“In testifying of the Savior Jesus Christ, modern prophets have declared: “He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2000, 2).
Jesus Christ, as Jehovah, established Heavenly Father’s everlasting gospel on the earth in every dispensation of time in order to gather in every one of God’s children who were lost.
Our faith in Jesus Christ can be strengthened as we come to recognize His unchanging nature and His everlasting gospel.
What do you think Jesus meant by His response, “Before Abraham was, I am”? (verse 58).
7. To define the phrase “I am,” read Exodus 3:11–14; 6:2–3, looking for how the God of the Old Testament identified Himself. Ask yourself the following questions:
According to these verses, what names did the God of the Old Testament use to identify Himself? (The Joseph Smith Translation of Exodus 6:3 reads, “I am the Lord God Almighty; the Lord JEHOVAH. And was not my name known unto them?” See also Abraham 1:16.)
How do these verses clarify the significance of Jesus Christ’s statement, “Before Abraham was, I am”? (Students should recognize that Jesus Christ was Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament and the great I AM.)
8. “This is as blunt and pointed an affirmation of divinity as any person has or could make. ‘Before Abraham was I Jehovah.’ That is, ‘I am God Almighty, the Great I AM. I am the self-existent, Eternal One. I am the God of your fathers. My name is: I AM THAT I AM’” (Apostle and Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 1:464).
9. Jehovah is “the covenant or proper name of the God of Israel. It denotes the ‘Unchangeable One’” (Bible Dictionary, “Jehovah”).
Why is it important to know that Jesus Christ was Jehovah of the Old Testament? (Answer: God has always administered His gospel through His Son, Jesus Christ. See also 3 Nephi 15:5, which records the Savior’s teaching that He was the giver of the law.)
10. You may want to read aloud the following statement by Apostle and President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972):
“All revelation since the fall has come through Jesus Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. … The Father [Elohim] has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:27).
How does knowing that Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, is unchangeable help you to have faith in Him? (Answer: the knowledge that Jesus Christ is unchangeable helps us have faith that just as He kept His promises to the people we read about in the scriptures, He will keep His promises to us.)
11. By early post-biblical times, the Hebrew name for Jehovah (usually represented as Yahweh in literature) was considered too sacred to be pronounced. For this reason, except for a few exceptions (see Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4), the translators of the King James Version of the Bible rendered the word Jehovah as LORD (in all capital letters). In modern Judaism, it is replaced with the word Adonai, which means “Lord.”
13. Jehovah established the everlasting gospel anciently
14. Read Moses 6:51–52, 64–66 and identify what Jehovah taught Adam. In verses 51–52, Jehovah was speaking on behalf of the Father. Now ask yourself:
What did you notice about the gospel taught to Adam? (Answer: It is the same gospel taught today. [See 2 Nephi 31:10–16 for an example of the same gospel being taught in the Americas.] Emphasize this truth by writing the following statement on a piece of paper: The gospel of Jesus Christ is everlasting and unchanging in each gospel dispensation.)
15. In a later dispensation, Jehovah renewed His everlasting gospel through a covenant with Abraham known as the Abrahamic covenant. Now study Genesis 13:14–16; 17:2–8; Abraham 1:18–19; 2:8–11 and make a list of the promises the Lord made to Abraham. And study Genesis 17:1–5, 9; Abraham 1:19; 2:8–11 and make a list of what Abraham was required to do in order to receive the promised blessings.
Write the following chart on your paper, leaving space to list your responses:
Abrahamic Covenant
Promises Made to Abraham
Abraham’s Responsibilities
16. Summarizing the Abrahamic covenant read aloud the following statement:
“Abraham received the gospel and was ordained to the higher priesthood (D&C 84:14; Abr. 2:11), and he entered into celestial marriage, which is the covenant of exaltation (D&C 131:1–4; 132:19, 29). Abraham received a promise that all of the blessings of these covenants would be offered to his mortal posterity (D&C 132:29–31; Abr. 2:6–11). Together, these covenants and promises are called the Abrahamic covenant. The restoration of this covenant was the restoration of the gospel in the last days, for through it all the nations of the earth are blessed (Gal. 3:8–9, 29; D&C 110:12; 124:58; Abr. 2:10–11)” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Abrahamic Covenant”; scriptures.lds.org).
