Modalism (Sabellianism) / Tritheism

Modalism (Sebellianism) is an unorthodox or heretical view of GOD that denies the orthodox trinitarian view. Modalism is also the opposite extreme of the heresy of tritheism, which has three different Gods with three different persons, each with his own different nature. Many Muslims who misunderstand the Trinity present the argument of tritheism against Christianity, but they are in error because they present a straw man fallacy. In fact, all Muslims are in error regarding Christianity because they adhere to the false prophet Muhammad‘s words in the Qur’an where an inaccurate depiction of the Trinity is described as Mary being worshiped as a third alongside Jesus and Allah (Sura 5:116). Consequently, this only showcases Muhammad’s ignorance regarding the Gospel message that he violently opposed through sinful murder (Sura 2:137,191-194,244; 4:91; 8:39,65; 9:5,14,29,39,123; 33:26,60-61; 47:4). But what else would be expected from a false prophet who received his message from an angel who choked him into submission inside a cave (Sura 53:4-6; 74:1-5; 96:1-5) and then coerced him to lie about Jesus’s death (Sura 4:157-158) and deny His deity (Sura 5:75)? What did Paul say in his warnings (2Corinthians 11:14-15; Galatians 1:6-10)? Therefore, Muhammad fits the description of an antichrist as described in 1John 2:22-23. Tritheism is false because polytheism is false.

Now, let’s return to Modalism. Modalists claim that GOD simply manifests Himself in different modes or forms at different times as if GOD is like one actor playing three different roles in one play. The problem with this view is that, if true, GOD would only be able to be one character at a time; the different characters could never exist in the same location at the same time. For example, Bruce Wayne can be Batman and Batman can be Bruce Wayne, but Bruce Wayne and Batman are never seen existing side-by-side at the same time and in the same place because Bruce Wayne must choose whether to be himself or wear the Batman suit. Another example is how water can be manifested in one of three different modes at different times: liquid, gas, or solid. However, we will never see water as ice and as liquid at the same time and in the same sense. Water can freeze and become ice, but the moment it becomes a solid state, the liquid state is no longer present. Therefore, for Modalism to be true, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit could never exist side-by-side at the same time and in the same place. But is that view true according to Scripture? No.

Luke 3:21-22 says, “²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’ “

At the same exact time and in the same exact location, the incarnate Son is present as Jesus, the Holy Spirit is present in bodily form which appeared like a dove, and the invisible Father spoke from Heaven. One “actor” cannot play three different roles side-by-side at the same time and in the same location; therefore, modalism is false. 

And again, during the transfiguration, it is written in Mark 9:7, “Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!’ “

So, yet again, there is a distinction between the persons of Jesus (Son) and the Father (whose voice came from the cloud that overshadowed Peter, John, and James. For this reason, Jesus, rebuking the hypocritical religious leaders, said to them in John 8:54-55, “⁵⁴ If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; ⁵⁵ and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word.“

If Modalism were true, then the Father and the Son would be one person and unable to exist side-by-side at the same location and at the same time. So, why then, did Jesus refer to the Father in the third person as if to indicate a distinction between the two persons of Father and Son? Would not Jesus say that He keeps “My” word instead of “His” word? Therefore, Modalism is false. Simply put, if modalism were true, then every time Jesus (the Son) communicated with the Father, He would not have been communicating with the Father at all; rather, He would have been communicating only with Himself. But why then pretend to be communicating with the Father? While Jesus had been praying to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane, was He pretending to pray to a distinct person? No. Jesus (the Son on earth) communicated directly with the Father (in Heaven).

Examine what Jesus said in John 5:19-23: “¹⁹ Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. ²² For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, ²³ so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.“

The Father shows the Son and the Son sees the Father, but this cannot be unless two distinct persons are side-by-side. The Father loves the Son (not Himself), but this cannot be unless two distinct persons exist simultaneously. The Father grants the Son the authority of being Judge. The Father and Son exist as two distinct persons in the same place and at the same time; therefore, Modalism is false. 

Examine what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17: “¹⁶ I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; ¹⁷ that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.“

Jesus (the Son) asked the Father (not Himself) and then the Father (not the Son) sends the “Helper” (the Holy Spirit), whom Jesus refers to in third person as “Him” and “He”. In this passage, three distinct persons exist simultaneously yet they all share one nature. This is the Trinity, who is one GOD. In John 14:26, Jesus also said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” And then Jesus concludes by saying in 14:31, “so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.”

The Father loves the Son; the Son loves the Father; the Father gives commands from Heaven; the Son receives the commands on earth; the Holy Spirit will dwell with every believer.

John 15:26 says, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me”

Again, Jesus makes a clear distinction between Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit as being three distinct persons. However, Jesus also makes it clear at all times that they are not three different persons with three different natures; rather, they are three different persons of one essence – they are all within each other existing in unity as One. 

In Matthew 1:18-25, the Word of GOD tells us that Mary (who was a virgin) miraculously conceived a child (Jesus, the Son) by the Holy Spirit (not the Father). Thus, the Son and the Holy Spirit existed in the same place and at the same time, side-by-side. The Modalist, however, would argue that the Holy Spirit went into the womb of Mary and then transformed into the Son (as if an actor changing his costume), but this has already been refuted by all aforementioned Scriptures showcasing how the Son and the Holy Spirit exist as distinct persons in the same place and at the same time. Further, how can the Holy Spirit transform into the Son if the Son said that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him (John 10:38; 14:10) yet the Son and the Father are one essence (John 10:30)?

Further, why is it written in Acts 5:3 that Ananias and his wife Sapphira died for lying to the Holy Spirit (not the Son nor the Father)? Why make that distinction? And why is it written in Luke 12:10 that Jesus (the Son) said, “everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”? Why make that distinction? Because Modalism is false.

