Tag: John 6

No One Can Come, Really?

On By TimIn Exhortation, John 061 Comment

No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:44

I had a hyper-Calvinist quote this to me recently. He then gets on his preacher mode and says: “There are several arguments/interpretations of this verse.”

The first point, is that logical fallacy. He is building a straw man he will dutifully attempt to destroy. He pitched it this way: “(B)ut the truth is simple. Coming here is believing(.)”

This kind of thinking is very flawed. But it is the kind some use to prop up the fatalism expressed in their understanding of this verse. Oh, they may argue and say this is determinism. But that is the proverbial lipstick on the pig of fatalism. It may be dressed up, but it is still fatalism.

The fallacy exists because their beliefs do not reconcile. Truth always reconciles.

Simply put… Coming is coming… And believing is believing. Neither are compulsory, and coming doesn’t mean one believes. That is why the conjunction exists between the two separate ideas. One comes to Jesus, and one must believe, too. They are not the same. Simple elementary school language lessons reveal this. But the tricksters are taught to use flowery religious language to obscure the truth.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 6:35

Jesus is speaking to a crowd that was already drawn to Him by the Father. He is explaining that point to them. They were in His presence on account of the Father’s drawing. And they came to Him at least twice, according to the context. They came to Him, saw Him, and even spoke with Him. Yet something is missing.

But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.

John 6:36

Yet oddly, they don’t believe. So Jesus debunks the reformers’ fatalism the right there. Jesus goes further. He upends the idea that coming is believing. And frankly any other reformed notion centering on the text in John 6.

All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out.

John 6:37

Reading the entirety of John 6, it is clear that all of those that came to Jesus that day were not ever turned away by Him. They left of their own accord and in disbelief.

For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

John 6:38–39

Jesus is telling them that if they don’t believe Him, it’s on them. Because all things are given to Jesus, He’s not going to lose any… And He alone has the power of resurrection. This should not be a surprise to anyone who knows and honors the Father Who has the power of life and death. There is not a human that Jesus will not raise… Some to life, others to perdition, and He has already told them that in another place before they came to Him in Capernaum.

“Do not marvel at this. For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:28–29

But just because one comes to the Son and even sees and hears Him… Does not mean one has eternal life. One must do something with what they see and hear.

This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:40

In case you are not able to understand exactly what Jesus is saying, the Jewish folk present at that time did. Their reaction is recorded for our edification.

The Jews then murmured about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

John 6:41–42

They know His claim is to be the very God of their Fathers. They struggled at that because of the legalism inherent in their beliefs. They could not quite grasp the truth, even though their Scriptures plainly spoke it. A Son is given. He shall be called Mighty God, Everlasting Father. He is rightly expecting them to expect Him, God in flesh!

Jesus therefore answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:43–44

In other words: You are here in My presence because I, the Father have drawn you here. I Am (He,) because nobody else raises people from the dead.

It is written in the Prophets, ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and has learned of the Father comes to Me.

John 6:45

You should know this!

Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God. He has seen the Father. Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

John 6:46–51

It’s necessary that you do something, other than just coming to Him, seeing Him, and hearing Him.

Don’t let a reformer (whether Calvinist or Arminian) twist this text to say something it does not. They will try to teach it is from a god with stingy grace only available to a few chosen people, the rest this God sends to perdition. What this text is showing, and the entire macro level view of John 5 through John 6 is the lavish and extravagant love of the Father to save anyone who wants it.

To understand takes one back to the lesson of the loaves from when Jesus fed these people earlier. Though all of them ate until they were glutted there were twelve baskets left over. The extravagance in providing for their needs left nobody wanting, and what is leftover is not wasted.

When You Do What Jesus Wills

On By TimIn Faith, Mark 06Leave a comment

Immediately He compelled His disciples to get into the boat and to go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the crowd away. When He had sent them away, He departed to a mountain to pray.

Mark 6:45–46

Most people are familiar with this passage. It is one of the accounts of when Jesus walks on the water. As always, there is far more here than just Jesus walking on the water.

For context, Jesus has just finished feeding the 5,000 in the wilderness. He took a humble lunch and made a feast for all there. When finished, the fragments left over filled twelve baskets.

This multitude is being drawn to Jesus. Because they were following Him into the wilderness, there was no place for so many people to lodge. From the synoptic Gospel accounts, we know there was another compelling reason for what Jesus did next. But that’s for the reader to dig out. He put His disciples in the boat, probably the same boat they took to the remote place. Jesus also sent the multitude away. Then He went away alone, to pray.

The idea from the text is that the disciples were going ahead to Bethsaida. The plan was for them to meet Jesus there. With the synoptic accounts there is some controversy of the exact origin of the trip and the eventual destiny. Delving into that is for another post.

With all of that, keep in mind that the Sea of Galilee is about 13 miles at its widest, and this trip is probably not even half that distance. It is also important to notice that this all occurred toward the late afternoon. Why would Jesus send them on the lake to cross in darkness?

I think that the trip is much shorter than our modern minds envision. This is a lake of some size, but the boat trip should not have taken that long. I would think they would need lodging for the night. Which adds significance to the account.

When evening came, the boat was in the midst of the sea. And He was alone on the land.

Mark 6:47

Now, evening arrived and the boat was already out. Jesus was alone.

He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea and would have passed by them.

Mark 6:48

Jesus saw them. Which means they probably had not moved all that far away from Him. He saw that the rowing was difficult and a strong wind was against them. Then at around 3:00 AM, Jesus set out toward them.

If you’re counting, that is over nine hours in a boat that is probably about 30 feet long. They weren’t using wind power, but were rowing.

We know the way the Sea of Galilee is situated, violent storms are not uncommon even today. There are some things here that tend to offer the idea that this is not just some storm. There seem to be some supernatural characteristics. Pay attention to the details and see if there are any hints to that.

But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out. For they all saw Him and were troubled.

