epic sacrifice (the incarnation era)

8/3/2019 Epic Sacrifice (The Incarnation Era)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the body of Christ

I would like to thank all my precious friends who contributed to this study

even those of you I have not met in person. We may not see everything the

same way, yet thats ok. Uniformity does not mean conformity where we all

think or act the same way. We all uniquely differ and complement each other

in a unity not necessarily based on EXACT doctrinal conformity but a unity of

love, in worship, spirit, purpose and a passion for gospel truth in the body of

Christ. I am mindful and grateful of the way my friends within the body of

believers offered their thoughtful contributions, and sensitive and constructive

criticism to help complement this series of studies. Thank you. What I am

saying is that, in one sense, this series is the result of prayerful synergistic

shared thinking!

Acknowledgements: James Crider: You were the one who influenced me to

explore Revelations slain Lambs imagery a little further and decode Rev

5:6,7. Michael Delaney: You helped me understand some critical dynamics

surrounding Christs substitute death as us more fully. Frank Klin: In our

correspondence you placed a key in my hand that opened the Scriptural

passages that correlated and contrasted the seven-horned Lamb with the

antichrist more perfectly. Gary Hullquist: Appreciate your insights on John 10:

17,18 as presented in Theos Magazine. Corey McCain: Your thoughts on the

nature of the separation between the Father and Son at the cross were an

insightful and important contribution. Blair Andrews: Your blunt criticismenabled me to push the boundaries just that little bit more. I valued your

words of encouragement also! Carron Lake: The way you clarified Phil 2:6,7 by

greatly simplifying the difficult-to-explain concept of Christs self-emptying was

a Godsend. Adrian Ebens: Your sermons, DVDs, written articles and The

Return of Elijah helped me gain more appreciation for the universal channel of

blessing concept and how this is key to the blessing, security, success and

preservation of marriages, churches, families and society. And your burden for

Gods SDA church and your spirit and decision to follow your convictions at any

cost is inspirational. Terry Hill: Your thoroughness and scholarly depth in your

Biblical research is powerful and affirming reminding us to dig deep for

hidden treasure. David Clayton: Out of everything I have ever heard or readconcerning the vital/central subject of righteousness by faith, in connection

with the personality of God and Christ, few have presented it with such power,

clarity and depth that both stirs my heart and speaks to my heart as you have.

I could name 3 other very close friends who helped me see things clearer. One

person in fact who has helped more than any other by . . . countless editorial

comments and suggestions, and who will remain anonymous for personal

reasons, deserves my hearty thanks. Thank you ______ I am grateful for the

many opportunities to connect with all these, and other, beautiful people in the

body of Christ. May the Father bless you all! I really appreciate your input

every one of you! J


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__________________________________________________________________

Study1:FamilyAttack

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Study2:

Christ Our EverlastingFather_____________________________________________

Study3:

EpicSacrifice

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Study4:Omni Paradox

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Study5:

The Great Arian

Controversy


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KingofGlorySeriesCovering 5 Expansive Eras

Series OutlineStudy 1: Family Attack (Eternal Ages In the beginning Era)A study of heavens family dispute as echoed in the life of Joseph.We will explore the universal principle of submission and how it wasreflected and demonstrated in the life of Joseph and more importantly the life of Jesus. We will see how this principle is vitally necessary for thesuccess and happiness of individuals, families, churches and society.

Study 2: Christ Our Everlasting Father (Pre-Creation to the Incarnation Era)Features the Pre-existent Son and the significance of His many givennames and family names as related to His nature and character.The controversy concerning the identity of Gods Son is considered.

-------4: The 3-Fold Omni Paradox (Pentecostal Era)Features the glorification of Christ as our anointed everlasting priest andhow this was connected to Pentecost and relates to us today

--------5: The Great Arian Controversy (Dark Ages Era to Our Day)A study concerning the 3rdcentury identity war over the Father and Sonand how this was associated with the abomination of desolation whichseems to be repeated in our day

Truth Looses Nothing By Investigation

[email protected] revision 08/12/2011

-------3: Epic Sacrifice (The Cross Era)Exploring the incarnation and infinite sacrifice of Christ and how

the inestimable value of this sacrifice is proportional to His divineidentity. This pivotal study directly interconnects with the two studiesbefore and after it


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TABLEOFCONTENTS

Introduction p. 6

TwoLovedKingsWhoLaidAsideTheirRobesandCrowns

p. 7

Emptied Himself.Laid Aside exactlywhat?

p. 12

1. Laid down His majestic glory p. 18

Christs divinity is the result of His inheritance asthe Son of God

p. 23

2. Calvary: When the Son of God laid aside His

immortal life

p. 26

The Infinite Sacrifice: Tasting death for every man p. 30

What Death Does the Son of God Save Us From? p. 33

Three reasons Jesus was crucified and not stoned p. 34

Epic Sacrifice p. 41

Epic Counterfeit p. 44.

___________________________

Epic Proportion is a revised version of Power Laid Down

by Jeff Wilson. June & September, November 2011


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Introduction

This exploration study features the divine nature, humanity, the gift of Christs sacrificial

death of epic proportion and His resurrected glorified life.

It is the Fathers gift of His only begotten eternal Son (John 3:16), which shows the

extent of His love for us. This was prefigured to the world in how Abraham was willing to

give up his only begotten son Isaac.

It is often the case that when studying this topic that questions come to mind such as,

what specific attributes did the Son of God originally possess in heaven long before His

incarnation? What, among these, did He retain during the incarnation? And what

attributes did He possess after His death, burial, resurrection and glorification upon His

ascension to heaven? And probably the most important question, what does that mean

for us and what is the practical life-application today? For the most part, we will critically

and carefully examine what attributes the Son of God laid aside prior to His incarnation

and mull over the unique unusual expression emptied Himself (Phil 2:7, HNV) in

relation to Him being made in the likeness of men (Phil 2:7 KJV). We will see that this

expression is suggestive of mysteriously pouring Himself out from the majestic being

Michael, in order to be impregnated into a tiny embryo within Marys womb!.

There are some difficult areas we need to consider and in order to come to a correct and

accurate conclusion, it is imperative we examine it AS A WHOLE and not in isolated

segments. In doing so, it is not wise to carelessly rationalize or justify personal biases

that lack Scriptural consistency. A number of difficult passages of Scripture need to be

examined and placed in their proper context. On the surface, they may seem

contradictory, but are in reality paradoxes and when understood, reveal great truths.

Finally, this in depth exploratory study looks at the events approaching and surrounding

the passion of Christ and the underlying reasons WHY He died. This is a foundation for

the follow-up study of the incarnation addressing questions in relation to the omnis.

FOLLOW-UP STUDY: The 3-Fold Omni Paradox

The sequel exploratory study The 3-Fold Omni Paradox, featuring Rev 5:6, explores the

unique heaven-originating attributes of Christ. Did the son of man (incarnated Son of

God) relinquish His omniscience (all knowledge), omnipotence (all power) and

omnipresence (the ability to be everywhere present)? Or did He lay some or all of these

divine attributes aside? Is it that black and white or is there something else that is too

often overlooked that must be factored into this topic? These questions demand answers

if we are to avoid forming erroneous opinions and ever going to appreciate the divine and

human nature of Christ to a fuller extent. We will see what was needed in order for the

Son of God not only to qualify as our perfect example, but to manifest His Fathers

character and become our Savior, our substitute in death, our righteousness and glorified

High Priest.

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Two Loved Kings Who Laid Aside Their

Robes and Crowns

Recently I read a short story written by Frank R Stockton entitled A Jerseyman And His

Royal Crown. While reading, I began to see some striking parallels and contrasts between

Stocktons account, and a story we are well familiar of - the Story of Redemption. There is one

intriguing correlation I want to highlight. From Stocktons dissertation similarities can be seen

between two kings of different eras, which left their royal estates, yet, they remained very rich,

and rich in a VERY different way. Here is an adaptation of some of Stocktons composition, which

will help set the tone for the entire Epic Sacrifice study.

It begins with a royal robed lord who wore a crown heavy with diamonds and precious stones who

lived in a rather unlikely place for a king. His estate was located in a cleared space amidst a hill

thick with woods in Point Breeze, Bordentown New Jersey. The exalted personage was not

officially a king when he lived in New Jersey, but he had been a king. He was Joseph Bonaparte,

lawyer, diplomat, soldier and the eldest brother of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

After conquering many nations of Europe, Napoleon replaced its former kings with new sovereigns

from his own family and Joseph was one of them.

