Bible Discussion Thread

God's attributes: Beauty

The beauty of the cross is perhaps no better described than in Isaiah 52:14. His appearance or "visage" was so marred from the beatings and other injuries before the crucifixion that Jesus was hardly recognizable as a man. But by His stripes; we are healed ( Isaiah 53:5 just a few verses later). He has brought us beauty from ashes ( Isaiah 61:3) which in context means Israel will have restitution after suffering judgment. But God in the flesh resulted not in admiration but in a man of sorrows acquainted with grief ( Isaiah 53:3).

God's awe inspiring attributes are seen in the visions of the Lord as seen by Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1:22 and associated verses in Revelation 15:2; etal; and Daniel 10:6; etal). The true beauty of God; of course ties in with His selflessness; agape love and other characteristics that are above storge; Philleo and eros type of human love. Satan himself was a most beautiful creation as Lucifer ( Ezekiel 28:12) UNTIL he fell. Now the beauty is vanity as it is with any fallen creature who pride has allowed to contaminate. God Himself deserves worship and is not being arrogant in stating this desire but there are no verses I am aware of that state God is PROUD of being the God of all creation; He is supreme and in that sense better than anyone else; but He calls His followers by name and "friends" ( John 15:15). This makes Him the perfect Father.

God created all things for His good pleasure including man ( Revelation 4:11). No doubt Adam and Eve in a sinless state were beautiful; and perhaps still externally appeared that way after the fall. All things were fearfully and wonderfully made ( Psalm 139:14) but man has sought out many inventions (see Ecclesiastes 7:29). 1 Chronicles 16:27 talks of the majesty of God which no doubt incorporates beauty as seen in the creation. This makes man without excuse; as Romans 1 and Psalm 19 make clear.

God's beauty is more than skin deep and indescribable as all other traits.

God's attributes (D through G); Divinity; Essence; Father; God

These characteristics all are involved with the Trinity to some respect; but we will not attempt to "parse out" specific attributes related to any member of the Godhead in this posting but get into general characteristics here unique to the Lord. Divine has a sort of untouchable royalty associated with the sentiment behind the meaning; which of course sort of fits in with the "essense" generally of His precence. Father and God also are pretty well interchangeable as to our designation of the almighty Lord.

Divinity: God is high and exalted but not remote. Isaiah 57:15 states: "For this is what the high and exalted one says, the one who rules forever, whose name is holy: 'I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged.' Philippians 2:7 shows how Christ emptied Himself from divine form and became a servant. Divinity is used in a handful of other verses as well; but we understand the condescension Christ did for our behalf as part of the "Divine counsel" ( Psalm 82:1).

Essence: To sum God up would bring unique characteristics (the three "O"s-omnipresence; omnipotence and omniscience which will be discussed later in the O section). God is to be worshipped in "Spirit and truth" ( John 4:24). He also came bodily and we must believe He came in the flesh ( 1 John 4:2) to have saving faith; thus we don't adhere to a "gnostic" gospel. His Godhead is important and apparently evident from creation (King James version Romans 1:20) which also BTW mentions His Divine nature.

He who denies the Son doesn't know the Father ( 1 John 2:23). Therefore we must hold to the Christian faith where there is the Messiah in Christ promised in the O.T.; as well as God the Father and the Spirit which lives within His elect ( Ephesians 1:13-14).

Father and God: God was Christ's Father and our heavenly father.

Richard, I will leave off for now. Your turn-tag you're it-so to speak. This is delightful to do this with you. Thank you. God is the only One who is truly worthy of our attention, study, and worship. Glory, honor and praise to Him!

Whoa nelly! I haven't gotten to completion of the f and g with the infernal 2000 character limit...just took a nap and voila you have about 8 suggestions...

Why don't you at least put down your f and g ideas first as a posting; or post ALL the aforementioned ideas. Seems as though I was wrong you have the speed AND the detail at a pace that seems to outmatch me in both aspects. Cudos to you; although it is isn't a competition I suppose...

I guess people may look at these comments anyway. First problem I have is there is so much overlap and sometimes in a particular verse. Would be fun in a way for the children to get some long statement with all the letters to stimulate minds.

