THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

INTRODUCTION - CHAPTERS 1-3 

CHAPTER 1:

THE 1888 MESSAGE

This first chapter will be devoted to an in depth study of the 1888 Message: what it was, its impact, its reception and its endorsement by Ellen G. White.

This study is written by Adventists and for Adventists. Since many have not heard of the 1888 Message, the first chapter will be dedicated to explaining this message so as to lay the foundation for the following chapters. We decided to use the words of the Spirit of Prophecy to describe the Message. We will also use excerpts from the book Christ Our Righteousness, by A. G. Daniells, an Adventist Elder voted and appointed by the Ministerial Association Advisory Council to compile this work. He very effectively reports the essence, history and scope of this glorious message and we felt that our own words would not do it justice.

"In 1888 there came to the Seventh-day Adventist Church a very definite awakening message. It was designated at the time as 'the message of Righteousness by Faith.' Both the message itself and the manner of its coming made a deep and lasting impression upon the minds of ministers and people, and the lapse of time had erased that impression from memory. To this day, many of those who heard the message when it came are deeply interested in it and concerned regarding it. All these long years they have held fond hope, that someday this message would be given great prominence among us, and that it would do the cleansing, regenerating work in the church which they believed it was sent by the Lord to accomplish.

"Among the influences which have led to this conviction is the divine witness borne to the proclamation of the message of Righteousness by Faith as it was set forth at the time of the General Conference held in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the year 1888. From the very first, the Spirit of prophecy placed the seal of approval upon the message and its presentation at that time. In the plainest and most positive language we were told that the Lord was leading and impelling men to proclaim this definite message of Righteousness by Faith.

From left to right E.J. Waggoner, Ellen G. White, A.T. Jones

"Of that epochal Conference, and the men who gave the specific message, E. J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones, it is declared:

"'The Lord in His mercy sent a precious message to His people.... This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Savior, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.' -- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 91,92.

"Every sentence in this comprehensive statement is worthy of most careful study. Let us briefly analyze it:

• A Most Precious Message. 'The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people.'
• The Object. 'This message was to bring more prominently to the world the uplifted Savior, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.'
• The Scope. a) 'It presented justification through faith in the Surety.' b) 'It invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God.'
• The Need. a) 'Many had lost sight of Jesus.' b) 'They needed to have their eyes directed to His Divine Person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.'
• The Resources. a) 'All power is given into His hands,' b) 'That He may dispense rich gifts unto men,' c) 'Imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent.'
• Extent. 'This is the message that God commanded be given to the world.'
• What It Really Is. 'It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.'

"It is difficult to conceive how there could be any misunderstanding or uncertainty regarding the heavenly endorsement of this message. It clearly stated that the Lord sent the message, and that He led the minds of the men who were so deeply engrossed by it and who proclaimed it with such great earnestness. "It should be borne in mind at this time that the course taken by the messengers in subsequent years has nothing to do with the positive statement, often repeated, that they were led by the Lord to declare this fundamental truth of the gospel to His people at that particular time.

"Not only was it the purpose of God to set this message of Righteousness by Faith before His church; it was to be given to the world. And finally, it is declared to be the 'third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.' It is evident that this message was not limited to the time of the Minneapolis Conference, but that its application extends to the close of time; and consequently it is of greater significance to the church at the present time than it could have been in 1888. The nearer we approach the great day of God, the more imperative will be the need of the soul-cleansing work which this message was sent to do. Surely we have every reason for a new, more whole-hearted study and proclamation of that message." -- A.G. Daniells, Christ Our Righteousness, p 23-26

THE 1888 MESSAGE TO BE REPEATED MORE FULLY

"In 1888 in the General Conference held at Minneapolis, Min.., the angel of Revelation 18:1 came down to do his work, and was ridiculed, criticized, and rejected and when the message he brings again will swell into a loud cry, it will be ridiculed, and spoken against, and rejected by the majority." -- E.G. White, "In Taking Up A Reproach".

Inspiration tells us that the message the mighty Angel of Revelation 18 brought was ridiculed, criticized and rejected. However, when he comes back a second time to do his work, the message will again be ridiculed and spoken against, and rejected by the majority, but it will do it's work.

The following quotations from the book, “Christ Our Righteousness,”-- by A.G. Daniells, reflect the reception the message was given at the time and the implications thereof.

"How sad, how deeply regrettable, it is that this message of righteousness in Christ should, at the time of its coming, have met with opposition on the part of earnest, well-meaning men in the cause of God! The message has never been received, nor proclaimed, nor given free course as it should have been in order to convey to the church the measureless blessings that were wrapped within it. The seriousness of exerting such an influence is indicated through the reproofs that were given. These words of reproof and admonition should receive most thoughtful consideration at this time:

"'God has raised up men to meet the necessity of this time who will 'cry aloud and spare not,' who will lift up their 'voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.' Their work is not only to proclaim the law, but to preach the truth for this time, - the Lord our righteousness... 'But there are those who see no necessity for a special work at this time. While God is working to arouse the people, they seek to turn aside the message of warning, reproof, and entreaty. Their influence tends to quiet the fears of the people, and to prevent them from awaking to the solemnity of this time. Those who are doing this, are giving the trumpet an uncertain sound. They ought to be awake to the situation, but they have become ensnared by the enemy.' -- Review and Herald, Aug. 13, 1889.

"'Some of our brethren are not receiving the message of God upon this subject. They appear to be anxious that none of our ministers shall depart from their former manner of teaching the good old doctrines. We inquire, Is it not time that fresh light should come to the people of God, to awaken them to greater earnestness and zeal? The exceeding great and precious promises given us in the Holy Scriptures have been lost sight of to a great extent, just as the enemy of all righteousness designed that they should be. He has cast his own dark shadow between us and our God, that we may not see the true character of God.' -- Ibid. April 1, 1890

"'God has sent to His people testimonies of truth and righteousness, and they are called to lift up Jesus, and to exalt His righteousness. Those whom God has sent with a message are only men, but what is the character of the message which they bear? Will you dare to turn from, or make light of, the warnings, because God did not consult you as to what would be preferred? God calls men who will speak, who will cry aloud and spare not. God has raised up His messengers to do His work for this time. Some have turned from the message of the righteousness of Christ to criticize the men.' -- Ibid. Dec. 27,1890.

"'The Lord has sent a message to arouse His people to repent, and do their first works; but how has His message been received? While some have heeded it, others have cast contempt and reproach on the message and the messenger. Spirituality deadened, humility and childlike simplicity gone, a mechanical, formal profession of faith has taken the place of love and devotion. Is this mournful condition of things to continue? Is the lamp of God's love to go out in darkness?' -- Ibid. Extra, Dec. 23, 1890.

"Lest we miss the force of these heart-searching messages and sleep through their proclamation today, let us recount these prominent points and apply them to the situation that exists in the church today:

·        God raised up men to meet the necessity of the time.

·        Some sought to turn aside the message, and to prevent an awakening among the people.

·        Such persons were ensnared by the enemy, and gave the trumpet an uncertain sound.

·        These men declared that the law should be preached, not the righteousness of Christ.

·        The exhortation is to preach Christ in the law.

·        Some were fearful of a departure from the former manner of preaching the good old doctrines.

·        God raised up men to herald the message of Righteousness by Faith.

·        The challenge: 'Will you dare to turn from, or make light of, the warnings?

·        The twofold result of rejecting the message. a) Deadening of spirituality. b) Influx of a mechanical, formal profession of faith.

·        The climactic question: 'Is this mournful condition of things to continue?" -- A.G. Daniells, Christ Our Righteousness, p 47-50

"God's messages and providences are always great with meaning. They are always necessary for the accomplishment of the particular work with which they are connected. He orders them for the fulfillment of His purposes. They cannot be set aside. They cannot fail. Sooner or later they will be understood, accepted, and given their proper place. Therefore it must be expected that the message of Righteousness by Faith, which came so definitely to the church in 1888, will be accorded a dominant place in the closing work of the great movement with which we are connected." -- Ibid. p 26

THE ANGEL WHO JOINS THE THIRD ANGEL

"Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit..' The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message." -- E.G. White, Early Writings, p 277.

"This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel's message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God's people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom.

"The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches." -- Ibid. p 278.

"Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven.... God's people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation."  -- Ibid. p 279

"I was pointed down to the time when the third angel's message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message." -- Ibid. p 279

The above statements from the pen of inspiration present a panorama of events so extensive and so full of meaning that it would be helpful to note each event:

·        Another mighty angel with a message joins the third angel.

·        He joins at the right time - the voice of the seventh angel.

·        He gives power and force to the third angel's message.

·        He repeats the second angel's message with additional mention of the corruptions which entered the SDA churches since 1844.

·        His message seemed to be an addition (additional truth).

·        He lightens the whole earth with His glory.

·        He proclaims the fall of Babylon the Great.

·        The power of God had rested upon His people.

·        They received the latter rain (extra oil-truth), the refreshing (revival) from the presence of the Lord (Holy Ghost).

·        The Living Testimony (Spirit of Prophecy) is revived.

·        Those who would not receive the message were enraged.

·        The culmination of all these events is a united people, fearlessly proclaiming the third angel's message.

THE MESSAGE OF 1888 MARKS A NEW ERA IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE

"Careful study of the instruction given by the Spirit of Prophecy leads to the deep conviction that the coming of the message of Righteousness by Faith at the Minneapolis Conference, was a signal providence of God - designed to initiate the beginning of a new era in the finishing of His work. The following statement, written just four years after the Minneapolis Conference in 1888, affords basis for this conclusion:

"'The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.' -- R.H., Nov. 22, 1892."  -- A.G. Daniells, Christ Our Righteousness, p 56.

Inseparably connected with this program of great events is the visitation of the "latter rain" upon the remnant church. Note the following paragraph:

"While the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the 'latter rain' or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out." -- Early Writings, p 85,86.

This places the latter rain visitation with the loud cry, the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, and the flooding of the earth with the glory attending the Revelation 18:1 Angel. The presence of the Lord will be felt and His glory seen when the Lord pours out His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, on all flesh and lightens the whole earth with His Own Righteousness and Glory.

This is a plan of truly exciting events. It was outlined by the Spirit of prophecy at the beginning of the SDA movement. And then, to awaken and arouse us to its serious import, a most solemn and impressive message regarding the same events was given us following the memorable Conference of 1888.

"The following vital statements taken from that message will give emphasis to the subject under consideration:

1. An Eventful Period of Time. 'The days in which we live are eventful and full of peril. The signs of the coming of the end are thickening around us, and events are to come to pass that will be of a more terrible character than any the world has yet witnessed.'

2. The 'Loud Cry' Begins. 'The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.'

3. The Essential Preparation to Stand in the Time of Trouble. 'If you would stand through the time of trouble, you must know Christ and appropriate the gift of His righteousness, which He imputes to the repentant sinner.'

4. The Message to Be Preached. 'A work is to be accomplished in the earth similar to that which took place at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the days of the early disciples, when they preached Jesus and Him crucified. Many will be converted in a day; for the message will go with power.'

"'The theme that attracts the heart of the sinner is Christ, and Him crucified. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus stands revealed to the world in unparalleled love. Present Him thus to the hungering multitudes, and the light of His love will win men from darkness to light, from transgression to obedience and true holiness. Beholding Jesus upon the cross of Calvary arouses the conscience to the heinous character of sin as nothing else can do.'

"'Christ has not been presented in connection with the law as a faithful and merciful high priest, who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He has not been lifted up before the sinner as the divine sacrifice. His work as sacrifice, substitute, and surety, has been only coldly and casually dwelt upon; but this is what the sinner needs to know. It is Christ in His Fullness as a sin-pardoning

Savior, that the sinner must see; for the unparalleled love of Christ, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, will bring conviction and conversion to the hardened heart.'

