Name: Dennis
Question: Why is the trinity so confusing?
Answer: Thank you for the question Dennis.
Foreword: What Scripture reveals in this study may surprise you. It may conflict with your personal beliefs. Yet, no one’s faith is impacted, nor does it alter what Scripture means for us all. One thing is certain, God will reveal all things when we rejoin Him once again.
During my life, I have learned when something becomes confusing, that means there is a problem. It means we are forcing something or we do not quite understand a subject.
The Bible explains, “God is not the author of confusion,” yet the trinity doctrine has caused much confusion, (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Even the most learned Bible scholars will admit, ‘It’s a subject we really cannot comprehend’. While this subject is complex, I feel that is an excuse to brush aside and stifle concerns with the trinity doctrine which only breeds more confusion.
As Christians, we should always be able to discuss our Biblical concerns. If we are honest with ourselves, most Christians have some level of doubt over this subject we are pressed to believe.
We are going to take an in-depth look into the trinity. The beginning portion will primarily cover verses that seem to indicate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are literally one. The remainder will cover verses that indicate the opposite.
We should note, the trinity cannot be defined as “offices,” “roles” or anything of the sort. Those explanations attempt to make sense of this subject, which introduces yet more confusion.
We will learn, the Father sent Jesus to do the Father’s will, (John 6:39-40). The Father knows things Jesus does not, the Father talks to Jesus, and the Father grants Jesus power and His Kingdom, and much more.
The Prince Of Peace
We will start with, in my opinion, the firmest statement in the Bible that the Son Jesus Christ and the Father Jehovah God, are one and the same.
Let’s read it together.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The “child is born” concerns prophecy and is speaking of Jesus Christ who was conceived of Mary through the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 1:18). This was promised in Isaiah 7:14.
Here we see Christ called, “The mighty God.”
I encourage you to make a study of the word “God.”
You will find it has also been translated as,
“God,” “god,” “great,” “mighty,” “power,” “goodly,” “idols,” and “strong.”
Though it nearly always means, “God.”
Christ is also called, “The everlasting Father.”
I also encourage you to make a study of the word “Father” which means,
Father in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application: – chief, (fore-) father ([-less]), X patrimony, principal.
Aside from the above notations, this is the only verse in the Bible that I really cannot explain concerning this subject.
That Spiritual Rock Was Christ
God the Father is called the “Rock” several times in Scripture, (Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 2 Samuel 23:3). Similar to what we find in Corinthians.
Let’s read what it says.
1 Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
The “spiritual Rock” that followed the Israelites as they left Egypt, was Christ in the wilderness on some of these occasions.
Does Scripture shed more light on this?
Listen to what “the LORD thy God,” that is Jehovah the Father has to say, (Exodus 23:19),
Exodus 23:20-21
20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
It becomes clear, God the Father was not the “Angel” that went before the Israelites. We know that, as Jehovah said, “I send an Angel” and “I have prepared.”
If God were speaking of Himself, He would have said, “Beware of Me,” “Obey My voice,” “Provoke Me not’, “For I,” and the Father would not have said, “for my name is in him.”
This all indicates two separate entities, God did not send Himself.
Therefore, is it any wonder who this “Angel” really is?
It is our Lord Jesus Christ, the “spiritual Rock” who went before the Israelites.
The Word Was With God
Turn your Bible with me to the most cited Scripture to prove the Father and Son are the same exact entity.
Please read very carefully.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God.
This denotes two, the “Word” who was “with God.” However, we are also told “the Word was God” which denotes one.
Now let’s identify who the “Word” is.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The “Word” would naturally be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So we have been told, Jesus was with God, Jesus was God. Do not read over the words in parenthesis. Jesus is “the only begotten of the Father,” so we know there is more to the story.
The word “begotten” means,
“Only born.”
Further, the root word for “begotten” means,
“To cause to be (“gen” -erate), to become (come into being).”
This means, the Father caused the Son to come into existence. That is what “begotten” means. Jesus was God in the sense that He came from God. Even a part of God possibly, just as Eve was a part of Adam. This concept makes itself known all throughout the Bible.
John 1:2
The same was in the beginning with God.
“The same” is the Word, Jesus who was in the beginning with God.
Again, this denotes separation between the Father and Son. This is exactly what Jesus told us.
