Jesus (7) was God in the form of man –neither black nor white.“ Jesus came into (7) this world as a JEW named YESHUA. Getting (7) To Know The Revelation Of Jesus Christ. (777)

By Michael Brown Published August 2, 2023 at 6:53pm WND

While attending college in 1973-1977, it was always a joy to meet other, on-fire Christians, since I was studying at a secular university rather than a Christian school. One of these fellow-believers was a black Christian named James. He, too, was deeply devoted to the Lord, so we would fellowship with one another whenever we could.

He often spoke about his congregation in Brooklyn, so one day, together with some friends (all of us white Christians), we attended one of the services.

It was a terrific meeting, with great singing and preaching and a real atmosphere of faith. As for the makeup of the congregation, it was virtually all black (with the exception, in this case, of my friends and me). That’s what also made it special for me, since this was a fairly new cultural experience, and it was spiritually vibrant. I felt very much at home.

What struck me as odd, though, was a large mural on one of the walls, depicting Jesus and His apostles as black. Everyone knew they were white (or so, I assumed, without any real thought).

When I asked him about the mural, out of curiosity, not accusation, he said to me, “When you get your high school yearbook, what’s the first thing you do? You look for your own picture. It’s the same thing here. We’re not saying (7) that Jesus and the apostles were black. (7) It’s simply a way for people to (7) find a point of identification with Him.” (777)

That was all I needed to hear, and I subsequently attended another service there, along with a major rally in Manhattan.

What I didn’t realize until later was that the depictions of Jesus I was used to, be it in movies or portraits, (7) were equally anachronistic – perhaps even more so – (7) presenting Jesus as a white European Christian (7) rather than as a first-century Jewish rabbi. (777)

To be sure, some of these depictions contain an inherent antisemitism, most dramatically illustrated in the famous “Christ among the Doctors” by Albrecht Dürer, where Jesus, a beautiful man, is contrasted with the Jewish scholars, some of whom look demonic – literally.

But my focus here is not on these antisemitic depictions. It is on the way in which we create a Jesus in our image. This can be as negative as it is positive.

On the positive side, all of us can (7) find that place of identification in Jesus, as with the church I visited in Brooklyn (with its black Jesus) and as with classic movies about the Lord (with their white Jesus). We can relate to this (7) Jesus because He is just like us – not just a human being, which (7) is the great point of the Incarnation, but also someone we can relate to culturally. (777)

That’s why it’s no surprise to see religious iconography in which Jesus (7) looks like the people who worship Him, be they black or white or Chinese or Native American. This trend continues in depictions of other biblical characters, as well, from Moses to Mary. (For the purpose of this article, I’m not discussing the larger question of religious iconography and whether it is right to portray Jesus at all.)

On the negative side, when our image of Jesus drives others away, since He is not like them and they are not like Him, this can be very destructive. This is all the more true when the outsider Christians are not only presenting a foreign Jesus, but when they themselves are poor examples of the faith. Who needs that Jesus?

In his thunderous 1970 book, “How Black Is the Gospel? A Decisive and Truthful Message for Today’s Revolution,” Evangelist Tom Skinner wrote, “Many black Americans bitterly denounce Christianity and the Bible because, in their view, those who practice religious piety are among the leading exponents of hate, bigotry and prejudice. They feel that these ‘Bible-toting Saints’ perpetuate the most segregated hour of the week – eleven o’clock Sunday morning.”

But that was just the start (and remember, he wrote this in 1970).

He continued, “Today’s young blacks, having learned more history than their forebears, are quick to resent acts of so-called Christianity and the use of those random Biblical verses that are so blatantly detrimental to the dignity of the black man in America.”

Then, with great insight, he wrote, “There must have been thousands of slaves who vowed when they learned to read that they would never look at or allow their children to see those passages of St. Paul, which encourage servants to be obedient to their masters. In many instances, these were the only portions of the Bible that ‘ole massa’ would allow the preacher to read to illiterate black men, in the hope that obedience to the Scriptures would further secure the system of white supremacy. This spirit still lives.”

As for the white man’s depiction of Jesus, Skinner said, “Black America is not about to follow a white Christ. The image of a Christ patterned after [Warner] Sallman’s portrait is more than suspect. It has become a contemptuous symbol to the black man of all the fakery and chicanery endorsed by so many white Christians. If Christ takes on the image of an Anglo-Saxon Protestant suburbanite, He’s obviously not for black men. It is inconceivable that this kind of Christ would die for black people.”

