In this post I will employ the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ very own Bible version to prove that Jesus is Jehovah God Almighty in the flesh (even though he is not the Father or the Holy Spirit). For the most I will be using the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition), unless noted otherwise. And when I do employ a different version it will be from one of the Bible translations that the Society itself endorses and which they make available on their website: Online Bible.

The Hebrew Bible proclaims that Jehovah rules as the sovereign Head and Owner of the entire creation:

“Look, to Jehovah your God belong the heavens, even the heavens of the heavens, and the earth with all that is in it… For Jehovah your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the God great, mighty, and awe-inspiring, who treats none with partiality and does not accept a bribe.” Deuteronomy 10:14, 17

“Yours, O Jehovah, are the greatness and the mightiness and the beauty and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Jehovah. You are the One exalting yourself as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11

“To Jehovah belong the earth and everything in it, The productive land and those dwelling on it.” Psalm 24:1

“For you, O Jehovah, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted FAR ABOVE all other gods.” Psalm 97:9

And due to his owning the whole earth, the nations are said to eventually become Jehovah’s inheritance:

“Arise, O God, judge the earth; For thou shalt inherit all the nations.” Psalm 82:8 American Standard Version (ASV)

However, the [O]ld [T]estament writings clarify that God has graciously allowed mankind to possess and rule the earth while keeping the heavens solely for himself. Moreover, the prophetic writings hammer the point that Jehovah alone sits enthroned in the heavens above, from where he rules over all creatures:

“Jehovah has firmly established his throne in the heavens; And his kingship rules over everything.” Psalm 103:19

“Who is like Jehovah our God, The one who dwells on high?” Psalm 113:5

“As for the heavens, they belong to Jehovah, But the earth he has given to the sons of men.” Psalm 115:16

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For his loyal love endures forever… Give thanks to the God of the heavens, For his loyal love endures forever.” Psalm 136:3, 26

This is why Jehovah is the only One in heaven whom believers look and submit to:

“To you I raise my eyes, You who are enthroned in the heavens. As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, And the eyes of a servant girl to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to Jehovah our God Until he shows us favor.” Psalm 123:1-2

JESUS CHRIST: THE GOD WHO REIGNS FROM HEAVEN!

And yet, remarkably, the inspired Christian Greek Scriptures testify that it is Jesus who possesses absolute sovereign authority over the entire creation,

“Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: ‘ALL authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I AM WITH YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.’” Matthew 28:18-20

And that he is highly exalted far above every created thing and authority both in this age and the age to come,

“and how surpassing the greatness of his power is toward us believers. It is according to the operation of the mightiness of his strength, which he exercised toward Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE EVERY government and authority and power and lordship and EVERY name that is named, not only in this system of things but also in that to come. He also subjected all things under his feet and made him HEAD OVER ALL THINGS with regard to the congregation, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills up all things in all.” Ephesians 1:19-23

Reigning from heaven as the supreme head of all creation,  

“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ; because it is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily. So you have acquired a fullness by means of him, the one who is the head of all government and authority.” Colossians 2:8-10

Since he is the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords!

“to observe the commandment in a spotless and irreprehensible way until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the happy and only Potentate will show in its own appointed times. He is the King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, the one alone having immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal might. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:14-16

“and from Jesus Christ, ‘the Faithful Witness,’ ‘the firstborn from the dead,’ and ‘the Ruler of the kings of the earth.’ To him who loves us and who set us free from our sins by means of his own blood—and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6

“These will battle with the Lamb, but because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those with him who are called and chosen and faithful will do so.” Revelation 17:14 – Cf. 19:16

Christians are, therefore, to look and submit to the risen Jesus as their heavenly Lord and Master, since they are his slaves whom he has purchased for his own possession:

“Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master (Kyrion) in heaven.” Colossians 3:22-4:1 ASV

