The Pre-Incarnate Christ

The Pre-Incarnate Christ

According to Dictionary.com, a Christophany means:

"An appearance of Christ after His Resurrection, especially as recorded in the New Testament."

However, it seems Christ not only existed after His death but before His birth, and it was hidden in the Old Testament as He was not yet to be revealed to all. 

Supernatural Appearances of Christ

We understand Jesus appeared in the flesh after His immaculate conception, birth, death, and resurrection, and this is the same body that ascended to Heaven.

• John 20:26-27 KJV - And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you." [27] Then saith he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."

This shows us that Christ Jesus is not just an ordinary man, but has power over life and death.

Supernatural Transfiguration 

Many Christians know Jesus was transfigured in the presence of three disciples before His death and His resurrection:

• Matthew 17:1-3 KJV - And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, [2] And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. [3] And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Who is Jesus?

Jesus Himself  told us He and the Father are one, and in Revelation 1, Jesus declares Himself to be God YHVH. The divinity of Jesus is noted all throughout scripture (see here), and we know He is more than just an ordinary man, and it seems His physical body was able to be transfigured while still yet in the earthly flesh. I believe our bodies will be transfigured in this same manner as referenced in 1 Corinthians 15:52.

* Regarding the nature of the Godhead and the Holy Trinity, please see my article:

• Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Before Abraham?

However, the purpose of this article is show the divinity of Jesus, that He is God manifested in the flesh (John 1/2 Corinthians 15:52), and He is before all things and by Him all things consist (Collosions 1, John 1).  Also, it seems Jesus appeared unto Abraham in His flesh as a Pre-Incarnate appearance of Christ:

• John 8:56-58 KJV - Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it , and was glad. [57] Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [58] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

• Glimpses of Salvation
• High Priest Forever

This scripture indicates Jesus existed before He was born by Mary in the virgin birth. Again, scripture seems to confirm this idea that Jesus was in the beginning:

• Colossians 1:13-17 KJV - Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

What is interesting is that Jesus seems to be the mysterious High Priest Melchizedek/Melchisedec:

• Hebrews 7:1-3 KJV - For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; [2] To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; [3] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

This scripture shows us that Melchisedec is the King of Peace and has no Father, mother, nor beginning or ending. Let us draw a comparison with these scripture passages:

• Isaiah 9:6 KJV - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The above passage shows us that Jesus is the Prince/King of Peace. Now in Revelation 1, we see that Jesus is everlasting:

• Revelation 1:7-8 KJV - Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. [8] "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

In Hebrews, it clearly shows Jesus is the High Priest of the new covenant between man and God:

• Hebrews 9:11-12 KJV - But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

High Priest

We know Jesus is the High Priest of the new covenant, and will smite the nations with a rod of iron when He returns (Jude 1:14-15) to establish His Millennial Kingdom (click here) on earth:

• Psalm 110:4-6 KJV - The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. [5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. [6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Jesus Himself says that He is the Lord that David is referring to in Psalms 110, which is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek:

• Matthew 22:41-46 KJV - While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, [42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. [43] He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? [45] If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? [46] And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

This Milinneal Kingdom is mentioned in in Revelations:

• Revelation 20:4-6 KJV - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The Word "Melchizedek" is translated from the root word Strong's Number H4442 and means:

King of Salem and priest of the Most High God to whom Abram paid tithe after the battle he fought to free Lot; 'the order of Melchizedek' the order of the priesthood to which Christ belongs.

Would it be safe to say that Jesus/Yeshua appeared unto Abram (Abraham) as the King of Salem long long ago? See this passage from Genesis:

• Genesis 14:18-20 KJV - And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. [19] And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: [20] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

If Jesus appeared unto Abraham long before He was born, did He appear to anyone else?

Jesus in The Garden?

It seems the first Pre-Incarnate appearance of Christ could very well be in the Garden of Eden:

• Genesis 3:8 KJV - And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

Perhaps this "voice of the LORD" who was "walking in the Garden" could very well be referring to Jesus (Yeshua). In John 1, we see that Jesus is referenced as the Word who was made flesh (John 1:1-15). It is possible that God the Son was the one who visited Adam that day.

In Genesis, we see that God referred to Himself as "us" and "our" which could be speaking of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit):

• Genesis 1:26 KJV - And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

We see in Colossians 1 and John 1 that Jesus created all things, and that must mean Adam and Eve as well:

• Genesis 2:7 KJV - And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

We see this same expression of breathing life into His own creation was mentioned after His resurrection from the Crucifixion:

• John 20:20-22 KJV - And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. [21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. [22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

Therefore, it is possible that the first Pre-Incarnate appearance of Christ was in the Garden of Eden in the first three chapters of Genesis.

Jesus Appears to Hagar?

It surely seems that Christ may have appeared unto Hagar, the handmaiden of the wife of Abram (Abraham). As an "angel" (messenger) of the LORD He appeared to her? We know that Jesus appeared to Abraham as the King of Salem (Melchizedek) and so it could be possible that he appeared to Hagar also. 

• Genesis 16:10-16 KJV - And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. [11] And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. [12] And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. [13] And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? [14] Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. [15] And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. [16] And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

This passage indicates that the "angel of the LORD" promised to multiply her seed exceedingly. She responded to him "And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me." This makes it seem as though this was God in the flesh (Jesus/Yeshua) and not an angel. 

Jacob Wrestled With God?  

We see an interesting story in Genesis, where Jacob who at the time was at war with Esau his brother, began to wrestle with a man in the night hours. After Jacob prevailed, the story takes an interesting turn, and I believe it was a Pre-Incarnate appearance of Jesus whom Jacob wrestled with:

• Genesis 32:24-32 KJV - And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. [25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. [26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. [27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. [28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. [29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. [30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. [31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. [32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Angel of the LORD as YHVH?

We see that the "angel of the LORD" appeared to Moses in the burning Bush and said that He was YHVH and His name is "I Am that I Am." It sounds like the "angel of the LORD" was probably one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Perhaps the Holy Spirit?

• Exodus 3:2-4,14 KJV - And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. [3] And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. [4] And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. [14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Jesus Appears to Joshua?

It seems just as Moses was ordered to take off his shoes at the burning bush, so was it with Joshua in the presence of the "captain" of the LORD's Army:

• Joshua 5:13-15 KJV - And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? [14] And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? [15] And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

If this "captain" was just an angel, or perhaps Archangel Michael, sure he would not allow Joshua to bow down and worship him. I believe this was Jesus/Yeshua appearing to Joshua.

Jesus Appears to Daniel?

Another possible Pre-Incarnate appearance of Christ could be found in the book of Daniel:

• Daniel 10:4-12 KJV - And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; [5] Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: [6] His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. [7] And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. [8] Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. [9] Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. [10] And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. [11] And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. [12] Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

The appearance of this man clothed in linen was said, in verse 6, to have feet as of polished brass. This seems to match the description of Yeshua/Jesus in the book of Revelation:

• Revelation 1:13-18 KJV - And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. [14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; [15] And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. [16] And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. [17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Please see some of these other disciple resources:

• Who is Jesus?
• Disciple of Jesus?
• Spiritual Warfare
• Religion or Relationship?
• Want to Be Saved?
• A New Creature
• Grace Alone By Faith Alone?
• Not Under the Law
• God or Money?
• Unplug
• Interfaith Movement
• The Church
• The Narrow Way
• Run the Race - Overcome!
• Spotless Bride
• Is Satan Real?