Immanuel -- God with Us
Chapter One
THE DIVINITY OF GOD
Years ago I read of a man’s desire for a religion that was worth giving one’s life for, even if it meant laying it down in death. He desired a religion that demanded total commitment to a God who was infinite, worthy not only of His worship, but also obedience to His laws.
This is the God of the Bible.
YHVH -- is the Supreme Being of the universe, a Being way beyond the limitations of humanity. 1 His divine attributes set Him apart as infinite and glorious, dwelling in light unapproachable. 2 He covers Himself with light “as with a garment.” 3 He is “enshrouded in the awful clouds of mystery and obscurity, (and) to lift the curtain that conceals the divine presence is death.” 4
“No mortal mind can penetrate the secrecy in which the mighty One dwells and works. We can comprehend no more of His dealings with us and the motives that actuate Him than He sees fit to reveal… and beyond that we must trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love…” 5
The God of the universe is holy, and His attendants continually cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come… Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” 6
This is a Deity who knows the future. Being outside the realm of time, the past and the future are as the present. He can see tomorrow as if it were today.
He says of Himself, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…. Yea, I have spoken it. I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it, I will also do it.” 7
His throne is eternal -- He “sits on the throne of His holiness.” 8 The “sceptre of his kingdom is a right sceptre.” 9 “Justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne.” 10 “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works… to make known to the sons of men, his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.” 11
“God is love”. 12 Human love is changeable, but “God’s love is full and deep and unchangeable…. Language can not measure it. It is without a parallel.” 13
“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy.” 14
But He is also just. “The works of His hands are verity and judgment and His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” 15
Our God is not aloof from His creation, although He is the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity. He acknowledges that His dwelling is the high and holy place, but says He will be with the “contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” 16
God is eternal, without beginning.
He possesses within Himself immortality, a life that cannot end. It is eternal. He is the Source of all life. This life is original life. It is underived and unborrowed.
He is omnipotent – all powerful, and omniscient – all knowing. He is omnipresent, having the ability to be in all places at the same time.
“The greatness of God is to us incomprehensible. The Lord’s throne is in heaven; yet by His Spirit He is everywhere present. He has an intimate knowledge of, and a personal interest in, all the works of His hand.” 17
God is a Spirit Being, however, He does have a divine form. John saw Him when a door was opened in heaven, “… and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne… He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.” 18
He was also seen by Ezekiel, for He said, “…upon the likeness of a throne, was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it, and I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance from his loins even upward, and the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about, as the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about.” 19
Those who are privileged to have a view of the greatness and majesty of God “have felt like sinking down in the deepest humiliation of soul, as they have viewed the purity of God, and contrasted with it their own imperfections of life and character.” 20
God’s divine form is not just a covering for His Spirit. The two are blended into one Being, yet His Spirit has the omnipresent ability to dwell in any or every place in the universe.
To encounter the Spirit is to meet God.
“Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” 21
It is no wonder the angels cry Holy, Holy, Holy. Let us also give praise to the God of the universe.
“O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; shew forth His salvation from day to day… for the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised…
Honour and majesty are before Him, strength and beauty are in His sanctuary… O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, fear before Him all the earth.” 22
Bibliography
Chapter One
1 The Hebrew consonants make up the name of God. As there are no vowels, it can be said in many different ways, depending on which vowels are added. The two most popular are Yehovah or Jehovah and Yahweh or Yahveh. But no one knows how it should be said. The Jews simply say Adonai, meaning ‘Lord’, or Hashem, meaning ‘the Name’. (Ha Shem)
2 1 Timothy 6:15.16.
3 Psalm 104:2.
4 The Faith I Live By p39.
5 Ibid.
6 Revelation 4:8.11.
7 Isaiah 46:9-11.
8 Psalm 47:8.
9 Psalm 45:6.
10 Psalm 89:14.
11 Psalm 145:5.12.
12 1 John 4:8.
13 The Gospel Herald. 03.01.1900.
14 Psalm 145:5.
15 Psalm 111:7.8.
16 Isaiah 57:15.
17 Education p132.
18 Revelation 4:1-3. The prophets did not actually see God; they saw a vision of God, and then only the glory.
19 Ezekiel 1:26.27.
20 Review and Herald. 10.16.1888.
21 Psalm 139:7 -10.
22 Psalm 96:1.2.6.9.
Immanuel -- Chapter 1
Immanuel -- Chapter 2
Immanuel -- Chapter 3
Immanuel -- Chapter 4
Immanuel -- Chapter 5
Immanuel -- Chapter 6
Immanuel -- Chapter 7
Immanuel -- Chapter 8
Immanuel -- Chapter 9
Immanuel -- Chapter 10
Immanuel -- Chapter 11
Immanuel -- Chapter 12
Immanuel -- Chapter 13
Immanuel -- Chapter 14