John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Jesus is talking directly to the Father.
Christ explains, He was with the Father before creation. In the very beginning, even before Genesis 1:1, and The World That Then Was, just as we were told in John 1:1, (2 Peter 3:6).
All Things Created Through The Son
In the past, God spoke to us through the prophets, yet, (Hebrews 1:1).
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Hebrews 1:2
Notice, the Father has spoken to us by His Son, “the Word” who became flesh.
It is the Father who appointed the Son heir of all things, and “by” the Son, the Father made the “worlds” or better said, “ages.” The same thing we are told in John 1:3 and many other places in Scripture, (John 13:3, Ephesians 1:20-23).
We should note, the second instance of the word “by” even means,
Denoting the channel of an act; through.
The Father created all things “through” the Son.
Further, the word “by” is properly translated as “through” in nearly every Bible revision, except for the KJV.
If the Father and Son were literally the same entity, God could not appoint Himself heir of all things. God already would be the heir of all things. You cannot give yourself something that you already possess.
1 Corinthians 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Everything was created by the Father’s power through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. There is “one God, the Father” and “one Lord Jesus Christ.”
This word “by” is the same Greek word from Hebrews 1:2 meaning “through.” In Isaiah 44:24 we are told the “LORD” (all uppercase) being Jehovah the Father created all things. Here we are told this was “through” Jesus Christ which also agrees with Ephesians 3:9.
This goes a long way to understand Genesis 1:26.
“Marvel not at this,” Christ speaking, “I can of mine own self do nothing… but the will of the Father which hath sent me,” (John 5:28, 30). Yet, Christ told us, “With God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26).
If the two were literally the same entity, this would create a contradiction.
However, if the Father and Son are two separate entities, there is no contradiction, and Scripture more harmoniously aligns.
The Son Is The Image Of The Father
In Hebrews 1:2, we learned the Father appointed His Son heir of all things.
Let’s continue the thought.
Christ,
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 1:3
We are being told, Jesus Christ is the “express image” of the Father which means,
A graver (the tool or the person), that is, (by implication) engraving ([“character”], the figure stamped, that is, an exact copy or [figuratively] representation.
Jesus Christ is an “exact copy” of the Father, a “representation” of the Father.
This is why Jesus would be called, “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us,” (Matthew 1:23). This is why John 1:1 could say, “the word was God” without contradicting the rest of the Bible.
Do not lose sight of the fact, “This Jesus hath God raised up” and ‘set Jesus at God’s own right hand in the Heavenly places’, (Eph 1:20, Act 2:32-36, 5:30, Heb 9:24).
Jesus Christ the only “begotten” of the Father,
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1:4
God’s Word is not talking about Christ being “begotten” into the flesh. The Bible is saying Christ was “made” better than the Angels “before the world was,” (John 17:5).
This word “made” is the root word for “begotten” we discussed earlier meaning,
“To cause to be (“gen” -erate), to become (come into being).”
Jesus Christ, the Son was “begotten” by the Father, being “made” much better than the Angels.
Hebrews 1:5
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
The Father said, “This day have I begotten thee” indicating a starting point for the Son, Jesus Christ. Yet, the Father has no beginning or end.
Nevertheless, Christ ‘coming into being’ is favored above all in a very special designation by the Father. We are even told, “Let all the angels of God worship him” being Jesus Christ, (Hebrews 1:6).
Further, God has only ever called Jesus Christ the Son. No Angel ever received such distinction and Glory, as no entity is “an exact copy” of God as the Son is.
Hebrews 1:13
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
This verse like most of the prior verses clearly indicates two separate entities. The Father told the Son to sit on the Father’s Right Hand, (Colossians 3:1, Mark 16:19). No Angel was ever offered that position.
If the Father and Son were literally the same entity, it would not make sense to tell yourself to sit on your own right side. Nor could you create yourself, call yourself your own son, and appoint yourself heir when you already are.
The Firstborn Of Every Creature
Colossians 1:15
Also: Hebrews 1:6
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Jesus Christ is the “begotten,” “the firstborn of every creature” indicating He had a beginning before all others as we learned in Hebrews. Even being “made” before the Angels, and much better than they. This occured in the beginning, “before the world was” as Christ explained, (John 17:5).
