What follows are some wonderful articles from the Scriptures Speak blog written by Jesavee :-
John 8:58
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
No, Jesus didn't mean that he lived before Abraham or that he is God or an angel.
The God that sent Moses in Exodus 3:14-15 is the very same God who glorified his servant Jesus in Acts 3:13-15. Jesus is a man, and his God is Yahweh
(1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 2:22; Hebrews 7:24-28). Jesus said in verse 56 of John 8 that Abraham saw his day and rejoiced to see it and was glad. It means that before Abraham, Jesus was the Messiah, the son of man (John 4:25-26; Micah 5:2-5). However, Jesus was made of a woman in due time (Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:30-35). Earlier in the same chapter Jesus tells them in verse 24, "if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins", and then a few verses down he let them know that they would know who he is with certainty by saying, "When you have lifted up the son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me I speak these things". Jesus does nothing of himself and only seeks the Father's will and not his own will, for Jesus is the son of the one who is God (John 5:18,30,43; John 7:15-17;
2 John 1:3; Ephesians 1:3,17). In John 8, Jesus refers to himself as a man who told them the truth, which he heard from God (John 8:40). So all that Jesus said in John 8 must be considered in interpreting John 8:58. Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world, and was even said to be slain from the foundation the world. No one would imagine that when Jesus was crucified it was from the foundation of the world literally (Revelation 13:8), just as no one would imagine that we existed before we were actually conceived, since God has chosen us in Jesus before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:4).
We must take into account the Hebrew culture. Whatever God says will come to pass or happen, we can speak as though it has already happened. Even though it has not literally happened yet. God himself said that his word will not return to him void (Isaiah 55:11). For example in John 17:5 Jesus was in prayer to his Father, which is the only true God, and Jesus said, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." Well Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was because God had already purposed it, yet in emphasis, Jesus was made of a woman in due time (Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:30-35). If you read on in the context of John 17 you will see that Jesus says that the same glory that God has given him, he has given it to his disciples so that they may be one as Jesus and his Father are one. It is so that they may be one in Jesus and his Father, being all made perfect in one (John 17:20-23). Then if you read in the Acts of the Apostles you will learn exactly when Jesus actually received this honor and glory from God and it was not before Jesus was actually born (2 Peter 1:17). Because of Jesus, now can we be called the sons of God, crying Abba Father (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). We can be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
God is not ever described as an heir in the scriptures, because God IS God.
So indeed Abraham saw Jesus' day, but by faith, not literally.
Even David, a man after God's own heart, is both dead and buried and has not ascended to heaven, but it is said that David was seeing it before and spoke of the resurrection (Acts 2:29-36; Acts 13:22). According to Hebrews 11, Abraham and many others all died in faith having not received the promises, "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." This is in reference to the resurrection in which all those that sleep (are dead) in Christ shall be raised together in the first resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4). You can read about this in Revelation 20 and also about the second death. There is a resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation
(John 5:29).
There were many prophecies concerning Jesus our Lord, which God spoke by the prophets (Matthew 2:23; Acts 3:20-23; Acts 13:23; Luke 1:68-70; Isaiah 53; Isaiah 11; Romans 15:12). So indeed the prophets and others knew of Jesus, God's anointed, before Jesus was even born (John 5:43-47; Acts 10:38-42; Acts 4:27). Jesus even opened up their understanding of the scriptures and expounded to them of the things concerning himself in them, after his resurrection in Luke 24: 25-27, 44-48.
Indeed, Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus' day and he saw it.
No, Jesus didn't mean that he lived before Abraham or that he is God or an angel.
The God that sent Moses in Exodus 3:14-15 is the very same God who glorified his servant Jesus in Acts 3:13-15. Jesus is a man, and his God is Yahweh
(1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 2:22; Hebrews 7:24-28). Jesus said in verse 56 of John 8 that Abraham saw his day and rejoiced to see it and was glad. It means that before Abraham, Jesus was the Messiah, the son of man (John 4:25-26; Micah 5:2-5). However, Jesus was made of a woman in due time (Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:30-35). Earlier in the same chapter Jesus tells them in verse 24, "if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins", and then a few verses down he let them know that they would know who he is with certainty by saying, "When you have lifted up the son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me I speak these things". Jesus does nothing of himself and only seeks the Father's will and not his own will, for Jesus is the son of the one who is God (John 5:18,30,43; John 7:15-17;
2 John 1:3; Ephesians 1:3,17). In John 8, Jesus refers to himself as a man who told them the truth, which he heard from God (John 8:40). So all that Jesus said in John 8 must be considered in interpreting John 8:58. Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world, and was even said to be slain from the foundation the world. No one would imagine that when Jesus was crucified it was from the foundation of the world literally (Revelation 13:8), just as no one would imagine that we existed before we were actually conceived, since God has chosen us in Jesus before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:4).