Mark 6:49–50a

I think this is the first clue that makes one want to reread the text. Perhaps to really grasp the reality in the account. First, that there may be some spiritual shenanigans at play. No, not just Jesus walking on water. This storm had been besetting this boat for quite some time. The disciples on their own were not getting anywhere.

Think about what they had just witnessed in that lunch setting. These men participated in something supernatural with Jesus. He fed a massive amount of people from a boy’s modest lunch. When Jesus began distributing the food, they took it from Jesus and gave it to the multitudes of people. If in that situation, would you not marvel at such a thing?

Now they were doing what Jesus wanted them to do. There was massive resistance to that. In their own strength they made no advance. Perhaps there is a hardness of the heart issue at play and they didn’t recognize Jesus. All of their attention would be put toward self-preservation. That’s great, now a ghost comes walking by on the water.

Immediately He spoke to the them and said, “Be of good cheer, it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Mark 6:50b

Relief! It’s Jesus.

I think there are some spiritual aspects to this storm. It was a challenge to their faith. I don’t think it was a test given to them by Jesus. I think this was the enemy trying to forestall the effect these men would have on the world.

I also look at the way Jesus greeted them. It makes me think of how the many Theophanies in the Tanakh went down.

There is a real connection with the Exodus, especially with Moses and the Israelis at the Red Sea. God proved Himself as Master over the pagan storm gods of old. This storm god took many different identities in the pantheons of the pagans. To the people in Mesopotamia and surrounds, he is Baal, This storm god is Kronos to the Greeks, and Saturn to the Romans. At the Red Sea, God defeated the storm god.

Surprisingly, right before God parted the Red Sea, Moses says to them to not be afraid. Just as Jesus did here. Moses also told the Israelis to see the salvation of the Lord. Literally, the Hebrew for salvation is yeshua. Moses would have said see yeshua Yehovah. That is, see Jesus Jehovah. Moses lifts his rod and the sea parts revealing the salvation God had for them. The Israelis were sent into it to cross to the other side.

In like manner, Jesus is walking on the very thing to cause the tempest that troubled His friends. The sea He called them to go in.

Jesus identifies Himself in the same way He did to Moses. I am. That is literally what the Greek says here. Your translations may say, “I am He.” Italics in translation generally mean a word is inserted to make the original make sense in the new.

I find it rather comforting that the fear not tends to go with the “I am.” I think that is the lesson here. How many times did Godnuse the same reassurance in the Tanakh?

“Don’t be afraid.”

These two phrases are identifiers. Ones which the disciples would know. But at that time, they didn’t.

Then He went up to them in the boat and the wind ceased. They were greatly astonished in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Mark 6:51

They wondered indeed. Who is this that instantly stops the tempest?

For they had not comprehended the miracle of the loaves, for their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:52

Who is this that feeds over 5,000 souls with a boy’s lunch?

Didn’t we collected 12 baskets full of leftovers?

Perhaps it was their immediate circumstances that blinded them. I mean, they went by faith. I know the text says they were compelled. But they had to cooperate to get in the boat. They were doing His will.

This event is part of a greater narrative.

I am particularly drawn to what happened after this account. It is on another Gospel; John chapter 6. This is where Jesus states many times, “I am.” He is speaking that to the same multitude He sent away before the storm.

The next morning after being sent away, they went to look for Jesus. He was not to be found. They knew He arrived by boat with His disciples. Now that boat was gone. They went to nearby places to find boats. If Jesus didn’t get on the only boat with the disciples, where do Jesus go?

And why would they go to Capernaum to find Him?

I mean there were no other boats for Jesus to use. Were they really that oblivious to the supernatural aspects of which they’ve been a part?

They found boats to take them, with the intent to meet Jesus on the other side. That is, Bethsaida of Galilee.

What was that lesson again?

As the multitude found Jesus and His disciples, they asked Jesus how He got to Capernaum. Without hesitation, Jesus goes right to the heart of the issue. Even partaking of a miracle, the hardness of their heart kept them from recognizing the obvious.

He spoke many things to this multitude. Even explaining to them that they had been drawn to Him by the Father. But the familiar things they knew should have revealed the truth in their minds. It is that obvious. Instead of believing, they became even more hardened in heart. So much so that they finally went away.

His disciples were also troubled… Even after they saw Him feed the multitude. They gathered twelve baskets left over. They saw Him walk on water and instantly stop the storm. Now He says we have to eat His body and drink His flesh?

Gross. This is hard to understand.

Knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured about it, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him. Then He said, “For this reason I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it were given him by My Father.”
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.
So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:60–69

The idea is far more than just coming to know Jesus is the miracle working Son of the Living God. He is the Living God. He proved in not only by what He said, but by matching what He said with what He did.

So what is the lesson of the loaves?

Well, that multitude had been fed so well, and so satisfyingly in a way most probably had never experienced. So they sought the physical experience with the miracle, not the spiritual one.

To the disciples, it was probably the same thing. Even though they also collected a basket of leftovers sufficient for each of them. They missed the lesson that with Jesus, there is more than just what you will need physically to be satisfied.

The Lesson

The disciples knew Who Jesus is. They set out by faith to do what He wanted them to do. But there was supernatural opposition that arose. They tried to overcome that by their own abilities… Rowing harder. I’m certain it was exhausting.

But they didn’t see fit to seek the very real God in the midst of that. Jesus had gone off alone to do that. Even He need it.

Though alone with God, Jesus saw them struggle. He was willing to help. So much so, that He went to them. They didn’t recognize Him at first, until He spoke up. Once they came to their senses, the horrible situation was gone.

You can know God and Jesus. Is not enough just to know. You need to believe. When Jesus says, “I am He.” That is, “I am Jehovah.” Our belief in that is the only thing that saves.

I think the disciples had to grow in faith as we do.

