God And Lord, The Almighty

by R.A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Category: General | Apr 1995

The titles of the Triune God are of special interest to most Bible readers, not least the name, The Almighty. It distinguishes the living God from all other gods which man may worship or reverence.

In the Old Testament, the Patriarchs were particularly favoured by direct revelation of God to them personally as El Shaddai (Hebrew - God Almighty). In this tide is conveyed the all sufficiency of His Being as can be appreciated by considering the words spoken to Abram in Genesis 15:1: 'Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward'. There at Mamre in Hebron, under the starry sky, the Lord made firm and sure the promise of Genesis 12:2, 'I will make of thee a great nation' by telling His friend at the age of 85 that he would have an heir (15:4). Abram believed in the Lord (15:6) and the Lord counted it to him for righteousness. At the end of that momentous day of revelation, the 'I wills' of Genesis 12:1,2,3 and 7 and Genesis 13:15 and 16 had been converted by God's grace into 'I have' when He said to Abram:

Unto thy seed have 1 given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates (15:18).

It was, however, fifteen years later, in his 100th year, that God revealed

His name as El Shaddai, made the covenant of circumcision with His friend and changed his name to Abraham' the father of a multitude of nations (Gen. 17:1-5). When Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90, their son Isaac was born (21:3-5). God Almighty had begun to prove Himself to be the all sufficient One.

What the Triune God began in Old Testament times has been infinitely multiplied to believers in New Testament times, as Paul wrote:

I have" all things and abound, I am filled, having received... the things an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall fulfil every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:18, 19).

El Shaddai is still pouring Out the all sufficiency of His Being to unworthy human beings.

To the knowledge of His all sufficiency from the Old Testament times has been added another dimension in the New Testament where the title, the Lord Almighty is found. This title is used in association with those in churches of God where separation has been known from the conditions enumerated in 2 Corinthians 6:1~18. The Lord Almighty receives separated disciples into a church of God where they become to Him sons and daughters, and He to them a Father. This is quite distinct, we believe, from children who have God as their Father by new birth (John 1:12,13).

The name, The Almighty, conveys to human minds the omnipotence of His work in association with the eternity of His Being. When used in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, those in churches of God are instructed that the Lord God' the Almighty is He 'which is and which was and which is to come' (1:4,8). He is the Majesty on high before whom is proclaimed 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, which was and which is and which is to come' (4:8). Every manifestation of His power is greeted by the thanksgiving of mighty created beings in His presence (11:17). The victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name will sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb saying:

Great and marvellous are Thy works, 0 Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the ages (15:2,3).

Whether in present works or future judgements (16:7) the omnipotence of God is made known to the human race. When tile first earth has perished and the works therein have been burned up (2 Pet. 3:10), there will be peoples and nations who will be exceedingly glad in the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (Rev. 21:24,26). By faith, by grace and by the blood of the Lamb they came to know the all sufficiency of His Being and the omnipotence of His work. In the city foursquare, there will be no temple 'for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof (21:22).

To the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen (Jude 25).

R.A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Apr 1995
General