#6 - God’s Eternal Word - From Creation to Final Judgement & Victory (John 1:1, 1:14, 1 John 1:1, Revelation 19:13)

What does it mean that Jesus is "the Word"? Why does the Apostle John use this unique title to describe Christ, and what are the implications for our understanding of creation, the incarnation, and the final victory?

In this episode of Navigate The Way, Gabe and Dave dig into some of the most profound passages of the New Testament, exploring John’s portrayal of Christ as the eternal Word from the opening of creation to the final judgement. Along the way, we’ll uncover how these verses point to Jesus’ divine identity, His incarnation, and His ultimate return in glory.

Join us as we explore these rich texts, connect the dots across the canon of Scripture, and grapple with the timeless truths that continue to shape our faith today. Whether you’re familiar with these passages or hearing them in a new light, this episode promises fresh insights and deeper understanding of the cosmic scope of God’s redemptive plan.

Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion that will leave you reflecting on the eternal significance of the Word in your life!

This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. To check out the tool, visit: https://www.navtheway.com/.

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Transcript

### Gabe Langston: 
G’day, listeners! Welcome back to Navigate The Way, the podcast where we dive deep into the heart of Scripture, exploring the profound truths that shape our faith. I’m your co-host, Gabe Langston, and as always, I encourage you to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are on a journey to know God's Word more deeply. 

Today’s episode is an exciting one. We’re going to explore some of the richest Christological passages in the New Testament, focusing on John chapter 1 verse 1, John chapter 1 verse 14, First John chapter 1 verse 1, and Revelation chapter 19 verse 13. These passages, all written by the Apostle John, introduce and illuminate the mystery of "the Word." Many readers find John’s use of "the Word" somewhat cryptic, especially compared to the synoptic Gospels. Why does John choose this term? What’s his purpose? How does this concept tie into the broader theological framework of Scripture? Let’s start by reading the text together, and then I’ll ask Dave for his thoughts.

John chapter 1 verse 1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In John chapter 1 verse 14, we read, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” First John chapter 1 verse 1 states, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life.” Finally, Revelation chapter 19 verse 13 tells us, “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.”

These verses carry profound theological significance, touching on the identity of Christ, the incarnation, and the culmination of redemptive history. Dave, how should we begin to understand John's use of “the Word” in these texts?

### Dave Brooks: 
Thanks for asking, Gabe. I’m Dave Brooks, and I’m thrilled to dive into these profound verses with you. John's use of “the Word” in the opening of his Gospel is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s deliberate, rich in both theological and philosophical meaning. In John chapter 1 verse 1, the phrase "In the beginning" immediately evokes Genesis chapter 1 verse 1, where the creation account starts with, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” John’s use of the same phrase signals that he’s telling us about the beginning of all things, not merely in terms of creation, but in the scope of God’s eternal plan of redemption.

The English term “the Word,” which is "Logos" in the original Greek, has deep roots in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought. For the Jewish reader, the Logos would resonate with the idea of God’s spoken word in creation, as we see in Genesis where God speaks and creation springs forth. The Word of God is powerful, authoritative, and life-giving. For the Hellenistic mind, Logos referred to the rational principle governing the universe. John uniquely bridges these concepts by revealing that the Logos isn’t just a force or an abstract principle; the Logos is a Person, fully divine, who was both with God and was God. This sets the stage for the revelation of Christ’s identity. What do you think, Gabe? How does this understanding of Logos prepare us for what’s to come in verse 14?

### Gabe Langston: 
Mate, that’s such a crucial point. John’s opening line is so much more than just a poetic flourish—it’s the theological foundation upon which his entire Gospel rests. When John says that the Word was God and the Word was with God, he’s revealing the complex unity of the Trinity. The Logos—Jesus—exists in intimate relationship with the Father, distinct in personhood yet fully divine. This verse cuts through any notion that Jesus is merely a great teacher or a moral leader. He is God from the beginning. But then John moves us into new territory in verse 14 when he writes, “The Word became flesh.”

This is staggering. The eternal, pre-existent Word takes on human flesh and dwells among us. The phrase “dwelt among us” literally means "tabernacled" or "pitched his tent" among us, which hearkens back to the Old Testament, where God’s presence dwelled with His people in the Tabernacle during their wilderness journey as recorded in Exodus chapter 25 verse 8. John is telling us that in Jesus, God has come to dwell with His people in an even greater way. This is the wonder of the Incarnation—the infinite, eternal God taking on human frailty, entering into our world, and sharing in our experiences. Theologians call this the hypostatic union, the joining of two natures—divine and human—in one person, Jesus Christ. But Dave, what do you make of the connection between John’s Gospel and First John chapter 1 verse 1, where the Apostle John describes hearing, seeing, and touching the Word of Life?

### Dave Brooks: 
That’s an excellent observation, Gabe. The connection between John’s Gospel and First John is undeniable, and First John chapter 1 verse 1 provides an intimate, almost tangible testimony about the nature of Christ. In the Gospel, John emphasizes the divine identity of the Logos. But in First John, he brings that divine reality into the realm of human experience. John says, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life.”

This passage speaks to the Apostles’ direct encounter with the incarnate Christ. It’s a powerful statement of both the physical reality of Jesus’ incarnation and His eternality. John emphasizes that Jesus, whom they touched and saw, is no mere man—He is the eternal Logos who became flesh. The fact that John includes sensory language—hearing, seeing, touching—reinforces the authenticity of his witness. This wasn’t a mystical or spiritual vision; it was a real encounter with the incarnate Son of God. 

