The Simple Gospel of John - Ch. 1:1-28

Who Is Jesus?

(1) In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

(2) The same [Word],

was in the begining with God.

(3) All things were made by him

[the Word],

and without him

was not anything made that was made

(4) In him [the Word] was life;

and the life [the Word]

was the light of men.

(Word = Life) (Life = Word)

(Life = Light) (Light = Life)

Therefore, "Word," "Life," and "Light" are all equal, according to Euclid's Law (of physics--i.e. God's established law of the universe): "things that are equal to same thing, are also equal to each other."



(5) And the light [Word]

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.

"comprehend" = [Greek #2638 in Strong's Concordance]

1. to lay hold of
2. in a good sense, of Christ by his holy power and influence laying hold
3. of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it
4. to understand, perceive, learn, comprehend

(6) There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John [the Baptist]

(7) The same came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all men

through him [the Light/Word/Jesus]

might believe.

(8) He [John the Baptist] was not that Light,

but was sent

to bear witness of

[announce/identify]

that Light.

(9) That was the true Light

[Word of God/Jesus],

which lighteth

[gives physical and spiritual life to]

every man

that cometh into the world.

(10) He was in the world,

and the world was made by him

[Jesus/Word of God]

and the world knew him not.

See v.5--"the darkness comprehended not," now in v. 10 we see that "the world knew him not." 

Many people today are searching for "the light," but they do not realize the simple truth that the Light of the One True God is the Word of God--the Living Word, Jesus Christ and the written Word, the Holy Bible.

In the Book of Psalms 119:105, we are told: "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." 

From this we can conclude that except for those who believed who Jesus Christ really was and received Him, the rest of mankind continued to live in spiritual darkness and did not realize who He was or the significance of His existence.

When Jesus arrives on the planet, immediately the dichotomy between good and evil, spiritual darkness and spiritual light is manifested. 

(11) He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

(12) But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

[spiritual ability]

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

The ones who received Jesus and accepted who He really was were those He had given the spiritual ability/power to become the sons of God.

His "name" is the key.  What is the function (totality) of a person's name?

Doesn't His Name reveal who He really is?

In other words, those who were given the power to see and accept who Jesus really was were given the ability to enter into the family of God.

Jesus = [Greek #2424] and [Hebrew #3091]

Have same meaning:  Jesus - "Jehovah is salvation"

(13) Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

[Not a physical birth]

but of God.

Here God begins to emphasize the difference between physical life and spiritual life and how man is to enter into a spiritual relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is defined here also as the Light, the Life, and the Word.

Only His people will be able to understand and receive the True Light (Jesus Christ), the Life, and Word. . .while others will not be able to understand it and will therefore remain in spiritual darkness.

(14) And the Word was made flesh

[became the man, Jesus]

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory, the glory

as of the only begotten of the Father,)

full of grace [merciful loving kindness]

and truth [only what is true/absolute fact/reality],

"glory" = [Greek #1391]

1. opinion, judgment, view
2. opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone
3. in NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor and glory
4. splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace
5. a thing belonging to God--kingly majesty which belongs to him as supreme ruler
6. majesty in the sense of the absolute perfection of the deity
7. a thing belonging to Christ--the kingly majesty of the Messiah
8. the absolutely perfect inward or personal excellency of
9. a most glorious condition, most exalted state

(15) John bare witness of him,

and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me;

for he was before me

[Gen.1:1--He was at creation doing the creating],

(16) And of his fulness

have all we received,

and grace for grace.

(17) For the law

was given by Moses,

but grace and truth

[merciful loving kindness

and absulute fact/reality--v.14]

came by Jesus Christ.

(18) No man hath seen God

at any time,

the only begotten Son,

which is in the bosom of the Father,

he hath declared him.

Just a thought:

What could John have been symbolizing and what example could he have been giving when he put his head on the bosom of Christ during the last supper?

Perhaps John was not only showing his affection for his Lord and Savior, but could it be possible that John was also declaring who Jesus really was, just as Jesus declared who God was when He resided in the "bosom of the Father," as we are told here in verse 18?

(19) And this is the record of John,

when the Jews

sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem

to ask him,

Who art thou?

(20) And he confessed,

and denied not;

but confessed,

I am not the Christ.

(21) And they asked him,

What then?

Art thou Elias?

And he saith, I am not.

Art thou that prophet?

And he answered, No.

The priests and Levites reveal their contentious attitude by asking John the Baptist the same question after he had already told them that he was not Elias.

