And unto the angel of the church of the
Laodiceans write; Theses things saith
the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of creation of God; I know
thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:
I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need
of nothing; and knowest not that thou
art wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked,
Revelation 3:14-17
Who is this "Amen?" Who deserves the acclamation of "
Amen?" Who is given this acclamation?" Who is the "faithful and true witness?" Jude tells us that God is our Savior and to Him be the glory and greatness, might and power and then the word "amen" is lastly given. What does "amen" mean? It means to be truthful, to be faithful in all promises, warnings, testimonies, and precepts. When we add the word "amen" at the end of our prayers it is not just a 'period' marking the end of the prayer but testifying that the One to whom we pray to is faithful, we believe it, and we say "verily" that God has heard and will answer our prayers. John, Matthew, Mark, all use "amen" when speaking about Jesus Christ, Luke does not use that word, but uses, "of a truth." Jesus Christ is the "Amen" for He is truthful, full of might and power, and has given to us His precepts, and warnings. Furthermore, God is called our Savior, and Jesus is called our Savior. Does this mean that Jesus is only representing, of manifesting that God is our Savior and He is only doing the will of God for only God can save? It is true, God is the only One who can save, so how is it that Jesus saves? Jude writes: "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:3-7). What is important here is that God is called our Savior, Jesus is called our Savior and the Holy Spirit is regenerating those who believe on Jesus Christ as Savior. The Trinity is not just assumed here, but is shown that the Godhead is made up of three persons. The "Amen" is Jesus and it is Jesus who is God that saves.
Jehovah Witnesses who are Arian in theology believe that Jesus is a created being and that God created Him to do His work of salvation. Jehovah Witnesses will quickly point out that here in verse 14 of Revelation Jesus is called "the beginning of Creation of God" so Jesus had to be a created being. Is that true? Here is where a word study is important. The Greek word used here is: ὰρχὴ: and can be translated as a beginning, or first place, headship, high estate, eminence, or authority, magistrate, a principality. Taking from those words describing ὰρχὴ, we can come to understand that Jesus did create: "In the beginning was the Word, and he Word was with God, and the Word was God. the same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:1-3). John clearly points out that Jesus is God. Jehovah Witnesses are the only ones who add the letter "a" before God in the third phrase of verse one. No other translation does this, at least I have not found one and I have sought out many, many versions to see if they added the letter "a" and cannot find that they have done so. John adds that "nothing was made that was made." "Nothing," if nothing means nothing then how is that Jesus was created, or made? If all things were created by Jesus, then how is that that He stands outside of "all things?" Once again we look at the Greek word translated "beginning of the creation" and we now can come to a correct understanding: Jesus before His incarnation has, then, and now, the authority to create for He is the First Cause. If Jesus is the First Cause and God is considered to be the First Cause then God and Jesus are the same Being, and as a "person" of the Godhead He has the essence of God as does the Holy Spirit.
Jesus came to earth and witnessed to us Who He is, and Who is God and how God will save those who put their faith in Jesus. Jesus is faithful in all He says and does and we are too, if we are Authentic Christians, do the same as He did as He walked on this earth. The Laodiceans represent all who call themselves "Christian" and do little, if anything, that faith calls them to do: i.e., bring the Gospel to the world, walk according to His precepts, commands, and grow in grace and sanctification. If not this, then you are lukewarm and Jesus will spew you out of His mouth. Not literally, but by saying "out of His mouth" this then means He will not call you one of His own.
We might be one who says: "I am rich," that is that that person has all they want when it comes to their belief in Jesus and do not will to do more than just live on whatever knowledge they have of Him. They wrongly say: "I have need of nothing." Until a person comes to the point in their life that they are sinners, wretched, poor, miserable, they will not in truth accept Jesus Christ. If you do not know that you need a Savior why then would you look for one? You will not! Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) and the Gospel is what we are to preach, teach, and live, not some added experiential euphoric worship of God, no, just to put on your clothes, go about your daily life, and live for Jesus Christ in all you do and say. If you need more then you are exalting yourself that you want more than Jesus Christ: you want visions, dreams, euphoric experience, and Jesus Christ alone will not give that to you for that is all you need.
Jesus Christ who created all things, who is God, who is the One with all authority in heaven and earth, who is the "Amen, the faithful witness" came to pay your debt that you owe to God due to the sin that Adam passed down to all his progeny, a debt you cannot pay, so Jesus, God, paid that debt for you. Now, you must choose to receive that payment knowing that only by doing so your sins will be forgiving and the promise of eternal life is yours.
Is it such a fast that I have chosen?
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
is it to bow down his head as a bulrush,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes
under him? wilt thou call this a fast,
and acceptable day to the LORD?
Isaiah 58:5
Live now Authentically for God
Richard L. Crumb
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