3 Witnesses—Heaven, 1of3

~ The Trinity In Heaven—God The Father ~

There are “three witnesses” in Heaven (the “trinity”). 

The Scripture  ~  “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”  …  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God [The Father] which He has testified of His Son [The Word].  He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.  And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:6-7, 9-13). 

introductory comment  ~  While it is true that some respected theologians point out that verse 7 is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts it also true that this verse was allowed by God to be in the canon of Scripture.  Also, the truths in verse 7 are in complete harmony with the rest of Scripture. 

God The Father is Eternal  ~  All three members of the Triune Godhead are fully God and possess all the attributes of God.  Take for example their eternal nature.  “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds.  The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you” (Deuteronomy 33:26-27a).  “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). 

The First Witness In Heaven Is God, The Father  ~  God The Father is often called the first member of the Godhead.  This is almost as difficult to comprehend as the Trinity itself since all three members are fully God.  A better phrase, if any phrase is needed, might be “first among equals.”  God is the initiator of all things (creation, revelation, salvation, etc.).  God The Father is in heaven exercising His patience and mercy—holding back judgment on mankind.  There will come a day when His judgment will be unleased upon all mankind who have not accepted His terms of restoration through His Son Jesus Christ—The Messiah. 

You may also be interested in two related topics:

The three part ALN post about the “3 Witnesses—Earth” (November 10-11-12, 2015).

The three part ALN post “3 Tests” of 1 John (see January 20-21-22, 2015).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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