Broader vs Contextual Meaning

 There are a few Bible passages that come to mind that have a contextual meaning and what I would call a broader or general meaning. Oftentimes the New Testament writers quote and/or borrow language from Old Testament writers to deliver their messages, or to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. Let’s examine a few.

 Matthew 18:6 - Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Contextual Meaning - When Jesus is referencing little ones in this passage He is making reference to all believers, young and old alike. No one should tempt God’s children into sin - it's deadly for the offender to do so.

Broader Meaning - Many Christians will use this verse to refer to children only; e.g. those that want to harm children and sexually groom them to have transgender mutilation surgery because they have confusion about their biological sex or worse, sex traffic them for profit. They (i.e. those that protect children) are saying to the predators out there, “It would be better if someone hung a millstone around your neck and threw you in the sea to drown than for you to hurt a small child.” I see no problem borrowing the language from this verse to emphasize the severe repercussions of harming children but it’s very important to remember the context in which Jesus said this so the original meaning is not lost.

 Revelation 3:20 - Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Contextual Meaning - Jesus is proverbially knocking on the door of the Laodicean Church due to their sinfulness, they have locked the Lord out of their lives due to their apostate lukewarm behavior. This is a call to repentance by the disobedient members of this Church. Jesus loves them and desires to be let back in so that He can enjoy sweet communion and fellowship with the members of this congregation. It is not a call or invitation to repent and receive salvation for the first time. By extension this is a warning to all wayward believers for all time that think materialism is a barometer for holiness and success in lieu of obedience. The Laodiceans said they were rich. Jesus said they were wretched, blind, poor and naked (vs17b). Read all the verses regarding the Church of Laodicea.

 Broader Meaning - Many will use Revelation 3:20 as a useful verse for evangelism; to call the unregenerate to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation because He’s standing and knocking on the door of their hearts, so to speak.

 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness but is longsuffering toward us. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance.

 Contextual Meaning - Peter is rebuking those that are mocking the return of Christ. They are saying that it is taking Jesus too long to return. Now mind you, when Peter wrote this, it was the First Century A.D., maybe less than 40 years since Jesus had resurrected and ascended back to heaven. Christians throughout Church history have anticipated Jesus could return in their lifetime. Contextually who are the “us”, the “any”, and the “all” in verse nine? Let’s connect the dots.

In the first letter of Peter we read in chapter 1 verses 1-2, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

 In 2 Peter 3:1-4 we read, “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”’ 

In both letters Peter was writing to Christians. We are the “us”, the “any”, and the “all” in 2 Peter 3:9:the elect, the chosen of God before the foundation of the world. A comparable text is Ephesians 1:4, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

Broader Meaning - Christians use 2 Peter 3:9 as an evangelistic verse to say since God loves all people (which He does), He does not desire that anyone perish and die without Him which is true. Ezekiel 18:32 and Ezekiel 33:11 tells us God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Again, it's effective and I believe it right to borrow 2 Peter 3:9 as an evangelistic verse as long as the contextual meaning is not lost. 

 Exodus 33:18-19 - Moses asked the Lord, “Please show me your glory.” Then He (The Lord) said, “I will make My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

 Paul borrows the language of Exodus 33:19 when discussing election:

“And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”[1] As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”[2]

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses. “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have 

compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”  So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:10-16).

Paul anticipated that his audience would think and question God’s righteousness regarding election as unfair, so he is preemptive by saying there is certainly no unrighteousness with God. Remember, man is a sinner, and the only thing we deserve is hell. God deciding to choose who He wants to extend mercy to is His divine prerogative. God’s mercy is His unexplainable love to those who hate Him.