5. The Power That Gives Efficiency to the Preaching. The work of the Holy Spirit is immeasurably great. It is the source that power and efficiency come to the worker for God; and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, as the personal presence of Christ to the soul.'

"'When the earth is lightened with the glory of God, we shall see a work similar to that which was wrought when the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the power of a risen Savior.'

"'The revelation of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit brought to them (the disciples) a realizing sense of His power and majesty, and they stretched forth their hands unto Him by faith, saying, 'I believe.' Thus it was in the time of the early rain; but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Savior of men will be glorified, and the earth will be lightened with the bright shining of the beams of His righteousness.' The foregoing five quotations are from the R.H., Nov. 22, and 29, 1892; article entitled, 'The Perils and Privileges of the Last Days.'

"It will be seen that all these events are associated together to be in operation at the same time. placed in their natural order, they stand as follows:

·        The revelation and appropriation by faith of the righteousness of Christ.

·        The bestowal of the latter rain.

·        The impartation of great power to the receivers.

·        The swelling of the third angel's message into the ' loud cry.'

·        The enlightening of the earth with the 'bright shining of the beams of righteousness.'

"It is evident that the beginning, or opening, of all these events is at the same time. The appearance of one is a signal for all to appear.

"And now mark the positive declaration: 'The loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.' -- R.H., Nov. 22,1892.

"This was declared in 1892. What marked the fresh, or new, revelation of the righteousness of Christ and the beginning of the loud cry? As the statement itself points out, it was the 'revelation of the righteousness of Christ' as set forth at the Minneapolis Conference.

"Now these important manifestations are ordained of God for the finishing of His work in the earth. When they began, they marked the starting point for that closing work. That place, that hour, was reached in 1888.

"This is a tremendous conclusion, but what other conclusion can be reached with all the statements before us? Why should this conclusion be thought incredible? We believe the statements to be true. We have looked for their fulfillment. Our waiting for the fulfillment has been anxious and long. Why may we not see it and be in it?

"Should we not seek more seriously and earnestly to know what may be hindering the fulfillment in all it's power? And why should we not pray for a yearning desire to co-operate fully with the Lord in hastening His work to its close?" -- Christ Our Righteousness, p 59-63.

Speaking of that message in 1888, Sister White said, "This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth." Review & Herald, Nov. 22, 1892. Because of ridicule, rejection and unbelief, the Lord could not give us all the truth in 1888. He just gave us the beginning of it, or just one side of it. Had that message been accepted in 1888, the rest of the truths pertaining to the closing work of the Atonement would have been revealed, and the whole message would have been complete.

Then it stands to reason that when the angel of Rev. 18 comes back, his message will not be a repetition only, but will be a revelation of Christ's Righteousness that has not been dealt with at any time previously. He will utter again the seven thunders that John was told not to write (Revelation, chapter 10) and when these seven (complete) thunders are spoken again, the "mystery of God will be finished as He hath declared through his servants the prophets."

In 1888 he came barehanded so to speak, but now he will come equipped with the divine gospel in its fullness, clothed with the fullness of the Godhead. "In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 678. Armed with the ammunition of the seven thunders gospel, he will be fully equipped and qualified for the great closing work, and he will take charge and direct the whole third angel's message.

The Revelation 18 Angel's Message is the seven thunders of Revelation chapter 10 as well as the Third Angel's Message in verity. Under his direction, the Revelation 18 Message, in its fullness, will embrace every phase of the gospel truth. "The mystery of God will be finished" and understood, "so that we are without excuse" (Rev 10:7; Romans 1:20).

A FUNDAMENTAL, ALL-EMBRACING TRUTH

"In studying into the subject of Righteousness by Faith, as set forth in the Spirit of prophecy, it is important that there should be a clear understanding of its scope. This is not a doctrine of limited intent or minor consequence. It is not a subject with which one may or may not be familiar and fare as well. Righteousness by Faith, in its larger meaning, embraces every vital, fundamental truth of the gospel. It begins with man's moral standing when created, and deals with :

• The law by which man is to live.
• Transgression of that law.
• Penalty for transgression.
• Problem of redemption.
• Love of the Father and Son which made redemption possible.
• Justice in accepting a substitute.
• Nature of the atonement.
• The Incarnation. Sinless life of Christ.
• The Vicarious death of the Son of God.
• Burial, resurrection, and ascension.
• The Father's assurance of a satisfactory substitution.
• The coming of the Holy Spirit.
• Ministry of Jesus in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
• The part required of the sinner in order to be redeemed.
• Nature of faith, repentance, confession, obedience.
• Meaning and experience of regeneration, justification, and sanctification.
• Need and place of the Holy Ghost and the Word of God in making real to men what was made possible on the cross.
• Victory over sin through the indwelling Christ.
• Place of works in the life of the believer.
• Place of prayer in receiving and holding the righteousness of Christ.
• The culmination and deliverance in the return of the Redeemer." -- A.G. Daniells, Christ Our Righteousness, p 71-73.

This is the great sweep of truth embraced in the short phrase "Righteousness by Faith." It opens the door to all the priceless store of the wealth and glory of the gospel in Christ Jesus our Creator and Recreator, Lord and Savior.

NOT A THEORY; BUT AN EXPERIENCE

In it's truest sense, righteousness by faith is not a theory; it is an experience, a vital change which takes place in the believer in Christ. It gives the sinner a new standing before God. It is the essence of Christianity, for we read:

"The sum and substance of the whole matter of the Christian grace and experience is contained in believing on Christ, in knowing God and His Son whom He has sent.... Religion means the abiding of Christ in the heart, and where He is, the soul goes on in spiritual activity, ever growing in grace, ever going on to perfection." Review & Herald, May 24, 1892.

To lose sight of this wonderful, fundamental, all-embracing truth is to miss that which is vital in the plan of redemption.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST, ADAM AND EVE'S GLORIOUS COVERING

In essence, the Message of the Righteousness of Christ as brought by the Revelation 18 Angel reveals the nature of Christ in its fullness. The Son of God became the Son of man. The Creator, as the Second Adam, came to reveal the "fullness of the Godhead bodily". At His death the Second Adam brought forth His Glory and power that He might recreate His Image in the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve and restore to them their glorious and righteous covering.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, man communicated with the Creators face to face. Man and woman not only looked upon Their glory, but they wore that garment of glory as long as they were in harmony with the Law of the Righteousness of their Creators. When Adam and Eve sinned and lost their covering of the Righteousness of the Law, they were given the skins of a pair of sheep that Their Creators had slain for them, foreshadowing the sacrifice to be made for them by their Creators. Wearing the skins of dead animals became their righteous covering and was a substitute, a symbol and a type to them of the garment of light they had lost in disobedience, which would one day be restored to them through faith in the righteousness of their Recreators.

The Creators no longer communicated with man or woman face to face, but They established the ceremonial or sacrificial system consisting of types and symbols that pointed fallen man to the cloud, where the glory of God was hidden from full view.

"In all these revelations of the divine presence the glory of God was manifested through Christ. Not alone at the Savior's advent, but through all the ages after the Fall and the promise of redemption, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." 2 Cor. 5:19. Christ was the foundation and center of the sacrificial system in both the patriarchal and the Jewish age. Since the sin of our first parents there has been no direct communication between God and man. The Father has given the world into the hands of Christ, that through His mediatorial work He may redeem man and vindicate the authority and holiness of the law of God. All communion between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ. It was the Son of God that gave to our first parents the promise of redemption. It was He who revealed Himself to the patriarchs. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses understood the gospel. They looked for salvation through man's Substitute and Surety. These holy men of old held communion with the Savior who was to come to the world in human flesh; and some of them talked with Christ and heavenly angels face to face." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 366.

We, as Sabbath-keeping Advent believers, need to deeply examine the subject of the Nature of the Second Adam. It not only reveals to us the Creators and Their Creation Story, but the Recreation Story of Adam and Eve and their children in the perfect image and likeness of their Creators.

CHAPTER 2 :

THE MYSTERY OF GOD IS FINISHED

THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE SEVENTH ANGEL

"And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. ...But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel .... eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." -- Revelation 10:1-10

"In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Rev 10:7 "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." -- Colossans 2:2,3.

In the latter days this seventh angel, signifying completeness, again cries out his message or revelation with a loud voice. This time the seven thunders will be heard by all nations, unlike when they were first uttered to John on the Island of Patmos. Where he was told to "seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.... But in the days of the voice of the seventh (complete or last) angel (messenger), when he shall begin to sound (at the opening of the seventh seal), the mystery (hidden understanding) of God should be finished (revealed), as he hath declared (published or wrote) to his servants the prophets.

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." -- Matthew 13:35.

"Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever." -- Romans 16:25-27.

"But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation ... and that thou might know the thoughts of thy heart." -- Daniel 2:30

The mystery of the Almighty God will be finished! The Godhead will no longer be a mystery to us! We will know and understand the gospel in its fullness, and we will know the fullness of the Godhead. We will know Them as They really are, the Family of Heaven.

THE CREATION STORY IS AN ALLEGORY

The Creation Story is the total prophecy of the revelation of God. The six days of the Creation Week prefigured the six thousand years, ("a day is as a thousand years" -- 2 Peter 3:8) of the Re-Creation Week during which time the Divine Image is to be re-created or restored to man.

The six thousand years, beginning the longest time prophecy recorded in the Bible (Gen. 3:15), was the allotted time to make the Heavenly Family known to the earthly family through the visible things They had created.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead (divinity); so that they are without excuse:" -- Romans 1:20, King James Version.

The Strong's Concordance Hebrew/Greek Dictionary (SH/GD) defines these major words as:

eternal -- G126. aidios, ah-id'-ee-os; from G104; everduring (forward and backward, or forward only): -- eternal, everlasting.

power -- G1411. dunamis, doo'-nam-is; from G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specific miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): -- ability, abundance, meaning, might (mightily, mighty, mighty deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

Godhead -- G2305. theiotes, thi-ot'-ace; from G2304; divinity (abstract): --godhead. (G2304. theios, thi'-os; from G2316; godlike (neuter as noun, divinity): -- divine, godhead).

"It is not that they do not know the truth about God; indeed he has made it quite plain to them. For since the beginning of the world the invisible attributes of God, e.g. his eternal power and deity, have been plainly discernible through the things which he has made and which are commonly seen and known, thus leaving these men without a rag of excuse." -- Romans 1:19, 20, The New Testament in Modern English, J. B. Phillips.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." -- Romans 1:20, New International Version.

WE ARE TO KNOW THE END FROM THE BEGINNING

If we are to learn of the Godhead (Elohiym), Their invisible attributes and qualities - Their eternal power and divine nature - from those things which were made or created, then we must ask ourselves which of the created things reveal what Elohiym is like. The plants and animals? Certainly not! Only the creation of mankind in the divine image and likeness of the Creators exhibits the power, personality and gender of Elohiym. And we are left without an excuse in knowing this. The mystery of Elohiym will be revealed. Isn't that what the book of Revelation is suppose to do before the end comes. The heavenly Family and the relation of mankind to Them will no longer be a mystery to us!

In understanding the principle and manner in which the Almighty revealed and manifested Himself in the beginning, we have the Divine Pattern by which to measure our earthly image in conformity to the divine original found in Heaven. In the creation of Adam as the first cause in the earth - the father of mankind - this same divine principle is used to exhibit to man the manifestation of the Almighty, the first cause - the eternal Father from whom all beings have their existence.

Before continuing, it is necessary to examine Genesis 1:26, 27 more closely in order to gain a deeper understanding of what the Scriptures are actually saying about the Godhead (Elohiym).

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion ... So God created in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." -- Genesis 1:26, 27

There is definitely a plurality found throughout these verses regarding the Creator. And not only is there a plurality but there are clearly seen two genders, masculine and feminine, not only in reference to the creation of man but also in reference to the Creator. For further clarification of these two facts, it is necessary to examine the word "God" as it appears in the original Hebrew text.

