If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Before the LORD’s expansion (firmament) of the above, a reminder of His purpose in sending these messages. They are His revelation, uncovering the meaning in His written word, treasure therein hidden by men’s neglect and the resulting degeneration into darkness (ignorance). These riches, which have been reserved in heaven, in the clouds as vapors, are waiting to be reassembled and sent again as the latter rain. The waters, when combined with light (understanding), awaken God’s seed, His people in the earth, ignorant of this greater reality, unaware they are His family, and they rise from their sleep to join Him. These messages are patterns, not to enlighten us to the past, but to give us an understanding of the moment, the reality they uncover in the present. They are the presence of the LORD revealed to us and in us (His family).
The title verses, John 10:35 & 36, are the LORD telling us these truths, and in verse before referring us to Psalms 82, a Psalm of Asaph, meaning it is speaking of gathering (the family of God to the Father). The Hebrew word, rendered “God” and “gods” several times in this Psalm, is Elohim (‘elohiym). It is from the words ‘el, meaning strength and mighty, and hem, meaning they (like masses of people), which is from the word huw (hiy), meaning self (singular).
The name is referring us to the Father’s declaration in creating us, saying in Genesis 1:26 & 27, He created us, first in His image and then in His likeness. The name there used for the creator is Elohim, defining the One from whom the many come, children in His image given the ability (endowed with a mind) to then, by calling and choice, become His likeness.
The word “image” is the Hebrew word tselem, meaning to shade, as in a shadow cast when light is blocked. It is said to further mean, “a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol.” This last meaning, the image of man as an idol, defines for us the origin of all idols, men who put themselves in God’s (the Father’s) place, as the origin of the wisdom and knowledge, and thereby block His light (understanding that only comes from His mouth).
In Genesis 1:26 God says he is going to create man in His “image” and “likeness,” the latter from the word dmuwth, meaning resemblance, as a model or shape. It is telling when the shadow becomes substance, similar in manner, content (filled with light, understanding as the Father understands).
In Genesis 1:27 God tells of the actual creation, and only says it is man in His image (tselem). The word likeness (dmuwth) is only used two other times in Genesis, in Genesis 5:1 & 3, first telling of Adam’s creation in God’s likeness, and then of Adam begetting a son (Seth), in his likeness (first) and then in his image. We are first told of Adam’s creation in Genesis 2, where he is named in the second creation of man, when God breathed the breath of life (the unstated likeness) into him.
The breath is the good judgment that comes with God’s wisdom and knowledge, taught and learned, which give us understanding (light into our darkness). The breath of the Father is His word in the darkness, not yet known to be the Father. We know Him once the light is produced by His Spirit moving on the face of the deep, uncovering what is below the surface of the waters, His written word, by His teaching. When we become children in His likeness, we are teachers shining His light, His understanding, into the darkness.
Psalms 82
1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.
2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High.
7 But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you shall inherit all nations.
The above is speaking of those who will die like men, because they refuse His correction, the breath of His mouth and the work of His hand, and choose to remain as merely a shadow, following idols who are blocking the Father’s light.
This is what Paul speaks of in Acts 17 when talking to those who worship a God they don’t know, who don’t yet recognize their Father moving among them and in them.
Acts 17
… I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious [too religious – “holier than thou”].
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God [the unknown Father]. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is LORD of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands [but rather, He dwells in man];
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation [when this age of ignorance would {now} end];
27 That they should seek the LORD, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us [in us]:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:
31 Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance unto all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.
When the LORD quotes Psalms 82 He is saying he is the man, who is like God, who the Father has sent to judge the world in His name (with His authority and power). He is the one (I AM) sent as the firstborn among many of his brothers. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image [eikon – likeness] of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified [manifests His presence in].”
In context, the Hebrew word dmuwth last appears in Daniel 10:16 as Daniel describes seeing (understanding) this occurrence. The chapter is describing the corruption of Godly judgment in the earth, and then of its return by the word of God. The corruption is as we’ve seen, in a previous post, described in Judge 18.
Daniel 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel [the judge {Judgment} of God], whose name was called Belteshazzar [LORD of the straitened’s treasure]; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel [the quickening word of God];
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude [the One in many, speaking good judgment].