If you’re doing what Jesus wants you to do, even in the midst of some really powerful situations that come against that, there is not just enough to meet the immediate physical need. There is more than enough for all needs readily available in Him.

We have to consume Him. That is, make what we know about Him part of us. He must be in us. His body is broken and now bread. His blood was shed and is now wine. Bread satisfies and sustains life. Wine refreshes and makes life joyful. It’s an intimate fellowship for eternity.

Know that He watches and sees.

Know Him intimately.

Be ready when He comes.

After Hearing, After Believing, Sealed Forever

On By TimIn Ephesians 01, Eternal SecurityLeave a comment

In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13–14

Like other parts of the Bible, this is a powerful passage. It debunks a majority of erroneous doctrines. Two that come to mind…

Regeneration before faith is impossible here. Hearing, believing, and sealed are ordered. The tenses of each verb in the Greek are all aorist. The aorist tense is best translated at perfect tenses in English. The best way to describe the tense is once and done, meaning it cannot be undone. After one hears, it cannot be undone. After one believes, it cannot be undone. Once one is sealed, it cannot be undone.

The latter idea is reinforced in the words that describe Who the Holy Spirit is. This debunks the other popular error, that one can somehow lose or forfeit salvation by free will.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28–30

Jesus beckoned for all to come unto Him. He promised to give them rest. Not only is that rest from work, it is rest from persevering. It is also rest from worry because He keeps His promises and He keeps His own.

Just as Paul wrote to the Ephesians. If you’ve heard, and then you believed… You are delivered from death and judgment, being sealed by the Holy Spirit Himself. He is given as earnest money guaranteeing the fulfillment. You don’t have to guarantee the fulfillment by work, perseverance, or worry. He does.

There are now two witnesses from the Scriptures of this truth. There are more, but one particularly satisfying is from Jesus Himself as recorded by John.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:35–40

Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him. It’s not enough to see or hear about Jesus. One has to make the next step, believe in Him to have eternal life. What does that mean?

Jesus explained it to the Pharisees…

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

John 8:24

Check the immediate context of that text. Jesus is making the case that He forgive sins. He is the Light. Things that Jewish folks only consider to be of the Father Himself. That is, He is God. That is exactly what He means when He says unless one believes they are still in their sins. Just like those who came to Him in John 6, they saw Him and the miracles… But they did not believe in Him as God.

See and hear of the Son. Then believe His testimony, trusting in Him as God to forgive sins. He will forgive, and give eternal life to anyone who does that.

The Surprising Way That Resurrection Proves Futurism and the Rapture Before the Hour of Testing

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Rapture, Resurrection3 Comments

But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:20–26

In these verses, there are two resurrection events plainly described. Hints at others are veiled. Resurrections are specific events defined in the Bible. Most are easily identified by the word resurrection being used.

Resurrection

Resurrection, in essence, is basically coming back to life from being dead. It is a demonstration of the power of God. It is He Who gives life and has the power over death.As will be seen, it is Jesus Who is given this authority to exercise.

The Bible mentions types of resurrections. One is a resurrection to life. Believers are resurrected into new bodies just as Jesus is. There is also a resurrection of judgment that occurs before the final judgment. There are also other resurrections back into these bodies like what happened to Lazarus. The primary focus here will be on the resurrection to life.

Do not Marvel

“Do not marvel at this. For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:28–29

The thing that most don’t understand is that every human will be resurrected. They will all be resurrected by Jesus. It is clear as He says “all who are in the graves” will hear His voice and come out. Some will be resurrected to life, other to judgment. But all will hear His command. Remember these things as more is revealed.

Now is Christ Risen

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul explains the importance of resurrection to Christianity. That brings us forward to the founding passage above where a brief outline of resurrection events is given. The first resurrection event mentioned is that of Jesus. This is not to be confused with what will later be encountered, what the Bible calls the first resurrection. Paul is using the resurrection of Jesus as a foundation for Christianity, calling it first fruits. He is the first to be raised in the new body. This is symbolic as the event came on very day of the Feast of First Fruits.

The second of the two resurrections is then mentioned and coincides with His coming. It is intimately tied with His coming. Also in the text of our passage, we can deduce when this coming is and what it is for. The timing of the second resurrection according to verse 24 above is before the end. As it says about that resurrection with His coming… Then comes the end.

This tells us that this particular resurrection event is yet future because it has not yet happened. Therefore the end has not yet come. This resurrection is before the time when He puts an end to all rule, authority, and power. It is at His coming back to Earth to establish His Kingdom of rule. This places the event at the end of a yet future period of time the Bible calls Jacob’s Trouble.

Alas! for that day is great, so that no one is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Jeremiah 30:7

It is a seven year period that is also called Daniel’s 70th Week. That week is given by God to and for Israel.

“Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until the Prince Messiah shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. It shall be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of trouble. After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 9:25–27

It may come as a shock and as will be shown, this is the resurrection promised to Israel and not the church.

This period of time at the end is all very much centered on Israel. Daniel’s 70th week is the end of the Israeli age of 490 years as wash shown to him. 69 weeks of years have already passed, and Messiah was cut off. The temple and the city were destroyed. But one week of years remains.

Jesus speaks of this time period in the Olivet Discourse. This happened because four of His disciples asked Him to expound on the end of the age and He did. This end of the age is these last seven Israel-centric years. I won’t include that here, but it can be found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

The End or the Last Day

This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:39–40

Most of us are familiar with these verses. There are some segments of Christianity that make a claim of exclusivity of this promise as applicable only to chosen believers. That is not true. These verses are Jesus demonstrating the power of God over death. He also says that all will be hear His voice and come out of the graves. Some will have eternal life, yes. That is only to those who see the Son. Which means to see Him as He is, God Who defeated death.

The importance of Jesus and His authority over life will be witnessed twice more in John 6.

