The Father and the Son are One
We read in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.” The reality of the Father YAHveh and the Son YAHshua being One is easily seen in the sharing of YAHveh’s name with the Son’s. The remnant has been redeemed to be witnesses that YAHveh is the eternal, holy God and Redeemer through YAHshua the Messiah.
““Thus says YAHveh of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.’” Note the striking similarity of YAHveh’s proclamation to YAHshua’s words in the book of Revelation: “I am the first and the last”. By this proclamation, it is established beyond doubt that YAHveh and YAHshua are ONE”
The essence of the ONENESS of the Almighty is deeply ingrained in the heart of every child of Israel. Almost every Jew, from ancient times until now, has learned and recited the sacred Scripture-prayer and affirmation of their Jewish heritage, called in Hebrew, Shema. Since the hiding of the memorial-name, Jews have recited the Shema with “Adonai” or “Lord.” “Shema Israel! Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai ‘echad!” — “Hear O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” (Dt 6:4). However, this great declaration was originally recited by Moses and Israel in proclaiming YAHveh’s memorial-name. “Shema Israel! YAHveh Eloheinu, YAHveh ‘echad.” — “Hear, O Israel! YAHveh is our God, YAHveh is One!”1 The Most High, the great I AM, emphasizes this eternal oneness through the prophet Isaiah: “For I am YAHveh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; … I, even I, am YAHveh; and there is no Savior besides Me. It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, … you are My witnesses,” declares YAHveh, “And I am God. Even from eternity I am He; …” (Isa 43:3, 11-13) 2 “Thus says YAHveh, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, YAHveh of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.’” (Isa 44:6) Note the striking similarity of YAHveh’s proclamation through Isaiah to YAHshua’s words, recorded by John in the book of Revelation: “I am the first and the last” (Rev 1:17 and 22:13). By this proclamation, it is established beyond doubt that YAHveh and YAHshua are ONE.
The undermining of this vital truth is magnified as we look at three important, foundational New Testament Scriptures. The most beloved confession of faith for those who seek salvation has undergone a noteworthy change through the replacing of YAHveh’s name with the Greek rendering of the title “Lord” (kurios). Over the centuries of Gentile Christianity, it has been rendered, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Ro 10:9 niv). In truth, however, the original was the confession that “YAHshua is YAHveh.”
Another well-known Scripture that has undergone the same change reads: “no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1Co 12:3 NIV 3) . In the original, “Jesus is Lord” again reads “YAHshua is YAHveh.” The words of Scripture are crystal clear; it is the Holy Spirit Who enables and compels both Gentiles and Jews alike to proclaim that YAHshua is YAHveh and they are One.
May the Spirit pour out upon the reader contriteness of heart and reverential awe as we are further enlightened with this key Scripture and its footnote: “Therefore also YAHveh highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of YAHshua every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that YAHshua Messiah is YAHveh, to the glory of YAHveh the Father” (Php 2:9-11 4 ). Again, it is obvious that this original and holy Scripture has been distorted by Satan’s efforts through man to replace the oneness of the Father and Son with the erroneous translation—Jesus Christ is Lord.
One of the Serpent’s main strategies to keep Jews from recognizing their Messiah was to break apart the Father and the Son into two separate names, as incorrectly rendered in the Greek. The restoration of the ONENESS of the Father’s and Son’s true names thwarts this anti-Semitic device. By removing this stumbling block, it becomes more apparent to the Jews that indeed their God and their Messiah are one. The righteous remnant proclaims with one heart and voice to Israel that YAHveh, their God, IS ONE with YAHshua, their Messiah.
The name “Jesus” was never heard by the Messiah, His disciples, nor the Jews or Gentiles of His day. The Greek rendering of the Savior’s true name had its origins with Gentile men and a pagan-rooted language. It has become a dreaded and cursed name to the Jews, predominantly because of Gentile attitudes and resulting historical anti-Jewish atrocities performed in the “name of Jesus.”
