John Pipers Error

Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, By John Piper page 22 under the chapter Jesus is the Glory of God - Deity of Christ, John Piper robs Jesus of His full glory.

"The apostle John, who wrote the last book of the Bible, received the decisive revelation. He quotes God: "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty'" (Revelation 1:8). This is not Christ talking. This is the Almighty God. He calls himself "Alpha and Omega"

Every single good bible translation has Revelation 1:8 in red letter and says the opposite to John Piper that these words are Christ talking. If Jesus isn't the Almighty God then He is no God worth seeing or savoring. The context of the verse makes it clear that Jesus says these words:

Rev 1:5 "..and to Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, the firstborn.." (obviously Jesus)
Rev 1:6 "..made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father .." (obviously Jesus) Rev 1:7 "...Look he is coming with the clouds..." (obviously Jesus)
Rev 1:8 ""I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."" (STILL JESUS)
----------Then it goes on to describe Johns vision of Jesus and Jesus again reiterates that he is indeed the first and the last.

As a follower of Jesus our soul purpose is to exalt Jesus in everything. In our doctrine, In our understanding of scripture and in our lives. To cease from this endless pursuit and rob Jesus of his full deity and glory is NOT to see and savour Jesus Christ as he really is.

Seeing and Savoring Jesus in his fullness is to believe His words here:
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14:7

They Never Told Me This In Church

- A call to read the bible with new eyes
Author: Greg S Deuble (Published 2006) Originally From Toowoomba QLD Australia
Book Review:
This book caught my attention firstly because of the title and secondly because of its chapter headings:
1. Another Cover-Up
2. Another World
3. Another God
4. Another Lord
5. Another Jesus
6. Another Spirit
Another Gospel

The punch behind this book is to tell you that you need to read the bible through "Hebrew Eyes" which would be your first mistake. As a side note I did enjoy his arguments for there being only one God from the Old Testament. Here is a quick look from the chapter "Another God"

"...their argument from the plural ending on elohim dates from around 1,000 AD. It is relatively recent invention. What R.A Torrey and the many who use this argument fail to tell us is that elohim is used in various ways in Scripture. It is not only used to describe the Almighty, but also individual pagan gods and even mighty human beings. As we pointed out in the previous chapter elohim may be translated as God, god, angels, judges or even a human being who stands as God's representative or agent....."

He then goes on to show that there are only 4 mentions of God with elohim in this manner and 11,000 other mentions where it is obviously Singular or one Person as God.

The Biggest Error of this Book
Simply put Jesus is demoted, he is simply a man. This man would be a Unitarian because he denies the full deity of Jesus and has one God the Father who is not Jesus. The Father is the only God and John 17:3 is used as many JW's (He is not a JW by the way) before him have done to make Jesus the Son of [someone else who is] God. By going back to the Hebrew and Greek he disproves verses like "My Lord and My God" said by Thomas or Jesus being worshiped or Jesus as the great I AM or Emmanuel (God with us) until Jesus is just a messenger.

Using the Measuring Stick:
You can't read the bible through "Hebrew Eyes" only "Spiritual Eyes" For the Spirit He has one purpose and that is to exalt Jesus which this book didn't do. Thus I know Hebrew Eyes don't work. Like the trinity it demoted Jesus and takes him off the highest and most exalted throne where only Jesus can sit.

If Jesus isn't the one and only God of the bible then I would want to have this other God or other person tell me that I am saved not some messenger they call Jesus.

To the born again Christian: There is no one greater then Jesus and when you come to Him there is no more looking and no more labour for you came to the Father Himself, the Almighty.

Look it up in your bible because it's in Red:
Most certainly Jesus says in big bold letters so you take note:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was and which is to come, the Almighty. (Rev 1:8)

You can try and say that this is the Father talking as Greg S Deuble did but it is obvious in the context that it is Jesus speaking and every good bible translation I know of gets this right. However don't take my word for it you need to hear from the creator of the Universe if Jesus really did create you or if your creator is someone else other then Jesus.

Did He who made the mouth can He not speak?

More Info:
Restoration Fellowship - The group Mr Deuble is associated with.

The Spirit Lifts Up Jesus

...the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ... that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Phil 1:19-20
Jesus said of this Spirit: "HE WILL BRING GLORY TO ME" Jn 16:14

The Spirit Lifts Up Jesus
The Spirit which we are given is called the Spirit of Jesus Christ. We know and recognise this Spirit because in all things He magnifies the risen Lord Jesus Christ. For our boast is in Jesus alone.

"... how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:" 1 Cor 1:26

Given to Babes but hidden from the Wise Man
The bible is not for the interpretation of the wise and learned for Jesus says "thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" We know the Spirit of Truth simply because He exalts Jesus to the highest position. Our Measuring Stick. (Thanks canigetsomelove)

A doctrine, spirit or interpretation of the bible that does not do this is FALSE.

Unity
Our fellowship and Unity is with those who have this same Spirit. Those who have the testimony of Jesus and no one else who would be an idol.

"and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10

Measuring Stick

How can every believer in Jesus know that the Spirit of their doctrine is from the right Spirit. How do you know that your understanding of God comes from the Spirit of God and not the Spirit of the Devil?

What is the 100% reliable source or measuring stick which every denomination can measure their beliefs against so that without doubt you can know that it is the Spirit of God and not the Spirit of the Devil?

Being Saved

Firstly:
"One soweth, and another reapeth"

The Samaritan woman sowed the true Word of God to her village by preaching the gospel about Jesus the man who came and gave her eternal life. "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"

Finally
"Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." John 4:42

Heard Him Ourselves
We believe not because we were just told the gospel but because we heard him ourselves. Because Jesus came to us and said "Follow me"

Being Saved in Action
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matt 4:19-20