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Containing an examination of the divine testimony concerning the highest character and glorious perfections of the Son of God.
1. The testimony of the Prophets.
Isa. 6:1, 3. I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Compared with John 12:41. Isa. 9:6. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, etc. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, etc. Isa. 7:14. Matt. 1:23. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is, God with us. Micah 5:2. Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. John 3:31. He that cometh from heaven is above all. John 1:34. And I saw, and bear record that this is the Son of God. John 3:36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him.
2. The testimony of the Apostles.
John 1:1, 3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Rev. 19:13. And his name is called the Word of God. John 20:28. And Thomas answered, and said unto him, My Lord, and my God. Acts 20:28. Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Rom. 9:5. Christ—who is overall, God blessed for ever. Amen. 1 Tim. 3:16. God was manifest in the flesh. Col. 2:9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 1:15. Who is the image of the invisible God; the first-born of every creature, for by him were all things created, etc. Heb. 1:3. Who being the brightness of his (the Father's) glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, etc. Acts 10:36. He is Lord of all. John 2:25. He knew what was in man. John 6:64. Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. John 1:4. In him was life. Matt. 9:35. And Jesus went, etc. healing every sickness, and every disease among the people. Matt. 14:33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him. John 9:38. And he worshipped him. 2 Pet. 3:18. To him be glory, both now and for ever. Amen. Rev. 1:6. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. 5:12. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Rev. 5:13. And every creature, etc. heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Rev. 7:10. Salvation unto our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Matt. 16:16. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Acts 9:20. And straitway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Heb. 4:14. We have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. 1 John 4:15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. John 20:31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 1 John 5:5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:10, 13. Rom. 1:3, 4. Rom. 14:10. We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:10.
3. The testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev. 1:17. I am the first and the last. John 8:58. Before Abraham was, I am. John 10:30. I and my Father are one. John 5:22, 23. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father. John 17:5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Matt. 28:18. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. John 17:2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. John 10:18. I have power to lay it down (my life) and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 5:26, For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. Matt. 9:6. The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. Matt. 28:20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt. 28:20. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Luke 22:69. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Matt. 25:31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory, etc. John 11:25. I am the resurrection and the life. John 9:35. Dost thou believe on the Son of God? John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already; because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
4. The testimony of God the Father.
Heb. 1:8. Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.—1:6. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him. Zech. 13:7. Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts. Matt. 17:5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.
How glorious and precious is this divine testimony concerning the sinner's friend! Let us carefully examine what truths it plainly exhibits for our faith and love.
1. We have here most plainly revealed to us, that our blessed Saviour really existed before he appeared on earth. He was before Abraham. He was with the Father in the beginning, and possessed glory with him before the world was. He came down from heaven. He created the world, and consequently must have really and actually existed in the beginning, and not merely in the divine purpose.
2. Here also the eye of faith beholds him with admiring joy, "God over all." As by him all things were made, so by him all things consist. His throne is for ever and ever. On that throne of inconceivable glory, he appears encircled with holy majesty, the "King of kings and Lord of lords;" the creator, the preserver, the judge of the universe. For all these important offices, he is adequately qualified; for "in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
3. He is an object of worship. To him every knee must bow. Angels are commanded to worship him. His disciples prayed to him and worshipped him. To him they committed their departing spirits. All men are to honour him "even as they honour the Father."
4. In the divine character of the Son of God, he is presented to a dying world as the only name "by whom we must be saved." In him alone we have eternal life, believing in him as "the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Let us then, with grateful joy, set to our "seal that God is true," by receiving the testimony concerning his Son. Let us build our hope for eternity on this foundation which God himself hath laid, for "other foundation can no man lay." Let us look for the remission of sins only through his blood; and by this find access into the most holy place. Let us confide in him as "the Lord our righteousness," and obey him as "King on the holy hill of Zion." Let us unite with the redeemed multitude in ascribing the glory of salvation "to him that sitteth on the throne and unto the Lamb." Finally, let us, like holy Stephen, commit our departing spirits into the arms of his mercy, assured that the "eternal judgment" of the great day will soon confirm the following testimony: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: But the wrath of God abideth on him."
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