Such works with the saying "Almighty beauty caring "divine essence" of "Father God" who is "holy and invisible; jealous and kind" or something to that affect. Maybe a song..

At the end of the day it is God's everlasting character which goes beyond or circumstances; the length of our lives from and to all eternity which is our foundation. We as puny man are given an opportunity to represent Him as He shapes and molds us through sanctification to ultimate glorification. I am thinking glorification as an interesting theme both for how Christ was glorified after suffering and then us as "first fruits". I'll give you a day or two to collect your thoughts and maybe finish Zechariah 13 and 14 or post something else in the meanwhile. Starting work Tuesday so likely will slow down posts next week.

I know some read and rarely comment; it doesn't seem there is a huge audience at any rate. I had thought of how answered prayers could be coordinated as it seems rather sparce with one or two serious requests a day and no clear evidence some are answered that at least are coherent or make sense. There seems to be a lack of answered prayers and that may be a category the site should explore or a subject to post about.

Agape; bye for now; Rich P

Richard,

I agree that we are not competing here. I hope I did not give that impression. I was jesting when I said "Tag-you're it."

It is more like Iron sharpening iron here. We are building one another up in knowledge for what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture. That is wonderful. It would be good to take a few days rest on this. We all need time to digest what is presented in the posts on this forum and take a serious and prayerful look at what people say.

This line of posting is very exciting for me because I love speaking and listening about Who God is in truth, not what we make Him to be in our minds. Scripture reveals His character and we can know that what He says about Himself is true and does not change. We can depend and trust Him because He is faithful to Himself.

I hope your new job works out well for you. Let us know how it goes. Also, how are you feeling since your illness? Have you your strength back? I will continue to pray for your wellness and that you find this new job a good fit for you at this time in your life.

cont. from Lam. 3:21-23

".. because they compassions fail not; They are new every morning: Great is Thy faithfulness." So, so thankful!

For "G" I think that God is GOOD:

Only God is truly good, without any lack of goodness, nor does He have any evil in Him. He is perfectly, eternally good. There is no one truly good beside Him as Jesus said in Mark 10:18.

Romans 3:12 says that there is no one who does good, all of us have sinned and fall short of the good that is who God is. His goodness is the mark that we fall short of.

In Genesis 1 we see that all that God created was good. It was truly good, but not perfected as He is perfect. Satan and mankind were able to sin, but God had this in mind when He made the Everlasting Covenant within the Godhead before creation. His aim in creating was to perfect a people for Himself in eternity for all eternity so that, with the angels, we will forever do His will, love one another, worship God in the way He deserves, and sing of His goodness forever.

2Chr. 7:3 says that God is good; His love endures forever. How comforting it is to know that God will never do to us what is wrong! see Ps. 119:68-the Lord is good and all that He does is good. Ps. 145:9 says that the LORD is good to ALL!

Ps. 100:5 attests that the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures through ALL generations.

So knowing that God is truly Good all the time, we, who have been made sons and daughter of God by the Holy Spirit through the work of His Son, ought to seek what is good and hate what is evil. We should avoid company that would lead us into sin, situations that will tempt us to do evil. We should live as one who has been set free of the slavery of our sinful nature and live for God, being slaves to righteousness. We cannot earn our way to God with good deeds, but we are to live as He wants us to, and that is to do what is good and righteous, godly and God-honoring. We should despise our sins and flee evil, resisting Satan.

Hello again, Richard

For "F" I think of God's FAITHFULNESS

He is forever faithful. Deut. 7:9 says He is the faithful God. Psalm 33:4 says that He is faithful in all He does. And Ps. 89:24 says that His love is faithful. Ps. 145:13 says that the LORD is faithful to all of His promises.

1 Cor. 1:9 says that God is faithful (see also 1 Cor. 10:13. 1 Thess. 5:24 and 2 Thess. 3:3 firms that God is faithful and will keep us and establish us in our life in Christ. Even if we are unfaithful to God, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself-

2 Tim. 2:13

1 Peter 4:19 says we can commit our self to our Faithful Creator when we suffer. And 1 Jn. 1:9 says God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. And gloriously in Rev. 19:11 Jesus is called Faithful and True.

