The 8 'Signs' of the Gospel of John

     -brief study notes setting forth the message of each 'sign'-

 

    Introduction:      the Gospel of John records only   8 "signs"-

    (the Greek signifies  'that which makes something known')

    of the   "many"  performed by Jesus-  John  20v30,31. The

    reason is in ch.20v31-          "But these are written, that ye

    might believe  that   Jesus  is  the  Christ,   the Son of God;

      and that believing ye might have life through his name".

    The purpose then is two-fold:

    Firstly (a) "that (we) might believe"-        Bullinger's Critical

    Lexicon -'to be persuaded, to rely upon, to trust'.

    Secondly (b) "that believing   (we) might have life through

    his name"..that is,  by fully adopting the Divine charac-

        teristics we might eventually attain to eternal life.

          IT IS HOPED THESE NOTES WILL ASSIST US

        TO GAIN ETERNAL LIFE IN GOD'S KINGDOM.

 

    Points to bear in mind:

    1. The "signs" are   (a) progressive & (b) complementary.

        Thus, (a) when they are placed together,   the 8 "signs"

        show  us        composite (designedly   complete) message

        which demonstrates    God's purpose  and     the essential

                   principles of our pilgrimage in the Truth.

        And,  (b)    as  we   comprehend   the  message  of  each

        "sign", we are able to see a linkage of thought (moral

        guidance), which stimulates the necessary process of

        being  "transformed  by  the  renewing     of (the) mind"

                      Romans 12v2 – link to 'structure'.

        TO SUCCEED      REQUIRES      TOTAL DEDICATION-

        &   THE   WORD    OF GOD  WILL   TRANSFORM  US.

    2. The 8 "signs"  each    summarise  the lessons contained

        in the particular section of John    in which they appear.

        This is closely parallel with  what we find  in the    Reve-

        lation, as    8 Visions of Glory-   link to 'the Lord's day'*.

        THIS IS   TREMENDOUSLY   BENEFICIAL FOR US,

        GIVING US MORE INSIGHT    INTO GOD'S WORD.

    *John is termed  "the disciple whom Jesus loved"#,   and he wrote not

      only his gospel,  but also 3 epistles (letters) &  the Revelation (Apoc-

      alypse) of Jesus Christ. In his gospel he recorded 1He "which was"^;

      in his epistles he recorded 2He "which is">;    & in the Apocalypse he

            recorded 3He "which is to come"<    #John 13v23;21v7,20-25 -

      his name is of Hebrew derivation, signifying 'favoured by Yahweh' -

      for the significance of 'Yahweh', the Memorial Name of God, link to

                                         'The Yahweh-Nissi-Altar'

                      ^John 14v6-11  >1st John 3v1,2  <Revelation 1v8.

      This is the revelation of   1 the Father 2 the Christ 3 the Christ-Body,

      with Christ as the Head, and comprising    the redeemed of all nations.

      The study of the  8 "signs" can assist us to be amongst that number.

        The no. 8 signifies perfection - link to 'the Lord's day' - 8th Vision

 

 

                                                        The 1st "sign" - water into wine - John 2v1-11

                                                       PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'AN HOLY CALLING'

                                                     'God..hath..called us with an holy calling' - 2nd Timothy 1v9

 

v1 '..there was a marriage'- representative of the greater marriage of  Jesus Christ and His bride,  the ecclesia-

cp. Ephesians 5v25-27. 'Cana of Galilee' - the location also of the 2nd 'sign', ch.4v46 -     and from whence came

also Nathanael- ch.21v2. 'Nathanael' is   of Hebrew derivation, signifying 'given of God'.      'Nazareth'  was a des-

pised place, ch.1v46..which stigma all who are called to the Truth  must bear (cp. ch.17v12)..it  has  several poss-

ible derivations from the Hebrew, i.e. 'nehtzer' sig. 'a branch',   cp. Isaiah 11v1-10; Zech.6v11-13, & 'nahzar' sig.

'to separate',  i.e. bringing to mind  the  separation  of  the  Nazarite, cp Numbers 6v1-21.

 

v2..'Jesus was called, and his disciples' - we can be included in the call here typified, cp. ch.17v21..v1 'the third

 day', pointing specifically to resurrection and a new life   cp. Acts 10v40; 2nd Kings 20v1-11..this was also the

7th day from  the beginning of   John's narration -    cp.  ch. 1v19, 29, 35, 43 -  the   number 7 points to completion,

or rest - see the 7th 'sign'..v6 'six waterpots of stone' - this is a contrast,        the number 6 representing man in his

fallen state - link  to     'structure'   &  6th 'sign'..the  'waterpots  of  stone'  highlight   the   Mosaic   ritual,   which  

could not save,  and  was  'a figure for the time then present',  Exodus 34v1; Hebrews 9v8-10,  and   'the work of

men's hands' in which they trusted -  Isaiah 37v19..v7 'Fill the waterpots  with  water' -         a transformation from

a "stony heart" to "an heart of flesh" by the "living water" is necessary  -     ch.4v19; Isaiah 55v1-3; Ezekiel 36v

26; Romans 12v1,2; 2nd Corinthians 3v3; Revelation 22v1,17..'Draw out now, and bear' -      Jesus is the

Greater than Moses, cp Deuteronomy 18v15-19,  whose name means 'drawn out',  cp. Exodus 2v10.  

