Dayspring (Luke 1:78)
Dayspring is an archaic word meaning “dawn” or “morning” or “sunrise.” It is still used today as a generic term for “a new era,” but it is no longer used for “sunrise.” When the King James Bible was first translated into English, the word dayspring was commonly used. In the past 400 years, dayspring has become archaic and can cause confusion to modern readers.
Christ as the “morning star” (John 1:5) relates to the hope of a new day, a new dawn, a new light on the horizon. When Venus (nicknamed the “morning star” rises, it means the sun will follow very soon (usually within an hour or two).
Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
Christ is the father of the church and treats us all in a kindly, fatherly manner. He is also the Father of the earth as the maker and organizer of the heavens and the earth. Christ is also the “Father” of those who abide in his gospel (John 17:6-12, D&C 34:1-3)
Jesus has described himself as both the Father and the Son (Ether 3:14). Although Christ and his Father are two separate individuals (John 10:30, 38) he also represents his father, Elohim, in a very real way by “divine investiture” where he speaks with permission as if he were the Father. It is similar to the modern practice of power of attorney where one individual acts for another (usually in legal or health matters) and can bind the initial person by contract.
Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)
Faithful refers to loyalty, while true refers to conforming to actual facts. He is constant and loyal in his witness of His Father’s works. Christ is a faithful creator, faithful witness and a faithful High Priest.
He is a “true witness” in that his word can be relied up, trusted, full of confidence and veracity. For example in Revelations, Christ received revelations from God and showed his servant, John, the things that must soon take place. (Rev. 1:1)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
A shepherd owns the flock. He is not a hireling who flees in times of danger. The shepherd sees the wolf coming, and protects the sheep even at the peril of his own life. The shepherd is also someone who not only watches over, but looks after, guides, protects and heals his sheep (Psalm 23:1) both physically and spiritually. Christ speaks to his flock with love, compassion and sympathy.
Head of the Church (Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:17-18)
Christ is the head and the church is the body. He holds all things together. The church (members) submit themselves to the head. Christ will build up his church (members) (Matt. 16:18)
He is also the head of the organizational church which is represented by the twelve apostles who he chose (Luke 6:13) and ordained (Mark 3:14). He appointed them to be with him, to preach, to have authority to heal (Matt 10:1). The New Testament names various other officers: prophets (inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God such as Isaiah, Daniel, etc.), evangelists (energetic writer or preacher, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.), pastors (manages God’s resources, a steward – Titus 1:7), teachers (1 Cor. 12:28), and elders (Acts 11:1, 15:22) to fill certain leadership roles in the church. Paul mentions other offices in Christ’s church such as bishop and deacon (1 Tim. 3:1-2, 8).
High Priest (Heb. 6:20)
The first priest mentioned in the Bible is Melchizedek (Gen 14:18-20) and Christ is identified as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7:17). He is able to intercede on our behalf and save us permanently and forever.
A High Priest was a chief priest especially of the ancient Jewish Levitical priesthood (had overall charge of Temple finances and administration) traditionally traced from Aaron (1500 BCE) but the title is given to Melchizedek in 2000 BCE. Only the high priest could wear the Urim and Thummin (to determine truth and falsity) and people came to him in order to know the will of God. (Numb. 27:21)
In Jesus time it was the highest religious authority, they were seen as playing a critical role in religious life and the Sanhedrin.
Holy One (Mark 1:24)
“Holy” means something that is dedicated or consecrated to God or for a religious purpose. It is one who is worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. “Qedosh Yisrael” is the Hebrew name for God meaning “Holy One of Israel.” Jesus is given this title and is the Holy One and creator of Israel, the only legitimate king of Israel (Zech. 9:9). Daniel saw the holy one come down from heaven (Dan. 4:13). Scattered Israel will return to the “Holy One” in the last days (Isaiah 10:20)
I Am (John 8:58)
The title “I am” is directly related to the most frequently used name of deity in the Old Testament—YHWH. Translators substituted Lord or God in almost every place it appeared in Hebrew in order to not overuse the name of God. It comes from the verb “to be”, therefore it means “I/he exist(s). God is unique in that he existed before all mankind came into existence, therefore “I am” is past, present and future. (D&C 68:6 “I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.”) When the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush He used the name “I am” to identify Himself as the God of Israel, the same God who had appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the first time this name appears in the Bible.
When Christ claimed to be “I am,”, the Jews took up stones to stone him but he walked away unnoticed (John 8:59). This stoning is based on Lev. 24:16 which says, “He that blasphemes the name of Yahweh shall surely be put to death.”
The repetition of “I am” in “I am that I am” is likely a repetition to emphasize something. This was often used in Hebrew speaking and writings. Some examples of this are “Lord God,” “strait and narrow,” “by fire and the Holy Ghost.”
Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15)
Christ is in image of his father, both physically (the only human with godly parentage) and spiritually (first born spirit). The father is “invisible” because he rarely appears or speaks to man, except to introduce his Son (baptism of Christ, transfiguration, Jesus at Jerusalem during holy week, introduction of Christ to Nephites, introduction of Christ to Joseph Smith). The many appearances of God in the Old Testament were Christ in his pre-mortal state as a spirit child of God the Father, where he was most commonly known as Jehovah or Yahweh, and as Jesus Christ during his mortal ministry and subsequent resurrection. There are over 100 instances of Jehovah/Christ appearing to man, but less than 10 of God the Father speaking or appearing.
