What Name Did Jesus Declare For the Father?
Prophet Elmore Richmond Jr.
Declaring the Name of the Father
In John 17:26, Jesus Christ prayed to the Father and said, “I have declared unto them thy name…” Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Most Christians rejoice when they hear the phrase “that every knee should bow at the name of Jesus.” Surely when this occurs it will be time for heaven and earth to rejoice. However, today many who profess to be Christians do not believe in their hearts that the name of Jesus is above all other names. Why?
John 5:39- 40 says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Some theologians have missed the essence of scriptures pertaining to Jesus Christ in the Old Testament and the essence of John chapter 17. Consequently, many theologians have deceived many with their philosophies and vain deceits. Today, there are many, in the church that have failed to receive life eternal. That is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, who the Father and his Spirit sent. (John 17:3 and Isaiah 48:16-17)
These conclusions are based on the word of God as recorded in Matthew 24:5 where Jesus said, “For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And 1 John 2:4 says, “He that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Today, there are many, who profess to know who Jesus is. However, they do not keep his commandments; according to the word of God, they really do not know Him.
At the onset of this discussion, we will rightly divide the word of God by carefully examining the works of the prophets in the Old Testament and what Jesus Christ said to the Father in John chapter 17. This is a modified teaching from the work in my book: “Edifying the Body of Christ: Unbinding the Strong Man.”
One of the tasks performed by Jesus Christ was to Manifest thy name (Father’s name) unto the men which thou gavest Him out of the world (John 17:6). Most theologians have overlooked this important task that was given to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was tasked to Manifest the Name of the FATHER. There is no other person in biblical history that has been tasked to manifest the name of the Father. However, Moses had a similar task to declare the name of God; God explains in Exodus 9:16, that He raised up Moses to show his power and that His name may be declared throughout all the earth.
It is important for us to examine closely the tasks that were given to Moses regarding declaring the name of God before we review the tasks that were given to Jesus. Exodus 34:4-5 says, “And he hewed two tablets of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tablets of stone. And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.” In Deuteronomy 32:3, Moses says that he will publish the name of the LORD. (A more comprehensive study is covered in the book “Edifying the Body of Christ: Unbinding the Strong Man.”)
John 5:43 says, Jesus Christ came in His Father’s name. Mary and Joseph did not name Jesus Christ. However, His Father the only true God named him through the angel Gabriel. In John 14:7, Jesus says, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. In John 14:9: Jesus says, “… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father. The Father had never been called Jesus. However, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, was sent from Him to manifest the Father’s name as JESUS. In prayer, Jesus Christ brings to the Father’s attention that He declared the Father’s name. (John 17:26) A name that is above all other names; Could any name be above the name of the Father, the only true God, “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”? Answer: The only true God, Jehovah made an everlasting name for himself and Jesus was tasked to declare it.
Isaiah 62:1-2 says, “For ZION’S sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. It is important to rightly divide the word of truth here; some believe Isaiah 62:2 is only referring to Zions’ new name. However, here the LORD (Jehovah) is also speaking about the Redeemer’s new name. This is the new name that Jesus mentions in Revelation 3:12.
In Revelation 3:12 Jesus says, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
Listen carefully; this is what most theologians have missed. The Lord God Jehovah made a covenant with the Redeemer and with Zion and unto them that turn from their transgression in Jacob.
Isaiah 59:20-21 says, “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, said the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, said the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”
Isaiah Chapter 59 explains how the iniquities of Israel had separated them from God and how God hid his face from them because of their sins. Isaiah 59:15-17 states, “… it displeased him (God) that there was no judgment … For he (God) put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.” Isaiah 61:10 says that God has clothed me (the Redeemer) with the garments of salvation, and he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decked himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” Therefore, it is the righteousness of the Redeemer that must go forth as brightness and it is the salvation of the Redeemer that must go forth as a lamp that burneth.
Isaiah 62:11 supports this assertion, “Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, “Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.” Thy Salvation is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.
Who is the Redeemer? Let us see who the Redeemer says he is; you must understand this. “Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the LORD God, and his spirit, hath sent me. Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:” (Isaiah 48:16-18) The Redeemer is the LORD thy God, praise the Lord for this truth. Now listen carefully to the Spirit of the Lord as you read the next paragraph.