“watching for the blessed hope and oncoming of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (tou megalou Theou kai Soteros hemon ‘Iesou Christou), who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and cleanse for himself a people specially his own, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:13-14 The Bible in Living English (BYINGTON)

“James, a slave of God AND OF the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes that are scattered about: Greetings!” James 1:1

“My brothers, you are not holding to the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ while showing favoritism, are you?” James 2:1

“Symeon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those whose lot it has been in the justice of our God and Savior Jesus Christ (tou Theou hemon kai Soteros ‘Iesou Christou) to have as rich a faith as ours:” 2 Peter 1:1 BYINGTON

“Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to the called ones who are loved by God the Father and preserved for Jesus Christ… My reason is that certain men have slipped in among you who were long ago appointed to this judgment by the Scriptures; they are ungodly men who turn the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for brazen conduct and who prove false to our ONLY owner and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:1, 4

Seeing that Jesus himself taught that one cannot have two Lords, especially in heaven,

“No one can slave for two masters (dysi kyriois douleuein); for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” Matthew 6:24

This means that Christ cannot be a mere creature who reigns alongside the Father. Rather, the Son must himself be Jehovah God who became flesh, and therefore one with the Father and the Holy Spirit in essence, glory, majesty, honor and power.

WHY WOULD CHRIST NEED TO BE EXALTED IF HE IS GOD BY NATURE?

The question then becomes why would Jesus need to be exalted to this glorious if he is God by nature? Shouldn’t he have already possessed this position of glory and honor?

The answer comes from the Holy Bible itself. As God’s unique Son, Jesus was already existing in the form of God in heaven who then voluntarily chose to humble himself to take on the status of a slave by becoming a man on earth:

“Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human. More than that, when he came as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, yes, death on a torture stake.” Philippians 2:5-8

This is why all throughout the God-breathed Scriptures, Jesus and his inspired emissaries emphasize the point of his being God’s Servant who had come to serve humanity by offering his life as a sacrifice for their sins:

“Having come to know this, Jesus departed from there. Many also followed him, and he cured them all, but he sternly ordered them not to make him known, in order to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, who said: ‘Look! My servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom I have approved! I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will make clear to the nations. He will not quarrels nor cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the main streets. No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish, until he brings justice with success. Indeed, in his name nations will hope.’” Matthew 12:15-21

“For even the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many.” Mark 10:45

“For which one is greater, the one dining or the one serving? Is it not the one dining? But I am among you as the one serving.” Luke 22:27

“So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going to God, got up from the evening meal and laid aside his outer garments. And taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. After that he put water into a basin and started to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel that was wrapped around him. Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him: ‘Lord, are you washing my feet?’ Jesus answered him: ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand after these things.’ Peter said to him: ‘You will certainly never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him: ‘Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head.’ Jesus said to him: ‘Whoever has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is completely clean. And you men are clean, but not all of you.’ For he knew the man who was betraying him. This is why he said: ‘Not all of you are clean.’ When, now, he had washed their feet and had put his outer garments on, he again reclined at the table and said to them: ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as “Teacher” and “Lord,” and you are correct, for I am such. Therefore, if I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash the feet of one another. For I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do. Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, happy you are if you do them.’” John 13:3-17

“For I tell you that Christ became a minister of those who are circumcised in behalf of God’s truthfulness, so as to verify the promises He made to their forefathers,” Romans 15:8

God the Father then honored his Son for willingly choosing to lower himself to become a slave by exalting him to the divine status that is Christ’s by right, by virtue of his being God in very nature. This is why God demands that every creature worship Christ by openly acknowledging that the Son is truly Jehovah in the flesh,

“through which also the God him put high up over, and he graciously gave to him the name the over every name, in order that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and of those on earth and those underground, and every tongue confess out that Lord Jesus Christ into glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures (KIT)

A confession that all shall eventually make on the day of judgement, thereby fulfilling what Jehovah said through the prophet Isaiah:

“Make your report, present your case. Let them consult together in unity. Who foretold this long ago And declared it from times past? Is it not I, Jehovah? There is no other God but me; A righteous God and a Savior, there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, For I am God, and there is no one else. By myself I have sworn; The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, And it will not return: To me every knee will bend, Every tongue will swear loyalty.” Isaiah 45:21-23

“For to this end Christ died and came to life again, so that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.  For it is written: ‘“As surely as I live,” says Jehovah, “to me every knee will bend, and every tongue will make open acknowledgment to God.”’” So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God.” Romans 14:9-12

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of the Christ, so that each one may be repaid according to the things he has practiced while in the body, whether good or bad. Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we keep persuading men, but we are well-known to God. However, I hope that we are well-known also to your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Thus, the Father shall be most satisfied when every creature acknowledges Jesus as being Jehovah on the day the Son arrives to judge all mankind:

“For the Son of man is to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each one according to his behavior.” Matthew 16:27

“For the Father judges no one at all, but he has entrusted all the judging to the Son, so that all may honor the Son JUST AS they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him… And he has given him authority to do judging, because he is the Son of man.” John 5:22-23, 27

What makes this all the more remarkable is that this exalted position that Jesus has assumed is one in which he does so while still existing as a glorified Man, possessing an immortal physical body of flesh, where he remains a physical Israelite from the line of David:

“While they were speaking of these things, he himself stood in their midst and said to them: ‘May you have peace.’ But because they were terrified and frightened, they imagined that they were seeing a spirit. So he said to them: ‘Why are you troubled, and why have doubts come up in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as you see THAT I HAVE.’ And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. But while they were still not believing for sheer joy and amazement, he said to them: ‘Do you have something there to eat?’ So they handed him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it before their eyes.” Luke 24:36-43

“But Thomas, one of the Twelve, who was called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him: ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them: ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will never believe it.’ Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: ‘May you have peace.’ Next he said to Thomas: ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop doubting but believe.’  In answer Thomas said TO HIM: ‘My Lord and my God (ho Theos mou)!’ Jesus said to him: ‘Because you have seen me, have you believed? Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’” John 20:24-29

“Men, brothers, it is permissible to speak with freeness of speech to you about the family head David, that he died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would seat one of his offspring on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he forsaken in the Grave nor did his flesh see corruption. God resurrected this Jesus, and of this we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:29-36 

“True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance; but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by A MAN whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, A MAN, Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5

“But one of the elders said to me: ‘Stop weeping. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered so as to open the scroll and its seven seals.’” Revelation 5:5

“I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you about these things for the congregations. I AM the root and THE OFFSPRING of David and the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16

LIKE FATHER/MASTER LIKE SON/SLAVE

Related to Jesus’ humbling himself to become the Father’s servant is Christ’s own teaching that a slave could become just like his master:

“A student is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the student to become as his teacher, and the slave as his master. If people have called the master of the house Be·elʹze·bub, how much more those of his household?” Matthew 10:24-25

This is precisely what the Holy Bible proclaims in respect God’s uniquely begotten Son!

Jesus is exactly like the Father, being identical to him in essence and majesty, which is why he can do everything the Father does in the exact same way that the Father does it:

“Therefore, in response Jesus said to them: ‘Most truly I say to you, the Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but ONLY what he sees the Father doing. For WHATEVER things that One does, THESE THINGS THE SON DOES ALSO IN LIKE MANNER. For the Father has affection for the Son and shows him all the things he himself does, and he will show him works greater than these, so that you may marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead up and makes them alive, so the Son also makes alive whomever HE WANTS to… Most truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes the One who sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life. Most truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD, and those who have paid attention will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself… Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear HIS [the Son’s] VOICE and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.’” John 5:19-21, 24-26, 28-30

“However, Jesus called out and said: ‘Whoever puts faith in me puts faith not only in me but also in him who sent me; and whoever sees me sees also the One who sent me.’” John 12:44-45