So we can depend on God's faithfulness because it is true and trustworthy. It never fails and is never withdrawn or disappears. Nor does it this faithfulness ever deceive us as being unfaithful when He says He is faithful because God cannot be what He is not. Ps. 36:5 and 57:10 say His faithfulness reaches to the skies. It is immeasurably reliable.

Ps. 89:8 says:

"O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You." It is part of His glory that comes from His essence. Ps. 117:2 says His faithfulness endures forever.

Is. 25 :1 says

"O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." God's faithfulness and truth cannot be separated, they are aspects of His Essence which is not divided up into separate attributes; all His attributes are unified in His One Essential Nature.

Is. 42:3 says that in His faithfulness He will bring forth justice. So true justice comes from His faithfulness to Who He is.

I love Lamentations 3:21-23:

"This I recall to my mind., therefore I have hope. It is of the LORD's mercy that we are not consumed,

(see next post)

Hello again Richard,

For "D" I think of DOMINION"

God has dominion over all things. He allows things to occur that are sinful, but does not lose control of anything. He determines boundaries of nations, natural things like the sea, and the rise and fall of kingdoms, governments, and peoples. Nothing gets "out of hand" for Him. he can bring glory out of dire circumstances, preservation in trials, blessing where things around are falling apart, and can humble whomever He wishes. Job 26 speaks of His dominion. Ephesians Ch. 1:19-22 tells us that God has dominion over ALL things in Christ, having put all powers under His feet.

Daniel 4:2-3 says:

"I though it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought towards me. How great are His signs! and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation (for all time and eternity).

Also see, Daniel 7:14

For "E" I think of ETERNAL" AND "EVERLASTING" and "EXISTANCE" "ESSENCE"

God has always existed. He, Himself is the only Self-Existing One (I Am Who I Am) His Essence is Life and Eternal Existence. he does not drive His life nor His existence from outside of Himself and it was never created. He just IS, period. Therefore, he cannot have a beginning nor end, But is, Himself ETERNITY. There is no aspect of eternity that is not God. Our eternal life is given to us by God as we live IN Him. And once we receive His Eternal Life it is Everlasting like He is. The difference in our existence from His is that we have a beginning and our life came from Him. The difference in our eternity is that we cannot have Eternal Life apart from Him. From everlasting to everlasting He is God ( Neh. 9:5; Is. 40:28; Hab Gen. 1:12

God is the Eternal God, Gen. 21:33; Jer. 10:10; Ps.93:2

His ways are eternal-Hab.3:6. See 1 Tim. 1:17. He is the true God and eternal life- 1 Jn. 5:20.

How comforting it is to now that we will never be without God!

oops, I meant derive, not drive. Typing too fast.

God's attributes: Compassion or caring

1 Peter 5:7 says that we should cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. Several passages in Psalms discuss God's compassion and or mercy. Romans 9:15 states that He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy; and compassion on whom He will have compassion. Ultimately; of course that involves those who come to saving faith in Christ; but of course for now it rains on the just and the unjust. ( Matthew 5:45). Luke 18:38 shows how Bartimaeus asked for mercy and Christ healed his blindness.

According to Lamentations 3:22 his compassions they fail not; and that is due to His mercy that we are not consumed. The theme there is the destruction of the Babylonians with the horrible famine in particular focus. This verse could be taken as physical survival of the ordeal but also spiritual preservation of the soul. God always preserves a remnant; and God honors His covenants and that is through the remnant that is purged in various trials.

God's Attributes: Covenants

I have discussed covenants in particular focus on the marriage covenant in previous posts. I have given at least an outline of the (imlied) covenant with Adam and the first one in scripture regarding the rainbow and God preserving the world from another global flood; the Abrahamic Covenant; the Mosaic Covenant; and finally the new covenant that Christ has given His people under the blood and how it is even more stringent with thoughts and intentions than the previous one (see Matthew 5:20 on exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees). I will reinforce the fact that except for the abrogation of the Old Covenant in terms of the law and righeousness for the New under Christ; covenants in God's eyes are eternal; or at least as far as the terms made between men and God or even between men as to the length (in marriage it is until "death do us part" which fits in with 1 Corinthians 7:39.) We are not to take a vow flippantly ( Ecc. 5:4-6).

