John 1:1-2
The Amazing Word
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)
The Holy Spirit in His Being has been given to us by Christ our Lord to lead us into all truth, and to glorify the Person of the Son of God. The Spirit has not been given to bring us into partial truth, or incomplete truth. He has been given by Christ to build in us the complete truth of the Word of God. We find ourselves wrestling with the traditions of men, and flat out lies about our Savior and His Word. The only weapon we have is the Spirit led truth of the Word of God. It is in us to be impatient, to want to finish before we begin. We plan our lives from the beginning to the end as though our life was just a moment of time, but in between the beginning and the end there are days, months, and years that we build in ourselves either a habitation for the Person of God, or a heart of rebellion that knows not God. It is God’s truth that reveals Him to man, and the written Word is the map and light of life; for they are centered in the Son of God who is the truth, the way, and the life.
It has always amazed me how the world is blind to the simplicity of these two verses in John, Chapter 1. On the world’s part there seems to be a mystery of the ‘Word.’ To those who are in Christ, it is just one of the hinge pins of His glory. If we are bold enough we can write these two verses in their simplicity, not given them number or verse on a plain piece of paper, and ask anyone of the world’s people to read and to give their definition thereof. I’m sure that we would be surprised at their rhetoric, or their interpretation of these magnificent two verses. Sadly, we have heard comparative statements about these verses from men who have studied for years at great universities to declare themselves theologians; and yet, they have no knowledge of the saving grace of God. What opens up out of these two verses? There is a declaration of God that HE is the Word, and that HE is God! We expect blindness from the world concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. The world of entertainment (so-called) tries to woo us into their blasphemy and lying interpretation of not only the work of God, but the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. They claim to know a being called god, and have no knowledge of the true God, the God of heaven and earth, and the Creator of all things. They have no idea of His Sovereignty, or the glorious radiance of His glory. They have no understanding of a Being who is completely Righteous and completely Holy. They serve their mythical god in total delusion of the true God who laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of His hands. Let us expand our spiritual minds and hearts in these two verses. I will write three similitudes of these verses to expand on view of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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)
1. In the beginning was God, and the God was with God, and God was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Notice how Deity becomes the profound subject of these verses. Now let us use the word ‘Deity.’
2. In the beginning was Deity, and the Deity was with God, and Deity was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Now let us do one more test, we will use the phrase ‘the Son of God.’
3. In the beginning was the Son of God, and the Son of God was with God, and the Son of God was God. The same was in the beginning with God. I hope that this simple analogy of these two verses expands our spiritual eyes and your spiritual heart to give you a deeper understanding of the power of these two verses. For He, the Lord Jesus, upholds all things by the Word of His power, for He is the Word, and the Word was with God, and is God.
There are four books in the Bible that speak of the beginning. I will take them from the inspired writers that God used to pen His marvelous words. We begin with Moses, His servant, who was faithful to Him who appointed him to reveal the beginning of the written revelation of God to man. I will use just the first statement in the Book of Genesis, ‘In the beginning God’. . . Although God has no beginning and has no end He reveals a beginning of His presence and His creatorial power in the creation of the heavens and the earth — this is a revelation of His Person. Genesis 1 reveals Him as the Creator, and our eyes should be fastened on Him and not on the creation itself. We acknowledge the God of creation as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If one could know all the mysteries of creation it would not be as glorious as knowing the God and Creator of all things. So many have stumbled and tripped over the thorns and weeds of creational thought instead of being captivated and illuminated by the great God and Creator of all things. Moses was given this revelation to introduce us to the living God and presented the living God, as God, before all things. Now let us move on to the Gospel of John.
This is where we are . . . and the next phrase that the Holy Spirit presents to us is In the beginning was the Word. The Spirit of God opens this gospel with the pre-incarnation of the Son of God, when His glory was with the Father, and He was glorified within the Godhead with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (John 17) The Holy Spirit made no mistake by declaring that Christ was the fullness of the Godhead bodily: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 1:9); for He is the image of God, and the brightness of God’s glory given to man by God the Father in the fullness of time. 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; (Hebrews 1:3) The Apostle John, like Moses, takes us back to the mystery of God’s Being before the world was; before man, before time, only eternity, and at the center of that eternity was very God. Now let’s move on to the first epistle of John, Chapter 1, verses 1-3.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (1 John 1:1)
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (1 John 1:2)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
Once again, the Apostle takes us to the beginning, but not just the beginning of creation, but the beginning of the work of redemption by the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. Involved in these past thoughts are the things that the Apostle had heard from the mouth of the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. All the senses are brought to witness of the Word of God: first, the ear in the things that they had heard; then the eyes, in the things that they had seen, and then the things that they had looked upon, and handled of the Word of life. This was the life that was manifested to take away the sin of the world. This was the One who was slain before the foundations of the world. They had handled and now bear witness to all that they had heard and seen. This eternal life which is in God’s Son, which was with the Father was manifested in the Person of Jesus Christ. The declaration of John 1 continues to the 1st epistle of John 1.
