An update on my Bible study group's Christology study

Who comes (rides) on the clouds ?

Logos Bible Search (come OR ride) NEAR clouds

Jesus in human flesh did not need to convince other humans about Jesus being human, but Jewish Rabbi Jesus did need to prove what spiritually dwelt inside His Holy human body (spiritually different than all other humans on earth). Daniel 7 is written in Aramaic (Daniel 8 is written in Hebrew, like most of the old covenant). Ezekiel has phrase "son of man" spoken by יהוה Lord to Ezekiel (in Hebrew), but not "the son of man".

Logos Bible Search (a OR the) BEFORE 1 WORD "son of man" finds Daniel 7:13 along with New Testament references to Daniel 7:13

What does the phrase "the Son of Man" mean ?

Philippians 2:5-11 LEB (with Hebrew words usually translated by Jewish scholars in LXX: יהוה as Lord & אלהים as God) => Think this in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of אלהים God, did not consider being equal with אלהים God something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a slave, by becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross. Therefore also אלהים God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is יהוה Lord, to the glory of אלהים God the Father.

Who is יהוה Lord Jesus ?

Keep Smiling 😊

 @Bill_Coley ,

Bill, I believe this is not a "Christology Study" Group. This GroupGroupaymen is vulnerable and unskilled, many with good intentions being led astray from Christ-like sheep to the slaughter. They are being led astray by one who should know better by age, time, training, and spiritual development. A new year has not changed my opinion of what we are and have done.

This is not a study of Christ. This is pure evil and diabolical! To drag innocent people down the gangway to doubt Christ's Divinity is spiritual murder! You're making yourself a tool of Satan. If you don't check yourself, practice Biblical skills and humble yourself by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, this group will be ripened to become a "Synagogue of Satan." You and this so-called Christological Study Group are marinating yourself to morph into the latest Twenty-first Century Cult.

This is not "critical thinking" or biblical criticism. It's an attempt to dismantle the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures in broad daylight and hopes no one will call you out on it. Some may label your years of work and thousands of posts relegating the status of Christ, equivalent to spreading excrement on the name, power, holiness, and sacrifice. I would be inclined to concur with them.

Stop this madness! A man of the cloth and church Pastor has become a "silver-tongued" peddler of destruction. @Bill_Coley, what you are doing violates every principle of Biblical Interpretation. Cherry-picking texts out of context is different from understanding who Christ is. The method you have chosen alone leans itself to turn one away from Christ. Your presupposition disqualifies you from doing or leading this group to do a so-called "Christology Study ." This is a joke and a Spiritual travesty.

• Interpreting the Bible from personal interests blurs reality and hinders progress toward Truth. 
• You don't allow the Bible to express itself without conditionality. 

Please review a proper method of Biblical Interpretation. That is "Hermeneutics" (the science of Biblical Interpretation). It's a sacred duty to lead men and women to study to increase their faith in Christ.

See the Source list below. I want you to know better to do better. The famous and time-honored Reformation principle repeated in modern times, namely that "Scripture is its own interpreter" or "the Bible is its own expositor" derives entirely from Scripture (for example, Luke 24:27; l Cor 2:13; 2 Pet 1:20). It means that "Scripture interprets Scripture" that one portion of Scripture interprets another, becoming the key to other, less clear passages. This procedure involves collecting and studying all parts of the Bible of passages dealing with the same subject so that each may aid in interpreting the other. CM

SOURCES:

• Gerhard Maier, Biblical Hermeneutics [Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1994], pp. 402-409)
• Yarchin, William. History of Biblical Interpretation. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004.
• BERKHOF, L. Principles of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1950. 169 pp. An excellent introduction to hermeneutical principles, with ample illustrations and references to more significant works written from the conservative point of view.

@Keep_Smiling_4_Jesus,

Thanks for your response above on the valued pointers and resources on Greek and Hebrew texts.

I can think of several:

• To honor the Lord.
• Affirm the contextual and composite passages in the Bible on the Divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
• Exercise a greater degree of humility. He doesn't know it all.
• Allow the Holy Spirit to convict and convert him to biblical truth.
• It's the message (Divinity of Christ) and not the messenger (@CM).
• He needs to settle his soul before guiding others in uncharted territories.
• It's a simple request from a fellow poster for personal faith ("seekers") and Christendom.

What's yours, @Keep_Smiling_4_Jesus?