God -- H430 . 'elohiym, el-o-heem'; plural of H433 elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used in the plural thus, especially with the article of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:-- angels, X exceeding, God ( gods, goddess, godly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

God -- H433. 'elowahh, el-o'-ah; rarely shortened to 'eloahh, el-o'-ah; probably prolonged (emphatically) from H410; a deity or the Deity: -- God, god. -- SH/GD

The translation of God in Hebrew is "Elohiym." Elohiym, by definition, is a unity, a group of male and female Gods. Now, we are told in Ephesians 3:14, 15 that "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the WHOLE FAMILY in HEAVEN and EARTH is named." It is not presumption or adding to the Scriptures to see that when we read "Yahweh our Elohiym", we are really reading "Yahweh our Heavenly Family."

When the words 'eloha "God" and its plural 'elohiym are closely examined, you will find that they are apparently a lengthened form of ' El, which in Aramaic is 'elah and in Arabic is 'ilah, both having a feminine - ah ending. The singular 'eloha is of relatively rare occurrence in the Bible outside of Job, where it is found as 'elowahh ( 'eloahh). The 'eloah form of 'elowahh and 'eloahh would suggest feminine gender especially when the Aramaic and Arabic counterparts do carry a feminine gender. Thus, the word 'Elohiym has for it's root a feminine implication with a definite masculine plural ending, implying that the image of God can be both masculine and feminine.

An additional reference to verify this statement is found in Genesis 5:1, 2, which state:

"... In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." -- Genesis 5:1, 2

Therefore, the word for God in Genesis 1:26,27 is Elohiym which in the Hebrew really means Gods, both of the male and female gender combined. In other words, a group or a unity of divine beings of both the masculine and feminine gender said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: ... male and female."

The first revelation on earth of the Person of the Almighty Father was through the Divine Image in Adam, the father of mankind, who was created male and female in one being. Then from Adam's side, another individual being was brought forth and formed. Eve, "the mother of all living", the female Adam, was also made in the divine image. Thus, those who would accept "as a little child" the divine image and likeness of the Creators would have no difficulty with the revelation of Elohiym in terms of a Divine Family, with Father, Mother and children; male and female beings.

"Remember the former things (rishown - H7223 the beginning) of old: for I am God (El - H410 the Almighty), and there is none else; I am God (Elohiym - H430), and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times (qedem - H6924) the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." - Isaiah 46:9,10

"former things -- H7223. ri'shown, ree-shone'; or ri'shon, ree-shone'; from H7221; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun): -- ancestor, (that were) before, beforetime, beginning, eldest, first, forefather, foremost, former (thing), of old time, past.

God -- H410. 'el, ale; shortened from H352; strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity): -- God (god), goodly, great, idol, might, mighty one, power, strong. Compare names ending in "-el." -- SH/GD

"Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God ( El), and there is no other; I am God ( Elohiym), and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." -- Isaiah 46:9,10 (NIV)

From Isaiah 46:9,10, we learn that El, the Almighty One, declares that there is no other like Him. None of the pagan gods (elohiym) can even compare to Him. He says "I Am Elohiym," The Divine Family, a unity of male and female divine beings Who are the Creators and Rulers of this universe, and there are no other gods ( elohiym) or god families like the true Elohiym." For it is the Almighty that "declares the end from the beginning". In the time of the end, we can look back to the Creation Story to comprehend how we were created, and to appreciate how we are to be restored and re-created in the Divine Image - male and female working together in unity and harmony - The Divine Family - Elohiym.

The complete story of the Gospel is thus found in the account of the Creation. Elohiym is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, the Creators would employ the same principles in the Re-Creation as They used in the Creation of Their Image and Likeness in the earth.

The Creation Story correspondingly tells us how Elohiym was manifested as the Family in Heaven before the creation of the universe, and then the earth with its inhabitants, took place. Yes, we are to know the end from the beginning, and even, the beginning from the end.

IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS THE ONE TRUE ELOHIYM - "YHWH"

"In contrast to the heathen of the surrounding nations, Israel believed there was only one God (Deut. 4:35; 6:4; Isa. 45:5; Zech. 14:9). The New Testament makes the same emphasis on the unity of God (Mark 12:29-32; John 17:3; I Cor. 8:4-6; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Tim. 2:5). This monotheistic emphasis does not contradict the Christian concept of the ...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; rather, it affirms that there is no pantheon of various deities." -- Seventh-Day Adventists Believe..., p. 22.

"Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God ( El), and there is no other; I am God ( Elohiym), and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." -- Isaiah 46:9,10 (NIV)

"Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting." -- Psalm 93:2

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD (YHWH - H3068) our God (Elohiym - H430) is one (echad - H259 unified group - family) LORD (YHWH - H3068):" -- Deuteronomy 6:4

"But to us there is but one (heis - G1520) God, the Father (pater - G3692), of whom are all things, and we in him; and one (heis - G1520) Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." -- 1 Corinthians 8:6

"One (heis - G1520) God and Father (pater - G3962) of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." -- Ephesians 4:6

"Thou believest that there is one (heis - G1520) God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." -- James 2:19

One - H259. 'echad, ekh-awd'; a numeral from H258 - achad; probably united, that is one; or (as an ordinal) first: - a, alike, alone, altogether, and, anything, apiece, a certain [dai-] ly, each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together.

One - H258. 'achad, aw-khad'; perhaps a primitive root; to unify, that is to figuratively collect one's thoughts: -- go one way or other.

one - G1520. heis, hice; (including the neuter [etc.] hen); a primitive numeral; one:-- a, an, any, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also G1527, G3367, G3391.

Father - G3962. pater, pat-ayr'; apparantly a primitive word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote): -- father, parent. -- Strong's Hebrew/Greek Dictionary

In the beginning, before anything existed, was the one true EL, YHWH, the self-existing, all-powerful One. As the above verses of Scripture from the Old and New Testaments show, the Almighty Father was "The One In All" in the beginning. He was the first cause "of whom are all things, and we in Him." He possessed the whole of creation within Himself, for all things came forth from Him. And as the first cause, He possessed within His being both male and female attributes.

Adam's creation tells us the story of the Almighty Father, the pre-existent One, who was from everlasting all-one or alone; one being as Adam was when he was created in His divine Image. Those who would be led by the Spirit into "all truth," will look to the Great I AM, the Revealer of secrets, for:

"Surely, the Lord (Adonai - H136) GOD (YHWH - H3068) will do nothing, but he revealeth his SECRET (cowd - H5457) unto his servants the prophets." -- Amos 3:7.

"The SECRET (cowd - H5475) of the LORD (YHWH - H3068) is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant." -- Psalm 25:14

secret - H5475. cowd, sode; from H3245; a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication intimacy, consultation, a secret: -- assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel). -- SH/GD

The "secret" (cowd - the company of persons in close deliberation, intimately involved with one another as a secret counsel) of the LORD or YHWH is with them that fear (honor and respect) Him; and He will show them His covenant (betrothal, promise, contract, or agreement). The secret or the mystery of YHWH is what or Who He really is. Therefore, in revealing Himself to us the Almighty introduces us to Elohiym, His entire Family - the company of persons in close deliberation, intimately involved with one another, the secret counsel.

Before we proceed any further in this study, it would be advantageous for us to study the names and titles given to the Almighty because there is much to be learned about Him through these appelations and even His proper personal name that He is addressed by. To know His original name and its meaning is to know the person and personality of the Almighty, Who is the Self-Existent and Eternal One. The Strong's Dictionary and Concordance does not supply the most accurate information about this subject as will be seen. Therefore, we will use the Judaica Encyclopedia to investigate the origins of His names and titles that we might get a more accurate non-paganized understanding from the original Old Testament Hebrew. The following definitions from the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, when compared to the description in the Judaica Encyclopedia will point out how the Strong's definitions limit our understanding of His true name and His personality (divine attributes).

God -- H430 . 'elohiym, el-o-heem'; plural of H433 elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used in the plural thus, especially with the article of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:-- angels, exceeding, God ( gods, goddess, godly), (very) great, judges, mighty.

God -- H433. 'elowahh, el-o'-ah; rarely shortened to 'eloahh, el-o'-ah; probably prolongation (emphatically) from G410; a deity or the Deity:-- God, god.

GOD - H3068. Yehovah, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of the Almighty God: -- Jehovah, the Lord. Comp. H3050, H3069

God - H3069 - Yehovih, yeh-ho-vee'; a variation of H3068 - Yehovah [used after H136 - Adonai, and pronounced by Jews as H430 - Elohyim, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce H3068 - Yehovah as H136 - Adonai: - God.

Now let us take a more in depth look at the Almighty's names and titles as given in the Judaica Encyclopedia, Volume 7, pp 674-682, under the subheading -- Names of God.

THE NAMES OF THE ALMIGHTY

"NAMES OF GOD. Various Hebrew terms are used for God in the Bible. Some of these are employed in both the generic and specific sense; others are used only as the personal name of the God of Israel. Most of these terms were employed also by the Canaanites, to designate their pagan gods. This is not surprising; since on settling in the Promised Land the Patriarchs and early Israelites made "the language of Canaan" their own (lsa. 19:18), the Hebrew language would naturally use the Canaanite vocabulary for terms designating their own Deity. It must be noted, however, that in the Bible these various terms, when used by the Israelites to designate their own Deity, refer to one and the same god, the sole God of Israel. At least from the time of Moses on this is certainly true, and it is probably true even from the time of Abraham. When Joshua told the tribes of Israel, assembled at Shechem, that their ancestors had "served other gods" (Josh. 24: 2), he was referring to the ancestors of Abraham, as is clear from the context. The God who identified Himself to Moses as YHWH said He was "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Ex. 3:6). Therefore, the terms " the Fear of Isaac" (perhaps rather, " the Kinsman of Isaac," Gen. 31:42, 53) and " the Mighty One of Jacob" (Gen. 49:24; Isa. 49:26), are synonymous with YHWH, even though these terms may have been specific titles by which the God of these partriarchs was known as their individual tutelary deity.

"'El. The oldest Semitic term for God is 'el (corresponding to Akkadian ilu(m). Canaanite 'el or 'il, and Arabic 'el as an element in personal names). The etymology of the word is obscure. It is commonly thought that the term derived from a root 'yl or 'wl, meaning "to be powerful" (cf. yesh le-el yadi, "It is in the power of my hand," Gen. 31:29; cf. Deut. 28:32; Micah 2:1). But the converse may be true; since power is an essential element in the concept of deity, the term for deity may have been used in the transferred sense of "power." In Akkadian, ilu(m), and plural ilu and ilanu, is used in reference to any individual god as well as to divine beings in general; but it is not employed as the personal name of any god. In Ugaritic Canaanite, however, il occurs much more frequently as the personal name of the highest god el than as the common noun "god" (pl., ilm; fem., ilt). In the Ugaritic myths EI is the head of the Canaanite pantheon, the ancestor of the other gods and goddesses, and the creator of the earth and its creatures; but he generally fades into the background and plays a minor role in the preserved myths.