Understand that when Jesus says last day, the Greek word for last is eschatē. It is from where we get the English word eschatology. Eschatology is the study of the end times. This witnesses of this to our text in 1 Corinthians speaks to something yet future. When Jesus is saying the last day to His intended audience, He is speaking of the end of the age. Watch how important the last day is the time of this resurrection.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day

John 6:44

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life. And I will raise him up on the last day

John 6:54

What is Jesus saying?

First, we know that He is going to call all humans to resurrection, some to life and others to judgment. This will be on the last day. Second, consider this:

Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

John 5:25–27

The power of life and death belongs to God. Jesus claims that power as His own. Therefore, the passages in John 6 about resurrection are proclaiming that He is in fact God.

Jesus gives us timing for this raising up. It is the last day or the end. I am saying it time the end of the Israeli age. Is that true?

To help us understand, let’s consider the final two usages of the term last day by John. John records it twice more, once by Martha and another usage of it by Jesus.

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

John 11:24

Martha affirms the idea that the resurrection of life comes for believes at the last day.

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him. The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

John 12:48

We know the timing for the term the last day used in all of these passages is found back in John 5:28-29. It points to the hour of what we now see as two resurrection events, those to life and those to damnation. The hour and the last day are often used as collective terms for the entire end times.

The Sharp Edges Blur

“But every man in his own order.” There is an order to things. “Christ the first fruits.” He comes first. “Afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming.”

Does that mean Jesus only comes once… Or is this a pattern?

And from which reference point do we measure once and is defined by context?

There is much controversy. Some say that a Jesus only has one second coming. That is there cannot be a coming for Israel and a coming for the church. It is my contention and understanding that every person will experience on more coming of Jesus. Here is what I mean.

Jesus promised to the believer to come to them and receive them to Himself. I believe He fulfills this to everyone. The saint that passes before the end of times won’t miss Jesus coming to them and receiving them to Himself. Likewise those alive at the end, He likewise returns to gather them.

From an individual perspective, Jesus comes to all once more. From a collective human experience Jesus comes again many countless times.

The text also seems to indicate that there are layers to last day. It would be incorrect to consider it constructively a singular expression coving just one moment in time. It is both and, it requires context for clarity.

It follows that there are layers to this second resurrection. We’ve encountered two… The resurrection of the Jewish saints and the end of the Jewish age after the completion of Daniel’s 70th week. The resurrection of life Jesus is speaking to in John 6 is a promise to Jewish believers. It occurs at the end of the age. This is the end of the Israeli age of 490 years.

There is also be another resurrection to judgment for those who reject Jesus. This occurs at the last day, by necessity the end of a different age.

It gets messy to nail down dogmatically.

Now, not intending to be controversial… But the Gospels are often misapplied. Many think because they are in the New Testament, they apply to the church. But that is not the case, the church had not yet come into existence. The words and actions of Jesus then were to and for Israel. Yes, we church saints can and do benefit from them. But they are primarily Jewish in nature and audience. Grasping that helps to understand many things.

That said, the last day points to the things at the end of the age. It is many layered.

The Resurrection Events in the Last Day

We know the those at His coming resurrection occurs at the coming of Jesus. This is His physical return to Earth when He protects Israel and vanquishes her enemies. This is the competed promise to the Jewish folks in John 5 and 6. It is also the fulfillment of the promise given to Daniel and others.

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:1–2

Clearly, we also see that the resurrection events described in the last day match what Daniel received. They are also patterned here:

Come, let us return to the Lord, for He has torn, and He will heal us. He has struck, and He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us. On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain;
like the spring rains He will water the earth.

Hosea 6:1–3

These were the promise of resurrection given by the prophets. It would come in the last days.

Daniel aligns with how Jesus speaks of resurrection in the last day. He shows the two-fold nature which hints at the layered aspect of it.

The Third Day

I find the mention of two days rather intriguing. If we consider elsewhere that God says to Him a thousand years is like a day. It’s been about 2,000 years since Israel as a nation was abandoned and forgotten. Hosea instructed the Israelis to return to the Lord, and it follows that the resurrection of these Israeli saints would come on the third day. That is the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom.

Is it coincidence that resurrection comes on the third day?

As I mellow in age, I see that Scripture is often a pattern. One to match to reality. Jesus rose on the third day. These Jewish believers will be raised up by God on the third day. I can see the pattern.

Do with that what you wish. I don’t think it is insignificant. I’ve learned that no detail in the Bible is insignificant. If it appears strange, it’s important to look deeper into it.

What we know is that His second coming, it will be Jewish saints raised as the Jewish nation receives the Messiah they abandoned.

All of this comes at the end of a period of time unprecedented in disaster. This period of time has another name in the New Testament.

The Hour of Temptation

Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10

We have already referenced John’s Revelation. When one approaches the book of Revelation, one important note to understand is given at the outset. John was instructed to write about things you have seen, the things which are, and the things which will take place. Chapters 2 and 3 are the things which are part. Chapter 4 begins the things which will take place.

With that understanding, the hour of temptation points to that which will take place. The promise Jesus gives to the church of Philadelphia is to keep them from the hour, not to keep them through it. That’s an important distinction to understand.

Daniel’s 70th week is not for the church.

This is shown clearly in Daniel 12 and Hosea 6 as previously cited. One can also clearly see it in Jeremiah 30. I hope you read these and more on your own. Daniel’s 70th week is not a time where God randomly judges folks arbitrarily or throws wrath at them. This period of time has a very specific purpose. It is a test that the church of Philadelphia has already passed simply deducing they are kept from it.

What is the test?

I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Revelation 3:8

This is a good report of those who have not denied His name. It indicates the nature of the testing. Would you deny Jesus?

There are only two viable answers, people either will be for Jesus or they will deny Him. That is not a test for the church nor any believer alive today.

The Martyrs

The test has two major outcomes. Those that do not believe will be destroyed by God. There is no escaping that. Those that believe will most likely be martyred. There will be some that remain alive when Jesus comes and will enter the Millennial Kingdom.