Your quote above seems to be your primary concern. "My quirkiness" usage is a combination (of "compiled from a list of Sources," further reading on the subject matter, personal views, and "using quotes from source(s) to show ideas from someone else."

Does it matter? The bottom line is, what is true? Are you suggesting my contributions have no value in these forums? But most of all, despite the limited posters, is there no place for me in these forums? Like it or not, I try to cut through the stuffy terms and sometimes oversized words to understandable "the common people's language." Even if one doesn't think I am doing an excellent job at it, this is my intention. I will continue to share in light of the support of the biblical text. Besides, if I err in my quest, I leave behind other voices of scholars and references for the reader to explore independently similarly, as you do with less rank.

We say things in these forums that annoy one another, seemingly intentionally and unintentionally. Through it all, principle truth flows, upholding the unadulterated biblical veracity. e.g., your overuse of the red heart, "the term "Messiah Jesus," an exceedingly long excerpt from your library sources, etc. Like it or not, I am sure you intend to enlighten and be of help. It is like a marriage without the "forever." We adjust to one another, and change comes over time and without coercion.

Each poster's contribution, regardless of how distinctive, benefits the conversation. However, eternal truth remains the goal to be proclaimed. CM

Like our Holy Lord God, I have no desire for anyone to spend the rest of eternity away from Holy God's ❤️ Love. Every creature currently being tormented freely choose to believe/trust & ❤️ love something more than Holy God.

My primary concern is guarding my heart ❤️ in daily spiritual warfare: the only worthwhile self focus is first ❤️ Loving Holy God with all of me so Holy God's Living ❤️ Love can flow through me to ❤️ Love myself and ❤️ Love my neighbors as myself ❤️

An observation is synopsis summary can cherry pick ideas from a variety of sources (with @C Mc belief ideas embedded, which is similar to @Bill_Coley embedding personal faith belief ideas in verse commentary).

To me, quoting from source(s) shows something to consider without my belief ideas embedded. Also my quotes show source(s) NOT participating in this discussion.

Curious about something being hidden or protected ?

My desire is discerning Holy God's eternal truth. Our spiritual adversary is a master manipulator of twisting truth with falsehood(s).

No suggestion made. FWIW: I choose to inquire about purpose of ad hominem words for @Bill_Coley (instead of flagging January 23 reply for Christian Discourse guideline review) while wondering how much of @C Mc was described in exhortation ?

Humanly is easier to see specks in someone else as described in Matthew 7:1-5 LEB =>

Thankfully Celebrate Recovery is helping me to remove the beam of wood from my own eye. My third step study is nearing completion of Participant Guide 2, which focuses on Principle 4: Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. "Blessed the pure in heart, because they will see God." (Matthew 5:8) with Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (Lamentations 3:40).

At times, red heart ❤️ reminds me of Holy blood shed in the scourging & crucifixion of our Righteous King יהוה Yeshua HaMashiach, which helps me imagine God's Holy blood cleansing my sin away from me after my repentance choice from sin & agreement with Holy Lord God (with remorse desire to stay turned away from sin). With Holy God's help, the only person I can change is me while 🙏 praying for Holy God's healing experience in all life domains for everyone.

Keep Smiling 😊

@Bill_Coley,

You said, in response to my Jan 23 post:

Bill, until I have time to respond to your post, I must set the record straight on one matter.

In my post, the word that appeared as "GroupGroupaymen" is a typo -- a mistake. It should have read,

This group of laymen is vulnerable and unskilled, many with good intentions, being led astray from Christ; --like "sheep to the slaughter."

I stand behind the sentence with the correction of the three words and the quotation marks. What I meant by "laymen" are those not trained or degreed in any formal study of biblical Greek or Hebrew -- non-clergymen or women. If there are some in the group, I stand to be corrected. Regardless, you're the leader. I have no rebuke for the group. My heart goes out to them with compassion and sympathy.

In your sharing, please include my correction and clarification of the typo ("GroupGroupaymen") for the correction words (group of laymen) without editing or embellishments. I will respond to other portions of your reply to my original post later. CM

PS.  @Bill_Coley, have you considered asking the "group" to join CD (if they can) or, at least, respond to me directly via personal messages? CM

An observation is "strongly suggests" wording embeds personal doubt about the spirit/soul inside the Messianic (anointed) Holy human body being fully God. Believing command in John 14:1 is notable missing from "Yes" case as is Emmanuel "God with us" in Matthew 1:23. Hence this reply is offered as one more post for group discussion by a lay person (with one semester of seminary) who believes scripture truly says "Yes".

