Understanding YHWH as Father and the Identity of Christ at Sinai

Yes, YHWH is the eternal Father, the Creator and Owner of the entire human family10LtMs, Ms 75, 1895, par. 6+1. He is the only true and living God, the supreme source of all life and being21MR 61.1+2.

The Nature of God as Father

• The Ultimate Source: God the Father is the absolute and self-existent Being from whom all things proceedATO 128.1+1. He alone possesses immortality in an absolute sense, and every other being is dependent upon Him for lifeATO 128.1+1.

• Relationship with the Son: The Father and the Son existed together before the creation of the world, and they worked with one mind to bring the universe into existence Genesis 1:26SSP 93.2. While they are one in nature, purpose, and power, the Father is the one who sends both the Son and the Holy Spirit in the economy of graceLTJMB4 167.1+1.

• A Personal Being: The Father is not an immaterial force; He has a personal form and presence, though His glory is so great that no mortal can behold it and liveExV 43.1+2.

Our Heavenly Parent

• Creator and Redeemer: God has the first claim upon our loyalty and affection because He is our heavenly Parent, Creator, and Redeemer10LtMs, Ms 75, 1895, par. 6.

• Universal Fatherhood: As the "one God and Father of all," He is over all, through all, and in all Ephesians 1:3MEDM November 1905, page 338.6. He is described as the "Ancient of days," possessing a character full of mercy, love, and light Daniel 7:9ST August 20, 1894, par. 7+1.

• A Pitying Father: He manifests deep compassion for the weaknesses of erring humans, promising to forgive those who truly repentPP 420.2+1.

Revelation Through Jesus Christ

Because humans lost sight of God's true character, Jesus Christ came to the world to reveal the Father to usST August 20, 1894, par. 7+1.

• The Perfect Image: Jesus is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person Hebrews 1:3ST June 9, 1890, par. 1+1.

• Seeing the Father: To see the character, works, and love of Jesus is to see the Father Himself John 14:91SM 292.1+1.

• Access to the Father: No one can come to the Father except through the Son, who acts as our great High Priest and Advocate John 14:61SM 292.1+1.

Scriptural Affirmations

• "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him" 1 Corinthians 8:6.

• "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3.

• "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" John 5:26.

• "Jesus saith unto him... he that hath seen me hath seen the Father" John 14:9.

Jesus Christ was the actual Leader of Israel from Egypt and the One who proclaimed the law from Mount Sinai in union with the FatherST November 12, 1894, par. 7+2. While the Father is indeed the source of all law, Christ is the manifestation of God to man through whom the Father has at all times revealed HimselfPP 761.4+2.

The Presence of the Son at Sinai

• Christ as the Lawgiver: It was Christ’s own voice that proclaimed the Ten Commandments on Mount SinaiST November 14, 1895, par. 5+2. He spoke the law by divine right as the Creator of all things and the One to whom all judgment has been committedCHR 41.2+1.

• The Angel of His Presence: The Angel who was in the church in the wilderness and spoke to Moses in the mount was the Son of God, the Angel in whom was the name of the great Jehovah Acts 7:38+1PP 761.4.

• Unity of the Father and Son: Both the Father and the Son spoke to Moses from the rocks of SinaiRH March 1, 1881, par. 13. Because the Father and the Son are one, they cannot be separated in any transaction; the Son declares the will of the Father, which is also His own willST September 4, 1884, par. 13+1.

The Revelation of the Father through Christ

• The Manifestation of God: Christ spoke from Sinai by virtue of His position as the only manifestation of God to manCHR 41.2+1. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His personCHR 41.2+1.

• Moses' Experience: When Moses was alone with God in the mountain solitudes, his self-sufficiency was swept away as he realized the weakness of man in the presence of the Infinite OneEd 63.2. Later, when Moses prayed to see God's glory, the Lord proclaimed His name as "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" Exodus 34:6Ed 40.3+1.

• The Identity of YHWH: The "I AM" who sent Moses to Egypt and later gave the law is Christ, the Leader of the Hebrews3SG 188.1+2. Identifying the Leader of Israel as the giver of the law demonstrates that the Author of the law is both Creator and RedeemerSTSG 45.2+1.

The Perpetual Nature of the Law

• Immutable Principles: The law written with God's own finger on tables of stone is as immutable as the principles of His government and can never be changed or abrogatedCT 248.2+2.

• The Center of the Law: The Sabbath, instituted in Eden before the fall, constitutes the heart of the law and was proclaimed by Christ from Sinai as a sign of loyalty between God and His peopleST November 12, 1894, par. 7+2.

• Christ's Obedience: While on earth, Jesus followed the same law He had proclaimed at Sinai, stating that He had kept His Father's commandmentsST November 14, 1895, par. 5. Faith in Christ does not ignore the law but must be accompanied by obedience to itST September 4, 1884, par. 13+1.