Sovereign election is God choosing who will be recipients of His saving grace. During the time of Isaac, his wife Rebecca was pregnant with twins, Esau and Jacob. God told Rebecca that the older son (Esau) would serve the younger son (Jacob), and that Jacob would be stronger than Esau (Genesis 25:23). Now when the text says that Jacob would be stronger than Esau, it's talking about the two nations which ended up being Israel and Edom. The descendants of Edom or the Edomites no longer exist, but the Israelites or who we call Jews today will always exist. Why? Because of the covenant made with one man, Abram (Genesis 12:2-3). The Jews are descendants of the first Hebrew Abram (Genesis 14:13).

We know this was sovereign election because the text says that before the sons were born, before they could do any good or evil, God chose one over the other so that His plan of election would stand. This is why Paul quoted the Exodus passage: “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”[3]

In like manner, God does that today when He decides to bring someone into the kingdom of God. Before we were born, it was in the mind of God to save sinners because He lovingly chose us through His mercy and compassion. He through the gospel message opens the eyes of the one He chooses to save. He grants them repentance and faith so that they believe and are saved (Eph 2:8; 2 Tim 2:25). This way God gets all the glory for salvation and the redeemed can say, “Thank you Lord for having mercy and compassion on me!”  

When we understand the original context of a passage, it should hold us accountable to treat God’s word with more reverence and care. It takes time, diligence, careful study and discipline to obtain the authorial intent of all the books of the Bible. Doing this is part of our maturation as Christians. Let's do everything we can to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman who is not ashamed - rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

1 John 2:2

 "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." 

- 1 John 2:2

The word propitiation in the Greek means to appease or satisfy. So, when the text says that He (Christ) is the propitiation for ours sins it means that Jesus satisfied God The Father's wrath for our trespasses when He sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world. Jesus' death for our sins was a complete and sufficient atonement for God. As a result, the Father extends His grace to all of mankind - commanding all to repent of their sins and trust in what Jesus did for them, suffering and dying in their place. When a person does this, they are forgiven of their sins and they receive the gift of eternal life. The Father pardons their sins and treats them as if they had never sinned. Amazing!

It is important that I make a critical distinction here. Just because Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, does not mean that everyone goes to heaven. Jesus had to die or else all of mankind is doomed to hell in a godless eternity. Jesus' death was/is completely sufficient to save every person that will ever live. But His death is only efficient (e.g. effective) to those who believe; meaning the benefits of Christ's atonement only applies savingly to the genuine repentant sinner. Those who refuse to believe do not receive the benefits God's saving grace because they willfully reject The Father's gift of eternal life in Christ alone. They by their own sinful rebellion have reserved themselves to the wrath of God (John 3:36). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Rejection of Jesus Christ is suicide

When a person thinks they are secure in their soul despite their sin, they are deceived. That false security gives birth to defiance and arrogance which leads to a demonic narcissism. The tragic part about this is the person doesn't know that they are this way. They have made the determination that they do not need to receive the gospel and repent of their sins. They have determined for themselves that they are good. In Proverbs 14:12 we read, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." King Solomon the writer could not have said it more clearer than that. Man's way is the way to hell. 

Charles Spurgeon on 1 John 2:2

By which is meant, not only that Jesus Christ died for Gentiles as well as Jews, and for some of all nations, but that there is that in the atonement of Christ which might be sufficient for every creature under heaven if God had so chosen every creature. The limitation lies, not in the value of the atonement itself, but in the design and intention of the Eternal God. God sent His Son to lay down His life for His sheep. We know that Christ redeemed us from among men, so that the redemption is particularly and specially for the elect; yet at the same time the price offered was so precious, the blood was so infinite in value, that if every man that ever lived had to be redeemed Christ could have done it. It is this that makes us bold to preach the gospel to every creature, since we know there is no limit in the value of the atonement, though still we know that the design of it is for the chosen people of God alone.

Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon Commentary: 1 John, ed. Elliot Ritzema, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 1 Jn 2:2.

