TURN THE OTHER CHEEK – It Is Not What You Think It Might Be

“But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.”

Matthew 5:39 (NASB). These are the words and teachings of Jesus.

How does it make sense to let a person “slap you silly”. Showing restraint and non-aggression is one thing, but inviting a person to beat you to death by putting up no defense, negates show love for an enemy – especially if you are beaten to death.

In order to better understand this teaching, let’s be clear from the start. Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. (NASB).

Again, when sending out His first disciples, Jesus said, “These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6. (NASB).

And since this was the case, we need to understand that Jesus would often speak in a way, using metaphors, similes, and colloquial phrases in a context familiar to the Jews. And this is one of those times.

So, let’s take a close look at Matthew 5:39.

(1) The act of slapping someone on the right cheek in the cultural context of Jesus’ time was considered a severe insult, often delivered with the back of the hand. This was not just a physical attack but a challenge to one’s honor and dignity. The right cheek is specifically mentioned, suggesting a backhanded slap from a right-handed person, which was more insulting than a direct slap. This reflects the cultural importance of honor and shame in the ancient Near East. Jesus’ instruction here is not about physical violence, but about responding to personal insults and affronts.

Jesus is obviously calling for a radical response of non-resistance, which aligns with His teachings on love and forgiveness. This principle is echoed in Romans 12:17-21, where Paul advises believers to overcome evil with good.

Turning the other cheek is a metaphor for non-retaliation and the willingness to endure further insult rather than seek revenge. This action symbolizes the rejection of the cycle of violence and retaliation. It reflects the character of Jesus Himself, who, when reviled, did not retaliate (1 Peter 2:23). This teaching is a call to embody the kingdom values of humility, patience, and love, even towards one’s enemies.

It challenges believers to trust in God’s justice rather than taking matters into their own hands, aligning with the broader biblical theme of leaving vengeance to God (Deuteronomy 32:35). (Reference – BibleHub.com).

Which brings us to the final point: Faith and Trust.

1. It is possible to correctly and effectively obey this command of Jesus only if you understand, believe and trust that God will not only protect you, but exact His vengeance on the perpetrator. (This is why Jesus say to pray for your enemies – their fate in the Hand of our Living God as an enemy who is offending one of God’s own children, is worse than death.
2. It is possible to correctly and effectively obey this command of Jesus only if you recognize God’s sovereignty in and over your life. I.e., nothing happens to you that God has not allowed. (Jesus told Pontius Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11, NASB).
3. There is a purpose and God has a plan in all things concerning you. But if you interrupt His plan with a plan of your own, you have become an obstacle. (For example, Jesus He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.” (Matthew 16:23 NASB).
4. This does not mean that we are to become “doormats” to evil. We are to become “doormen” to the Kingdom of God. Our strength comes through our stubborn obedience to Jesus commands and teaching. (“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (“be, immovable, stubbornly planted”). Stand firm therefore”.
5. Throughout Jesus’ radical and revolutionary counter-cultural teachings, Jesus is saying at least these two things: (1). Resist not evil, i.e., do not become entangled in evil. It can affect you in ways that will draw you into its darkness. Stand firm in the Light of God and on His Word. But do resist the devil as you draw near to God, and the devil will flee from you. (2). We do not have time for the frivolity of fighting evil with our flesh. It is a waste of time, which we do not have. Jesus is coming soon, and the fields are ripe to harvest. We have much work to accomplish. Move past these “temporary and light afflictions”, as the Apostle Paul called them, which are “producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

It takes great trust and faith to follow this command of Jesus. But once we grasp the ‘bigger picture’ and understand that we have been invited and called to participate in God’s Plan for all humanity, we should be honored and humbled. This is a foreshadowing of what is to come:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost. The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8)

“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life”. (Rev 21:22-27)

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life, and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying”. (Revelation 22:14-15).

Let’s pray for one another as the day draws near!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Submission and Women as pastors – It isn’t what you think – an addendum.

