Throughout history, humanity has sought to understand the nature of divinity, grappling with the qualities and characteristics that define a true God. Various religions and philosophies have proposed different entities as supreme beings, yet the God of Abrahamic traditions stands out as a uniquely fitting and enduring candidate for this role. This article explores why God the Father remains the best fit for the position of God, how worshippers can be assured that this divinity will never be displaced by any future entity, and how the Father’s supremacy is enhanced through a mediator with humanity. Additionally, we will delve into the crucial mediatory role of the Son, particularly in Christianity, culminating in the future event known as the Millennium.
The Abrahamic God, central to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, possesses attributes that align perfectly with the highest conceptualizations of divinity. One of the core attributes of God the Father is eternal existence. Unlike deities of other faiths that may have been perceived as having beginnings or ends, God is described as timeless, existing beyond the constraints of time itself. This eternal nature is foundational because it means that God's knowledge encompasses all of history, providing an unbroken continuity and direct experience with all past events. This eternal existence ensures that God's wisdom and guidance are based on an infallible understanding of the entirety of creation.
Omniscience is another defining characteristic of God the Father. This God is believed to have complete and perfect knowledge of all things—past, present, and future. This comprehensive understanding includes not only the physical universe but also the innermost thoughts, prayers, and needs of all beings. The Bible, the Torah, and the Quran repeatedly affirm that God’s knowledge is all-encompassing. This omniscience allows God to provide perfect wisdom and guidance, ensuring that divine actions and decrees are always aligned with the highest good. This depth of knowledge also implies an inherent understanding of the moral and ethical dimensions of existence, allowing God to establish and uphold the highest standards of justice, mercy, and righteousness.
Omnipresence is another critical attribute that positions God the Father as the ultimate deity. The belief that God is present everywhere at all times is deeply rooted in Abrahamic traditions. This omnipresence ensures that God is accessible to all beings, transcending physical limitations. Worshippers are assured that their prayers are heard regardless of their location, and God’s guidance and support are always available. The omnipresence of God reinforces the divine connection with all creation, providing a sense of comfort and assurance to believers.
The role of God as the creator and sustainer of the universe is central to the Abrahamic faiths. Genesis in the Bible, for instance, details the creation of the world by God, establishing God as the ultimate originator of life and the cosmos. This creative power is not just a historical act but an ongoing process, where God continuously sustains and upholds the natural order. This responsibility includes providing for the physical and spiritual needs of all creation, ensuring the ultimate salvation and well-being of all beings. The ability to resurrect the dead and grant eternal life is a crucial aspect of this role, as it assures worshippers that divine care and salvation extend beyond death.
Moral and ethical authority is a defining characteristic of God the Father. This God embodies the highest standards of morality and ethics, ensuring that all actions and decrees are perfectly just and merciful. The scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are replete with examples of God’s justice, mercy, and righteousness. This moral perfection influences and guides the ethical development of all beings, fostering an environment where justice, mercy, and righteousness prevail. God's actions consistently reflect these principles, providing a model for worshippers to follow and establishing a foundation of trust and reverence.
An essential aspect of God's relationship with humanity is the provision of a mediator, enhancing the divine connection and interaction with humans. This mediator, central to Christian theology, is the Son, who bridges the gap between the infinite and the finite. By taking on human form, the Son provides a direct link through which divine guidance, wisdom, and authority are channeled to humanity. This mediatory role is critical because it allows humans to experience and understand divine authority in a manner that is accessible and relatable. The Son’s mediatory role is not just symbolic but an active, ongoing process where he intercedes on behalf of humans, ensuring that their prayers, needs, and concerns are presented before God the Father.
The mediatory role of the Son reaches its culmination in the future event known as the Millennium, where the Son is given full authority by God the Father. During this thousand-year reign, the Son will exercise complete dominion over the earth, applying divine authority in a manner that is accessible and comprehensible to humanity. This period is a crucial aspect of the Son’s mediatory role, as it represents a provisional step where divine authority is mediated through the Son, who himself is human. This helps humans gradually adapt to full divine authority in a human way before all are made fully subject eternally to the Father. Once the Millennium is complete and all things are made subject to the Son, he will then subject himself and all under his authority to the Father forever. This act of subjection is not a relinquishing of authority but a fulfillment of the mediatory role, demonstrating the Son’s commitment to aligning all creation with the ultimate sovereignty of God the Father.
Christian scriptures provide profound insights into the supremacy of God the Father and the mediatory role of the Son. Throughout the New Testament, we find assurances of the Father’s eternal nature, omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. For instance, in John 1:1-3, the eternal existence and creative power of God are affirmed: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”
Moreover, Christian scriptures highlight the qualities of the Son that mirror those of the Father, albeit on a smaller scale. In Philippians 2:9-11, it is stated that “God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This similarity in attributes underscores why the Son is deemed worthy by the Father to have all things made subject to him during the Millennium. The Son's wisdom, power, and justice enable him to rule effectively and righteously, mediating divine authority in a way that humans can comprehend and relate to.
The Son’s mediatory role is further highlighted by his sacrificial love and compassion, qualities that make him the ideal intermediary between God and humanity. Hebrews 9:15 emphasizes the Son’s mediatory role: “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” This sacrificial act demonstrates the Son's deep commitment to humanity's salvation and his unique capability to mediate on their behalf.
The mediatory role of the Son is not only about governance during the Millennium but also about preparing humanity for an eternal relationship with the Father. By first receiving authority on behalf of the Father and then applying it fully to humanity, the Son facilitates a gradual and comprehensible adaptation for humans to divine authority. This process is crucial for helping humans understand and accept divine rule in a humanized form before being fully subjected to the Father.
In conclusion, God the Father possesses a unique combination of attributes that align perfectly with the highest conceptualizations of divinity. Eternal existence, omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, and perfect moral and ethical authority are foundational to this role. The relationship between God and worshippers is characterized by mutual investment, trust, and a covenant that outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties. The historical and prophetic records in the Abrahamic scriptures provide further assurance of God’s unchanging nature and ultimate authority.
The Son, as the ultimate mediator, enhances the Father’s supremacy by bridging the gap between the divine and the human. His mediatory role reaches its zenith in the Millennium, where he exercises divine authority in a comprehensible way for humanity. Christian scriptures assure believers of the Son's worthiness to rule and his commitment to preparing humanity for an eternal relationship with the Father. These attributes and assurances collectively reinforce the belief in the everlasting supremacy of God the Father and the essential mediatory role of the Son in the divine plan for humanity.
Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, 2024