Hello, Richard,

I was thinking of God's compassion as I was out doing errands this morning. The verses you cited came to my mind.

God's caring ways towards ruined mankind is touching. His compassion does not fail us. He looks upon us in our ruined state and desires to "gather us under His wing" as Jesus stated about Jerusalem (and the Jewish people of His time, knowing what lied ahead in the destruction coming in 70 A.D.) He stated that they would not come to Him and therefore could not be gathered under His wing (salvation). But, although God knew that the Jews would reject His Son, He still had compassion on them in their sorry state. His compassion moves Him to draw us to Him for salvation, for salvation is the only remedy for our sinful state to be rectified. And, most of all, it is Him who we need the most. Coming to God through Jesus having been drawn by the Father is the most compassionate thing He does for us.

With regards to Covenants: I think of the Everlasting Covenant made within the Godhead before creation for the saving of mankind from sinfulness and its effects in order for us to be in union with Him. How wonderful is this Covenant! To think that this agreement was made before all things were made shows that God never intended to leave us in our sin, but to save us and to keep us is free with eternal life forever. This Covenant endures forever between the Godhead and between God and us who believe. God, in His great wisdom, thought that allowing for sin to be birthed in Satan, His angels, and mankind was the best way to show the glory of His sovereignty, power, love, and ability to make new what has been ruined beyond repair unless He does the work of redemption. We think that it would be better if there was never any sin, but God knows better in deeper and more intelligent and wise ways than we could every imagine.

Maybe you should do every other study or certain letters as it is clear you have more detailed scriptural insight and such into these matters. Certain themes tend to overlap such as wrath; anger; indignation; etc. or love; compassion; mercy and the like. (As a sidenote I could do "X" ray vision or with His "stripes" we are healed like a zebra.) My foresight and planning are nil as you can probably tell although I think fast and type quickly so maybe I am able to camoflauge those weaknesses. Since my organization is lacking I will take any suggestions on your part on what is lacking.

As to the subject I discussed in my last letter; I just received an email from someone on another video on divorce and remarriage where I was able to talk about some more stuff in detail. Maybe that's an answered prayer it was from something I posted weeks or maybe over a month ago. I should say that there is obvious blessings in those who are in godly marriages and it is noteable in the raising of children; as well as prayers that are answered. In general we can't claim anything from the Lord if there is deliberate sin in our lives; which also gives Satan and his demons legal access to our minds. Staying in fellowship where there is doctrinal truth preached is vital; just as it is destructive to continue where lies are taught. Society has made something honorable in God's sight to be looked down upon as boring or whatever. Good is evil and vice versa in our society.

Maybe I'll get into that with the goodness of God if I get that far.

Agape; thanks as ever for your prolific responses although hope you aren't my only audience...

Rich P

Good Morning Richard.

I think it is fine for us to do this together. You can identify the attribute that comes to your mind, and I can do what comes my mind for the same letter. It would be good to get both insights since this is such an important matter.

I once led jr. high Sunday school and had the kids brainstorm aspects of God's character a-z and then had partners pick use concordance and bible to find Scripture that spoke about what is said about that aspect. Then they shared out by reading the Scripture.

The intention was for them to learn more about God's nature and revere Him and to learn to use a concordance to find things in Scripture

So, I am glad to collaborate with you on this stream. It is always good to remind ourselves on the greatness of God in a wide and true view of His nature.

For letter "C" I think of His CREATIVITY

He created all this, visible and invisible, all from nothing but His Word and Power. He created physical matter with it's atoms and the protons, electrons and neutrons that make up the atom. He also created the energy that causes atoms to work. He created the life of every living thing. Life comes only from His Being because He is the Life's source.