Now, at this point, the adherents of tritheism, henotheism, and/or polytheism might assert that this verse about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit showcases how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate Gods of three separate natures because different standards apply to each one, but all aforementioned Scriptures have already refuted this claim by showcasing how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit always exist as distinct persons yet in the same one essence, always working toward the same end goal in unity. For this reason Scripture says that the Father was pleased to allow the Son to become the sacrifice for all humanity (Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 17:5), the Son was pleased to willingly lay His life down (John 10:17-18), and the Holy Spirit worked in the miraculous conception and resurrection of the Son (Matthew 1:20; Acts 2:24; Romans 8:11; 2Corinthians 4:14).

Conclusion:

GOD’s Word – which cannot be broken (Isaiah 55:10-11; John 10:35) – clearly states that the Father is GOD (Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 6:9), the Son is GOD (Matthew 2:11; 14:33; 28:9; John 5:18; 8:58; 9:38; 10:30), and the Holy Spirit is GOD (Genesis 1:2; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:11), yet GOD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; 1Corinthians 8:4), besides the only One true GOD, there exists no other gods (Deuteronomy 4:35,39; 32:39; 1Kings 8:60; Isaiah 43:11; 44:6-8; 45:5-7; Joel 2:27), and GOD will not give His glory to anyone else (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11). Yet Scripture clearly showcases how GOD’s glory is given to both Jesus and the Holy Spirit (See, “Theophany“). Therefore, the biblical truths evident in Scripture present the logical conclusion of the Trinity.

Now, is one triune GOD a difficult concept to completely comprehend? Yes. But should that surprise us? No. After all, it is written in Isaiah 55:8-9, “^{8 ‘}For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ^{9 ‘}For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” 

Theophany (Angel of the Lord)

Theophany is an appearance by GOD. The word “theophany” (much like “Trinity”) is not found in the Bible; however, by the early fourth century AD, the term had come to be used in reference to GOD. Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea at that time, used the Greek term Θεόφάνεια theophaneia (theh-ah-fan’-i-ah) in reference to GOD’s appearances to people. The Greek word ἐπιφάνεια [G2015] epiphaneia (epee-fan’-i-ah) means to appear before, by, across, or over someone. The word ἐπί [G1909] epi (ep-ee’) means upon, on, at, by, before, across, or over. The word φαίνω [G5316] phainō (figh’-no) means to bring forth into the light, to become evident, to come into view, or to appear. Paul used the compounded word (epi + phainō) epiphaneia to describe the second coming of Jesus when our Lord will make His appearance before us and over us (2Thessalonians 2:8; 1Timothy 6:14; 2Timothy 1:10; 4:1,8; Titus 2:13). Why? Because it is written that when Jesus returns, He will be returning from the same place He was seen when He departed, which is from the clouds in the sky (Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:61-62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9-11; 1Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7; 14:14; 19:11). The word θεός [G2316] theos (theh’-ahs) means “God.” Thus, when theos and phainō are compounded, the new word theophaneia means GOD comes into sight and makes an appearance before humans.

The Bible says in many places that GOD “appeared” (Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 18:1; 26:2,24; 35:9; 48:3; Exodus 3:16; 4:5; Deuteronomy 31:15). For example, Genesis 18:1 says that “the Lord appeared” to Abraham. Several other passages say that people saw GOD (Genesis 32:30; Exodus 24:10; Isaiah 6:1). When Isaiah 6:1 says that Isaiah “saw the Lord,” it should be noted that “appeared” and “saw” usually reflect different forms of the same Hebrew verb רָאָה [H7200] rā’â (raw-aw’). The Lord appeared; hence, the person saw the Lord. Again, theophaneia means GOD comes into sight and makes an appearance before humans.

Closely related to these appearances are statements describing GOD’s presence and glory within a cloud and/or fire or that His presence came down upon the tent of meeting or filled the temple. During the exodus of Israel from Egypt, it is written in Exodus 13:21, “The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” And in 40:34, it is written, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” GOD typically spoke to Moses from the tabernacle (Exodus 33:7-9; Numbers 1:1; 7:89). Later, when the temple was dedicated, 1Kings 8:10 says, “the cloud filled the house of the Lord.” This cloud is associated with GOD’s glory, and where GOD says He would dwell (8:11-12). Later on, however, GOD forsakes the temple because of the sins of Israel; hence, the cloud and GOD’s glory departs (Ezekiel 10:18). But throughout the Bible, the local presence of GOD is regularly indicated by the tabernacle and later by the temple, for this is the place where all offerings are given to GOD, and where people come before GOD.

However, it is evident that an appearance by GOD does not limit GOD to one particular place. During the dedication of the temple (prior to its destruction by the Babylonians), Solomon said in 1Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” In fact, GOD’s omnipresence is described all throughout the Bible (Psalm 33:13-14; 139:7-12; Isaiah 57:15; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Colossians 1:17).

One of the most obvious scenarios when theophany occurs in Scripture is showcased in a sighting after Christ’s resurrection in Luke 24:13-35: “13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, ‘What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?’ And they stood still, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, ‘Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?’ 19 And He said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to Him, ‘The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.’ 25 And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’ 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.’ So He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?’ 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, ‘The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.’ 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”

Jesus appeared and the two disciples saw Him. Again, theophaneia means GOD comes into sight and makes an appearance before humans. But what was their miraculous sign of confirmation? Jesus vanished and they no longer saw Him. A mere man cannot do that. The two disciples saw the resurrected Jesus (who is GOD) and yet they did not recognize Him until He blessed and broke bread with them. Now, before I address the often overlooked verse regarding revealed theophanies, let’s pause for a moment so that I may address the critics’ common objection regarding the disciples’ inability to recognize the resurrected Jesus. If Jesus had the same physical body after His resurrection, why did His disciples not recognize Him? Well, Jesus did rise in the same body of flesh and bones in which He died, but there exists many possible reasons why His disciples might not have immediately recognized Him. The first and most obvious reason would be that of disfigurement. Isaiah 52:14 prophesied of the Suffering Servant that “His appearance was marred more than any man.” Thus, we can reasonably conclude that Jesus’s physical body (including His face) was marred nearly beyond recognition due to the beatings, scourging, and crucifixion by the Romans. In addition, we must remember that in John 20:17, Jesus informed Mary Magdalene that He had not yet ascended to the Father; therefore, He was still in His resurrected (albeit disfigured) body. However, many other reasons why the resurrected Jesus wasn’t immediately recognized are described elsewhere:

