We are stepping into one of the most overlooked patterns within the scriptural narrative of Exodus chapters 7-13 – the journey from the Ten Plagues of Egypt to Exaltation – Divine Glory with Christ and the Father. We are going to look at the trajectory of moving from darkness of Egypt to the radiance of the divine presence of the Father and the Son. From judgment to redemption. From mortality to immortality and eternal life with Christ (Moses 1:39).. The ten plagues are not ancient catastrophes; they are a prophetic roadmap foreshadowing how we are to become heirs and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Having overcome as He has overcame (Revelation 3:21) in order to sit with Christ on thrones the Father has prepared for each of us (Matthew 20:23).
Every plague reverses a day of creation. Every judgment against the Egyptian God’s, Pharaoh, and the Egyptian empire, culture, and society exposes a counterfeit god. And it is every act of divine power pushing Israel one step closer to the mountain of God.
This is the pattern scripture reveals: descent into chaos, confrontation with darkness, and the ascent into God’s presence. Exodus establishes the divine architectural blueprint that Revelation completes.
Christ, and the infinite atonement that is revealed through the plan of salvation, is at the center. It is the redemptive arc narrative – the covenantal path of righteousness we enter into. From the blood in the Nile to the blood of the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), the story is always pointing forward. The plagues themselves reveal the cost of spiritual rebellion. However, they also reveal the depth of God’s divine sovereign grace and mercy.
The Passover Lamb, the Firstborn Son, the deliverance through water – baptism for the remission of sins – these are not mere isolated events. They are shadows of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and spiritual bondage (Matthew 16:18-26).
The purpose of God is specific: to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). It was never about escape. God was not simply removing Israel from Egypt; He was raising them into a people with a covenantal identity. Today, our Heavenly Father’s desire is to do the same with each one of us. Bring us out of our own Egypts, our own spiritual bondage, to awaken us so that we may arise from the dust and shake off the awful chains that hold us bound (Isaiah 52:2) so that we are able to put on the armor of righteousness and come forth out of obscurity (2 Nephi 1:23).
The plagues themselves are the very chain breakers. Sinai is where a covenant people are formed. The story of the Exodus is not complete because the redeemed will eventually stand in the glory of God’s presence. For this is what Christ prayed for: This is life eternal that they may know thee, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
Revelation mirrors Exodus because the same God is acting. the bowls, the trumpets, the judgments – they echo the plagues because the final deliverance follows the same pattern as the first. The Saints are not merely escaping Egypt, Babylon, or Jerusalem; they are ascending into divine heavenly Glory, ascending into the New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Temple (Ezekiel 48:35; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21-22; apocryphal works 4 Ezra, 2 Baruch, 3 Baruch). Directly into the presence of the Lamb of God.
Reason this matters for us today is because every one of us walks this specific journey of spiritual growth and covenantal faith. We are moving from bondage to freedom. From darkness and into light, from spiritual Egypts to the mountain of a Holy Sovereign and Gracious God. The plagues themselves show us the cost of our sin, our spiritual rebellion, and disobedience. They also reveal God’s divine grace, His tender mercies, and the unstoppable trajectory of redemption – from plagues to glory is our covenantal path of righteousness and movement toward spiritual perfection and strait and narrow way that leads toward the Celestial Kingdom (Matthew 7:14).
So, as we begin, keep this truth in mind: God does not leave His people in the place of judgment or condemnation. He leads them through it, beyond it, and into divine heavenly glory. The Exodus narrative is our own personal story and the ascent into immortality, eternal life, and exaltation is our calling.
The Latter-day Saint doctrine of Exaltation and Eternal Progression is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Critics argue that the idea of becoming like God, or even becoming a god, is unbiblical and heretical. Some go as far as to label it demonic. They often cite Genesis where Satan tempts Eve by telling her she would be like God if she ate the fruit. However, a closer look at the New Testament provides a different perspective.
In Matthew 19:16-20:23, Jesus speaks to the rich young ruler about the path to eternal life and the rewards for those who follow Him. He promises that those who sacrifice for His sake will inherit eternal life and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. This passage supports the idea that believers can attain a higher state in the afterlife.
John 17 is even more explicit. In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for His disciples, asking the Father to make them one as He and the Father are one. This unity is not just about harmony but about sharing in the divine nature. Jesus says, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.” This passage aligns with the doctrine of Theosis—the process of becoming more like God.
Revelation 3 further reinforces this. Jesus promises the faithful that they will sit with Him on His throne, just as He has sat down with His Father on His throne. This imagery of sitting on thrones indicates a sharing in divine authority and nature.
My extensive study of the doctrine of Theosis and its biblical foundations shows that the teachings of Exaltation and Eternal Progression are not only consistent with the Bible but are also a profound part of Christ’s message. These doctrines explain our potential to grow eternally and become more like God, as Christ intended.
Thus, the Latter-day Saint teachings on Exaltation and Eternal Progression are deeply rooted in biblical texts and are a legitimate interpretation of Christ’s teachings.
Updates and Deep Dive into Scriptural Teachings
Hello, and welcome to another episode of Mindful Latter-Day Saint Christian Living. I wanted to reach out to those of you following our website and the content here on YouTube. It’s been a while since I’ve created any content for the podcast as well as for the YouTube channel. So, let’s jump into the updates and then dive into the meat of today’s topic.