  ' Jesus'  is of Hebrew derivation, signifying 'Yahweh saves' or 'saved by Yahweh' - re 'Yahweh' see above notes.

Also read Matthew 1v21 & the 8th 'sign' concerning the name & the saving work of Jesus. 

 

Jesus works a far greater deliverance..v9- 'the bridegroom'-pointing to Jesus    - ch. 3v27-29..'the servants which

drew the water knew..whence it was..the ruler..knew not'-ch. 7v16,17-if any man will do his will,  he shall know

of the doctrine'..Matthew 11v25 -  '(the) Father..hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,and hast reveal-

ed them unto babes'..v10    'thou hast kept the good wine until now' -      this    represents          'the  new covenant  in

(Jesus') blood' - Luke 22v20..'In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.          Now that which de-

cayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away' -   Hebrews 8v13 -       link to 'grace'..we must totally identify with

the truth of the Sacrifice of Christ - ch.6v53-56; Matthew 10v38..link to 'sacrifice'.          WILL WE RESPOND?

 

                                      The 2nd "sign" - the nobleman's son - John 4v43-54

                                                     PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'FAITH TOWARD GOD'

                          '(a) principle of the doctrine of Christ..faith toward God' - Hebrews 6v1

 

v44 '..a prophet hath no honour in his own country'- this is the rejection all who desire to follow the Truth must

experience - ch.15v18-21; Hebrews 13v12,13..v45 '..the Galilaeans received him  (Weymouth  =  'welcomed him

eagerly')..do we have the same welcoming attitude to the Lord,    especially when others reject Him?..v46..Jesus

came again into Cana of Galilee' - thus linking it with the 1st 'sign' -      i.e. our calling must be secured by faith..

'a certain nobleman' - literally ' a royal officer' - especially chosen..v47 '..he went unto (Jesus),         and besought

him (to) heal his son' - he had faith in the power of God vested in Jesus, cp. Hebrews 11v6 -      'without faith it is

impossible to please him (God)'..and he loved his son, even as God loved His Son - ch.3v35  cp. Matthew 3v17..

 

v50 '..thy son liveth..the man believed' -            a majestic and merciful declaration followed by a simple and strong

faith;such faith is needed for salvation ch.3v16,17..v52 'at the seventh hour' -  the number 7 points to completion

or rest - see the 7th 'sign'..v53 'it was at the same hour' -       thus demonstrating the great power of 'the Son',       cp.

ch.3v34-36..'and himself believed' - now he believed also that Jesus was the Christ -            our faith must grow, cp.

Romans 1v17 -   'For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,        The just

shall live by faith'..'and his whole house' as with the house of Joshua, cp. Joshua 24v14,15.              Here then is the 

anti-typical Joshua (the Hebrew equivalent from which the name 'Jesus' is derived,   signifying   'Yahweh saves').

 

The law of Moses has been superseded by the principle of faith-i.e.the foundation of the New Covenant,   link to

'grace'. There is a parallel with the healing of the centurion's servant in Matthew 8v5-13.              DO WE HAVE

THIS STRONG FAITH IN WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED IN CHRIST?           'But without faith it is impossible

to please him:for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,    and that he is a rewarder of them that diligent-

ly seek him' - Hebrews 11v6..Let us then have faith in what God has promised - link to 'promises' -

                                and not in 'cunningly devised fables' 2nd Peter 1v16 -link to 'departure'.

 

                                                The 3rd "sign" - the impotent man - John 5

                            PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED'

                       'For by grace are ye saved through faith..it is the gift of God' - Ephesians 2v8

           'Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus' - Romans 3v24

 

v2..'Bethesda' signifies 'the house of mercy' and epitomizes the lesson of this 'sign'..'having five porches' -          the

number 5 has the meaning of the unmerited grace and the mercy of God plus works of faith..we note that     in this

chapter we find the following..(a) 5 titles of Isaiah 9v6 find expression in v20-24..(b) 5 witnesses to Jesus      as the

Messiah are found in v33,36,37,39,46..(c) 5 separate utterances by Jesus are recorded in v6,8,14,17,19-47..

v5..'a certain man was there,    which had  an infirmity thirty and eight years'..he was representative of the sinful

condition of the whole nation,which Jesus had the power to heal,  cp. v14,Matthew 12v43-45;Deuteronomy 2v14.

