The Testimony of the Psalms (III)

Introduction

This edition of our Newsletter continues to discuss the prophecies presented in the book of Psalms about the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Jesus as the begotten Son of the Father revealed in the book of Psalms, is discussed.

Divine Decree of Sonship

 I will declare the decree of Jehovah. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession” (Psa 2:7-8).

The first truth to be understood from the above scripture is that the “My Son” does not refer to any creature or man other than the Christ. On this note, Paul argues “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” (Heb 1:5, 13).

In God´s declaration of Jesus as the Son, a reference was made to a specific day. However, this sonship was announced many times before the death of Christ. When Jesus had been baptized and had come out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descending upon Him, a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mat 3:16-17).

Also, at the time of His transfiguration, it is written that when a bright light overshadowed the disciples, a voice was heard in the cloud, saying, ” This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear Him”. This voice put the disciples on their knees as they were greatly terrified (Mat 17:5-7).

It has been recorded again, that, when all things written about Jesus concerning His death were fulfilled, He was taken down for burial but God raised Him again from the dead. He thus walked among people for many days. It is added that the gospel that was preached was the promise that was made to their fathers but has been fulfilled to the children. That is, raising Jesus, as written in the book of Psalms “You are My Son, this day I have begotten You” (Acts 13:29-33).

From the above paragraph, the reference to “this day”, does not refer to the day Christ Jesus was born but the day He was raised from the dead. Paul intimates that the gospel of God was promised to the early fathers through the Prophets as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and this promise was about His Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, who was marked out the Son of God according to the mighty power of God, and the Spirit of Holiness by the resurrection from the dead (Rom 1:3-4). Paul reiterates that as Aaron was, so also Christ did not glorify Himself to be a High Priest but the one who said to Him “You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Heb 5:4-5).

The election of Aaron as a High Priest was based on the budding of his rod (Num 17:1-11). It was this budding of Aaron´s rod that silenced the mouths of his enemies. Similarly, the resurrection of Christ quieted His adversaries who doubted the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:8) and that established His authority as a Son.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead sealed His sonship as the only begotten Son of God. Jesus was acknowledged and declared the Son by virtue of His victory over sin and death. Therefore, God says to Him” You are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Psa 2:7). “Today” refers to that day that Christ completed divine assignment.

Prayer:

May the Lord God of heaven and the earth accept you to be His own as He gives you the grace to realize your mission on earth. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

The Testimony of the Psalms (II)

Introduction

This thesis details the position of Christ Jesus in heaven as revealed in the book of Psalms. The Psalmist testifies that The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psa 110:1). Here, it is explained that the “Lord” as mentioned in the scripture, speaks of the Christ.

Christ´s Exalted Position

Jesus Christ, after His resurrection from the dead, ascended into heaven where He intercedes for believers (Rom 8:34). It has been recorded that the Lord Jesus, after having spoken to His disciples, was received into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mk 16:19). It is further read that:

“After saying this, Jesus was taken up while those who had gathered together were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, two men in white robes stood right beside them. They asked, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand, looking up toward heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go up into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11).

Christ has been exalted to sit with God in the Heavens (Acts 2:33). So we have a High Priest who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens (Heb 8:1). Paul admonishes believers to seek those things that are above if they have risen with Christ (Col 3:1-2).

Jesus has many times been referred to as the “the Son of David” (Mat 1:1, Mat 9:27, Mat 15:22, Mk 10:47), Jesus, in referring to the scripture in Psalms, argues that if David himself said that “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David, therefore, calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?” (Luk 20:42-44). Therefore, the “Lord” that David spoke about is nobody but the Christ Himself. This implies that Jesus is greater than David.

Stephen had a personal revelation about Jesus in Heaven. When he was being killed, he also testified that he saw heavens opened and Jesus Christ was standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56).

While Christ is seated on the right hand of God, angels, authority, and powers have been made subject unto Him (1Pet 3:22). Jesus assured His accusers that after His death, they shall see Him sitting on the right hand of power (Mar 26:64).

Why is Christ Seated

From the preceding paragraph, Stephen narrates that Jesus was standing but other authors say that  Jesus is seated. This does not mean that the scriptures contradict themselves because Jesus is not an idol. He moves and He may stand before God to intercede for His children as already mentioned above in Rom 8:34.

Christ was not made to sit on the right hand of His majesty when His mission on earth was not accomplished. Paul, therefore, writes that “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God (Heb 10:12). He sat down after having endured the cross through much suffering, shame, and pain (Heb 12:2). A place of honor awaits all who through endurance complete their God-given mission.

Conclusion

David, being a prophet of God, foresaw that the right hand of God was reserved for Jesus Christ after He has offered Himself for the remission of the sins of the world. The Lord who was made to sit on the right hand of God was Christ Jesus. Jesus, therefore, speaks that the Psalms also testifies about Him.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, help us to complete our mission on earth and give us rest in a place of honor, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.