Isaiah 44:6 says, “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Read it again. Who said, “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God?” Answer: Both, The Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts. “Beside me there is no God.” “Me” includes both, The Lord the King of Israel (The Father) and his redeemer the Lord of hosts, the Savior. This is key to understanding who Jesus Christ is as you search the scriptures. The name “JESUS” is the redeemer’s new name and the Father’s new name – the “Father and his redeemer” are one. However, this must be declared and set in order. Listen carefully as we read Isaiah 44:7-8.
Isaiah 44:7-8 says, “And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them show unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.”
God tasked Isaiah as one of the prophets to declare it and to set it in order, that the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts are one, the first and the last, and there is no other God. The word “redeemer” is used eighteen times in the Bible; Isaiah used it thirteen times. Let us see how the word redeemer is used throughout the Bible and see how it is set in order.
At Job 19:25, Job says, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”
David writes in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” At Psalm 78:35, David writes, “And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.”
At Proverbs 23:11, it is recorded, “For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.” Now let us examine how Isaiah followed the commandment of God to declare and to set it in order.
First Isaiah writes how the redeemer will help them; Isaiah 41:14 says, “Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel: I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 43:14-15 gives examples how he has helped them and explains who He is. Let us read. “Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.”
As mentioned earlier at Isaiah 44:6 it is recorded, “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his redeemer the Lord of host; I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is no God.” Note in Revelation 1:11 Jesus says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.”
In Isaiah 44:24, the redeemer declares that He is the creator. Let us read. “Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.”
Isaiah 47:4 says, “As for our redeemer the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.” At Jeremiah 50:34 Jeremiah affirms, “Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.”
Now listen carefully to what the redeemer says at Isaiah 48:16-17, “Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his spirit, hath sent me. Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
Who is the Saviour?
God said in Isaiah 43:11, “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.” Who is the Saviour? God is the Saviour! To receive this truth, we must understand that “Within Jesus Christ dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ye are complete in him.” (Colossians 2:9-10) Listen carefully! 1 John 4:14 says: And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World.
Who is the Son? The Word of God made flesh. God gave the Word life within itself! The Word of God came out from God – And God gave the Word life within itself! In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Here is revelation knowledge! Do you understand that the Word of God is the Seven Spirits of God? Click here and receive this revelation knowledge.
As we continue to search the scriptures, we find Isaiah 62:1-2, which reads, “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name” this is referring to the glory of the Redeemer.
Isaiah 62:3-4 states, “Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” Listen. Now let us align this verse on precept to bring clarity. Isaiah 28:5 says, “In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.” Listen.
Let us unpack this text. The Redeemer is the crown of glory in the hands of God. The Redeemer was sent to Zion. (Isaiah 59:20) Jesus came unto his own and his own received him not. (John 1:11) This land belongs to Jesus. The text, thy land is referring to the Redeemer’s land, the Saviour, who is the Holy One of Israel. Jesus cried out, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) Jesus, the Word of God, the Lamb of God is in the hand of God and the spirit of judgment is upon Him. And Jesus Christ our Lord is our strength and our salvation. “For in Jesus Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:9-10)
Isaiah chapter 65 explains why God’s chosen people were cursed; Isaiah 65:15 explains how they would leave from their name. Isaiah 65:15 says, “And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:” As we search the scriptures, we find in Matthew 1:16 that Jesus is called Christ and the new name for his servants is Christians according to Acts 11:26. They were first called Christians at Antioch. Isaiah 62:12 explains that God’s chosen people shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord: and they shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken. It is very important to understand that before this took place, God’s chosen people were cursed. Then God made a new covenant with Zion, those that turn from transgression in Jacob, and the Redeemer.
However, at 62:1-2, the scriptures are referring to the coming of thy salvation. Jesus Christ is thy salvation. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) It is important to understand the mystery of God’s will as explained in Ephesians 1:9-10.