Matthew Henry

He is the expiatory victim, the propitiatory sacrifice that has been offered to the Judge for all our offences against his majesty, law, and government. In vain do the professors of Rome distinguish between and advocate of redemption and an advocate of intercession, or a mediator of such different service. The Mediator of intercession, the Advocate for us, is the Mediator of redemption, the propitiation for our sins. It is his propitiation that he pleads. And we might be apt to suppose that his blood had lost its value and efficacy if no mention had been made of it in heaven since the time it was shed. But now we see it is of esteem there, since it is continually represented in the intercession of the great advocate (the attorney-general) for the church of God. He ever lives to make intercession for those that come to God through him. 4. By the extent of his plea, the latitude of his propitiation. It is not confined to one nation; and not particularly to the ancient Israel of God: He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only (not only for the sins of us Jews, us that are Abraham’s seed according to the flesh), but also for those of the whole world (v. 2); not only for the past, or us present believers, but for the sins of all who shall hereafter believe on him or come to God through him. The extent and intent of the Mediator’s death reach to all tribes, nations, and countries. As he is the only, so he is the universal atonement and propitiation for all that are saved and brought home to God, and to his favor and forgiveness.

 Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2444.

 

Psalm 109

 A Psalm For Divine Justice Against One’s Enemies

This is a Psalm of David - desiring deliverance by the God he praises from his enemies. Although David was kind and prayed for them, they treated him badly. As a result David desires the Lord destroy his wicked enemies along with their ancestry and posterity.

David pronounces numerous curses on what appears as one enemy initially. We do not know who this enemy is. I would imagine many have guessed perhaps Saul who wanted to kill David for the sake of his kingdom, or Ahithophel who was one of David’s counselors who betrayed him to pledge his allegiance to David’s son Absalom who attempted to usurp his father’s kingdom (2 Sam 16:22;17:14), or Doeg the Edomite, a servant of Saul.

Verses 1-5:

• These verses mirror what was happening to Jesus the day he was crucified; they lied and were hateful toward Him. They attacked the Lord without cause. For His kindness they accused Him (Jesus) of being a rebel.

    Verses 6-15:

• This is where David uses what scholars call imprecatory language against his enemies. To imprecate someone is to pronounce curses on them. Here are the curses David pronounces:

• Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy. Let an accuser stand at his right hand (vs 6)

• When he is tried, let him be found guilty. Let his prayer become sin (vs 7)

• May his days be few; may another take his place. This was fulfilled in Judas after he betrayed the Lord and hanged himself. This curse was not only contemporaneous, it was a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy [(vs 8), (fulfilled in Acts 1:8)]. Judas was replaced by Matthias as an apostle

• Then David pronounces woes on his enemies’ family; he desires the man dies so that his children are fatherless and his wife a widow. He also pronounces that he desires his family becomes homeless and begging on the street. David wants the creditors to seize all his possessions, and that strangers steal what he has. David desires despair on the man’s entire family (vv 9-15)

Now, why would David be so hardcore on his enemy and his families’ destruction? Verse sixteen tells us that his enemy was ruthless and blood thirsty. He showed no compassion for the poor, the needy and the brokenhearted. As a matter of fact he killed them. David also desired that any curses he pronounced on anyone that it would come back on him. His enemies never blessed anyone (vs 17).

David said that his enemies wore cursing like a cloak; that evil entered his body like water and like oil into his bones (vs 18). David said since the wicked love their evil so much, may they be afflicted with evil forever as a payment from the Lord for those that have spoken evil about him (vv 19-20). David pleads his case for deliverance. He’s tired of fighting. He’s weak from fasting, his body is mal-nourished and his enemies continue to taunt. Verse 25  was fulfilled in Christ in Matthew 27:39-40a, those who passed hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!”

     Verses 26-31:

• David cries to the only one that can save him, God Almighty. David leans on God’s love as the virtue he needs for help. He wants his enemies to know that the Lord is his deliverer. David wants the Lord to bless him whenever his enemies curse him. Again he wants his enemies put to shame so that he can give the Lord praise. In the end, David knows the Lord will vindicate him and all those who are poor and desperate that need help from God.