 

v6..'Wilt thou be made whole?'..the  individual  awareness and acknowledgment  of our sicknesses   is necessary

for healing,    whether they be natural or spiritual..'Sir, I have no man'..a confession that help cannot come from

flesh,cp.Psalm 146v3-5..v8..'Rise, take up thy bed, and walk'..this is a command to demonstrate   the principle of

faith, for'without faith it is impossible to please..God' Hebrews 11v6..note the progression from   the 2nd 'sign',

which involved only belief. Here in this 3rd 'sign' we see the need for faith in action as shown by Abraham -   cp.

James 2v20-26. We see a further progression 'from faith to faith' Romans 1v17 as stated under the 2nd 'sign'.

 

It is in God's purpose that the Gospel be preached"to all nations for the obedience of faith" Romans 16v25,26..

v9..'And immediately the man was made whole'..see notes 2nd 'sign' re ch.4v53..'and on  the  same  day was the

sabbath'..the 7th day signifies rest..v17..'Jesus answered..My Father worketh hitherto, and I work'..this   results

in deliverance, associated with the sabbath, cp Deuteronomy 5v15..Jesus has now entered into    this great work,

as we also are commanded to do, so that we might, with Him, find eternal rest in the Kingdom of God,    cp Heb-

rews 4v9-11 & link to 'grace' - page 2.          In these verses we see that to gain the eternal inheritance we must

firstly "rest from (our) own works" or sins. Jesus underlines this vital principle to the one who was healed..

v14..'Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more'.    Spiritual healing brings life-long obligations to serve God.

 

      The 4th "sign" - the feeding of the multitude - John 6v1-14,22-65; Matthew 14v13-21

                                                  Mark 6v31-44; Luke 9v10-17

                                   PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'THE LIVING BREAD'

                                 'If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever' - John 6v51

 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God' - Matthew 4v4

 

("Signs" 4 and 5 are intimately related, and are shown to be so by their immediate connection in the text.

  The doctrine which we learn in this "sign" must be put into practice in the next - this is personal growth -

  the principles are shown in 1st Peter 2v2 - 'desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby')

 

                                            (the quotations are from John 6 unless otherwise indicated)

 

v2..'A great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles'..the popularity of Jesus was at its peak,   cp

v15..v3..'Jesus went up into a mountain..withhis disciples', demonstrating   the difficulty of the way for those    who

would truly follow Him.  Many later forsook Jesus - some remained.    Do we continue with the Master?..v4..'the

Passover..was nigh'..again our minds are directed to deliverance from bondage- and that being offered by Jesus

- cp Romans 8v21 - was greater than the temporary deliverance under Moses - cp v49,50..v5..'Whence shall we

buy bread, that these may eat?'..the question was directed to Philip, who came from nearby Bethsaida (ch.1v44)

and so he would fully appreciate the problem in finding food in that remote area. Philip also had a Gentile name,

and thus was representative of the Galilean multitude; salvation was to be offered to both Jew and Gentile..

 

v6..'he(Jesus)himself knew what he would do'..contrast the certainty of Jesus with     the uncertainty of Moses in

similar circumstances, Numbers 11v1-14..the law could not save,    but faith in Jesus Christ could..v9..'five barley

loaves, and two small fishes' which was the food of the poor,who had 'the gospel preached to them'Matt.11v5..

v10..'the men..about five thousand'..again bringing in the number 5,    speaking of the gracious provision of God

for all nations..v12..'When they were filled'..all  who  acknowledged their need were "filled'..v12..'Gather up   the

fragments'..pointing forward to the work of the Apostles,represented here by v13..'twelve baskets'..'basket' =

'a vessel..meet for the master's use' 2nd Tim. 2v21, cp Acts 1v8..v12..'that nothing be lost'..this represents   the

spiritual body of Christ, which will come from all nations Galatians 3v26-29..Of this body  Jesus said He 'should

lose nothing', v39 cp ch.17v12, Amos 9v9. Will we be included?      It requires sustained effort now on our part to

ensure that we will be part of that blessed number..let us therefore determine that we will serve the Lord!

v14..'This is..that prophet' - the reference is to Deuteronomy 18v15-19.

 

      The 5th "sign" - the calming of the storm - John 6v15-21, 22-65; Matthew 14v22-33

                                                              Mark 6v45-52

                     PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE'

   'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee' - Isaiah 26v3

   'Show thy marvellous loving-kindness,O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee'

                                                                                 - Psalm 17v7

("Signs" 4 and 5 are intimately related, and are shown to be so by their immediate connection in the text.