Josephs history as a king was not always a favorable one. He first took up a throne in Naples of

Italy. Under his brothers orders He lived and reigned in Naples as king for some time but to no

success; he knew the people did not want him as their monarch. Then Napoleon sent him to

Spain. But again he encountered equal failure; the people of Spain did not welcome this new king

and rose up in rebellion against him causing him to take flight from Spain. These along with a few

untimely adventures in France and Switzerland did not make for a good start for his attempted

regal occupation. At that point he had no desire to ever again live and rule as king in the samemanner as he did before.

In time, Napoleons reign came to an end. To escape being exiled to a most undesirable place

such as Elba (an island of Italy) like his brother Napoleon, Joseph determined to get to America.

Under disguise he voyaged thousands of miles across the turbulent and tempestuous Atlantic in a

small two hundred-tone vessel. Even the captain did not recognize him.

Before leaving, his wife fell ill. Under the orders of physicians she was advised to stay back in

Italy. His two daughters however, accompanied him and stayed with him for some time in his new

home in New Jersey. Before his flight, he also stashed away the crown of Spain and the regal

robes of Italy and brought them with him.


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Now that he was well out of Europe, Joseph Bonaparte gave up all idea of returning, and in

deciding to settle here it was not surprising that he chose to make his home in New Jersey. He

bought a place near Bordentown, on a high wooded hilland built a house. It had grand

halls and staircases and banquet halls His estate, which covered more than a thousand

acres, was beautifully laid out in drives and gardens and lawnsthe place was arranged in a

style of beauty and grandeur..he lived in ex-regal style. - Frank R Stockton, A Jerseyman

And His Royal Crown

Jewels, gold, crowns. Are the things generally associated with royalty: but what about

Joseph Bonapartes character? It was not perfect. Yet there are however, marked parallels

between the story of the ex- Spanish, ex-Italian king who for a time laid aside his royal robe and

glorious crown and another man two thousand years ago who laid aside His even more exalted

royal robe and glorious crown.

Here are some examples. J. Bonaparte(J.B.)loved children.Hewould allow them to run around

on his estate and often serve them drinks and give them special treats. In winter they would

skate on his frozen ponds and always have surprises for them. Jesus also was a lover of children.

He gave time and devotion to them.

J.B. came close to people. Kings have a habit of distancing themselves from commoners but ex-

king J.B. was hospitable to his neighbors, sending flowers and fruits from his garden and in this

way won their hearts and affections. It was not until he stepped down to their level and walked in

their shoes that he was accepted and loved by them.

Heavens majestic king was thoughtful, courteous and kind in His Galilean neighborhood. He

graced the tables of social gatherings mingling freely with the people. Through friendship and

loving interest and by UNCOMPROMISINGLY stepping down to their level and walking in their

shoes Heavens ex-commander and highly honored King won the love, affection and trust of

many. And this is the very correlation I want to emphasize There is no record of Jesus plucking

orchid fruits or flowers from His garden and sending them to His neighbors, as did J.B., but being

a carpenter He may have given furniture to the needy. As a river or fountain of life receives from

a larger source and flows out again, the Son of God took to give. Whatever He received from His

Father, He gave - which was far more than something His rugged hands had carefully crafted from

prize timber in His humble little workshop, and yet something far more than J.B. could ever

possibly give.

J.B. drew people to him through his association, thoughtfulness and kindness. The Son of Goddrew people to Him through the cords of love.

WhatdidtheSonofmangive?Hegavelove,forgiveness,liberty,life,joy,emotional

healing/securityandphysicalhealthtotheailing.Foroneexample,inpreventingthe

embarrassmentoftheweddinghost,Heturnedwaterintothebestwine(Isa65:8).ItwasinloveandrespecttoHismotherthatHeprovidedthisunfermentedsparkling

crimson beverage for the continued refreshment for the guests. On occasions He

provided nourishment for the hungry, He taught, He preached, He forgave, He

exposedbutHeblessed,Heliberated,Heinspired,Heencouraged,Hepickedupthe

downcast, lifted up the downtrodden, released the oppressed or possessed,

transformedheartsandrevolutionizedlives.HegaveofHimself.


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For whatever reason, J.B. was rejected as king in both Madrid and Naples. Despite all the good

that Jesus did, He was despised and rejected of men - forsaken by His own people. (A prophet

is not honored in his own country Matt 13:57.) The ex-Spanish and ex-Italian king in voyaging

from Europe to America did not do so in regal majesty, and splendor but at a calculated risk of

losing his life by sea or by sword. He left in disguise. At the time when God sent His only begotten

into the world, the eternal Son of God bid farewell good-bye to His Father and angel friends at

heavens royal palace. In the event of descending to earth He voyaged across the dark stormy

seas in His turbulent life at the risk of losing far, far more than Bonaparte could ever possibly

loose. In His humanity, Christs glory was veiled; He disguised Himself in the likeness of men. As

the captain of the boat did not recognize the royal brother of Napoleon, the Jewish leaders did not

recognize, at least outside of the mock trial before the cross, heavens royal dignity that once

shared His Almighty Fathers scepter and throne (Phil 2:7; John 1:10-11). As J.B. was once

rejected as king, the Son of God was once shamefully mocked, scourged and spat upon. and

rejected as King.

These are a few less than perfect parallels between the two monarchs: Now, from the words of

Stockton, here is an obvious contrast that sets Jesus apart from J.B.

It generally happens, when a sovereign is obliged to abdicate and to fly from his kingdom,that he arranges matters so that he shall not become a pauper when he arrives at the place

of refuge. If he is not able to carry away anything more than a valise, he is much more likely

to put his royal jewels into it than to fill it up with night clothes and hairbrushes; so when

Bonaparte came to New Jersey, he came as a very rich man. - Frank R Stockton, A

Jerseyman And His Royal Crown

This is exactly what Joseph did. Moreover, when the building of his mansion was complete, he

arranged for beautiful paintings of high value and costly sculptures to be shipped from Europe.

This would further add to the wealth of his American estate.

Christ came with nothing but possessed everything. Prior to entering our fallen world, the Father

did not assign angels to somehow prevent Jesus poverty. They did not prearrange and pack a

treasure chest with gold, silver and most costly jewels and secretly stash it in the earth in a

secluded place near Galilee for Jesus to simply uncover and draw from in difficult times of need.

Otherwise it may be said Jesus had privileges the poor didnt have and therefore would have failed

as a perfect example. Jesus willingly chose to endure hardship, poverty, trial and difficulty during

the days of His flesh. He came with nothing, He owned next to nothing. He was the son of poor

Galilean parents.

Upon his birth, instead of bringing a lamb for sacrifice, Joseph and Mary could barely afford two

turtle doves for an offering according to the law of the Lord (Lev 14:22; Luke 2:24). As it turned

out, unlike J.B. who lived in a New Jersey mansion estate, Jesus had no permanent dwelling. In

coming to our world, in His youth He learned the humble trade of carpentry and he didnt own

much. On the other hand, when J.B. came to New Jersey, he came a very rich man - with

immense wealth to spare. But get this. After Jesus betrayal, infamous trial and death, and

resurrection, a company of angels escorted Him back to the indescribable Paradise Palace to be

reunited with His Father. He also took a multitude of released captives as trophies with Him.

These were the firstfruits of them that slept (1 Cor 15:20,23), they are His peculiar treasure,

His precious jewels, raised by His resurrection power awakened from their long sleep in their

graves (Mal 3:17; Prov 7:20; Psm 135:4). In this sense when Jesus entered, not New Jersey, but

New Jerusalem, the city of the great King, He entered as the King of Kings and Lord of lords. In

other words, He moved into the glorious and eternal New Jerusalem as a very rich man (Rev21:7; 21:10-25).


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Furthermore, significantly different to J.B., He NOW has immense unfading wealth to share. While

on earth, Jesus did not seek security by living in ease in an immaculate guarded estate or seek

value from earthly kingdoms and treasure. For Him, knowing He was His Fathers beloved Son

was enough. His value was invested in His Fathers kingdom consisting of a relational economy - a

kingdom founded upon the principles of other-centered love, love expressed in moral character (1

Cor 13). His joy was in imparting heavens incorruptible currency - the gold of faith and love tried

in the fire, and in redeeming fallen sons and daughters of Adam and restoring them back into

Gods image for the eternal kingdom of Glory.