• In John 20:1, it is written that “Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark.” It’s difficult to identify details in darkness. In 20:11-15, it is written that Mary was weeping; therefore, tears in her eyes most likely caused blurry vision. In 20:16, it is written, “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means, Teacher).” But if Mary “turned,” that means she had been facing the wrong direction and therefore not looking directly at Jesus, which would explain why she did not immediately identify Jesus. Mary was in the darkness of early morning, with tears in her eyes, and she wasn’t even facing the right direction.
• In 20:25, Thomas, possessing disbelief due to Jesus’s confirmed death, said, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And yet in 20:26-27, it is written that Jesus appeared in the room with Thomas eight days later — even though the door had been locked — and He had Thomas feel the holes in His body. Therefore, we know that Jesus chose to keep His scars even though His body had been healed enough to function properly. And because Jesus kept His scars, it is reasonable to assume that His marred appearance kept some people in doubt. However, in 20:28, in response to feeling the holes in Jesus’s body, Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”
• In 21:4, it is written, “But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” But why not? Well, it is written in 21:8 that “they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away.” At such a distance, it’s not possible to accurately identify a person’s facial features. In addition, we simply don’t know if Jesus had been wearing an outer cloak which may have further covered and concealed His face. But what we do know is that the apostles recognized Jesus by His words and deeds. In 21:5-7, John recognized Jesus — even from 100 yards away — because Jesus had called attention to the fact that they had not caught any fish, then directed them to cast their net on the other side of the boat, which resulted in a massive catch. Why is that significant? Because Jesus had done the exact same thing when He first called them to follow Him (Luke 5:4-6).
• Likewise, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Jesus when He blessed and broke bread with them. Why is that significant? Not only did Jesus bless and break bread with His apostles during the last supper (Luke 22:19), but Jesus also did the same when He fed 5,000 men plus women and children! It is written in Matthew 14:19, “He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.”

In conclusion to the critics’ objection, the perceived problem of Jesus not being immediately recognized was always temporary, and the appearances always concluded with the witnesses being absolutely convinced that it was the same Jesus in His resurrected (albeit disfigured) body.

Now, returning to the topic of revealed theophanies, Luke 24:27 states that “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” But what are those things that the Tanakh (Old Testament) reveals about Jesus?

Despite previously mentioned examples of theophanies, some Biblical passages seem to state that people cannot see GOD. [See my article, “Contradiction: No One Has Seen GOD?”]

Suffice it to say that the passages stating that no one can see GOD all refer to the true Spirit essence of GOD, not the theophanies. One of the examples from the Old Testament that Jesus most likely explained to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is found in Exodus 33:18, when Moses asked GOD to show him GOD’s glory and then GOD allowed Moses to see His backside in 33:23. But whose backside did Moses see if GOD is Spirit (John 4:24; 2Corinthians 3:17) and no one can see GOD as Spirit? I believe it is evident that Moses saw the backside of Jesus Christ. How do I know? Because in Exodus 33:21, Moses was told by GOD to stand on the rock. And who is the Rock? Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2Samuel 22:2-3; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14; 28:16; Matthew 7:24-25; Luke 6:46-49; Acts 4:8-12; 1Corinthians 3:11; 10:4; Ephesians 2:20; 1Peter 2:4-8). Moreover, the Son brings glory to the Father and the Father glorifies the Son (Matthew 16:27; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; John 8:54; 17:5,24; Romans 6:4; Philippians 2:11; 2Peter 1:17). For this reason, it is written in John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This Word of GOD is the same Word who created all things in Genesis 1 and so is genuinely GOD (John 1:1-3). For this reason, Paul wrote in Colossians 1:15-17, “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Also, for this same reason, Hebrews 1:3, speaking about the Son, says, “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.” Therefore, Moses saw the Father’s glory, who is the Son (Jesus Christ). However, it is extremely significant that Moses only saw the backside of Christ because the Lord already had in mind to turn His back on the old covenant of the sacrificial system through the Mosaic Law in order to put His face toward the new covenant of faith in Christ who is the full, final sacrifice. For this reason, it is written that as soon as the Law had been given to Moses, the Law had been broken and shattered (Exodus 31:18 – 32:20). Thus, all people who strive to enter the Kingdom by their own merits through the Law – even though they cannot fully obey the Law – will not be able to enter (Romans 3:21-31; Galatians 5:3; 6:13; James 2:10). For this reason, it is written that the Law and its continual temporary sacrifices were only a mere shadow of the good to come (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10).

But GOD does not always appear in the same form within theophanies. In Genesis 16:7-13, Hagar encounters the “angel of the Lord” and yet this “angel” possesses the power and authority to promise, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” Hagar’s response recorded in 16:13 says, “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God who sees’; for she said, ‘Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?’ ” So, how is the “angel of the Lord” able to take ownership and promise something that only GOD can do? And why would Hagar call an angel “a God”? And is this not a similar situation as when the “Lord” יְהֹוָה [H3068] YHWH (Yahweh) promised Abraham in Genesis 15:5 that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky?

In Genesis 32:24-32, Jacob wrestles with a “man” and yet this “man” possesses the power to dislocate Jacob’s hip. In 32:28, the “man” possesses the authority to say, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” In 32:29, the God-man declines to share His name but then blesses Israel. In response, Israel proclaims in 32:30, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved” and then he names that location “Peniel,” which means “the face of God.” But how can a mere “man” possess the authority to change Jacob’s name to Israel? And why would Israel call a man “God”? Is it not similar to when the “Lord” יְהֹוָה [H3068] YHWH (Yahweh) changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5)?