We must take into account the Hebrew culture. Whatever God says will come to pass or happen, we can speak as though it has already happened. Even though it has not literally happened yet. God himself said that his word will not return to him void (Isaiah 55:11). For example in John 17:5 Jesus was in prayer to his Father, which is the only true God, and Jesus said, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." Well Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was because God had already purposed it, yet in emphasis, Jesus was made of a woman in due time (Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:30-35). If you read on in the context of John 17 you will see that Jesus says that the same glory that God has given him, he has given it to his disciples so that they may be one as Jesus and his Father are one. It is so that they may be one in Jesus and his Father, being all made perfect in one (John 17:20-23). Then if you read in the Acts of the Apostles you will learn exactly when Jesus actually received this honor and glory from God and it was not before Jesus was actually born (2 Peter 1:17). Because of Jesus, now can we be called the sons of God, crying Abba Father (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). We can be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
God is not ever described as an heir in the scriptures, because God IS God.
So indeed Abraham saw Jesus' day, but by faith, not literally.
Even David, a man after God's own heart, is both dead and buried and has not ascended to heaven, but it is said that David was seeing it before and spoke of the resurrection (Acts 2:29-36; Acts 13:22). According to Hebrews 11, Abraham and many others all died in faith having not received the promises, "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." This is in reference to the resurrection in which all those that sleep (are dead) in Christ shall be raised together in the first resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4). You can read about this in Revelation 20 and also about the second death. There is a resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation
(John 5:29).
There were many prophecies concerning Jesus our Lord, which God spoke by the prophets (Matthew 2:23; Acts 3:20-23; Acts 13:23; Luke 1:68-70; Isaiah 53; Isaiah 11; Romans 15:12). So indeed the prophets and others knew of Jesus, God's anointed, before Jesus was even born (John 5:43-47; Acts 10:38-42; Acts 4:27). Jesus even opened up their understanding of the scriptures and expounded to them of the things concerning himself in them, after his resurrection in Luke 24: 25-27, 44-48.
Indeed, Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus' day and he saw it.
By Jesavee
The Kingdom of God
God created the earth to be inhabited, and the earth abides forever (Isaiah 45:18; Ecclesiastes 1:4). The Lord God gave Jesus, his Son, the throne of his father David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-35; Luke 22:28-30). The throne of David [was] on the earth ... [in] Jerusalem. There is never any indication that David's throne moved, or that David was on the throne in heaven at any time. The city of David, is Jerusalem, which is Zion, and it is on the earth (Psalms 48:2; Isaiah 52:1; 2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:5; 2 Samuel 3:9-10; 1 Kings 2:12,24; 1 Kings 2:33,45; 1 Kings 3:6; Psalms 132:11;
Jeremiah 17:25; Luke 1:32).
Mount Zion cannot be removed and abides forever (Psalms 125:1; Joel 3:20).
When Jesus comes back he will sit on the throne of his glory, which is on the earth, that God gave to him (Zechariah 6:12-13; Matthew 19:28; Matthew 25:31). Jesus must reign a thousand years and when the last enemy is destroyed, which is death, Jesus will put down all rule, and all authority, and power, and deliver the kingdom to God, his Father, so that God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Revelation 20: 4-15; Revelation 3:11-12; Revelation 21:1- 7).
It will be manifest that Jesus is subject to God, who did put all things under him
(1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:31; John 14:28). Of course God did not put himself under Jesus, so he is an exception (1 Corinthians 15:27-28). The meek will inherit the earth (Psalms 37:11; Matthew 5:5). The righteous will never be removed from the earth (Psalms 37:29; Proverbs 10:30). The wicked will be destroyed and cut off from the earth (Psalms 37:9, 20, 28, 34, 38).
Those who are dead in Christ at the time of Jesus' coming will be a part of the first resurrection, and some in Christ will still be alive at the time of Jesus' coming, and will be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air with the others
(Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
Jesus will raise the dead up in the last day by the power of God (John 6:39-40,44,54;
1 Corinthians 6:14; John 5:20-30). They of the first resurrection and all those in Christ, will reign with Jesus during his thousand year reign, and will not be hurt of the second death (Revelation 20:4,6). There is a resurrection of life, and a resurrection of damnation (John 5:29; Acts 24:15).
The rest of the dead, who are not in Christ are resurrected to [judgment], after the thousand years. The second death is when the wicked are destroyed together in the lake of fire, being cut off from the earth (Psalms 37:20,38; Rev 20:12-15; Matthew 13:41-43, 49-50). To perish, means to be destroyed, and to not live anymore (Numbers 17:12; Genesis 7:23). The second death is "death", and there is no life when you are dead, you do not know anything or feel anything (Ecclesiastes 9: 3-6; 1 Kings 21:15).