The martyrs are resurrected.

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and the authority to judge was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness of Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4

This part of John’s revelation points to the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. The text tells us that there is a resurrection commensurate with that. It is fitting that this would also be a fulfillment of the resurrection promised by the prophets to the Israelis. Why?

The martyrs died in the time of Jacob’s Trouble which is Daniel’s 70th Week. Those names relate solely to Israel. They would be primarily Jewish believers. These folks will also reign with Jesus along with the previous resurrected saints.

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who takes part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5–6

First resurrection is a resurrection to life. It is the first one mentioned in the Revelation of John. It is not the first resurrection meaning none others come before.

Again, I am not trying to be controversial. This is where the text leads. Jacob… Another name for Israel will be saved out of Jacob’s Trouble. It is not the church.

I think there is another pattern established on this. Here is why. We know that there will be elect folks who survived Jacob’s Trouble who are ushered into the Millennium. These will be joined by resurrected saints who will reign with Jesus. Keep this in mind.

The Resurrection at the End of the Millenium

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. From His face the earth and the heavens fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God. Books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to their works as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one by his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:11–15

I think the language in this passage tells us that there is something different about this resurrection. It’s not really called that outright. But what is clear is that those that did not participate in the prior resurrections will be brought to life. This bringing to life ends in condemnation. That is, to those who rejected Jesus and will experience the second death.

This is the last day. The next thing that comes after all of this is the new heaven and new earth. It also is the conclusion of resurrections discussed in 1 Corinthians 15 there are no more.

The Rapture

The first task in using this word is to do some disgronification. That means I want to clear up the backward notion many have over the word. They say it is not in the Bible as if that somehow negates the entire idea.

I use the word rapture deliberately. It immediately reveals those who scoff, mock, and scorn. It is said that doctrine divides. And this one certainly does. Much noise and misinformation exists surrounding the word.

The word rapture is a proper description of the event described in the Bible. The word in English means a violent taking and carrying away. Violent in this manner conveys the sense of surprise and quickness.

The English word rapture comes from a Latin word rapio. Which means to seize or snatch from one place to another. It comes into English via the Latin Vulgate translation of the Greek word harpazo. Harpazo is what is usually translated into English as snatched or carried away in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

To those who mock, scoff, and/or scorn at the word… You are responsible for your own triggers. We see you.

A Mystery

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:51–53

In all the talk of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul discusses our need for a new body. I have touched on that idea recently in this post. Paul goes into great detail as to why a change to a new body is needed. The conclusion is that these corruptible bodies must put on the incorruptible.

Paul then unveils a mystery. The Biblical meaning of mystery is not like the English definition. When the New Testament calls something a mystery, it is saying what is revealed was once hidden… But not anymore. What Paul is describing is no longer mysterious.

Since the birth of the church, it is a unified body. The church is a chaste virgin bride of Jesus Christ. She is not Israel, the promiscuous divorced wife of God. In the church, there is no distinction between Israelis and Gentiles. All are equal and equally welcome. The church is one body.

Unlike Jesus addressing Jewish folk, Paul is addressing the church, and by extension church age believers. He is telling these believers that not all of them are going to die. When Jesus comes, there will be an immediate change in the body. It will happen so fast as to be imperceptible Corruptible bodies will be made incorruptible. Before our instant change, the dead will be resurrected in like incorruptibility.

This rapture is not a resurrection event like the rest we have seen. But like other resurrection events, it comes at the end of something. This would be the end of the church age. It also fits the pattern of believes at the end of Jacob’s trouble being ushered into the millennium with resurrected saints.

The rapture of the church includes a resurrection but is foundationally a relocation event. If this is so… How do we know?

Before we move on, I think it is worth noting that the word mystery connects many things together in and for the church-age believers. Church itself was a mystery now revealed. The things for the church are necessarily going to be patterned in Israel.

The Trumpet of Assembly

Change happens in the twinkling of an eye… Instantaneously… At the last trumpet that sounds. People are whisked away to a new location.

That last trumpet presents a stone of stumbling to some. (I was there in that. I know.) The mention of this trumpet is not to be confused with the last trumpet blown on Yom Tehurah (the Feast of Trumpets. It is not connected at all to any Jewish feasts, though it may fit a pattern.) It is certainly is not connected with the any of the trumpet judgments in Revelation.

I speak of patterns. There is one in Exodus that fits clearly. When we consider a biblical explanation for a thing, it’s sometimes important to look at first mention of a word. This idea was reinforced when I began to look at the meeting of Israel with God outlined in the exodus. It was quite a surprise to discover that the word trumpet is first mentioned there in the Old Testament.

In Exodus 19 it is clearly demonstrated that the trumpet is a call to assembly. Paul would have known this. It is the reference for his writing. Like that call to assembly was for the people of Israel, this trumpet call of Hod is to assembly for the people of the church. In fact by definition, it’s the last call to assembly for the church.

Let’s look at the first usage of the word trumpet in the Bible in Exodus 19.

The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothes, and be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. You shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves so that you not go up onto the mountain or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death. No hand will touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through, whether it be beast or man. He shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”

Exodus 19:10–13

Not that it pertains to the subject at hand, it is interesting that the Israelis were given two days to be sanctified. On the third day they were called to assemble. Think of what it says in one of Peter’s epistles, 1,000 years is like a day to the Lord. Is it a pattern given to us that like Israel was given two days to be sanctified with washing and then called to assemble on the third day?

Does it have application to a mystery body hidden at the time which would have two days (2,000 years) to be sanctified, then being called to assembly by God on the third day?

Not that it fits exactly… Without atomic clocks, how does one definitively know the exact moment a day starts?

Using Bible references… Is it at the exact moment the sun disappears on the horizon, is it the start of twilight, or when twilight fades to black?