17. We emphasize that from the beginning, the Father covenanted with His children to gather them together through the truths, ordinances, and blessings of the everlasting gospel.
18. The Restoration of the gospel includes the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant.
19. That is, the Abrahamic covenant is a significant part of the new and everlasting covenant, which is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask yourself:
How does knowing that we are descendants of Abraham and heirs to all that God promised to him influence the way you live?
How does the availability of the blessings promised to Abraham and his posterity strengthen families and guide us in the decisions we make?
20. How can you secure the promised blessings of this covenant for yourself and your families, past, present, and future.
24. Look for words and phrases that teach what Jehovah did for ancient Israel.
25. You may want to suggest mark what you find and share what you learned.
26. For insight into why Jehovah did some of the things He did, read Exodus 6:2–6 aloud. Ask yourself:
What reason did Jehovah give for doing many of the things you read about in Joshua and 1 Nephi?
What does this tell you about the promises the Lord has made to you? (As students respond, write the following principle on the board: If we live faithfully, the Lord will keep the promises He has made to us.)
27. Read aloud the following statement by Apostle and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
“Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future. In times of distress, we can hold tightly to the hope that things will ‘work together for [our] good’ [D&C 90:24]” (“The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 23).
How can knowing about Jehovah’s actions anciently help you during times of trial?
What did He do for ancient Israel that He will also do for you?
28. We testify that in every dispensation of time, Jesus Christ has blessed God’s children with the everlasting gospel.
29. Just as the covenant people anciently received promised blessings from the Lord, so can we upon condition of our obedience.
My painting and my poem – Messiah Yeshua Young Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, by Richard W. Linford (Ricardo)
My attempt at poetry
Messiah
Young Lion of the Tribe of Judah
1
Messiah
Young Lion
Of The Tribe of Judah
Shiloh
Roar again
From Sinai
And from Calvary
2
The Garden of Gethsemane
The Holy Cross on Calvary
The Mount of Olives
Split in twain for all to see
Please Come
Young Lord Jesus
Please Come
With shout to Holy Judgment come again
3
Messiah
Jewish symbol
Through the ages
All shall bow the knee
Acknowledge THY great sovereignty
All Jews All Israelites All peoples
Enemies as well will kneel and worship at THY FEET
4 Great leader Tribe of Judah Son of God Please Come Young Jesus Christ Young Jesus Christ Please Come Again Today Please do not wait
5 Descend from heaven With shout to Holy Judgment Vesture Dipped in bright red blood Do not delay Please come I pray Today
6
Fourth son of Jacob
Judah is a young strong lion
This tribe of Judah
Lion’s whelp
Messiah
Jesus Christ
The lion’s cub
7
Son of God
Beloved son
This day
Have I begotten thee
Gethsemane
Tortured crucified upon the tree
Young Lion killed for you for me
8 Rose the third day from the garden tomb Rose to heaven apostles wept in awe Ascended to His Father yours and mine Came Young Lion REDEEMED US FROM THE FALL Come THOU GREAT DIVINE WHO DOST NOT SLEEP Terribly fierce AUSTERE yet loving BLESS US ALL Separate the goats from us THY HUMBLE SHEEP
9 Come eat your prey I pray Return REJOICE Come cleanse the earth of sin Come rule and reign in majesty A thousand years begin Break down the mountains MOVE THE OCEANS WITH THY POWERFUL VOICE remove all sin
10 Young lion Come Do crouch lie down In paradise Millennial fields Celestial glories Not a few for those who keep THY WAY
11
Fierce when angered
Who does dare to rouse him
Who would dare disturb him
Scepter
Not depart from Judah
Nor the staff between his feet
‘til Shiloh comes
12
He came He comes
All men do tremble at his might
Angel millions praise Him day and night
Men do hide In caves among the rocks
All nations tremble fall upon the earth
They bow the knee they weep before the Holy wind
Remembering all their blasphemy and sins
13 Tribe of Judah Family of the Son No more pograms Or the Aushwitz ovens No more hate Allegiance of all nations now is HIS and theirs all Jews are blessed Especially those who wait upon the YOUNG LION LORD
14
KING of Kings and KING of kings
Great LORD of Lords and LORD of lords
Judah’s Savior
Brothers praise you
Feet on necks of enemies
Father’s sons bow down to you
His daughters too
15 The scepter He’ll receive The staff between His feet When Shiloh comes Come Jesus Christ the rightful heir Triumph o’er all YOUR enemies THY RIGHT it is To RULE and REIGN
16
Allegiance of all nations His
For He is given all right to rule on earth in heaven too
“Then one of the elders said to me, Please “Do not weep!