  The doctrine learnt in the 4th "sign" must be put into practice in the 5th - the necessity of action is shown

  clearly in James 2v22,26 - 'by works was faith made perfect...so faith without works is dead')

 

                                           (the quotations are from John 6 unless otherwise indicated)

 

v15..'Jesus..departed..into a mountain..alone'..He would ascend into Heaven after His  great  sacrificial  work;

again we see Him as a greater than Moses..v16,17..'when even was..come..it was now dark'- representative of

'the times of the Gentiles', Luke 21v24 cp Daniel 7v2,13;Isaiah 60v2..these are our days,when 'darkness shall

cover the earth, and gross darkness the people' - the symbolic 'sun' of Israel is 'gone down while it was yet day'

- Jeremiah 15v9..but her 'sun shall go no more down' - Isaiah 60v20..for Jesus Christ as the 'Sun of righteous-

ness (shall) arise with healing in his wings (beams)' - Malachi 4v2..(concerning symbology see 'Colossians_1').

 

In the meantime we walk by the illumination of 'Jesus..the light of the world' - ch.9v1-5 cp 6th 'sign'..v16..'his

disciples went down unto the sea' - i.e.  figuratively  'the troubled sea (of nations), when it cannot rest, whose

waters cast up mire and dirt' - Isaiah 57v20,21..however after Jesus Christ and the redeemed administer   the

righteous judgments of God,   it will appear as 'a sea of glass mingled with fire' - Revelation 15v2..& ultimately

all nations and rebellion will disappear, with sin and death, after 1000 yrs - see  'the Lord's day' - 8th Vision.

v17..'toward Capernaum' - which was Jesus' adopted dwelling-place-cp Matthew 4v12-16*..'Capernaum' sig.

'a protected or covered village,  a place of comfort or consolation' - cp ch.14v1-3;Psalm 107v28-30..pointing to

the time spoken of in Hebrews 4v9 - 'there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God'.

*Jesus had been "brought up" in "Nazareth" (see comments on this place under the 1st 'sign'). It was here

that He had been forcibly rejected, and thus "came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee", Luke 4v14-31.

 

However there is a vital point in Psalm 107v30..this 'rest' & 'place of comfort' must be our 'desired haven'

or we will not arrive there.    Psalm 145v19 states - 'He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will

hear their cry, and will save them'.   If our desire is centred upon this evil age,   we cannot hope to receive of

God's mercy in the day of judgment. 'Let thy mercy, O Yahweh, be upon us, according as we hope in thee' -

Psalm 33v22. And so if the coming Kingdom of God upon earth is our consuming passion in life, God will (as

we see below) 'make the storm a calm' & we will be 'glad' and 'quiet' even now, and later in the Kingdom.

 

In v17 we read that 'Jesus was not come to them'. The RSV renders 'Jesus had not yet come to them'. It was

certain that He would come to them, but the time was not yet fulfilled.   This is our situation today if we truly

believe in God.    Jesus has not yet returned, but it is certain that He will...Acts 1v11 - 'this same Jesus..shall

so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven'...the disciples had seen that     Jesus 'departed

again into a mountain himself alone' (i.e. figuratively into heaven)..v18..'the sea arose..a great wind', even as

we today experience tribulation from the world & can be   'tossed to and fro' by 'every wind of doctrine'

which is 'contrary' to the Truth, Ephesians 4v14*; Matthew 14v24; Psalm 107v25-27.  We must always be on

our guard, lest, like the disciples,our hearts become 'hardened' to the things which really matter,Mark6v52 -

                      'For they considered not the miracle of the loaves:for their heart was hardened'.

There will still be tribulation in the world, Acts 14v22, but we will not be overcome by it.   'Be not overcome

of evil, but overcome evil with good' - Romans 14v21.       *link to 'proverbs' - page 2

 

v19..'they see Jesus walking on the sea'having power over the elements as later He was given power over the

nations, see Matthew 28v18.   Peter, in answer to the Lord's invitation, also 'walked on the water', Matthew

14v29.      But being 'afraid' because 'the wind' was 'boisterous',   he began 'to sink' and 'cried, saying, Lord,

save me' - see Hebrews 12v2,3,15.  We must fix our gaze firmly upon the Saviour or we will be lost.  When the

Lord and Peter 'were come into the ship,   the wind ceased' Matthew 14v32..'and immediately the ship was at

the land whither they went', i.e. Capernaum, representative of the Kingdom (see above). Consider the reward

held out to those who 'love (Jesus') appearing', 2nd Timothy 4v8.  Truly, 'unto them that look for him shall he

appear the second time without sin unto salvation'.  There is one final point to take note of, and it is a very im-

portant one in the light of the world-wide apostacy of these last days in which we live. See Matthew 14v25 -

                          'And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea'.

 

The 'fourth watch' is the last period of time before the dawn..figuratively just prior to the return of Christ,who,

as 'the Sun of righteousness' shall 'arise with healing in his wings (beams)'  -  Malachi 4v2..see para. above

on v15..the present evil Gentile 'night' operates spiritually according to Roman time,  which used four watches,

whereas the Jewish watches were three - link to 'apocalypse'. We must reject all association with Rome.

The 'wind(s) of doctrine' (see above) are very deceptive in 'the (prophetic) fourth watch' - 'proverbs' - p.2.