Our fourth and final book that brings to us the beginning or declaration of God is found in an unlikely place. The only book in the entire cannon of Scripture where God introduces Himself in the simplest and most profound way — ‘GOD.’ This is the Book of Hebrews where the very first word encompasses all that God is, and He introduces Himself as being GOD. Why do I include the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 1 in this manner? In the word ‘God’ we have the ultimate name for His Person. This encompasses everything that God is — He is the Creator, He is the great I AM, He is the Christ of God, He is the Spirit of all revelation, and He reveals Himself in the majestic word ‘GOD.’ We have all the wonder of God, God the Father, God the Son, and He who is the Holy Ghost. We have all the wonder of the Person of God in this one word ‘GOD.’ Although this first chapter of the Book of Hebrews begins with GOD, this same chapter concludes with the whole description of the plan and purpose of God in one chapter. GOD is His majestic title which establishes the whole Book of Hebrews, this is one of the great gifts we have from the Holy Spirit of God along with all the other writings of the Holy Spirit of God.
Now how do we tie these books together? Genesis is the first revelation of God to mankind, and He reveals Himself as the Creator. Remember what I have said, Don’t get caught up with the creation, keep focused on the Creator. How and why is He revealing Himself? You will see a lot more in the first Chapter of Genesis if you allow the Creator to reveal Himself through His creation. (Romans 1)
Now on to John’s gospel, we have in the first Chapter God revealing Himself as the Savior of man. Here I would like to break from this thought with one more similitude, In the beginning was the Lamb of God, and the Lamb of God was with God, and the Lamb of God was God. The same was in the beginning with God. We find this beginning of the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. God’s only Lamb, and only sacrifice — the Son of His love.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1 Peter 1:18)
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:19)
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,(1 Peter 1:20)
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)
Now on to more treasure in the comparison of these books. We move to compare the Gospel of John 1 with Hebrews 1. The first enlightenment that we see is in the first verse of each book. God is revealed as the Word in John’s gospel, and in Hebrews it is God who has spoken in diverse manners and at sundry times unto the fathers by the prophets. In Hebrews 1:2, it is the Son (who is the Word of John 1) that is mentioned as speaking to us in these last days. In John 1, all things were made by Him, and without Him (that is the Word) was not anything made that was made. In Hebrews 1:2, God the Son is heir of all things and it is He who has created the world. In John 1, God the Son is the Life and Light of men. In Hebrews 1:3, we have God the Son who is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of God’s Person. In John 1, we have Him as the Sovereign Word, in Hebrews 1:3, we have the Son of God using that Word in power or ‘the word of His power.’ In John 1, we have our beloved Savior shining in the darkness of man’s heart. In Hebrews 1:3, He is the burning and shining light of God’s Shekinah glory bringing salvation to men. In John 1, He is the power of redemption to as many as believe on Him, and to them He gives the power to become the sons of God. In Hebrews 1, it is the Son of God who purged our sins and sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. WOW — what a treasure in the unsearchable riches of Christ. Is there more? Yes, in John, Chapter 1, there is a man sent by God whose name is John. He is sent to bear witness of the Son. In Hebrews, it is the Spirit of God sent by the Son to witness of the Son. In John’s gospel the Lord Jesus claims equality with the Father, and equality with the Spirit of God. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. (John 3:11) We have the Son of God standing before Nicodemus, He is representing all three Persons of the Godhead as equal in Deity, and in Hebrews, the Son is seen on His throne as the Sovereign God.
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8)
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.(Hebrews 1:9)
In John Chapter 3, verse 12 the Lord Jesus explains to Nicodemus the lack of understanding that man has in the things of God; that spiritual things are a mystery to the natural man who belongs to Adam and is sold under sin.