“Behold, The Lion of the tribe of Judah, “The root of David,
“Has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Most blessed are those who bless you
And cursed are those who curse you
17
Then the remnant of old Jacob
Will be among the nations
In the midst of many peoples
Like a lion among the beasts of the forest
Like a young lion among the flocks of sheep
Which tramples and tears as it passes through,
With no one to rescue them old or new
18 Judah wears the signet ring Tied to a cord around his neck Full of activity Filled with enterprise so powerfully fair Having feasted upon His prey He goes to His mountain lair To His temple there to pray
19 Fearless and calm Conscious of His great and mighty strength Young Lion of Judah full-grown Who paid the ultimate price Wise far beyond wisdom of Solomon Majestic in His repose ‘tis the young Messiah Jesus Christ
20 Judah’s and Christ’s name Do speak of praise For God was praised for him Was praised by HIM Was praised in HIM All HIS brethren praise Him All Heathen bow the knee to worship Him as well
21 Soon, every knee will bow And every tongue confess That Jesus is the Christ Begotten Son of God Jehovah Great Creator Israel’s Holy Rod Alpha and Omega Beginning and the End The Holy Son of God Our advocate our Young and Holy Friend
22 Strong courageous brilliant tribe This suffering tribe of Judah Royal tribe From which Messiah Prince did spring His special chosen family Enjoy his power as bright success they sing Messiah Prince of War and Peace has come again
23 Young Shiloh Jesus Christ The Promised Seed in whom all peoples of the earth are blessed The peace filled prosperous One Our Saviour came of Judah Dying Jacob leaned upon his staff He saw his grandson’s Second Coming day His blinding bright return His wedding feast
24 Young Lion Tribe of Judah The True Lion Wine the symbol of YOUR suffering blood Broken bread the symbol of YOUR flesh Milk the honey gospel foods suffice Purchased without money without price He welcomes you He welcomes me He welcomes every thirsty hungry soul HE BLESSES every righteous soul not once but thrice
25 Young Lion Messiah Lion Tribe of Judah Shiloh Speak again From Sinai – Calvary – The Garden Tomb
26 Come Young Lion Split the Mount of Olives In twain Come save the Jews Destroy the armies Gog Magog their train Please Come TODAY Lord Jesus Come
27 Let Judgment Come Lord God Almighty Come Establish peace with great and small Receive us sheep into THY secure stall Holy Holy Holy We fall upon our knee Acknowledge THY great sovereignty
Messiah Young Lion Jehovah Tribe of Judah COME Shiloh Roar again From Sinai And from Calvary
PLEASE COME The Mount of Olives split in twain Lord Jesus Come With shout to judgment
During HIS mortality HE was a man of sorrows, the suffering Messiah. Now, HE is the resurrected, triumphant King of kings and Lord of lords, Wonderful, the Mighty God who soon will come in power and great glory to judge the earth and separate His sheep from the goats.
(Pen and Watercolor portrait by Richard W Linford 2019)
Jesus is the Christ, the Holy Messiah who soon will come!
He is Able.