A king is the lawmaker. Every kingdom has a king and a law. The kings role is to make law and

enforce justice and to judge and make decisions between right and wrong. No other king in

history demonstrated the principles of his government as well as Gods Son. The Son of God, the

giver of the law to Moses at Sinai, when He was made flesh mercifully lived and breathed the law.

He, the law personified was, and indeed still is, the walking, feeling, living, hearing, seeing, law of

God showing us how to live successfully and happily.

Jesus is willing to share His heavenly treasure.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet foryour sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2

Cor 8:9

Unlike most monarchs who avoid mingling with common folk, J.B. was remembered as a king who

stepped down to their level. And although, understandably, with no religious profession, he was

not always the most moral person in the world, he was certainly generous. Jesus said

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much

more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matt 7:11

Interestingly, as it turned out the life of J.B. came to an end at age 76 in July of 1844. It so

happens that this was the very year the Judgment ministry of Christ - the believers great judge

priest-king - began. He entered into the Holy of Holies to receive a kingdom commencing the

great work of investigative judgment (Dan 7:13,14; Matt 22:1-14; 1 Pet 4:17). While one king

l(J.B.) laid aside his royal robe and crown entering the dusty prison to join the dead, the other -

Christ the anointed eternal Priest-King-Judge, laid aside his plain linen dress for the first

apartment ministration. Around 1800 years later He then took up His most glorious kingly crown

and donned on His golden priestly garments to enter the final ministration of the Most Holy Place

to judge the living and the dead! (See the shadowy types in Ex 28:4-43; 1 Chron 6:49; Acts

10:42)

In remarkable humiliation and clothed in sackcloth, the king of Nineveh laid his [royal] robe

aside, and along with the Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah. In view of the

investigative judgment, and in view of other approaching judgments, we are moved by the

convicting Spirit to humble repentance. Then we can rise in newness of life, clothed in His rich

robes of righteousness to proclaim the message of His eternal kingdom.

Prior to the incarnation, in other-centered love for humanity, the Son of God laid aside His

majestic garments in order to tabernacle among men. He later laid aside His plain outer

garments (John 13:4,5) to wash the disciples feet thus they had a visual demonstration of

humility. In coming down to our level His purpose is to save and serve. Likewise by being filledwith the spirit of Christs other-centered love and humility we have the honor to daily lay aside

our garments, garments of pride and exclusivity in order to seek, save and serve according to


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our God-given ability IN HIS POWER and grace. This is our high calling. This is our entrusted

commission. Then it can be said of us,

Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;

that we should show forth the praises of him who hath called[us] out of darkness

into his marvellous light 1 Pet 2:9.

Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I

will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matt

25:23

Emptied Himself. Laid Aside - exactly what?In writing to the Philippians the apostle Paul in the original Greek translation made a profound

statement referring to the incarnation. This is how TheNew King James Version renders Phil 2:5-

11.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of

God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself [literallyemptied Himself] of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming

in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbledHimself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the

cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is

above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those inheaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue

should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-

11 (Bracketed comments added)

Well now briefly examine two Greek words contained in those passages. So please hang in therebecause this little exercise in Greek wont take long!

MADE = Emptied: In the Strongs Concordance (Hebrew and Greek dictionary) the word made comes from a Greek word meaning to empty or make empty. A number oftranslations more accurately render the word for made in Phil 2:7 as emptied as does the

Hebrew Names Version. It reads,

Have this in your mind, which was also in Messiah Yeshua, who, existing in the form

of God, didn't consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself... Phil 2:6-7 Hebrew Names Version

HUMBLED: The other word in the passage that is also significant revealing the kind of attitude

the son of man possessed is humbled. The Concordance lists definitions for the original Greek

word for humbledin verse 8 as follows

to make low, bring low;

to level, reduce to a plain

metaph. to bring into a humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances

to assign a lower rank or place to; 2) to abase

to be ranked below others who are honoured or rewarded

to humble or abase myself by humble living

to lower, depress of one's soul bring down one's pride

to have a modest opinion of one's self

to behave in an unassuming manner.

devoid of all haughtiness

We recognize the son of mans life was characterized by these traits. They were the EXACT


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opposite in character to the proud self-centered character of Satan, and, the correspondingcharacteristics of his apostate followers. In covetousness and selfish pride, Satan, and many

church leaders, magnify and exalt themselves in a desire to ascends while Christ on the other

hand, emptied Himself, and in humility condescends!!! Christ then poured out, or emptiedHimself of everything that would prevent him from doing all those things that are

necessary for accomplishing the plan of salvation. (See Isa 14:12-14; Rev 18:7; 2 Thess2:4; Dan 8:10,11,25; 9:26)

From Michael to Marys womb

From King to servantFrom Savior to Sacrifice:

Lets consider this word emptied. To empty something infers a transfer. Similarly, when Christ

emptied Himself, He essentially went from one place to another. (From heaven to our world.)

Even more specifically, He mysteriously relocated from one habitation, as glorious Michael, toanother habitation, and to the amazement and astonishment of angels, that place was a tiny

embryo located in Marys womb! He, the sinless one, poured Himself out of His heavenly existence

into a body that His Father chose and prepared for Him. And get this. It was a body from thegreat web of fallen humanity! He was made of a woman, made under the law of fallen heredity.

(See Gal 4:4; Heb 10:5; Rom 1:3,4; 8:3; Heb 2:14-18). It was the spiritualaspect of Michael(the mind, character, divinity, identity) that was transferred and impregnated into Mary.

The divine sinless one clothed His divinity with humanity. The two natures were mysteriouslyblended. So the Father gave His only begotten eternal Son to us as heavens greatest gift. And

not only that, throughout boyhood and manhood Jesus, lived to bless others. He poured out grace

into their hearts. This is illustrated in the parable Jesus presented of the Good Samaritan thatactually represents Himself! (Luke 10: 29-35). As far as we know, from the context of the whole

story, there was no limit to the degree of help the Good Samaritan was willing to give to help the

beaten up man (v.35). When Jesus saw the beaten abused and neglected man He was touchedwith sympathy and knew what it would have felt like to be in his shoes. He came down to his

level, laying aside His robe and bound up his wounds pouring in oil and wine

Binding up the wounds signifies His work of binding up the broken hearted. (Isa 61:1-3). Pouring

in oil signifies the impartation of the Holy Spirit (His spiritual life) to the spiritually wounded (Luke10:34) Scripture seems to indicate that the unfermented wine represents both the pure

doctrinal truth (which Christ pours into our soul) and life and forgiveness through His New

Covenant cleansing blood for the remission of sins (Song 5:1; 8:2; Joel 2:19,24; 3:18; Isa29:9,10; 55:1; Matt 26:26-28; Gen 35:14; Ex 29:40). And this is where our focus in this study

will be. Christ in you the hope of glory. Christ, represented here as the Good Samaritan, pours His

life and truth into our dependent fallen nature. He dwelt among men demonstrating how to liveand the kind of mind/attitude we should cultivate. As the good Samaritan paid the Innkeeper to

take care of the wounded beaten up man, whatever it cost, Christ has entrusted His church asInnkeepers to care for the spiritually wounded and beaten, while He heals and restores.

Heres a quote a friend shared with me that further illustrates this.

For Eternal Life is Knowing The ONLY TRUE GOD and Jesus Christ, Whom HE has sent.

And the best way to give His Gift of Eternal Life, The Word of Life, is through The Gift ofgiving Himself, or pouring out and emptying Himself into those, who would receive Him.

He gave Himself also to those, who would mishandle Him, to the point of death (to

themselves), even the death on the cross that all, who choose to receive Him, might beraised up with Him at His second coming. personal email dialogue, 2011

Christ emptied Himself or you could say poured Himself (His mind, divine identity and Spirit)into the flesh of men. Phil 2:7 indicates how Christ laid aside His visible divine splendor and

majesty IN THIS PROCESS of the incarnation. He humbled Himself. And this is the mind WE are tosink ourselves into and cultivate! Christ received to give. Each evening or morning His humanity

was recharged with the vital current of Heaven, daily He communed with His Father and received

a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In addition to this He was touched and refreshed by the littlecourtesies and favors done to Him by His friends.


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Good Samaritan

Rich in grace, not earthly gold,A monarch rejected, but truth is now told,A man full of love, what glory and grace to beholdHeavens King and commander from the thrones aboveIs kind to the ones needing to be lovedIncluding the wounded, the broken and oppressedTo give them hope and a future with the faithful and blessed.

