The Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational in our faith. Although the word “trinity” does not appear in Scripture, the revelation of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit is seen from cover to cover. The book of Revelation begins with this definitive revelation, “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:4 – 6.

         God the Father is often referred to as eternal, “…who is and who was and who is to come…” He is also called “…Father…,” of our Lord Jesus Christ. He loves and forgives, He provides and protects, He disciplines and corrects; most of all, God the Father is in control over all of His creation, working out His plan of redemption according to the counsel of His good, pleasing, and perfect will through His Son and by His Holy Spirit.

         God the Son is often referred to as the Christ, the Anointed of the Father, who carries out the good, pleasing, and perfect will of the Father, “…Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth…who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father…” God the Son accomplishes the eternal plan of God the Father on earth, perfectly. He reveals the glory of the Father by His perfect relationship with the Father.

         God the Holy Spirit is often referred to with the symbols of fire, oil, and water. He gives light and meaning; He heals; He gives life. God the Holy Spirit is also associated with the number seven because seven represents completion, perfection, holiness, “…and from the seven spirits who are before his throne…” God the Holy Spirit gives meaning to the accomplished work of God the Son and applies the saving, healing, life-giving work of the Son to all who believe, according to the good, pleasing, and perfect will of the Father.

         But the most important aspect of the doctrine of the Trinity is that God is one God, not three. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit is one God in perfect oneness and unity. Each one is God and together He is one God. Impossible for our minds to comprehend because we are His creatures and are limited to time and space. And revelation from God is first to be trusted before it can be understood. Understanding is the fruit of faith and obedience, not the other way around.

         As you read and study the book of Revelation, know that God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit is center-stage in moving all of history toward His good, pleasing, and perfect will of completion. Jesus Christ is the one you see and know in this book. And in seeing and knowing Him, you experience the love and grace and provision and protection and inspiration and healing and relationship of and with the Father by the Holy Spirit. AMEN and Hallelujah!!!