However, is it not written in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images”? And is it not also written that Scripture cannot be broken, GOD’s Word stands forever, and that His Word will accomplish His desires and succeed in the matter for which He sent it (Isaiah 40:8; 55:10-11; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35)? So, how then, is it possible for a “man” or an “angel of the Lord” to receive GOD’s glory unless the “man” and “angel of the Lord” are GOD? After all, is it not written that angels refuse to accept worship and refuse to usurp the power and authority of GOD (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22:8-9)? So, who then, is the “angel of the Lord”?

In Exodus 3:2-6, it is written that the “angel of the Lord” appears to Moses in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush, and then Moses took notice. It is written in 3:4-6, “4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ 5 Then He said, ‘Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ 6 He said also, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ” Therefore, the “angel of the Lord” is the “Lord” יְהֹוָה [H3068] YHWH (Yahweh).

Examine Judges 13:2-22. In 13:3, the “angel of the Lord” promises Manoah’s barren wife that she was going to conceive and give birth to a son. In 13:6, “the woman came and told her husband, saying, ‘A man of God came to me and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome.’ ” In 13:10-11, the “angel” is described as a “man.” In 13:17, Manoah asked for the name of the “man,” but in 13:18, “the angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?’ ” And finally, in 13:20-22, it is written, “20 For it came about when the flame went up from the altar toward heaven, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. 21 Now the angel of the Lord did not appear to Manoah or his wife again. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. 22 So Manoah said to his wife, ‘We will surely die, for we have seen God.’ ”

Now, when the “angel of the Lord” promised Manoah’s barren wife that she was going to conceive and give birth to a son, was it not similar to when the Lord promised Sarah in Genesis 18:10 that she would conceive and give birth? And when the awesome “angel” “man” declared that His name was “wonderful”, is it not similar to what is written about our Lord Jesus in Revelation 19:12 in that “He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself”? In fact, the word translated as “wonderful” is the Hebrew word פִּלְאִי [H6383] pil’î (pil-ee’), which means wondrous, remarkable, or even incomprehensible. This same word is seen when David marveled over GOD’s omniscience in Psalm 139:6: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” And finally, is Manoah’s encounter not similar to Jacob’s encounter when he declared in Genesis 32:24-32 that he saw GOD even though they both encountered a “man”? So, who is this God-man?

Ezekiel 1:26-28 describes “a figure with the appearance of a man” who possessed the radiance like that of a rainbow and “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”

In Daniel 3:25, Nebuchadnezzar, describing the miraculous and awesome theophany he witnessed in the fire of the furnace, said, “the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”

Psalm 47:8 says, “God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.” Why then, does Jesus say that He – the Son of Man – will be sitting on the throne (Matthew 19:28; 25:31; Mark 14:61-62)? Why does John describe GOD sitting on the throne, and yet the One sitting on the throne matches the description of Ezekiel 1:26-28 of “a figure with the appearance of a man” with a rainbow around Him (Revelation 4:2-3)? And why is the One on the throne also the Lion of Judah, Root of David, and the Lamb even though Jesus is the Lion, Root, and Lamb (Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 1:1-17; John 1:29; Acts 13:22-23; Romans 15:8-13; Revelation 5:1,5,12)? Therefore, it seems evident that the “man” whom Jacob and Manoah encountered is the “angel of the Lord” who is also GOD on the throne.

In other passages, GOD is locally present and speaks, yet without explicitly appearing, which might also be classified as a theophany (Numbers 22:9,20; 23:16; Mark 1:11; 9:7; John 12:28).

And finally, one of my favorite scenarios showcasing theophany occurs in Genesis 18—19. In 18:1, the “Lord” יְהֹוָה [H3068] YHWH (Yahweh) appeared to Abraham. But what was the appearance of the Lord? In 18:2, it is written that Abraham saw three men. In 18:10, one of the men promised that the same time of the following year Sarah would have a son. In the distance, Sarah laughed because she believed herself to be too old to have children. In 18:13, the Lord (YHWH), being omniscient, knew she laughed and then called her out on her lie after she denied it. In 18:14, the Lord (YHWH) promises that He will return at the appointed time the following year. In 18:17, the Lord (YHWH) said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” And then what happens in 18:20-22 contains extremely important details of this theophany: “20 And the Lord said, ‘The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.’ 22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord.” And then from 18:23-32, Abraham attempts to intercede on behalf of anyone who might be righteous so that they might be saved. The Lord (YHWH) concludes by assuring Abraham that even for the sake of 10 righteous people, He would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. And then 18:33 ends by saying, “As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place.” However, 19:1 begins by saying “Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.” And then 19:11 states that the two men (who were angels) possessed the power to strike the wicked men of Sodom with blindness. In 19:13, the two angels say, “we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”

Let’s review the logic of this theophany as stated by the Scripture that cannot be broken:

·       The Lord appeared to Abraham;

·       yet Abraham saw three men;

·       but One of the men spoke as the Lord;

·       The One who spoke as the Lord remained with Abraham as the other two men went to Sodom;

·       the two men who went to Sodom were angels;

·       the two angels said they were sent by the Lord (from whom they had just departed, the One still talking to Abraham);

·    Therefore, the One who remained with Abraham and then departed from Abraham is the Lord even though He appeared in the form of a man.