That pseudo-name distorts the essence of ONENESS of the Mighty One of Israel and His Son, the Messiah, making it a repulsion to Jews. With this in mind, let us remember the biblical mandate to the Gentiles to lovingly and mercifully provoke the Jews to worship YAHveh their God through YAHshua their Messiah. “You [Gentiles] who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. … lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah [and to all Jews], ‘here is your God [YAHveh]!’” (Isa 40:9 niv — emphasis added)
The Most Important ONE
“ The Son of the Most High implies that all of YAHveh’s commandments are naturally upheld by a remnant, circumcised in heart, who love YAHveh with every fiber of their being. His wholehearted disciples do not swerve to the right or the left of their heavenly Father’s plumb line of truth”
One of the scribes … asked YAHshua, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” YAHshua answered [quoting the sacred Shema], “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL; YAHVEH OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE YAHVEH YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mk 12:28-31) By reciting the sacred Shema, YAHshua was reminding Israel of the oneness of her God, with whom He is One. Messiah was also referring to Moses’ words in Deuteronomy: “YAHveh your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love YAHveh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live” (Dt 30:6). There are those who believe that because of the grace of the New Testament, the believer is no longer subject to the Law. Messiah Himself said that the Law could be summarized and reduced to the essence of these two most vital commandments. The Son of the Most High implies that all of YAHveh’s commandments are naturally upheld by a remnant, circumcised in heart, who love YAHveh with every fiber of their being. His wholehearted disciples do not swerve to the right or the left of their heavenly Father’s plumb line of truth. With reverential awe, this remnant will proclaim with the psalmist: “I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Thine ordinances before me. I cleave to Thy testimonies; O YAHveh, do not put me to shame! I shall run the way of Thy commandments, For Thou wilt enlarge my heart. Teach me, O YAHveh, the way of Thy statutes, And I shall observe it to the end.” (Ps 119:30-33)
The righteous remnant does not hesitate to purify itself “from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of YAHveh” (2Co 7:1). Its members walk in reverential fear and humble awe of His holiness; they are faithful disciples who have counted the cost and are worthy to be called priests, Holy to YAHveh. In obedience to His commandments, Messiah’s disciples will love their neighbors as themselves. With tender hearts, the circumcised remnant will also grieve with YAHshua over the lack of love demonstrated throughout Christian history toward His brethren. As this small but holy group understands the oneness of YAHveh with YAHshua, it will attempt to demolish every argument and tradition obscuring the importance of the name above all names. They will testify in the words of John: “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before YAHveh; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son, YAHshua Messiah, and love one another, … the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. … “(1Jn 3:21-24)
For this is the love of YAHveh, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1Jn 5:3)
The Shout of the Living Stones
“ The redeemed living stones will cry out, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE [YAHshua] WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF YAHVEH, even the King of Israel”
When the Son of David made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, “… the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise YAHveh joyfully with a loud voice … saying, “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF YAHVEH; …” … some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, “Teacher [Rabbi], rebuke Your disciples [the arrogant religious leaders did not want this crowd calling on the ineffable name of the Almighty].” And He answered and said, “I tell you if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Lk 19:37-40)
There always will be arrogant spiritual leaders and misdirected religious masses who would like to silence the mouths of those who proclaim His true and holy name. Regardless of persecution, the redeemed living stones will cry out, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE [YAHshua] WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF YAHVEH, even the King of Israel” (Jn 12:13). They will glorify His name; the living stones will cry out; they will praise His holy name. They will not be silent!
Even in the midst of the “Saul generation’s” pharisaical pride and flying spears, the living stones will be as YAHshua, the Son of David, before His fatal piercing at Calvary.
“Now My soul has become troubled;
and what shall I say,
‘Father, save Me from this hour’?
But for this purpose I came to this hour.
Father, glorify thy name.”
There came therefore a voice out of heaven:
“I have both glorified it,
And will glorify it again.”
(Jn 12:27-28)
Footnotes
1 The Hebrew word for “one” is `echad. The word literally means “united” or “unity.” This word does not necessarily mean singular, but is also used to express a compound unity such as in Genesis 2:24, where Moses wrote regarding Adam and Eve becoming “one flesh.” Thus, “God,” in the Shema, is spoken of as a compound unity or as unity of Being—the “Oneness” of “God” shown in His name, YAHveh.
2 HAYAH, the Hebrew root verb for I AM, is the root of the divine name YAHveh
3The NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: The Zondervan Corporation, 1985), p. 1750. Footnote for 1Co 12:3: “...Jesus is Lord...The Greek word for ‘Lord’ here is used in the Greek translation of the OT (the Septuagint) to translate the Hebrew name Yahweh (‘the Lord’).”
4 Footnote Php 2:11 “Jesus Christ is Lord. He is God (Yahweh of the OT). Obviously this cannot mean personal Lord and Master of one’s life, since those ‘under the earth’ (v. 10) could not acknowledge this.” Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), p. 1890.