(22) Then said they unto him,

Who art thou?

that we may give an answer

to them that sent us.

What sayest thou of thyself?

This was a threat as well as a question.  They were letting John the Baptist know that superior worldly/religious authorities were investigating John.  They were not there to merely satisfy their own curiosity.

(23) He said, I am the voice

of one crying in the wilderness,

Make straight the way of the Lord,

as said the prophet Esaias

[referring to the prophecy in the Word of God].

(24) And they which were sent

were of the Pharisees.

(25) And they asked him, and said unto him,

Why baptizest thou then,

if thou be not that Christ,

nor Elias, neither that prophet?

(26) John answered them, saying,

I baptize with water;

[John baptizes with water but...]

but there standeth one among you,

whom ye know not;

(27) He it is,

who coming after me

is preferred before me,

whose shoe's latchet

I am not worthy to unloose.

(28) These things were done

in Bethabara beyond Jordan,

where John was baptizing.

**Why Did Jesus Come?***
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1--Hidden Manna - Preface

Hidden Manna

by

Kay Frances Graves

He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; 
To him that overcometh
will I give to eat of the hidden manna,
and will give him a white stone,
and in the stone a new name written,
which no man knoweth
saving he that receiveth it.
-Revelation 2:17

After completing Mystery of the First Love Lost, I requested my next assignment. Like Solomon desiring the most important thing in life, I sensed that I should also seek to address the most important issues facing mankind today.

The signs of the times indicate that we may be in the beginning stages of the end of life as we have known it on Planet Earth. I hoped that God would once again use my simple, unpolished style of writing to emphasize the message He wants to bring at this time, when so many hearts are troubled and so little is to be found in the way of real spiritual food.

Years ago I began hearing myself say, “If the truth will not be heard from the pulpit, perhaps God will raise up some little old lady in the back pew to expound it.”

I never imagined that I might be that “little old lady.”

Even though the birthing pains have already begun, there may still be time to sort out priorities and seek clarity regarding how we should respond to the challenges that lie ahead. Many of us still have a long way to go before we are spiritually prepared for what is coming.

While Mystery of the First Love Lost was gradually unraveled and revealed from page one, this book on the other hand, will reveal the ending first.

Knowing the victory and blessing that can belong to us when Christ finally returns, will help motivate us to keep knocking and keep seeking as we consider what is written within the pages of this book--and His Book.

2--Hear the Voice of God - Chapter 1

Hear the Voice of God
By Faith

So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing
by the word of God.
-Romans 10:17

In the Alpha and Omega style of God, we see how faith and the Word of God are infinitely bound to each other.

True faith is a result of hearing the Word of God and it is only “by faith” that we can hear and have the capacity to understand the Voice of God.

(See details in the blog book, “Hidden Manna,” also posted at this site.)

Therefore we must first understand what “faith” really is.

The World’s Definition of “Faith”

When I first thought about faith and what it is, of course, I considered all of the common phrases I had heard as a child growing up:

“Faith is believing hard enough to make something happen.”

At first this seems like the Christian thing to do. But the next logical questions are:

1) “Just what is being believed?”

2) “How do we apply enough effort?”

Do we need to force ourselves to believe that God can do something? Not at all, if we believe that there is a God we usually understand that He can do anything.

If we are simply trying to will the thing that we want into existence, then we are definitely in trouble with God. Trying to will something into existence or trying to convince ourselves that something is going to happen, is not going to make it happen.

Like spoiled children who can only selfishly think of what they want, we tell God, “If you only knew how much I want this, you would surely give it to me.” So we proceed to convince ourselves that wanting something enough is ultimately going to give it to us and believing it can happen is actually what is going to make it happen.

While it is perfectly okay with God for us to “come boldly” before His throne with our petitions, what is not okay is to think that we will more likely get what we want if we invest the proper amount of believing and effort. Then how can we ever know what the proper amount is?

It is even okay with God if we ask Him about the thing we desire every time it comes to mind. However, we can really get into trouble with God when we take Him out of the driver’s seat and presumptuously take over the controls where believing is concerned and decide how we will define the word, "believe;" for this is where we exchange faith for works. Like everything else, what we believe must also be according to God’s definition.

The desire to control something ourselves (even the amount of belief we put into it) instead of seeking God’s will, His power, and intervention, is what can turn our own efforts into idolatry and witchcraft.