The sovereign of heaven left His throne and crownRisking His life for those of little renown.Heres one example of His love divineWhere His heart on earth was bound with yours and mine.

This heaven-borne Samaritan the Jews despisedCouldnt leave to perish the man misfortune placed before their eyesYet in strange indifference they passed by on the other sideTo the watching angels wonder and surprise.

But another stooping low on the path they crossed,Drew a little closer to the man suffering lossHe saw He discerned His pain and shockInto the wounds He poured oil and wine,Not for one moment thinking t was a waste of time,Sealing with oil and the other combinedHe knew after a while hed recover and revive


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Tenderly placing him on his nearby beastThat could sense and feel this mans relief.He carried him on under the dim-lit moonTo the city in the dark that they would meet very soon.

When to the safety of an Inn they arrived,

Approaching the Innkeeper with pleading eyes,The Good Samaritan said; Take care of him, provide his meals,His comfort and lodging until he is healed.

No matter kind friend whatever it costsIll gladly repay your expenses youll suffer no loss.

You see I am a king although dressed as any manWith a heart that feels and caring hands.

I am on a journey and giving you a gentle commandBut you are free to reject or follow my stand.But I tell you my friend, when I return, abundantly Ill repay,Well done faithful servant gladly Ill say.

We are the city; we are the Innkeepers for the wounded outsideWith the reflection of the Good King in our hearts and eyes.We care for the needy, the broken the lost,The despised and rejected whatever the cost.Love pure and divine, strong and true,

Our King has revealed the work for me and you,That angels in our place would long do.

Jef f Wi lson

In following Christs example we ALSO are commissioned and privileged to empty ourselves, pour

out and give of ourselves to others, to esteem [them] better than ourselves and to put

ourselves in other peoples shoes. (Phil 2:3; Jer 48:11) Because to love God with all our soul,mind and strength AND our neighbor (anyone we come in contact with) as ourselves is the

fulfilling of the law of Christ (James 2:8; Gal 6:2; Luke 10:27). In giving we must also receive.Our spiritual and emotional love tank is to be refilled with the Holy presence of the divine

Comforter each day. We need each other to love and be loved also.

An informed and intelligent comprehension of the cross actually empowers and transforms the

truly converted born again believer to NATURALLY love and serve (2 Cor. 3:18; 5:14, 2 Cor. 4: 7-

12, See COL 312). The apostle Paul admonishes us, let this mind be in you as was also inChrist Jesus who being in the form of God [in mind, heart, character, purpose and nature]

emptied Himself even [to] the death of the cross How? By walking in our shoes and

becoming a humble servant to humanity! As Christ the last Adam empties His divine spiritual lifeinto consecrated born again believers through the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:4; 1 Cor 15:45), we

although not exactly the same way, are to empty ourselves into the needs of humanity in service,love and kindness and Jesus says, give [of yourselves] and it shall be given unto you in a

good measure! With Christ dwelling inside us we (His church-body) are the light of the world,


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cities in the worlds dark night (the church is a beacon of truth throwing light against falsehoodand error), the salt of the earth and rooted and grounded in love we are fruit bearing trees of

righteousness for the blessing of humanity. (1 Tim 3:16; 2 Cor 4:11; Jer 48:11; Luke 6:38; Matt

5:14; Isa 61:1-3)

Firstly, Christ poured Himself out from the heavenly body of visibly majestic Michael into babyJesus. Secondly He poured out His love, compassion and healing grace into the lives of men and

women. He was a servant of servants. This was illustrated during His few remaining days on

earth while He was with His disciples celebrating the Passover. While they were contending for the

highest place, to their wonder and surprise, He laid aside His outer garments, and in lovestooped down low and performing the task of a servant, began to wash their feet (Matt 18:1-5).

Thirdly, His ultimate self-emptying was at the cross. Here He poured Himself out completely. Theprophet Isaiah wrote the astonishing words that He poured out His soul [life] unto death!!!! (Isa

53:12) The drink offerings in the Hebrew sacrificial economy were faint shadows of the self-

emptying principle. In realization and expectation of Christs approaching death, Mary poured outher precious ointment upon Christs head and hair (Matt 26:7). The broken alabaster box was a

token of Christs brokenness in death, which Mary believed would come about and in tears and

whole-hearted love and devotion, she couldnt hold back in anointing His body beforehand prior toHis burial (Matt 26:12). There is another lesson to be learned with the broken alabaster box,

As the alabasterbox was broken, and filled the whole house with its fragrance, so

Christ was to die, His body was to be broken; but He was to rise from the tomb, and thefragrance of His life was to fill the earth. Christ "hath loved us, and hath given Himselffor us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." Eph. 5:2, DA p 563

The act of Christ in laying aside His outer garments and pouring out His fragrant lovedemonstrated to others the man that He really was. Compassionate. Thoughtful. Giving. And this

natural character of self-emptying was carried on well after His death. And after Christs

resurrection He kept self-giving. Instead of taking celestial flight back to the security and glory ofheaven, He lingered around for forty days ministering and speaking of things pertaining to the

kingdom of God. (See Acts 1:3) After His final ascension, glorification and coronation in heaven,when the [fiftieth] day of Pentecost had fully come, He poured out the Holy Spirit (His Spiritual

life/breath) without measure symbolized by fire as His crowning gift upon His church-bride. (John

20:22; John 14:18,23, 28; Matt 28:18,20; 1 Cor 15:45; John 6:63; Acts 2:1-4,17,18; 10:45;Prov 1:23; Isa 43:3; 45:8; Zec 12:10. Comp. Job 29:6 with Zec 4:11,12)

So far we have considered what Christs manifold self-emptying means. Now in our study we wantto move on and differentiate between the divine prerogatives Christ gave up (if we believe there

were some He did give up) and the ones He retained during the days of His flesh.

In view of a few Bible texts there are some that hold the position that in addition to laying asideHis former (visible) glory, royal majesty, and splendor, that Christ in assuming our human nature

laid aside ALL His natural divine attributes and only retained His divine character. Is that true? Itis thought that He laid aside His divinely inherited omniscience (all knowingness), omnipotence

(all powerfulness) omnipresence (ability to be everywhere present) and original un-borrowed

divine immortal life. But did He? According to Scripture and inspiration, aside from what happenedat Calvary, there are very strong indications that there was only one of these 4 attributes that the

Son of God laid aside - and that was only TEMPORARILY and only by default! That attribute was

omnipresence. For example: encumbered about with the personality of humanity, Christ couldnot possibly have been in Galilee, England, Switzerland, Germany, China, Australia, New Zealand

and America, as it then was, at the same time. At least there is no record in Scripture.

Otherwise how could He be our example? We need to remember,

Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, [in His own behalf See quote

below] that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that whichall His followers may possess, ifthey will be in subjection to God as He was. DA p.664

(Bracketed comments and emphasis added)

He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalfno

power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in thestrength given Him from God. DA 24 (Emphasis added)


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And this statement would not hold true if He had omnipresent ability WHILE on earth. This will bediscussed a lot further in the 3-fold Omni Paradox study. Therefore in this respect, there was a

tremendous degree of limitation that the son of man subjected Himself to in assuming our

human nature.

But it is important we dont take things further here. You will see that Christ laid aside by veilingHis former indescribable splendor, majesty and relinquished His omnipresence but as we will

explore from this study and the following one, there seems to be evidence from both Scripture

and the S.O.P. that He did not give up His other three divine attributes (omniscience,

omnipotence and immortality) exclusively unique to Him. Yet He still perfectly qualified as our fairexample. At the cross, and not before, Christ willingly gave up His immortal original un-borrowed

life, which had it not been for the resurrection, would have also meant automatically giving up(loosing) the other two divine attributes.

To many minds the death of Christ is a mystery. But does it have to be? Either Jesus diedcompletely or He did not die. Therefore, note carefully; given the fact in order to qualify as our

Savior and substitute, ample evidence indicates He must, and did, completely die like others that

have died before Him. Therefore any Scripture, or inspired quotation that APPEARS to suggest theSon of God did not truly die, needs further exploration and prayerful review.

Before we move on and ponder the question of Christs omnis and more details regarding the

nature of the Son of Gods death, we need paint a general background by taking our minds way,way back to what Christ originally possessed in a world of indescribable glory (STC p.13). Thenin looking at this broader picture on this canvass, we can consider what Christ laid aside in

relation to His incarnation, life and ministry and eventual death. Like a precious jewel in its

golden setting, Christs Sacrifice of epic proportion will become the focal point of the overallredemptive picture and something of beautiful mysterious attraction. We will behold Christs

incarnation, selfless life, self-sacrifice and triumph in death, mans salvation and the Son of Gods

glorification.