"In the Bible 'el is seldom used as the personal name of God, e.g., ' EI-'Elohei-Yisrael, "EI, the God of [the Patriarch] Israel" (Gen. 33:20; cf. Ps. 146:5). ALmost always, ' el is an appellative, with about the same semantic range as 'elohim (see below). The word can thus be preceded by the article: ha-'el, " the [true] God" (e.g., Ps. 19:31, 33, 48 ; 57:3). Like 'elohim, el can be employed in reference to an "alien god" (Deut. 32:12; Mal. 2:11) or a " strange god" (Ps. 44:21; 81:10). It can also have the plural form ' elim, " heavenly beings" (Ex. 15:11). In contrast to the extremely common word ' elohim, el occurs relatively seldom, except in archaic or archaizing poetry, as in Job and Psalms. But 'el and, rarely, 'elohim are used when the term is modified by one or more adjectives, e.g., "an impassioned God" (e.g., Ex. 20:5; 34:14), "a God compassionate and gracious" (e.g., Ex. 34:6; Ps. 86: 15). Moreover, 'el, not 'elohim, is used when God is contrasted with man, i.e., the divine contrasted with the human (Num. 23:19; Isa. 31:3; Ezek. 28:9; Hos. 11:9; Job 25:4). As an element in theophoric names, 'el, not 'elohim, is used often as the first element, e.g., Elijah, Elisha, and Elihu, and even more often as the last element, e.g., Israel, Ishmael, and Samuel. Of special interest are the divine names of which EI is the first element: ' EI 'Elyon, 'EI 'Olam, 'EI Shaddai, 'EI Ro'i, and 'EI Berit. See appendix at back of book for further information.

"' Eloha, 'Elohim. The word 'eloha "God" and its plural 'elohim, is apparently a lengthened form of 'EI (cf. Aramaic 'elah. Arabic ''ilah). The singular 'eloha is of relatively rare occurrence in the Bible outside of Job, where it is found about forty times. It is very seldom used in reference to a pagan god and then only in a late period (Dan. 11:37; II Chron. 32:5). In all other cases it refers to the God of Israel (e.g., Deut. 32:15; Ps. 50:11; 139:19; Prov. 30:5; Job 3:4, 23). The plural form 'elohim is used not only of pagan "gods" (e.g., Ex. 12:12; 18:11; 20:3), but also of an individual pagan "god" (Judg. 11:24; II Kings 1:2ff.) and even of a "goddess" (I Kings 11:5). In reference to Israel's "God" it is used extremely often - more than 2,000 times - and often with the article, ha-'elohim, " the [true] God." Occasionally, the plural form 'elohim, even, when used of the God of Israel is construed with a plural verb or adjective (e.g., Gen. 20:13; 35:7; Ex. 32:4, 8; II Sam. 7:23; Ps. 58:12), especially in the expression 'elohim hayyim, "the living God." In the vast majority of cases, however, the plural form is treated as if it were a noun in the singular. The odd fact that Hebrew uses a plural noun to designate the sole God of Israel has been explained in various ways. ...Some scholars take it as a plural that expresses an abstract idea (e.g., zekunim, " old age"; ne'urim, " time of youth"), so that 'Elohim would really mean " the Divinity."...In the ancient Near East of the second half of the second millennium B.C.E. there was a certain trend toward quasi-monotheism, and any god could be given the attributes of any other god, so that an individual god could be addressed as 'elohai, "my gods" or 'adonai, "my lords." The early Israelites felt no inconsistency in referring to their sole God in these (plural) terms. The word 'elohim is employed also to describe someone or something as godlike, preternatural, or extraordinarily great.

"YHWH. The personal name of the God of Israel is written in the Hebrew Bible with the four consonants YHWH and is referred to as the " Tetragrammaton." At least until the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C.E. this name was regularly pronounced with its proper vowels, as is clear from the *Lachish Letters, written shortly before that date. But at least by the third century B.C.E. the pronunciation of the name YHWH was avoided, and Adonai, " the Lord," was substituted for it, as evidenced by the use of the Greek word Kyrios, " Lord," for YHWH in the Septuagint, the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures that was begun by Greek-speaking Jews in that century. Where the combined form 'Adonai YHWH occurs in the Bible, this was read as 'Adonai 'Elohim, " Lord God." In the early Middle Ages, when the consonantal text of the Bible was supplied with vowel points to facilitate its correct traditional reading, the vowel points for 'Adonai with one variation - a sheva with the first yod of YHWH instead of the hataf-patah under the aleph of 'Adonai - were used for YHWH, thus producing the form YeHoWaH. When Christian scholars of Europe first began to study Hebrew, they did not understand what this really meant, and they introduced the hybrid name " Jehovah." In order to avoid pronouncing even the sacred name 'Adonai for YHWH, the custom was later introduced of saying simply in Hebrew ha-Shem (or Aramaic Shema', "the Name") even in such an expression as "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of YHWH" (Ps. 118:26). The avoidance of pronouncing the name YHWH is generally ascribed to a sense of reverence. More precisely, it was caused by a misunderstanding of the Third Commandment (Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11) as meaning "Thou shalt not take the name of YHWH thy God in vain," whereas it really means "You shall not swear falsely by the name of YHWH your God" (JPS).

"The true pronunciation of the name YHWH was never lost. Several early Greek writers of the Christian Church testify that the name was pronounced "Yahweh." This is confirmed, at least for the vowel of the first syllable of the name, by the shorter form Yah, which is sometimes used in poetry (e.g., Ex. 15:2) and the -yahu or -yah that serves as the final syllable in very many Hebrew names. In the opinion of many scholars, YHWH is a verbal form of the root hwh, which is an older variant of the root hyh "to be." The vowel of the first syllable shows that the verb is used in the form of a future-present causative hiph'il, and must therefore mean " He causes to be, He brings into existence." The explanation of the name as given in Exodus 3:14, Eheyeh-Asher-Eheyeh, "I-Am-Who-I-Am," offers a folk etymology, common in biblical explanation of names, rather than a strictly scientific one. Like many other Hebrew names in the Bible, the name Yahweh is no doubt a shortened form of what was originally a longer name. It has been suggested that the original, full form of the name was something like Yahweh-Asher-Yihweh. " He brings into existence whatever exists"; or Yahweh Zeva'ot (1 Sam. 1:3, 11), which really means " He brings the hosts [of heaven ? or of Israel?] into existence." "The Lord of Hosts," the traditional translation of the latter name, is doubtful.

"According to the documentary hypothesis, the literary sources in the Pentateuch known as the Elohist and the Priestly Document never use the name Yahweh for God until it is revealed to Moses (Ex. 3:13; 6:2-3); but the Yahwist source uses it from Genesis 2:4 on, thus implying that it was at least as old as Abraham. If the name is really so old, then Exodus 6:2-3 must be understood as meaning that from the time of Moses on, Yahweh was to be the personal name of the God who brought the people of Israel into existence by bringing them out of Egypt and established them as a nation by His covenant with them at Sinai." -- The Judaica Encyclopedia, Names of God, Volume 7, p 678-680.

THE ALMIGHTY IS LOVE

In the allegory of creation, Adam, the father of mankind, represents EL, the Almighty Father, the pre-existent One, the beginning of all, the first cause, the One who brings into existence. YHWH was alone in the beginning. He possessed all that ever was and ever will be within Himself. He is the beginning and the end, the Author and Finisher of the universe.

We are told that the Almighty's character is supreme Love. If He is love and love is unselfish giving of oneself, then Whom did The Almighty lavish His love upon? Himself? This is unlikely since this is selfish and self-centered love which is truly foreign to His character. How, then, did the Almighty express His love?

"Although the Old Testament does not explicitly teach that God is triune, it alludes to a plurality within the Godhead. At times God employs plural pronouns such as: "'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness" (Gen 1:26); "'Behold the man has become like one of Us'" (Gen. 3:22); "'Come let Us go down'" (Gen. 11:7)... Various references distinguish the Spirit of God from God. In the Creation Story "the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Gen. 1:2)." -- Seventh-day Adventists Believe... p. 23.

The creation of Adam and then Eve, teaches us how YHWH the Father was One and alone and became Elohiym - both masculine and feminine plural.

It was not good for the Father to be alone or all-one. In order for Him to unselfishly share His Love, the Father manifested His Glory and Second Self, His Helpmate, the Divine Mother. When the Father manifested His Glory in the Person of the Holy Spirit, He set free and set in motion His creative power in the universe. There were now positive and negative poles; masculine and feminine interacting forces. No longer were these two creative forces to neutralize one another in the same being or body, but were set free to express Themselves as Love naturally will, in giving and receiving affection.

In the section about the Names of God it was mentioned that the Family name of Elohiym was YHWH, and that YAH was the Father's own personal name. In Hebrew the ah ending of a word gives to it a feminine gender. In the Father's name is found both masculine and feminine gender. In order for Him to exist and be the first cause, feminine attributes must also co-exist in and with Him, reflecting His creative power and glory. A father can not exist without a mother. This can be demonstrated in the Hebrew word for father - ab'ba. The first two letters ab' are mirrored by the last two letters ba. The masculine ab' is reflected by the feminine ending ba, a perfect opposite image. The masculine attributes or characteristics could not exist unless they were distinguished from their opposite feminine attributes or characteristics. To put it simply, you can't have one without the other.

Therefore, the surname of the Almighty is YHWH and His personal name is YH or YAH. In His name is also found His feminine counterpart and Helpmate, His creative power and glory that was manifested in order that He might unsefishly share Himself with another Who was His equal. When His name YAH is called out the name of the Mother is also, for She takes His name, for They are as One - Echad: a unity of Divine persons; as (cowd) a company of persons in close deliberation, intimately involved with one another; as a secret counsel - YHWH the true Elohiym - the Divine Image.

We are told in the Judaica Encyclopedia that " Yahweh is no doubt a shortened form of what was originally a longer name. It has been suggested that the original, full form of the name was something like Yahweh-Asher-Yihweh, " He brings into existence whatever exists". This statement leaves one to believe that possibly the three part name " Yahweh-Asher-Yihweh" reflects the names of the Elohiym - Yahweh the Father and Yihweh the Mother. Asher (H834) means who, which, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc. This name also implies that Yahweh brings into existence whatever exists through Yihweh.

Thus, El, The Almighty One, became Two Beings - male and female - that He might share Himself and His Love, with Another(s). Then El so loved the Spirit Mother, that She conceived His Only Begotten Son.

Love begat Love. The SON of LOVE was born of LOVE in heaven, that He might be the object of the Father and Mother's unselfish everlasting LOVE. LOVE desires to be given. Love begets love. It is the bond of LOVE that holds the whole of creation together. LOVE is the power of ELOHIYM!

THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE FATHER

The Scriptures state, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." -- John 1:1,2.

"Christ the Word, the only begotten of God, was One with the Eternal Father, - One in nature, in character, in purpose - the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 33.

In the act of supreme and unselfish Divine Love the Father begat the Son - the WORD of YAH. The Word of the Almighty was conceived through the Holy Spirit Mother, the Heart and Mind of the Father. For as we see in the human family, a man's heart and mind are with his wife whom he loves, to think and to do her good pleasure. And so it is with Elohiym. Now we can understand how the Word of the Father was conceived in the Spirit Mind and Heart of the Father. Words are thoughts expressed. Therefore, the Son was the Father's expressed thoughts as conceived in the Divine Mind, the Spirit. The WORD was an Expression of the Father's thoughts or an "EXPRESSED IMAGE" of the Father as conceived in/by the Divine Mother.

"What speech is to thought, so is Christ to the invisible Father, He is the manifestation of the Father, and is called the Word of God." -- 7A Bible Commentary, p. 1131.

THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER

"There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was One with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light unapproachable and incomprehensible." -- Review and Herald, April 5, 1906.

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten (G3439 monogenes) Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." -- John 1:18

only begotten - G3439. monogenes, mon-og-en-ace'; from G3441 and G1096; only-born, i.e. sole:-- only (begotten, child). -- SH/GD

"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." -- Hebrews 11:17.

"God...hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." -- Hebrews1:1-4

Speaking of Christ as the One through whom we have redemption, Paul describes Him as the One "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." -- Col 1:15-17

In the preceding verse we are told that the image of the invisible Self-Existent One, is the first born of every creature and that He created all things. We can plainly see then, that before the Creator created all creatures He was begotten of the Father and born by the Divine Mother.

In the following passage the Spirit of prophecy intimates that the Son was first born in heaven:

"The dedication of the first-born had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the First-born of heaven to save the sinner. This gift was to be acknowledged in every household by the consecration of the first-born son. He was to be devoted to the priesthood, as a representative of Christ among men." -- Desire of Ages, p. 51.