He caused the planets to form and stars/suns to give off life, being constant burning of gases that emit light and heat. He created moons to reflect light from the suns. The vastness of the universe is mind boggling for us. The way the solar systems have organization, magnetic and gravitation pull on planets to revolve around the sun. The way forces keep solar systems stable is amazing.

The diversity of life on this planet is astounding. I was just watching two spiders in my yard where one smaller and a different species) attached the larger one in the web and prevailed. To see how the larger one continued to fight for life even when disabled by the smaller one showed me how God put this survival instinct into living creatures. Life is precious and worth living.

Col. 1 :16-17

Brother GiGi

Greetings in Christ JESUS

You said that you "don't know if the angels can see the Father, or if for all eternity they saw the Godhead in the Son even before He was incarnated".

Remember that John the Baptist was an angel( Isaiah 40:1 to 14 reveal who is his person combined with Malachi 3:1), angels are born by the Power of the Word of GOD, by prophecy, even our Lord JESUS affirmed this( Matthew 11:9-10), and John the Baptist, the angel of the Lord, knew JESUS before His birth, as even he testified: John the Apostle wrote about the testimony of John the Baptist, saying: John 1:18 - 18 No man hath seen GOD at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.

By the way, we must know with certainty through the Word of GOD that the TRUE BELIEVERS will be angels of GOD from now on, by the transformation and changing of the nature of them all, the Word of GOD will do it in the true believers, do you understand? Because they was born from GOD-from the Word-the Word is GOD- Philippians 3:20-21 combined with 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and Romans 8:18-25, Believest thou this?)

Our Lord JESUS said: Luke 20:35-36-

35 - They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world (next world-the Kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15-18) and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

36 Neither can they die any more: for they are EQUAL UNTO THE ANGELS; and are the children of GOD, being the children of the resurrection.

Matthew 25:29 - For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Matthew 25:4-6

4 - The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and SLEPT. (Similar Genesis 2:21-25)

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; GO YE OUT(yes, GO OUT)TO MEET HIM.

Come up hither- Revelation 4:1

Hallelujah, praise our GOD

Hello Richard,

Another "B" attribute that comes to my mind is:

BENEVOLENT

God is giving. He gives of Himself within the Godhead in relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They give each other love, and, and harmony, and glory in an eternal way. He gives to creation life and beauty and provision for physical needs, and salvation from sin for those elected. He promised to give good gifts to His children when they ask. Luke 11:13.

He gives us all we need for life and godliness: 2 Peter 1:3

"According as His divine power hath given unto all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him (Jesus) who hath called us to glory and virtue."

God even gives to the unbelievers and the believers alike, making the sun to shine on both, giving rain in season, causing crops to grow for a harvest.

So I think it is good to be content in all things, because all good things comes from His hands. We also should cultivate gratitude to Him for all we receive each day from Him. I try to do this more and more. He deserves our gratitude and for us to have thankful hearts before Him.

Richard,

Yes, we see the beauty of God in the scars on our Lord's hand feet, side, and head. These are viewable by all who see Him in heaven at the right hand of the Father, reigning and ruling with all power and authority. Praise God!

Our world is so very beautiful, even though corrupted and fallen from sin. When I am blessed to go into the mountains and see over the mountain ridges it is breathtaking. To see crystal clear mountain lakes undisturbed by civilization, I am wowwed. When I see all that God has allowed me to see in this life, I am thankful and blessed. But we do know that mankind is chief among His creatures. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. When I see new born babes, I am so taken.

But all of the beauty of creation cannot compare to the beauty of God in Christ. I am so glad that we will be able to see Him in eternity. Though the Father dwells in inapproachable light, Jesus is approachable and visible for us in heaven. So, we will see God, as all the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. How gracious of Him to have become incarnated so we mere humans can see Him with our own eyes.

I don't know if the angels can see the Father, or if for all eternity they saw the Godhead in the Son even before He was incarnated. But we are not purely spiritual beings like the angels and to think that God thought it best to take on humanity (that was formed in His image) for us! I also think that His holiness will be visibly beautiful, His perfection in every attribute awesome, and His Presence overwhelming. Can't wait!