Thankfully Logos Bible Software https://www.logos.com has powerful search capabilities along with Faithlife Corporation offering over 100,000 resources to purchase (free Basic Bible study resources are amazing). Thankfully a Pastor strongly encouraged his congregation to become Bible experts (shortly before he left to pursue being a seminary professor preparing preachers). Thankfully the Israel Bible (Old Covenant) produced by Israel365 has many verses with Hebrew transliteration showing accented syllable using CAPITAL letters.

The most important Bible lesson I learned during my one seminary semester => Every word has context in a sentence. Every sentence has context in a paragraph. Every paragraph has context in a larger unit. Imperative & Important to know the appropriate Bible context. The Bible Love story is unified.

FWIW: the doctrine of "once saved = always saved" has many Bible passages to consider: e.g. hearing & obeying to follow Jesus in John 10:22-30 LEB => Then the feast of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews surrounded him and began to say to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe! The deeds that I do in the name of my Father, these testify about me. But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep! My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never perish forever, and no one will seize them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can seize them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (observation is hands do not have a fence to keep someone from sinfully choosing to leave)

Some language background summarized from many grammar resources: (one seminary class had me translate Jude from Biblical Greek to English so I learned nuanced verbal expression has translation challenges)

English verbs have a primary focus of time: past, present, & future.

Hebrew & Aramaic verbs have a primary focus of action kind: happened/ing, imperative, volitional, completed with ongoing results. (my regret is not pursuing Hebrew language learning sooner)

Greek verbs have a primary focus of action kind: happened/ing, imperative, volitional, completed with ongoing results, continous with a secondary aspect of time. Translation of Hebrew & Aramaic words into Greek embed human translator's belief for secondary time aspect because Hebrew & Aramaic verbs have no sense of time (contextual Hebrew & Aramaic words are the only indicators for verbal action timing).

Original Bible language texts do not have chapter & verse numbering, which has numerous alignment issues with original sentences: e.g. Philippians 4:6 is in the middle of a Greek sentence that begins "The Lord is near: ... (where italics show a verb added for smooth English)

The free Lexham English Bible (LEB) published by Lexham Press (Faithlife Corporation) began as interlinear English for original language text. LEB is a modern English translation designed to be used side by side with original language Bibles. LEB sentence punctuation shows lengthy sentences: e.g. Ephesians 1:3-14 & Colossians 1:9-20

=> 1st question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): How does the firstborn preeminences in Colossians 1:9-20 relate to divinity ?

Observant Jews pray "The Shema" (Deuteronomy 6:4–9; 11:13–21; Numbers 15:37–41) at least twice daily, I wonder how many times the Jewish man born blind (in John 9) prayed "sh’-MA, yis-ra’-AYL! a-do-NAI e-lo-HEI-nu, a-do-NAI e-KHAD" [Hear, Isra’el! ADONAI our God, ADONAI is one] that could also be translated [Hear, Isra’el! ADONAI our God, ADONAI alone] ... and you must Love a-do-NAI your God with all of your ❤️ heart ....

LORD/Master in Hebrew is a-do-NAI אדון that was spoken instead of יהוה by Jews outside of the Jewish Holy Temple to avoid Exodus 20:7 & Deuteronomy 5:11 punishment for uselessly using God's Most Holy Name. English translation of "Hear" for "sh’-MA" misses part of Hebrew verb meaning due to English having Western culture words that separate thought and action. Essence of "sh’-MA" (Hear & Do) is expressed in James 1:22 (NLT) "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says."

Revelation 4:8 expresses the meaning of יהוה name in the phrase "the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” (simultaneously past, present, future) Aha moment during my reply composition was realizing Hebrew verbless clauses express timeless existence, which avoids confusing יהוה with verbal variants. Holy God's answer to Moses in Exodus 3:14 is 1st person verbal variant of יהוה "I was, I am, I will be" with 3rd person יהוה being used in the rest of the Hebrew Bible for Holy God's name.

Psalm 23:1 LEB phrase "Yahweh is my shepherd; " translates two Hebrew words: " יהוה רעי " so " Yahweh shepherding me " literally expresses "to shepherd" verbal participle with suffixed 1st person pronoun. The 1560 Geneva Bible shows "is" in Psalm 23:1 was inserted for smooth English.