In the allegory of Abraham and Isaac, we see the Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Son making the supreme sacrifice of Love... "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

Let us examine the meaning of the word begotten as found in Roget's Thesaurus. "Begotten" comes from the root verb "beget" and means: "1) to procreate, father, sire, breed, impregnate, reproduce, generate. 2) cause, lead to, result in, effect, bring about, engender, produce, give rise to, yield".

only begotten - G3439. monogenes, mon-og-en-ace'; from G3441 and G1096; only-born, i.e. sole: -- only (begotten, child).

begotten - 1096. ginomai, ghin'-om-ahee; a prolonged and middle form of a primitive verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal figuratie, intensive, etc.): -- arise be assembled, be (come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, be done, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.

Obviously, only a male can sire, impregnate, effectuate, cause, bring about, reproduce or give rise to an offspring, but only if there is a female to inseminate, breed, impregnate or fertilize at which time she conceives his offspring and recreates their image. The male begets while it is the female that conceives and bares the child. A male can not conceive a child, only a female has that God-given ability, since she was made in the image and likeness of Elohiym's Creative Power and Female Helpmate.

The Son's character was a combination of both the Father's qualities and those which He inherited from His Divine Mother. He bore the fullness of Elohiym bodily. He inherited His Father's glory and was the express image of His person. In other words, the Son outwardly was the expression of the Father (masculine characteristics) and inwardly possessed the Mother's creative power and glory (feminine characteristics). He inherited the fullness of the Father and Mother in His very Being.

THE FULLNESS OF ELOHIYM BODILY

E. J. Waggoner wrote the following in his book entitled "Christ Our Righteousness:

"The Scriptures declare that Christ is 'the only begotten Son of God.' He is begotten, not created. 'But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, ... out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.' Micah 5:2. There was a time when Christ PROCEEDED FORTH and CAME FROM GOD, FROM the BOSOM (DIVINE MOTHER) of the FATHER (John 8:42; 1:18), but that time was so far back in the days of eternity that to finite comprehension it is practically without beginning.

"But the point is that Christ is a BEGOTTEN SON, and not a created subject. He has BY INHERITANCE a more excellent Name than the angels; He is 'a Son over His own House.' Heb.1:4; 3:6. And since He is the ONLY-BEGOTTEN Son of God, HE IS OF THE VERY SUBSTANCE and NATURE of GOD, and POSSESSES BY BIRTH ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD; for the Father was pleased that His Son should be the EXPRESS IMAGE of HIS PERSON, the BRIGHTNESS of HIS GLORY (DIVINE MOTHER), and FILLED WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD. So He has 'LIFE IN HIMSELF'; He possesses immortality in His own right, and can confer immortality upon others. Life INHERES in Him, so that it cannot be taken from Him; but, having voluntarily laid it down, He can take it again." -- Christ Our Righteousness, p 24, 25. Pacific Press, 1892 edition, (parenthesis and emphasis supplied).

Again the Creation tells the story, only this time it explains how the Son of YHWH Elohiym was begotten/conceived (formed in the Divine Mother's womb)) and born in heaven as the express image of His Father, male and female in one being, before He, the Creator Son, spoke all things into existence by the words of His mouth. Likewise, Adam was formed of the earth as a son of Elohiym, and was made male and female in one being, before he was given the task to speak forth the names of the animals that His Creator spoke into existence.

MY WORDS ARE SPIRIT

"The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. 'By Him were all things created,...whether they were thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him, and for Him.' Col 1:16" -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34.

Here we see that the thoughts of the Father were expressed by His Word, the Son. Through His Word, the Father spoke all things into existence. "In Him was LIFE." -- John 1:4. The Son inwardly possessed the Father's creative power passed on to Him through the Divine Mother when She conceived Him and brought Him forth. In looking at the name of Elohiym, which is YHWH, we can see that since the Father by His creative power inherent in His Son wrought all things that were made, then the name YHWH which means the "One who brings into existence," pertains to the Almighty Creator, and also to His Creator Son, Who performed the act of creation, fulfilling His Father's will. Therefore, the being that apperared to Abraham and to Moses was not the Almighty Father, but the One Who carries out His will, the Creator Son; the very one responsible for the creation.

Christ said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; ... the words that I speak they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. When the Son spoke, He breathed forth the breath of life (ruach). His thoughts expressed and made audible took form through the creative force of His Own indwelling Spirit (Ruach).

"By the word of the LORD (H3068 - YHWH (the) self-Existent or Eternal) were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." -- Psalm 33:6, 9

"The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Job 33:4

THE SONS OF GOD

When the Son spoke the universe and all its inhabitants into existence, the earth and its inhabitants was not yet created. The Son created the inhabitants of the many worlds of the universe in His Own image, as sons of God. Job brings this out in the following verses:

"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.... Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD....When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7.

These created sons of God were made in the image of the Father as He was in the beginning, possessing both male and female qualities in one being or body. The Only Begotten Son, however, possessed by inheritance the creative power of the Father within His being, unlike those beings He created in His Own image, as the sons of Elohiym.

"Angels are God's ministers, radiant from the light ever flowing from His presence, and speeding on rapid wing to execute his will. But the Son, the anointed of God, the " express image of his person," " the brightness of his glory," "upholding all things by the word of his power," holds supremacy over them all." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 34.

Lucifer was the highest created son of Elohiym. He was spoken into existence by the Only Begotten Son, in whose image he was made, male and female in one being. Lucifer held the highest position in the Heavenly Government next to the Creator, the Only Begotten of the Father.

"Before his fall he was a covering cherub, distinguished by his excellence. God [the Son] made him good and beautiful, as near as possible like Himself." (RH Sept. 24, 1901).

"Lucifer, "son of the morning", was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the ceaseless beams of glory (Holy Spirit Mother - Shekhinah) enshrouding the eternal God (the Father), rested upon him. "Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering.... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:12-15. -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 35.

"So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth his praise. And while love to

God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted His creatures. Sin originated in him who next to Christ had been most honored of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven." Ibid., p 35.

"Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. The Scripture says, "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Ezek 28:17. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the most High." Isa 14:13,14. Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of making God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone." -- Ibid. p. 35.

Lucifer desired to be as God. He coveted His creative power manifested as His Glory, His Wife. He was not content to have "the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rest upon him", he coveted the Father's Glory. And, by coveting "the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power (inherent creative power) that was the prerogative of Christ alone." Lucifer could not be as God the Father or the Son without having the power to create.

Remember, the Son's inherited glory was hidden within Him, so therefore, Lucifer could not understand why he did not have as exalted a position as the Son. They looked very much the same, male and female in one being, and both were acting as covering cherubs at the throne of God. The Son sat at the right hand of the Father and Lucifer sat at the left side of the Divine Mother. Lucifer would receive instruction from the Godhead and go forth to proclaim Their bidding to the inhabitants of the universe. He was the "mouthpiece or prophet" of God. Consequently, Lucifer's closeness to the Father's Glory made him "regard it as pertaining to himself". In worshipping himself instead of God, Lucifer committed idolatry, and in coveting the Father's manifested Glory he committed spiritual adultery in his heart.

"Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. Lucifer's disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme. In heavenly council the angels pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the greatness, the goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging nature of His Law. God Himself had established the order of heaven; and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker and bring ruin upon himself... Lucifer allowed his jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more determined.

"To dispute the supremacy of the Son of God, thus impeaching the wisdom and love (inherent creative power) of the Creator, had become the purpose of this prince of angels. To this object he was about to bend the energies of that master mind, which next to Christ's, was first among the hosts of God.... Before the great contest should open, all were to have a clear presentation of His will, whose wisdom and goodness (Divine Mother) were the spring of all their joy." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 36.

THE ORDER OF HEAVEN RE-ITERATED

"The King of the universe summoned the heavenly hosts before Him, that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His Son and show the relation He sustained to all created beings. The Son of God shared the Father's throne, and the glory (creative power) of the eternal, self-existent One encircled both. About the throne gathered the holy angels... rejoicing in the light that fell upon them from the presence (Shekhinah) of the Deity. Before the assembled inhabitants of heaven the King declared that none but Christ, the Only Begotten of God, could fully enter into His purposes, and to Him it was committed to execute the mighty counsels of His will. The Son of God had wrought the Father's will in the creation of the hosts of heaven; and to Him, as well as God, their homage and allegiance were due. Christ was still to exercise divine power, in the creation of the earth and its inhabitants. But in all this He would not seek power or exaltation for Himself contrary to God's plan, but would exalt the Father's glory (Shekhinah - creative power) and execute His purposes of beneficence and love.

"The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and prostrating themselves before Him, poured out their love and adoration. Lucifer bowed with them, but in his heart there was a strange, fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy and jealousy. The influence of the holy angels seemed for a time to carry him with them. ...But again he was filled with pride in his own glory (desire to create). His desire for supremacy returned, and envy of Christ was once more indulged. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as God's special gift, and therefore called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God (coveted the Father's Glory - Shekhinah). He was beloved and reverenced by the heavenly host, angels delighted to execute his commands, and he was clothed with wisdom and glory (by the Shekhinah) above them all. Yet the Son of God was exalted above him, as one in power and authority with the Father. He shared the Father's counsels, while Lucifer did not thus enter into the purposes of God. " Why," questioned this mighty angel, " should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He honored above Lucifer?"

"Leaving the immediate presence of the Father, Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. He worked with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealed his real purpose... The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as an injustice to Lucifer, who, it was claimed, was also entitled to reverence and honor.

" There had been no change in the position or authority of Christ. Lucifer's envy and misrepresentation and his claims to equality with Chrisd made necessary a statement of the true position of the Son of God; but this had been the same from the beginning. Many of the angels were, however, blinded by Lucifer's deceptions.

"Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light - misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction. He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose... While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged changes in the order and laws of heaven were necessary for stability of the Divine Government.... While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace... Lucifer himself did not see whither he was drifting. But such efforts as infinite love and wisdom only could devise were made to convince him of his error.

"The spirit of dissatisfaction thus kindled was doing its baleful work... There were some who looked with favor upon Lucifer's insinuations against the government of God. Although they had heretofore been in perfect harmony with the order which God had established, they were now discontented and unhappy because they could not penetrate His unsearchable counsels; they were dissatisfied with His purpose in exalting Christ. These stood ready to second Lucifer's demand for equal authority with the Son of God." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 35-38.

"But angels who were loyal and true maintained the wisdom and justice of the divine decree and endeavored to reconcile this disaffected being to the will of God. Christ was the Son of God; He had been one with Him before the angels were called into existence. He had ever stood at the right hand of the Father; His supremacy, so full of blessing to all who came under its benignant control, had not heretofore been questioned. The harmony of heaven had never been interrupted; wherefore should there now be discord?

" Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong... He had not at that time fully cast off his allegiance to God. Though he had left his position as covering cherub, yet if he had been willing to return to God, acknowledging the Creator's wisdom (the creative power of the Divine Mother within the Son), and satisfied to fill the place appointed him in God's great plan, he would have been reinstated in his office. The time had come for a final decision; he must fully yield to the divine sovreignity or place himself in open rebellion. He nearly reached the decision to return, but pride forbade him. It was too great a sacrifice for one who had been so highly honored to confess that he had been in error, that his imaginings were false, and to yield to the authority which he had been working to prove unjust.... Thus it was that Lucifer,"the light bearer," the sharer of God's glory, the attendant of His throne, by transgression became Satan, "the adversary" of God and holy beings and the destroyer of those whom Heaven had committed to his guidance and guardianship. -- Ibid., p 39-40.

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

In order that Lucifer's hidden motives would be revealed, Elohiym (Godhead) devised a plan to expose his intents. The Plan of Salvation that was determined from the beginning, was now to be established through the Only Begotten Son. Through the employment of this plan and the fulfillment of its various phases, the Family of God would rid the universe of this rebellious son, the originator of sin, and his counterfeit government.