'The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the

armour of light' - Romans 14v12..'Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you' - 1st Peter 5v7.

 

Those who take the time to look carefully at Psalm 107v23-30, from which we quote above, will find quotations

and direct allusions in the NT records in John, Matthew and Mark. Here is another fascinating thought:

The Psalms have 5 sections, which answer to the first 5 books in the Bible - we cannot expound this now!

Each section ends with a prayer of praise. Psalm 107 begins the 5th and last ('Deuteronomy') section, which

deals with God and His word and the Kingdom Age to come. It teaches us to always rely upon Divine guidance

through God's inspired word in the storms of life. How fitting this is to our subject. As Psalm 150v6 records -

                                   'Let every thing that hath breath praise Yahweh. Praise ye Yahweh!'

 

                                         The 6th "sign" - the healing of the blind man - John 9 & 10

                          PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE'

                                 'My sheep hear my voice...and they follow me' - John 10v27

         'For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see

           might be made blind' - John 9v39 - 'And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,

           and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil' - John 3v19 - 'If ye were

             blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth' - John 9v41

 

                                          (the quotations are from John 9 unless otherwise indicated)

 

v1..'a man..blind from his birth' - i.e. one who was incomplete, representative of the present sinful state of the

Creation, which is now in  'the bondage of corruption', Romans 8v21;   one who was chosen to reveal God's

'works' (v3) - especially that Jesus is 'the light of the world' (v5)*. Note that God's 'works' were to be 'made

manifest in him' (i.e. the blind man)-v3 cp v15-38..'..he (i.e. Jesus) anointed the eyes of the blind with the clay'

..Jesus is now demonstrating His purpose to make a new creation, no longer marred by the effects of sin - cp

Genesis 2v7..v7..'wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent)' - as was Jesus Himself v33,39..

As we pointed out in the introduction, "the 8 "signs" each summarise the lessons contained in the particular

section of John in which they appear".The attentive reader will have noticed this in each of the signs covered

thus far and will notice it also in the remainder. Nowhere is this more noticeable than in this 6th 'sign'.

*this term is applied to His disciples in Matthew 5v14-16 - we must also 'walk in the light' - link to 'appeal'.

 

This 6th section runs from ch.7v1 to ch.10v41 inclusive. In ch.10v22 we read of  'the feast of the dedication' -

i.e. 'hanukkah'. This feast is the Jewish Festival of Lights, and dates back to the time of the Maccabean wars.

'Jesus walked in the temple' during the feast-ch.10v23. In ch.7v2 we read that 'the Jews' feast of tabernacles

was at hand'.Of all the feasts,the feast of tabernacles pointed forward to the time when the Creation will have

been restored to Divine favour - link to 'grace' - page 2 and 'feasts'. It brought to mind (and will do so again

when it is re-instituted in the Kingdom Age,Zechariah 14v16-21) by its 8th day sabbath the 8th period of 1000

years (cp 2 Peter 3v8). This wonderful time, soon to be brought nearer by the return of the Lord, was at   the

centre of this 6th 'sign' - epitomized in the healing of the blind. The number 6 is the number of man,  for    he

was created on the 6th day - Genesis 1v26,27,31. But after the Fall, it also represented 'sinful flesh'. For the

outworking of 6 and also of 8 see the 8th 'sign' - and re 6 also link to 'departure' - pages 1 & 2.

 

It is also representative of the conquest of sin - on the 6th day man was given dominion over the creation -

Genesis 1v26-28 - cp Psalm 8v4-6 which is quoted by Paul in Hebrews 2v6-8  and applied (and expounded) by

him in v8-18 to the conquest of sin (note especially v14).This becomes extremely significant when we come to

consider the subject of division - between two parties  which can never be reconciled - link to 'promises' and

'devil' and 'seven ecclesias'..see v16 -'there was a division' - the second of three which are recorded in these

chapters - see ch. 7v43; 10v19. Whereas the number 3 speaks of separation from sin (error) in the world, the

number 6 speaks of separation from sin within the ecclesia (those called out from the world). It is at this time

that the sharpest trial is felt, and those so afflicted must crucify their own 'sinful flesh'.    It is only when

disciples learn to truly hate sin in themselves that they can gain the dominion over sin.  And even then we are

convicted of sin & must seek for forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ-Romans 7v22-25.  The divisions 

in John 7-10 take place within the Israel of those days (i.e. within the nation called out from the world) -

& it is for this reason that they appear in the 6th 'sign'. To contrast the numbers 3 & 6 link to 'structure'.

 

In both situations, division from the world and from apostacy within the body, we must make decisions -

v39 cp ch.3v19-21.   Relations, "friends", ecclesial halls, possessions, numbers will mean nothing 'in the day

when God shall judge the secrets of men' - Romans 2v16...link to 'proverbs' - page 3.

 

A decision was made  by the Jews (and notably the Pharisees) - 'for the Jews had agreed already, that if any

man did confess that he (i.e. Jesus) was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue' - v22.  A decision was

also made by the man's parents - 'These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews' - v22.

