WHO IS CHRIST?
Presented Steve Marlowe, Evangelist
Many people believe that a Man by the name of Jesus, born in Bethlehem, in Judea, over two thousand years ago is the Christ, and Christ means Messiah, the Anointed One. Certainly, the Person that we read about in the New Testament is the Christ, however, the name Jesus has only been in existence since the 17th century, therefore, the Savior’s revealed name is definitely not Jesus. Do you really want to call the Savior of the world by a name that was never revealed by God? Everyone is known by a specific name. The Savior has a specific revealed name from Heaven. The question is, What is the revealed name of the Christ? In the Gospel According to Matthew, we find an angel of the LORD appears to Joseph, a Jew, living in the 1st century, who, no doubt, spoke Hebrew/Aramaic languages. Joseph feels betrayed as his betrothed, Mary, is found to be pregnant, as their relationship was as yet never consummated. Joseph, seeking to break off the relationship, heard from the angel, that the Child was conceived by the power of God, and further commanded Joseph, saying, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name YAHSHUA, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Joseph was given a specific command to give a specific name to this Child, who is the only begotten Son of God, yet to be born of a virgin by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
The name of Jesus is derived from the Latin/Greek languages and was never authorized by God. Did the angel speak a name to Joseph in Greek or did the angel reveal the name of the Savior in Hebrew? The Gospel according to Matthew, a disciple of Christ, was originally written in Hebrew according to the bishop of Lyon, Irenaeus, who wrote around A.D. 180, stating, “Matthew published his own Gospel among the Hebrews in their own tongue when Peter and Paul were preaching the Gospel in Rome and founding the church there. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, himself handed down to us in writing the substance of Peter’s preaching. Luke, the follower of Paul, set down in a book the Gospel preached by his teacher. Then John, the disciple of the Lord, who also leaned on His breast, himself produced his Gospel while he was living at Ephesus in Asia” (Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 3.3.4).
Since history informs us that the name of Jesus is only from the 17th century, and that the angel speaking in Hebrew told Joseph a name that means He will (Shua) “save” His people. We are further enlightened by the apostle Paul regarding the actual revealed name of the Savior, who tells us, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name...” Scholars know that “the name which is above every name” was given to Moses (Exodus 32:13-15). This is where we originally got the name of YAH, as this name is used for praises in Holy Writ by the Hebrew expression of “Halleluyah,” which means “Praise YAH.” This informs us truly that the name of the Savior is YAHSHUA, and therefore, accordingly, the apostle Paul continues to say, “...that at the name of YAHSHUA every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that YAHSHUA the Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). Every language is to know this one revealed name from Heaven! There are many examples of the name YAH being used for God in the Old Testament as translated here in Isaiah 12:2,
“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’” (Isaiah 12:2 NKJV).
There can only be this name, YAHSHUA, as the apostle Peter informs the religious leaders of Jerusalem, while he, being filled with Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8), testified, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Therefore, it stands to reason that all the Gospel writers originally used the revealed name of YAHSHUA in their writings, and that later translations continued to uphold this name until the 2nd century when faithful Jews to Christ were marginalized by the majority of Gentile converts, who gave no thought to changing the very name of the Savior according to languages. This is a major concern when we have YAHSHUA testifying to the woman at the well, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
The Gospel is good news to those who will receive it, and do not reject the one name revealed from Heaven, the name which is above every name, for we read, “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 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). If you reject the one name given from Heaven, will you not stand condemned? Behold, the one and only name of our salvation, the very revealed name of YAHSHUA.
Roman historians of the first two centuries apparently avoided mentioning YAHSHUA, since Roman rulers at that time were trying to suppress everything Jewish and Christian, however, we find in The Historians’ History of the World, this observation, “The historical result of [YAHSHUA’S] activities was more momentous, even from a strictly secular standpoint, than the deeds of any other character of history. A new era, recognized by the chief civilizations of the world, dates from [YAHSHUA’S] birth” (Henry Smith Williams, 1907). Many books have been written about the identity of the one born of a virgin, proclaimed as the Son of God, and preached by His followers as the Savior of the world. Yet there has been more controversy about Him than any other Person in history.
The concern for believers is that if we do not know Him, or know His revealed name, we may stand before Him when He tells us, as recorded in Matthew 7:21-3, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” We may give a rebuttal, and say, “Did we not prophesied (preach, teach) in Your name.” If we do not teach according to what He taught, nor speak according to the name He received from His God and Father, we will be told to depart as workers of lawlessness! To be in a state of lawlessness is to deny the revelations and commandments of God. The Way is narrow, and we must consider, what was said according to the Lord, that we are to, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Mary was told by the angel Gabriel, who was sent by God to Nazareth, to tell her that she, who was betrothed to Joseph, and yet a virgin, was to conceive the very Son of God by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. She was further instructed that she would conceive in her womb a Son, and she shall call His name YAHSHUA! We know, for a historic fact, that the name Jesus was not revealed by the angel Gabriel, who stands in the very presence of God. The name of Jesus is a linguistic evolved name produced by man and not of the revelation of God, nor did God give a commandment to name the Savior Jesus on the contrary His name was given as YAHSHUA. Therefore, Mary was instructed to name the Christ Child by the revealed name of YAHSHUA, which means “YAH Saves”.
When YAHSHUA began His ministry, He performed miracles. He calmed the storms that came upon the sea, which terrified the disciples in the boat. He did many miracles, healed the sick, cured the lame, and raised the dead. His disciples were witnesses to all He taught, and the miracles He performed, so YAHSHUA wanted to ask the disciples, and, “When YAHSHUA came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:13-17). The Savior of the world is indeed the only begotten Son of God. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked YAHSHUA, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?”