Elohiym knew that Lucifer coveted the Glory (creative power) of the Father inherited by the Only Begotten Son. Therefore, the Son, the Express Image of the Father and the brightness of His Glory, was no longer to keep His inherent Glory hidden within Himself. To initiate the Plan of Salvation, the Father invested the Son with the same power and glory that was His from the beginning. The Son's Glory and Creative Power was no longer to be veiled and hidden within His Being. The Divine Father and the Mother presented Their Son with the Brightness of His Own Glory, in the Person of the Shekhinah, the Express Image of the Divine Mother.

When the Fourth Member of the Divine Family (Elohiym -- Godhead) was espoused and joined to the Third Member, the Son, She lightened all of Heaven with His Glory, giving power and force to settle the controversy in heaven. The Creator Son was now, without a doubt, visibly equal in power and authority to the Almighty Father. The Ruach Ha Chodesh (Holy Ghost), the Son's creative power, was now manifested as His Second Self, a separated Spirit Being, having "bone of His bone, and Spirit of His Spirit," as Eve was separated from Adam at her creation and visible manifestation.

The Ruach Ha Chodesh, the Shekhinah Glory, filled the position that Lucifer had abandoned as the Angel of Light. She became the Prophet and Messenger of Wisdom -- the Divine Mother. The position the Shekhinah now occupies at Wisdom's side is the office of the Spirit of Prophecy. It is through the Holy Ghost (Ruach Ha Chodesh) that the Elohiym makes Their will known throughout the universe. She is a Member of the Divine Family, and as the Son's Helpmate, has equal honor and authority as the Son, for She is not a created being, but was brought forth from His side, as the Mother came forth from the Father. Consequently, the Shekhinah eternally holds in check any possibility of sin again entering the Heavenly Government. The highest position next to the Only Begotten Son is no longer held by a created son, but by the Only Begotten Daughter, the Son's Shekhinah Glory and Spirit, His Sister and Bride, His Spouse and Helpmate (refer to the Song of Solomon - "My Sister, My Bride" chapters 4 and 5).

MICHAEL - "WHO IS LIKE GOD"

Michael the Archangel's name means "who is like God". He is the Angel of the Lord, the Son's representative and the leader of the loyal angels. Michael and his angels cast out Satan and the rebellious host from the Heavenly Courts. Michael stood by the Son and was His Personal Messenger - Christ in the Messenger Whom He sends. Michael and Christ are sometimes mistaken for the same Being. Christ's Messenger is given authority to speak in His behalf - in the first person, as though Christ were speaking Himself. Michael the Angel -- literally means "the messenger who is like God" -- speaks with power of attorney on behalf of the Son. Michael assumed this position by opposing Lucifer's campaign in heaven to discredit the Father, Mother and Son. It was Michael that boldly stood up among the angels to defend the law and government of Elohiym and the rightful position of the Son. Since the Godhead would not try to solicit allegiance and love from Their subjects, Michael volunteered to plead with the angels on Their behalf. He stood up for Elohiym as he will stand up for Elohiym's people in the latter days.

For his unswerving loyalty, Michael was made in the image of Elohiym. He was glorified and recreated in His Master's Image - separated male and female. Michael was crowned with his own glory and helpmate, Gabrielle. These two angels are the personal representatives and messengers of the Son and the Holy Ghost, respectively. Michael, now truly reflected the meaning of his name and title "who is like El," for he too had his Second Self manifested as a separated being.

In turn, and as part of the Plan of Salvation, all the created sons of God that remained loyal to the Godhead during the rebellion were rewarded by being glorified and recreated in the Image and Likeness of Their Creator, the Son of God. They were all crowned with their glory and helpmate, as was the Father, and His Son. Consequently, Lucifer and his loyal followers no longer reflected the image of their Creators, as did the loyal angels and the loyal beings on all the other worlds that did not accept Lucifer.

The Family Tree of Life, the Heavenly House of David, was now fully established. The Order of Heaven was re-established by the Divine Family through the Plan of Salvation. This Divine Plan gave glory, honor, and eternal life to all created beings who freely chose to love and pay allegiance to the Royal Family and the order of government the Almighty Father established.

All the loyal subjects of the universe, including the angels and the created beings on all the other planets, were eternally sealed and glorified. Through the manifestation of the Fourth Member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, they were grafted into the Royal Family Tree as sons and daughters of the Divine House of David. The Daughter of David is also The Daughter of Jerusalem, and the Sister and the Bride of Solomon, the Prince of Peace and the Son of the Divine David -- The Beloved.

THE HEAVENLY HOUSE OF DAVID AND THE PLAN OF SALVATION

The Family Tree of Life, the Heavenly House of David, was now fully established. The name "David" means "Beloved". Since we are to love El (God) with all our heart, our mind, our soul and our being, The Father is to Be - Loved. Therefore, David is the surname of the God Family - Elohiym.

The Son became Two, and the Two became One in marriage. The Son of David and the Daughter of David became Mr. and Mrs. Solomon-David (literally BeLoved Prince and Princess of Peace). The Two were joined as One in marriage. And They then glorified and re-created the loyal sons of God in Their Own Image and Likeness, Male and Female separated beings.

The whole universe was now in harmony with the Royal House of David through the Glorification of the Son and followed by the glorification of the loyal sons of God. The manifestation of the Holy Ghost was the Crowning Act of the Plan of Salvation and through Her sin would no longer be able to enter the Heavenly Courts. The Plan of Salvation was now set in motion with Two Messiahs, Two Intercessors, and Two Priests of the Melchizedek Order; One Male and the Other Female. The Father had Re-iterated and Re-established His Order of Government in the universe and those that were in rebellion could no longer live and appreciate the freedom and glory of Heaven.

"Even when he was cast out of heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since only the service of love can be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon conviction of His justice and benevolence.... Had he been immediately blotted out of existence, some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question.

"He that ruleth in the heavens is the one who sees the end from the beginning - the one before whom the mysteries of the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds the accomplishment of His own purposes." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 36-43.

"Satan, the chief of the fallen angels, once had an exalted position in heaven. He was next in honor to Christ. The knowledge which he, as well as the angels who fell with him, had of the mercy, wisdom, and excellent glory (Divine Mother), made their guilt unpardonable.

"There was no possible hope for the redemption of those who had witnessed and enjoyed the inexpressible glory of heaven, and had seen the terrible majesty of God, and, in presence of all this glory (Divine Mother), had rebelled against Him.... If they could rebel in the presence of glory inexpressible, they could not be placed in a more favorable condition to be proved. There was no reserve force of power, nor were there any greater heights and depths of infinite glory to overpower their jealous doubts and rebellious murmuring." -- Redemption: The Temptation of Christ, p. 18,19, parenthesis supplied.

"Satan had been Lucifer, the light-bearer, the sharer of God's glory in heaven, and second to Jesus in power and majesty. In the words of inspiration he is described as the one who "sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." But Lucifer had perverted the beauty and power with which he was endowed by the Creator, and his light had become darkness. When through his rebellion he was cast out of heaven, he determined to make man his victim, and the earth his kingdom. He cast the blame of his rebellion upon Christ, and in determined hatred of God, sought to wound Him through the fall of man. In the happiness and peace of Eden, he beheld a vision of the bliss that he had forever lost, and he determined to excite in the hearts of God's creatures the same bitterness that he himself felt, so that their songs of praise and thanksgiving might be turned to reproach against their Maker." -- Signs of Times, Nov 1, 1892

"Then there was war in heaven. The Son of God, the Prince of heaven, and His loyal angels prevailed; and Satan and his sympathizers were expelled from heaven. All of heaven adored and loved the God of justice. Not a taint of rebellion was left in heaven. All was again peaceful and harmonious as before. Angels in heaven mourned the fate of those who had been their companions in happiness and bliss. Their loss was felt in heaven." -- The Story of Redemption, p. 19

"Lucifer in heaven desired to be first in power and authority; he wanted to be God, to have the rulership of heaven; and to this end he won many of the angels to his side. When with his rebel host he was cast out from the courts of God, the work of rebellion and self-seeking was continued on earth. Through the temptation to self-indulgence and ambition Satan accomplished the fall of our first parents; and from that time to the present the gratification of human ambition and the indulgence of selfish hopes and desires have proved the ruin of mankind." -- Counsels To Parents, Teachers, and Students, p 32

"Satan in his rebellion in heaven sought to find some flaw in the law of God, in order to support his argument that the law of God must be changed; but his efforts were in vain. He did not succeed, and after he had deceived thousands of angels, and had drawn them to his side, he was cast out of heaven. But the law of God was not changed in one jot or tittle. God is wise and unchangeable, and those who flatter themselves that they can find a safer rule of life than that which God has given, are deceived by the same delusions that led the angels of heaven to join the ranks of Lucifer in questioning the authority of God's law and the justice of his government." -- Signs of the Times, Nov 14, 1895

THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD - ILLUSTRATED

The following simple diagrams will illustrate how LOVE was manifested in THEIR FULLNESS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 3:

THE CREATION STORY

BY THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH

After Satan and His host were expelled, there remained a void in the Heavenly Courts. The Family of YHWH now focused Their attention to repopulate this with a new and distinct order of being, made in the image and likeness of their Creators. The Word of YHWH and His Ruach hakodesh or the Spirit of Prophecy, the mouthpiece through which the Word is expressed, cooperated in the creation of the earth and the solar system. The heavens and the earth as well as the waters, dry land, the trees, the grass, the fish, the birds, the animals, etc., were all spoken into existence by the Word and took form through the breathe of His mouthpiece, the Spirit of Prophecy, His Ruach hakodesh.

"By the Word of YHWH were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:6, 9. "In the beginning Elohiym created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of YHWH (the Shekhinah) moved (fluttered or brooded) upon the face of the waters. And Elohiym (through the Son) said, Let there be..... :and there was..... (through the Son's creative power the Ruach hakodesh - the Holy Breath of Life)." -- Genesis chapter 1.

" The Creator spoke, and His words created His works in the natural world. The Almighty's creation is but a reservoir of means made ready for Him to employ instantly to do His pleasure." Letter 131, 1897.

"After the earth... had been called into existence, man, the crowning work of the Creator(s) ...was brought upon the stage of action." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 44

THE FIRST ADAM FORMED OF THE DUST

"The Lord created man out of the dust of the earth. He made Adam a partaker of His life, His nature. There was breathed into him the breath of the Almighty, and he became a living soul. Adam was perfect in form - strong and comely, pure, bearing the image of his Maker." -- Manuscript 102,1903

All the sons of YHWH were called into existence as were all the worlds and their creatures, but man, a distinct order of creation, was formed of the dust of the ground by the very hands of the Son of YHWH, his Maker. After man's lifeless form was completed the breath of life was breathed into his nostrils by the Son's Helpmate and Co-Creator, His Shekhinah Glory, and the man became a living soul. He was full of life, from the Source of all Life, the Son's creative power, passed on to Him from His Father through the Divine Mother, in the Person of His Ruach hakodesh.

"All heaven took a deep joyful interest in the creation of the world and of man. Human beings were a new and distinct order. They were made "in the image of Elohiym," and it was the Creator's design that they should populate the earth." -- Review and Herald Feb 11, 1902

" YHWH created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was Almighty's purpose to re-populate heaven with the human family, if they would show themselves obedient to His every word. Adam was to be tested, to see whether he would be obedient, as the loyal angels, or disobedient." -- Letter 91, 1900

ADAM AND EVE BEAR THE IMAGE OF THEIR CREATORS

In the beginning Adam and Eve were created in the image of two celestial bodies, perfect and sinless, and dwelt in supreme glory, the light of YHWH's Presence, immortal, to live forever. The Creators, the Son and Daughter of YHWH, created Adam and Eve in Their Image and Likeness, which was in the Image of YHWH the Father and in the Image of YHWH the Mother.

