Jehovah affirms that he is the creator of all things, and for this reason he declared to Abraham that he is El Shaddai, the Almighty (Gen.17:1). He said: “Thus says God Jehovah, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it” (Is.42:5). And he said more: “I have made the earth, the men and the animals that are on the surface of the earth, by my great power and by my outstretched arm; and I give it to whom it seems right to me” (Jer.27:5). This last text makes it clear that Jehovah has complete dominium over this world from its creation, and, as Jehovah is the Almighty, it is he who gives this world to whomever he wishes, granted that they are pleasing in his eyes. In the book of the prophet Daniel we read a prophetic declaration from the Holy Scriptures: “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men” (Dan.4:17). In the book of Psalms we read: “The heavens are yours. The earth also is yours; the world and its fullness. You have founded them” (Ps.89:11). “The earth is Jehovah ‘s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein” (Ps.24:1). And this truth, according to the Scriptures, remains unchanged from the beginning of this world. For this reason Isaiah said: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; [I am] God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Is.46:9-10). This is the reason why Asaph says: “Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations” (Ps.82:8). “Jehovah reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved” (Ps.99:1). “For the kingdom is Jehovah’s. He is the ruler over the nations” (Ps.22:28). “He rules by his might forever. His eyes watch the nations. Don’t let the rebellious rise up against him” (Ps.66:7).
The dominance of Jehovah as god in this world in which he is called king and entitles himself god (Is.43:15). Jehovah himself declares that he THE KING: “Moab is laid waste, and they are gone up into his cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, says the King, whose name is Jehovah of Armies” (Jer.48:15). This control, this government of Jehovah, is so absolute that David says: “Jehovah has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise Jehovah, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word” (Ps.103:19-20).
As Jehovah rules over the nations and kingdoms of this world, the Scriptures declare: “Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved” (1 Chr.16:30). “Jehovah reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Jehovah is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved” (Ps.93:1).
To this divine and infallible government, to this power, to this providence, to this fantastic order, the Holy Scriptures adds the glory of Jehovah: “Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples” (1 Chr.16:24). “Ascribe to Jehovah, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Jehovah glory and strength! Ascribe to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Jehovah in holy array” (1 Chr.16:28-29). “Ascribe to Jehovah, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Jehovah glory and strength! Ascribe to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Jehovah in holy array” (Ps.72:19). “So the nations will fear the name of Jehovah; all the kings of the earth your glory” (Ps.102:15).
THESE GLORIOUS WONDERS OF THE JEHOVAH GOD WHO RULES OVER THE EARTH HAVE ALL TURN INTO FAIRY TALES IN FACE OF THE DECLARATION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, THE ONE SENT BY JESUS CHRIST: “For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God” (Rom.8:20-21).
Paul gives more information about the story of the glorious government of Jehovah: “In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest” (Eph.2:2-3). How could the Old Testament prophets have affirmed that Jehovah ruled and governed among the peoples and nations of the earth, if Paul declares that everyone walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the armies of this world, and Jesus declared the Jews, his people, and people of Jehovah: “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world’” (John 8:23). What relation could there be between Jehovah and Jesus if Jehovah puts the world in the hearts of men (Eccl.3:11), and John said: “Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him” (1 John 2:15)? What relation could there be between Jehovah and Jesus, if Jehovah ruled over all the nations of the world (Ps.47:7-8), and Jesus emphatically declared to Pilates: “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36)?
Did Jehovah rule in the middle of corruption? Did he rule in the middle of the fratricidal wars? Did he rule in the midst of idolatry, even while he condemned it? Did he rule over the dead, for death ruled until Jesus Christ (Rom.5:12; John 5:24)? Did Jehovah rule where the devil ruled (Luke 4:5-8; Heb. 2:14-15)?
It is thus proven that there is no relationship between Jesus and Jehovah, for there is no communion between light and darkness (2 Cor.6:14-15). And all creation was so subjected to vanity and to slavery to corruption, that Jesus had to die on the cross for the love of the captives, having received all power in heaven and on earth; and having been raised from the dead, he went up to heaven and subjected, that is to say, submitted the angels, the authorities, the powers, and sat at the right hand of God. Paul says that the Father, having made peace by the blood of the cross of Christ, through him reconciled all things to himself, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens (Col.1:19-20). And Jehovah, prior to Christ, spent his time subjecting the nations and bragging about his power and his glory to the captives.
By Pastor Olavo Silveira Pereira