In case the reader is wondering why David did not seek the welfare of his enemies due to all the curses he pronounced, remember he said at the beginning of the Psalm, that he treated his enemies with kindness although they reciprocated evil against him (Matthew 5:44). Although the matter for David was personal, he did not take personal vengeance. Everything he desired to be done to his enemies was righteous and according to the Mosaic law (Exodus 20;Deuteronomy 32). David obeyed Deuteronomy 32:35 which says, “Vengeance is mine” says the Lord-”I will repay.”

What can we learn from this Psalm?

No one likes being persecuted for no reason. It's just not right. Those who harm others, stealing, taunting and even killing are a menace to society and need to be either locked up or executed - they’re incorrigible. Jesus promised us that in this world we will have trouble, but it never justifies someone being evil against another without a cause. Those who commit evil deserve to have it return to them in greater measure.

Like David we MUST not take personal vengeance against those that hate us no matter how tempting it may be. Here’s another caveat, do not rejoice when they fall either. Why? Because it would upset the Lord and the judgment He was going to render He may withdraw. Proverbs 24:17-18 says, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and do not set your heart on their destruction. Lest the Lord see it and it displeases Him and He (The Lord) turn away His wrath from him (your enemy).

There is tremendous wisdom packed in these two verses. 1) Although the wicked deserve punishment by God, we have to make sure we do not gloat in their destruction. If we do, the Lord may decide to spare your enemies’ judgment. Think about the burn that would be to the one that had to endure ongoing persecution from this malevolent person(s) if God spared your enemies because we gloated in their demise! 2) This shows the love of God even for the most despicable people. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked although they deserve to die (Ezekiel 18:32;33:11). Those that die in their sins will immediately wake up in hell.

Proverbs 28:17 says, “Anyone tormented with the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold him back.” Proverbs 19:19 says, “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again” (ESV). In other words let the deeds of the murderous wicked haunt him until it kills him; do not help him! This is justice; life for life.

Success Or Obedience?

Pragmatism in a lot of churches is king. These “Pastors” are doing whatever it takes to get results; i.e. get money because they are greedy. So, if you are in a megachurch with beautiful architecture, a cafe, a wing for the children, a nice bookstore, gifted singers and musicians and plenty of money in the coffers, these optics are supposed clear indicators God is blessing that church. While there is nothing wrong with these aesthetics in of themselves, it does not mean the Spirit of God is residing there.

As we often say, looks can be deceiving. What is being sacrificed in a lot of these large churches is sound doctrine. If you’re preaching another gospel or what I call an alien gospel, you’re not blessed, but rather cursed as per the scripture.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

As we have said before, so now I say again, If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10

I hope the reader realizes how penetrating these words are from the apostle Paul. The word accursed in the Greek is anathematizo where we get the word anathema which means to devote one to destruction.

To be blunt, what I am seeing and hearing often on YouTube is stupidity. At best it is foolishness, at worst it is demonic - I vote for the latter.  Sadly, we have too many Christians that are babies when they should be mature doctrinally. Every new charlatan that comes to town with some aberrant heretical revelation gets the opportunity to defile a pulpit and butcher God’s holy Word and play spiritual “whack-a-mole” with the parishioners. The under shepherd of that house does not have the courage or the discernment skills himself to protect the flock entrusted to him by God. As a result, the flock is fleeced, and the itinerant hireling (i.e. false teacher) walks away with the money bag to defile another pulpit in a different city.

Now, on the surface those that misuse the Word of God to manipulate the minds of the unsuspecting appear to be successful - they are the ones with the fancy clothes and jewelry, the palatial homes, the private jets and bread in their pockets! In actuality they are poor. 

Here is how I know.

Jesus says:

And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works, you are neither cold nor hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have need of nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor blind, and naked.