So, if we examine all inspired scriptures together (because Scripture interprets Scripture), what is the logical conclusion of this GOD-man? I believe the identity of this GOD-man is exactly as Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:27, which states that “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Conclusion:

The New Testament is the continuation and final fulfillment of the Old Testament; therefore, Christianity is the continuation and final fulfillment of Judaism. Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17). Jesus is GOD who tabernacled in a temple not made by human hands (Matthew 1:23; John 2:19-22; Acts 7:48; 17:24; Hebrews 8:2). Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity. And unless your faith is in the finished sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, there can be no atonement for your sins and you will die in your sins. There is no other way. Jesus is the Truth and His Word is Truth: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). If you reject the full and final sacrifice of Christ on the cross, then you will reject your only means of salvation and entrance into the Kingdom. For the when Christ returns as King of kings (Psalm 2; Revelation 19:11-16), He is going to be searching all people for His Holy treasure in earthly vessels (2Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 1:13-14), that is, all people in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. When He returns, if He finds the vessel empty, that vessel will be shattered with His rod of iron. Therefore, repent, for that Day is coming soon. And it is so easy to receive and accept this Gospel because it’s Good News — all the work has been done for you! For this reason it is written in Ephesians 2:8-9, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The Parable of the Sower

(Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)
“1 That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. 3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, ‘Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.’
18 ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.’ ”
[compare with Mark 4:1-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15]

Jesus said that the sower sows seeds and that the seeds represents the Word of GOD. But it’s important to note that Jesus said the sower goes out to sow. That means the Word of GOD must go out. But how can the Word of GOD go out unless the sower goes out? We are the sowers; therefore, we must go out and share the Gospel.

In Romans 10:14-16, Paul said, “14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’ 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ ”

And it is this unbelief that brings us to the examination of the parable of the sower and the seeds. In this parable, we must examine four types of ground where the seeds fall.

BESIDE THE ROAD:

It is here that the birds ate the seeds. These people hear the Word yet they have no understanding of the Word. The Word is trampled under foot. The evil one, Satan, snatches the Word away from their hearts. These people will not believe and will not be saved. Overall, these are the people who have Satan in their hearts; consequently, when the Word comes to them, Satan immediately destroys the seed. This is the same category of people mentioned in Matthew 7:6 known as the swine who will trample pearls under them. Now, Satan is not able to snatch the seed away because Satan is so powerful that he is able to destroy GOD’s Word simply because he desires to do so; rather, Satan is permitted that power by the human being from his/her free choice to allow Satan power. Essentially, the human grants Satan access, and then authority; consequently, Satan then has the power to snatch the Word just as a bird in a field eats up seeds. So, we can liken this to a farmer with chickens. If a fox comes in the farmer’s field and the farmer doesn’t do his part to kill that fox, but instead allows the fox to roam around and do whatever it wants, then that fox is going to kill the farmer’s chickens because the farmer essentially granted access and authority to the fox. Chickens wouldn’t die because the fox is too powerful for the farmer to overcome; rather, the fox only gains power when the farmer grants the fox access and authority. Therefore, the ground beside the road represents the people who have hardened their hearts and have set their minds on doing evil rather than good. GOD has granted those people the freedom of choice and those people freely chose to grant Satan access and authority to destroy their seeds of salvation.

ROCKY GROUND:

There’s not much soil amongst the rocks. Growth immediately springs up, but it is immediately scorched in the heat of the day and withers away because its roots were not deep and it received no moisture. These are the people who hear the Word, and immediately receive it with joy, but because their faith is shallow, their faith will be temporary. A shallow faith is a temporary faith. The faith that began to grow never got watered and so it withered. The people who have shallow faith will immediately fall away when temptation arises, or when affliction or persecution arises because of the Word. These are the people who walk away when life gets hard and they don’t get what they want. These are the people who say, “I tried that religious crap, but it only made my life more difficult and it never benefited me. I thought we were supposed to be blessed beyond measure. Well, I never got blessed. It sounded good at first, but it didn’t make my life better.” These are also the people who have faith until the world gives them an ultimatum. For example, “You will agree that homosexuality is normal and right, that gender is fluid, and you will use whatever pronouns a person wants you to use, otherwise, you will lose your job.” These are also the people who will renounce Christ as Lord and Savior if a gunman told them to do it or they will die. When life gets hard, they will fall away. But what did Jesus say? In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus said, “32 ‘Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

AMONG THE THORNS:

The thorns strangle the roots and prevents a crop. These are the people who hear the Word, but the worry of the world, deceitfulness of wealth, and pleasures of life choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. For this reason, we simply cannot have faith while also worrying. Worry strangles faith. Those who chase wealth and the ways of the world will not walk by faith or be led by the Spirit. For this reason, in Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus said to His disciples, “24 If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

And in Matthew 6:24, Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

And in 1Timothy 6:5-11, Paul echoed Christ: “5 …men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

THE GOOD SOIL:

The good soil yields a crop even up to a hundredfold because as the seed grows, it increases. These are the people who hear the Word, receive the Word in an honest and good heart, understand the Word, and then bear fruit because they acted on the Word they heard. These are the people whose roots are so deep that no storm will topple them and uproot them. No matter how intense the heat, they will not be scorched and wither because their roots are connected with the Living Water. They are so committed to Christ that they willingly run away from temptations. They accept that all children of GOD will be hated by the world and persecuted for living a righteous life. They understand that they might not get what they want in this life here on this earth, but they will receive all that they need in the life to come on the New Earth under the new heavens. They understand that our treasure is not here on this earth. These are the people who persevere, enduring until the end so as to cross the finish line as a victor.

In Luke 6:43-49, Jesus said, “43 ‘For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. 46 Why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? 47 Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.’ ”

The person rooted in righteousness is described in Psalm 1:2-3, “2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”

In Jeremiah 17:8, the prophet describes the people of good soil this way: “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.”

The people of good soil who are rooted in righteousness don’t wither or fall away because they are connected to the Living Water, who is Christ Jesus (John 4:10,14; 7:37-38). And as long as we are connected to the Vine (who is Christ Jesus), and abide by His Word, then we will bear fruit (John 15:1-11).