(This is an addendum to the original article “About Submission and Women Pastors”)

I have recently been challenged by someone suggesting that “since the Bible cites women who prophesied in the Bible, and since prophecy can be defined as both ‘forth telling’ and as ‘foretelling’, and since ‘forth telling’ is the same as preaching, the women can be pastors.”

Wow! Wow, wow, wow. Okay. Since A equals B and B equals C and C equals D, there really is no A because it is really a D; or a B or a C?

Seriously, let’s begin by being reminded that Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and thereby has established the New Covenant in His Blood. For one (big) example, there is no longer any need for repeated animal sacrifices to atone for sin. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was and is the final sacrifice for atonement (made “at one”, reconciled) with God.

Next, the Apostle Paul explains that the law (the Torah, also known as the “Halakha” which translates as “the path that one walks”, also referred to as the “Mitzvot”, “Mishna” and the “Talmud”, was codified into what we call the Old Testament around 400 to 200 B.C.). Paul was clear when He said, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

This is important to remember when it comes to properly interpreting, reading and understanding Scriptures. We are to consider Scriptures in their original text and context, with the Old Testament as background and the New Testament as its fulfillment.

(Another example is found in Matthew 5: 21-26, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ But I (Jesus) say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ^‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. Truly, I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up every last cent.”

The New Testament (the New Covenant) is built upon the Old Testament (the Law and the Old Covenants), and the New Covenant has fulfilled the Law. That Law is now written upon our hearts and minds (see Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 10:16), and we have the Holy Spirit as our guide.

This should lead us to consider some misconceptions held by some who would co-mingle or syncretize the old and the new Covenants. Remembering that Jesus warned,“neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Some say it is okay for a woman to hold the office of pastor and to preach in a general assembly of believers, over both men and women. They say the Old Testament says that women prophesied, and since prophesying is a form of preaching, they can be pastors. I am not certain how a person could or even would link those two thoughts, but let me be clear. Number one, the role of a prophet or prophesying has absolutely no direct tie or effect upon the role of a pastor. A pastor might prophesy, whether preaching or foretelling, and a prophet might preach, but the roles are distinctively separate.

FACTS:

1. Nowhere in the Old Testament do we find a woman as a pastor (although she may have been a teacher. Some say men in leadership was just a cultural norm, and that custom has changed in the modern world. That  allegation is never mentioned in scriptures. What is mentioned is that God (and His Word) are the same yesterday, today and forever.
2. As mentioned above, we live under the New Covenant.
   1. The Apostle Paul and the New Testament teaches that The Spiritual Gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are offices but only the office / gift of pastor is restricted to men.
   2. Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught on differences between the role and office of prophet and gift of prophecy.
   3. The word Pastor is a term derived from a Greek word for “shepherd”, and is reserved for the male in the Bible – a role for men. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion. A shepherd (i.e., a pastor), is the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Figuratively, a pastor is someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord).  (Strong’s Concordance). Pastor:   This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”.  Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.

The term “poimén” primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.

The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.

(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

​During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)

d. In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11).  The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”. Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).

e. Preaching is a role of an Apostle, Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”.  It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land.  Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel , andthey were all men. No woman has even been assigned as an Apostle in the Bible. And although the OFFICE of Apostle is closed, the gift of bringing the message of the Gospel is still active.

f. Preaching is a role of an Evangelist. Evangelist:   An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.

g. Preaching is a role of a Teacher:  Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.

Finally, the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:33- 38, speaks to the matter of women speaking in Churches. “As in all the churches of the saints, verse 34, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. Verse 35. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Verse 36. Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?“

“Verse 37. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. Verse 38. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

This is a matter of authority-covering, protection and authority over God’s Church. There are so many roles and only one is absolutely, by scriptural authority, reserved for men – that of the office of Pastor, his roles, duties and responsibilities.

If someone knowingly links or lumps these offices together, it is both a misrepresentation of scriptures and a claim that the Word of God in incomplete and is malleable, open to personal interpretation. (However, 2 Peter 1:20 clearly mandates, But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation.)