Psalm 23 reminds me of the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-18 LEB => “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter through the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up at some other place — that one is a thief and a robber. But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. For this one the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Whenever he sends out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what it was that he was saying to them. Then Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All those who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep do not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and will go out and will find pasture. The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf approaching and abandons the sheep and runs away — and the wolf seizes them and scatters them — because he is a hired hand and he is not concerned about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep which are not from this fold. I must bring these also, and they will hear my voice, and they will become one flock — one shepherd. Because of this the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take possession of it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take possession of it again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

=> 2nd question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): What is relationship of divinity and having authority to take possession of life again ?

Plural e-lo-HEI-nu אלהינו is the Hebrew word e-lo-HEEM אלהים (plural God) with construct formation "of" & plural personal suffix "we".

Plural e-lo-HEEM אלהים in the Hebrew Bible usually describes our Holy God (2,335 times) while 266 e-lo-HEEM אלהים occurences do not: e.g. Isaiah 44:6 LEB Thus says יהוה Yahweh, the king of Israel, and its redeemer, יהוה Yahweh of hosts: “I am the first, and I am the last, and there is no אלהים god besides me.

To my reading, Isaiah 44:6 has dual subjects with a singular verb that shows unified speaking by One unique plural God centuries before יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua was born. Jesus is the Latin name for Yeshua, whose name means " יהוה Salvation " that is consistent with " redeemer, יהוה Yahweh of hosts ". Haggai 2:1-23, Zechariah 1:7-17 & Malachi 2:10-17 has words from both יהוה Yahweh, the God of Israel, and יהוה Yahweh of hosts.

Genesis 14:18 begins with "... ומלכי-צדק מלך שלם" "u-mal-kee TZE-dek ME-lakh sha-LAYM ..." "and King Righteousness King Shalom ..."

Psalm 110:4 LEB => יהוה Yahweh has sworn and he will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever according to the manner of Melchizedek.” has allusion in Hebrews 5:6 LEB => just as also in another place he says, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,”

Melchizedek (King Righteousness) Jesus forever shares eternal Holy יהוה name as it is written in Jeremiah 23:5-6 LEB => “Look, days are coming,” declares יהוה Yahweh, “when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and he will reign as king, and he will achieve success, and he will do justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell in safety, and this is his name by which he will be called: ‘יהוה Yahweh is our righteousness.’

Hebrew noun צדקנו tzid-KAY-nu for righteousness has pronoun, suffixed, 1st person, plural (construct => of) whose literal translation is: 'Yahweh Righteousness of We'.

Singular e-LO-ha אלוה occurs 58 times in the Hebrew Bible: e.g. Isaiah 44:8 LEB You must not tremble, and you must not be paralyzed with fear. Have I not made you hear from of old and declared it, and you are my witnesses? Is there a אלוה god besides me? And there is no rock! I know none!”

Singular AYL אל (first two consonants of e-LO-ha אלוה & e-lo-HEEM אלהים) occurs 230 times in the Hebrew Bible along with four plural (אלים gods) occurences: e.g. Daniel 11:36 LEB “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt himself and will consider himself above any אל god, and he will speak horrendous things against the אל God of אלים gods, yet he will succeed until the period of anger is finished, for what is determined will be done.

Hebrew nouns have three spelling variations: singular, dual (eyes, ears, ...), & plural.

=> 3rd question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): What is plural in God alone ?

Learning for Jewish Scribes and Pharisees included memorizing every letter in the five books of Moses, the Torah (Teaching) as part of their preparation to be Jewish religious lawyers and judges. The Sanhedrin was/is the Jewish Supreme Court. Observant Jews read through the Old Covenant (Testament) every year along with participating in Jewish Holy days. Hence, my next two language translation questions are rhetorical:

How many in the Jewish audiences hearing Jewish Rabbi Jesus knew יהוה occurences (6,828) in the Hebrew Bible had been usually translated into Greek Septuagint (LXX) as κύριος Lord (92%) & sometimes as θεός God (4%) a couple centuries earlier ?

Likewise how many in the Jewish audiences hearing Jewish Rabbi Jesus knew אלהים (plural God) occurences (2,601) in the Hebrew Bible had been usually translated into Greek Septuagint (LXX) as masculine singular θεός God (87%) & sometimes as κύριος Lord (4%) & twice as feminine singular θεῖος (goddess in Exodus 31:3 & Proverbs 2:17) a couple centuries earlier ?

