So we are still looking at faith, head faith vs. heart faith. Multiple times in the gospels Jesus commands us that when we pray to the Father, In the Name of Jesus, believing (without wavering) then our prayers will be answered. We need to come to a deep abiding understanding knowledge of Who God Is, What God Is, who we are to Him, and in Him.
In order for us to actually totally believe the “I ams” that are about us in the New Testament, and in order for us to actually totally believe that God through the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus Christ lives in us, and wants to work through us in the world, we need a deep abiding knowledge of Who God Is and who we are in Him! Remember, of the four temptations of the devil to Jesus in the desert, two of them directly started with, “If You are the son of God. . .” the devil attacks our identity, and our understanding of God. We must be able to stand firm, fully armed for the attacks.
In the book of Nehemiah we find the Israelites returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, and in chapter 8 Ezra is reading to them from the scriptures when the Lord reveals Himself to them through the reading of His Word. Because of the revelation from God the people are so overtaken with emotion that they fall to their knees and begin to weep and wail.
Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP) 10 Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
Revelation knowledge of the Lord, of Who He Is, is our refuge, our stronghold, our safe place.
Romans 1:1-5 (AMP) 1 FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, 2 Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures— 3 [The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, 4 And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 5 It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations,
A Lack of Understanding
There is a tremendous lack of understanding concerning the heart or “essence” of the gospel, not only in the world, but sadly, also among many believers. This is evidenced by the great percentage of believers who live in constant torment, turmoil, condemnation, guilt, and fear. For many believers, guilt and fear seem to be the motivating factors that define their Christian lives.
1. Question: Why do so many believers live in a constant state of guilt, condemnation, and fear, and where does it come from?
2. Answer: Guilt, condemnation, and fear among believers has been passed down from generation to generation. Believers have been ignorant about the heart or “essence” of the gospel, and for generations, people have struggled to believe the truth of the “almost-too-good-to-be-true” gospel.
The definition of “essence” is the inward nature and true substance, condition, or constitution of a thing. So, what is the “essence” of God?
The Four Beasts of Revelation
Due to the ignorance and lack of understanding concerning the heart of the gospel, very few people know God the way that He is revealed in the New Testament. We’re going to go first to Revelation 4 where John the Revelator was caught up to the throne of God and began to describe what heaven is like.
Revelation 4:6-8 (AMP) 6 And in front of the throne there was also what looked like a transparent glassy sea, as if of crystal. And around the throne, in the center at each side of the throne, were four living creatures (beings) who were full of eyes in front and behind [with intelligence as to what is before and at the rear of them]. 7 The first living creature (being) was like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature [was] like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, individually having six wings, were full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come.
Notice all the eyes on these creatures! They were created for a very specific purpose, they were made to see, and to know that what they see is the full spectrum of God’s glory. And they are forever and always seeing a new aspect of God that they have never seen before. Therefore they continue to forever sing Holy, Holy, Holy. . .
Ezekiel 1:5-17 (AMP) 5 And out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures [or cherubim]. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man, 6 But each one had four faces and each one had four wings. 7 And their legs were straight legs, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like burnished bronze. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides. And the four of them had their faces and their wings thus: 9 Their wings touched one another; they turned not when they went but went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they each had the face of a man [in front], and each had the face of a lion on the right side and the face of an ox on the left side; the four also had the face of an eagle [at the back of their heads]. 11 Such were their faces. And their wings were stretched out upward [each creature had four wings]; two wings of each one were touching the [adjacent] wing of the creatures on either side of it, and [the remaining] two wings of each creature covered its body. 12 And they went every one straight forward; wherever the spirit would go, they went, and they turned not when they went. 13 In the midst of the living creatures there was what looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving to and fro among the living creatures; the fire was bright and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures darted back and forth like a flash of lightning. 15 Now as I was still looking at the living creatures, I saw one wheel upon the ground beside each of the living creatures with its four faces. 16 As to the appearance of the wheels and their construction: in appearance they gleamed like chrysolite; and the four were formed alike, and their construction work was as it were a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they went, they went in one of their four directions without turning [for they were faced that way].
Isaiah 6:1-3 (AMP) 1 IN THE year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. 2 Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew. 3 And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!
So, we see the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and round about Him are these four beings with many faces, eyes, wings, faces in the likenesses of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle.
The Four Faces of Jesus Revealed in the Gospels
It is widely accepted by Bible Scholars that the four gospels correspond to the four beasts in Revelation, and that Jesus is revealed in the four gospels as corresponding to the four beasts or cherubim.
The book of Matthew corresponds to the Lion. In the book of Matthew, Jesus is revealed as the King of Israel or the King of the Jews. Matthew traces His genealogy back through King David to Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel. Nine times in Matthew Jesus is referred to as “Son of David.” Jesus is revealed as “The Lion of the tribe of Judah.”
The book of Mark corresponds to the Ox. Mark does not start with a genealogy, but with credentials. Mark supplies credentials from John the Baptist, the Father, and the witness of the Holy Spirit! Within the book Jesus is revealed as “The Ox, the tireless servant.”
The book of Luke corresponds to the Man. Luke gives us the picture of Christ as a man. He is seen in the perfection, glory, beauty, strength, and dignity of his manhood. Luke traces His genealogy back to Adam, which links Him directly with the human race. Jesus is revealed as a “Man.”