YAHSHUA said, “‘I AM.’ And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:60-62). He is telling the leaders that He, the Son of God, is the I AM. Just as He did in the Gospel of John 8:58, “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” I AM is the name that is above every name and is expressed in Hebrew as YAH. This tells us that the God of the Old Testament was in fact the Person of the Son of God.
1. YAHSHUA is the Bread of Life
“Then YAHSHUA declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” (John 6:35)
YAHSHUA had just fed several thousand people with only a few loaves of bread, yet some people were asking for a sign from Him to prove He was from God. They reminded YAHSHUA that God gave their ancestors manna(bread) from heaven while they wandered in the desert so they wouldn’t die (Exodus 16:35).
YAHSHUA’s response surprised them: “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33)
Like in many cultures, bread was a staple in the diet of the Jewish people, and when YAHSHUA said that He was the “bread of life,” He was saying that, as bread sustains them physically, Hewould sustain them spiritually. They didn’t need to look elsewhere for spiritual food, for nourishment, for sustenance – HE was their life! All they needed to do was believe in Him.
2. YAHSHUA is the Light of the World
“When YAHSHUA spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
Some religious people had just finished accusing a woman caught in adultery. They wanted to ensnare YAHSHUA as well, so they asked Him what should be done with her.
Surprisingly, YAHSHUA responded, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7).
The woman’s accusers left one by one because none of them were without sin themselves. YAHSHUA told her that He wouldn’t condemn her either, so she should go and sin no more.
YAHSHUA then declared that He was the light of the world. He wanted His followers to know that they didn’t have to live in darkness, hopelessness, and bondage to sin. If they would follow Him, then He would bring His “light of life” into their lives, transforming them and restoring them with His power.
3. YAHSHUA is the Way
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
Right before this verse, YAHSHUA stated, “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them” (John 10:8). Clearly, YAHSHUA is teaching that He is the only way to salvation, the only way to the heavenly Father.
Others may come and try to declare that they are the way to life, but they are “thieves and robbers”; YAHSHUA, who is the only I AM, is the only true way. There is no other way to eternal life except through Him, and by His name, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). We must know Him by His revealed name, as commanded by God.
4. YAHSHUA is the Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Sheep and shepherds were commonly known and understood concepts in YAHSHUA’s culture (which is probably why YAHSHUA chose this metaphor). Just like our dog or cat knows our voice, sheep know their shepherd’s voice (John 10:3-5). Sheep want safety, pasture, food, and water; it’s the job of the shepherd to guide and protect their flock. Only YAH is the Good Shepherd.
YAHSHUA speaks prophetically indicating that He will willingly lay down His life for people just like a good shepherd does for his sheep. He will give His life because He is good and because it pleases His Father to redeem people back to His Father.
King David declared in Psalm 23, “YAH is my shepherd”. As sheep trust and follow their shepherd, we too can follow and trust YAHSHUA not only for our eternal salvation but also for safety, provision and restoration of our souls. YAHSHUA is our good shepherd.
5. YAHSHUA is the Resurrection and the Life
YAHSHUA said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
YAHSHUA spoke these powerful declarations to a heartbroken sister whose brother had just died. She told YAHSHUA that if He had been there, her brother wouldn’t have died.
But she wouldn’t have to wait until the final resurrection to see her brother again because the one who embodied the resurrection was standing in front of her, full of power and ready to act. After YAHSHUA stated that HE was the resurrection and the life, He raised her brother from the dead, and many believed in Him.
This verse also teaches us that even though we may die physically, we will live on spirituallyin the Lord’s presence in heaven. On the other hand, there will be people who continue to live and never physically die because they are alive when YAHSHUA returns to fully establish His Kingdom on the earth.
The take-away, He is the resurrection and the life—he brings life to the physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually dead!
6. YAHSHUA is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
YAHSHUA answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
There should be no confusion here. This is a bold statement. YAHSHUA is the way, the truth, and the life. There are not multiple ways to God the Father; there’s One. And YAHSHUA Himself is the ONLY Truth.
Any ideas or concepts or philosophies that go against YAHSHUA’s teachings or the Word of God (the Bible) are not true. Many people seem to be searching for truth, and they’ll go to great lengths to find it; YAHSHUA is the Truth for which they are looking for. Only in Him do we find the truth that leads to Life!
In John 8:32, YAHSHUA said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” He was talking about Himself in this statement. When we come to know YAHSHUA (who is YAH the Truth), we will find freedom from sin and evil. YAHSHUA sets us free!
7. YAHSHUA is the Vine
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Understanding this important concept helps believers to live fruitful and victorious lives. YAHSHUA describes Himself as a vine and His followers as branches (the Nazareans, see Acts 24:5). In order for us to bear fruit (which brings much glory to the Father according to verse 8), we must be rooted and connected to YAHSHUA, for there is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
We must remain dependent on Himand resist doing things in our own strength. Why? Because without Him, we can do nothing—nothing of eternal value, anyway.
Coming into the Truth!
In Exodus 3:13-15, Moses and YAH were having a conversation. God had just told Moses to go and tell His people that their deliverance was near, but Moses wondered how the people would believe that God sent him: “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?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.’” I AM is the translation of YAH.
Moses is a precursor to YAHSHUA because He came to deliver the people of Israel from their physical sins in captivity. John demonstrated that the “I AM” in Exodus was now physically standing in front of people, ready to be their Shepherd, their Gateway to the Father, for YAHSHUA alone is their Life, their Vine, their Light, their Bread of Life, and their Truth. Any other Person, or equally, any other name, is an impostor!
He’s the “I AM”—the God of the NOW—ready to be the Truth, the Way, and the Life to those who seek Him. “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this, we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this, we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
