Who Is Jesus Christ?

WHERE DID JESUS COME FROM?

The Bible teaches that Jesus lived in heaven before he came to earth. Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and also said that his origin was "from early times."  (Micah 5:2) On many occasions, Jesus himself said that he lived in heaven before being born as a human.  (John 3:13; 6:38, 62; 17:4, 5)  As a spirit creature in heaven, Jesus had a special relationship with Jehovah.  

Jesus is Jehovah's most precious Son-and for good reason.  He is called "the firstborn of all creation," for he was God's first creation.  (Colossians 1:15)  There is something else that makes this Son special.  He is the "only begotten Son."  (John 3:16)  This means that Jesus is the only directly created by God. Jesus is also the only one whom God used when  He created all  other things. (Colossians  1:16) Then, too, Jesus is called "the Word."  (John 1:14)  This tells us that he spoke for God, no doubt delivering messages and instructions to the Father's other sons, both spirit and human. 

Is the firstborn Son equal to God, as some believe?  That is not what the Bible teaches. As we noted in the preceding paragraph, the Son was created.  Obviously then,  he had a beginning, whereas God  has no beginning or end.  (Psalm 90:2) The only-begotten Son never  even considered trying to be equal to his Father.   The Bible clearly teaches that the Father is greater than the Son.  (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 11:3) Jehovah alone is "God Almighty."  (Genesis 17:1) Therefore, he has no equal.

Jehovah and his firstborn Son enjoyed close association for billions of years-long before the starry heavens and the earth were created. How they must have loved each other!  (John 3:35; 14:31)  This dear Son was just like his Father.  That is why the Bible refers to the Son as "the image of the invisible God."  (Colossians 1:15) Yes, even as a human son may closely resemble his father in various ways, this heavenly Son reflected his Father's  qualities and personality.

Jehovah's only-begotten son willingly left heaven and came down to earth to live as a human.  But you may wonder,  "How was it possible for a spirit creature to be born as a human?'  To accomplish this,, Jehovah performed a miracle.   He transferred the life of his firstborn Son from heaven to the womb of a Jewish virgin named Mary.  No human father was involved. Mary thus gave birth to a perfect son and named him Jesus. -Luke 1:30-35. 

Next time: Who Was Jesus Christ?/WHAT KIND OF PERSON WAS JESUS?

From the book: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?