Christ: The Uncreated Lamb of God

In this relatively short post, I will provide evidence from the Apocalypse of John that Jesus is not a creature, but is the eternal, uncreated divine Son who became a human being. I start off with some of the titles and functions ascribed to Christ, which the Old Testament attributes to YHWH:

“Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation… I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives.” Revelation 3:14, 19

Here, our Lord does from heaven what YHWH does, namely, chasten and rebuke his followers:

“My son, do not reject the discipline of Yahweh Or loathe His reproof, For whom Yahweh loves He reproves, Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12 Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

The risen Christ is also described with the very names of YHWH, and in similar contexts:

“They said to Jeremiah, ‘May Yahweh be a true and faithful witness against us if we don’t do exactly what Yahweh your Elohim tells us to do.’” Jeremiah 42:5 Names of God Bible (NOG)

“Those who pronounce a blessing in the land will do so by the God called Amen; those who make a solemn pledge in the land will do so by the God called Amen. Past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my sight. Look! I’m creating a new heaven and a new earth: past events won’t be remembered; they won’t come to mind.” Isaiah 65:16-17

Note that YHWH is both the true and faithful witness, as well as the Amen, a Name given within the same context of his creating a new heaven and earth.

Amazingly, this is one of John’s major themes in the book!

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband… Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues spoke with me. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ He took me in a Spirit-inspired trance to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. The city had God’s glory. Its brilliance was like a priceless jewel, like jasper that was as clear as crystal. It had a great high wall with twelve gates. By the gates were twelve angels, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. The city wall had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the Lamb’s twelve apostles.” Revelation 21:1-2, 9-14

Even more amazing is that the Apostle describes the heavenly Jerusalem not as the bride of the Father, but as the Lamb’s wife, and refers to their upcoming wedding feast when Christ comes to consummate his spiritual union with his spiritual spouse:

“Let us rejoice and celebrate, and give him the glory, for the wedding day of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. She was given fine, pure white linen to wear, for the fine linen is the saints’ acts of justice.’ Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Favored are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.’ He said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’” Revelation 19:7-9

The reason this is shocking is because the Hebrew Bible attests that YHWH, and not a creature, is the spiritual Husband of Israel/Jerusalem:

“Your husband is your maker. His name is Yahweh Tsebaoth. Your Go’el is Qedosh Yisrael. He is called the Elohim of the whole earth.” Isaiah 54:5 NOG

If YHWH is the Spouse of earthly Jerusalem, how much more would he be the Husband of the heavenly one, seeing that it is the reality of which the former is merely a shadow and type?

Yet by stating that Jesus is the Husband, John has again borne witness to Christ being YHWH God Almighty who became a human being.

This brings me to my next point.

Christ refers to himself as the Alpha & Omega, the First & the Last, and the Beginning & the End, and also claims to be the One who will come to judge and recompense every individual for what s/he has done:

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, but look! Now I’m alive forever and always. I have the keys of Death and the Grave.” Revelation 1:17-18  

“‘Look! I’m coming soon. My reward is with me, to repay all people as their actions deserve. I am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end… I, Jesus, have sent my angel to bear witness to all of you about these things for the churches. I’m the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star… The one who bears witness to these things says, ‘Yes, I’m coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:12-13, 16, 20

The risen Jesus even states that he has the power over life and death, and examines the hearts and minds of every individual, which is why he is able to give them exactly what they deserve:

“Write this to the angel of the church in Thyatira: These are the words of God’s Son, whose eyes are like a fiery flame, and whose feet are like fine brass… and I will even put her children to death with disease. Then all the churches will know that I’m the one who examines minds and hearts, and that I will give to each of you what your actions deserve.” Revelation 2:18, 23   

Once again, these are the very names, abilities, roles, etc., which the prophets ascribe only to YHWH!

It is YHWH who is the First & the Last that will come to repay each man according to his deeds, since he alone examines the hearts and minds of all:

“Look! The Lord Yahweh comes with strength, and his arm rules for him. Look! His reward is with him, and his recompense in his presence.” Isaiah 40:10 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

“Thus says Yahweh, the king of Israel, and its redeemer, Yahweh of hosts: ‘I am the first, and I am the last, and there is no god besides me.’” Isaiah 44:6 LEB 

“Listen to me, Jacob, and Israel, whom I called: I am he. I am the first; also I am the last.” Isaiah 48:12 LEB

“I, Yahweh, examine the mind, I test the heart, and give to each one according to his way, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10 LEB

As if this weren’t convincing enough that John portrays Jesus as YHWH Almighty, the Seer records a vision in which he beheld every created thing in all of creation worshiping Jesus in the exact same way that God is worshiped, and for the exact same duration!

“When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each held a harp and gold bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They took up a new song, saying,

‘You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain, and by your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

‘You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will rule on earth.’

“Then I looked, and I heard the sound of many angels surrounding the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. They numbered in the millions—thousands upon thousands. They said in a loud voice,

‘Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and might, and honor, glory, and blessing.’ 

“And I heard EVERY CREATURE in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea—I heard EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE say,

‘Blessing, honor, glory, and power belong to the one seated on the throne AND TO the Lamb forever and always.’

“Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshipped.” Revelation 5:8-14 

John isn’t alone in this respect, since the blessed Apostle Paul also proclaimed that a day will come when every creature will worship the risen Jesus in recognition of his being YHWH Incarnate:

“Because of that, God then raised Jesus Christ to the most important place. God gave him the name that is greater than every other name. As a result, when people hear Jesus' name, they must worship him. Everyone will have to go down on their knees in front of him. That includes everything that is in heaven, everything on the earth and everything under the earth. Everyone will have to agree that Jesus Christ is Lord. When they say that aloud, they will show that God the Father is very great.” Philippians 2:9-11 EasyEnglish Bible (EASY)

Paul has taken what the prophet Isaiah said in regards to the worship, which every human being must render to YHWH,

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God, and there’s no other. I have sworn a solemn pledge; a word has left my mouth; it is reliable and won’t fail. Surely every knee will bow and every tongue will confess;” Isaiah 45:22-23

And applied it to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Clearly, both inspired Apostles truly believed and taught that Jesus Christ is YHWH Almighty who became Man, while also affirming his personal distinction from both the Father and the Holy Spirit.  

Unless indicated otherwise, scriptural citations taken from the Common English Bible (CEB).

Further Reading

Christ as the Divine Amen

JESUS CHRIST: TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD

TRUE GOD OF TRUE GOD