In John 15:18-21, Jesus said, “18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”

In Acts 14:22, both Barnabas and Paul encouraged people to stay in the faith by saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

And again, in 2Timothy 3:12, Paul, echoing Jesus, told his disciple, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Allowing no reason for anyone to be deceived, Peter wrote in 1Peter 4:12-19, “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, “19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In Mark 13:13, Jesus said, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

In 1Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul said, “24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

And then in 2Timothy 4:6-8, Paul, toward the end of his race, told his disciple, “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

And for all who do not fall away, for those who did abide in His Word and produced much fruit, Jesus says they will hear from Him, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

In Galatians 5:16-25, Paul describes the people of good soil who are rooted in righteousness: “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

So, in regards to us planting seeds (sharing the Gospel), it’s important that we understand what type of ground receives our seeds. So, in other words, we need to understand our audience and realize that according to Jesus’s parable, only 1/4 of our seeds will be received by good soil and then bear fruit. And so we should not be discouraged when we don’t see the results we hope to see. According to Jesus’s parable, our evangelism efforts will not reach good soil 75% of the time. However, we must also understand that faith cannot be forced to follow a mathematical ratio formula of seeds planted to seeds sprouted; rather, it is a miracle of the Holy Spirit that will produce faith in someone.

In 1Corinthians 3:1-11, Paul said, “1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not mere men? 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

And so when we share the Gospel (throw seeds), we are building from the foundation of Jesus, not ourselves. A lot of churches are guilty of trying to build on the foundation of themselves, in their own names, for their own glory. And that’s when people start saying, “I am of Bethel,” and another, “I am of Elevation.” What is Bethel? What is Elevation? What is Pointless Thorns? We’re either sowing seeds or watering seeds, and we’re all equal, but the foundation must be Jesus, and all glory goes to GOD who causes the growth.

In ancient days, farmers planted seeds by hand. As the farmer walked across the field, he threw handfuls of seed onto the ground from a large bag slung across his shoulders. The plants did not grow in neat rows as they do with modern machine precision planting. No matter how skillful, no farmer could keep some of his seeds from falling on the footpath due to the wind. And so the farmer would throw the seeds liberally, and then enough of them would fall on good soil to ensure the harvest. And knowing that only about 25% of all our seeds will grow in good soil, to how many people should we be sharing the Gospel? And who knows— perhaps you will be watering the seed someone else has already sown.

So, are we throwing seeds in abundance or are we selective and only sharing with certain people we believe will be good soil so as not to feel the sting of rejection or failure? If you’re trying to avoid rejection and failure, you need to get over because it’s going to happen. Jesus already promised us it would happen.

The first type of ground mentioned is the ground beside the road. The Greek word for “road” is [G3598] ὁδός (hodos), which means a street, road, path, or way. Therefore, we should be throwing seeds along the way as we travel the path. But what is that path? It is our entire life here on this earth in our sanctification process as a follower of Christ. In the first century AD, it was said that all roads lead to Rome. Yet Christ Jesus, using this Greek word (hodos) in John 14:6, said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” It is for this very reason that first century Christians were known as followers of “The Way” (see, Acts 9:2; 24:14,22). And so as the sower traveling the path, it is our duty to sow seeds in abundance as we travel our path. It’s not our place to judge the ground and to determine if its good enough to receive seeds. No. It’s our duty to throw seeds even if we think the ground will never receive the seeds. And so my challenge to you is this: share the Gospel with every person — even if you don’t think that person would ever receive the Gospel — especially if you think the person would never receive the Gospel.

When I was growing up, I was agnostic and considered to be the rocky ground. Jesus sounded good, but the world distracted me. When I was a teenager in my suicidal, nihilistic, and atheistic phase, I was considered the ground by the road and Satan snatched up everything because I granted him access and authority to destroy my seeds of salvation. But then a Christian girl came into my life and she threw her seeds on me in abundance. She threw so many seeds the devil couldn’t keep up with them and so some of them I received as the ground among the thorns. My worries and pursuit for pleasure strangled any faith. After she passed away from a terminal illness, one tiny seed managed to find its way on my good soil and it sprouted. It remained alive long enough to convince me to investigate a church that girl told me about. And just when the sprout was about to die, that church watered it. And when it revived back to life, I felt that life flow through my entire being and the Holy Spirit convinced me to repent and surrender my life to Christ Jesus. I was saved because that girl shared her seeds in abundance and the devil simply couldn’t keep up with all the seeds he was trying to snatch. He missed that one. And after I got saved, it was almost as if Jesus said to Satan what is written in John 10:27-30: “27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

And so our challenge is to do the same. Let’s throw our seeds in abundance, making it so that the devil cannot possibly snatch all of them. And all it takes for someone to be saved is for one seed to make it to good soil. So, if you’re the sower, how many seeds are you going to throw and for how long? The right answer is that we should throw our seeds in abundance for the duration of a lifetime here on this earth.

Big Pharma (pharmakeia)

There is a Greek word used in Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21; 18:23 that’s translated into English as “sorcery”, and that Greek word is φαρμακεία [G5331] pharmakeia (far-mak-eye’-ah), which refers to medicines or drugs that inhibit a person’s personality or changes a person’s behavior. Now, we would refer to these as mind-altering drugs. This is where we get our English words of “pharmaceutical” or “pharmacy”. The Greek word pharmakeia was used in connection with sorcery, witchcraft, or magic, but interestingly enough, it was also used to refer to poison. Now when the church was being established in the first century, paganism ruled the Roman empire. Paganism is dark and demonic. One prominent feature was the use of hallucinogenic drugs in order to alter the state of one’s mind. In sorcery, the use of hallucinogenic drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and an appeal to occult power with the provisions of charms, emulates, etc. The problem is that people were not receiving real help, they were essentially getting poisoned. They never dealt with the real problems they were facing, which were spiritual in nature. Revelation 18 is all about Babylon falling, which represents the world and its ways falling. Babylon represents the ultimate enemy of GOD and the persecutor of His people. And this is why in Revelation 17:5, Babylon is described as the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth. For this reason, in Galatians 5:16, Paul says to walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. And then Paul goes on in 5:20-21 to describe the deeds of the flesh, which make it known that one is not walking by the Spirit.

