Revelation 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.

No one has seen God, but through His son Jesus Christ, we may know God: His mercy, love, faithfulness, glory and power. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sins entered the world and the tragic consequence of sin is death (Romans 5:12). According to the words of God, death for humans who are created in His image does not mean only death of the body, but also the second death after God's righteous judgment. The second death is the terrible ultimate penalty in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). However, out of this tragic event of sin entering the world, we see God's righteousness and justice. God hates sin very much for He understands how ugly and how destructive sin is and must be eradicated. A world with rampant sin is a terrible place to live and mankind cannot survive in it eventually. To appreciate just a little bit of the ugliness of sin, watch and listen to the news of murders, frauds, robberies, piracy, sex scandals, prostitution especially child prostitution, gang violence, corruptions and much more. Out of the tragic event of sin entering the human race, we see God's great love, wisdom and power. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the world to save us from sin. Jesus took up the penalty of sin for all who believe in Him. Jesus sacrificed Himself by suffering and death on the cross to pay for the penalty of sins for all believers. He also resurrected from the death such that all who trust in Him will share the resurrection with Him and have eternal life (Romans 6:4-5;John 3:16). He also gives believers the Holy Spirit such that believers have the power to overcome sins and live a new life in pursuit of God's holiness that is to restore the original image of God in which humans are created. In fact, God's salvation plan was announced right after sin entered the human race in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). The Messiah born of a woman, namely the virgin Mary will destroy Satan's plan of bringing curse of death and separation from God to mankind by temptation and death.

Romans 5:12

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Romans 6:4-5

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Meaning of Faithful and True Witness

The dictionary meaning of the word faithful is "adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea". It implies that a faithful witness is consistent and loyal to the things in question he or she represents. However, we should understand that no matter how faithful a witness can be, we should ask the question if he or she is really a true witness. The whole business of witnessing is false if the very claim being witnessed is false in the first place no matter how faithfully the witness represents it. Also, the witnessed claim is not acceptable as truth if the witness is not in a position to be a good witness. Has the witness been appointed properly to represent the claim? Is the witness of reputable character to be trustworthy? Is the witness qualified and capable to represent the claim? And we should ask for evidence of the answers to these questions.

A similar set of questions can be applied to evaluate all religions. A good question to ask is whether the originator of the religion or sect is appointed by the god or gods behind it? What is the evidence? It will take too much time and efforts to evaluate all the religions and sects in the world one by one. Let us apply a shortcut by applying a principle of logic, namely mutual exclusivity. Two statements are mutually exclusive if they cannot be both true. If one statement is true the other must be false and vice versa. The claim of Jesus Christ is a mutually exclusive claim. Let A be Jesus' claim and B be the set of claims of other religions or sects in the world. If Jesus' claim is true, then the set of all other religions in the world is false. Similarly, even if a single religion in the world in set B is true, then A (i.e. Jesus' claim) is false. For Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Unique Appointment to be God's Witness

To consider the origin of Jesus, a good place to start is His genealogy. But, there are two apparently different versions: one is recorded in chapter 3 of Luke Gospel and one in chapter 1 in Matthew Gospel. This seems to be an inconsistency and confusion. Actually, these two versions of genealogy complement each other and together gives a deeper insight into the genealogy of Jesus such that we may know that Jesus is indeed the Immanuel (God with us) that is the Word became flesh that lived among us (John 1:1). In studying Jesus' genealogy, we see God's power, wisdom and grace, and His signature proving to us that Jesus is the one He sent.

Jesus is the prophesied descendant of David and will be a wise and righteous king (the Messiah or the anointed one) of the whole world eternally (Genesis 49:10;Jeremiah 23:5;2 Samuel 7:16). However, Jesus could not be the offspring of king Jeconiah whose ancestor is Solomon who succeeded David's kingship. Instead, Jesus was an offspring of Nathan, another son of David and the ancestor of Heli the father of the mother of Jesus Mary. The reason that Jesus was not born of the king's line of genealogy because of the wickedness of king Jeconiah and a prophecy was announced that his offspring would not sit on the throne of David (Jeremiah 22:30). Therefore, Jesus was born of virgin Mary who was the offspring of David through the line of Nathan. In the genealogy of Jesus recorded in the book of Matthew, Joseph was the son of Heli who had no son. By Jewish custom, Joseph was named as the son of Heli as he married to Heli's heiress daughter Mary. Jesus then became the son of Joseph who was the offspring in the genealogical line of kings among David's offspring. Therefore Jesus inherited the legal title of kingship of David through Joseph. Unfortunately, many Jewish friends do not yet accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. Only Jesus Christ who was born of virgin Mary satisfied the prophetic requirements of God and Jewish legal customs. Although the promise of Jesus' rulership on earth has not been established, we should understand that it is God's plan of salvation. His Kingdom will be established on earth reigning the whole world one day when Jesus come again the second time with glory and power (Revelation 19:15-16). For He holds the title deed of the whole world. As a matter of fact, the whole universe belongs to Him as He created it (John 1:3 ). Moreover, please consider more evidence that Jesus is indeed the appointed Messiah in God's salvation plan as follows.