It is another reference to the third day connected with resurrection. I don’t believe in coincidences. Nor do I believe prophecy is for the church. But there is definitely a pattern demonstrated here. And it caught me quite off guard when studying for this. (That is not a bad thing.)

The Assembly

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day. Do not go near your wives.” So on the third day, in the morning, there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet. All the people who were in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely covered in smoke because the Lord had descended upon it in fire, and the smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.

Exodus 19:14–19

As already attested to, so much here makes my mind explode. There are patterns that seem to apply to our age apart from Israel. God came down in a cloud (of smoke.) The sanctification involved washing. The people were brought out of the camp at the sound of the trumpet to meet with God.

That long trumpet blast is God’s call to assembly. Moses was given instruction by God to give to the people. And when they heard the blast they were to assemble. The trumpet call here resulted in a relocation event from the campy to the mountain.

Is this prophecy being patterned?

The trumpet call of God is to assemble the people. As this is patterned once by Israel, it seems to hint at something more. If it is that, it is not a pattern that points to the second coming of Jesus Christ. How can we tell?

This is for the mixed-multitude people of God. it is not God coming down to judge them. It is a good thing, not a time to mourn.

Our Hope

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Will it not even be you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

1 Thessalonians 2:19

To this end may He establish your hearts to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

The crowning jewel for the believer is to be with Him at His coming. For church age believers, this can only happen by prior intervention. We don’t meet Him at His coming. We are already in his presence when it happens. That is because we come with Him.

On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is to the east of Jerusalem. And from east to west the Mount of Olives will be split in two halves by a very great valley so that one half moves to the north and the other to the south. And you will flee to my mountain valley, for the mountain valley will reach to Azal. You will flee just like you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come and all His holy ones with you.

Zechariah 14:4–5

Jesus comes with His holy ones. This is not just angels, nor is it just humans. It is all inclusive to the hosts of heaven. And I am going to tell you, if you are believer now… You are part of the host of heaven. Jesus comes with all of the inhabitants of heaven… All His holy ones.

(For background on that read this: The Divine Council in the Tanakh. Then this: Sons of God in the New Testament.)

It’s Relocation

The call of assembly is not a resurrection. It is a relocation event that by necessity includes a resurrection. Just as the definition of the word rapture entails, it is a quick relocation. People are instantly moved from Earth to heaven to be where Jesus is.

The corruptible bodies will have to be changed in an instant for those alive. And those who have passed before are likewise raised incorruptible.

The word harpazo is not the same as resurrection. It is better understood as a sudden relocation. In Acts 8:39, Phillip was suddenly relocated by the Spirit of the Lord. In the same way, when the word rapture is used, think suddenly relocation.

This is the facilitative relocating of believers to heaven so that they may return with Him at His coming. and remove a restraining pressure on evil.

Putting it All Together

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14

Paul is going to give a framework of how things are going to happen. Pay close attention. Read it all together. Note the apparent concern of dead saints not having the same experience. Paul is assuring the Thessalonians that God will also bring those with Him.

I think when reading the epistles to the Thessalonians, it wasn’t necessarily the rapture they were focused on. It is the Second Coming of Jesus. It is their hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing. That is the goal, the victory… To be counted a part of all His holy ones that come with Him when He vanquishes His enemies.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:15

Think back to what Paul wrote of the mystery of the sudden change to all believers who will be relocated. That is what he is referencing here. Specifically that those who have passed on already will be included.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

Jesus comes with a shout. Remember His promise that those in the graves would hear His voice and come out?

He will have the voice of the archangel signifying ultimate authority. And there will be the trumpet call of God.

This is the call to the people to assemble before God. Those in the graves are called first, and the people assemble before the presence of God in the clouds. It was patterned at Sinai when God descended in the cloud of smoke with a trumpet blast and all Israel came to Him. In like fashion, this church body will be called to assembly in whole and in order.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:17–18

The body of Christ is relocated to His presence forever.

Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3

Since the body of Christ has been relocated, there is no need for a chronology of events that lead to a specific time, the day of the Lord. The rapture does not start Daniel’s 70th week, though it is necessary for the body of saints to be relocated. This is a framework for what is going to happen.

The coming as a thief in the night is not about the rapture. It is a reference to those during Jacob’s Trouble who deny Jesus. At His return will come as a total surprise. They will not know until it happens.

When they say… Destruction will come upon them… They shall not escape. There are the three witnesses that this is not for the body of Christ. The body will not be there.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the sons of light and the sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:4–5

We are not darkened in mind like unbelievers. We will not be overtaken by this day.

Concluding Thoughts

As long as this is, it is not definitive. My goal is to help provide a framework for thinking. First, that there are yet future events in store for the nation of Israel and the world as a whole.

There are also future events for the church saints.

Paul also provides definitive proof that the church and Israel are not the same. They do not have overlapping programs. God was never finished with Israel, but set them aside for a time. He will again come to them when they call to His Anointed One. They cannot do that if the Holy Spirit working in the church is in the way.

Now you know what restrains him that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working. Only He who is now restraining him will do so until He is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His presence, even him, whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all deception of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love for the truth that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:6–10

I also hope that your mind has been expanded to look at the patterns given in Scriptures. There are many patterns encountered that demonstrate how some seeming unrelated Scriptures interweave these patterns and enlighten understanding.

Resurrection ends one thing. After the end of on thing another begins. Resurrection is connected to the third day.

Jesus is risen and He is coming again!

God’s Gift of Everlasting Life

On By TimIn Eternal Security, Gifts, Romans 11Leave a comment

Don’t let someone bamboozle you.

For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29

Said another way:

For God’s gifts and calling never change.

Romans 11:29 (ISV):

In this text, Paul was speaking directly of the privileges granted to Israel he noted by name in Romans 9:4. By extension, it includes the usage of the word gift as previously encountered in Romans. He is demonstrating a biblical principle. The gifts (and calling) of God don’t change. (Which means Israel is still God’s chosen people, righteousness, and everlasting life doesn’t change.)

