When Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago, some said Jesus was John the Baptist, others said Elijah, and still others said a prophet. In actuality, Jesus was God the Father in nature. Jesus said, “The Bible testifies about me,” and taught that only through the prophecies of the Bible, would people come to recognize who He was (Jn 5:39).
Today, many churches around the world call on the name of Jesus, but they do not correctly understand who He is. They regard God and Jesus as separate entities, considering Jesus to be a human being or one of the angels. On the contrary, the Bible testifies that Jesus is Jehovah the Creator and God the Father in the flesh. Let’s confirm this fact through prophecies written in the Old Testament.
God the Father Came as a Son
The prophet Isaiah clearly testified that Jesus, who was born as a child, is God the Father.
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. Isa 9:6
God who was called “Father” in the Old Testament times is Jehovah (Isa 63:16; 64:8). Therefore, the above words mean that the Son Jesus is God the Father Jehovah, who was born as a child and a son according to the prophecy written in the book of Isaiah.
The prophet Isaiah also prophesied that God Jehovah would come to this earth in humble flesh and would be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall (Isa 8:13–15). The Apostle Peter testified that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy (1 Pe 2:4–8). The Apostle Paul, who fully realized the divine nature of Jesus, affirmed that Jesus is God the Father in the flesh (Php 2:5–6; Ro 9:5).
Some may doubt who Jesus is in nature, because He prayed to God when He was tested by the devil while fasting. Subsequently, some ask, “Why did He go through all kinds of trials and sufferings if He is God?” Jesus had to experience all these things because He came as the Son. He came in the flesh and set examples of what God’s children should do in various circumstances (Jn 13:15). In the same way, although no sin is in Him, He received baptism, a ceremony for the forgiveness of sins, and kept the Passover.
Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecy of Immanuel
It was prophesied in the Old Testament that a virgin would be with child and give birth to a son, who would be called Immanuel (Isa 7:14). Immanuel means God with us. In this context, “God” refers to God Jehovah (Ref. Isa 44:6; 45:21). Strictly speaking, Immanuel means that God Jehovah is with His people in the flesh. This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. “. . . give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” . . . “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Mt 1:18–23
The prophecy about Immanuel was fulfilled when Jesus, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born as a child through the virgin Mary. This means that Jesus is God Jehovah. Matthew, who firmly believed this fact, testified that Jesus is God the Father in nature by translating the meaning of the name Immanuel.