Who is Wisdom?

Few Christians would argue that before the incarnation the heavenly pre-existent Christ

(symbolically named Michael (One like God) the Prince of life, the prince of the kings of theearth Dan 10:21; Acts 3:15; Rev 1:5) possessed divine immortal life, glory, honor, power andmajesty long before the creation of the universe. He was the brightness [splendor] of [the

Fathers] glory and the express image (Heb 1:3) of His personality (Heb 1:3). The Father and

beloved Son were two in individuality, yet little short of being identical (YI December 16, 1897,par. 5.) Solomon describes the relationship between Michael/Wisdom/the Son of God and His

Father long ago. (Micah 5:2; Dan 3:25; Prov 30:4; Matt 22:45; John 8:57,58; John 1:1-8; Heb

1:1-3)

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength

[Wisdom is one of the names given to the pre-existent Son of God, see Matt11:19.b; 1 Cor 1:24, 30] The LORD possessedme [Wisdom] in the beginning of

his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, orever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there wereno fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills

was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the

highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there:when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds

above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his

decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed thefoundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was

daily his delight, rejoicing always before him. Prov 8: 14, 22 30 (Bracketedcomments supplied. See the first chapter of P.P.)

The pre-existent Son of God was the closest friend to His Father. The Father possessedwisdom from the beginning. In the Strong's Hebrew and Greek dictionary the word possessed

matches the Hebrew (qanah) literally meaning bought buy purchasedand interestingly

gotten. The word gotten is used in Gen 4:1 when Eve begat her first son. Although the Father


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possessed wisdom He did notpossess (own/control) a Son. Rather, He begat or brought forth aSon from the days of eternity (Greek family origin Micah 5:2) so far back beyond any human

computation before the world was formed. Everyday His only begotten Son was the Fathers

daily delight.

Among other names, the divine Son is named Wisdom because He possessed His Fatherscharacter. He was brimming with absolute counsel, wisdom, knowledge understanding,

((omniscience), 1 Chron 16:9; Prov 15:3), and strength (omnipotence), was everywhere present

(omnipresence); see Gen 1:2; Psm 139:1-13; Isa 63:9; 2 Cor 3:17; John 4:24; 2 Pet 1:21.

Moreover, He possessed immortal life. All these attributes were inherited from the Father (John5:26). As was said and as we will explore further on in this study in more detail, at the cross, and

NOT BEFORE, the Son of God had to lay down His immortality for a very specific reason - to dieAS US and in our place. (2 Cor 5:14, 21)

Now we will contemplate the two monumental attributes the Son of God laid aside inmysteriously blending the divine nature with the human one of these attributes sooner, the

other later in His life. We will discover four (4) divine attributes the Son of God retained and yet

for the most part of His life kept veiled/hidden. This was until He was anointed with power forministry (Isa 60:1-4; Matt 3:16-17). It was then that He naturally and easily employed those

miraculous powers for specific purposes like in dealing with sin and hypocrisy, ministering tohuman needs and relieving suffering, which gave evidence of His divinity as the Son of God. (See

Matt 9:8).

1.Laid Aside His Outward Majestic Glory(Poured Out From Majest ic Heavenly Michael Into theEmbryo in a womb of a young Israel i te named Mary! )

From the comprehensive quote above, we can see Christ laid aside His glorious garments(pontifical robes, reflective of His majesty and splendor Phil 2:5-7) He spiritually poured Himself

out from majestic Michael into fallen humanity and officiated as a sympathetic human/divinepriest (Phil 2:6,7) and offered Himself a sacrifice. He ascended to do His priestly work in the first

apartment (Dan 12:5-7) until 1844 when He entered the Holiest of all. After Christ finishes

performing His service in the Holy of Holies He will come a second time in glorious kinglygarments of whitest white, (signifying His incorruptible reinstated divine-human form) and in His

own glory, AND the glory of His Father, as King of kings and Lord of lords (See Heb 9:28; Rev

19:12,16)

It must have been a very severe ordeal for our Saviour to layaside His royalrobe, His kingly crown, [He left] His high command and clothed His divinitywith humanity that He might meet man where he was and for our salvation

As the high priest laid aside his pontifical dress, and

officiated in the white linen dress of a common priest, so

Christ emptied Himself, and took the form of a servant, andoffered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. As

the high priest, after performing his service in the holy of

holies, came forth to the waiting congregation in his

pontifical robes, so Christ will come the second time clothed

in glorious garments of the whitest white, "such as no fuller

on earth can whiten them." He will come in His own glory,

and in the glory of His Father, as King of kings and Lord of

lords, and all the angelic host will escort Him on His

way {1BC 1111.5}.


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*assumed human nature. - {Synthesized from: The Watchmen; SW, September 24,1907 pa. 2}; 1 SM 243 and {RH, September 26, 1907 par. 6} (*assumed = take

on, adopt)

Although we are not going to give attention to the Holy angels in this study, it might be

worth briefly noting the fact that Gods Son somewhat resembled them. Thats why He is

referred to a number of times in Old Testament Scripture as the angel [messenger] of

the Lord and the archangel (chief among the angels [messengers].) However, unlike

the angels Christ was not created. In fact, He created them! Scripture presents manyexamples of where Christ appeared to patriarchs and prophets in the form of a man or

angel. For example: the accounts of Abraham and Sarah, Hagar, Jacob, Moses, Balaam,

Gideon, Manoah, David, Joshua, and others (See: Gen. 16:7-9; 22:11,15; Ex. 3:2; Num.

22:32; Judges 6:12,21-22; 13:15-21; Zech. 3:1-7; etc.). The encounters Abraham,

Jacob, Moses, and Joshua had with the angel of the Lord are worth noticing.

Christ was the angel of His [Fathers] presence that saved them (Isa 63:9.) (Compare

with Psm 139:7,8 and Psm 51:11). The following is Daniels description of the pre-

existent Christ. (Compare it with Johns similar description in Rev 1:12-17)

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the greatriver, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain

man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also

was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of *lightning, and his eyes aslamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice

of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the

men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so thatthey fled to hide themselves. Dan 10:4-7 (*Note: Angels are often described as of

lightening appearance. (Eze 1:14; Matt 28:3. Comp Matt 24:27 with 25:31)

So this gives us a window into the nature of the glory Christ before He pitched His

tabernacle among men. Similar to the angels, Christs appearance was bright, majestic

and exceedingly beautiful. Lucifer the leading angel, was originally created and given an

exalted position as: -

the sharer of God's glory in heaven, and second to Jesus in power and majesty.

In the words of inspiration he is described as the one who "sealest up the sum, full of

wisdom, andperfect in beauty." (Bible Echo; November 1, 1892; par. 3).

"Had not the Lord made the covering cherub so beautiful,so closely resembling his

own image; had not God awarded him special honor; had anything been leftundone in the gift ofbeauty and power and honor, then Satan might have had

some excuse." (General Conference Daily Bulletins; March 2, 1897; par.34)

Yet we need to recognize the Son of God gave up more than His inherited splendor and beauty. He

gave up His royal majesty and kingly throne!!! He -

laid aside the heavenly honor and glory. He laid off His glorious diadem androyal robe, and left the royal courts, in order that He might come to earth to save

fallen man - RH Nov 26th 1895

Christ, the loved Commander in the heavenly courts, stooped from His high estate,

laid aside the glory that He had with the Father, in order to save the one lostworld. For this He left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him,

and came to this earth, to be "wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our

iniquities." (Isa. 53:5.) God gave Himself in His Son that He might have the joy ofreceiving back the sheep that was lost. COL 191

He was all the while as God, but He did not appear as God. He veiled thedemonstrations of Deity, which had commanded the homage, and called forth the

admiration, of the universe of God. He was God while upon earth, but He divested


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Himself of the form of God, and in its stead took the form and fashion of a man. Hewalked the earth as a man. For our sakes He became poor, that we through His

poverty might be made rich. He laid aside His glory and His majesty. He was

God, but the glories of the form of God He for a while relinquished. {5BC1126.8}

There was another reason why the Son of God veiled His outward visible majestic

glory. He could not display His heavenly glory on earth because when Jesus came to our

lost world He and His Father well understood that there needed to be a veiling. They

knew that He could not come like an angel of light. Therefore,

That we might behold it and not be destroyed, the manifestation of His glory was

shrouded. His divinity was veiled with humanity, -- theinvisible glory in the visiblehuman form. {DA 23.1}

Scripture reveals that the brightness of one angel at the empty tomb of Christ was so

intense that the Roman guard fell powerless to the ground. (Matt 28:1-4). Fallen beings

cannot endure the glory of undisguised/unveiled heavenly angels and neither could they

have endured to look upon the Son of the living God had He come in the glory of an

angel. The contrast would be too painful; mortals would be overwhelmed and

extinguished by the brightness.

