Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letters of Apostle John – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 2
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Purpose of Divine Miracles
[See Jn 2:18-22; 3:1, 2; 5:20; 6:2, 14, 15, 16-21; 10:19-25, 41, 42; 11:4, 15, 39-46; 12:9-19; 15:24, 25; 20:17-20]

In [Jn 2:1-11] Apostle John writes of the first miracle publicly performed by Jesus after being confirmed the prophesied Christ by John the Baptist. It was the turning of water to wine at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Such miracles were not performed to merely entertain people but to motivate them to put their faith in Yahweh and HIS Word. These miracles were also manifested to affirm Christ’s dominion over all creation. [Jn 6:1-21] As noted in this passage, those who are given authority from THE DIVINE to work miracles, are likely to be offered kingly seats. [Jn 6:14, 15] Their ability may also motivate others to pursue them just to acquire pacifications that miracles bring. [Jn 6:26, 27] However, the goal of Jesus Christ and all genuine servants of GOD, is to always direct people’s faith to Yahweh, especially for salvation and spiritual perfection in righteousness. Servants of THE LORD are admonished to follow Christ’s example and use their abilities to inspire faith in HIM and never for praise of men. [I Cor 2:1-4] In terms of miracles, the greatest of them is soul salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. [Rm 10:9, 10]

The House of Prayer Not Profits

In [Jn 2:12-17] Apostle John notes that Jesus Christ did not favor the practice of merchandising in His FATHER’S Houses of Prayer. Apostle John writes,

After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His Mother, and His brethren, and His Disciples: and they continued there not many days.
And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My FATHER’S house an house of merchandise.
[St Jn 2:12-17]
*merchandise Gk #1712 emporion (em-por-ee-on) it is a mart and an emporium

1. a mart is a market, trading center, building or exposition for the sale of goods by manufacturers and wholesalers to retail merchants

2. an emporium is a…
a. large retail store, especially one selling a great variety of articles
b. place, town, or city of important commerce, especially a principal center of trade

While avarice is mainstream throughout the world system, the Elect of GOD must insist that their FATHER’S House remain one of prayer, praise, and deliverance. Not one of MERCHANDIZING. This helps one to focus on the GOD of the temple and communion thereto, which is why it is available to all inquiring souls in the first place.

Knowing Thyself

In [Jn 2:23-25] Apostle John notes Christ as the primary example for all sons of GOD. Noted here in this passage, He is clear about Who He is in relation to Yahweh and about the source of miraculous power. Christ never sought or required the approval of men. He knew the true nature of their hearts. In the same manner, true brethren of Christ must learn to be confident in themselves, their abilities, and their insight as sons of GOD. Seeking praise and approval of people, especially those who are spiritually unregenerate, is futile. As children of GOD, it should always be their endeavor to please the FATHER. Their self-confidence is always to be grounded in their righteous character, which is of THE FATHER, through Jesus Christ. [Isa 54:17; Rm 3:23-26; 10:4]

Born Again

In [Jn 3:1, 2] Apostle John writes of dialogue between Christ and a Hebrew Ruler and Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus. Nicodemus admitted to Christ that there were other Pharisees who did believe that He was from GOD. They did so because of the many miracles He publicly performed. However, they did not openly confess their belief because their feared losing their rank and position within their religious organization. [St Jn 12:42, 43; 19:38-42]
Christ then tells Nicodemus that no one can SEE Yahweh’s KINGDOM unless they are BORN again.

*born Gk #1080 gennao (ghen-nah-o) it means to…
1. procreate which is to…
a. beget offspring which is to cause and produce as an effect
b. generate offspring which is to bring into existence and cause to be
c. produce which is to bring forth young, give birth to and bear

2. regenerate is to…
a. effect a complete moral reform in
b. re-create, reconstitute, or make over, especially in a better form or condition
c. revive and produce anew and bring into existence again

*see Gk #1492 eido (i-do) it means to…
1. literally or figuratively see, which is to…
a. perceive with the eyes, look at and view
b. visit or attend as a spectator
c. mentally perceive, discern and understand
d. construct a mental image of or to visualize