Now… Considering we’ve gotten this far in Romans, we have already encountered some other truths that have application in that verse.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

It’s unequivocally true, everlasting life is a gift of God given to the believer. There are other gifts.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if through the trespass of one man many died, then how much more has the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned. For the judgment from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift, which came after many trespasses, leads to justification. For if by one man’s trespass death reigned through him, then how much more will those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:15–17

God expends the gift of righteousness lavishly. That doesn’t change either. In fact, Paul says that gift leads to justification.

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:21–26

This text is the crux of what Paul is teaching. It is a foundational understanding to what transpired at the cross. Note that it says the righteousness of God comes to all through faith and is ON all who believe. We already know that righteousness is a gift of God. And we know the gifts of God don’t change. Meaning that once the gift of righteousness comes upon a person, it doesn’t ever go away or even get marred.

Furthermore, the text says all have missed the mark. But those same all who missed the mark are being justified freely. (Verb tenses matter greatly. Pay attention to them!)

This is a clear demonstration of the righteousness of God. All are being justified freely as God’s gift of righteousness is extended to all.

Having already proven that righteousness is a gift that a believer already has upon them and it cannot change. Likewise, everlasting life is also a gift. But does the believer have that now?

You betcha!

“Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life.

John 5:24

And if one witness is not good enough…

Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life.

John 6:47

Some Context for John 6

On By TimIn Jesus, Psalm 071, Resurrection1 Comment

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heights; You have done great deeds; O God, who is like You?
You who have shown me great distresses and troubles will revive me again,
and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You will increase my greatness, and You will encircle and comfort me.

Psalm 71:19–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The psalms are written in poetic language. They are also used to convey truth to the Israelis in an easily memorized way. It is no different here.

The psalms are a carefully curated collection of prophetic poetry. When I say that, I am not saying that they predict the future, only that they convey truth. Sometimes, the truths encountered veil something yet to be revealed in a future time.

Look at the middle verse from the selection above. It says, “You who have shown me great distresses and troubles will revive me again and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” That is a truth hinting at a yet future hope. One in which the psalmist rests assured. The You is God. And the psalmist trusted that God would revive him. He would raise him from the depths of the earth. That’s a euphemism for resurrection.

This is teaching that God has the power to raise the dead. There is no way to escape that idea, given the language. It’s certain that some might balk at it being just poetic language, but it still contains solid truth.

Consider that this is the songbook of the Israeli people. They would be familiar with the words in it. I will give you, some because of education may have even committed parts of it to memory. This understanding is what I want to connect to something Jesus said.

There were a large group of folks that followed Jesus into the wilderness. He fed them with a young boy’s lunch. The Bible tells us there were 5,000 men in this group. It was probably a much larger crowd.

Jesus fed them. After, He quietly left to go to Capernaum. These same folks not seeing Him the next day surmised He crossed the sea and took to boats after Him. When they came to Him, they asked Him how He arrived there. They didn’t see Him get in the boat with the other disciples, and there were no other boats there.

Can you imagine?

Then Jesus spoke to them. He spoke to them in a way that brought their own motivations for seeking Him to light. Of course, they were seeking signs. Nevertheless, they had been drawn to Him and came to find Him. Then… Well, let’s look.

Jesus claims some impressive things about Himself, somehow they seem to scoff in disbelief at His claims. They want more signs as proof. Here is what Jesus said to them.

But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out.

John 6:36–37 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Read all of John 6, see what is there. Keep in mind that last line above, Jesus never did cast out anyone of that present audience. They were drawn to Him and even came to Him. And the indictment for their condition is not on God. It’s on them.

After some more teaching, He makes an important statement. Important because of its ( at least) double emphasis.

This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:39–40 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Raise him up on the last day… According to the psalm, Who has the power of resurrection?

What is Jesus saying about Himself?

Leave it to the crowd to tell us exactly what they heard and thought. They started murmuring…

They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

John 6:42 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Why did they mention who they knew Jesus’ father to be if they didn’t understand His claim to be the very Son of God?

Jesus tells them to stop murmuring. He again affirms what He previously said, even adding to it.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and has learned of the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God. He has seen the Father.

John 6:44–46 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. Yet they did come proving they were already drawn to Him. By Jesus’ testimony, it is the Father Who drew them.

Jesus raises them up on the last day. He is yet again claiming that ability of God. It is the simple truth, He is claiming to be God (if you’re paying attention.)

Everyone who has heard and learned of the Father comes to Him. And they already did, because they had heard and learned of the Father. Jesus was telling them more about Him.

He then claims to have seen the Father. Because He is from (think Offspring of) God.

Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.

John 6:47–51 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He offers the simple truth. One either believes or they do not. There is nothing that prevents anyone from believing the words Jesus says.

It’s clear from the text, if you’re reading this, you’ve heard of the Father, learned of the Father, and are drawn to Jesus. But will you believe the claims of Jesus?

That question alone is the great divide. Those who believe in Him, I repeat not just believe Him but believe in Him, have eternal life. Those who do not, do not have eternal life.

Remember, God won’t cast any out. That is Jesus Who is God doesn’t cast any that come to Him out. If you don’t believe that… It’s on you.

What Sign do You Show Us?

On By TimIn Jesus, John 02, ResurrectionLeave a comment

Then the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show us, seeing that You do these things?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We arrive upon this seen after Jesus has just cleared the outer temple courts by means of a whip. He forcefully removed the merchandising trade that was happening in the place for worship. This outer court was the place for Gentiles to come and worship. Having trade happening in that space displaced the Gentiles and prevented them from drawing near to God.

This bit of intrigue draws the attention of the religious authorities of the day. They obviously understand Jesus acts with authority. They want to identify that authority. It provoked them to question Jesus. It wasn’t about the origins of the authority, as that is silently assumed by the question. They wanted a sign from God to prove the godly authority Jesus used was indeed from God.