Colossians also states, Jesus Christ is the “image” of God which means,
A likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: – image.
This ties into everything we have covered.
The only begotten Son is a “representation” of the Father, an “exact copy.” That is what we learned in Hebrews 1. Christ “the only begotten” is “the firstborn of every creature” indicating He had a beginning. That is what we learned in John 17:5.
This is why Christ told Phillip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father,” (John 14:9). Jesus is an “exact copy” of the Father. At no time has anyone ever seen God the Father, but they have seen His Son who is an “exact copy,” a “resemblance” of the Father.
The First And The Last
In the Old Testament, we find the “LORD” Jehovah God telling us He is our; “Redeemer,” “Saviour,” and “Judge,” (Is 47:4, 43:3, Deut 32:36, Jdg 11:27). Yet, these titles and responsibilities were passed on to the Son when He accomplished the tasks the Father sent Him to do.
God the Father then gave power to Christ as He would say, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,” (Matthew 28:18).
Christ did not have the power before, so who gave Christ the power?
God the Father, (Jn 3:35, 13:3, 17:2, 1 Pe 3:22, Php 2:9-11).
Christ then took on these titles becoming our “Redeemer,” “Saviour,” and “Judge,” just as Jesus became our Passover when He died for our sins, (Rev 5:9, Gal 3:13, Lu 2:11, Tit 1:4, Jn 5:22).
In Isaiah, we are told God the Father is ‘the first and the last’, (Isaiah 44:6, 48:12). In Revelation, Christ would use the phrase, “the first and the last” which only seems logical since Christ is “the Word with God” from “before the world was,” (Revelation 1:11; 17, 2:8, 22:13). He is a part of the Father, but He is not the Father.
It would be contradictory to conclude the two descriptions from Isaiah and Revelation describe the same entity. As Christ prayed to the Father saying,
John 17:3
See: John 17
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Christ called the Father God, (Mark 10:18).
Further, in Christ’s prayer to the Father, Christ said He was sent six times, and over forty times in the book of John alone.
Sent by whom?
God as Christ explained.
The Three Are One
1 John 5:7
Ref: Codex Sinaiticus
For there are three that bear record in heaventhe Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
This verse contains one of the worst errors in the entire King James Bible.
The phrase crossed out is only found in newer manuscripts (where the KJV comes from), and not in the most ancient and trusted manuscripts, (see: How We Got The Bible And Its History). Hence, why this phrase is not found in nearly every other Bible translation.
Somewhere along the way, a scribe felt it was acceptable to insert his opinion into the manuscript that became the King James Bible.
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I And My Father Are One
In John 10, Jesus explains He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. In verse 29 Jesus states, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all.” So we see the Father gave the flock to Christ which is why He came to perish on the Cross for our sins.
With that, let’s read verse 30.
John 10:30
I and my Father are one.
This is not literal as we are going to learn, but spiritual, as of one accord and purpose.
John 17:21
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Christ is speaking metaphorically.
The Father, Son, and us cannot literally be one together. Rather, we are “one in Christ” through the Holy Spirit which binds us all together through our works and actions, (Rom 12:5, 1 Co 1:10, 12:12, Gal 3:28).
In fact, Jesus said of the Father six times in this chapter ‘Thou hast sent me’ into the world.
John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Jesus speaking, Christ is in us as the Father is in Christ. This connection “I in them, and thou in me” ties right into 1 Corinthians 11:3 where we will turn in a moment.
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
If we love and follow Christ, then the Father and Son will come to us and make their abode with us. This is a spiritual connection, and makes us all one as Jesus told us before. Not literally, but symbolically through our works and actions for Christ.
This ties right into the church and how it is organized.
The Head Of Christ Is God
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
This defines the very structure of the church which Jesus Christ is the head of, (Ephesians 5:23). Yet, “ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s,” (1 Corinthians 3:23). The Son belongs to the Father, just as my sons belong to me.
We are not talking about “offices” or “roles.” We are being told the literal order is; God, Christ, Man, Woman. We cannot define one as symbolic in the same sentence with the man and woman who are literal.
What else do we know about the church?
Romans 12:5
Also: Romans 12:4
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We are not literally one body in Christ, everyone understands that.