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3:14-19

Many churches fall into the category of the Laodicean. They are claiming they are successful, but they are not. They are disobedient. This starts with the Pastor. What he teaches often determines the behavior and worldview of his members. Since so many Pastors are deficient Bible expositors, they are misleading their congregations with these “Santa-Ana-Windy-Doctrines” (Ephesians 4:14). To cover up for their anemic teaching, they whoop and holler, babble in non-biblical tongues, and have you turn to your neighbor a 1000X’s in service. The music is banging loud. Nowadays apostate “black churches” are bumping, “They Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. Your endorphins have kicked in - your emotion has superseded your logic and you’re ripe for slaughter by the pulpit pimp. You can guarantee there will be manipulative language with a Bible twist for the money grab - a tithes and offerings "sermon" of guilt they always teach out of context; lying to you that when you give to God (when it is actually them) He is going to give you a supernatural financial and/or material breakthrough.

The church goer has been conditioned to behave every week like Pavlov’s dogs without knowing it. These types of churches are abusive.

Success or Obedience?

You see, it’s easier to want to be culturally relevant as a church. But, the most important need for the church is the teaching and equipping the saints and preaching of the gospel to the lost. Souls are at stake. Other things while important are secondary like taking care of the needs of the poor and community outreach.

Here’s how a church will be successful and obedient:

For the Teacher/Pastor

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers

1 Timothy 4:16

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1 Peter 5:2-4

When a Pastor practices the aforementioned, he will be successful indeed because he is obedient indeed. There will never be true success without obedience to the truth.

Glorification And Glory

Christians are here on earth to serve our King, the Lord Jesus. Jesus upon His ascension to the Father after He resurrected commanded His disciples to replicate themselves, i.e. 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 have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

If your view of the Church is merely what you often see in cyber space and YouTube, the aforementioned does not resemble the current "church's" mission at all. What I call the postmodern church is a seeker-sensitive-concert-social club atmosphere. The bootleg Pastor does not teach on sin and repentance and sound doctrine for he/she does not want to offend those whom they claim to love with the truth. Rather they lull the naive and gullible to sleep with a hypnotic false gospel; one that gets you riled up with ridiculous whooping and hollering - making way too much noise and saying nothing, along with misleading you to be greedy for money because being rich is the goal in this life right?

What I and many others know is the only ones getting rich are the wolves in the pulpit. Their parishioners are broke and will stay broke if they continue to follow a incubus/succubus.

The meaning of a disciple is to be a learner, a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus never painted a pretty picture to those He called to follow Him. Anyone wonder why there are so many pretenders in the Church? Once they are fully aware what it will cost to follow Christ, they bail out. The Apostle John said it like this, "They went out from us because they are not of us. If they were of us, they would continue with us. But they went out, that it might become plain they they all are not of us (1 John 2:19).

Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

You must know why you are a Christian. You're not likely to get all your dreams fulfilled because you're a Christian. Sometimes what we desire is out of the will of God. One of my late Pastors wisely told our congregation that God will never answer a prayer that will not give Him glory. 

How do we give God glory?

Simply put, we have to be obey the commands of the Lord. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 

To give glory is bestow honor, majesty and praise to God. We extol and magnify his name in the earth through our lives. The only way to do that correctly is through the knowledge of the truth of scripture. 

In Jesus' mountain sermon he preached to the crowds, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

That my friends encapsulates the Christian life. 

This is what we all want Jesus to say to us when we are judged for our lives here on earth: 

"Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21-23).

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is this the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.

Wise and common sense words from King Solomon.

In order to enter God's glory, we have to glorify Him right here and right now.

Is Jesus Deity?

Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 start off identically, "In the beginning..." After that Genesis continues, "God created the heavens and the earth." John continues, "In the beginning was the Word" (Greek Logos). The word Logos theologically is a title of Jesus Christ unlike the Greeks definition of the logos which to them simply means: word, discourse or reason, a divine intelligence. Jesus is the Word of God, the Logos personified. 