The Unique Qualification to be God's Witness

The popular Christmas scene we see is that the baby Jesus is lying in a manger, beside the baby are Joseph and Mary. The manger was located in Bethlehem, the home town of David. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem even when Mary was pregnant and the baby was about to be born. The reason was the decree of Caesar Augustus to take the census of the entire Roman world and everyone were to register in their home towns. Although Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth in Galilee at that time, they needed to make this trip to their home town Bethlehem. We could imagine that all inns were booked to capacity at that time such that Jesus was born in a manger as they could not find a room. The fact that Jesus would come out of Bethlehem had been prophesied in Micah 5:2. This prophetic verse emphasizes that the deity origin of Jesus that is from of old. The King James version has a better translation for it gives a clearer emphasis of the everlasting origin of Jesus. This is why God calls Himself the Alpha and the Omega meaning God is not defined and constrained by time and He is the beginning and the end that last to infinity in either direction: past or future (Revelation 1:8, 21:6). By the way, do you see the gracious invitation of the Almighty God even to all human beings to have life (Revelation 21:6). The same invitation had been extended to all when Jesus walked among us as human in His earthly ministry (John 7:37). The deity nature of Jesus uniquely qualifies Him as the faithful and true witness for He is with God and He is God in origin (John 1:1-2). That is why Jesus is also called the Word of God (with the capital W) who communicates God's thoughts, attributes and salvation plan to us (John 1:1). Many people have problem in accepting Jesus' deity for He appeared in humble human likeness and was even crucified on the cross. But, it was God's plan of salvation showing God's patience and love towards mankind. Yes, Jesus will come again in His glory and power at the end time of world civilization (Revelation 19:11-13). In the meantime, it is the time of grace and acceptance.

Micah 5:2 (New International Version)

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5:2 (King James Version)

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 21:6

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

John 7:37

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

John 1:1-2

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

Revelation 19:11-13

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

The Witnessing of God's Righteousness and Love

The celebration of Passover started when the Jewish people were under the bondage of slavery in Egypt. God's act of killing the first born in Egypt was taken as a judgment on Egypt to persuade the Pharaoh to let the Jewish people leave such that they might enter the land God promised to Abraham. According to the instructions of Passover, some blood of the Passover lamb should be put on the side and top of doorframes as a sign such that God's destructive plague would pass the house. The instructions emphasized that the bones of the Passover lamb should not be broken. The Passover was given as a sign of the true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ that God prepared to save people from the bondage of sins and death. God will forgive our sins based on the sacrificial work Jesus did for us all who trust in Him. His suffering and shedding of blood and death were the price He paid for our forgiveness of sins (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus is the Passover Lamb for the salvation of the world and it was also first witnessed by John the Baptist and God the father (John 1:29) who was the forerunner of Jesus' ministry on earth. Therefore, Jesus witnessed the great love of God by paying a huge price of humility and sufferings (Philippians 2:6-8) to redeem us all who trust in Him and accept His blessings of reconciliation with God with abundant and eternal life simply as a gift.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Philippians 2:6-8

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

God's Signature Certifying Who is the Passover Lamb for Mankind

Then the question is how should we know that Jesus really served as the Passover lamb for all mankind and His crucification on the cross was the redemptive work accepted by God. Well, God prophesied the redemptive work of Jesus through the prophets The words written by the prophets about Jesus' as a Passover lamb was fulfilled by His crucification and death. To appreciate a little more how true and how powerful the scripture is, please look at Psalm 22:16-18 which prophesies that Jesus' hands and feet are pierced which is the death by crucification. Before even the cross as a execution instrument was invented, Jesus' death by piercing was prophesied. His bones are not broken though it was a common practice to break the legs of persons being crucified such that they could not pushed themselves up for breathing on the cross. This would hasten death by suffocation. This was exactly what happened to the two robbers who were crucified along with Jesus. There legs were broken by the soldiers to hasten their death as the sunset was coming.

