Jehovah = Jesus

Spiritual Lessons

I recently talked to a Jehovah Witness who told me that Jesus was a good man, even a co-creator of the universe, without sin... but, Jesus isn't God.  She encouraged me to study the Bible and also the New World Translation and she ended our discussion saying that with an open mind, she knew I would be astonished to find that Jesus isn't God.

I know Jesus is God because I pray to Him and talk to Him as God every day.  But the verses I showed her did not satisfy her.  She told me that in the Greek these words meant something entirely different than how we perceive them in the English.  

So I decided to do a little study.  I am amazed how clear the Bible is about the subject.  I thought I would share what I found with you.  You never know when the Lord will bring someone in your life that needs to know that Jesus is Jehovah.

Jehovah = Jesus

Stone of Stumbling

The Bible says that the LORD will be a stone of stumbling.  So does the New World Translation, (the Jehovah Witness' "bible").  "LORD" is always translated "Jehovah" in the NWT.  The Jehovah Witnesses believe that Jehovah is God, but not Jesus.

Isaiah 8: 13-15 (KJV)

Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

And he shall be your sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

New World Translation (NWT)

“Jehovah of armies – he is the One whom you should treat as holy, and he should be the object of your fear, and he should be the one causing you to tremble.

And he must become as a sacred place; but as a stone to striked against and as a rock over which to stumble to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and as a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

And many among them will be certain to stumble and to fall and be broken, and to be snared and caught.”

In the New Testament the Bible says that Jesus Christ is that stumbling stone.  Incredibly, so does the New World Translation.

1 Peter 2: 6-8 (KJV)

“….acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them with be disobedient, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

(NWT)

“For it is contained in Scripture: 'Look! I am laying in Zion a stone, chosen, a foundation corner stone, precious; and no one exercising faith in it will by any means come to disappointment.

It is to you, therefore, that he is precious, because you are believers; but to those not believing, 'identical stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner',

and 'a stone of stumbling and a rock mass of offense.' These are stumbling because they are disobedient to the word. To this very end they were also appointed.”

The LORD God is a stumbling stone and Jesus is that stumbling stone.  Therefore, Jesus is the LORD God.

Creator (Jehovah = Jesus) Is. 44:24 and Col. 1:6

Only Savior

The Bible says that there is no other savior other than the LORD.  The NWT says the same thing.

Is. 43:11 (KJV)

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.

(NWT)

I – I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.

The Bible also claims that Jesus Christ is the Savior.  So does the NWT!

1 Timothy 1:10 (KJV)

“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”

(NWT)

“but now it has been made clearly evident through the manifestation of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death but has shed light upon life and incorruption through the good news.”

King of kings (Jehovah = Jesus) Psalm 95:3 and 1 Timothy 6:14-15

Alpha and Omega

The Bible says the LORD is the first and the last and besides him there is no God.  Compare to the NWT.

Isaiah 44:6 (KJV)

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

(NWT)

“This is what Jehovah has said, the King of Israel and the Repurchaser of him, Jehovah of armies, I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God.”

John then records for us that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last.  The NWT shows the same.

Rev. 1:7-18 (KJV)

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pireced him: and all kindreds of the earch shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I was in the Spirit of the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches...And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

I am he that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys to hell and of death.”

(NWT)

“Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earch will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, says Jehovah God, 'the one who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.

I John, your brother and a sharer with you in the tribulation, and kindom and endurance in company with Jesus, came to be in the isle that is called Patmos for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus.

By inspiration I came to be in the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet,

saying: 'What you see write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations, in Ephesus and in Smyrna and in Sardis and in Philadelphia and in Laodicea.... and when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet.

And he laid his right hand upon me ad siad: Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last, and the living one, and I became dead, but, look! I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys to death and of Hades”.

Amazing....only one son of man was ever pierced and lives now but was become dead and now lives forever and ever....only one that claims to be our Savior....and that is Jehovah God – Jesus!

Good Shepherd (Jehovah = Jesus) Is. 40:10-11 and John 10:11

Every Knee Bow

The Bible says that unto God every knee shall bow and every tongue swear.  The NWT says the same.

Isaiah 45:23 (KJV)

“...for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

(NWT)

“...for I am God, an there is no one else. By my own self I have sworn – out of my own mouth in righteousness the word has gone forth, so that it will not return – that to me every knee will bend down, every tongue will swear,”

Then in the New Testament it later says that every knee shall bow to Jesus and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  The NWT says the same thing.

Phil. 2:8-11 (KJV)

“...and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, an give him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things of heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

(NWT)

“...and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

Judge (Jehovah = Jesus) Is. 24:20-21 and Col. 1:17

Reigning

The Bible says that the LORD of hosts shall reign.  Compare to NWT.

Isaiah 24:23 (KJV)

“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, and when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

(NWT)

“And the full moon has become abashed, and the glowing [sun] has become ashamed, for Jehovah of armies has become king in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and in front of his elderly men with glory.”