“Jesus said to him: ‘I am the way and the truth AND THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you men had known me, you would have known my Father also; from this moment on you know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him: ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him: ‘Even after I have been with you men for such a long time, Philip, have you not come to know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father also. How is it you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in union with the Father and the Father is in union with me? The things I say to you I do not speak of my own originality, but the Father who remains in union with me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in union with the Father and the Father is in union with me; otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. Most truly I say to you, whoever exercises faith in me will also do the works that I do; and he will do works greater than these, because I am going my way to the Father. Also, whatever you ask in my name, I WILL DO THIS, so that the Father may be glorified in connection with the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I WILL DO IT.’” John 14:6-14

“He is the reflection of God’s glory and THE EXACT REPRESENTATION OF HIS VERY BEING, and he sustains all things by the word OF HIS POWER. And after he had made a purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty ON HIGH.” Hebrews 1:3

This in itself proves that Christ cannot be a finite creature, since the Scriptures make it emphatically clear that there is no created being, either in heaven or on earth, that is like Jehovah or can do the works that Jehovah does:

“There is NONE like you among the gods, O Jehovah, There are no works like yours. All the nations that you made Will come and bow down before you, O Jehovah, And they will give glory to your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; You are God, you alone.” Psalm 86:8-10

“The heavens praise your marvels, O Jehovah, Yes, your faithfulness in the congregation of the holy ones. For who in the skies can compare to Jehovah? Who among the sons of God is like Jehovah? God is held in awe in the council of holy ones; He is grand and awe-inspiring to all who are around him.  O Jehovah God of armies, Who is mighty like you, O Jah? Your faithfulness surrounds you.” Psalm 89:5-8

“‘All the nations are as something nonexistent in front of him; He regards them as nothing, as an unreality. To whom can you compare God? What likeness can you put next to him?… To whom can you liken me to make me his equal?’ says the Holy One. ‘Lift up your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who brings out their army by number; He calls them all by name. Because of his vast dynamic energy and his awe-inspiring power, Not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from Jehovah, And I receive no justice from God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is a God for all eternity. He never tires out or grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable.’” Isaiah 40:17-18, 25-28

Therefore, the only way that the Son can be exactly like the Father, and embody the very infinite essence of God, is if he himself is Jehovah God Almighty who became flesh.

This explains why the book of Hebrews has the Father quoting from the following Psalm, which describes Jehovah as the unchangeable Creator and Sustainer of all creation,

“A prayer of the oppressed one when he is in despair and pours out his concern before Jehovah. O Jehovah, hear my prayer; Let my cry for help reach you… But you remain forever, O Jehovah, And your fame will endure for all generations… Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth, And the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; Just like a garment they will all wear out. Just like clothing you will replace them, and they will pass away. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” Psalm 102:1, 12, 25-27

And employing it in reference to the Son, for the express purpose of glorifying and praising his beloved Firstborn as that very immutable Creator and Life-giver that brought the entire creation into existence by his infinite power!

“But about THE SON, he says: ‘God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness.’… And: ‘At the beginning, O Lord, [the Son] YOU laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works OF YOUR HANDS. They will perish, but YOU will remain; and just like a garment, they will all wear out, and YOU will wrap them up just as a cloak, as a garment, and they will be changed. But YOU are the same, and YOUR years will never come to an end.’” Hebrews 1:8a, 10-12

Hence, the JWs’ very own Bible versions describe Jesus Christ as Jehovah God Almighty who became Man, being the Son of God who is equal in essence with the Father and the Spirit!

With the foregoing in view, make sure to read this next post where I show how to employ both the Quran and the JWs’ own Bible versions to prove that Jesus is God Almighty who became a human being: THE QURAN AND THE NEW WORLD TRANSLATION AGREE.  

FURTHER READING

Jesus Christ – The Sovereign Lord In and From Heaven

The New World Translation Proves Jesus Reigns as Jehovah in Heaven!

Who is the Lord God from heaven that redeems His people?

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