Since we are studying in the Gospel of John let us just pick a few jewels that go with our theme, The Amazing Word. In John 16 verse 18, I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. The Lord Jesus makes a divine claim that He came forth from the Father and that He coming forth from the Father had come into the world. This shows His prior existence as the Word, and as the Son of God. It also ties Him as the Son of the Father’s love. Remember in the Book of Hebrews that He is the express image of God’s Person. This verse also shows complete oneness with the Father as the Son sent has oneness with the Father; after His work on Calvary’s cross, He returns to the Father with the same oneness that He had before the foundation of the world. Let’s consider John 14:11-20.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. (John 14:11)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:14)
If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:19)
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:20)
Notice in verse 11 and in verse 20 the oneness of the Father with the Son. I included the verses in between because of the unity it brings to the Father and the Son, and to His disciples, and to us. As the Father is in the Son, so the Son dwells within those who believe in Him. Another treasure, another jewel out of God’s Holy Word. Now the Father has delivered all things into the hands of the Son. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:13) The Lord Jesus received all things into His hands knowingly, for these things were determined before the foundation of the world. He had knowingly come from God, and knowingly He was to return unto God. In this, He knowingly knew the hour, and the day of His crucifixion, and the day that He had prophetically told concerning His resurrection, and the day of His return unto the Father.
His return unto the Father is very important for the children of God. He has gone to heaven’s glory and received from God the Father as the risen Man, Christ Jesus, all authority and power in both heaven and earth. Remember, this all began with His title in John’s gospel of the ‘Word.’ This was to establish His authority as the Word of God. It is God the Father’s desire that God the Son is the Communicator to the nation of Israel, and the world, and to those who love His appearing: the children of God. It was the nation of Israel that received the first writing of God through His servant Moses. They were responsible to the very inspired word that was given. All their blessings were determined by their obedience or lack of obedience. The revelation of God expanded through the history of Israel through the Old Testament, so that we could see the unbelief and sinfulness of man under law. God knows exactly who He is dealing with: man under sin. God might be a mystery to you, but you are no mystery to God.
In John 1:1 God establishes the Son as the eternal Word. In John 1 He is also the Living Word, and as in Hebrews 1, the Word has spoken in these last days. It is His Son who has all divine power and purity because He is the Living Word of God. As the Living Word of God He also speaks from heaven above.
Consider the conversion of Saul to Paul, the Living Word (the Son of God) had ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and in the conversion of Paul, He spoke from heaven and revealed Himself in a blinding light to Paul. He is acting as the Living Word who had ascended, and is in glory as the Word of God. This gives further depth to the title ‘WORD.’ A further comparison is found in the Book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is seen and revealed as the Word of God in Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Once again we have the evidence and proclamation of His title, ‘The Word.’ When the Lord Jesus was speaking to the Jews, He declared the words that Moses wrote were about Him, and they were hid in the Tabernacle in the mystery and types of Christ. The Tabernacle showed forth His glory as the divine sacrifice, and the divine power of heaven and earth. When one sees the inside beauty of the Tabernacle, one can only relate those beauties to Christ. He is very God, the God of heaven and earth. It is from our soul and heart that the Holy Spirit establishes the Lord Jesus as the ‘Word of God.’ In all the gospels He is speaking the Living Words of truth. He is the Living truth, as He is the Living Word — and never man spake like this man. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.(John 7:46)
I must make one more comparison of the Word, in John 1:14 the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. This verse shows pre-existence of the Word, as we have declared this is one of His titles. It is not merely the given word, but He is the Living Word. One more comparison . . .
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (Hebrews 1:5)
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (John 1:32)
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33)
And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:34)
It is the Holy Spirit of God who is revealing to us the Father’s witness concerning His Son. These two Scriptures are revealing God the Son by the testimony of the Father.
As John the Baptist is bearing witness to God the Son, it was God the Father who had spoken to him by the Spirit of God to reveal His Son. We have the incarnate Son standing as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. John testified that God had sent him, and that God had said unto him, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. In verse 34, John the Baptist testified to the Jews that this is the Son of God. Now the comparison with Hebrews, Chapter 1 verse 5, it is God the Father declaring that Christ is His Son, His only Son, and this title of ‘Son’ would not even be used by angels, but this name ‘Son’ is only for one, and that is the Son of God. The Father declared, ‘I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.’ These verses show separation and yet equality. The fact of the incarnation show both equality and separation; this we find in verse 6, ‘And let all the angels of God worship him.’ God the Son is given equality in worship as God the Father, and oneness in Spirit and in truth. If we had the proper spiritual intellect and wisdom we would see God’s Living Word as a whole, and His written Word as a glorifying divine testimony to the Living Word, Jesus Christ.
Amen
© Copyright 2016, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)