The Bible also claims that it is the Son of man that shall come in his glory.  The Son of man is Jesus.

Matt. 25:31 (KJV)

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:”

(NWT)

“When the Son of man arrives in glory, and all the angles with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne.”

Who Says Jesus Christ is God?

David called Jesus God      

Matthew 22:43-45

“He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?”

Looked this “Lord” up in Greek and the Strong's Concordance says 
– Lord: (2962) kurios, koo-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, ie. (as noun) controller; by impl. Mr. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir.

So this “Lord” could be a title only, although by implication and context of the verse it would seem that as a supreme authority it refers to God.

Isaiah called Jesus God 

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

Here the Bible just comes out and says Christ the son of God is the mighty God, the everlasting Father. Also look at –

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Immanuel is Hebrew meaning "with us (is) God" (Strongs Concordance 6005).

"Lord" in this verse is the Hebrew word Adonay, ad-o-noy'; the Lord – used as a proper name of God only. (Stongs Concordance 136). 

So God himself gave a sign, a virgin conceiving and bearing a son who was God (with us).

Jeremiah called Christ God   

Jeremiah 23:5-6 “Behold the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Both the LORD's in this verse come from the Hebrew word Yehovah, yeh-ho-vaw'; (the) self-Existent or Eternal, Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: – Jehovah the Lord. (Strongs 3068)

 Matthew called Christ God.  

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Christ called Himself God.

John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”

One in this verse cannot mean in agreement or will because the Greek word “one” in this verse is – heis, hice. A primary numeral; man,one (another), only, other, some. (Strongs 1520) The same Greek word used in verses 
(John 6:8, John 7:50,John 8:9,John 11:50,John 12:2). It doesn't mean one will, it means one and the same person.

Revelation 1:5-8 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priets unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which perceived him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Here Lord Jesus calls himself the beginning and the ending, the Almighty. Lord here is the same “Lord” David used [Lord: (2962) kurios, koo-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, ie. (as noun) controller; by impl. Mr. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir.].

“Almighty” here is the Greek word – pantokrator, pan-tok-rat'-ore; the all-ruling, ie. God (as absolute and universal sovereign): – Almighty, Omnipotent.

The angels called Christ God.   

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Lord: (2962) kurios, koo-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, ie. (as noun) controller; by impl. Mr. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir.

John called Christ God.   

John 1:1-3+14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, an the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dewlt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

“Word” in these verses comes from the Greek word “logos” – the Divine Expression (ie Christ). (Strongs 3056) The Word was God.

God in verse 1 is the Greek word “theos” – the supreme Divinity, a magistrate; exceeding, God. The Word = Christ. Christ = God. (Strongs 2316)

The same Greek word is used for God in 1 John 3:16

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Who laid his life down for us? God did – by being crucified. Christ is God.

It is also the same Greek word that is used for 1 John 5:20

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Jesus Christ is “theos” – the supreme Divinity, God.

The Blind man called Jesus God.  

John 9:35-38

“...Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

He answered and said, Who is he, Lord that I might believe on him?

And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”

Lord here is the Greek word kurios, koo-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, ie. (as noun) controller; by impl. Mr. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir. (Strongs 2962)

The blind man called him God and worshiped Jesus and Jesus accepted the worship.

The angels refuse to accept worship (Rev. 19:10).

The Apostles refuse to accept worship (Acts 14:11-15).

Jesus accepted worship because He is the Almighty God, the Creator of all things, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending.

The wise men worshiped him. (Matt. 2:11)

A leper worshiped him. (Matt. 8:2)

A certain young ruler worshiped him. (Matt. 9:18)

The Disciples worshiped him. (Matt. 14:33 and Luke 24:52).

A Canaanite woman worshiped him (Matt. 15:26)

The mother of Zebedee's children with her sons worshiped him (Matt. 20:20) 
The mad man of Gadara worshiped him (Mark 5:6.)

The angels worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)

Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and shall worship him. (Phil. 2:9-1)

Jehovah makes it very clear that only the Lord God is to be worshiped. Jesus is worshiped and he never stops them from worshiping him. Because Jesus is God. (Matt. 4:10; Exodus 34:14;Is.42:8)

Thomas called Jesus God   

John 20:26+28

“...then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. ...And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

Don't even need to look into the Greek or Hebrew for that one!

Peter called Jesus God.  

Acts 10:36 “....Jesus Christ: (he is the Lord of all).”

Lord: (2962) kurios, koo-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, ie. (as noun) controller; by impl. Mr. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir.

Paul called Jesus God      

Acts 20:28 “...the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world received up into glory.”

Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

Because the Old Testament proclaimed Jesus is God, because Jesus fulfills these promises in the New Testament, because He was proclaimed God at His birth and because Jesus claimed to be God and accepted worship I believe Jesus is God.

"Jesus saith... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  

John 14:6