Also, the event of soldiers executing the crucification dividing Jesus' garments by cast lots had been prophesied. When we consider these two events a little deeply, we will see that crucification was not only a painful and tortuous punishment, it is also a very shameful because the person being crucified was stripped of clothes naked in the public. Also, Jesus died on the cross suffering the full course of crucification without hastening by breaking the bones. Moreover, the date of Jesus death has been foretold. Please refer to the article Daniel's Seventy Weeks for details.

After death, Jesus could have been assigned a grave with the two robbers who were also crucified. However, Joseph of Arimathea who was a rich man and a member of the Sanhedrin took the risk to claim the body of Jesus from the Roman Officier Pilate. He was given permission to take Jesus' body and Joseph put Jesus' body in a new tomb that he owned. Again, this event was also prophesied (Isaiah 53:9; John 19:38, 41-42). All these bear the signatures of God Signifying that Jesus is indeed the faithful and true witness of His love, power and glory.

Psalm 22:16-18

16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

John 19:23-24

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.

John 19:32

The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.

Exodus 12:46

"It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.

Numbers 9:12

They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.

Psalm 34:20

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Isaiah 53:9

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

John 19:38, 41-42

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Jesus' Acts of Miracles Manifest His Being the True Witness

Jesus claimed that He was sent by the Father and He and the Father was one (John 8:18; John 10:30). The prophecy written in Isaiah 9:6 even specifically stated that the coming Messiah would be called the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6). Apart from Jesus' own words, and the witnessing by John the Baptist and the apostles, Jesus performed many miracles, manifested His omnipotent and omniscient abilities during His earthly ministry in front of His disciples and many other eye witnesses as evidence to qualify and support His claim of His deity origin (John 1:14, 8:58), His mission (Luke 4:18-19) and His being sent by the Father (John 10:36-38, John 17:8).

John 8:18

I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me." John 10:30 I and the Father are one."

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 8:58

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

Luke 4:18-19

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

John 10:36-38

36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? 37Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

John 17:8

For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

This is an inexhaustive list of miracles Jesus performed and displayed in front of many people. When you scan through the list, please consider who else, prophets or originators of religions, have displayed such evidence they were indeed true witnesses or bearers of revelations from God.

Turning water to wine in a wedding feast when all wine was consumed. Water was turned into choice wine when the servants in the wedding feast filled up six nearby stone water jars as told by Jesus.

Jesus without being present physically nearby could see the event of Nathanael being under a fig tree before another person Philip called him. Realizing the omniscient ability of Jesus, Nathanael immediately confessed that Jesus was the Son of God and the King of Israel or the Messiah he was waiting for.

An invalid man could not walk for thirty-eight years. Jesus commanded this man to pick up his mat and walk. The man did so and was healed. Unfortunately, this man did not show any gratitude but reported his healing to people who persecuted Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. It was deemed unlawful for the Jews to carry a mat and walk on Sabbath.

A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years and tried to obtain help by all her means, but no one could heal her. One day, Jesus was on His way to someone's house and was greeted by a large crowd of people pressing against Him. This woman managed to touch the edge of Jesus' cloak and her bleeding stopped instantly. At first, the woman did not want to acknowledge it in public. But, Jesus insisted on asking His disciples and people around Him who had touched Him. Seeing that she could not hide, the woman fell at his feet and admitted that she had touched Jesus' cloak and was healed instantly. Jesus said that her faith had healed her. By this, Jesus not only manifested His miraculous power of healing but graciously teaching everyone, in particular the woman the deeper meanings of the miracle. The woman was given the opportunity to acknowledge Jesus in public. She was blessed with the healings both spiritually and physically because of her faith in the Messiah.

The daughter of a synagogue ruler was seriously sick. On the way to the house of the synagogue ruler, the girl died. The parents thought that it was the end now. But, Jesus raised the girl from death in front of the girl's parents, and Jesus' disciples Peter, John and James.

