The Jesus Problem

Do you understand THE JESUS PROBLEM?

Most importantly, do you have the RIGHT ANSWER 
to THE JESUS PROBLEM?


You can talk about God and most people will tolerate that. However, when you mention Jesus, even among some groups that would dare to claim they are Messianic believers, there is a problem.

 

Anyone who would say that the word Jesus is derived from “Yea Zeus” is promoting a LIE far removed from truth or scholarship. Anyone who would NOT say Jesus is the name of the I AM, denigrates His name, and effectively is making the One who said He is The I AM, to be a liar or worse. Anyone who would denigrate the name of Jesus is NOT speaking by the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of Truth and Holiness. The Ruach Ha Kodesh is not to be found in such a Yea Zeus lie, that should be strongly rebuked. Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Can you imagine what those who would denigrate the name of The I AM will say when they MUST stand before The I AM, having promoted such a denigrating lie regarding His most well known name on earth in plain English? Those who regard truth will come to know that there simply is no “SH” sound in the Greek language, and an “A” ending on a proper name in Greek, is feminine. That is why Yeshua’s name, was written in Greek by the Apostles, as Iesous. Iesous is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word Yeshua, meaning salvation, or the salvation of YHVH. The Greek name Iesous, in today’s plain English is JESUS. Jesus is the name by which The I AM is most widely known today. But that is NOT the Jesus Problem.

 

There are some people so deceived as to think that the New Testament was not originally written in Greek. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. To say otherwise is NOT truth, or scholarship. To say the New Testament was not originally written in Greek is ridiculous, but that is not the Jesus Problem. 

 

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HAVING THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THE JESUS PROBLEM. The Jesus Problem is simply this - Jesus clearly and explicitly said that He IS God. Seven times He said explicitly that He IS THE I AM, the same I AM who taught Torah to Moses, who visited with Abraham, and who wrestled with Jacob. So the problem is that unless one believes that Jesus is GOD, then such an one makes Jesus a liar, lunatic, or worse. GOD SAID THAT UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS GOD, THE I AM, YOU SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS.

 

I believe the best way to help those who are bound for hell because they have the WRONG ANSWER to THE JESUS PROBLEM is The 7 I AM’s in John’s Gospel. I believe the seven I AM’s in John’s Gospel to be the best, short, and most direct way to help them be set free from the religious feel-good demonic spirits, which have them certainly bound for hell, because of their wrong answer to the Jesus Problem.

 

In these last days of strong delusion, it is not just the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, the Christadelphians, and the Way International, and other heretical cult groups that DENY the person of The Lord Jesus Christ, who deny Yeshua THE Messiah IS the I AM who spoke with Abraham and gave the Torah instruction to Moses. Because of persecution of the Jews by those misrepresenting the name of Jesus Christ, unto this day a God ordained veil remains over the eyes of the Jews. It is sad how many millions in the history of the Church  who believed themselves to be, and called themselves Christians, have gone to hell by way of the devil’s poison of Jew hate and blame shifting. The strong delusion of Jew hate and Jew blame shifting is so strong that probably not even the seven I AM’s of John’s Gospel could help the Jew haters for Jesus avoid the extra crispy section of hell.

 

The seven I AM’s in John’s Gospel represent a powerful witness to the Jews that may allow us the opportunity to see the veil removed early and SOME JEWS be saved before the day when God will remove the veil and save the whole Jewish nation in one day.

 

Perhaps one of the most sad things we see in these last days of strong delusion is what is happening in the greatest PROPHETIC move of the Holy Spirit in the history of the Church, known as the Messianic movement. Here people who have a zeal for God, are often being led to destruction by messianic wolves in garments to deceive, who give them the WRONG answer to the Jesus Problem. The teaching of many so-called and self-proclaimed rabbis will most certainly lead them to hell. Yes, many in the Messianic movement today, while believing themselves to be more spiritual and Torah observant than ever, are certainly bound for hell because of their WRONG answer to the Jesus Problem. It is a Christian duty to try to help free them from such a deadly strong delusion leading to the second death. Most would be shocked by how many so-called Messianic rabbis who covertly deny that Yeshua is God the Son, The I AM, who appeared and spoke to Abraham and Moses.

 

The seven I AM’s in the Gospel of John, make it explicit, and indisputable, and undeniable, that Jesus is God, The I AM. There can be NO tolerance for those who would try to claim to be Christian or Messianic believers who would say otherwise. Yeshua is The I AM, Hayah in Hebrew, or Ego Eimi in Greek, He is God the Son, BOTH Creator and Redeemer.

 

Angels are created beings. Therefore, it is GROSS ERROR to identify Yeshua Messiah as Michael, the Archangel. Jesus Christ, who created ALL things, including Michael, is not called Michael, in heaven or on earth. Names of God are VERY important. Yeshua, Jesus, is Almighty God and Creator as well as Redeemer. Yeshua is not to be called Michael in any VAIN IMAGINATION.