2. perfectly know, which is to…
a. perceive or understand as fact or truth
b. apprehend clearly and with certainty
c. have established or fixed in the mind or memory
d. be acquainted with as by sight, experience, or report
e. understand from experience or attainment
f. be aware of and able to distinguish as one from another

*kingdom Gk #932 basilea (bas-il-i-ah) it is royalty, realm and rule

1. royalty is…
a. royal persons collectively, members of a royal family and a person of royal lineage [II Pet 2:9; Rev 1:5, 6]
b. royal status, dignity, or power
c. a royal realm or sovereignty
2. rule is…
a. a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, and arrangement
b. government and control

3. realm is a royal domain, region and spere in which anything occurs, prevails and dominates

Per this dialogue, Christ is referring to one’s becoming fully aware of THE LORD and HIS KINGDOM, which is of divine righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Ghost. [Mt 6:33; Lk 12:32; 17:21; Rm 14:17] In [Jn 3:3-5; 1:11-13] Christ teaches that there is revelation that must be imparted by Yahweh before one can absolutely know, understand, and embrace divine truth, especially concerning Christ. It is what enables one to become spiritually BORN again. [St Jn 6:37-40, 44, 45; II Tim 2:26; Mt 11:27-28; II Cor 4:3-7; 10:4, 5] Christ tells Nicodemus that one must be BORN again of WATER and SPIRIT before they can enter Yahweh’s KINGDOM.

*water Gk #5204 hudor (hoo-dore) it is water as if rainy

*Spirit Gk #4151 pneuma (pnyoo-mah) it is…
a. a current of air, breath, blast or breeze
b. human rational soul, vital principle and mental disposition
c. an angelic being, Yahweh, Christ or the Holy Ghost

Per [Jn 3:5] SPIRIT is referring to the Holy Ghost, Who is figurative of living WATER promised to all who BELIEVE on Jesus Christ, as the scriptures have said. [Jn 7:38, 39] In [Jn 3:6, 7] Christ explains that whatever is BORN of the FLESH is FLESH and that which is BORN of the SPIRIT is SPIRIT.

*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) it is… [Rm 8:7]
1. the symbol of what is external
2. the body as opposed to the soul or spirit
3. human nature with its physical and moral frailties and passions and human beings as such

Although the Holy Ghost can quicken the mortal body, He is especially concerned with re/generating and nurturing one’s SPIRITUAL nature. In [Jn 3:8-12; I Cor 2:14-16] Nicodemus asks Christ how it was possible for a mortal to be BORN again. After Christ checks Nicodemus for his inability to perceive this spiritual truth, as he was deemed a master teacher of spiritual knowledge, He tells him that everyone who is BORN again of the Holy Ghost only speaks and testifies of what they have been taught of by GOD. They do not deviate from these truths and avoid all falsehood. Their mode of being and worshipping is executed from a mind that is infused by reality and divine truth. [Jn 4:23, 24; 8:31, 32; 17:17] Christ informs Nicodemus that people who fail believe in what He teaches about natural things, will also fail to believe in what He teaches about spiritual things. Christ reiterates to Nicodemus that GOD LOVES all mortals and expresses it by permitting HIS Christ to become the Propitiation for their sins. [Jn 3:14-16; I Jn 2:1, 2] In [Jn 3:18-20] Christ explains that all who believe on Him are not condemned. Therefore, these souls can live out their mortal lives knowing they are not under divine condemnation. [Rm 8:1-4] However, those who fail to believe in Him as the true Christ and ultimate means of salvation, are already condemned before Yahweh because of their unbelief. [Jn 3:36; I Cor 1:18; Rev 21:8] Christ reveals the only reason why unsaved mortals are so and will inherit the Second Death, is because when He revealed Himself to them, they rejected Him. This is because they had more pleasure in works of unrighteousness then in righteousness. Therefore, anyone who prefers elements of evil refuses to come into Divine Light because they would have to relinquish their devotion to doing works of evil. Those who prefer to live a life of righteousness are happy to come and live in Divine Light because they want to do works that are powered by GOD. [Jn 3:19-21, Pro 8:35, 36]

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