In my heart, I pray our Heavenly Father will influence all who read this article to benefit from its content. As a brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and child of the living Elohim (GOD), grace and peace be to each of you. I attempt to argue for truth by leaning directly upon the Holy Scriptures. I subscribe to the following.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to Elohim (G-D) for you, brethren beloved of the Lord because Elohim (G-D) hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
John 5:37 (KJV) And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape.
What an interesting statement for us to contemplate when considering this information in the light of our reading of the Old Testament. We read that people did hear Yahuah’s (God’s) voice and had seen his shape! We can be sure that Yahusha (Jesus) was not mistaken because he spoke with certainty. As a matter of fact, I can’t recall of a single instance when Yahusha (Jesus) spoke in an uncertain manner. Let us consider a plausible explanation for Yahusha (Jesus) very clear statement.
But first, let us examine some of the places in the Old Testament where Yahuah (the Lord) was being heard, observed and engaged in a person to person communication.
The incidents of close contact with the Elohim ( God ) of ancient Israel was spoken of often. Broadcasting abroad these many unusual happenings caused great fear to come upon the peoples of the other nations. I’m sure there was also an interest in knowing more about this particular Elohim (God ) of Israel, Yahuah, which was so active in the lives of the Israelite people.
It is very easy to digress. I have assembled a number of Old Testament verses to support the claim that Elohim (God) of Israel was heard and also seen by many.
Genesis 32:30 (KJV) So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw (Elohim) God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
Genesis 33:11 (KJV) And (Yahuah) the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
Exodus 24:11 (KJV) But (Elohim) God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw (Elohim) God, and they ate and drank.
Numbers 11:24 (KJV) And (Yahuah) the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him (Moses), and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
John 1:18 (KJV) No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
All translations are of value in my opinion when studying and striving to realize what our Heavenly Father may desire to reveal to us through his Holy Spirit. I am going to present a number of other Bible versions for your examination. I would that we were all worthy of intimate revelation such that was experienced by our ancient fathers. Let us be obedient to Yahuah’s commandments in order to manifest our love for him.
John 1:18 (NIV) No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
I want to emphasize what seems of particular interest to me in this verse. God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side. This says to me that Yahusha ( Jesus ) is the only God that men have had to do with. All power, judgment, and response have been placed with him regarding this creation which of course includes us, humans. Yahusha (Jesus) has told us that his God is our God and his Father is our Father. I believe this. Yahusha (the Son) lead the Israelites out Egypt and guided their path from inside a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night. This he did before putting becoming incarnated with flesh, bone, and blood. but Spirit. What are your thoughts regarding this declaration by the Only Begotten? Yahsha (Jesus) gives all glory to the Father (Yahuah) speaks and acts on his behalf. Who do you imagine spoke to Moses from the burning bush that was not consumed? You are right, “Yahusha (Jesus). HalleluYah!!!
John 20:17 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
We should explore or want to understand in what way his Father is our Father and his God is our God. Let us continue with more translations of John 1:18 and see just what may be discovered.
John 1:18 (NAS) No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
This version clearly declares Jesus’ divinity without question. Yet, he is separate from God the Father though he is ever so close to the Father. Being in the bosom suggests an intimate relationship with him.
John 1:18 (The Message) No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day.
John 1:18 (Amplified Bible) No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].
I like this version because it explains in more detail and therefore is in more comprehensible terms. I do hope you will not be impatient with a few more versions.
John 1:18 (Contemporary English Version) No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.
John 1:18 (Darby Translation) No one has seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, *he* hath declared [him].
John 1:18 (New International Reader’s Version) 18 No one has ever seen God. But God, the one, and only Son is at the Father’s side. He has shown us what God is like.
John 1:18 (Today’s New International Version) No one has ever seen God, but the one and only [Son], who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
There are yet quite a number of other English translations to reference but the ones available to me at this time contribute little differences. I hope you have found these worth your time. There has been in relatively recent times the claim of having seen and heard both the Heavenly Father and his only-begotten Son at the same time. After having read John 1:18 from these many bible versions, what would most Christians believe about this claim? False, of course! No wonder such a person would reap the wrath of Yahuah (the LORD, GOD). Consider this verse and be cautious about what claims you embrace.
Deuteronomy 18:20 (KJV) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
A person guilty of this wickedness has no love, belief or fear of Elohim (GOD). The motive for such behavior is self-interest. The penalty for such a person or persons is certain. Far to many men have paid the promised price.
Numbers 14:14 (KJV) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou (Yahweh) LORD art among this people, that thou (Yahuah) LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10 (KJV)
9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;
10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before (Yahuah) the LORD thy God in Horeb, when (Yahuah) the LORD said unto me (Moses), Gather me (Yahuah) the people together, and I (Yahuah) will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me (Yahuah) all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
Deuteronomy 4:12 (KJV) And (Yahuah) the LORD spake unto you (the people) out of the midst of the fire: ye (the people) heard the voice of the words (of Yahuah), but saw no similitude (no shape or form); only ye heard a voice.
Deuteronomy 4:33 (KJV) Did ever people hear the voice of (Yahuah) God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
Deuteronomy 5:24-26 (KJV)
24 And ye said, Behold, (Yahweh)the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard (Yahweh)his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that (Elohim) God doth talk with man, and he (Yahweh) liveth.
25 Now, therefore, why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of (Yahweh)the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.
26 For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of (Yahweh)the living (Elohim) God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?
Deuteronomy 18:16 (KJV) According to all that thou (the people) desiredst of (Yahuah) the LORD thy (Elohim) God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me (the people) not hear again the voice of (Yahuah) the LORD my (our) (Elohim) God, neither let me (the people) see this great fire any more, that I (we) die not.
Deuteronomy 23:14 For (Yahuah) the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.
