Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Jehovah of Hosts

Bible > Topical > Christ is God

◄ Christ is God: As Jehovah of Hosts ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of Christ as Jehovah of Hosts is a profound theological assertion that underscores the divinity of Jesus Christ, equating Him with the God of the Old Testament, known as Jehovah or Yahweh. This identification is rooted in the understanding that Jesus embodies the same divine nature and authority ascribed to Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts, who is the commander of the heavenly armies and the sovereign ruler over all creation.

Old Testament Foundations

The title "Jehovah of Hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe God's supreme power and authority. It emphasizes His role as the leader of the celestial armies and His omnipotence in executing divine judgment and protection. For instance, in Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." This passage highlights the holiness and majesty of Jehovah, attributes that are later ascribed to Christ in the New Testament.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jehovah. The apostle John, in his Gospel, identifies Jesus with the divine name when he writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage affirms the pre-existence and divinity of Christ, aligning Him with the eternal nature of Jehovah.

Furthermore, in John 12:41, John refers to Isaiah's vision of the Lord, stating, "Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him." This connection between Isaiah's vision of Jehovah and the glory of Christ underscores the identification of Jesus as Jehovah of Hosts.

Christ's Authority and Power

The New Testament continues to affirm Christ's divine authority and power, attributes associated with Jehovah of Hosts. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This statement reflects the comprehensive dominion that Jehovah exercises, now manifested in the person of Christ.

The book of Revelation further illustrates Christ's role as the divine warrior and leader of the heavenly armies. Revelation 19:11-16 depicts Christ as a rider on a white horse, leading the armies of heaven, a vivid portrayal of His identity as Jehovah of Hosts. Verse 16 proclaims, "On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS," a title that echoes the supreme authority of Jehovah.

Worship and Acknowledgment

The worship of Christ as God is consistent with the worship due to Jehovah. In Philippians 2:10-11, Paul writes, "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship parallels the reverence and worship directed toward Jehovah in the Old Testament.

Conclusion

The identification of Christ as Jehovah of Hosts is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming the full divinity of Jesus and His role as the eternal, sovereign God. Through the New Testament revelation, believers understand that the same God who led Israel and commanded the heavenly armies is incarnate in Jesus Christ, who reigns with all authority and power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 6:1-3
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 12:41
These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 8:13,14
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:8
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Deity of the Holy Spirit.
... over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.". ... referred to the Holy Spirit,
and referred to Jesus Christ. ... of the tri-personality of the Jehovah of Hosts ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter ii the deity of.htm

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... Around our Lord are the chariots of God, which are twenty thousand, even thousands
of angels. ... Glory be unto thee, O Christ! ... Truly thou art Jehovah of hosts. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

The Sympathy of God
... ascribes to this 'angel of His presence' the praise of Jehovah's saving work ... The
crowning revelation both of the heart of God and of His ... (a) Jesus Christ is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sympathy of god.htm

Brave Encouragements
... means the silver and gold, there declared to be Jehovah's. ... on earth, the place of
meeting between God and men ... in the true Temple which Jesus Christ has builded. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/brave encouragements.htm

The God who Dwells with Men
... an emblem of the true nearness of Israel's God, but yet ... distinctly, as I take it,
of the Christ that dwells ... more needed than this dwelling of Jehovah within an ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the god who dwells with.htm

The Twenty-Second Psalm.
... The Son of God, was made sin for us, smitten, stricken and forsaken of God.
Jehovah bade His sword awake" O Christ, it woke 'gainst thee! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the twenty-second psalm.htm

Confession of the Free-Will Baptists. AD 1834, 1868.
... 1. His titles."The Bible ascribes to Christ the titles of Saviour, Jehovah, Lord
of Hosts, the First and the Last, God, true God, great God, God over all ...
/.../confession of the free-will baptists.htm

Vision and SerVice
... the song re-knit the connection between Jehovah and this ... previous experiences made
Isaiah quick to hear God's call, and ... It is the Christ who died for our sins ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/vision and service.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is ... be safe, because our champion
is God; Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Lawgiver, Jehovah is our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm

Sin Charged Upon the Surety
... He therefore is Jehovah, the LORD of Hosts, whom Abraham, David, and Isaiah ... who can
prevail against them, when their life is hidden with Christ in God? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xx sin charged upon.htm