(Fear was the motivating factor with many, for we read  'Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many

believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the

synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God' - ch.12v42,43.)

 

Both of these decisions were made for only one reason, and that was present advantage.  We can 'sow to the

flesh' & 'reap corruption', or we can be wise & 'sow to the spirit' & 'reap life everlasting'-Galatians 6v8.

But the right decision was made by the man who 'had been blind, and received his sight' - v18. It is good

to read his marvellous testimony to Jesus in v15,25,27,30-33. And to Jesus he said 'Lord, I believe' - v38.

His choice to 'walk in the light' was made clear when he very strongly reproved his accusers in ch.9v24-34,

and in so doing he became a living example of the words of Paul written later in Ephesians 5v11 -

'And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them'.

 

A summary of the two reactions to 'the light' is contained in ch. 3v18-21 - 'He that believeth on him is not

condemned : but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of

the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men

loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the

light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the

light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.'

 

There is much more to be said concerning this 6th 'sign',  & the section in John where it is placed (ch.7-10).

However we must draw our remarks to a conclusion with several comments:

 

1. The theme of darkness into light explored above in ch.9 continues in ch.10.  Although 'they (i.e. the Jews)

    cast him out' (ch.9v34) in reality 'the shepherd of the sheep..leadeth (him) out' (ch.10v2,3).

    'Jesus..said unto him,Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said,Who is he, Lord, that I

    might believe on Him? Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

    And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him' (ch.9v35-38).

    'Jesus answered them..my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me' (ch.10v25-27).

    We may regard the parable of ch.10 as a Divine commentary upon the events of ch.9. In a similar way,

    we read of people and historical events in 1 & 2 Kings and God's estimation of them in 1 & 2 Chronicles.   

 

2. The theme of 'the good shepherd' and His 'sheep', & also 'hireling' and 'wolf' etc. is based largely upon

    Ezekiel 34. The sheep would be 'scattered', but God (in Christ) would 'search (His) sheep,and seek them

    out', & 'seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away' (v5-7,11,12,16). The class

    ruling over them 'fleeth, because he (composite) is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep' (ch.10v13).

    Through Ezekiel, in ch.34v1-4, God indicts them for their flight from responsibility & lack of concern

    for anyone but themselves. Their 'cruelty' would be judged, and God would 'seek out (His) sheep'.   

    'Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him..' (John 9v35).

    Cp Matthew 18v10-14…'the Son of man is come to save that which was lost...he rejoiceth more of that

    sheep...it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones ('which believe in me' v6)

    should perish'. This chapter is notable also for instructions re withdrawal from corruption - see below.

    Further on this theme, link to 'seven ecclesias' (Laodicea).

    What a time of joy for this follower of Jesus!   Having gone through the 'open door' of faith, which had

    been 'shut' by evil men - link to 'foundation' - page 1 - he now enjoyed fellowship with 'the Son of God'

    - an inestimable blessing which is promised to all faithful ones who likewise separate or are separated

    from corrupt assemblies - link to 'foundation' - page 2. This is true in all ages, including our own.

 

    The focus of Ezekiel 34  is the 'good fold' of v14,  which is taken up in the 'one fold' of  John 10v16.

    This then is the 'fold' (the only true one) into which the man who 'had been blind, and received his sight'

    was delivered. It was a 'fold' which was established upon the Truth, and not upon lies. We have heard of

    many termed "shepherds in Israel".Their credentials must be examined,Ezekiel 34v1-10;Matt.7v15-20.

    If their words and deeds do not harmonize with those of 'the good shepherd' we will know what to do.

    The Lord Jesus Christ is the 'one (good) shepherd' of v16,11,14 - as prophesied in Ezekiel 34v23.

    Consider also Isaiah 40v11-'He (God in Christ) shall feed his flock like a shepherd' & care for them all.

    And add the testimony of Jeremiah 23v1-4 against 'the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my

    pasture'..whereas God 'will gather the remnant of my flock..and I will set up shepherds over them which

    shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking'. All of the

    prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah & Ezekiel, prophesied of a broad sweep of history up until the establishment

    of the Kingdom of God. This section in John forms an important & integral part of the whole narrative.

    Link here to 'departure' - p. 1 for the identification today of 'false prophets..wolves..in sheep's clothing'.

 

                                  The 7th "sign" - the resurrection of Lazarus - John 11

            PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE'

                'he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live' - John 11v25

 

                                    (the quotations are from John 11 unless otherwise indicated)

 

This 7th 'sign' has been called 'the greatest miracle of them all'.   And so it was of the 'signs' performed by

Jesus.The one which follows,the 8th 'sign' was even greater,and was performed by God.Lazarus was raised

to a continued state of mortality. Jesus was raised to eternal life, and only God was able to do this. This is

why John writes in ch. 20v30,31 (as in our heading) -'these (signs) are written (i.e. the 'signs' which 'Jesus

did' v30)'. His words appear after the 7th 'sign' and before the 8th 'sign'. The last 8th 'sign' is meant to  

teach us of the culmination of the great work of salvation which the Father & the Son are accomplishing

together - see the notes below concerning the 8th 'sign'.