We are of one accord with Jesus Christ, as Christ is of one accord with the Father who sent the Son into the world. It is about us all working together through the Holy Spirit to bring about the Father’s Plan, (Matthew 28:19).
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit we are all baptized into the “one” symbolic Christian body. Together, we all serve the same purpose. To bring forward the Gospel to the world as Christ brought it to us. Everyone understands that, we are one, yet we are all separate people, (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
This brings us right back to 1 Corinthians 8:6, “One God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
In concluding this section, the number of times Scripture cites the Father talking to the Son, and the Son talking to the Father are too numerous to count. By definition, this defines two separate entities, otherwise, God talks to Himself.
The number of times Jesus explained He received power from God, and He is accomplishing God’s tasks, are too numerous to cite everyone.
This is all very telling.
We will now discuss the verses that indicate the Father and Son are separate entities.
Stephen Saw Jesus Standing On God’s Right Hand
Let’s read what happened as Stephen was being stoned to death.
Turn to the Book of Acts.
Acts 7:55
Also: Acts 7:56
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Stephen saw the glory of God, and Jesus Christ “standing on the right hand of God.” The Bible tells us, when Christ ascended into Heaven, He sat down on the right “hand” of God, (Mark 16:19).
Here, Stephen, and in turn we are given yet another glimpse into that.
As a side note, if you look up the meaning of the word “hand,” you will find it means,
“The right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes): – right (hand, side).”
The Father Speaks To The Son From Heaven
As soon as Jesus was baptized,
Luke 3:22
Also: Mat 3:16-17, 17:5, Jn 1:32-34
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
The Bible explained, the Father was in Heaven while the Son was on earth.
Therefore, it is impossible for the two to be the same entity as they are in two separate locations. Further, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ, which can only mean, the Holy Spirit was not present before.
The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit, the Father’s Spirit which binds God, Christ, and us together.
It should be no surprise to understand,
Acts 10:38
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
God’s Word explained, the Father anointed the Son with the Holy Spirit. If they were the same entity, it would be impossible to anoint yourself with your own Spirit, give yourself power you already possess, and talk to yourself from Heaven.
Jesus Will Confess You Before The Father
Jesus would also explain,
Matthew 10:32-33
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus plainly explained, if you acknowledge Him before other men. Then Christ will return the favor by acknowledging you before our Heavenly Father. That means, they are both face to face having a two-way conversation about those who confess or deny Jesus.
Jesus Does Not Know When He Returns
The Bible tells us, God “knoweth all things,” (1 John 3:20). Yet, Jesus tells us, He does not know all things.
Mark 13:32
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Jesus made this declaration concerning His own Return. This means the Father and Son are not the same exact entity. That would be impossible, you cannot keep a secret from yourself.
Think about that.
If the Father and Son were literally one entity, how could the Son not know when His Return was?
We are given the answer.
1 Corinthians 2:11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
The Son does not know the Day of His Return, as only the Spirit of God knows those level of details. That is the Holy Spirit that descended upon Christ after His Baptism. That is the Comforter that Christ sent “from the Father” to the Disciples, (John 15:26, Matthew 12:28).
Between Us And God Is Jesus Our Mediator
As every Christian knows, Jesus Christ is the “mediator,” “advocate” and “intercessor” to our Heavenly Father, (1 Jn 2:1, Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). This became a reality when the flesh body of Jesus perished on the Cross for our sins.
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
A clear distinction between the two, the Bible said Christ is in between us and God leaving no room for a trinity.
In fact, not a single person can come to the Father, except through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Again, a clear indication of two separate entities. Christ would also tell us, “My Father is greater than I,” and teach us how to pray to Him, (John 14:28).
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
We pray to the Father in Jesus name.
John 14:13-14
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Therefore,
Colossians 1:3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
We pray to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who makes intercession for us to the Father. Every Christian understands that, we only become confused by accepting church doctrine such as the trinity.
God Raised Christ From The Dead
Colossians 2:12
Also: Act 2:24, 31-32; Rom 4:24; Heb 13:20-21
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
The Bible said God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. You certainly cannot raise yourself from the dead.
To be clear, as soon as Christ’s flesh body perished on the cross, His Spirit was in Heaven with the Father, (1 Peter 3:21-22). Christ then preached to the “spirits in prison,” (1 Peter 3:18-20). Yet, when His Spirit re-entered the flesh, we were told it was the Father who also made that possible.
Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
When Christ perished on the Cross, it was a sacrifice to God.
It would be impossible for one entity to offer Himself, sacrifice Himself, for Himself, and raise Himself.
None of that makes sense.
Remember, the Bible said there is “one God the Father” and “one Lord Jesus Christ,” and Christ was sacrificed to God.
The Son became a sacrificial offering to the Father in order to atone for our sins. Jesus became our Passover Lamb. It was Christ’s sacrifice that made it possible to remove all the blood sacrifice of old. Nothing short of the Son of God could replace the former sacrifices and atone for our sins.
God Gave Christ Authority
After our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead He explains,
Matthew 28:18
Also: Mat 11:27, Lu 1:32-33, 10:22, Jn 17:2, Eph 1:20-22, 1 Pet 3:22
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Before Christ was sacrificed on the Cross, He did not have “all power” and a Kingdom. After Christ was sacrificed on the Cross, He obtained these things from the Father for accomplishing the tasks He was sent to do, (John 6:38, 13:3).
If the two were the same entity, God could not grant Himself power and a Kingdom He already possessed.
Nevertheless, we were told 600 years before Christ in the flesh,
Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
The Son did what?
The Son presented Himself before the Ancient of Days who is our Father.
Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
So example after example we clearly see two separate entities. We see the Father giving the Son power, glory, and a Kingdom from the Old Testament to the New Testament, (John 3:35). This prophecy will be completely fulfilled when Jesus returns to earth after the Tribulation.
Putting this together, you cannot approach yourself, nor give yourself “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” when you already possess it.
The Father Gave Judgement To The Son
Christ accomplished all the tasks God sent Him to do, (John 4:34, 5:30). Therefore, God granted Christ power, effectively becoming the promised heir of all things, (Hebrews 1:2). In fact, the Father will not judge us, He gave the Son “authority to execute judgment,” (John 5:27).
John 5:22
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Do not read over this verse.
The Father gave the Son authority to judge. This plainly tells us, there is no trinity, they are two separate entities. The Father had the authority to judge, but gave that authority to the Son. So over and over again, we see the Father granted the Son power.
Further,
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Christ Coming To Claim His Kingdom
So now we wait.
We wait for the Day when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return to earth which begins the Millennium.
What do we know about that Day?
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Reign with who?
Jesus Christ.
The Saints will reign for 1,000 years on earth with Christ.
During this time, the Father remains in Heaven. God the Father will not appear on earth until after the Millennium when Satan, death, and hell are cast into the Lake of Fire, (Revelation 20:14).
Then,
Revelation 21:2-3
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
If Christ was literally God the Father. This could not be stated as Christ had already been with mankind for the 1,000 year Millennium. So while Christ will be with us on earth for the Millennium, God the Father will not.
Further,
Revelation 21:22
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
God the Father and the Lamb who is Jesus Christ are the Temple, and we are even the pillars of that temple, (Revelation 3:12).
Jesus Called The Father God
If all of this is not enough proof, then perhaps once again, Christ’s own words will help. The Book of Revelation is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him,” (Revelation 1:1). In this Book, John was shown the future, he was shown the Lord’s Day which is the Millennium and Christ spoke these words to John.
Revelation 3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Jesus continues,
Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Four times for extreme emphasis, Christ called another entity God, again.
Moreover, Jesus said He will receive a “new name,” but God the Father told Moses His name is Jehovah forever, (Exodus 3:15).
None of this should be a surprise to us. We have been told the same thing all along, there is “One God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
This leaves no room for a trinity.
When we consider what Scripture explains, for the Father and Son to be the same entity, that would mean the Bible contradicts itself. If the Bible did that, it would not be a Book of truth. This a serious subject we should take the time to pray about, consider, and study.
While you may still have questions, I hope this has helped to resolve some of them for you. One thing is certain, God knows our hearts, and one day, He will iron out all Biblical details for us.
Conclusion
Therefore, I simply believe as the Bible declares without man’s explanation:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, (Jn 3:16). The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand, (Jn 3:35). Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God,” (1 Jn 4:15).
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” (Mat 28:19).
In Jesus name, amen.