by James Fire
By the intent of God's holy will, He has revealed Himself intimately through His Word, the Holy Scriptures. It is the Holy Scriptures themselves, the Word of God that we turn to and learn of the four primary offices of the LORD GOD YHWH:
The offices of GOD as:
1) Creator God
2) LORD
3) Judge
4) Redeemer
The second office of these four, that deals with God as the LORD, is the one that we'll now continue in this series. We will be addressing this thought as we pore over Scripture and discover what they tell us about God Who is LORD.
God is the sole Creator of all that has been created (barah in the Hebrew, 'to fashion out of nothing'); He is the only One capable of doing so, and by this authority He is also Self-designated as LORD. Throughout the first chapter of Genesis, we read that “...God created the heavens and the earth...” and when we turn to the second chapter, starting with verse 4 we read for the first time:
GENESIS 2:4-7
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
GENESIS 2:4-7
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
When we see the word 'LORD' all in capital letters, we know that in the Hebrew the word used is YHWH - the unpronounceable and holy name of God. It is the name of God that in a very real sense, is synonymous with His 'LORD-ship', that being the worthy title of the only One worthy enough to be so called.
By virtue of the fact that He is Creator, He is the One to establish the order of that creation, of all the laws that govern nature and the spiritual and earthly realms of angels and human beings. He is the bestower of authority and power, skills and abilities to each of His created beings and life forms.
He is LORD because He rules and reigns from the domain of heaven over all of His creation. He has created all things, and because He is the sole authority over all of creation as LORD, we are all subject to Him and accountable to Him for the stewardship He has placed upon us, having granted to us powers and abilities to carry out that stewardship. Violation of the God-ordained stewardship designated for us will be answerable to the LORD Who rules over all, and this speaks to the LORD God Who is “...the Judge of the whole Earth...” which we will get into in the third part of this series.
While God is absolutely and incontestably the sovereign LORD over all, whether we pledge our allegiance to Him or not, the majority of people refuse to submit and yield to His rule – this is the very essence of sin and in my view, the quint-essential act of High Treason against the Holy Throne of God's government. Because He is LORD, any defiance against Him is considered sin (We should also consider that because all are created by God, any offense against another is really an offense against the Maker).
King David after committing adultery with Bathsheeba and murdering her husband Uriah, finally broke when confronted by the prophet Nathan and confessed:
PSALM 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
There are those that speak evil of the truth, and bring in damnable heresies, opposed to the truth and denying the LORD!
2 PETER 2:1-2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
King David after committing adultery with Bathsheeba and murdering her husband Uriah, finally broke when confronted by the prophet Nathan and confessed:
PSALM 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
There are those that speak evil of the truth, and bring in damnable heresies, opposed to the truth and denying the LORD!
2 PETER 2:1-2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
If we could once peer into the heavenly domain and behold God upon His majestic throne, and witness mighty seraphim and cherubim (super-classes of angelic beings) falling before His glory in humble adoration of His Being and who respond instantly at His command, obeying His word without hesitation or question, being joyful in the prospect of showing their love by such obedience, perhaps we would grasp slightly better the heinous monstrosity that is sin and rebellion against His Holiness!
The government of God has the appointment of One, even the LORD Himself as the Leader of such and He designates whom He will in His government as His officials:
He designated Lucifer as the “...cherub that covers...” that is, “to shield (literally to 'screen') , to hem in, to protect or guard”; many believe that Lucifer (“Light-bearer”) was the singular cherub that covered the mercy seat in the heavenlies, that He literally covered the throne of God in all of His glory and was designated as the guardian of the throne of God (this position was later granted (presumably after the fall of Lucifer) to the four beasts of Revelation that surrounded God's glorious seat of Holy Rule; see REV 4:6, 9; 5:6). He designated Michael the arch-angel (Guardian and Protector of the nation of Israel) and Gabriel (Heralder of the Messianic Pronouncements and Prophecies) in their respective positions.
The LORD designated Adam as the steward of the Earth, beginning with Eden; He designated Eve as his help mate. These, the parents of humanity, were to govern affairs of State on this new-born world in the name of the LORD God. Had they never rebelled against the LORD, who could tell what would have become of the human race as a sinless people, enjoying fellowship with our Creator!
Adam abdicated his God-given stewardship to Satan ("the serpent") when he succumbed to temptation and sinned and the devil is now "the god (ruler) of this world" (2 COR 4:4).
But the LAMB of GOD prevailed and won back the authority over the Earth, just as He has always been the LORD of heaven (REV 5:1-10).
Still, it's a wondrous fact that we saints, members of the church have gained in Christ by His salvation of our souls, more than Adam lost when he rebelled against the LORD and was cast out of Eden!
