lazarus from the dead (v.44).
In commenting on John's recording of this incident, Morris powerfully states, "He is writing about one who is supremely great and who has breathtaking superiority over death. It is a comment to the human race that in the end we all face death and there is nothing we can do about that. We may stave off death for a time, but when it takes place it is final. John writes about a Lord for whom it is not final. He is such a great person that even death gives place to him." (15) Surely this claim of Jesus' has no place on the lips of an ordinary man, but can only have place on the lips of Him who is divine.

"I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life"

This is the next I AM saying, to be addressed to those who have committed themselves to Jesus. On the eve of the Lord's crucifixion, Jesus gives His `Kingly farewell speech`. He has just instituted the Lord's Supper, (though John does not record this), and announced His imminent departure (13:33,36;14:2-3). In conjunction to the announcement of His departure, He adds, "You know the way to the place where I am going" (14:4). To this, the perplexed disciple Thomas responds, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?". "He wants the position to be clear, and will not let our Lord's word stand as though he understands them when he really does not. The man's fundamental honesty stands revealed". (16) This provides Jesus with the opportunity of expanding and elucidating what he has just said. Thus, He replies, "I AM the way and the truth and the life". To which He adds, "No-one comes to the Father except through me" (14:6), (italics mine). Despite the controversy that surrounds these words, and the many forms of translations and interpretations given, it is clear, by the the syntactical structure of these words, that Jesus is saying three distinct things about Himself. (The stress in the verse falls on "the way", since that is the issue (v.5). However, the three terms, "the way", "the truth" and "the life" are syntactically co-ordinate. Hence the indication that Jesus is declaring three distinct things about Himself.)
First He says, "I AM the way". Again, we see here an exclusivity which can not be denied, nor overlooked. Since Jesus refers to going to His Fathers house (v.2), and that "No-one comes to the Father except through me (v.6), we can see that He is not speaking of a moral or ethical way, but the way of salvation. The way of salvation leading to the Father. He is confidently stating that He is not one of many ways to God, but "the" way. This astounding claim hits at the heart of our pluralistic society and the syncristic philosophy that it dearly subscribes and holds on to. With one fell swoop, He disintegrates mans false notions of approaching God, and asserts His `uniqueness`. His substitutionary, atoning death is closely linked with Him being "the way". For it is through His death that God and sinners are reconciled.
Second, He claims to be "the truth". This speaks of His utter veracity and reliability. All that He has said, claimed and done can be both believed and trusted in, not simply because He tells the truth, but because He is the truth. For He is the Word of God that has become flesh (1:1,14). As Carson insightfully points out, "Jesus is the truth, because he embodies the supreme revelation of God-he himself `narrates` God (1:18), says and does exclusively what the Father gives him to say and do (5:19ff; 8:29), indeed he is properly called God (1:1, 18; 20:28). He is God's gracious self-disclosure, his "Word", made flesh (1:14). (17)
Third, Jesus states that He is "the life". This, as Morris correctly states, "takes us into the same area as the saying, "I AM the resurrection and the life". (18) Once again we observe Jesus associating very closely with life. "It is he alone whose life is unique, self- existent like the life of the Father (5:16). He is the life and the source of life to others (3:16)". (19)
We contend, then, that "this comprehensive saying claims an exclusive position for Jesus. He is the one way to God, he is thoroughly reliable, and he stands in a relation to truth such as no one else does. The same, of course, is true of his relationship to life". (20)

"I AM the True Vine"