Now, ancient Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and became a symbol for the enemy of GOD and His people. John uses this imagery in the book of Revelation where Babylon represents a national entity that will persecute and destroy in the spirit of the Babylonians. The difference between the two is that ancient Babylon destroyed Jerusalem as GOD’s judgment for her unfaithfulness whereas in the last days, Babylon persecutes believers who are being faithful, and it will be Babylon who will be judged. The entire world and its ways will come into judgment, and this is why it is written in 1John 2:15-17, “¹⁵ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

But because pharmakeia refers to pharmaceutical drugs, one should wonder how this plays out in the last days. It’s estimated that about 160 million people in the United States use prescription drugs. Now, some drugs most certainly can help people to heal. For example, I had used amoxicillin to kill off an infection. However, it is estimated that there are over 20,000 drugs available, and many of them have adverse side effects, which include (but not limited to) birth defects, suicidal tendencies, hallucinations, amnesia, cancer, blood clots, skin boils, insomnia, or even death. And when these adverse side effects are taken into consideration with the ways of this world and how it operates, it’s easy to see how dependency enables slavery and supremacy.

Who is the Great Physician? Christ Jesus. Rather than seeking the Lord (2Chronicles 16:12; Jeremiah 8:22), we have made idols out of pharmaceutical drugs. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Like the woman in Mark 5:25-34, who endured much at the hands of many physicians and had spent all the money she had yet was not helped at all but only grew worse, people place their faith in pharmakeia rather than seek the Lord so that they may be truly healed and restored. And currently, many people [wrongly] believe that it is better to question, criticize, attack, and mock GOD (Job 13:9; Galatians 6:7) rather than to question or criticize Big Pharma, who profits at the expense of the people. Big Pharma rakes in billions of dollars. Why? Because pharmaceutical drugs only keep people enslaved, they don’t set people free. And so in the last days, the people will be like the Pharaoh who feared the plagues yet did not fear GOD who sent the plagues as judgment for wickedness. But as for me, I’m going to do exactly as the Holy Spirit leads me to do no matter what the world does. But what about you? Dependency enables slavery and supremacy. Have you made an idol out of the promised “solution” of this world? In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus said, “³¹ It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Do you want to be healed and set free? If so, Christ Jesus is the [only] solution, not pharmakeia.

Who Is Barabbas?

Passion week is upon us. Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are soon approaching. While reading GOD’s Word and praying, the Holy Spirit highlighted something specific to me: Barabbas. But before I discuss Barabbas, allow me to first set the scenery in a chronological timeline.

Passion week begins on Palm Sunday when Jesus made His triumphal entry on a colt of a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19). And as Jesus was making His entrance, the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9). But what does [5614] ὡσαννά hōsanna (ho-san-nah’) mean? It is of Hebrew origin (hoshia-na) and it comes from Psalm 118:25-26. The word [3467] יָשַׁע yasha (yaw-shah’) means “to deliver, help, to be rescued, to be safe.” The word [4994] נָא na (naw) is usually rendered “I pray” or “now” or “then”; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future). Thus, hosanna in the Greek essentially means “save us now we pray.” According to the Davidic covenant (2Samuel 7), the people expected the coming Messiah to destroy Israel’s enemies and establish GOD’s kingdom. But they didn’t understand what they were asking for. GOD’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts or ways; the Lord’s ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). And just as James and John didn’t understand what they were asking for to drink the cup of GOD’s wrath (Matthew 20:22; Mark 10:38), the Jews had an expectation which did not match GOD’s plan for salvation.

The next day, Jesus cleared the temple for the second time (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48). The people had welcomed Jesus as the potential Messiah. But instead of waging war against the Roman Empire, Jesus targeted the Temple. Why? Merchants and money changers set up their booths in the Court of the Gentiles in the Temple, crowding out the Gentiles who had come from all over the civilized world to worship GOD. The merchants sold sacrificial animals at high prices, taking advantage of those who had come long distances. The money changers exchanged all international currency for the special Temple coins – the only money the merchants would accept. They probably often deceived foreigners who didn’t know the exchange rates. But how were those vendors able to set up there unless the religious leaders allowed them to be there? And why would they allow it? It is almost certain that the religious leaders were also getting a portion of the profits. Their commercialism in GOD’s house frustrated people’s attempts at true worship and that angered Jesus because the Lord desires outsiders to come to Him (Isaiah 56:6-7). And after Jesus had tipped over some tables in righteous anger, the blind and lame came to Jesus there and He healed them. And then Jesus left and spent the night in Bethany.

The next day, Jesus publicly criticized and condemned the Pharisees and warned the people against them (Matthew 21:23-24:51; Mark 11:27-13:37; Luke 20:1-21:36). It was also around this same time frame that Judas Iscariot chose to meet secretly with the religious leaders in order to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).

The next major event that occurred was when Jesus had the Passover meal with His disciples, which gave a new meaning to the bread and wine as His body and blood. After singing a hymn, they all went to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus lifted up intense prayer, Judas arrived with guards, and Jesus was arrested. After this, Peter denied Christ while Jesus endured extreme interrogation and abuse under Annas and Caiaphas. And then Jesus was questioned by Pilate, the Roman governor.

Mark 15:4-15 says, “⁴ Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” ⁵ But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed. ⁶ Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. ⁷ The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. ⁸ The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. ⁹ Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. ¹² Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁴ But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁵ Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.“

But who is Barabbas? All four Gospels make it clear that Barabbas was a notorious prisoner, a robber, and one of the insurrectionists who committed murder during an insurrection. Hence, he was against the law, a law breaker, and one who opposed and rebelled against order. 