Paul explains at Ephesians 1:9-10: “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both, which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”
In Ephesians 3:14-15, the Apostle Paul explains, “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.” Zechariah prophesied that there would be one Lord, and His name one. (Zechariah 14:9) Jesus came in his Father’s name and declared the name of the Father. Why did the Father task Jesus to make known His name, the Father’s name?
Jesus Christ was tasked to manifest the name of the Father, the only true God, as “JESUS” to those that were given him. Listen carefully. Isaiah 63:12 says that God led them by the hand of Moses … to make himself an everlasting name. Isaiah 63:16 says, “… Thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.” Therefore, this means that God’s name now is not the same as it was in the beginning, but God made a new name for himself, an everlasting name. A name that is from everlasting; a name that is not from the beginning, but from everlasting until it was manifested and declared by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ declared (made known) the Father’s name. (John 17:26) Jesus accomplished this task.
The scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and the Romans did not understand this truth; it is unfortunate today, there are many who profess to be Christians who still do not understand this truth because of the doctrines of men. At 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 it says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.” Daniel 7:25 says this beast prevailed against the saints of God! Revelation 13:5-7 confirms this beast overcame these saints of God.
It is important that the Saints of God understand that this already has happened. This happened under the Roman Empire – when Christians accepted another doctrine and agreed not to call on the name of JESUS. John 11:41-48 explains after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, some chief priests and Pharisees formed a council and they wanted to stop Jesus because they feared that all would believe on him and then the Romans would come and take their place and nation. Therefore, they did not want anything done in the name of JESUS. History shows that eventually the Romans did come and take their nation. However, the Christian population continued to grow; although millions of Christians were killed the population continued to grow. However, in A.D. 325, the Christians agreed not to call on the name of JESUS; they agreed to only use the phrase: In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Today there are many who profess to be Christians who will only use the phrase and not call on the name of JESUS when they baptize. They fail to execute the command that Jesus gave at Matthew 28:19, consequently today there are many who are still spoiled and cannot receive the power of the Living God in the name of JESUS.
In John 17:11-12, Jesus says, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Remember in John 5:43, Jesus says, “I am come in my Father’s name …”
The children of Israel defiled the Holy name of the Lord that Moses declared, by the abominations that they committed. (Isaiah 43:8) God said that he would sanctify his great name, “which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 36:23) In Ezekiel 39:7 God said, “I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name anymore: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.” Jesus Christ was tasked to declare the name of the Father; Jesus Christ accomplished this task in the midst of the people of Israel.
In John 17:26, Jesus Christ says, “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” At John 12:23 Jesus says, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” In John 12:28-29, Jesus says, “Father, glorify thy name.” “Then came there a voice from heaven, saying I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: other said, An angel spake to him.” The Father said I have both glorified it. This means the Father glorified the name “JESUS” as his name and he glorified the name “JESUS” for the redeemer. Listen. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy as recorded in Isaiah 63:14-16. God made himself a glorious name (Isaiah 63:14) and this glorious name is for Our LORD who is the Father and the Redeemer; this name is from everlasting (Isaiah 63:16). Praise God for this truth. (Please note some bibles have changed John 12:28 by removing the word “both” and changed the text. However, it is very important not to change the wording of the Bible. The revelation of the use of the word “both” is explained in John 13:31-32.)
Many do not understand that the Father tasked Jesus to declare His name. This declared and glorious name is JESUS. Jesus declared it, and then, the Father glorified it for both the Son and Himself. The name is from everlasting until it was declared and glorified.
Many do not understand this statement, “A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.” (John 16:16) It is very important to understand this statement. Jesus explains what will happen when he goes back to the Father and the affect of the name of Jesus.
Jesus says, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” (John 16:23-28)
Listen carefully to what Jesus said about his ascension to the Father. In John 6:62-63 Jesus said, “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Here we can see that it is not about the flesh, however it is about the Word of God. “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. JESUS is the WORD; the WORD is spirit.