Next, this is also using the method of Eisegesis to make a personal interpretation of scriptures, an interpretation of a text, especially a biblical text, by reading one’s own ideas or biases into it, rather than drawing out its original meaning. This approach is often subjective and can distort the intended message of the text. And although eisegesis itself is not classified as a heresy, it can lead to heretical interpretations of Scripture by imposing personal biases rather than drawing out the text’s original meaning. This practice is often criticized in theological discussions for distorting the intended message of the Bible.

When a church or a pastor decides to do these things, he (and she?) are operating “in the flesh” and outside the boundaries of clearly defined Scriptural mandates. And there really is no need nor a good reason to add one’s opinion to scriptures to achieve a personal result or to suit a personal view – and besides, there would be consequences in the Body.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Click here for the Link to the original article)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.

This is probably one of the best known verses from the Bible. In fact, I would dare to say that it has become rote in many people’s minds, and that is a shame. No. That is tragic. This verse is, without any doubt, the most significant prophetic and spiritual oracles from God. It is, as they say, ‘a game changer’ for all of humanity. So, let’s get a few things straight.

John 3:16 can be read and understood on several levels. First, on a personal level. Most people see this as saying that God loves “ME” so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son in order to somehow, in some mysterious and incomprehensible way, negate all my sins. Why is this? Because God says that the penalty of sin is death. If you see this in a natural way, it’s silly because we all die physically, but He is talking about a spiritual death. Even then, the Bible goes on to say that spiritual death is really a separation from God (and heaven) and an eternal punishment in “the lake of fire”, also known as Hell. But wait. God knew ahead of time, as did Jesus, that He (Jesus) would not remain dead. He rose from the dead. So, what kind of sacrifice, what kind of “gift”, (i.e., the “gift of salvation), is offered and then reversed? If you see this in the natural, in the “ME” sort of way, it makes no sense – that is, unless you just want to live in the fog of mystery. (I believe this is why so many people begin to doubt their salvation at some point and why so many others “fall away from the faith”).

It could also be understood on an emotional level. Stirring the emotions of people is one of the most powerful tools of preachers to get someone to “confess Jesus” in a little “sinner’s prayer” and “accept Jesus” into their heart. This also makes little-to-no-sense Biblically speaking. But, it does add a member to the roles of the church and gets the tithing machine going. Not to be too critical here, because this has seen success for those who hang in there long enough to “really get saved”. The problem here is that we “accept” Jesus? Just that though that we give the God of all creation “permission” to inhabit us is ludicrous. Contrary to what the ‘little sinner’s prayer’ says, the Bible says, to be saved we must believe in Him, which encompasses forsaking our current life, our own way of living, thinking and behaving and conform to the ways and teachings of Jesus. We must “die to self”, sellout to the Gospel and to Jesus and become His disciple, friend and servant.

How does “accepting Jesus” and allowing Him into hour heart square with the Bible when it says that “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].” This is saying that the one who truly finds God will, spiritually speaking, “pursue the kingdom with determination and zeal, overcoming obstacles and opposition. This aligns with the idea of spiritual warfare, where believers must be proactive in their faith. Theologically, it underscores the cost of discipleship and the need for perseverance in the face of adversity, as seen in passages like Ephesians 6:12 and 1 Timothy 6:12. (see BibleHub.com)

And my most favorite (to dislike) is that this verse can be understood on a philosophical level. This is for the poetic mind. The one with an imagination. The dreamer.

Much like the lyrics from Midnight Cowboy:

Everybody’s talking at me
I don’t hear a word they’re saying
Only the echoes of my mind

People stopping, staring
I can’t see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes

I’m going where the sun keeps shining
Through the pouring rain
Going where the weather suits my clothes

Banking off of the northeast winds
Sailing on a summer breeze
And skipping over the ocean like a stone

Wah, wah wah-wah wah
Wah-wah wah-wah, wah wah-wah
Wahhh

(This is how some poetic dreamers visualize being saved. So sad).

