Lord the Spirit

'The fourth book written of the New Testament canon (Chronologically) closes with a three-fold benediction - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (II Cor. 13:14)

Language cannot be clearer that the Holy Spirit is as much a Person as are either God or the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yet in this same letter, Paul emphatically declares - "The Lord is that Spirit." (II Cor. 3:17)

In this third chapter, Paul is contrasting the ministration of the letter under Moses, and the ministration of the Spirit under Christ. While declaring that the Lord is that Spirit, Paul differentiates between Lords in verse 18. Note it carefully using the margin which gives the literal Greek rendering. It thus reads:     'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord [Jesus] , are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Lord the Spirit.' (3:18)

The close identification between "the Lord Jesus Christ" and "the Lord the Spirit" is seen elsewhere in the New Testament.

Paul declares that Isaac was born "after the Spirit." (Gal. 4:29)'

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, even so it is now.

'Yet in noting the Old Testament account, the "Lord" who appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre said - "I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son." (Gen. 18:10) '

Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre

Gen 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Gen 18:11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Gen 18:12  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Gen 18:13  And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Gen 18:14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

'It was repeated a second time by the same "Lord." (18:14)

In Hebrews, it reads - "The Holy Spirit saith" (3:7)

Heb 3:7  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice…

- "the Holy Spirit . . . said before." (10:15)

Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before

- yet both quotes are from the Old Testament.

Gabriel told Daniel that the only One who held with him in "the scripture of truth" was "Michael your prince." (10:21)

This is further illuminated in the Epistles of Peter. There we are told that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:21)

But in his first letter, Peter indicates that these holy men - prophets - "searched dilligently ... what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify." (I Peter 1: 10-11)

Thus the New Testament closely identifies the Holy Spirit - the Lord the Spirit - with Michael the "Lord" of the Old Testament.

Paul tells us that God sent forth TWO into the world. "God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law." "God [also] hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son" that we might understand Him as "Father." (Gal. 4:4, 6)

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

This same duality and relationship appears in the symbolism of the book of Revelation.

When the door was opened in heaven, John beheld the Throne of God, and before the Throne were "seven lamps of fire" which are declared to be "the seven Spirits of God." (4:5)

Yet when the Lamb "as it had been slain" is introduced from "the midst of the Throne" with "seven horns (fullness of power) and seven eyes (complete omnipresence)", - these are declared to be "the Seven Spirits sent forth into all the earth."(5:6)'

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Let's recap a bit here…

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, AND the love of God, AND the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

Clearly THREE BEINGS. 

Lord Jesus Christ

God

Holy Spirit

We know from our previous study a few days ago that beyond any doubt Jesus Christ was SPIRIT before He took on flesh. In Genesis we read above that the LORD visited Abraham.  We also read this…

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, even so it is now.

Gen 21:1  And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

Isaac was a child of promise, the SPIRIT had to intervene in order for Sarah to conceive. The LORD was SPIRIT prior to His taking on flesh as a babe in Bethlehem.

Now in Revelation we read of the Seven (Perfect) Spirits before the throne of God. Then we read of the LAMB as it had been slain and that LAMB had Seven (Perfect power) Horns and Seven (Perfect omnipresence) Eyes WITH the LAMB and those seven eyes and seven horns are declared to be the seven (Perfect) Spirits sent to the earth. And this Slain Lamb was worthy to take the book from the One upon the throne.

God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit.

And interesting to note the Lamb as it had been slain HAD the perfect Spirit to send forth.

More on the Holy Spirit tomorrow by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

('Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit' -- by W. H. Grotheer)