That is why when the Son of God appeared to Moses at Sinai, Moses could not directly look upon

Him. Thou canst not see my face and live referring to the majesty and glory of the Son of Gods

presence (See Ex 33:18-23)

WhatdidChristLayAside?In connection with a half a dozen misunderstood texts, it appearsmany read Phil 2:7 and assumeChrist emptied Himself of His omnipotence, omniscience and His original, immortal, un-borrowed

divine (begotten) life. Is this true? With Phil 2:7 in mind, notice what the Spirit of Prophecy says

regarding the nature of Christs self-emptying. And if you follow closely the quotes suggest that it

was not scaling down in the personage, character, divine power, uniqueness or other personalqualities that consisted in Christs self-emptying experience. Rather it was purely a change of

location, a change of habitation which nevertheless was a monumental change.

He emptied Himself of His high prerogatives, left His mansions of glory, His

throne and high command, and became poor that we through His poverty mightbe made rich - April 22nd 1897

Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did self did not appear...Humannature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of

Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the

soul. {MYP 162.2}

For our sake Jesus emptied Himself of His glory; He clothed [veiled] His divinity

with humanity that He might touch humanity (ST April 18, 1892). {7BC927.1} Bracketed comment added

The whole world was His, but so completely did He empty Himself that during

His ministry He declared, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests;

but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" [Heb. 2:14-18 quoted] (MS 76,1903). {7BC 904.7}

In summary: The Son of God (Michael) gave up His throne. He left behind His former positionof indescribable glory in self-emptying by pouring His mind, Spirit, divinity and identity into a

body of flesh. He poured Himself out from heaven into a tiny baby under the care of a lower-class

family to later become a despised, rejected, accused, persecuted and derided homeless man. Hewho jointly owned the riches of heaven and created and jointly owned other worlds, self-emptied

of the right to occupy even a humble earthlyabode!!!


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Christs glorious exalted position among the angels and royal estate in heaven is what Ellen White

refers to as His divine prerogatives which, in love for man, He left behind and risked losing for

eternity. In becoming incarnate He simply could not bring those things into the world with Him. ToHim, His relationship and friendship with His Father, His glory and the salvation of precious souls

were more important than this heavenly wealth, mansions and privileges. As our example, theSon of God WAS indeed ALREADY completely emptied of self. There is a subtle difference.

However it is important to note that it was not at all necessary for Him to empty Himself of what

He was not naturally part of His nature or character. Not for one moment did self (selfishness)

exist in Him. (John 8:46). There was no place for pride and neither did he contend for His rights.Thats why He could say, The prince of this world cometh and hath NOTHING [no sel f ishness, nopr ide or cher ished s in etc. ] in me (John 14:30).Ultimately trough the divine gospel seed we are to let this mind/attitude transform us by

beholding Christ and in submission to Him allowing our mind to be blended with His mind, our

heart to be merged with His heart, and His will to be united with His will for a sanctified life ofself-giving and self-emptying.

From the following verse in John some mistakenly assume that Christ was

powerless to perform divine miracles for the glory of God

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall yeknow that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught

me, I speak these things. - John 8:28

"I do nothing of Myself," said Christ; "the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by

the Father." "I seek not Mine own glory," but the glory of Him that sent Me.John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is

the law of lifefor the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to

give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through thebeloved Son, the Father's life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in

praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus throughChrist the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great

Giver, the law of life. {DA 21.2}

By not yielding or indulging His own human will, by doing nothing of self-interest the

Christ demonstrated the great law of life principle for the universe.

It is in neglecting to follow the exact directions of the word of God that many err. They

turn away from God's plans, to follow their own ideas. Christ himself declared, "The

Son of Man can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for whatthings soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." So utterly was he

emptied of selfthat he made no plans for himself. He accepted God's plan for him, and

day-by-day the Father unfolded his plans. If Jesus was so wholly dependent, declaring,"I do nothing of myself...{ST, November 21, 1892 par. 2}

In relation to John 5:30, some translations say the Son of God did nothing on His own.

The greatest battle man will ever engage in is the battle against self and pride. And in

taking on humanity although He was sinless and undefiled Jesus was not exempt from

this battle either. Thats why He didnt follow the inclination of His own human will.

Everything He did was with the Father by His side.

Taking On Humanity: In taking on our human nature He was on probation. He did not

follow His own inclinations and seek or follow His own will. He underwent an astounding

change experiencing tremendous risk factors. God cannot be tempted . Michael in

the heavenly courts could not be tempted either, yet condescending as the Son of man

He certainly could. This is one reason He constantly depended upon His Father for grace

and guidance!

"If Christ had been deceived by Satan's temptations and exercised His miraculous


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power to relieve Himself from difficulty he would have broken the contract made withHis Father to be a probationer in behalf of the race" - RH April 1, 1875 (emphasis

added)

The Son of Gods Dependence on the Father

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just;

because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. - John

5:30

The following quotation shows to what extent the Son of God would go in emptying

Himself

"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a

commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his

commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Fathersaid unto me, so I speak." - John 7:49,50.

Here we see the Son of God fully emptied Himself fully into His Fathers will

CHRISTSDIVINITY:THERESULTOFHISINHERITENCEAS

THEONLYETERNALSONOFGODFor in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form Col 2:9 NAS

Satan had questioned whether Jesus was the Son of God. In hissummary dismissal he had proof that he could not gainsay [argue with].

Divinity [brightness, splendor, glory] flashed through suffering humanity.

Satan had no power to resist the command. Writhing with humiliation andrage, he was forced to withdraw from the presence of the world's

Redeemer. {DA 130.3} (bracketed comments added)

Christ had not exchanged his divinity for humanity; but he had clothed his

divinity in humanity, and he gave Satan the evidence for which he hadasked,-- showed him that he was the Son of God. Divinity flashed

through humanity, and the evil one could not resist the authority of the

divine voice {RH, October 29, 1895 par. 6}

The law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised, the blood

of the covenant counted an unholy thing. The spirits deny thedivinity of Christ, and place even the Creator on a level with

themselves. {GC88 552.2}

While upon this earth, the Son of God was the Son of man; yet

there were times when His divinity flashed forth. Thus it was whenHe said to the paralytic: "Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven

thee." Matthew 9:2. {8T 202.1}

CHRISTS DIVINITY CAN ALSO REFER TO HIS SINLESS CHARACTER (Heb 7:26; 1 Pet

2:22; Luke 23:4)

At times Christs divinity flashed through humanity, and He stoodforth as the Son of God, His veil of flesh too transparent to hide His

majesty RH March 26, 1901


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In summary: The Son of God made no plans for Himself. He did not follow His own ideas. He didnothing independent of His Fathers will. When the Son of God said, I can do nothing of myself

He was referring to the fact that He was not in a position to do anything to attract attention to

Himself or to promote His own glory. His object on earth was to do the will of Him that sentHim. He was in continual submission to His Father.

So far we have discussed the first example of contrast between the Son of God in heaven and the

Son of God incarnate. As we continue, a 3-part pattern will begin to emerge consisting of what He

was, what He left behind and humbly took upon Himself at great risk and what He took up again.

(See Matt 4:1-6; Heb 4:15; Mark 14:36; 5 BC 1128.) We first need to understand how divinityrelates to Christs Sonship with the Father as as can be seen from the quotations following on

from here.

THEMORALCHARACTER-HOLYSPIRIT-DIVINITYCONNECTION If you were to do a word search for divinity and character or divinity and the Holy

Spirit with Ellen Whites writings you would find dozens more references indicating the

three words are closely associated and often used interchangeably. Here are a couple of

examples

Hid within Himself thoseall powerful attributes which belonged to Him as one equal

with God. At times His divine character flashed forth with such wonderful power thatall who were capable of discerning spiritual things pronounced Him the Son of God- 3

SP p. 259

In contrast to the evil Satanic treatment of Christ, His character (meekness and

patience) and His identity as the Son of God was the substance of His divinity in contrast

to mans evil. Notice when the wise men came into the house they

saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and *worshipped Him.