Its essential I compare the two references; Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 because what John proves is that the Word is preexistent, God in the flesh, and the Creator of the universe. John 1:1-4 reads:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men

The phrase the Word was with God ( pros ton theon) depicts a close intimate relationship with the Father. The English language does not capture the intensity of the perfect relationship between the Father and Son. The phrase the Word was God is extremely important. In the Greek it is: theos en ho logos. The word was is in the imperfect tense. This refers to continuous or linear action in past time.  What this means is that the Greek verb eimi (was) describes the Word's eternal existence, before the beginning of time. Jesus is and has always been the second person in the Trinity.

Proving that Jesus is divine, and He is deity, it should be logical to believe that He is the Creator and sustainer of all things (John 1:3). 

In Colossians 1:15-18 we read, "He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him (emphasis added). And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in every thing He might be preeminent."

Two words need to be defined here. 1) Image: Greek is eikon. This means Jesus is the same essence as the Father. 2) Firstborn: Greek is prototokos. This is a compound word. Proto means first. The second Greek word is tikto which means to beget or bring forth. So firstborn in this context is making reference to Jesus as a being first and preeminent above all things since He is the creator and sustainer of all things.

Texts that also prove Jesus is God

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a child is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah made this prophecy approximately seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.

John 8:58-59 - Jesus said to the religious leaders, "Before Abraham was I AM." The Pharisees knew what Jesus was claiming; that He was the voice of the burning bush (Exodus 3:14); deity so they picked up stones to kill Him, but He was able to escape their threats for it wasn't time for Him to die yet.

The letter "I" is where we get the word ego which is a emphatic personal pronoun (epn). The emphasis is being placed on the person; in this case the Lord Jesus.  AM is the Greek word eimi which means to exist. In English we would use the verb "to be". AM is in the present indicative (pin). The present indicative asserts something is occurring in the present continuously. In essence Jesus was saying before Abraham was born, I was always here.

John 20:29 - When Thomas touched the resurrected Lord's hands and put His hand into His side he said, "My Lord and my God."

Titus 2:13 - while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:9 - Your throne O God, is forever and ever, and the sceptor of your kingdom is a sceptor justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.

In the above verse God the Father calls the Son God - twice! This text along with all the ones I have cited prove Jesus is indeed God in the flesh. He was in eternity past, He was during His first advent, and will be when He returns the second and final time to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

Judgment Is Coming! Are You Ready?

 I believe it is safe to say those that are rich in this world are not looking to die anytime soon if they are rich and happy. Why would they? They are living the "good life" as we say. Sadly, many that are rich in this world may have everything they want materially, but are bankrupt spiritually toward God. That's a horrific state to be in. What is worse, they have no clue that their day of reckoning is near.

Judgment is coming, and none will escape it.

Two rich men: The careless fool and the inquiring pragmatist

Then He (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man was fertile and yielded plentifully.   And he considered and debated within himself, What shall I do? I have no place [in which] to gather together my harvest. And he said, I will do this: I will pull down my storehouses and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain or produce and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many good things laid up, [enough] for many years. Take your ease; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself merrily. But God said to him, You fool! This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be? So it is with the one who continues to lay up and hoard possessions for himself and is not rich [in his relation] to God (Luke 12:16-21).

The Lockman Foundation. Amplified Bible (AMP 1987) 

The above describes one who lacks common sense, mental stability and sobriety. This person is reckless and detached from reality. He has no idea that he could die at any moment and after which time he will face the judgment of God. Why doesn't he know this? Because he is a fool and is spiritually dead. A person like this has gained the whole world but is in grave danger of losing his soul if he refuses to repent (Matthew 16:26).

Now we analyze the second man who was a rich ruler.

And a certain ruler asked Him, Good Teacher [You who are essentially and perfectly morally good], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]? Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? No one is [essentially and perfectly morally] good—except God only. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not witness falsely, honor your father and your mother. And he replied, All these I have kept from my youth. And when Jesus heard it, He said to him, One thing you still lack. Sell everything that you have and divide [the money] among the poor, and you will have [rich] treasure in heaven; and come back [and] follow Me [become My disciple, join My party, and accompany Me].