It also ties back to the theological point of the Incarnation. In a world influenced by Gnosticism, where some people denied the goodness of the physical body or even doubted that Christ could have truly come in the flesh, John is affirming the full humanity of Christ. The Word became flesh, and that flesh was real, tangible, and crucial to our salvation. Gabe, this brings us to Revelation chapter 19 verse 13, where the vision of Christ as “The Word of God” takes on a new, victorious aspect. How do you see this fitting into John’s Christological framework?

### Gabe Langston: 
The picture in Revelation chapter 19 verse 13 is awe-inspiring. Here we see Jesus not as the humble servant, but as the victorious King, clothed in a robe dipped in blood, His name: “The Word of God.” This imagery completes the arc of John’s Christology. From the beginning of creation to His incarnation, and now to His return in glory, Jesus is the Word. In this passage, we witness the culmination of redemptive history. Christ, who once walked the earth in humility and submission, now returns in power and judgment.

The robe dipped in blood signifies His victory—victory over sin, death, and the forces of evil. While some interpret this blood as representing His own sacrificial death, it more likely points to the judgment He brings upon His enemies as described in Isaiah chapter 63 verses 1 through 6. In either case, the key point is that Jesus, the Word, is the divine warrior who will bring all things to their appointed end. His very name, the Word of God, emphasizes His authority. Just as the Word of God brought creation into existence, now the Word of God brings judgment and restoration to the world. This passage provides a stark contrast to the earlier scenes of Christ's humility and suffering. What are your thoughts, Dave, on how this victorious imagery contributes to our understanding of Christ’s role in redemptive history?

### Dave Brooks: 
The imagery of Christ in Revelation is essential for understanding the fullness of His role in redemptive history. As you said, Gabe, this passage depicts Jesus as the conquering King, but it’s important to recognize how this fits into the broader biblical narrative. From the beginning of Scripture, the Word of God is active—speaking creation into existence, guiding Israel through His law, and revealing Himself through the prophets. In the New Testament, the Word becomes incarnate, offering salvation to all who believe. But in Revelation, the Word returns not merely as Savior, but as Judge.

What’s fascinating about Revelation chapter 19 is the way it shows the final victory of God’s Word. This echoes John chapter 1 verse 5, which says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Christ, the Word, overcomes every form of darkness, every enemy of God. His return is the ultimate manifestation of God’s justice and righteousness. For believers, this is a source of tremendous hope. The Word of God who humbled Himself to death on a cross, as described in Philippians chapter 2 verses 6 through 8, is the same Word who will one day return to make all things right.

This final victory also speaks to the fulfillment of the messianic promises we see throughout Scripture. The Word of God is not just the Word of creation; He is the Word of redemption and restoration. The victory scene in Revelation reminds us that Christ’s work is not finished until He has judged the nations and restored creation. Gabe, as we think about how these passages apply to us today, what pastoral implications can we draw from John’s portrayal of Jesus as the Word?

### Gabe Langston: 
That’s a vital question, Dave. John’s portrayal of Jesus as the Word has profound pastoral implications for believers today. First, it reminds us that the Christian faith is rooted in the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ. He is the Word through whom God speaks. In a world filled with competing voices and philosophies, we must anchor ourselves in Christ, the living Word, who alone has the authority to define truth, morality, and reality. This challenges us to prioritize Scripture, where the voice of the Word is heard clearly.

Second, the Incarnation reminds us of God’s nearness. Jesus didn’t remain distant; He became flesh and dwelt among us. This speaks to the comfort we can draw from the fact that our Savior understands our struggles, pain, and limitations because He lived as a man. He is a sympathetic high priest, as we see in Hebrews chapter 4 verses 15 through 16. He is a high priest who meets us in our suffering and intercedes on our behalf.

Finally, the victorious return of Christ as the Word of God assures us that no matter how dark the world becomes, Jesus will return to set things right. This gives us hope and perseverance in the face of trials. We live between the "already" of His first coming and the "not yet" of His return, knowing that His victory is assured. As believers, this should embolden us to live with confidence in the truth and power of the Word. Dave, how would you encourage our listeners to apply these truths in their daily walk?

### Dave Brooks: 
I’d say the key takeaway for our listeners is to let these truths shape every aspect of their lives. First, as you said, Gabe, we must prioritize the authority of Jesus as the Word of God. In practical terms, this means letting Scripture guide our decisions, shape our worldview, and correct our course when we’re wrong. The Word is not just something to be admired; it’s something to be obeyed.

Second, the Incarnation calls us to live in light of God’s nearness. Christ’s coming into the world as the Word made flesh assures us that God is not far off; He is with us. In our suffering, in our doubts, and even when we sin, we can draw near to the One who knows us fully and loves us completely, as we come to Him in repentance and faith.

Lastly, the victorious return of Christ reminds us that we are living for a future reality. We don’t place our hope in this world, but in the promise that Christ will return and restore all things. This should inspire us to live with boldness, to proclaim the gospel, and to persevere through whatever trials we face, knowing that victory is already won in Christ.

As we close today, I’d like to encourage our listeners to reflect on these truths and ask themselves: How does the Word of God—Jesus Christ—shape my life? Have I fully embraced His authority, His nearness, and His victory? 

And with that, be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast so you won’t miss any future episodes. This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. The personas for both Gabe and I, as well as the content of this episode, were all AI-generated using Navigate The Way ✝️. A special thanks to ElevenLabs for our AI-generated voices.