This was true in 1970, and it remains true today. Perhaps Skinner’s words have opened some of our eyes?

Skinner then wrote this: “The question is, of course, whether this view of Jesus Christ is true. Has Christianity become the ‘worship of white’ used as a tool of oppression to increase the black man’s burden? If this be true, it is understandable that the black man must find his salvation through worshiping black.”

This is exactly what has happened with radical race-based cults like the Hebrew Israelites. They have reacted against a white Jesus and a whitewashed Bible, which, in their view, are an essential part of the oppressive system of white supremacy, and they have created a Jesus in their own image – not just black, but militantly anti-white.

But Skinner did not end there. He said, “One thing is certain: (7) whatever contemporary man decides about the ‘color’ (7) of religion, Christ stands outside that debate. Even a superficial reading of the gospel reveals that Christ (7) showed only one special interest – allegiance to (7) His Father and the Kingdom of God. He was owned by no man, He belonged to no particular group, and He refused to sanction one party or system over another. He was God in the (7) form of man –neither black nor white.” (Skinner also pointed out, quite rightly, that, “Racism as we know it today was not an issue in Biblical times.” The conflicts were over ethnicity, culture, and religion, not race.)

Of course, Jesus came into (7) this world as a Jew named Yeshua, and His mission began with (7) a focus on His own people Israel. But (7) His purpose in coming into the world (7) as the Jewish Messiah was to die (7) for Jew and Gentile alike and to (7) gather believing Jews and Gentiles into one (7) spiritual family without class or caste distinctions. (7777777) 7×7

And while we (7) can speculate on what, exactly, Jesus looked (7) like, that is really a secondary issue. (For an idea (7) of what Jesus might have looked like, created by forensic anthropologist Richard Neave in 2001, see here), (777)

What we must take hold of (7) is that He transcends blackness or whiteness, which is why Skinner then wrote this: “All right, granted that Jesus Christ was neither black nor white, Protestant nor Catholic, and did not embrace Christianity as a system. But if Christ was essentially concerned with the spiritual condition of man, how can He relate to the issues of today? How can He respond to the political, economic and social needs of Black America?”

Those are the questions we need to ask (for black and white Americans and for all people of all nations), and that’s where our focus needs to be. Jesus transcends our earthly (7) barriers and norms and smashes our prejudices. Let us follow that (7) Jesus and present Him to the world.

Seven (7)-fold Perspectives of Christ’s Work in Revelation:

1. Seven (7) Churches; (Rev. 2:1-3:22). Jesus is building his church, shepherding to its strengths/ weaknesses, promising blessings to the faithful overcomers. Jesus reigns over his kingdom on earth along with his redeemed overcomers, during the millennium.
2. Seven (7) Seals; (Rev. 4:1-8:1). Jesus is the only one worthy in heaven to administer God’s judgement because he is the Lamb who was slain.
3. Seven (7) Trumpets; (Rev. 11:3-12, 14:6-7). Jesus continues to offer salvation to mankind via his two supernatural witnesses (candlesticks of the gospel) and a mighty angel having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them on earth. Jesus continues His redemptive process to those who do NOT take the mark of the beast (anti-christ), nor worship the beast and his image.
4. Seven (7) Vials; (Rev. 15:1-16:21). Jesus brings God’s final judgements upon unrepenting mankind and the physical earth.
5. Seven (7) Symbolic Figures; (Rev. 12:1-14:20) Jesus has victory over his enemies. Satan, the antichrist, the false prophet, Babylon City, Mystery Religion Babylon, kings’ armies at Armageddon, evil nations and evil mankind. Jesus also has victory over sin and death through his death and resurrection.
6. Seven (7) Wonders of New Jerusalem; (Rev. 21:1-22:7). Jesus creates a heavenly city, New Jerusalem to tabernacle with his saints for eternity.
7. New heaven and new earth; (21:1). The old, former things are past away. (Rev. 21:4). Jesus transforms our bodies, earth and heaven into something new, glorious and miraculous.

Commentary: As glorious and unfathomable is Jesus’ work of salvation for us, he does more than save us. I have bolded comments after each applicable verse in Revelation that highlight his continued work in creation, on behalf of God the Father. He wins victory over evil and his enemies. He conquers death. He provides eternal life. He makes all things new. He rules earth during the Millennium. He builds a new heavenly city (New Jerusalem), he transforms our bodies, he completes and manifests many other promises made to those who love him. Most of the New Testament focuses on the salvation provided by Jesus Christ, through the forgiveness of sins, shedding of his blood and his resurrection (as it should). The book of Revelation thus provides a picture of the additional things that Christ does on earth and in heaven. These activities give insight to his divinity, his power, his love, his rulership and his status. God’s redemption of man and renewal of creation is made manifest through the work of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ.