After Jesus ascension to heaven, where He was before where did he go? According to Revelation 22:1-3, there is only one throne in heaven, the throne of God and of the Lamb. In Revelation 4:1-2 John writes, After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet, talking with me; which said, Come up hither and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Revelation 7:9-17 explains the great multitude that gathered before the throne of God. Revelation 7:17 says, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them…” In Revelation 19:13, the Lamb’s name is called The Word of God.” The Lamb had on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
According to Revelation 19:12, the Lamb had a name written that no man knew but he himself. In Revelation 3:12 Jesus says, that he would write the name of His God and His new name upon him that overcometh. Revelation 14:1-5 explains that the first fruits that were redeemed from the earth had the Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Revelation chapter 21 explains that John saw a new heaven and a new earth; and the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation chapter 22 further explains that the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Zechariah prophesied, “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.” (Zechariah 14:9) It is imperative that Revelation chapter 21 and chapter 22 be reread by Christians throughout the world so the Church will clearly understand God’s plan for earth.
In Isaiah 53:1 it is recorded, “Who HATH believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” Today we find that many have not read the report. The inclusive report is not in Isaiah 53, however, it is written throughout the book of Isaiah and throughout the prophets. Nevertheless, it will be remiss if anyone attempts to understand the report before reading Isaiah chapter 48 through Isaiah chapter 53. The ones who believe the report understand why it is recorded in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The prince of Peace.” Please note the Word of God says: His name shall be called Wonderful, counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The price of Peace.” However, some bibles have removed “his name” from the text. Man’s doctrine has changed the Word of God to read: “He shall be called” Listen, according to the Word of God, the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is JESUS.
If you have love for the truth, this work of the Holy Ghost will end the debate regarding this matter. (Stop and praise God for this revelation.)
Over the years, theologians have misled many. Isaiah 28:9-10 says, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” This is a perfect example where many theologians have failed to follow this principle.
Glorified Thee on the earth (John 17:4)
The task of glorifying the Father was the center of Jesus Christ’s actions. Jesus Christ always gave the Father, the only true God, the glory. Jesus Christ clearly explained that it was the Father that dwelleth in Him that did the work, and the words that He spoke were not His words, but the Father that dwelleth in Him. (John 14:10) Jesus Christ clearly explained that He did not come to do his own will, but He did the will of the Father. (John 6:38) Colossians 2:9-10 says, “For in him (Jesus Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” We are complete in Jesus Christ because the Father, the only true God and His Word dwelleth in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was the temple of God that was not made by hands. Malachi 3:1 explains it as follows, “Behold, I (the LORD of hosts) will send my messenger (John the Baptist), and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, which whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”
- Jesus Christ gave unto them the words the Father had given Him (John 17:8)
- Jesus Christ gave eternal life to as many as thou (the Father) had given Him. (John 17:2)
- Jesus Christ taught to ensure that they might know the only true God and Jesus Christ which God hast sent, this is Life Eternal. (John 17:3)
- While Jesus Christ was in the world, Jesus Christ kept them in thy name (Father’s name) none of them were lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)
- Jesus Christ finished the work that the Father, the only true God gave Him to do. (John 17: 4)
The Fruits of Jesus Christ’s Actions
- They (the ones that the Father gave unto Jesus Christ) kept thy word. (John 17:6)
- They knew that all things that Jesus Christ had given them were of the Father. (John 17:7)
- Jesus Christ gave them the words that the Father gave Him and they received them. (John 17:8)
- They knew that Jesus Christ came out from the Father and they believed that the Father sent Him. (John 17: 8)
- While Jesus Christ was in the world, he kept them in thy name. (Father’s name)
None of them were lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12) Remember Jesus Christ came in the Father’s name.
Side Affects and Actions Taken by Jesus to Address the Side Affects:
- Jesus Christ gave them the Father’s word and the world hated them because they are not of the world. (John 17:14)
- Jesus Christ prayed to the Father not to take us out of the world, however to keep us from the evil.
- Jesus Christ sent them into the world (John 17:18). For our sakes Jesus Christ sanctified himself, that we also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:19) God’s word is truth. (John 17:17)
What Jesus Christ asked the Father for in Prayer:
- To keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given him, that they may be one; as the Father and He are one. (John 17:11)
- To glorify thou me (Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God) with thine own self (the Father) with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 17:5) According to John 5:26, the Father had given the Son life in himself, however, here the Son is asking the Father to glorify him with Himself.