(Matt 2:11. *See Matt 8:2; 9:18; 15:25)

Beneath the lowly guise of Jesus, they [the wise men] recognized the presence ofDivinity DA 63.2 (See Matt 2:11)

Christ's enemies had demanded a miracle as evidence of His divinity. They hadevidence far greater than any they had sought. His meekness and patience

[divine character] exalt Jesus above humanity, and prove His kinship to God. D. A.

p. 734.

In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed

that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain toperfection ofcharacter. AA p. 531

Man with his human nature becomes a partaker ofdivinity. Christ is honored in

excellence and perfection ofcharacter. COL p. 102

The humanity of Christ has touched our humanity, and our humanity has touched

divinity. Thus through the agency of the HolySpirit man becomes a partaker ofthe divine nature [divine character] He is accepted in the Beloved. DA 675

(bracketed comments added)

Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the

indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divinenature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us.

God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of

Christ, that we may attain to perfection ofcharacter. DA 123

Jesus is the outshining [brightness KJV] of the Father's glory, "and the express image [Greek:(charaktr] of His person" - Hebrews 1:3 See ED 132. The Greek word for express image only


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used once in the entire Bible literally meanscharacter.

The Son of God was the brightness of His Fathers glory. The Greek word for brightness

apaugasma is also used only once in the in the entire Bible and means, 1) reflected

brightness a) of Christ in that he perfectly reflects the majesty of God. 2) effulgence a)

shining forth, of a light coming from a luminous body b) out-raying. So much so that

Christ and His Father, although two separate individuals, were almost identical in

character.

From eternity there was a complete unity between the Father and the Son. They were

two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality, yet one in spirit, in heart

and character YI December 16, 1897, par. 5.

Now we will ponder the event of Christs self-abnegating love in light of His cross.

In summary: We have seen that prior to His incarnation the Son of God possessed great

indescribable glory, splendor and majesty, was highly honored by His Father and exalted

by the angels. In taking human nature He laid this aside, yet His divinity and deity was

veiled under His common humanity. His perfect sinless character and full divinity gave

evidence He was the Son of God. His divinity is our life (Col 3:4; 2 Tim 1:10) poured out

into us through His Spirit. Through His Holy Spirit we become partakers of the divine

nature. (2 Pet 1:4). We in turn become channels of blessing where living water flows

forth.

The diagram below presents the order of the 3 distinct and divine dispensations that

provide a window to the plan of salvation, Christs divinity and glorification.

______________________________________________________________________________

1.MICHAELTHEPRE-EXISTENTSONINTHEHEAVENLYCOURTS:InheritedDivineImmortalOriginalLife,PossessedMajesticBrightnessandSplendor.Received

Exaltation,Honor,GloryandPraise

_____________________________________________________________________

2.JESUSVOLUNTARYINCARNATIONONEARTHLaid aside His former glory, exaltation, praise, splendor, honor and majesty. Veiled His all-

powerfuldivineattributesofomniscienceandomnipotenceselflesslyemployingthemONLYon

behalf of others for the glory of God and for the purpose of the kingdom. He naturally

possesseddivineimmortaloriginallifethroughHisrelationshiptotheFatherbutlaiditdownat

thecross!!!

_____________________________________________________

3.POST-DEATH/RESURRECTION/CHRISTGLORIFIED:

Christs divine immortal life, power, glory and omniscience. Omnipresence, was

reinstatedtoHimafterHisresurrection.InadditionHeisgivenahighlyexalted name

[God]aboveeveryname.

_____________________________________________________


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2. Calvary: When The Son of God LaidDown His immorta l l i fe As in Holy Scripture there are a number of quotations in the Spirit of Prophecy that seem

contradictory. Consider for example Ellen G. Whites 1 SM 301.1 statement "divinity did

not die". On a surface level, when compared to some of her other quotations, this one

APPEARS contradictory. But quotes like these, and other difficult Bible texts, are more

like paradoxes than contradictions, and when understood correctly they reveal great

hidden truth. So what did Ellen White mean when she said concerning the Son of Gods

death, divinity did not die? Did she mean, because Jesus possessed divinity, He couldnot completely die? And if thats the case, did Jesus merely undergo a pseudo (make-

believe) death experience, where His physical body expired in death while His soul

mysteriously lived to wing its way back to heaven? IF we take that position, then are we

in danger of compromising our firmly held-to protestant belief of the non-immortality of

the soul that rightly proposes when our body dies we die? (i.e. like an extended sleep).

In taking the position that Christs death was only physical, is it possible we are

inadvertently spiritualizing away truth? Do we take the Bible for what it reads by

carefully comparing Scripture with Scripture? Firstly, in view of the word divinity that is

key to this study, maybe we need to back up a little and ask what is divinity? According

to the Strongs Concordance Hebrew and Jewish Dictionary divinity means godlike,divine, godhead, supreme, greatness, and, majesty.

Lets think now about the association between Christs divinity and His death. Divine

immortal life was bestowed back to Gods only begotten Son AFTER His death

immediately AT His resurrection (Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:44,45.) In consistency as our

example, before the cross Christ never worked a miracle on His own behalf. At the cross

He proved that He had loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Heb 1:9). Thats when

His victorious life was perfected (Luke 13:32). Now He could say, just as He prophesied

earlier, Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take

it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay I it down of myself. I have power [from

my Father] to lay it down, and I have power to take it [receive it] again. Thiscommandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17,18. (Bracketed comment

added). We need to pause here for a moment to determine exactly what Jesus was

Jesus birth was different to any other birthWho among us has a heavenly pre-existence and was expressly

born of the Holy Ghost?

Jesus life was different to any other life

Who among us has inherited the nature and name God, beenworshiped and adored by angels and lived 100% pure without sin?

Jesus death was different to any other deathWho among us or has power to lay down their life and take it

up again?


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saying here. Therefore we need to understand what He meant by take it again because

our understanding of these words will determine our understanding of this key text.

The word take has two Greek forms in this text. When Jesus says No man takes itfrom me the Greek word is Strong's #142 airo which is translated take up or take

away. It is a unilateral action; a removal by one party without any associated

transfer from another party.

But when He says He will take it again John uses a different Greek word, Strong's

#2983 labo, labein, elabon. Various forms of lambano which is translated as eithertake or receive because it is a reciprocal action. There is a transfer of something

from a giver to a receiver. (Gary Hullquist, Theos Magazine Vol 2 p 12.)

In other words when Christ said I take it [my life] again He took back as He received it

from His Father. The two unusual divine events concerning Christ in laying down His life

and taking it again were nothing less than miraculous. His life was not merely a life

that was taken but a life that was given. the good shepherd giveth his life for the

sheep(see John 10:11). His was no ordinary death. Men could destroy His human body

but no man could destroy His divinity. Only the Son Himself of His own will had power

[from His Father] to lay it down and power to take [labo receive] it again. But

notice, according to verse 18, this miracle was not independent of the Father. It wasONLY because of the Fathers re-bestowal of life to the Son after He had been

dead in the tomb, that the Son of God could say, I have power to take it again.

I am the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25). He who had said, I lay down my

life, that I might take it again (John 10:17), came forth from the grave to life thatwas in Himself. Humanity died; divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ

possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has lifein Himself to quicken whom He will. {1SM 301.1}

After He cried with a loud voice, commended His spirit to His Father, He gave up the

ghost. He slept unconsciously in Josephs tomb. Divinity did not die [the second eternal

death], in the sense that the spirit of Jesus slept in the tomb with His body. - SPVol 3 pp. 203,204. His sleeping form simply had to be reactivated and called forth from

the tomb by His Father.

When the voice of the mighty angel was heard at Christ's tomb, saying, ThyFather calls Thee, the Saviour came forth from the grave by the life that was in

Himself. Now was proved the truth of His words, "I lay down My life, that I

might take it [receive it again] again. . . . I have power to lay it down, and Ihave power to take it again." Now was fulfilled the prophecy He had spoken to the

priests and rulers, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." John10:17, 18; 2:19. {DA 785.2} (Bracketed comment added)

Remember: Jesus was GIVEN all power from His Father Mat 28:18. The Son of God bythe power of choice could lay down His life. But an important point needs to be made

right here. We need to recognize that this was by no means an easy task. It was not a

matter of waving a mystical wand and suddenly collapsing in some kind of charade-like

death; it was not a sudden death like that of Ananias and Sapphira experienced. (Acts

5:5). It was not like an elderly person who lies down to sleep in a soft bed at night never

to rise again until the resurrection. Laying down His life involved a tremendous struggle

involving extreme mental and emotional suffering. This fact is indicated in the Garden of

Gethsemane which we will revisit later.

