An Unstoppable Force – The Will and Power of God

Do you know what it means to be God?

I think we can all agree that we don’t have a clue. His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts. That means we can’t fathom it, we cannot even approach knowing what it means to be God.

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 the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,…yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. 

Isaiah 46:9-10,11b

But that seems to be what God is asking here, “Do you not know what it means to be Me?” Consider the context from a few verses earlier in the passage as God says, “Bel and Nebo, [the Babylonian gods], bow and stoop low as their idol images are carried about by weary worshipers. They are not even able to rescue their people from the burden of having to carry them.”

“Listen to Me” says God to the descendants of Jacob, “I have made you – you haven’t made me, and I have been carrying you since you’ve been born.” What irony!

God continues, “Who will you compare me to? Who is my equal? Don’t you know what it means to be Me?”

So, God explains to us what it means to be Him. He is the only God of the universe – there is none like Him and He gives us an example of what sets Him apart. Consider verse 10 from the Amplified Bible:

Think about what God is saying: “I declare how things turn out long before they ever happen.” Not only is God foreseeing the future, but He is ordering it! “My purpose stands throughout the ages, and I will fulfill my every intent. I have formed my plan, and yes, I will do it. I have spoken it.”

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 NIV

God said that He has a purpose and that He would do it. He will bring it to pass. What has He purposed to do?

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:23

Check it out in The Amplified Bible:

I have sworn [an oath] by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance].

Isaiah 45:23 AMP

Now read the end of this passage in other English translations:

…every tongue will swear allegiance (CSB)

…every tongue will swear allegiance (EHV)

…swear allegiance (ESV)

…will swear allegiance (EXB)

…swear allegiance (GW)

…swear allegiance (HCSB)

…allegiance to my Name (TLB)

…every tongue shall take an oath (MEV)

…swear allegiance (NOG)

…swear allegiance (NASB)

…declare allegiance to me (NLT)

…swear allegiance to me (TPT)

…swear allegiance to me (VOICE)

…every tongue shall take an oath (WEB)

…vow to be loyal to Me (WYC)

The New Testament version looks like this:

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

The Greek, exomologeo, translated “confess” in the passage above means, to confess or to profess, acknowledge openly and joyfully, to one’s honor: to celebrate, give praise to, to profess that one will do something, to promise, agree, engage. (The New American Standard New Testament Greek Lexicon)

From this passage, it can easily be seen that every tongue that has ever spoken a word will acknowledge openly and joyfully that Jesus Christ is Lord. Looking further into God’s purpose:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins. 

2 Peter 3:9 CJB

It is NOT His purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but it IS His purpose that everyone should turn from their sins. God said that He purposed it and that He will also do it. God has a plan for the universal reconciliation of everyone without exception. It is His will and purpose that everyone will turn from their sin and be reconciled to God by the blood of the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20)

I know that you can do everything, and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from you.

Job 42:2 NKJV

This is Universal Reconciliation, and it is genuinely Apostolic.