Adam abdicated his God-given stewardship to Satan ("the serpent") when he succumbed to temptation and sinned and the devil is now "the god (ruler) of this world" (2 COR 4:4).
But the LAMB of GOD prevailed and won back the authority over the Earth, just as He has always been the LORD of heaven (REV 5:1-10).
Still, it's a wondrous fact that we saints, members of the church have gained in Christ by His salvation of our souls, more than Adam lost when he rebelled against the LORD and was cast out of Eden!
The LORD designated Noah as the savior of the human race, in a corporal sense, in proclaiming the coming judgment and as builder of the ark. On a side note, it was the LORD that gave the dimensions of the ark to Noah, and such measurements in volume revealed by the LORD testifies of His supreme knowledge: He knew exactly how big that ark would need to be to carry all of the essential kinds of creatures required to re-populate the Earth.
For an excellent video on NOAH, (30 mins) watch this production by Ray Comfort and Living Waters ministry. Just as Noah warned of the coming judgment from the LORD God, so too there are warnings given to us by the LORD Jesus (and His apostles) about the coming judgment in these last days.
The LORD made provision to save the human race and the animal kingdom; likewise there is provision by our compassionate LORD to escape the coming judgment in these last days. We shall examine these things in depth when we look at Scripture about GOD as the Judge of all.
The LORD made provision to save the human race and the animal kingdom; likewise there is provision by our compassionate LORD to escape the coming judgment in these last days. We shall examine these things in depth when we look at Scripture about GOD as the Judge of all.
For more on the Flood of Noah and the ark he built and whether or not it was large enough to contain all kinds of animals, see this excellent video (27 mins) by World Video Bible School (WVBS).
He designated Abraham as the father of the faithful and allocated to him by covenant promises of a genealogy by which the Messiah would come, as well as a land covenant that he and his people would inherit.
He designated the man Moses as Deliverer of Israel and as the Law-giver. He likewise designated Joshua as the Ruler-Judge of Israel upon entering the promised land. The LORD also appointed other Judges and prophets throughout the Old Testament canon.
While the LORD God permitted Saul to be anointed King over Israel, it was part of His divine plan and purpose to anoint David as the true King of Israel. It was to David that the LORD God designated the covenant of government, promising that his Son, the Messiah of Israel would come and rule over Israel forever. For more on this, please consider this two part article (This is Part One).
So we see that the LORD God is King of creation, of heaven, as well as the spiritual domain of those who are born of His Spirit – the kingdom of God.
Also the literal kingdom of Israel where the Messiah will rule, and govern not just Israel but the entire planet!
He is the LORD over all nations and entitled with “KING of Kings and LORD of Lords” - both in the political sense (There are no rulers of this world, in any government of any nation that is not accountable for their ruling practices and policies to the LORD, their KING, and will certainly give an account to Him as their Judge on the Day of Judgment), as well as in the spiritual sense (We who are members of the body of Christ, the church, will rule and reign with Christ in His coming kingdom, which while will be literal and physical just as are any governmental rulers today, it's fundamental premise will be on a spiritual basis of truth and Spirit according to the will of God, and not the autocratic means and methods which are currently employed in today's governments based on the will of man).
In the world today, we see corrupt political leaders who abuse power and even commit illegal acts with impunity. Who among these leaders are actually worthy of rule?!
Yet the LORD Jesus, the incorruptible One, is indeed wholly worthy!
In the world today, we see corrupt political leaders who abuse power and even commit illegal acts with impunity. Who among these leaders are actually worthy of rule?!
Yet the LORD Jesus, the incorruptible One, is indeed wholly worthy!
The LORD God designated the church of the LORD Jesus Christ, along with her apostles and prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. He likewise has designated every saint and their calling, gifts and purposes in accordance to His holy will.
The LORD established the Old covenant as well as the New covenant (HEB 8:8,12-13; JER 31:31; MATT 26:28; 1 COR 11:25).
This is why worship should be the exclusive domain of the LORD, for He alone is worthy of such. The worship of false gods is a denial of the sovereign LORD of all creation and attributes to an idol (behind which is a demonic principality; see 1 COR 10:19-20) the glory that rightly belongs to the LORD:
EXODUS 34:14-15
14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
Read the entire passage in context: EXOD 34:10-17 (see also 1 COR 10:20).
Even sharing the glory of God with other gods is not permitted as God will not share His glory with another (ISAIAH 42:8; AMOS 5:4-8,26-27).
God being the LORD, has established His holy Law to Israel, the fundamental precepts of which are found in the conscience of all mankind, as we behold the Law and testify to its righteousness and justice; this same Law convicts us of our sin (our high treason against the Holy throne of God's government) and as a 'school master' leads us to Christ Jesus as our Redeemer (the fourth office of God which will be examined last in this series):
GALATIANS 3:21-26
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
ROMANS 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
EXODUS 34:14-15
14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
Read the entire passage in context: EXOD 34:10-17 (see also 1 COR 10:20).