Christ is
“Able … to save [us] to the uttermost [if we] come unto [God the Father]
by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for [us].” (Hebrews
7:25) He is “Able to do all things
according to his will, for [us], if it so be that [we] exercise faith in him
…”. (1 Nephi 7:12) “For in that he
himself hath suffered being tempted, he is Able to succour [we who] are
tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
“Our God [Jehovah] whom we serve is Able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace” and from the lions. (Daniel
3:17; 3; 6) As he has “promised, he [is] Able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21)
Our “God is Able
to make all grace abound toward [us].” (2 Corinthians 9:8) Jesus Christ
“is Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”(Ephesians 3:20, 21)
“For our
conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is Able even to
subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
He is “the
Lord [who] is Able to do all things according to his will, for the children of
men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him. Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.”
(1 Nephi 7:12)
For He said:
“I am Able to do mine own work.” (2 Nephi 27:20) Indeed, He “is Able to keep [us] from
falling, and to present [us] faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion
and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25) Through our
repentance, he is Able to lift us up when we fall.
“Wherefore
lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with
meekness the engrafted word, which is Able to save your souls” (James
1:21) both temporally and spiritually.
711 Comforting thoughts for the sad and the lonely and for those who are not, including the faith promoting, comforting, names of Jesus Christ.
Length: 199 pages.
Page Flip: Enabled.
FOREWORD.
Written for Christians and for non-Christians, following is a small collection of positive, life-changing, comforting, faith promoting quotes. The note in bold type is mine. You will no doubt have your own thoughts regarding what a particular quote or name means to you. If you are sad, or lonely, or fearful, if you are afraid because of the many discordant voices in the news, whether you are a Christian or Non-Christian, one or more of these quotes will calm your troubled heart, comfort you and give you peace. Having said this, it is obvious that we are destined whether sooner or later for exciting times so now is a great time to repent and prepare. Regarding Christ’s Second Coming, which no doubt is nearer than some might thing, Elder Charles W. Penrose penned these thoughts which give me great pause for deep thought, serious humility, and careful repentance.
“The tongue of man falters, and the pen drops from the hand of the writer, as the mind is rapt in contemplation of the sublime and awful majesty of his coming to take vengeance on the ungodly and to reign as King of the whole earth.
“He comes! The earth shakes. And the tall mountains tremble; the mighty deep rolls back to the north as in fear, and the rent skies glow like molten brass. He comes! The dead Saints burst forth from their tombs, and “those who are alive and remain” are “caught up” with them to meet him. The ungodly rush to hide themselves from his presence, and call upon the quivering rocks to cover them. He comes! With all the hosts of the righteous glorified. The breath of his lips strikes death to the wicked. His glory is a consuming fire. The proud and rebellious are as stubble; they are burned and “left neither root nor branch.” He sweeps the earth “as with the besom of destruction.” He deluges the earth with the fiery floods of his wrath, and the filthiness and abominations of the world are consumed. Satan and his dark hosts are taken and bound – the prince of the power of the air has lost his dominion, for He whose right it is to reign has come, and “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.”
“The people of the Saints of the Most High” will dwell on the earth, which shall bring forth her strength as in the days of her youth; they will build cities and plant gardens; those who have been faithful over a few things will be made rulers over many things; Eden will bloom, and the fruits and flowers of Paradise display their loveliness as at the first; Jesus shall reign “in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously,” and all created things shall “praise the Lord.”
This is one of my recent paintings. It highlights Jesus the Christ, the Holy Messiah, at The Last Supper providing the Bread in remembrance of his body, the Wine in remembrance of his blood; the Garden of Gethsemane where in agony Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world, Golgotha where he continued the process voluntarily giving his life on the Cross,the Garden Tomb where his body lay for three days while he ministered in the Spirit world, the marks in his hands and wrists where the nails were placed, the Empty Tomb representing his Resurrection. I SHARE MY WITNESS THAT HE LIVES AND WILL SHORTLY RETURN.
![JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE HOLY MESSIAH. Receive of His peace and comfort.: Come kneel at His feet and quietly worship, love, honor, and follow Him. by [Linford, Richard W.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41iBcjpD9tL.jpg)