But when he heard this, he became distressed and very sorrowful, for he was rich—exceedingly so. Jesus, observing him, said, How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to enter through a needle’s eye than [for] a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And those who heard it said, Then who can be saved? But He said, What is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke 18:18-27).

The Lockman Foundation. Amplified Bible (AMP 1987) . 

From the reading of the text it appears the rich ruler was genuine in wanting to know from Jesus how he could be saved. Jesus' reply was surprising and I want to analyze it. Jesus said to him, you know the law: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, etc. The ruler replied that he obeyed all of the commands since he was a child. Why didn't Jesus tell him to simply believe on Him only to be saved? Why did Jesus refer to the commands of Exodus 20? Was Jesus implying he had to obey the law to be saved? If so, then this would mean we can be saved by earning our way into the kingdom by our own merits. No. Jesus was testing this man to see if he practiced what he preached.

Since he claimed he kept all the commandments Jesus put that confession to the test. He commanded him to sell everything he owned, give to the poor so that he will have heavenly wealth and follow Him like the disciples did. The rich man was devasted by this revelation; that he had not checked all the boxes on what was required for his salvation. In Matthew's gospel chapter 19:22 it says the ruler walked away sorrowful for he had great wealth. His god was his money. He proved he did not love God by violating the first commandment, "You shall not serve any other gods but Me" (Exodus 20:3). Jesus immediately exposed the rich ruler's hypocrisy by showing him that he did not obey the commandments like he proudly claimed he did. His salvation was no longer a priority if it ever was. Jesus said, "The one that attempts to save his own life will lose it. But he that is willing to lose his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). He made the worst exchange of all, he was willing to give up eternal riches for temporary ones. As we say today, "He bet on himself" and by default rejected Christ. In the end, he was just as foolish as the first rich man I discussed.

I call this rich man a pragmatist because a person of his ilk will do what works for them, no matter if its moral or right. All that matters is the results fit to get him what he wants. Jesus shattered this rich young ruler's theology by letting him know that the only thing you lack is to be willing to give up the thing you love the most, your possessions. That takes sacrifice and dying to yourself. You see, his version of eternal life was not godly, it was worldly. Like many today, they want heaven here on earth. Perhaps that is what the rich young ruler wanted also. Is it any wonder Jesus said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24)?

Jesus also wisely declared, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon (Mammon is an Aramaic word that means treasure or riches, money Matthew 6:24).

Less I am misunderstood, the rich are not the only ones in trouble here. Those that are middle class and poor are not off the hook. 

The Word of God states for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear ( 1 Peter 4:17-18)?

I hope the reader understands the severity the Apostle's statement here. First, God will discipline and chastise His own children (Hebrews 12:5-11). Many of us will be punished heavily for our disobedience to the Lord. But rest assured, we will not lose our salvation, but I daresay most of us will be severely warned for our sinful complacency in the kingdom. Can we be honest? Are we being as effective as we can be in the Church? I know I'm not. Oftentimes we are busy about the wrong things and not about the Lord's business. Its time that we all take self inventory and tighten things up. 

Why? Judgment is coming. Are you ready?

For those of you who are not Christians, you currently are under God's wrath because of your willful rejection of Jesus and the gospel (John 3:19,36). You do not have any hope right now because the devil is your father and he desires to kill you (John 8:44). That's the bad news. Here's the greatest news of all time! You can repent right now, today and get it right with God through Jesus Christ. His bloody sacrifice on the cross for yours sins is available for you to receive if you are willing to place your trust in Him. Once you believe in Christ, He takes all your sins away, forgives you, and He adopts you into His family as a son or a daughter. This is the only way anyone is ever saved. No one goes to heaven by being a "good person". God will not accept any sacrifice other than one believing on the One whom the Father has sent (John 6:29).

To attempt to earn salvation another way is a one way ticket to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

By God's extraordinary love mercy and grace I will escape God's holy wrath. 

Will you? (1 Thessalonians 1:10)