"This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that YHWH created man, in the LIKENESS OF ELOHIYM made He him; MALE and FEMALE created he THEM; and blessed THEM, and called THEIR NAME ADAM, in the day when they were created." -- Genesis 5:1, 2

"And God (Elohiym) said, Let US make man in OUR IMAGE, after OUR LIKENESS: and let THEM have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God (Elohiym) created MAN in his OWN IMAGE, in the IMAGE OF GOD (Elohiym) created he him; MALE and FEMALE created HE THEM." -- Genesis 1:27

"Here is clearly set forth the origin of the human race; and the divine record is so plainly stated that there is no occasion for erroneous conclusions. God created man in His own image. Here is no mystery.... The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration, traces back its origin, not to a line of developing germs, mollusks, and quadrupeds, but to the great Creator. Though formed from the dust, Adam was "the son of God (YHWH)".... Man was to bear God's (YHWH's) image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is "the express image" (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of the Creator. His nature was in harmony with the will of God (YHWH).... His mind was capable of comprehending divine things... He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God (Elohiym) and in perfect obedience to His will." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 45

The Hebrew word translated " image" is " Tselem", and means "to shade, a phantom, i.e. illusion, resemblance: hence a representative figure, especially an idol" Strong's #6754. This word is also translated "images" and "image" as referring to idols.

The Hebrew word translated " likeness" is " denuwth", and means "resemblance; concretely model, shape; adverbially like" Strong's #1823. This word is also translated "the fashion of" 2 Kings 16:10, "the similitude of " 2 Chronicles 4:3, "likeness" Ezekiel 1:5,10,13,16, 22, 26, etc., and "after the manner of" Ezekiel 23:15.

ADAM'S GLORY WAS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF THE CREATOR'S GLORY

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead (Family of YHWH); so that they are without excuse:" -- Romans 1:20

We understand the Family of YHWH by the things that are made! Since, according to the Holy Bible, Elohiym - said, "Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness," then, we understand this in the light of the things that are made here on earth. Husband and wife bring forth children. YHWH, the Father and Yahshua the Son, did not make man, male and FEMALE, in THEIR image. Neither the Father nor the Son look like a female being. Do They? But Eve was a woman, and, therefore, since she did not look like the Father, or the Son, she had to look like someone in the Divine Family. Elohiym said "in OUR image". Then she must have looked like and was formed after the feminine member of the Family of Heaven - the Holy Spirit - since this is another member of the Family who took an active part in the creation.

Eve was not made in the image of a human being, but rather, in the image of a Supreme Being, not only in character but in form and feature. Why isn't it said that apes are "in the image of Elohiym", if the resemblance is just a "rough" likeness? This is easy to see when one has all the evidence. But since it is new, it is always harder to see because new revelations always come CONTRARY to our own ideas.

"But we see that the God of heaven sometimes commissions men (and women) to teach that which is regarded as CONTRARY to the established doctrines." -- Test. to Ministers p 69.

"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God (YHWH): but the woman is the glory of the man." -- 1 Cor 11:7 " In the beginning, man (and woman) was created in the likeness of God (Elohiym), not only in character, but in FORM AND FEATURE." -- The Great Controversy, p 644, 645

"The Creator Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided 'an help meet for him' - a helper corresponding to him - one who was fitted to be his companion, who would be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, SHE WAS HIS SECOND SELF, showing the close union and affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. 'For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Savior the church:' Ephesians 5:29. 'For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one.' Ephesians 5:31." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 46.

Eve was formed from the living flesh and bone of Adam. She was Adam's glory made by and in the likeness of the Son's Glory, the Shekhinah. Eve was a daughter of the Creators and she was made by and in the image of the Daughter of YHWH, the Ruach hakodesh. Eve was called the "mother of all living" as long as she remained a perfect image of the real "Mother of us all", the Spirit Mother (Gal. 4:6). The close relationship of Adam and Eve was like that of the Son and His Shekhinah Glory.

MR. AND MRS. ADAM - THE ELOHIYM OF THIS WORLD

The Creators formed the man out of the dust and breathed into his nostrils life (Ruach). They then put the man into a deep sleep and took from his side a rib and built or formed for him a woman out of his own living flesh and bone. Genesis 5:2 states, "Male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." So Elohiym called THEIR name ADAM - Mr. and Mrs. Adam, two Adams - a male and a female. Today a man's wife is called Mrs. Jones or Mrs. Smith, that is, by the MAN'S masculine surname. Now we may begin to understand how Elohiym, the Family of YHWH, are Three in One. The Mother (H), Son (W) and Daughter (H) came from YHWH the Father Whose name They bear. They are Four distinct individuals in One Family, the Family of the Divine David, the Be-Loved.

So, the ELOHIYM or Family of YHWH is explained by the Creation Story. It is an allegory of the manifestation of the Father and His Family. First existed the Father - Y(HWH). He manifested the Divine Mother - Y H, and then the Son was begotten and born in heaven - YH W. From within Him, as it was with the Father, there came forth the manifestation of His Glory in the Person of the Shekhinah - YHW H.

To begin with, Adam was one and "the rib, which the Elohiym had taken from man, made he a WO-man." Gen. 2:22. Adam became two. Then from Adam and Eve came children: three parts of a family. They were originally all represented in Adam, a masculine person. The Creators separated the rib from Adam and formed Eve. Afterward there came the children, who all took the same masculine name of Adam or mankind. They were all one flesh.

"So Elohiym created man in His Own image, in the image of Elohiym created He him; male and female created He them." -- Genesis 1:27

In this verse we are told that the man Adam was created by the Creator in His Own Image; then He created or more appropriately said, recreated him in Their Image (Elohiym's), Male and Female. What a revelation! The Creators, Yahshua and His Ruach hakodesh, are Male and Female. When the Creator formed Adam, He created him male and female in one being. He then put him into a deep sleep. The Creator and His Helpmate then recreated him, bringing forth from his very flesh and bone his second self, a female helpmate made in the image of the Creator's Helpmate.

In order to better understand the above act of creation, let us examine the following pertinent scriptures.

"And the LORD God (YHWH Elohiym) caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God (YHWH Elohiym) had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." -- Genesis 2:21-24.

THE FIRST MARRIAGE

Adam was formed from the dust of the ground and he was created a full grown male. He was then put into a deep sleep and re-created - rent in twain. Eve was formed from his rib; bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. She was a higher creation than Adam, for she was made from living flesh and bone and possessed the power to reproduce the images of the Creators -- male and female righteous beings -- through her womb. The Creators again made the man and the woman one - one flesh, one mind, and one spirit - through the divine institution of marriage. Here we have the first earthly marriage recorded.

It is logical to conclude, that if they were to truly be in the image of their Creators, then the Son and His Helpmate, His Shekhinah Glory would also have to be One through marriage. In turn, the Divine Father and the Divine Mother are also One through the divine institution of marriage.

" God (YHWH our Elohiym) celebrated the first marriage. Thus the institution has for its originator the Creator of the universe. "Marriage is honorable" (Hebrews 13:4); it was one of the first gifts of God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after the Fall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise. When the divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this relation, marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of the race, it provides for man's (mankind's) social needs, it elevates the physical, the intellectual, and the moral nature." -- Patriarchs and Prophets, p 46.

Here the Spirit of Prophecy states that YHWH celebrated the first marriage. This means that after the Divine Father manifested His Glory, the Divine Mother, and became two separate Beings, as the story of the creation of Adam tells us, They became One again in marriage. Therefore, the Almighty Father and the Divine Mother celebrated the first marriage. The Son was then begotten/conceived and born in heaven. He grew up to execute His Father's will in the creation of the universe and the creation of all the sons of Elohiym.

It was not until after the rebellion of Lucifer and his angels that the Father crowned the Son with the same glory that He had from the beginning. This crown of glory, like the Father's, was the bringing forth of His Second Self, His Own Presence manifested in a Spiritual Being, His Shekhinah Glory. Since the Son is the Express Image of the Father and the fullness of the the Godhead (Family of YHWH) bodily, He would also have to be in His Father's Image - Male and Female separate Beings joined as One through marriage. The statement from Patriarchs and Prophets did say that the Creator of the universe, the Son, was the originator of the institution. Since the Son and His Divine Presence, the Shekhinah, created Adam and Eve in Their Image, male and female, the Creator(s) originated the divine institution in the earth. They too had become One in marriage, as Their Father and Mother before Them.

All the loyal beings in the universe were glorified to reflect the image of Elohiym and they too became one with their second self through the divine institution of marriage. This explains the Scriptures that say there will be no marriage or giving in marriage in heaven; all the loyal beings have already been given in marriage and reflect the image of Elohiym - male and female as one - echad or in unity or union. They already have their eternal partners and possess immortality so there is no reason for them to marry ever again.

"For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven... For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven." -- Mat 22:30; Mark 12:25

"And Yahshua (Jesus) answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God (Elohiym), being the children of the resurrection." -- Luke 20:34-36

The Son and His Glory were married in Heaven. The Savior gave up His heavenly Glory and His Throne to become the Son of man. We are told that He was slain from the foundation of the world. Since He was no longer bound by His heavenly marriage vow through His rebirth and His death in the earth, He will marry again and become One with His Shekhinah Glory, as They were once in heaven. Humanity and Divinity will be At-One-Ment again, evenly yoked together!

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints (when our sins are blotted out through the intercession of His Ruach haKodesh). And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God (YHWH)." -- Revelation19:7-9, (parenthesis supplied).

A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER

Adam was created a new and distinct order of being.He was made both male and female in one body, and then recreated and married all on the same day. All other righteous beings were glorified after they had been sealed and their probation had closed. Not so with Adam. He was made in the image of his Maker and then was placed on probation to be sealed for eternity. Adam and Eve were created to replenish the earth with righteous beings made in the image of Elohiym .

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." -- Genesis 2:24

This scripture brings out another point to be considered. Who are referred to here as Adam's father and mother, if Adam and Eve were the only human beings on earth at the time? Now that we understand YHWH our Elohiym a little more fully, you would probably say the Heavenly Father and the Divine Mother, right? But this can not be so. Was it not the Son Who formed and fashioned Adam after His Own image and likeness? Therefore, the Son is his Father. The Son said, "If you have seen Me you have seen the Father. I and the Father are One." Yahshua is called the Everlasting Father in Isaiah 9:6, so He must be the Father referred to here.

Another very profound realization comes from examining this scripture. Who is the Mother of Adam referred to here if it is not the Divine Mother? She would have to be the Ruach hakodesh, since She as Helpmate and Co-creator with the Son breathed into his nostrils Her breath of life, and Adam became a living soul. There is a most profound truth in all of this. The Father and Mother that Adam would leave to cling unto his wife and become one flesh in marriage, had to be the Creators. The Father and Mother of Adam and Eve were the Only Begotten Son and His Shekhinah Glory.

THE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH IS NAMED AFTER THE FATHER

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" -- Romans 1:20.

The things that are made explain the things that are unseen, even His eternal creative power and the Godhead. We have no excuse not knowing Who They are and by Whose power the whole of creation was accomplished (Romans 1:20).

"I bow my knees unto the Father of our Saviour Yahshua ha Massiach (Lord Jesus Christ), of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory (Shekhinah), to be strengthened with might by His Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) in the inner man; That Christ (the Shekhinah) may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ (the Messiah), which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God (YHWH)." -- Eph. 3:14-19

Ephesians 3:15 tells us that there is a FAMILY (a Father, Mother, Son image) in heaven: "Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named." A Family consists of two parents and their offspring. A father can not exist unless a mother exists; for it is through her that he can recreate his image and they become one flesh. When one says father, the mother is automatically included, for they can not exist without each other; nor can any offspring.

