have you ever wondered where Jesus was before he came to Earth it's a fascinating question that takes us on a journey Beyond time itself in today's Bible study we will be looking at where Christ was before he became flesh the Gospel of John gives us a glimpse into this mystery revealing that Jesus existed long before his birth in Bethlehem in John 17 we find what many consider the most significant prayer ever recorded here Jesus speaks to his father about the glory they shared before the world's creation imagine that a relationship that predates the universe itself
Jesus said now father glorify me together with yourself with the glory and Majesty that I had with you before the world existed this statement is profound it tells us that Jesus wasn't just a great teacher or Prophet who appeared 2,000 years ago he's claiming a Divine existence that goes back to the eternity path but what was this Glory like the Bible doesn't give us all the details but it suggests a majestic perfect Unity between the father and the son this Glory wasn't just about bright lights or impressive power it was about a relationship of Love
purpose and shared Divinity to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus's nature let's examine the Holy Trinity the father Jesus and the Holy Spirit the Bible tells us that Jesus as the son son has always existed with the father and the Holy Spirit in John 1:1 we read in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God this word is understood to be Jesus Jesus is his Earthly name but before he was given that name that is above every other name he was known as the word this is because
he is the voice of God when the father spoke let there be light Jesus the word came out of his mouth and created the light which the father spoke but here's where it gets really interesting while Jesus has always existed as part of the Trinity he took on human form at a specific point in history this is what theologians call the Incarnation God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ also some biblical texts that give us context of Jesus existence before the world and existed and his presence in the Trinity are the following he
was involved in creation Colossians 1:16 says for by him all things were created in heaven and on Earth he was in perfect fellowship with the father and the spirit Jesus refers to the glory he had with the father before the world existed in John 1:5 he was part of the divine plan for salvation Revelation 13:8 speaks of Jesus as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world it's mind-blowing to think that before Jesus walked on Earth he was actively involved in the universe's creation and had a plan for Humanity's Redemption the Trinity is a
mystery that's been debated by theologians for centuries we're trying to understand an infinite god with our finite Minds it's like trying to pour the ocean into a teacup it's just not going to fit neatly but here's the beautiful thing we don't need to fully comprehend the Trinity to appreciate its significance the Trinity shows us that God is relational at his very core it reveals a god who's been in perfect love and Community from eternity past and Jesus his pre-existence reminds us that when he came to Earth it wasn't Plan B it was always part of
God's Grand Design he chose to limit himself to become one of us so that we could know God intimately so why did Jesus leave this glorious state to come to Earth his mission was clear to glorify the father and provide a way for Humanity to experience eternal life in his prayer Jesus says I have glorified you down here on the Earth by completing the work that you gave me to do everything Jesus did his teachings his miracles his compassion was aimed at revealing the father's character and love but the ultimate Act of glorification was yet
to come when Jesus says father the hour has come he's referring to his impending crucifixion and Resurrection it might seem strange to call such a painful event glorification but it was through this sacrifice that Jesus would fully reveal God's love and power over death interestingly Jesus saw this work as already completed even before he went to the Cross he had such confidence in his mission that he could say I have finished the work this shows us the unwavering commitment Jesus had to his purpose so if Jesus existed before the Earth was created why did he
come to Earth as a human and how can he be explained in his human and divine nature the Christian faith professes that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man a central and profound mystery of Christianity the sun remains fully and truly Divine Eternal and immutable as God simult mously Christ's Humanity remains fully human existing in time capable of change and suffering so by coming to Earth he was capable of feeling human suffering by becoming himself a sin to clean Humanity but was always connected to his Divine Essence Thomas aquinus following Church fathers describes Christ's
Humanity as an instrument United to the person of the word like a carpenter using a saw the Divine word uses his assumed human nature to accomplish things he couldn't do in his divine nature alone being seen by human eyes walking in Galilee laying hands on the Blind and crucially suffering and dying the Incarnation reveals that the word of God is Not only present in the world as God but unites creation to himself in the most intimate way possible this profound truth of Christian faith offers Hope For Humanity's ultimate elevation and Redemption through Christ's unique person
and work in the Gospel of John 17 we find what many consider the most profound prayer ever uttered it's often called the high Priestly prayer where Jesus intercedes for his followers let's break this down imagine this Jesus knowing his time on Earth is coming to an end looks up to heaven and begins to pray this isn't just any prayer it's a window into the the very heart of Christ Jesus begins by asking the father to glorify him but here's the interesting part he's not asking for his own sake he says glorify your son that your
son may glorify you everything Jesus does even in his requests is ultimately about bringing glory to the father as the prayer continues Jesus shifts his Focus to us his followers he prays for our protection our unity and our sanctity ification imagine that the Son of God moments before facing the cross is thinking about you and me Jesus expresses his desire for us to be with him to see his glory he's essentially saying father I want them to experience the love and unity we've shared since before the world began this prayer reveals Jesus as our Advocate