No real Christian allows Yeshua, Jesus, to be called Michael in heaven or on earth. That is confusion, and gross error, to say the LEAST. There is NO OTHER NAME of the Redeemer that is acceptable to Christians. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Exo 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:



At the name of Yeshua, Jesus, every knee shall bow. No knees will bow at the name of Michael. Michael would be as horrified, as Lucifer would be delighted, if men try to worship him. No faithful angel will accept worship. Lucifer and his demon fallen angels want worship. No faithful angel will EVER accept worship. Yeshua, Jesus, is worthy of, and always accepts worship, and the Father is glorified with the worship of His Son. To identify Michael as Jesus, is a lie of the devil. Michael is not Jesus. Jesus CREATED Michael.



The lie, that Jesus is called Michael, is embraced by heretic pseudo Christian cults such as Jehovah Witness Watchtower. However, though the Watchtower embraces this doctrine of devils, it is usually not easy to get them to admit this. If someone believes in a Jesus, who is Michael the Archangel, he might just as well believe in Harvey the 6 Foot invisible rabbit for his salvation. Only God is eternal. But when God created angels the Bible never reveals. If the "us" in Genesis 1:26 is a reference to God's angelic court, then the angels are simply present at the creation; their origin is not explained.



ANGEL is a heavenly messenger who either delivers a message to humans, carries out God's will, protects God's people, praises God, or guards God's throne.

 

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

 

If no one has ever seen the Father, then it must have been Jesus who appeared before the Old Testament saints. Often he appeared as The Angel of the Lord. (Theophany is a pre-incarnate appearance of The Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua The Messiah.)

 

The Angel of the Lord appeared before Hagar.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The Angel of the Lord appeared before Jacob.

 

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

 

The Angel of the Lord identifies Himself as God.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Genesis 32:24-28 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.


(John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: UNDERSTAND - Israel is the name of the Family of God. Israel, are those who by the price of Redemption, of the Blood of the Lamb of God, and the Spirit of Adoption, have the privilege and power to call the Father of The Lord Jesus Christ, our FATHER. And, Yeshua, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren who DO the will of the FATHER in Heaven .)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Jacob identified the Angel of the Lord as God.

 

Gen 32:29-30 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

 

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

 

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

 

The Angel identifies himself as I AM.

 

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

 

Jesus identified himself as I AM.

 

“There are seven instances in John's Gospel where The Lord Jesus Christ uses this PROFOUND PROCLAMATION of Who He IS, The I AM, Yahweh, The Lord of Hosts. The Jews Knew EXACTLY what Jesus was telling them. That He is, Yahweh, I AM, the Lord of Host, Almighty God, Creator as well as Redeemer, because they invariably took up stones to attempt to stone Him for blasphemy. We miss most of them in our English Bible, for the translators so often felt that it was necessary to add the word “he”. IT IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK TEXTUS RECEPTUS. In one instance the words are translated “It is I”. But in every case the greek has simply Ego Eimi. I AM.”. The Seven Great I Am’s, Archibald Campbell, Christian Literature Crusade, page 17.

 

Here are the seven places where Jesus publicly proclaims that He is I AM. Note: The added words which should be in italics in your KJV Holy Bible are removed here as in the original Greek text, THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS, make the point more vividly.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (As Abraham PROPHESIED to Isaac, God will provide Himself, a Lamb. Genesis 22:8)

 

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

 

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

 

John 8:57-59 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

Here Jesus CLEARLY proclaims that Abraham knew Him. He then says that He is I AM. The Jews UNDERSTOOD what He said that He is I AM. They thought he was committing blasphemy, and tried to stone Him.

 

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

 

The resurrection from the dead, is the greatest proof that Jesus is the I AM, that is spoken of in the Bible. Many false Messiahs have come and gone, they died, and their bodies remain in the grave. But Jesus is different, for He rose from the dead. He is seated in His glorified RESURRECTED body at the Right Hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; (Hebrews 8:1) ANY MESSIAH WHO DOES NOT BEAR THE MARKS OF HIS CRUCIFIXION IN HIS RESURRECTED GLORIFIED BODY IS A FALSE MESSIAH AND ANTICHRIST.

 

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

 

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

 

When Jesus made His proclamation that He was I AM, His enemies fell to the ground.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Manoah identified The Angel of the Lord as God.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Abraham address the Word of God, as Lord Yahweh.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Jesus claimed to be the God of Abraham.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Isaiah 6:10 says: Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

It is Yeshua Who is speaking with Daniel. (Compare Revelation 1 with Daniel chapter 10)

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Christadelphians, Mormons, and even many who try to present themselves as Christian or Messianic believers, will end up in hell because of their wrong answer to the  Jesus Problem. I hope that you all will keep a printout of GJiGT Yahoo update list message #1456 about The 7 I AM’s in John’s Gospel. That is the short best answer I know for the right answer to the Jesus Problem.

