CHRISTOLOGY AND THE ONLY SAVIOR OUR GOD

STEPHEN R. MARLOWE

“But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).

How important is knowing the name that our Heavenly Father gave to our Savior, the Son of God, the Messiah? We find the answer attached to the essence of the gospel found in “The Gospel According to John,” for we read:

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

(John 3:16-18 NKJV)

Many lovers of the name “Jesus” when they hear that God never revealed that name will rationalize that it is about the Person, not necessarily the name. Clearly, from the gospel we know that the revealed name is of equal importance to our salvation. We must know the revealed name from Heaven or stand condemned for rejecting this name. There are many ways in which one can reject the revealed name of our salvation, which is the name which is above every name.  One way would be to substitute the revealed name with another name, and to justify it by the linguistics of mankind. If you revealed your name to a stranger, and instead of acknowledging the truth of your name, they called you by another name, what would you think? Regardless of your reaction, God made it very clear by the testimony of the apostle Peter: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other nameunder heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

 Christ historically and linguistically is known around the world by many names: YAHSHUA, Yeshua, Iesous, Iesus, Jesus, Isa, Gesu, Joshua, Hey-zeus, however, according to the New Testament as witnessed by the apostles, He has only one name revealed from Heaven, and therefore the rest are substitute names not authorized by the revelation of God according to the Bible. The apostle Peter gave testimony to the Savior’s one true name, and therebyHis one and only personal name, which is a revealed name given from Heaven to those faithful enough to hold to it. Many other descriptive names such as “Emmanuel,” was just that, descriptive names. “Emmanuel” means “God with us,” a Hebrew name, which for the most part has always been pronounced according to the Hebrew, as are other descriptive names such as “El Shaddai”, “God Almighty.” Names like Hosanna (Heb. “hoshi’a na,” John 12:13), andHalleluyah a Hebraic expression is a two-word phrase, halelu-Yah. The first part, halelu, is the imperative masculine form of the Hebrew verb hillel. The phrase "Halleluyah" translates correctly to "praise YAH".The Savior’s name, which was revealed in Hebrew according to correct pronunciation, has been changed due to transliteration by the linguistics of mankind without any heavenly authorization. Due to humanlanguage, and the inclination of man, a kind of linguistic evolution resulted in the absolute change of the name of the Savior revealed from Heaven.  The apostle Peter did not testify to the name “Jesus” because it was never revealed by God, and it has only existed in its present form since the 17th century CE. He did not give testimony to the name Yeshua, a common Aramaic name, which no one among the Jews, or Jewish religious leadership, would object to. In modern times, however, Yeshua is considered among scholars to be the Savior’s correct name. Iesous is a transliteration of this common Aramaic name “Yeshua.” Iesus was formulated in Latin from the Greek name Iesous, however, Peter gave testimony to a name that has “the name which is above every name.” None of these names, Yeshua, Iesous, Iesus, or Jesus has “the name which is above every name.”

The Jews have, for the most part, successfully hidden “the name which is above every name.” Because of the practice of the Jews, to hide “the name” (HaShem) from the Gentiles, a practice ongoing since the Babylonian invasion of the Kingdom of Judah in 605 BCE. This practice, of hiding the name of God, was not due to superstition but was actually due to the fear of Gentiles profaning the name of God. As a result of hiding the name which is above every name, the name YAHSHUA is considered by many to be a “philological impossibility.” Across the pages of the Bible, however, there is a great testimony to the name which is above every name: “YAH.” Beginning with the biblical prophets in Psalm 68:4 and Isaiah 12:2, as found in the Hebrew Bible and in the New Testament, as is in the New King James Version (all Scripture is based on the NKJV, unless otherwise noted), we read:

“Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Extol Him who rides on the clouds,
By His name Yah,
And rejoice before Him.”

And:

“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’”

In Acts 4:5-20, where testimony is given to the name which has the name which is above every name: YAHSHUA. Because YAHSHUA has the name which is above every name, it was forbidden by the Sanhedrin (the Jewish leaders of the Council).

The Apostle Peter Addressing the Sanhedrin

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of YAHSHUA the Messiahof Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Name Forbidden

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with YAHSHUA. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of YAHSHUA. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

It would make little sense to forbid a name like“Yeshua,” which was common in the streets ofJerusalem and regions of Palestine. The Jews would have only one real motive to forbid Christ’s true name, and that would be because His name had the name which was above every name, that is YAH as found in YAHSHUA. YAH is Hebrew (I AM), and shua is Hebrew (My help, as in salvation). The true meaning of the Savior’s name is “I AM Salvation”. The true meaning of the Savior’s name cannot be found in the name Jesus. There is no intrinsic meaning regarding salvation in the name Jesus. The Savior acknowledging that He is YAH (I AM) when He said,  “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). He as much as told the Jews that He was their God, and that He is YAH. Their reaction was swift, for they picked up stones to stone Him! Think of it, the Shema of Israel is not about the Father, but it rightfully belongs to the Son, who is entitled to all things by the will of His God and Father.