It is not uncommon at evangelistic meetings for children to ask, during the question and answer period, Who the Saviour's heavenly Mother is! Since in the Heavenly Family, The Almighty is the Father, and Yahshua is the Son, would it not be natural for a little child to ask Who the Heavenly Mother is? Yahshua said, Ye must become as little children. Are there not Persons with gender in the Heavenly Family - Yah, Who is the Almighty Father, His Shekhinah Glory the Eternal Spirit Mother, and Yahshua, His Only Begotten Son?

Mankind was made in the image and likeness of the Family in heaven. We know that man was made both male and female. We can therefore logically conclude that, as there is a Father and a Son in the Heavenly Family, there must be a Divine Mother - the Holy Spirit. The Son was the Only Begotten of the Father and the Express Image of His Person. Now if "Christ (Messiach) dwells in your hearts by faith; that through Him we are rooted and grounded in love (the Family of YHWH), and we may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth (the Father), and length (the Mother), and depth (the Son), and height (His Ruach haKodesh); and to know the love of the Saviour (His origin in the Father's Bosom), which passeth all previous knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of the Whole Family of the Almighty Father, that we might know Who each Member of the Family in Heaven is, that we may decide for ourselves if we wish to be a part of that Family." -- Ephesians 3:17-19, paraphrased.

THE CREATION STORY AND THE PLAN OF SALVATION

Now we can more fully appreciate the Creation Story - the creation of Adam, and then Eve, in the image and likeness of YHWH our Elohiym. The same principle that the Father used to manifest His Divine Helpmate was used by the Only Begotten Son to bring forth His creative power and Helpmate, His Ruach haKodesh. Adam, formed in the image of his Creator, in like manner, had his helpmate brought forth from his very being. The only begotten Son was the Express Image of His Father. Likewise, Adam was the express image of his Creator. Therefore, Adam was made in the image of both the Almighty Father and His Son.

The Father, the Son, and Adam were all originally male and female in one being. The Father manifested His Shekhinah Glory and creative power. She conceived the Word and formed the Son in Her womb. He came forth from the Father's bosom as the Expressed Image of His Love. The Word, His Son, spoke and expressed the Father's thoughts, manifesting inherent creative power bestowed upon Him through His Mother. By the words of His mouth, the Word of God created His Own image in the sons of Elohiym and the angels of the heavenly host.

Lucifer coveted the Father's Shekhinah Glory and was jealous of the Son's indwelling Glory and inherent power to create. After Lucifer's rebellion in heaven, the Son was alone at the side of the Father and the Mother. The Father said that it was not good that the Son be alone and declared that the Son should be crowned with the same Shekhinah Glory that He had from the beginning. This crowning act was the glorification of the Son, the manifestation of His own Shekhinah Glory, His Ruach haKodesh and Helpmate. The Son then glorified and re-created the loyal beings in the heavenly hosts. They now reflected His glorified image possessing their very own helpmate. The Lord had made them two by two.

Adam was formed by the Creator; in the Creator's Image made He him. Adam spoke and named all the animals, giving them names according to their purpose and existence, just as the Creator spoke and named the sons of Elohiym in heaven, when He brought them forth by the words of His mouth.

When Adam named the animals, he saw that he did not have a mate as they did. Adam was alone at the side of his Creators. YHWH Elohiym said that it was not good for the man to be alone or all one. They put Adam into a deep sleep. Eve was made from his living flesh and bone in the image of the Creator's Helpmate, His Ruach haKodesh. Adam was crowned with his own glory. Eve was his helpmate and his second self. Adam called her Eve, the Mother of all living, for she was made in the image of the Shekhinah, through Whom all life exists and has it's being.

BE FRUITFUL AND HAVE DOMINION

Adam and Eve were the elohiym of this world. The Creators put Their co-creators in the earth that they might be fruitful and multiply the Image of Elohiym, replenish the earth with righteous beings, and have dominion over every creature. Adam could accomplish this command only through his female counterpart, Eve, who was made in the image of the Ruach haKodesh and the Divine Mother. Of the two, only she possessed the power to create or bring forth and bear the image of Elohiym in the earth, through her womb. Through this plan, the YHWH our Elohiym could replenish the earth with righteous beings. Therefore, the family of Adam (man) would have dominion over every creature in the earth, including Satan and his rebellious host.

"In the day that Elohiym created man, in the likeness of Elohiym made he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." -- Genesis 5:2. They bore the image and likeness of Love, the image of YHWH Elohiym not only in character but in form and feature.

The true image of YHWH our Elohiym is male and female made one in marriage and bringing forth children; a family. Satan and his angels will never be in this image and likeness. This is the reason he hates the family and the institution of marriage. He continually tries to destroy the images of YHWH Elohiym and the Family of YHWH in the earth.

After the rebellion in heaven, Satan and his angels were banished to the earth, which was without form and void. Adam and Eve represented YHWH Elohiym and were to have dominion over this newly recreated world. They were to replenish or repopulate it with righteous beings, who would replace the fallen beings of the rebellion in heaven. Once their number was made up, Satan and his fallen angels would be destroyed. The stage of earth was set for the drama of the ages, the great controversy between the Savior and Satan.

WHY LUCIFER CAUSED THE WOMAN EVE TO SIN

While Lucifer was in the heavenly courts, he aspired to be as YHWH and coveted His creative power and Helpmate, the Divine Mother. He was jealous of the Son; Who inherited the power to create from His Parents; Who was authorized by His Parents to create all the heavenly hosts, the worlds and their inhabitants; Who was to rule as an equal with the Father. Lucifer was greatly disturbed; he too wanted the power to create his own image and to be worshipped. Lucifer's opposition was taken to the point of no return. The heavenly Family had no choice but to banish him and his sympathizers from the heavenly courts and to prevent him from having any contact with the other unfallen worlds. He was cast out of heaven into the earth which was still "without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2).

As discussed in the last chapter, the Son of the Almighty was crowned with the same glory the Father had from the beginning. The loyal angels and the loyal beings on all the other worlds were also glorified and re-created in the image of the Divine Family, male and female partners made one in marriage. Satan and his angels were no longer able to reflect the image of YHWH Elohiym, nor were they able to return for forgiveness. Their probation was closed!

The vacancy left by the fallen beings had to be occupied with righteous beings, made in the Divine Image, male and female. Adam and Eve were made for this very purpose. They were placed in the earth, Satan's battle ground, so that they might be fruitful and multiply. They were to replenish the earth with the Divine Image of YHWH our Elohiym, righteous male and female partners to extend the Divine Family throughout the earth. The Creator would thus be a Father over His Own House and have dominion over Satan and his angels. Through this plan Satan, the originator of sin, and his band of rebels would be replaced and destroyed.

Eve was made in the image of the very being that took Lucifer's place in the heavenly courts. As Adam's glory and helpmate, Eve was made in the image of the Creator's Helpmate and Shekhinah Glory. It was only through Eve that Adam could fulfill the command to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion over every creature in the earth.

Lucifer still coveted homage due only to YHWH Elohiym. He desired to create his own image and to be worshipped. Since he could no longer tempt the heavenly host or the inhabitants of the other worlds, his energies were directed towards the images of Elohiym in the earth, Adam and Eve. He particularly coveted Adam's glory and helpmate, just as he had coveted the Father's Glory in heaven. His passion to create his own image was overwhelming. He decided to wait until the woman, Eve, was alone, away from the protecting care of her husband. Lucifer used the serpent as a medium of communication so that she would not know that it was the archrebel who was toying with her loyalties to God and her husband.

Alas, we all know the outcome of Lucifer's seductive and sinister plot to thwart Elohiym's plan to replenish the earth and heaven with righteous beings. Eve was deceived and seduced by Lucifer to break the law of YHWH. She agreed to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and listened to Lucifer instead of honoring her Divine Father and Mother. In putting Lucifer before YHWH, she committed spiritual idolatry, and because she listened to Lucifer instead of her husband, she committed spiritual adultery.

The father of lies succeeded in thwarting YHWH's Plan. Adam's helpmate and creative power placed herself under the dominion of Lucifer. She became his partner in rebellion against YHWH and her husband. She had fallen from grace and was now an instrument and vessel through which Satan could create his own image - rebellious sinful beings who paid homage to him instead of the Almighty and His Law.

Lucifer despised the Son's Glory and he attacked Eve, the image of the Shekhinah Glory in the earth, that he might rise above Adam, the image of the Father and the Son in the earth, and take away his creative power and dominion. Adam lost Eve, his crown of glory. But, instead of deserting his own flesh and bone, he decided to suffer the consequences of sin with her. He ate of the forbidden fruit and became her equal partner in transgression and rebellion. This was an act of compassion, mercy and love on Adam's part. He saw that she had been deceived and seduced by the crafty serpent, but his love for her was too great to let her experience a lonely life under the dominion of Satan. He decided to become as she had become, fallen from grace and without glory. Adam conscienciously submitted to the temptation and took on the curse of sin with Eve. He chose to take on the curse of sin with her.

The Divine Family would now have to save them both from the depths of sin and death. The promise was made to Adam and Eve that another Adam (Son of God and man) would come and take upon Himself the curse of sin and the second death and as a result His Shekhinah Glory, The Pure Woman, would be brought forth. This Second Adam and His Helpmate would then be fruitful, recreating and restoring Their Divine Image in the earth.

Pointing forward to Satan's defeat and destruction, the Elohiym said, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." -- Genesis 3:15.

Elohiym did put enmity between Satan and the Woman - the Divine Mother - between Her Seed - the Divine Seed, the Holy Ghost (Ruach haKodesh) Who conceives eternal life, truth and righteousness - and Satan's seed - which conceives eternal death and sin.

"It" would bruise thy head - Satan's authority. Here we see that the "It" depicts neuter gender and refers to the combined male and female power in the One Being, the Incarnate Son, the Second Adam, Who was the fullness of the Elohiym bodily.

The Second Adam, conceived of the Holy Ghost (Ruach haKodesh) and born of a virgin (Mary), was to fulfill this promise made to Adam and Eve. He would establish the Plan of Salvation in the earth which was ordained and already working in heaven. This Plan cleared the heavenly courts of sin and sinners. Through the Glory and creative power of the Son, His Ruach haKodesh - the Seed of the Woman - Satan and his seed were displaced from the Heavenly courts.

Elohiym would establish this same Plan of Salvation in the earth through the Second Adam, the Saviour of mankind, and the Second Eve, His Shekhinah Glory. Through Their combined efforts, They would be fruitful and multiply Their righteous image in humanity. They would fulfill the commission given to Adam and Eve to replenish the earth and have dominion over every creature, thereby displacing Satan and his dominion of sin from the earth. Thus, the Kingdom of the Heavenly David will be re-established in the earth and will fill the whole universe, as it was in the beginning and ever shall be.

"After his expulsion from Eden Adam's life on earth was filled with sorrow. Every dying leaf, every victim of sacrifice, every blight upon the fair face of nature, every stain upon man's purity, were fresh reminders of his sin. Terrible was the agony of remorse as he beheld iniquity abounding and, in answer to his warnings, met the reproaches cast upon himself as the cause of sin. With patient humility he bore for nearly a thousand years the penalty of transgression.

"Faithfully did he repent of his sin and trust in the merits of the promised Saviour, and he died in the hope of a resurrection. The Son of God redeemed man's failure and fall; and now, through the work of the atonement, Adam is reinstated in his first dominion." -- The Adventist Home, p 540-541

"The Redemption of the Purchased Possession." God's original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever." The time has come to which holy men have looked with longing since the flaming sword barred the first pair from Eden--the time for "the redemption of the purchased possession." The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption.

"All that was lost by the first Adam will be restored by the second. The prophet says, "O Tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion." And Paul points forward to the "redemption of the purchased possession." God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. That purpose will be fulfilled when, renewed by the power of God and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall become the eternal home of the redeemed." -- The Adventist Home, p 540