Crucifixion was the Roman penalty for rebellion and the Romans used to set up the crucifixion sites along public paths so that they would serve as examples as to why no one should rebel against the Roman empire. Barabbas didn’t deserve to be set free. He was a murderer. Lawless. 

However, take a moment to ponder: who else is a lawless murderer? 

1John 3:15 says, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

Matthew 15:19 says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”

Jewish men had names that identified them with their fathers, their lineage, genealogy. Simon (Peter), for example, is called “Simon Barjona” (Matthew 16:17). Barjona means “son of John.” So, what is the meaning of Barabbas?

[912] Βαραββᾶς Barabbas (bar-ab-bas’) is of Aramaic origin meaning “son of a father.” It’s generic. No name. Ambiguous. He could’ve been anybody’s son. But that’s the point! Though seemingly generic, it’s actually quite specific. Who is a son of a father? I am. Who was the one who lived apart from the Law? I did. Who led a rebellion against GOD’s Kingdom and the Lord’s absolute moral standard? I did. Who was the murderer with hatred in his heart? I was. Who was the guilty person sentenced to death whom Jesus traded places with? Me. A son of a father. Trenton BarArnell. The son of Arnell. The Son of the Father traded places with a son of a father so that a son could become a child of GOD.

Galatians 4:4-7 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “ Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

And if I am a son of Abba, then I am Barabbas! But I’m not the only one!

David murdered Uriah in his adulteress affair with Bathsheba (2Samuel 11). But in 2Samuel 12:13, Nathan the prophet told David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” So think about it! How was king David – a man after GOD’s heart – any different from Barabbas at that moment?

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

1Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;”

Ephesians 2:8-9 informs us that we were saved by grace. We didn’t earn it. We didn’t deserve it. Therefore, David was Barabbas. I am Barabbas. You are Barabbas. And so is every single person in this world whom you perceive to be unworthy of salvation. 

Matthew 5:38-48 says, “³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. ⁴¹ Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. ⁴³ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“

In 1Timothy 2:4, Paul says GOD desires for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of Truth.

In 2Peter 3:9, Peter says GOD doesn’t want anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance.

It was the religious who rallied the mob against Christ (against love). Don’t allow a religious pride to rally you into hatred of another because of that person’s particular sins. That’s why Jesus warned us to first take the log out of our own eye before concerning ourselves with the spec in the eye of another (Matthew 7:1-5). Do not allow religion and hatred in your heart to shout out, “crucify him!” about anyone. Why not? Because you don’t know who they might become. At one point in Mary Magdalene’s life, she had been possessed by seven demons (Luke 8:2). Yet she became one of the most loyal and faithful followers of Christ to ever exist. 

I was Barabbas because Jesus died in my place. But I was also the criminal on the cross next to Christ who at first did not receive Christ but then humbled himself before the Lord and died to himself and to whom Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

In Mark 2:17, Jesus said He came not to call the righteous but sinners. It is easy to view our opponents as problems to be solved and eliminated rather than as people to be respected and loved, and as creations of GOD in need of salvation.

How quick we are to say to others that they are demon possessed and deserve immediate judgment. They are wicked! They are unworthy of salvation. Just like James and John – the sons of thunder – when some Samaritans did not receive Jesus immediately at the moment, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But what is written? Jesus rebuked them. He came to save the lost (Luke 9:51-56). That could have been Mary Magdalene while she had been possessed. That could’ve been me while I had been an atheist. In fact, it was me. There was a time in my past when I did not receive Jesus and I mocked Christians. But I thank GOD that He led me to one of His true daughters who reflected Christ rather than shouting for me to be crucified while I did not receive the Lord at that moment. 

We must remember what Paul told us in Ephesians 6:12 in that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” People are not our enemies! This is a spiritual war! Remember the woman whom Jesus said Satan had bounded her for 18 long years (Luke 13:10-17)! Yet Jesus called her a daughter of Abraham. Remember the man who had been possessed by a legion of demons in the country of the Gerasenes (Luke 8:26-39). And yet Jesus left the crowd (the 99) to seek the one in order to set him free.

Challenge / Assignment:

Who is the Barabbas in your life? Who do you perceive to be your enemy? Who do you believe deserves immediate judgment? Who do you believe doesn’t deserve salvation? It’s easy to see someone else’s sins and judge in your heart that they deserve condemnation and death, that they are unworthy to be saved. And yes – it might be true that they are currently wicked right now. Yet Jesus traded places with Barabbas, took the punishment he deserved, and gave him a second chance, a fresh start. And that person was me. That person is every single person I saw in the discipleship program at the Dream Center of Los Angeles. That person is every single person who my brother Caleb and I saw at Celebrate Recovery. Some of those people started their new life only 30 days ago, but some have been living right for months or even years now. 

I want to challenge you to spend Passion week with the passion of Christ for whom He had passion to pursue. And it was not the righteous, but sinners. You know who your perceived enemies are. So go to them. Do not wait for them to come to you. Approach them in love. And if we truly reflect Christ like His daughter did for me when I had been an atheist, perhaps the “enemy,” seeing the passion of Christ, like the Centurion at the crucifixion site, will receive the fear of the Lord and say, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)

Ponder: who have you spent the most time talking bad about, complaining about, and maybe even secretly hoping or praying that judgment comes upon them? That person (or people) is your assignment for Passion week. Pray for them every day. Attempt to approach them. Go out of your way to love them and give them another invitation to the Lord. We do not want the Lord to return only to find hatred in our hearts for whom He created. No one has traveled so far that the Lord’s loving hand cannot reach them. Until their last breath, there is still hope for them. Remember king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34-37). Even a person who had once lived wickedly can repent and become a servant of the Most High, a soldier of the Lord’s Kingdom. Don’t give up on anyone.

Romans 12:14-21 says, “¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.“