The book of John corresponds to the Eagle. John’s gospel presents Jesus the man as God. We find only a brief genealogy because it is the account of Christ’s divine nature. John 1:1 (RSV) – “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In the book of John Jesus is revealed as “The Eagle.” The eagle is a symbol of royalty and deity.
The four beasts were made to see the glory of God. When we read the four gospels, there is a full and continuing revelation of God’s glory, love, goodness, and grace revealed in the person of Jesus Christ! In the gospel of Jesus Christ, we see the full measure of the glory of God as seen through the eyes of these four creatures. The “essence” of the gospel becomes clear when we understand that Jesus is the full revealing of all aspects of God the Father’s nature and character.
That’s why John said in John 1:18 (AMP) 18 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].
Let’s talk about what “in the bosom” means. . .
That’s why Jesus said in John 14:9-10 (KJV) 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV) 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 1:1
The Greek word from which “sundry times” was translated is POLUMEROS. According to Strong’s, it means “in many portions, i.e. variously as to time and agency (piecemeal).” In other words, the way God communicated with people under the Old Covenant was incomplete and sporadic. But in contrast, the Father has now revealed Himself perfectly through His Son, Jesus, in the New Covenant. The revelation of the Father through Jesus is far superior than the Old Covenant revelation of God. The Old Covenant wasn’t inaccurate. It was incomplete. We have a better revelation.
Hebrews 1:2
Jesus perfectly represented His Father to us. God the Father created the worlds through Jesus. Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him do all things consist.” John 1:3 says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Jesus is the heir to all that God has and is, and we are joint heirs with Him (Romans 8:17).
Hebrews 1:3
Isaiah 42:8 says that the Lord will not share His glory with another. Therefore, Jesus is the Lord or else He wouldn’t be the brightness of God’s glory. What a great testament to the deity of Jesus.
The Greek word “CHARAKTER” from which “express image” was translated is defined by Strong Concordance as “a graver (the tool or the person), i.e. (by implication) engraving, (character), the figure stamped, i.e. an exact copy or (figuratively representation).” Jesus was exactly like His Father. He was an exact copy. He perfectly represented God to us. If we look at Jesus, we are looking at the Father (John 14:9).
Colossians 1:17 says that “by him all things consist.” Jesus holds creation together. If He were to break His Word (the Word that created the universe, Hebrews 11:3 and John 1:3), then the universe would fly apart. Since creation is still intact, we can be assured that He has never failed to keep His Word. God’s Word is the binding power that holds all creation together. So, when we speak God’s Word in faith that power is released.
After Jesus purged us of our sin, He sat down on the right hand of the Father. The significance of this is that He isn’t still having to cleanse us. He’s seated. It’s finished. Jesus doesn’t have to continually purge us from sin every time we sin. It was done once for all time (Hebrews 10:10-14). We were forgiven of all sin, past-, present-, and even future-tense sin (Hebrews 9:12 and 25-28).
Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.
Matthew 11:27-30 (AMP) 27 All things have been entrusted and delivered to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son deliberately wills to make Him known. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
So, we find that Jesus is the full imprint, exact replica of God’s nature, and that the heart or “essence” of the gospel is all about revealing the goodness, love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God’s nature to a tired, worn out, and hopeless world!
Seeing Clearly
In the book of Job, we find a great example of why so many believers live defeated lives and have their inheritance stolen by the enemy.
Job 42:1-6 (AMP) 1 THEN JOB said to the Lord, 2 I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted. 3 [You said to me] Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge? Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 [I had virtually said to You what You have said to me:] Hear, I beseech You, and I will speak; I will demand of You, and You declare to me. 5 I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You. 6 Therefore I loathe [my words] and abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.
The scripture we just read was after God “revealed” Himself to Job. But even before that, Job was an upright, holy man who loved God with all his heart, but he lived in a fallen world, and was definitely not under the New Covenant of Jesus, so the devil who had dominion of the world at the time, because it was given to him in the garden, attacked him. Job, because of ignorance and a lack of understanding, and listening to what others said about God, suffered tremendous defeat and loss. What I most admire about the whole book of Job, is that Job holds fast to his belief that God is good even when his theology was terribly wrong and he thought that what he was going through was because of God. He had a “no matter what I will still believe and serve Him attitude.” Which is exactly what we saw with Daniel and the three Hebrew boys. After God revealed Himself to Job, Job begins to pray for his friends, and then the Lord restores what he had lost and even more.
Job 42:12-17 (AMP) 12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land there were no women so fair as the daughters of Job, and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his sons' sons, even to four generations. 17 So Job died, an old man and full of days.
Ignorance and a lack of understanding concerning the heart of the gospel causes people to teach and say things about God that are not true. God wants us to “see Him with our own eyes,” having a personal revelation of God through the heart or “essence” of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is the ‘good news’ of God, and from God. We saw above in Romans 1:1-3 that Paul said that they (and we) have been set apart to preach the “gospel” the Good News!
Romans 15:15-16 (NLT2) 15 Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (AMP) 1 FOR YOU yourselves know, brethren, that our coming among you was not useless and fruitless. 2 But though we had already suffered and been outrageously treated at Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned courage to proclaim to you unfalteringly the good news (the Gospel) with earnest contention and much conflict and great opposition. 3 For our appeal [in preaching] does not [originate] from delusion or error or impure purpose or motive, nor in fraud or deceit. 4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the glad tidings (the Gospel), so we speak not to please men but to please God, Who tests our hearts [expecting them to be approved].