Acts chapters 21 & 22 document the Apostle Paul speaking Koine Greek and Aramaic along with Pharisee learning earlier in his life.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 King fulfillment is part of the angelic message to Mary in Luke 1:30-33 LEB (with Hebrew words usually translated by Jewish scholars in LXX: יהוה as Lord & אלהים as God) => And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with אלהים God. And behold, you will conceive in the womb and will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus. This one will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the יהוה Lord אלהים God will give him the throne of his father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Matthew 2:2 has a question "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?"

The name Bethlehem (bayt LE-khem בית-לחם) means "House of Bread" where "The Bread of Life" (John 6:35 & John 6:48) was born in fulfillment of Micah 5:2 LEB => But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you one will go out for me, to be ruler in Israel; and his origins are from of old, from ancient days.

=> 4th question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): At age 12 (in Luke 2:41-52), who did Jesus identify as His Father when Joseph & Mary found Jesus in the Jewish Holy Temple ?

Biblical (Koine) Greek is a highly inflected language whose word spelling shows grammatical usage: e.g. τὸν θεόν is the accusative grammatical spelling of ὁ θεός (the God). The most common accusative usage is direct object. Grammatical spelling with a preposition indicates prepositional meaning. In John 14:1 the preposition εἰς (eis) points to the direct object of believing (present tense imperative verb is primarily continous action with secondary aspect of present time).

πιστεύετε εἰς τὸν θεόν, καὶ εἰς ἐμὲ πιστεύετε  (John 14:1 Greek spoken by יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua to his Jewish disciples)

Be Ye Believing in The God, also in Me Be Ye Believing (archaic Ye shows plural You in suffix spelling of πιστεύετε)

=> 5th question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): What is Holy God's command purpose for disciples of יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua (Jesus) to Be Believing in (me) יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua also as Be Believing in The God ?

To me, the idea of Jewish Rabbi Jesus knowing he was only an annointed human being (NOT God) prior to death & resurrection has a falsehood implication for the John 14:1 Be Ye Believing command that would disqualify Jesus from being Holy God's Salvation for anyone along with subsequent doubt for John 14:6-7 LEB => Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him.”

Also the Transfiguration of Jesus (prior to death & resurrection) is consistent with the unique Shroud of Turin, which I believe was created by dark demons pressing the cloth against the dead Holy human body of Jesus trying to prevent resurrection. The three dimensional negative image in the Shroud of Turin is the remnant of a dark & light battle. Body image completeness shows sinless light bursting forth everywhere.

=> 6th question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): What did the Transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, & Luke 9:28-36 show about the spirit/soul residing inside the Holy human body ?

On the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35, my speculation for beginning from Moses is Genesis 3:15 LEB => ' And I will put hostility between you and between the woman, and between your offspring and between her offspring; he will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.” ' that has expansion in Isaiah 9:6-7 LEB => ' For a child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. And the dominion will be on his shoulder, and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His dominion will grow continually, and to peace there will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and sustain it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this. ' with offspring of a woman fulfillment in Matthew 1:22-23 LEB => ' Now all this happened in order that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, “Behold, the virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” ' and heel strike fulfillment in crucifixion of Jesus The Messiah (Anointed One), The Christ.

Sometimes prophecy has ~2,000 years between adjacent words: e.g. Zechariah 9:9-10 LEB => Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king comes to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a male donkey, the foal of a female donkey! And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow will be cut down, and he will announce peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus humbly rode a donkey colt into Jerusalem as part of The Triumphal Entry in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19

=> 7th question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): What Old Covenant (Testament) prophecies did Jesus fulfill ~2,000 years ago ?

The first class for learning Biblical Greek in a number of colleges & universities uses a textbook that has John 1:1 exegetical insights in Chapter 6:

The verb ἦν is the imperfect tense that has primary aspect of continuous action with secondary aspect of past time. My literal translation of "καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος" is "and God being (was) The Word" because the English translation "was" for ἦν lacks primary continuous kind of action expression. Koine Greek has three other verb tenses whose secondary time aspect is past time, which have different primary kinds of action.