["We are Souls" therefore:] Souls are not immortal and do die, and have died, the dead cannot praise God (Psalms 88:10-12; Psalms 115:17; Joshua 10:28,35,37,39;
Acts 3:23; Ezekiel 18:4; Revelation 16:3). The dead can live again in the resurrection, we have hope in that Jesus our Lord, the first begotten of the dead, was raised from the dead by God (Hebrews 5:8-10; John 11:25; Acts 2:22-36, 10:38-42, 17:31, 24:15; 1 Peter 1:3,19-21; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23; Philippians 3:7-12; Revelation 20:4-6). Those who believe in God's only begotten Son and are obedient to the will of God will have everlasting life (John 3:16; Matthew 5:20, 7:21, 12:20, 18:3, 19:21-30; 1 John 5:11;
1 John 2:17; Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:16-26).
The city of Jesus' God, is called New Jerusalem, and in the future, it will come down out of heaven from Jesus' God, like a bride prepared for her husband (Revelation 3:11-12). All things will be made new, all the old things would have passed away. There will be peace on earth (Psalms 37:11). God himself will tabernacle among his people. The wicked, who were in the second death will have already been destroyed in the lake of fire, and cut off from the earth, so they will not see this kingdom (Revelation 21:1-7;
John 3:3-7).
Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, for he said, "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent" (Luke 4:43; Luke 8:1; Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Mark 1:14). Jesus sent his disciples to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1-2, 59-62; Luke 16:16). They preached the kingdom of God in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:12; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:30-31). In the instruction of the manner of prayer, Jesus mentions the kingdom saying, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:5-13)." The kingdom of God will come.
Jeremiah 17:25; Luke 1:32).
Mount Zion cannot be removed and abides forever (Psalms 125:1; Joel 3:20).
When Jesus comes back he will sit on the throne of his glory, which is on the earth, that God gave to him (Zechariah 6:12-13; Matthew 19:28; Matthew 25:31). Jesus must reign a thousand years and when the last enemy is destroyed, which is death, Jesus will put down all rule, and all authority, and power, and deliver the kingdom to God, his Father, so that God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Revelation 20: 4-15; Revelation 3:11-12; Revelation 21:1- 7).
It will be manifest that Jesus is subject to God, who did put all things under him
(1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:31; John 14:28). Of course God did not put himself under Jesus, so he is an exception (1 Corinthians 15:27-28). The meek will inherit the earth (Psalms 37:11; Matthew 5:5). The righteous will never be removed from the earth (Psalms 37:29; Proverbs 10:30). The wicked will be destroyed and cut off from the earth (Psalms 37:9, 20, 28, 34, 38).
Those who are dead in Christ at the time of Jesus' coming will be a part of the first resurrection, and some in Christ will still be alive at the time of Jesus' coming, and will be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air with the others
(Revelation 20:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
Jesus will raise the dead up in the last day by the power of God (John 6:39-40,44,54;
1 Corinthians 6:14; John 5:20-30). They of the first resurrection and all those in Christ, will reign with Jesus during his thousand year reign, and will not be hurt of the second death (Revelation 20:4,6). There is a resurrection of life, and a resurrection of damnation (John 5:29; Acts 24:15).
The rest of the dead, who are not in Christ are resurrected to [judgment], after the thousand years. The second death is when the wicked are destroyed together in the lake of fire, being cut off from the earth (Psalms 37:20,38; Rev 20:12-15; Matthew 13:41-43, 49-50). To perish, means to be destroyed, and to not live anymore (Numbers 17:12; Genesis 7:23). The second death is "death", and there is no life when you are dead, you do not know anything or feel anything (Ecclesiastes 9: 3-6; 1 Kings 21:15).
["We are Souls" therefore:] Souls are not immortal and do die, and have died, the dead cannot praise God (Psalms 88:10-12; Psalms 115:17; Joshua 10:28,35,37,39;
Acts 3:23; Ezekiel 18:4; Revelation 16:3). The dead can live again in the resurrection, we have hope in that Jesus our Lord, the first begotten of the dead, was raised from the dead by God (Hebrews 5:8-10; John 11:25; Acts 2:22-36, 10:38-42, 17:31, 24:15; 1 Peter 1:3,19-21; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23; Philippians 3:7-12; Revelation 20:4-6). Those who believe in God's only begotten Son and are obedient to the will of God will have everlasting life (John 3:16; Matthew 5:20, 7:21, 12:20, 18:3, 19:21-30; 1 John 5:11;
1 John 2:17; Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:16-26).
The city of Jesus' God, is called New Jerusalem, and in the future, it will come down out of heaven from Jesus' God, like a bride prepared for her husband (Revelation 3:11-12). All things will be made new, all the old things would have passed away. There will be peace on earth (Psalms 37:11). God himself will tabernacle among his people. The wicked, who were in the second death will have already been destroyed in the lake of fire, and cut off from the earth, so they will not see this kingdom (Revelation 21:1-7;
John 3:3-7).
Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, for he said, "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent" (Luke 4:43; Luke 8:1; Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Mark 1:14). Jesus sent his disciples to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1-2, 59-62; Luke 16:16). They preached the kingdom of God in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:12; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:30-31). In the instruction of the manner of prayer, Jesus mentions the kingdom saying, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:5-13)." The kingdom of God will come.
By Jesavee
However some editing has been done on this article.