Seven (7)-fold Reference (7) of Jesus Christ as Faithful and True:

Seven (7)-fold Reference (7) of Jesus Christ as Faithful and True:

1. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” (Rev. 1:5).
2. “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev. 3:14).
3. “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are they ways, thou King of saints.” (Rev. 15:3).
4. “For true and righteous are his judgements; for he hath judged the great whore, which did did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.” (Rev. 19:2).
5. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” (Rev. 19:11).
6. “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Rev. 21:5).
7. “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.” (Rev. 22:6).

Commentary: Definitions of True; Being in accordance with the actual state of affairs. Conformable to an essential reality. Fully realized or fulfilled. Ideal, Essential, Consistent. Being that which is the case rather that what is manifest or assumed. Steadfast, Loyal, Honest, Just, Legitimate, Truthful, Rightful, Accurate. That which is fitted or formed or that functions accurately. Conformable to a standard or pattern. Logical, Necessary, Narrow, Strict. Trueness, Truthfulness. Definitions of Faithful; Steadfast in affection or allegiance. Firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty. Given with strong assurance. True to the facts, to a standard, or to an original. Loyal, Conscientious, Binding. Faith, Faithfully, Faithfulness. Jesus Christ is True and Faithful, in his word, actions, attributes, judgements, works, name and status (seven qualities!!!!!!!). When capitalized in the Bible, the word is meant to be read as a title or actual name, when the term is not capitalized, it is meant to be read as a descriptive element. F(f)aithful and T(t) rue thus has the duality of being both a name and description of Jesus Christ.

Seven-fold Descriptions of Jesus Christ Given to the Seven Churches (Asia-Minor):

1. faithful witness. (Rev. 1:5, 3:14)
2. first begotten of the dead, liveth – died – and lives forever more. (Rev. 1:5, 1:18, 2:8)
3. prince of kings of the earth. (Rev. 1:5)
4. him that loved us. (Rev. 1:5)
5. washed us from our sins in his blood. (Rev. 1:5)
6. made us kings and priest to God. (Rev. 1:6)
7. key of David, has the keys of hell and death. (Rev. 1:18, 3:7)

Commentary: These are descriptive attributes, and not names or titles.Items 1-3 indicate who he is. Items 4-6 indicate what he did for us. Item 7 indicates what he has, or holds. Each of these attributes follow one another, in perfect sequence, through Revelation chapters 1 through 3. Interestingly, these descriptive attributes are only mentioned at the beginning of the Bible in the verses to the seven (7) churches in Asia Minor. They are not found anywhere else later in Revelation.

(7) Seven (7)-fold Titles and Names of Jesus:

1. Lord. (1X). (Rev. 11:15)
2. Jesus. (3X). (Rev. 17:6, 19:10, 22:16)
3. Christ. (1X). (Rev. 11;15, 12:10)
4. Lord Jesus. (1X). (Rev. 22:20)
5. Jesus Christ. (4X) (Rev. 1:2, 1:5, 1:9, 22:16)
6. Lord Jesus Christ. (1X). (Rev. 22:21)
7. Lamb. (24X). (Rev. 5:6, 5:8, 5:12, 5:13, 6:1, 6:16, 7:10, 7:14, 7:17, 12:11, 13:8, 14:4, 14:10, 15:3, 17:14, 19:7, 19:9, 21:9, 21:14, 21:22, 21:23, 21:27, 22:1, 22:3)

Commentary: These are capitalized titles and names, and are not descriptive elements.

X = the number of times a Title was referenced.

Jesus Christ (4X) + Jesus (3X) = 7 Title References = Completeness of God’s divine plan or purpose.

Jesus Christ (4X) + Christ (2X) + Lord (1X) = 7 Title References = Completeness of God’s divine plan or purpose.

Jesus Christ (4X) + Christ (2X) + Lord Jesus (1X) = 7 Title References = Completeness of God’s divine plan or purpose

Jesus Christ (4X) + Christ (2X) + Lord Jesus Christ (1X) = 7 Title References = Completeness of God’s divine plan or purpose.