 

There is a close connection between the numbers 7 and 8. Whereas the number 7 represents completion,the

number 8 represents perfection. One leads to the other..'Give a portion to seven, and also to eight' -

Ecclesiastes 11v2. The 7th period of 1000 years (the Kingdom Age) - which completes the salvation of those

selected from the race of Adam - ushers in the 8th period of 1000 years (the Age of Perfection) - when only

those who are accepted in Christ will remain to grace the earth - 'that God may be all in all' - 1st Cor.15v28.

for more details on this magnificent theme see 'grace' - page 2 item 9.

 

v1..'a certain man was sick, named Lazarus' - we have seen this phrase 'a certain man' previously in ch.5v5,

the 3rd 'sign'..it signifies a chosen vessel in which the glory of God revealed in Jesus will be shown..Lazarus

was one whom Jesus loved, v36,  and thus an appropriate choice..'Lazarus' signifies 'God hath helped',  and

is a form of 'Eleazar', who succeeded his father Aaron as high priest.    And so he appears as a type of Jesus

Himself, and therefore his resurrection pointed forward to that of the 'high priest for ever after the order of  

Melchisedec' - Hebrews 5v6; 6v20. It was directly after this miracle, and because of its effect upon many of

the people, v45 cp ch.12v9, that the Jewish leaders made the final decision to kill Jesus - v46-57.    It is also significant that a little earlier,   Jesus had spoken the parable of the rich man & Lazarus - in which He made

this prediction -

 

'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead' -

Luke 16v31. This saying pointed forward to both the resurrection of Lazarus and also His own. For a more

complete commentary on this parable link to 'mortal' - page 2. The recorded plans of the Jewish leaders to

kill both Jesus and Lazarus endorse our comments above - see John 11v53 & 12v10.And after the raising of

Jesus, they concocted a lie, in order to hide the glorious truth which they greatly feared- Matthew 28v11-15.

 

v6..'When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was' -

in order to establish fulness of faith in those whom He loved, see v15, 22, 32, 39-45. And in 2nd Peter 3v8,

'one day' is likened to 'a thousand years'. As there were six literal days of the physical Creation - Genesis

1 - so there are six periods of one thousand years allocated for the spiritual Creation. And having 'abode'

for almost two of these long 'days' in heaven, building faith in His people in anticipation of the raising of the

dead and the great consolation, Jesus is about to return to those whom He loves (even as He loved the three

at Bethany - v1, 5). The Greek for 'Bethany' signifies the 'the house of afflicted ones' - cp. Isaiah 61v1-3.

 

v4..'this sickness is..for the glory of God,that the Son of God might be glorified thereby'-the death of Lazarus

necessitated a miracle which would beyond all doubt reveal 'the glory of God' - i.e. His omnipotent power &

His righteous character, see Exodus 33v12 to 34v7. The raising of Lazarus demonstrated these same eternal

principles in Jesus - cp. ch.1v14 - 'and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full

of grace and truth'. Believers of the prophets would draw the parallel with the 'two days' of Hosea 6v1,2 -

and would thus discern that the resurrection of Lazarus pointed forward to the future resurrection of Israel -

link to 'the time of the end'.

 

v25..'I am the resurrection and the life' - yes, Martha and Mary and those who grieved understood that their

dear one Lazarus had not 'gone to a better place'. They grieved, as all others grieve in similar circumstances,

because he was dead. It would be of advantage to any who cannot see the significant difference between the

truth of this vital doctrine and current apostate theories of "immortal souls" to consult this link - 'mortal'.

Their only hope was expressed by Martha in v 24 when she said 'I know that he shall rise again in the resurr-

ection at the last day'. This hope was repeated by Paul in Acts 23v6 and 24v15 - 'of the hope and resurrection

of the dead I am called in question...and have hope toward God..that there shall be a resurrection of the dead'.

At that time, those who belong to God will be granted eternal life,while the rejected will perish. Note the order

set out above - resurrection must come before life - to invert the order, as many wish to do, is completely false.

 

But that time has not yet come (though as these words are written it is very near).  And in the time of Jesus, in

point of time it was far off. However, as we find in several other places, the graphic enactment of resurrection

(in this case literal and in others illustrative*) was also meant to demonstrate to the eye of faith the final result

of the resurrection of faithful ones which will result in eternal life.v35..'Jesus wept' - what few words,  but they

express far more. In the history of the Truth there have always been 'weepers' - Jesus wept here because of

his love for the family at Bethany, & also on another occasion because of the spiritual desolation of Jerusalem

& Israel - concerning 'weepers' link to 'the Yahweh-Nissi altar'. v43..'Lazarus, come forth' - representative of

the summons to those in the grave at the coming of the Lord-cp John 5v28,29.v44..'he..came forth, bound hand

and foot with graveclothes' - that is, shackled with mortality, as will all of those at the future resurrection. 