Now we come to the final I AM saying with the predicate. During the upper room discourse, Jesus twice makes the declaration, that He is "the vine". On the first occasion He links Himself with the Father, when He says "I AM the true vine, and my Father is the gardener", or, "vinedresser" (15:1). On the second occasion He links Himself with the believer, when He declares, "I AM the vine; you are the branches", or, "vine canes" (21), and "goes on to refer to the mutual indwelling of the Saviour and the saved (15:5)". (22)
Many commentators have indicated the connection between this declaration of Jesus' and the Old Testament usage of the vine image. One of these is the noted theologian Bruce Milne. In his commentary on the Book of John, which places the emphasis on Jesus' mission, he states, "The image of the vine serves the `mission` theme in two important ways. In the first place, it was the supreme symbol of Israel. A great golden vine trailed over the temple porch, and the coinage minted during the revolt against Rome (AD 68-70) also bore a vine symbol. The Old Testament has many pertinent allusions. Possibly the most important in connection with Jesus' claim, I am the true vine (v.1), is Psalm 80, which blends talk of Israel as `the vine out of Egypt` (v.8) with `the son of man you raised up for yourself` (v. 17).
But the vine `is burned with fire` (Ps. 80:16). Israel has failed in God's long-term role she was called to fulfil, that being `a light for the Gentiles` (Is. 49:6), to bring God's salvation `to all the ends of the earth`... Israel, however, was more attracted by the gods of the surrounding nations than penetrating them as a missionary. Her centuries-long declension from God's purposes now reaches its nadir in the rejection of the Messiah and the repudiation of the kingship of God (19:15). But God's purposes, from which Israel turn in final apostasy, does not fall to the ground. It is grasped anew by the one who stands in the midst of Israel, and among the disciples. In contrast to the vine which has destroyed itself by disobedience, Jesus is `the true vine`. He is the obedient Son through whose sacrifice and consequent mission the age-old purpose of Israel would find fulfilment, the nations would be reached, and `all the families of the earth shall bless themselves` (Gn. 12:2).
He then continues, "The image of the vine has a second, less theological, pointer to mission. the vine is an essentially utilitarian plant; it exists to bear fruit. W. Temple eloquently portrays the fruit- bearing function of the vine. `The vine lives to give its life-blood. Its flower is small, its fruit abundant, and when that fruit is mature and the vine has become, for a moment, glorious, the treasure of the grapes is torn down and the vine is cut back to the stem`. This function is reflected in Jesus' stress on fruit-bearing (explicitly in verses 2, 4-5, 8, 16). We should therefore beware of interpretations of this passage which concentrate solely on our inward relationship with the Lord. Its real thrust is the renewal of the mission of Israel through Jesus the Messiah and the disciple community. While more `subjective` aspects are not entirely absent (cf. Jesus' reference to `love` and `obedience` to his commands; 10, 12, 17), the primary focus remains bracingly objective and missionary. Jesus by his exaltation in death and resurrection will be removed tangibly from the world. The disciples are sent into the world, as was Jesus, to carry on the task in his `absence`. That is the principle implication of Jesus' saying, I am the vine; you are the branches". (23)
While I concur with Milne's interpretation of Jesus being the fulfiller of God's missionary objectives, i.e. the true vine, through His life, death and subsequent resurrection. I do not whole-heartedly agree with his interpretation of I am the vine; you are the branches. I would tend to agree more on the lines of Morris' argument when he states, "the second saying emphasizes the vital contact with Christ. `He who remains in me, and I in him`, says Jesus `this man bears much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing` (15:5)." He continues, "it is an error to suppose that in the energy of the flesh that we are able to do anything that pleases God. For that we need the strength that he alone can supply. The condition of fruitful in Christian service is vital contact with Christ... Exactly what the "fruit" is is not explained, but usually in the New Testament the word means qualities of Christian character (Matt. 3:8; 7:20; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 5:22 etc.) and we should see this as primary in mind here. (24)
When we consider that "Salvation comes from God" (Jonah 2:9), and that Jesus the Christ is appointed of God as "a light for the Gentiles", so that He may bring God's "salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isa. 49:6), and that the transformation of the believer is only possible by the work of the indwelling Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9), and one's vital contact with Him (Jn 15:5). We can see that this I AM saying, like the rest, indicates His deity.