The priestly prayer in John 17 also includes verse 24 LEB => “Father, those whom you have given to me — I want that those also may be with me where I am, in order that they may see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

John 20:24-29 LEB (with Hebrew words usually translated by Jewish scholars in LXX: יהוה as Lord & אלהים as God) => Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the יהוה Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!” And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Although the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Place your finger here and see my hands, and place your hand and put it into my side. And do not be unbelieving, but believing!” Thomas answered and said to him, “My יהוה Lord and my אלהים God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Philippians 2:5-11 LEB (with Hebrew words usually translated by Jewish scholars in LXX: יהוה as Lord & אלהים as God) => Think this in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of אלהים God, did not consider being equal with אלהים God something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a slave, by becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross. Therefore also אלהים God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is יהוה Lord, to the glory of אלהים God the Father.

=> 8th question to prayerfully ponder (Psalm 119:18): Who is יהוה Lord Jesus ?

Thomas was martyred for his belief "My יהוה Lord and my אלהים God":

Keep Smiling 😊

@C Mc,

What is your biblically-based argument for "Yes" answer to the question: "Was Jesus God ?"

The two page "Yes" handout posted by @Bill_Coley on January 25 for CD forum review has six numbered points with many scripture snippets.

When I was composing my  January 29 post, I had the "Yes" handout by @Bill_Coley open while prayerfully pondering scripture truly saying "YES".

Notably missing from previous @C Mc posts in this discussion are scripture reason(s) to believe like Thomas about Jesus: "My יהוה Lord and my אלהים God", especially biblically-based divinity reasons before the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus: e.g. Mark 4:35-41 LEB => And on that day, when it was evening, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him along, as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind developed, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already being filled with water. And he was in the stern sleeping on the cushion, and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, is it not a concern to you that we are perishing?” And he woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Be silent!” And the wind abated and there was a great calm. And he said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you not yet have faith?” And they were terribly frightened and began to say to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Keep Smiling 😊

Repeating question from January 30  for @C Mc:

What is your biblically-based argument for "Yes" answer to the question: "Was Jesus God ?"

What Bible passages provide reason to believe & say " Jesus Christ יהוה " (Philippians 2:5-11) who shares יהוה name with The Father (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Noticed @C Mc reply on March 23 had information about Bible Books after Martin Luther in 1545 set apart "apocryphal" books in the Old Testament, which was later adopted by many Western church groups.

The Orthodox Study Bible has 76 Books: 49 Old Testament & 27 New Testament, which has a page comparing Orthodox, Catholic, & Protestant books in the Old Testament. The year 1054 had a Great Schism that divided Eastern & Western church groups.

In hindsight is my apology to @Bill_Coley for not reviewing Bible verse list for group study. After last vote had my realization of Bible verses for solid "Yes" answer to the question: "Was Jesus God ?" could have been excluded from group study (blindly skip over relevant verses).

Keep Smiling 😊

@C Mc

You are welcome to your opinions and the expressing of those opinions. 

Certainly Bill can speak for himself and has done so. Contrary to your mistaken conception of me speaking for Bill; I am, myself, on my own behalf, speaking directly to you regarding your own writing – a feature of forums. 

Had you taken the time to research this denomination's distinctive belief and practice you wouldn't have been surprised with what seems unorthodox in your mind. Had you even read Bill's reply to me, which was posted prior to your writing to me, you would have had the very answer to that puzzlement.

From your previous post to this one you stated:

• "Especially since they drew their conclusions, as a small-town rural community jury, with its two-tier vote on Christ's divinity, highly influenced by its facilitator, teacher/guide. CM" (bold mine)

If a distraction, as you say, then why write using a phrase that can very well be considered condescending, pejorative, and not true? It takes away from your veracity. Also, I will point out that the above is made in reference to the study group themselves.

"His" is correct.

This may be the case; but, using "standard hermeneutical guidelines" is generally governed by each denomination to an extent, having some overlap between certain denominations – hence, we are still left with the same issue as at the beginning. In other words, we still have for example trinitarian, modalism, unitarian, and etc., forms of hermeneutical grids using the same, or nearly the same, text. Prior to the return of Christ we will not enjoy a unity of hermeneutics.

"Methinks you doth protest too much", as someone once said. In general, what you describe above for this forum is life as we know and experience everyday. It is advisable to know what we believe, why we believe it, and how to communicate that belief. It is also, in my opinion, valuable to understand another's belief system in being able to communicate effectively with one another theologically, or otherwise. 

@Bill_Coley,

See my last post to @Pages. It may help explain some of my word choices. CM