                                                            *cp Daniel 10v8-11; Revelation 1v17,18.

 

But also in this miracle, for those who have eyes to see and faith in their hearts, we find a graphic portrayal of

acceptance of beloved Lazarus.v44..'Loose him, and let him go' - what joy if these words are spoken of us at the

Judgment Seat of the Lord Jesus Christ! If accepted at that time, we shall obtain deliverance from 'this body of

death' - from which 'bondage of corruption' Paul (and all faithful) will be 'delivered...into the glorious liberty

of the children of God' - Romans 7v24mg & 8v21. Shortly after the raising of Lazarus, in this 7th section of the

Gospel of John, Jesus set out the basis of resurrection and judgment in ch.12v48 - 'the word that I have spoken,

the same shall judge him in the last day'.Read v44-50, to see the various responses to the words of Jesus, & the

subsequent future results. We are happy to enlarge on this matter if any wish to write to us - address is below.

 

Because of the Jews' unbelief, Jesus, after this 7th 'sign', 'departed, and did hide himself from them'.   And He

spoke sadly of their rejection of 'the light' and their consequent descent into 'darkness' when he left them -

ch.12v35,36 - cp.v37-41. What could be more calculated to wake us to our only hope than the words of Jesus in

v35 & 36 - 'Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you..While ye have light, believe in the light,

that ye may be the children of light'.

 

We have now completed the 7th 'sign'. As time permits, we hope to move on to the 8th 'sign'.      We have never

seen the true significance of this beautiful section of John explained elsewhere.  It is something so amazing that

when the reality of the revelation dawns on our minds, we are consumed with praise to God for this blessing.

 

             The 8th "sign" - the resurrection of Jesus & the great harvest - John 20 & 21                   

                  PRINCIPAL LESSON - 'MY FATHER WORKETH AND I WORK'

                                    'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work' - John 5v17

                                                'Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God' - John 20v31

                                          'upon this rock I will build my ecclesia' - Matthew 16v18

 

We are awestruck at what, in reality, is a fitting and glorious climax to John's testimony, 'that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of God' - cp ch.20v30,31.  As Christadelphians, we sing in one of our beautiful hymns -

"Fulfil ye the joy of the Father and Son, By seeking the peace which their counsel hath won".No more fitting

words could be chosen as an introduction to the final section of John's Gospel which contains the 8th 'sign'.

 

Please refer to comments above under the 7th 'sign' concerning the numbers 7 and 8. This is the great finale.

This 8th 'sign' is exclusively concerned with the principles of perfection, as represented by the number 8.

The name 'Jesus' is of Hebrew derivation - see earlier comments under the 1st 'sign' concerning 'Yahweh'.

In Greek numerology, 'Jesus' = 888.Note Ecclesiastes 4v12 - 'a threefold cord is not quickly broken'.Also cp

'And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from

their sins' - Matthew 1v21. There is a stark contrast with 'the name of the beast' and 'the number of his

name' - Revelation 13v16-18 - which is 666 - 6 = the number of 'sinful flesh' - link to 'departure' - p. 1 & 2.

Also refer to earlier comments under the 6th 'sign'.

 

Chapter 20 illustrates the first words of John 5v17 - 'My Father worketh'.

This is demonstrated in THE MIRACLE BY THE FATHER.

Chapter 21 illustrates the last words of John 5v17 - 'and I work'.

This is demonstrated in THE MIRACLE BY THE SON.

Putting them together in sequence, we see the whole plan of salvation laid out to our view.

It was necessary for the Father to raise the Son to eternal life so that the great harvest could be accomplished.

                                                             

                                                                         (study to be concluded)

                                                                          

                       return to studies   return to home page-index        

                                        this study is a continuing one, please visit regularly 

                                       

                                       IMPORTANT NOTE TO OUR VIEWERS

There has been an enormous interest in the 8 'signs' of the Gospel of John, and we are trying to

                                         find the time to complete this exposition.

In the meantime,there is something very important to consider. The 'signs' in the Gospel of John

are not the only ones which Jesus Christ left for us.In the Gospel of Matthew He has expounded

 

         THE TWO GREAT 'SIGNS' OF THESE LAST DAYS - link here for the details.

 

Although these are not named as 'signs', it is self-evident that they are.  And they add important

           and vital information concerning the political and ecclesial events of these last days.

We must understand & act upon this information, so that the salvation promised in the 8 'signs'

                 of John will be of benefit to us in the day of account when the Lord returns.

                                       That time is now imminent - link to 'prophecy'.

                                                   We welcome correspondence to:

                                            webmaster@pioneerchristadelphians.org