 

Here is the Jesus Problem, clearly stated by the Lord Jesus Christ. Yeshua THE Messiah, Himself, said – ”If ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins. That is the Jesus Problem. He very explicitly stated, with NO doubt, with absolute certainty and clarity, His claim that He IS the very SAME I AM who spoke to Abraham. He is the very same One who told Moses from the burning bush in answer to Moses’ question about His name, that Moses was to tell them, I AM that I AM, tell them I AM hath sent thee. That IS the Jesus Problem. Jesus very clearly taught that He IS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their wrong answer to the Jesus Problem will end the followers of every other religion in hell just as the Koran in Sura 19.71 tells the Muslims so explicitly. The Jesus Problem is that if you do NOT believe that Jesus is God, you SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS. So to the rabbis, imams, priests, gurus, and religious teachers who garner fame, fortune, and large followings, the question is - What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Anyone who does NOT believe that Jesus is God will end up in hell because of their wrong answer to the Jesus Problem.

 

People do not want to believe Jesus is God. The Problem is that Jesus said He IS God, the same I AM who communicated with Abraham and Moses. Almost everyone will tolerate religions, however, very few do not have the Jesus Problem. For most people, even some who would DARE to call themselves Christian or Messianic believers, the Jesus Problem is the greatest problem they can possibly have. Jesus clearly said we MUST believe that He IS God. He absolutely and explicitly said that He IS God, The I AM. That fact is the Jesus Problem. The Jesus Problem is that He leaves NO other option. Everyone is simply forced by what Jesus said of Himself, to either say that they are believers, who believe He IS who He said He IS, or they then must logically conclude He is a liar, insane, or worse. That is The Jesus Problem.

 

I do not know about you, but I profess to be a Messianic Believer, and that means I profess that Jesus IS the I AM. I profess to be a Christian and that means I believe Jesus IS the I AM. I will strongly rebuke in the Name of Jesus, any Jehovah’s Witness that dares to claim to be a Christian within the sound of my ears. I will strongly rebuke in the Name of Jesus, any Mormon who claims to be a Christian within the sound of my ears. I will strongly rebuke in the Name of Jesus, anyone claiming to be a Messianic believer who would say anything untrue or denigrating about the name of Jesus. I firmly believe that God is every bit as well pleased with the Jew who lifts up and exalts the name of Jesus, as He is with the Gentile who lifts up and exalts the name of Yeshua.

 

The Jesus Problem is that Jesus unmistakably claimed to be God. If Jesus IS God then we better fear Him, we better obey Him, and we better NOT denigrate any of His names, or misrepresent what He said. He presented and said of Himself that He is the ONLY way to have a relationship with God. He said He is the ONLY way to have forgiveness of sins. He said He is the ONLY way of salvation from the hell that was created for the devil and his angels. Christian and Messianic BELIEVERS know they deserve hell as surely as they KNOW why they will NOT get what they deserve. The grace of God unto salvation is found because of their genuine FAITH of Jesus Christ as God the Son, BOTH Redeemer and Creator, and only Saviour.

 

That is much too exclusive for most to accept. However, for anyone who does not accept that, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear, Jesus said - if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins. Before Abraham was I AM. The Judean leadership associated with the Temple knew EXACTLY what He meant, and immediately decided to be judge and executioners taking up stones to stone Him to death for blasphemy. (John 8:54-59) It is for the charge of claiming to be God that the Judean leaders of the Temple delivered Him to be crucified on that Wednesday, Nissan 14, in 30 AD.

 

Not only did Jesus claim equality with God as His Father, but He also asserted that He was one, (Echad, in the Hebrew), with the Father. In John 10:30 He very directly said, I and my Father are one. The Judean leaders of the Temple complex understood perfectly and took up stones to stone Him.

 

In Mark’s gospel account of the trial where the Judean temple leadership condemned Him to death, (Mark 14:60-64) we read: And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I AM: (the same as He told Moses in Ex 3:14), and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.   

 

The Holy Bible, especially in the New Testament, clearly presents Jesus as God, and very clearly attributes characteristics to Him that can only be true of God. For a full 9 years after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven to take His seat at the right hand of God the Father, ALL, 100% of His followers, were devout Jews. Cornelius was the first Gentile to receive the Holy Ghost and become part of the Church of the Messiah. All of those thousands of Jews who were disciples and followers of Jesus, were monotheistic to the core, believing in the ECHAD, One God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), of Deuteronomy 6:4.

 

Saul of Tarsus likely was one of those in that assembly of Judean temple leaders for the trial, which condemned Jesus to death. Yeshua was condemned for His claim that He is The I AM. Because of Saul’s extensive rabbinic training, he was most unlikely to call Jesus God. However, Saul did come to KNOW Yeshua as God, The I AM. Saul of Tarsus, great rabbi, persecutor of the Messianic believers, after God knocked him off of his high horse on the road to Damascus, was born again and chosen by the will of God to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, better known as Paul. The Apostle Paul expressed that truth and right answer to the Jesus Problem in Acts 20:28 saying -Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

I particularly like the opening of Paul’s letter to the Messianic Believers found in Hebrews 1:1-8:

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

 

The great rabbi Saul, who was born again to become the Apostle Paul also wrote:

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Col 1:12-20)

 

Those are great things to share with Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, cult members, and deceived deceivers who might claim to be Messianic believers. Those Scriptures in Heb 1:1-8 and Col 1:12-20 are good to share with anyone who is bound for hell because they have the WRONG answer regarding the Jesus Problem.

 

Only be very strong and of good courage. Stay IN the Word.