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking [charadah – men’s fear, that is as a snare – see proverbs 29:25] fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength [Godly judgment corrupted and now without strength].
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground [the words of judgment corrupted causing the sleep of God’s people].
10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto you, and stand upright [understanding return and bring the awakening, the resurrection]: for unto you am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling [ra’ad – this is the trembling of the earth, when the LORD is recreating it, and looks upon it – see Psalms 104:32].
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia [those who will be purified, when judgment is restored] withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael [he is in the likeness of God], one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia [princes, made kings, when judgment takes hold and righteousness is restored by them receiving correction, and understanding].
14 Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb [so he could learn and become wise].
16 And, behold, one like the similitude [dmuwth – likeness] of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said unto him that stood before me, O my LORD, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my LORD talk with this my LORD? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my LORD speak; for you have strengthened me.
20 Then said he, Know you wherefore I come unto you? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia [those wallowing in the mire they’ve stirred with their own feet] shall come.
21 But I will show you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holds with me in these things, but Michael [he is a man in the likeness of God] your prince.
Proverbs 29
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lightens both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother [his teacher] to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yea, he shall give delight unto your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 See you a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately brings up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hates his own soul: he hears cursing, and bewrays [nagad – opposes] it not.
25 The fear [charadah] of man brings a snare: but whoso puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor; but every man’s judgment comes from the LORD.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. [The judgment of the LORD, in this way, uncovers the just and the wicked.]
Psalms 104
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty.
2 Who covers yourself with light [understanding] as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters [his word]: who makes the clouds [where understanding is kept when it is removed from the earth] his chariot: who walks upon the wings of the wind:
4 Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder [the sound of understanding] they hasted away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which you have founded for them.
9 You have set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
13 He water the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15 And wine that [changes minds] makes glad the heart of man, and oil [that fuels the light] to make his face to shine [light, understanding], and bread [God’s word expanded upon] which strengthens man’s heart [rational mind].
16 The trees [upright] of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon [purity], which he has planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon [civil governments] for seasons: the sun [the church] knows his going down.
20 You make darkness [ignorance], and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun [the church] arises, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening.
24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! in wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches [the treasure from His storehouse].
25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom you have made to play therein.
27 These wait all upon you; that you may give them their meat in due season.
28 That you give them they gather: you open your hand, they are filled with good.
29 You hide your face, they are troubled: you take away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30 You send forth your spirit, they are created: and you renew the face of the earth.
31 The glory of the LORD shall endure forever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles [ra’ad]: he touches the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless you the LORD, O my soul. Praise you the LORD.
The word “consumed,” above in verse 35, is tamam, a word appearing twice in Numbers 14, in verse 33 as “be wasted,” and in verse 35 as “be consumed.” These are both speaking of those who provoked the LORD in the wilderness, and who attempted to stone Joshua and Caleb for having a spirit that pleased the LORD.
Numbers 14
26 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, says the LORD, as you have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
29 Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me.
30 Doubtless you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
31 But your little ones, which you said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.
32 But as for you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness.
33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted [tamam] in the wilderness.
34 After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know my breach of promise.
35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed [tamam], and there they shall die.
The word above rendered “breach of promise” is the Hebrew word tnuw’ah, meaning these people think God is looking for ways and reasons to destroy them. It is only used one other time, in Job 33:10, as Elihu is saying Job wrongly thinks the same thing. Then Elihu tells Job what God’s way is, to correct and save those who listen and follow His corrective advice.
Job 33
8 Surely you have spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions [tnuw’ah] against me, he counts me for his enemy,
11 He puts my feet in the stocks, he marks all my paths.
12 Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed;
16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draws near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things works God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
1 John 4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the LORD, as said the prophet Isaiah.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stand one among you, whom you know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan [the family, house, that fords the Jordan, the river {words} that carry all to death, which we have crossed over], where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
John 10
20 And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad; why hear you him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, makest yourself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized [Bethabara beyond Jordan]; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
Psalms 33
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5 He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap: he lays up the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the heathen to naught: he makes the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looks from heaven; he beholds all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashions their hearts alike; he considers all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in you.