Signs and Belief

As we read a bit further, it’s clear how the signs Jesus did provoke a response of belief. The direct relation between belief and signs is evident.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

John 2:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

John 3:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The signs Jesus did were the assurance to some of the people that He was from God. Jesus even spoke of the necessity of these people to see signs.

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”

John 4:48 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What Sign?

In other words, by what sign will you prove yourself?

One can read on in the book of John. And as recorded in that book, a similar question was posed to Jesus a bit later in His ministry.

Therefore they said to Him, “What sign do You show then, that we may see and believe You? What work will You perform?

John 6:30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here, the unbelieving religious folk ask for a sign. For them, seeing a sign would allegedly let them believe the words of Jesus. (Remember how Paul spoke of the foolishness of preaching?)

The folks asking for a sign here have already been witnesses to one. Jesus fed them from a few loaves and fishes. They ate their fill as they witnessed the sign. Yet they are wanting a sign. As it would be recorded, the very next line from these folks should have reminded them of what they experienced. They were fed bread in the wilderness from the Father.

Our fathers ate manna in the desert. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

John 6:31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus did not directly answer this question. At least not in the forthright manner He did when it was first posed. He did point them to the bread perhaps hoping they might remember the sign that filled their bellies the day before.

In Three Days

That is the key. When Jesus directly answered the question, it was always to draw attention to the end of His life… His death, burial, and resurrection. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

It’s a simple answer.

We know from other Gospels this is the sign of Jonah. John never referenced the prophet Jonah in his writings. I find the absence interesting.

It is my opinion that the Gospel of John is the Gospel written primarily for the Gentile mind. Mind you, the context is very Jewish-centric of necessity. But things are written in a way for an outsider to understand.

In the same way, the prophet Jonah was sent to a Gentile city, Nineveh. It was to these people that he ministered. When the prophet entered the city, he proclaimed the coming judgment. It is that foolishness of preaching. He didn’t use any signs. These Gentiles believed him. They repented, and God relented.

Why Jonah?

The other Gospel writers recorded similar demands for signs to Jesus. In every answer, Jesus again pointed to His death, burial and resurrection. Except it always included a reference to the sign of Jonah.

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You.”
But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now One greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now One greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:38–42 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Pharisees and Sadducees came and, testing Him, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and overcast.’ O you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” So He left them and departed.

Matthew 16:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Even those that had the benefit of witnessing the miracles of Jesus firsthand didn’t believe. Though some did because of the other signs. And some did because of the preaching. Some wouldn’t believe it even if someone came back from the dead.

Jesus did rise from death after three days in the grave. It is the sign He pointed all toward. He gave what they asked.

Jesus was highlighting the one thing that saves, His being raised up after death. It wasn’t immediate, but His body was three days in the grave. Yet He lives today.

It’s because He lives that any of us could be saved. And being saved is as easy as believing the witness Jesus gave and highlighted, the sign of Jonah.

He died for your sins. He was buried and He rose again to give you new life.

Do you believe that?

If so, tell someone.

The Servant is not Discouraged

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Good, Isaiah 42, Mark 14, The ServantLeave a comment

Here is My servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one, in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon him;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.
He shall not cry out, nor lift up his voice,
nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and the smoking flax he shall not quench;
he shall bring forth justice faithfully.
He shall not be disheartened nor be discouraged,
until he has set justice in the earth;
and the coastlands shall wait for his law.

Isaiah 42:1-4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus was steadfast in His elect purpose. Continuing from the previous post in Jesus’ purposeful encounter with that Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, this is what He told her.

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

John 4:34 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus set forth at His task. It was to do as the Father has purposed. The Holy Spirit was placed upon Him and He presses forward just as the text says, to bring forth justice faithfully.

“Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

Do not marvel at this. For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing of Myself. As I hear, I judge. My judgment is just, because I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me.

John 5:24–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Just as He faithfully spoke of the same need to that Samaritan woman. And in the above passage, He spoke plainly to those who would intend to harm Him. He wasn’t disheartened. He addresses their need to believe even in the midst of their desire to kill Him. He also explains that there is a time constraint to this mercy. Judgment is coming, yet now there is a way of Escape.

In one of my favorite portions of Scripture, Jesus is ministering to the folks who followed Him after He fed them from a young boy’s lunch. They were looking to see more of the miracles and they wanted the satisfaction of their physical and temporal needs. Jesus patiently explained to them of a greater spiritual need.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:35–40 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

“I am the Bread of Life” He said. It would cure the hunger that they had.

He further expounds on what was told to the Samaritan woman, He gives water that quenches thirst for good. Jesus is using physical needs to point to the related spiritual need.

We also see that He speaks of raising the dead in the passage from John 5. Some are raised to the resurrection of life and others to the resurrection of judgment. He is pointing to the truth of the Father giving Him all things. He is telling them He loses none that come to Him. It doesn’t mean that all will be saved from the resurrection of judgment. But that He loses none of which He’s been given authority to raise up, which is all. Those that believe will be given eternal life.

The important part is that He is set to do His Father’s work diligently.

“He shall not be disheartened nor be discouraged,”

I will just leave the rest to Mark’s description of the end. In it we see Jesus to be a bit tentative in His last night before the Cross. He goes away to pray three times, we see His resolve. Even here, we see Him to not delay or be discouraged.

They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter and James and John with Him and began to be greatly distressed and very troubled. And He said to them, “My soul is deeply sorrowful unto death. Remain here and keep watch.”
He went a little farther and fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”
Then He came and found them sleeping and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again He went away and prayed the same words. When He returned, He again found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
When He returned a third time, He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. Look! He who betrays Me is at hand.”

Mark 14:32–42 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the same way in doing our father’s bidding, ought we not be disheartened or discouraged?