from the beginning of times constantly interceding on our behalf even now seated at the right hand of the father he continues this role of intercessor along with the Holy Spirit Jesus is also seen throughout the Old Testament he is in the Book of Daniel 7:13-14 where it says in my vision at night I looked and there before me was one like a son of man coming with the Clouds Of Heaven he approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence he was given Authority glory and Sovereign power All Nations and peoples of every
language worshiped him his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion that will not pass away and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed picture this John exiled on the island of Patmos is suddenly overwhelmed by the presence of the holy spirit it's the Lord's day and something extraordinary is about to unfold John hears a voice behind him loud and clear as a trumpet this voice commands him to to write down everything he's about to witness and send it to seven churches in Asia Minor intrigued and perhaps a little frightened John turns to see who's speaking
what he encounters is beyond anything he could have imagined there amidst seven golden lampstands stands a figure so magnificent that John can only describe him as someone like a son of man this isn't the humble Carpenter from Nazareth that John once knew no this is Jesus in all his heavly Glory revealed in a way that showcases his divine nature and supreme authority here is a picture of what John saw imagine Jesus dressed in a long robe reaching to his feet with a golden sash around his chest this attire is reminiscent of a high priest signifying
Jesus role as our ultimate mediator between God and Humanity but it's Jesus's appearance that truly captures our attention his head and hair are white as snow symbolizing his eternal nature and divine wisdom his eyes Blaze like flames of fire piercing through all deception and falsehood John describes jesus' feet as burnished bronze glowing as if refined in a furnace this imagery speaks of strength stability and Purity and his voice it's like the sound of Rushing Waters powerful a inspiring and impossible to ignore in his right hand Jes Jesus holds seven stars representing the Angels or messengers
of the seven churches from his mouth extends a sharp double-edged sword symbolizing the power and authority of his words to judge and to save finally John tells us that jesus' Faith shines like the sun in all its Brilliance this Radiance reflects the shikina glory of God himself reminding us that in Jesus we see the fullness of God's glory this vision of Jesus is a far cry from the gentle tear walking the shores of Galilee here we see Christ in his full majesty and Authority as the Risen and glorified Lord Jesus identifies himself with titles that
leave no doubt about his divine nature he calls himself the Alpha and Omega the first and the last these are titles belonging to God alone but perhaps most striking is Jesus's declaration I am the living one I was dead and now look I am alive forever and ever in this simple statement Jesus encapsulates the heart of the Gospel his death resurrection and eternal life he then adds I hold the keys of death and Hades this bold claim asserts Jesus absolute authority over life and death no power in heaven on Earth or under the Earth can
challenge his sovereignty this Jesus in all his glory is the one who walks among the lampstands the churches he's intimately involved with his people aware of their struggles and triumphs he holds the Stars The Messengers of the churches in his right hand indicating his protection and guidance over those who lead his flock now imagine John's reaction to this overwhelming Vision he falls at jesus' feet as though Dead who wouldn't but Jesus in his compassion places his right hand on John and sayso not be afraid these words of comfort remind us that even in his exalted
State Jesus remains our loving savior he reassures John and by extension all believers that we need not fear in his presence Jesus then gives John a crucial instruction write therefore what you have seen what is now and what will take place later this command sets the stage for the rest of the Book of Revelation John is to record what he has seen this incredible vision of the glorified Christ what is now the current state of the seven churches what will take place later future events leading to the consummation of God's plan this instruction underscores the
importance of preserving and sharing this Revelation it's not meant to be hidden but to be shown to God's servants to encourage Warn and prepare them for what lies ahead while on Earth Jesus veiled much of his Divine Glory but there were moments when it Shone through like at the Transfiguration however it's in the Book of Revelation as previously mentioned that we get the most Vivid picture of Jesus in his full unveiled Glory the Apostle John who knew Jesus during his Earthly Ministry has a vision of the glorified Christ that leaves him a struck he describes
Jesus with eyes like flames of fire feet like burnished bronze and a voice like the sound of many Waters his face sh Shone like the sun in all its Brilliance this description is meant to convey the overwhelming majesty and power of the Risen Christ it's a stark contrast to the humble Carpenter from Nazareth showing us that Jesus has returned to the full expression of his Divine glory in this Vision Jesus declares I am the first and the last I am the living one I was dead and now look I am alive forever and ever this
statement represents the incredible journey of the Eternal son from glory to Earth through death and back to Glory so where was Jesus before he came to Earth he was with the father sharing in Divine Glory existing as part of the Eternal godhead his coming to Earth was a mission of Love temporarily setting aside the full expression of his glory to reveal God to us and provide the way to eternal life understanding this pre-existence of Christ gives us a greater appreciation for the magnitude of his sacrifice and the depth of God's love for us it reminds
us that the story of Jesus didn't begin in a Manger in Bethlehem but in the Timeless Realms of Eternity as we contemplate these truths we're invited to see Jesus not just as a historical figure but as the Eternal God who chose to enter our world his journey from glory to glory with the cross in between offers us the hope of sharing in that Glory ourselves if this video has blessed you in any way then be sure to click like comment your thoughts and click that super thanks button below