Over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, Christ had proclaimed in triumph, "I am theresurrection, and the life." These words could be spoken only by the Deity. All

created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of

the life of God. From the highest seraph to the humblest animate being, all arereplenished from the Source of life. Only He who is one with God could say, I


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have power to lay down My life, and I have power to take it again. In Hisdivinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. {DA

785.3}

It was only in His divinity as the Son of God that Christ possessed the power to break the

bonds of death. Christ, the eternal only begotten of the Father, directly inherited and

possessed life and power more completely than any other creature. Apart from the

preservation of Christs character and identity, if we hold that the Son of God did not

FULLY AND COMPLETELY die at Calvary, but that it was only a human sacrifice like the

martyrs, then we will have trouble trying to harmonize the above quotations with the

following one.

Remember that Christ risked all; "tempted like as we are," he staked [risked]

even his own eternal existenceupon the issue of the conflict. Heaven itself

was imperiled for our redemption. At the foot of the cross, remembering that forone sinner Jesus would have yielded up his life, we may estimate the value of a

soul. {GCB, December 1, 1895 par. 22} (Emphasis added)

Christs divinity (character/identity) did not die the second death. It slept [indicating the 1st death] in

the tomb with His dead body.

"When He (Jesus) closed His eyes in death upon the cross, the soul of Christ did notgo . . . to heaven. . . . The spirit of Jesus slept in the tomb with His body, and

did not wing its way to heaven, there to maintain a separate existence, and tolook down upon the mourning disciples embalming the body from which it had taken

flight. All that comprised the life and intelligence of Jesus remained with Hisbody in the sepulchre; and when He came forth it was as a whole being; He

did not have to summon His spirit from heaven. He had power to lay down His

life and to take it up again.... It was no marvel to the heavenly host that He whocontrolled the power of death, and had life in Himself, should awaken from the sleep

of the grave. But it was a marvel to them that their loved Commander should die for

rebellious men." SP Vol 3 pp. 203,204 (emphasis added)

IMMORTALITYVERSUSANINFINATESACRFICE

They (Jewish priests) were not conscious that type had met anti-type, that an

infinite sacrifice had been made for the sins of the world. D.A, p. 774.

When Christ laid down His precious life He not only laid down his human life but His

divine life. He died not only as the son of man but He died as the only begotten Son of

God! This is why Christs death is referred to by inspiration as an infinite sacrifice

the Lord of glory was dying, a ransom for the race. On yielding up His

precious life, Christ was not upheld by triumphant joy. All was oppressive gloom The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not

present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of theFather's acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive toGod that their separation was to be eternal. D. A. p. 753.

C.S. Longacre points out

If it were true as some believe that Christs divinity was not surrendered and laid

on the altar of sacrifice, and that He did not give His life back to God who gave

Him life when He was begotten in the beginning, then Christs fears were entirelyungrounded, when he feared that sin was so offensive to God that their

separation was to be eternal. C.S. Longacre 1947, p. 7, The Deity of Christ

If Christ failed to endure the test before Him, if He had yielded to the tempters subtlety

and constant assaults by retaliation or escape, then He risked nothing but His humanityand could have ascended back to His glorious former estate as the exalted majesty in

heaven with the Father. But the Spirit of Prophecy states,


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Remember that Christ risked all. For our redemption; heaven itself was

imperiled. - C. O. L. p. 198.

Christ risked all with the chance of eternal separation from the long intimate and strong

relationship with the Father. This was not the kind of death that involved merely a loss of

one less person to the sinful race. Christ risked all and all implies a lot more than His

human nature. Not only Christs eternal nature would be lost, but the entire human race

would be at stake! Heaven itself was imperiled in our redemption!!!!! An unusualdarkness enveloped the cross. At the end of three hours while experiencing mentally and

physically excruciating pain, the worst was yet to come the Son of God cried out in

horror and despair "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me," Dying hanging there on the

cross the Son of God was unaware of the Fathers presence. While the divine Son was

still alive, a light signifying His Fathers presence encircled the cross.

When Christ said: "Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit," "a light encircled

the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone With a glory like the sun. He thenbowed His head upon His breast and died." - DA p. 756.

The Father and the Holy angels had left the courts of heaven during the monumental

Sacrifice of the Son of God. While He, and the whole earth, were enveloped in darkness

for three hours, the Father was close by. Therefore the Son of God did not send

His Spirit to heaven. His immortal life, His Deity, His divinity, which He inherited

from the Father was committed back to Him. The Father did not take that life back

to heaven. He left it in the tomb with His Sons dead form as indicated in the following

inspired quotation

"When He (Jesus) closed His eyes in death upon the cross, the soul of Christ did notgo . . . to heaven. . . . The spirit of Jesus slept in the tomb with His body, and

did not wing its way to heaven, there to maintain a separate existence, and to

look down upon the mourning disciples embalming the body from which it had taken

flight. All that comprised the life and intelligence of Jesus remained with Hisbody in the sepulchre; and when He came forth it was as a whole being; He

did not have to summon His spirit from heaven." SP Vol 3 pp. 203,204

From the above quote we see clearly the Son of God had no consciousness in death.

Jesus retained the general attributes of divinity and absolute sinlessness in CHARACTER

(Heb 7:26). Yet should be understood He needed to satisfy "Justice" and qualify not only

as our Savior but as our substitute. According to Heb 2:9 He chose to taste death for

every man by dying AS US(2 Cor 5:14, 21; 1 Cor 15:3) and AS WE DESERVE, to deliver

us from an eternal death/separation from God! (See Isa 53:10-12; Heb 2:14,15). The

son of man laid down His immortal life at the appointed time (Heb 9:26; Dan 9:26). Heneeded to lay aside His naturally INHERITED immortal life (John 5:26), which He also

previously possessed in the heavenly courts.

TheInfiniteSacrifice:Tasting death for every man

In taking upon human nature, by the grace of God, Jesus would taste death for every

man (Heb 2:9). He suffered the worst kind of pre-death experience imaginable He

tasted the second death, which is eternal separation from His Father and closest

companion!!!! That is why even in the garden of Gethsemane, before any cruel hand or

blow came down upon Him, before any weapon of affliction or instrument of torture was


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used against Him, under extreme mental anguish He sweated great drops of blood!!

(Luke 22:44).

He asked the Father to take away this cup of extreme psychological and emotional

suffering (separation from God by becoming sin for us something His sinless soul

recoiled from, and, up until then, had never experienced before!).

What kind of death did the divine

Son of God suffer?

Christ was suffering the death that was pronounced upon the transgressors

of God's law. -- Manuscript 35, 1895. {7ABC 463.3}

So Jesus wondered if the bitter cup of suffering could ever possibly pass from Him and if

there was any other way out. Andthere wasnt!!! (Mark 14:36; Heb 2:14-17; Isa

53:10-12; Psm. 88:6,7, Lam 1:12.) The solemn tone of Rev 14:10 indicates that the

undiluted wrath of God equates to eternal separation from God (the second death.)

Was Christ drinking from this cup of separation? Yes indeed!! Christ suffered in mans

place. In Gethsemane, He staggered under the terrible horror of the guilt of sin (7ABC

463.2). The Redeemer drains the mysterious cup [of suffering] even to its dregs

(Testimony for the Church Vol. 2, p 211).

In the following boxed text are excerpts from Testimonies to the church volume 2 that

present some powerful insights of what took place at the cross.

He was overwhelmed withhorror at the fearful work that

sin had wrought. His burdenof guilt, because of man's

transgression of the Father's

law, was so great that humannature was inadequate to

bear it. The sufferings of

martyrs can bear nocomparison with the agony of

Christ. The divine presence

was with them in their

sufferings; but the Father'sface was hidden from His dearSon.-- Ibid. {7ABC 463.1}


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Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and

see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow,

which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath

afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger (Lam 1:12)

His The sins of a lost world were upon Him and overwhelmingHim. It was a sense of His Father's frown, in consequence of sin,which rent His heart with such piercing agony and forced from Hisbrow great drops of blood, which, rolling down His pale cheeks, fellto the ground, moist

epic sacrifice (the incarnation era)

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