"I AM" without the Predicate

Having briefly examined the I AM sayings with a predicate, we now come to the I AM sayings without the predicate. While it may be true that the Greek words `ego eimi`, (translated I am in English), can normally have a simple human meaning (e.g. Jn. 9:9; 12:26), as we have already pointed out John's use of the term is highly distinctive. This truth is evident as one views the following passages in their context.
In John Chapter four, we see Jesus having a conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. When she states that the matters that they have been discussing would be dealt with by the coming Messiah, Jesus responds, "I AM, who am speaking to you"(v.26). Morris points out that, "Ethelbert Stauffer", (whoever he his!), "denies that this is `an indirect messianic affirmation`, and insists `that John wishes Jesus' answer to be understood as the theophanic formula ANI HU`. (25) While I Totally disagree with Stauffer that this is not `an indirect messianic affirmation`, as a syntactical analysis indicates that it is. (For Jesus is directly responding to her statement about the Messiah (v.15)). I do, however, concur with him that that this is a "Theophanic formula". For as we have previously stated, John's usage of the term is highly distinctive, the underling emphasis being divinity. I see no incongruity in seeing Jesus' claim as an indirect Messianic affirmation, and a claim to deity. For, we have already observed that John's intentions are to demonstrate the Messiahship and Deity of Jesus (20:30-31). Also, we see a link between "the Prophet who is to come into the world" (6:14), and His deity (6:33).
Two other passages, in which we find the "I AM" sayings, are Chapters 8 and 13. In the former passage, Jesus says to the Jews, "Unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins" (v.24). While in the latter, He declares to His disciples, "I tell you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM" (13:19). Morris helpfully comments, "In both passages we find the Johannine emphasis on the importance of believing, and in both it is linked with Jesus' own person. In both Jesus is saying that it is important that those addressed come to trust him as the I AM, which looks very much like a claim to sharing in the nature of deity". (25)
Probably the most familiar "I AM" saying, without the predicate, is to be found in verse 58 of chapter 8. There, Jesus pulls the theological rug from underneath the feet of the Jews, when He confidently asserts His pre-existent and consequently His deity, by saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM". It is evident, from the context, that Jesus was declaring His deity. For the biblical record states, "At this, they picked up stones to stone him". John has previously stated that the Jews tried to kill Jesus, for exactly the same reason-"He was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God" (5:18). (italics added)
Now that we have briefly examined both groups of the "I AM" sayings, from a historical, literary, lexical, syntactical, structural and theological approach, we conclude that the "I AM" sayings prove the deity of Jesus the Christ. And that when Jesus uttered these solemn words, He sought to convey the astounding fact of his divine nature - as did the Apostle John when he recorded these life-giving words.
NOTES
1. Leon Morris, Jesus Is The Christ (STUDIES IN THE THEOLOGY OF JOHN), pp. 107-8.
2. Ibid., p. 109.
3. Bruce Milne, The Message of JOHN, p. 110.
4. Ibid., p. 111.
5. Ibid.
6. L. Morris, Jesus Is The Christ, p. 110.
7. B. Milne, The Message of JOHN, p. 111.
8. Mishnah, tractate Sukkah 4.9.
9. D.A. Carson, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, p. 338.
10. L. Morris, Jesus Is The Christ, p. 113.
11. Ibid., p. 114.
12. D.A. Carson, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, p. 385.
13. L. Morris, Jesus Is The Christ, p. 114-15.
14. Ibid., p. 116.
15. Ibid., p. 117-18.
16. L. Morris, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, p. 640.
17. D.A. Carson, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN, p. 491.
18. L. Morris, Jesus Is The Christ, p. 119.
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid., p. 120.
22. Ibid.
23. B. Milne, The Message of JOHN, p. 219-20.
24. L. Morris, Jesus Is The Christ, pp. 121-22. 

25. Ibid., p. 122

God Bless You

Rey Anthony Gatela

http://www.cesreygatela.blogspot.com