What was the affect of this petition to the Father? According to Acts 2:36, God made Jesus both Lord and Christ; Ephesians 4:5 says there is only one Lord. According to Matthew 28:18, All power was given unto Jesus in heaven and in earth. According to scriptures, while Jesus was on earth, the Father dwelleth in him (John 14:11) and in heaven, Jesus is in the bosom of the Father. (John 1:18) Listen, All power in heaven and earth has been given to the Word of God. Not a fleshy body, the Word of God is spirit; the flesh profiteth nothing. (John 6:63)
According to Mark 16:15, Jesus was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55 says, “Stephen looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” In heaven, Jesus is in the bosom of the Father and now Jesus is standing on the Father’s right hand. Truly this means that the Father and the Son are one; on earth the Son (the word of God made flesh) did not do anything without the Father. On the other hand, in heaven, the Father does not do anything without the Word of God. The word of God is in the bosom of the Father and standing on the right hand (the hand of power) of the Father.
Jesus is in the bosom of the Father, yet standing on the right hand of the Father. This is the arm of the strength of the Lord; here Jesus is standing on the hand that controls the power. This explains Matthew 28:18 when Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Praise God for this revelation - Thank you Holy Spirit for leading us to this truth.
Psalm 110 says, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” In Acts 2:34-35, Peter quotes David, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.” (Note - Here the word “on” was substituted for the word “at.” However sometimes “on” means “on.”) However, at Matthew 28:18, all power had been given unto Jesus (the Word of God) in heaven and in earth. Therefore, the enemies had been made his footstool. 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 says, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”
In Acts 7:55, Stephen saw Jesus not sitting, but standing on the right hand of God. Surely, this means that the power had been given to him, the Word of God. According to 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, The Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Here it is very important to fully understand the scriptures regarding the Word of God made flesh. Jesus said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?” (John 6:41-42) Listen carefully, Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) Jesus further explains, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (John 6:53-57)
After this teaching, many of Jesus’ disciples said this is hard teaching who can hear it? Listen carefully to what Jesus told them.
“Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:61-63)
This teaching is very important; every believer must understand it. When Jesus Christ dwelled among us, many failed to hear his message because they were caught up with Jesus’ physical presence. Today, many are making the same mistake; they look at the messenger and fail to hear the message. Jesus Christ was the Word of God made flesh. The Word of God is spirit, yet the Word became flesh so that we could eat of it. We are not to eat of the fleshy body that was seen because the flesh profited nothing. However, it is the spirit that quickeneth. Therefore, we must eat the Words of God. God’s Words are spirit, and they are life. We must not lose our focus.
Jesus Christ concludes this prayer to the Father by saying, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:25-26)
Jesus Christ declared that he came in his Father’s name and Jesus Christ manifested the name of the Father to those that were given to him. Jesus Christ glorified the Father on earth by healing the sick, raising the dead, moving with compassion to feed those that hungered, sharing the gospel and performing many miracles. Jesus Christ made it clear that it was the Father that dwelleth in him that did the work and the words that he spoke they were the words of the Father that dwelleth in him. The Father glorified Jesus Christ with his own self as it was before the world was.
This explains why in John 14:7 Jesus Christ says, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth, ye know him, and have seen him. John 14:9 says, “… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” Jesus was the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15) Before we move to the next point, let us ponder these words about Jesus Christ that were written by Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:15-19.
“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. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;”
Earlier in this text, we stated that many Christians rejoice when they hear the phase “every knee should bow at the name of Jesus.” However, I ask you, when will every knee bow at the name of Jesus? Answer: Isaiah 62:1-2 says, “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” Before every knee will bow at the name of JESUS, Christians in the bride of Christ must be made perfect in one as Jesus Christ prayed for. But for this to happen, there must be a radical change in the body of Christ.
Today, we find many who profess to be Christians that are doing their own thing and not working toward Jesus Christ’s will, to be made perfect in one. First we must fear God and learn righteousness. Before we are made perfect in one, God’s judgments must be in the earth so the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)