There have been some significant changes recently. A couple of months ago, I had to downsize and reassess my finances. This affected my subscription to the Creator plan on WordPress, which reverted back to an old domain. During this transition, I lost a lot of content and the theme of the site. I now have a new, less expensive plan and will drop the link in the YouTube channel. Unfortunately, I faced similar financial issues with Podbean, leading to the podcast content removal from iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
Fortunately, I found out that WordPress has podcasting features, so I’ll integrate podcasts going forward. I’m also planning to develop new content for next year’s “Come Follow Me” program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focusing on the Doctrine and Covenants.
In the meantime, I’ve been reviewing 800+ old posts, deleting irrelevant content, and updating others. I’m using Blogger as a fallback platform and publishing additional content on Medium, focusing more on opinion pieces. I’ve also updated the website name to “Mindful Latter-day Saint Christian Living and Apologetics.”
I’ve integrated my content with Patreon, allowing sponsors to access all written content. All new content on the website will be free for the first two weeks before becoming exclusive to paid subscribers. Those supporting me on Patreon will get early access to new content. Now, let’s delve into today’s main topic: scriptural teachings and a discussion on eternal life, salvation, and biblical evidence.
Updates on Major Platforms
WordPress Updates: I’ve downgraded from the Creator plan due to financial constraints, which led to losing the domain and theme. I set up a new website with a simpler theme focusing on “Come Follow Me” and apologetics. The new WordPress site will be the primary hub for all the content.
Podcast Changes: I moved from Podbean to using WordPress for podcasting. While Podbean content is no longer available, upcoming podcasts will integrate into new website content.
Future Content Plans: I’m preparing for the 2025 “Come Follow Me” program, with content centered on the Doctrine and Covenants. This will include both written and podcast formats, starting early next year.
Content Review and Updates: I’m reviewing over 800 posts, removing irrelevant content, and updating others. The Blogger platform serves as a fallback, and I’ll provide the link for it as well.
Medium and Patreon Integration: I’m also publishing on Medium, focusing on general and political content. On Patreon, various tiers offer different perks, including early access to content.
Introduction to the Scriptural Topic
Now, let’s transition to today’s topic. One common criticism Latter-day Saints face is regarding the doctrine of exaltation and the belief that humans can become like God. Critics often claim this doctrine isn’t biblical. Today, we’ll explore scriptural evidence that supports these beliefs and address these criticisms head-on.
Context and Teachings in Matthew 19 and 20
Rich Young Ruler’s Inquiry: In Matthew 19, a rich young ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Rather than asking about salvation, he focuses on inheritance—a critical concept in Jewish tradition.
Christ’s Response: Jesus initially tells him to keep the commandments. When the young man claims he has done so since his youth, Jesus challenges him further, telling him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. This command isn’t about renouncing wealth but relinquishing attachments that hinder one’s spiritual journey.
Disciples’ Reaction and Questions: The disciples, amazed at Jesus’ teachings, ask who then can be saved if it’s so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus explains that with God, all things are possible, emphasizing divine power in salvation.
Peter’s Inquiry: Peter then asks what will become of those like the disciples who have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus promises that they will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, and everyone who has sacrificed worldly attachments will inherit eternal life.
Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
In Matthew 20, Jesus shares the parable of the laborers in the vineyard to illustrate the kingdom of heaven’s rewards system. In this parable, workers hired at different times all receive the same wage. The message? Heavenly rewards are not based on duration of service but on God’s grace and generosity.
Doctrine of Theosis and Exaltation
Introduction to Theological Concepts: Theosis and exaltation are doctrines suggesting humans can partake in divine nature and become like God. Critics argue these teachings are unbiblical and false, but scriptural evidence indicates otherwise.
Critics’ Arguments and Biblical Support: Critics claim these beliefs are based on Joseph Smith’s revelations and aren’t supported by the Bible. However, Matthew 19:16-30, John 17, and Revelation 3 provide strong biblical foundations for these doctrines.
Further New Testament Evidence
High Priestly Prayer in John 17: In this prayer, Jesus speaks of His unity with the Father and prays for His disciples to share in this glory. He asks the Father to glorify Him so that He can glorify them, suggesting that believers can partake in divine glory.
Revelation 3: Crowns and Thrones: In Revelation 3, Jesus speaks of those who overcome receiving crowns and sitting on thrones, further emphasizing the promise of divine glory and kingship for the faithful.
Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Early Church Fathers on Theosis: Early Christian theologians like St. Athanasius taught that “God became man so that man might become god.” This doctrine was present in early Christianity and isn’t unique to Latter-day Saints.
Modern Evangelical Interpretations: Modern evangelical interpretations often overlook or misinterpret these passages. By examining the scriptures carefully, we see that the doctrine of exaltation aligns with biblical teachings.
Conclusion and Final Remarks
In conclusion, scriptural evidence supports the doctrines of theosis and exaltation. Jesus’ own teachings and prayers highlight the potential for believers to share in divine glory. As we continue to study and understand these principles, we deepen our faith and appreciation for God’s plan.
For those critical of these teachings, I encourage you to re-examine the scriptures. The Bible itself provides the foundation for the beliefs we hold dear. Remember, understanding requires careful study and an open heart.
Thank you for following along with these updates and scriptural insights. I invite respectful comments and discussion. If you wish to support this content, consider becoming a Patreon member for early access and exclusive content. You can find links to our new platforms in the YouTube description.
Looking forward to your thoughts and discussions. Thank you and have a great day!
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