Lazarus, the brother of two sisters Mary and Martha died and was already put in a tomb for four days. At the tomb, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out from the tomb. This miracle was performed in front of the sisters, Jesus' disciples and some people at the site.

On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus met ten men suffering from leprosy, a disease that could not be healed at that time. The lepers asked Jesus for mercy at a distance. Jesus asked them to show themselves to the priests (the legal requirement to certify recovery from leprosy). As they went, they were cleansed from the dreadful disease. Unfortunately, out of the ten lepers, only one one returned to thank Jesus.

Once the disciples were sailing across a lake for Capernaum with great difficulty because the wind was against them. After praying alone on land while the disciples were sailing, Jesus catched up to meet them by walking on the lake water to meet them. They were terrified at first. But, when Jesus got on the boat, the wind died down and they could reach the destination immediately.

On another occasion, Jesus and His disciples were sailing across a lake. Other boats were with them also. Jesus was sleeping in the stern when a violent storm came suddenly and unexpectedly. The boat was swamped with wave water and was about to sink. Terrified, the disciples woke Jesus up saying if Jesus cared if they were drowned. Several of the disciples are fishermen by trade and if they said that they were about to drown and the conditions should indeed be very serious. But, Jesus said that they had little faith and why they were afraid. Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm. They were all amazed that even winds and waves would listen to Jesus.

After teaching a large crowd of people (five thousand men besides women and children) in a remote place away from villages, the disciples asked Jesus to send the people away for food in nearby villages because the evening was approaching. But, Jesus asked the disciples to give food to the people but they quickly figured that it was a very costly for it would cost a lot of money. Moreover, it was a remote place and it would almost be an impossible task logistically to obtain a large quantity of food to feed thousands of people in short order and carry it back to serve before the evening came. Jesus then asked to find out how much food they could find in the crowd. They could find five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took the bread and fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks and gave the bread and fish to the disciples for distributing to the people. All the people had the bread and fish and were satisfied. Afterwards, Jesus asked the disciples to pick up the broken pieces of food and twelve baskets were filled.

During the last super with the disciples before His arrest, Jesus predicted that Peter would disown Him three times before the rooster crowed twice. That night, Jesus was indeed arrested and put to trial immediately at the high priest quarter. Being concerned, Peter followed them to the high priest quarter. In the courtyard, Peter was pointed out again and again by the people there as an associate of Jesus. After Peter denied that He knew Jesus for the third time, the rooster crowed immediately for the second time. Peter remembered what Jesus told him at the supper and he left the high priest's place and wept bitterly.

Of all the miracles, Jesus' resurrection is the most important. It proves that Jesus is indeed sent by God and is Word became flesh that lived among us. His promise of eternal life is trustworthy and is the hope of every believer (John 3:16). His resurrection shows us that He is life and He can give life. Resurrection is so important that Jesus showed Himself to many believers and all the apostles for a period of forty days before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). With the power and hope of resurrection and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the gospel was preached from Jerusalem to different parts of the world. Many churches have been established to witness this gospel until today. In fact, this is the only hope of all the world. Jesus' resurrection Witnesses God's Victory and He is the Source of Life of all who believe in Jesus.

Psalm 16:10

because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Acts 1:3

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Conclusion

Jesus is the express image of God (John 14:9). He is uniquely qualified to be the faithful and true witness of God. It seems that God's promise to David cannot be fulfilled (2 Samuel 7:16) when the whole nation of Israel was broken and its people were dispersed. But, Jesus' birth, living among us, death and resurrection as foretold by the prophets testify that the Bible is the revelation of God's salvation plan. The supernatural writing and fulfillment of the prophecy bears the signature of God and is trustworthy. Christ is full of grace and truth (John 1:17-18) and is the faithful and true witness to God's omnipotent, and omniscience power, righteousness, justice, faithfulness and love (Psalms 89:13-14). Jesus' resurrection shows us that the snares, bondage of Satan, and even death can be conquered and God is the source of life. Therefore, the gospel is the power of God which saves all who believe. All who put the trust in Jesus will not be disappointed and put in shame (Psalm 34:5). And anyone who accept Jesus' gift of salvation brought from and approved by God will receive eternal life (John 17:3).

John 14:9

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

2 Samuel 7:16

16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.' "

John 1:17-18

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Psalms 89:13-14

13 Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

Psalm 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.