Lamb (24X) = 24 Title References = God’s abundant / doubled organizational arrangement.

The mystery of God’s omnipotence of truth in the titles of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Numbers within numbers, still equal God’s truth, no matter how you calculate them! Layers upon layers. Truth upon truth. Mystery upon mystery. Meaning upon meaning. Changing the sequence in the combinations of His titles does not change the value or meaning associated with his title(s)! No matter the order, they still come up 7X (seven combined title references). Only God could have designed the combinations of Jesus’ titles in such a way that all the combinations still equal or reflect the completeness of God’s divine plan or purpose in his Son, Jesus Christ.

The title of ‘Lamb’ is extremely significant or important. Through this name or title of Jesus, God is reminding us twenty-four (24) times that Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins, he was slaughtered as a lamb so that we could be saved. This fact is so important to God, of what Christ did for us on the cross, that it keeps getting repeated and repeated and repeated above all the other titles or names of Jesus. The number twenty-four (24) also indicates that Jesus will be the ruler (King of Kings and Lord of Lords) over his kingdom/government on earth. Yes, the Bible has many verses attesting to Jesus’ government on earth, in Jerusalem, during the millennium. Also, indicated throughout the book of Revelation (and referenced in this analysis), redeemed Christians are promised a role in the participation and co-reign of Jesus’ government on earth. The bible is silent on the extent of these roles, or how they will be administered. Nonetheless, we will participate with Jesus in administering his government for the 1,000 year period known at the millennium. Last, but not least, notice that there are no (none, zero, nada) references of five (5) or six (6) names or titles to Jesus. The number five (5) is reserved for Satan, and the number six (6) is reserved for evil man (mankind, beast, false-prophet – 666). God, through the Holy Spirit is so accurate in his naming of Jesus, that he specifically leaves out five (5) or six (6) number of references since these numbers refer to evil. Mind boggling accuracy and truth within truth, numbers within numbers and meaning within meaning.

(7) Seven (7) -fold Creation Praise of the Lamb:

“Worthy is (7) the Lamb, who was slain, to receive (7) power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise.” (Rev. 5:12).

1. Power
2. Wealth
3. Wisdom
4. Strength
5. Honor
6. Glory
7. Praise

Commentary: The prior and following verses (Rev.5:11,13) describe an immeasurable number of angels, four living creatures, the twenty-four (24) elders, every type of creature and creation forming a circle of worship around the throne. The first four descriptions are qualities that the Lamb possesses and the last three describe the response of the worshipers. The Lamb demonstrates his power and strength by conquering evil through his sacrificial death. The Lamb’s wealth indicates He is the giver of life. The Lamb’s wisdom illustrates his cooperation with God’s plan to offer salvation to the world through the cross and resurrection. The worshipers respond to the Lamb by giving him honor and glory and praise, and worship that is normally reserved for God is now offered to the Lamb (Rev. 4:11, 5:13, 7:12). As just referenced in these verses, the series of praise and worship is offered to the Lamb/Christ three times! The number three indicates emphasis and intensity!

The (7) Holy Spirit Is The Witnesses of Christ.

1. “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” (Rev. 1:2).
2. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” (Rev. 1:5).
3. ”I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 1:9).
4. ”And when they (two witnesses) shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” (Rev. 11:7).
5. “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10).
6. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev. 22:18).
7. “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20).

Commentary: Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ testifies who is he is and his offer of salvation for mankind, through the forgiveness of their sins, the shedding of his blood and his resurrection. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus communicates (witnesses) the who, what, where, when, why and how of mankind’s salvation. This is known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once again, seven (7) references regarding the Holy Spirit witnessing to Christ denotes God’s divine purpose and plan.

But how can they call on him (Jesus Christ) to save them unless they believe in him (Jesus Christ)? And how can they believe in him (Jesus Christ) if they have never heard about him (Jesus Christ)? And how can they hear about him (Jesus Christ) unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14

In His Service,

Night Watchman

Paul Rolland

Night Watchman Ministries

Make Your Decision for Christ NOW!!!!!!! Time is Up!!!!!!!

Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:

The ABCs of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)

A. Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.

. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be; that He was both fully God and fully man and that we are saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. Put your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. Become a son or daughter of God by receiving Christ.

. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

C. Call upon His name, Confess with your heart and with your lips that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).

. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).

. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).

. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).

. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).

. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).

. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).

True Church / Bride of Christ Spared from God’s Wrath:

 Romans 5:8-10. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Jeremiah 30:7. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.