The apostle Paul encountered the name which is above every name on the road to Damascus because there the Lord revealed His name in Hebrew to him. For we read of his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. But, why was he traveling the road to Damascus in the first place? Because it was Saul’s mission, who later would became known as Paul, to arrest the followers of the sect of the Nazareans in Damascus, which he would in the future become a member (Acts 24:5). This was his sole purpose in going to Damascus to arrest, take captive, for a trial in Jerusalem. However, he will leave Jerusalem as a Pharisee and return to Jerusalem as a Nazarean, and so we read of the apostle Paul’s conversion, as he testifies before king Agrippa in Acts 26:14-23,

14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am YAHSHUA, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ 19 “Therefore,king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

When the Savior introduced Himself to Saul and spoke to Him in Hebrew, what name did the apostle Paul hear?  Historically, the apostle Paul never knew the name of “Jesus” as the name “Jesus” has only existed since the 17th century ce.  We know that Christ has the name which is above every name becausethe apostle Paul told us in his epistle to the Philippians, the very name he heard on the road to Damascus, he heard in the name of salvation, YAH; as we read:

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of YAHSHUA every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that YAHSHUA the Christ isLORD, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Where did the name which is above every namecome from? It was Moses who asked the Lord for His name.  We read in Exodus 3:

13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”

14 And God said to Moses, “HAYAH ASHAR HAYAH” (“I AM WHO I AM”). And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM (YAH) has sent me to you.’” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord (YHWH) God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This (YAH) is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’” And we rejoice saying, “Halleluyah!” “Praise YAH!”

Some say that this is the Father speaking to Moses, but is it really?

Consider what the New Testament is truly telling us. “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 3:18).

In Exodus 33:11, “So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend...” Did the Scripture lie? The consensus is that no one can see God. If you are thinking about the Father, you are right. But we do not know the Father except through the Son. The Son of God, Christ, YAHSHUA as “YAH ever-present”, has had many physical appearances among men, Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses to name a few.Moses never saw the Father, but he beheld the Son of God, our God, who is the God of gods, and the Lord of lords (Deuteronomy 10:17). But even the Son of God in all His glory, one cannot see His face and live, however, the Lord YAH, the Son of God, does not appear in His full glory, so man can see Him face to face, but as for the Father, no sinner can ever be in His Holy presence, nor ever has been at anytime of the sons of Adam.

YAHSHUA assured us, 36 “But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

YAHSHUA said, 41 “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (see John 5:36-47). Moses wrote of YAH, who he encountered, who is the Son and not the Father, but of the Son of God, our God.

When the Father gave all things to the Son, it was for the purpose of redemption and the restoration of all souls from the crimson tinge of sin (Isaiah 1:18). Just as the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, and we read:  20 “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 

23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

As stated in John 3:35, “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.” From the foundation of the world, as there was first rebellion in Heaven, the Son of God has been given all dominion, all power, all majesty, and all glory until all things are fulfilled and made pure, and then He will give all things back to the Father, for as He said, 28 “You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.” For this reason there will never be a time when the Son is not subservient to the Father, however, when the Father gave all things to the Son, He became our only God, our only Savior, our only way back to the Father. Because the Father gave all things to the Son, the Son is our only true God until all things are fulfilled.  The Shema of Israel is a tribute to our God, the Son of God, the Lord YAH, for “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” The Lord YAH, our Savior, given all things by His God and Father, has the right to claim all things. He has the right to tell us that He is our only God and creator, as proclaimed by the Father.  The Father identifies the Savior as God and creator.

8 But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

10 And:

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands” (Hebrews 1:8-10).

In Isaiah 44:6-8, who is speaking? Is it God in essence? Is it the Father? Is it the Son of God? As we read the verses, we can see clearly how exclusive it is. For we read, 

There Is No Other God

6“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.
7 And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.
8 Do not fear, nor be afraid;
Have I not told you from that time, and declared it?
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock;
I know not one.’”

The apostle Paul makes it very clear who is speaking in Isaiah 44:6-8.  1 “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Preeminence of Christ

9 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Reconciled in Christ

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister” (Colossians 1:9-23).

Halleluyah, Praise YAH, Praise YAHSHUA!

No man has seen the Father at anytime, it has always been the Son of God, who is our only God to the glory of His God and Father. The apostle John testifies:

10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,” 

11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

YAHSHUA the Messiah alone is the First and the Last.

YAHSHUA the Messiah alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

YAHSHUA the Messiah alone has the Name (YAH=I AM) which is the name which is above every name.

“If you will not hear,
And if you will not take it to heart,
To give glory to My name,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“I will send a curse upon you,
And I will curse your blessings.
Yes, I have cursed them already,
Because you do not take it to heart” (Malachi 2:2).

In the name of YAHSHUA, Halleluyah, Praise YAH, Praise YAHSHUA!