Or even the lyrics from the song The Joker:

People talk about me, baby
Say I’m doin’ you wrong, doin’ you wrong
Well, don’t you worry, baby, don’t worry
‘Cause I’m right here, right here, right here, right here at home

‘Cause I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one

I’m a picker, I’m a grinner
I’m a lover and I’m a sinner
I play my music in the sun
I’m a joker, I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I get my loving on the run

Whoo-ooh, ooh-ooh
Whoo-ooh, ooh-ooh

(This is how some poetic dreamers visualize being saved. So dumb. So sad. So dead.).

The philosophical approach to the Gospel and to salvation and to John 3:16 is a sure fire miss. And “missing the mark” (which is the actual definition of sinning) is deadly.

John 3:16, ”For God (the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent maker and Creator of the worlds, the cosmos and over every living thing), so loved the world (kosmos) that He gave (didomi – of one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage; to bestow, give as a gift that is never taken back), His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life”.

This verse must be read and understood as the prophetic Word of God. It is the very breath of God, the Flesh and Blood of Jesus. It is all about God and about Jesus, and yes, men and women must actively and aggressively storm the gates of heaven, so-to-speak, in order to obtain it. In other words, do all you must do and all that you can do so God will do only what He can do so that you will not perish, but have eternal life.

 Isaiah 55:8-13 reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

And do not return there without watering the earth </mh3588,>

And making it produce and sprout,

And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire, 

And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.

“For you will go out with joy

And be led in peace;

The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you,

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

“Instead of the thorn bush, the juniper will come up,

And instead of the stinging nettle, the myrtle will come up;

And it will be a memorial to the LORD,

An everlasting sign which will not be eliminated.”

God is not our “buddy”. He is an awesome God and greatly to be feared (Psalm 89:7). We must approach Him in reverence and awe. Yet He is a merciful, loving God and He loves us with an indescribable, unfathomable, unending love. So much so that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  Jesus is our Friend and Brother. And He is much more than that – so very much more.

He is The…

1. Almighty One –“…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8.
2.  Alpha and Omega – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13.
3.  Advocate – “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1.
4. Author and Perfecter of Our Faith –“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.
5.  Authority –“Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew. 28:18.
6.  Bread of Life –“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35.
7.  Beloved Son of God – “And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17.
8.  Bridegroom –“And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:15.
9.  Chief Cornerstone –“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” Psalm 118:22..
10. Deliverer – “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10
11. Faithful and True – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.” Revelation19:11.
12. Good Shepherd –“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11.
13. Great High Priest – “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Hebrews 4:14.
14. Head of the Church – “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:22.
15. Holy Servant – “…and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30.
16. I Am – “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58.
17. Immanuel –“…She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” Is. 7:14.
18. Indescribable Gift – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.
19. Judge – “…he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42.
20. King of Kings – “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14.
21. Lamb of God – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.
22. Light of the World – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.
23. Lion of the Tribe of Judah – “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5.
24. Lord of All – “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.
25. Mediator – “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5.
26. Messiah – “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).” John 1:41.
27. Mighty One –“Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Is. 60:16.
28. One Who Sets Free – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36
29. Our Hope –“…Christ Jesus our hope.” 1 Timothy 1:1.
30. Peace – “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” Ephesians 2:14.
31. Prophet – “And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:4.
32. Redeemer – “And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25.
33. Risen Lord – “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians. 15:3-4.
34. Rock – “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4.
35. Sacrifice for Our Sins –“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.
36. Savior – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.
37. Son of Man –“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10.
38. Son of the Most High – “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32.
39. Supreme Creator Over All – “By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.…” Col. 1:16-17.
40. Resurrection and the Life –“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25.
41. The Door – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9.
42. The Way –“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
43. The Word –“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.
44. True Vine – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1.
45. Truth –“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32.
46. Victorious One – “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:21.
47. – 50. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.