Even sharing the glory of God with other gods is not permitted as God will not share His glory with another (ISAIAH 42:8; AMOS 5:4-8,26-27).
God being the LORD, has established His holy Law to Israel, the fundamental precepts of which are found in the conscience of all mankind, as we behold the Law and testify to its righteousness and justice; this same Law convicts us of our sin (our high treason against the Holy throne of God's government) and as a 'school master' leads us to Christ Jesus as our Redeemer (the fourth office of God which will be examined last in this series):
GALATIANS 3:21-26
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
ROMANS 3:19-20
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
In our society today such ideas as submission and obedience are disdained, and we would resent any 'God' who would 'Lord over' and intimidate us as His quailing subjects. Yet this idea is completely contrary to what the Scriptures teach us about how God, as LORD, views us, seeks to relate to us, and desires a relationship with us.
As LORD of all creation, He blesses us all with His beneficence:
MATTHEW 5:44-46
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Also consider this portion of Scripture:
MARK 10:42-45
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
ISAIAH 52:13
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(See also MATT 12:18; ISAIAH 42:1)
MATTHEW 5:44-46
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Also consider this portion of Scripture:
MARK 10:42-45
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
ISAIAH 52:13
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(See also MATT 12:18; ISAIAH 42:1)
Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God? That would be the greatest servant that there is in the Kingdom: none other than the LORD Jesus Christ Himself! He has served all of humanity by humbling Himself doubly: He became a man (For God this is far more humbling than for a human being to become an amoeba!) and He bore the sins of all the world, taking the just punishment from God the Father rather than allowing us to suffer such judgment!
This is the glory and honor of the LORD God, the Supreme Almighty, the All Knowing Creator, Who has served us, not in merely washing dirt from our feet – as He did once at the Last Supper (JOHN 13:13-15) – but by washing our very souls from the sin-laden stain that would relegate us to the fires of hell, and transferring our citizenship for heavenly residence!
So we can see, this God is not the sort of LORD Who would set His feet upon our backs as His foot stool in a show of supremacy and oppression (that is something Satan would do - - and worse!), but One whose love for us is wondrous, gracious and beautiful and aptly demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ.
We who dwell "under the shadow of His wings" (PSALM 91:1) are under the authority of the LORD, and under His protection; He obligates Himself to look after us, care and provide for us. He is ever watchful to hide us {in His pavillion . . . in the time of trouble" (PSALM 27:5-7).
If any should doubt the love of the LORD, they only need to look at Calvary, where Jesus of Nazareth willingly took our place in dying for our sins, but then conquering over them, and death in resurrection power that He promises to one and all who will place their faith (trust) in Him as LORD and Savior! Jesus is the holy, humble and honorable Servant-King!
MARK 1:24
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
ACTS 4:27
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
MATTHEW 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
PHILLIPIANS 2:8
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
REVELATION 19:6-7
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
We who dwell "under the shadow of His wings" (PSALM 91:1) are under the authority of the LORD, and under His protection; He obligates Himself to look after us, care and provide for us. He is ever watchful to hide us {in His pavillion . . . in the time of trouble" (PSALM 27:5-7).
If any should doubt the love of the LORD, they only need to look at Calvary, where Jesus of Nazareth willingly took our place in dying for our sins, but then conquering over them, and death in resurrection power that He promises to one and all who will place their faith (trust) in Him as LORD and Savior! Jesus is the holy, humble and honorable Servant-King!
MARK 1:24
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
ACTS 4:27
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
MATTHEW 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
PHILLIPIANS 2:8
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
REVELATION 19:6-7
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Lastly, here are 10 primary attributes of the LORD God as given through the revelation of His Word:
1) Omniscient - All knowing
2) Omnipotent - All powerful
3) Omnipresent - Ever present (everywhere)
4) Immutable - Unchangeable
5) Holy - Wholly good, righteous, truthful and gracious
6) Righteous - Always doing what is just and right
7) Sovereign - Absolute and incontestable Supreme Authority
8) Love - Entirely devoted to the object of love, God demonstrates 'agape' love
9) Merciful - Not receiving what would be just punishment, but refraining from such judgment
10) Triune - One God represented in Three Persons of exactly the same character, nature, power and Deity
For an analysis of these Ten Attributes of the LORD God, please check out the following brief article by David Peach!
And for even more on this subject, consider this answer to the question concerning God by GOT QUESTIONS.ORG (Check out the related topics at the end this answer by GOT QUESTIONS)!
This concludes this article in this four part series on The FOUR Primary Offices of the LORD GOD YHWH. The third office that we shall examine is GOD as the Holy Judge!
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