Trying to convince God that we know that He can do what we ask, is not the type of “believing” God wants to see in those who belong to Him.

Then we must ask ourselves, “What if God does not want me to have what I am asking for because it does not work into His plan for me, or it isn’t the wisest, or the safest thing to ask for?”

While it is true that God often leads us according to our heart’s desire, this only takes place when that desire happens to be His desire as well. Trying to control circumstances to get what we want instead of trying to align our desires with His will is what turns this process into witchcraft.

The Bible tells us that if we are stubborn enough we may just get what we want, but it may also bring “leanness to our soul” (Psalm 106:15) also the Bible says “stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:23)

Contrary to what most people believe, the opposite of control is not tolerance and passivity, but responsibility.

To passively disengage when we should be responsibly taking action is also a form of rebellion. We simply must find balance and taking responsibility according to His will is what gives the balance required to harmonize our desires with God’s will for our life.

We learn how to find this balance in our life by seeking balance in and through the Word of God and using Scripture to balance Scripture instead of pulling out verses that support what we want or that line up with our desires (even religious desires), preconceived opinions, worldly belief system, or denominational doctrines.

In fact, it is our own very unique experiences in life that motivate us to search out the truth and balance of God’s Word, provided that we do so with a pure heart and are willing to accept God’s will and take responsibility for acting accordingly when He reveals it to us.

The appropriate response should be, “Amen. Whatever You ask, Lord, the answer is, ‘Yes.’”

In ancient times, God chose Noah and Joseph to prepare to endure what was about to come upon the land.

Because these are examples of how God intervenes to preserve His people, we also must be committed to taking responsibility and acting according to God’s will. Then we will be prepared to endure what is about to come upon the land in this time in history as well.

Regardless of our eschatology, we are admonished to watch and pray always. When we see trouble on the horizon we must ask God what He wants us to do and then act responsibly. Trouble can come in the form of bad weather, pestilence, fire, attacks from animal and human predators, or anything else that comes into our life.

Let us not be caught up in end time debates and be guilty of adjusting the pictures on the wall while the ship is sinking, but pray that God will help us be responsible and wise as we respond to the knowledge and warnings He gives us concerning how and when we should prepare for future events.

“Faith is wishing on a star.” (It helps to close your eyes, cross your fingers, and click your heels together while doing this, we are told by Hollywood producers.)

This also qualifies as a form of witchcraft and idolatry for the same reasons mentioned above.

It is interesting to note, that in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy followed this procedure, the “good witch” came swooping out of nowhere enveloped in a beautiful orb. However, the glowing orb just happens to be the same method of transportation evil spirits use today as they go to and fro over the earth.

Nevertheless, God’s Word tells us that a witch is a witch is a witch, whether it appears to be a “good” witch or not. The trademark of witches is their compulsive desire to control by trying to call on supernatural powers.

Like Dorothy, Hollywood educated worldlings have been tricked into calling on ungodly powers to fulfill their desires.

Today it is not the “good witch” worldlings are usually looking for, but “good angels” or their “alien space brothers” who are usurping God’s position as Creator by trying to teach all who come in contact with them that they, not God, are the real creators. Sad to say, many people would rather believe that they were created by aliens from other planets than by a benevolent God who gave His only Son so their sins might be forgiven and they might enjoy eternal life forever with Him.

“Faith? Why, it’s just a giant leap into the dark, Honey!”

This reckless attitude turns faith into a presumptuous gamble. We are really tempting God to protect us, just because we are willing to “play the game of chicken.”

This is the game where opponents face each other, rev their engines and put the pedal to the metal for a head on collision. The “chicken” is the one who veers off first to save his life. Hold this thought up to the truth regarding our God-given responsibility and the hidden deception becomes obvious.

This may even be the worst form of idolatry and witchcraft, because it is really an attempt to usurp God’s authority by thinking that He has to do what we want, because His reputation is at stake. What we may fail to realize is that God is perfectly capable of protecting His own reputation even if he lets us fall flat on our face. So we can expect a trip to the woodshed if we engage in this sort of foolishness, trying to blackmail God for what we want.

More recently from the New Age sector: “Faith happens when we exercise our own power of intention.” Here is another form of witchcraft and attempt to control.

While God wants us to interact with others with the good intention of ministering to them, results do not depend on our own intention. It is God alone who supplies the power of His Holy Spirit to enable us to minister to one another as we focus on what He wants, according to His Word and the needs of those we are called to help.

“By the way, just what faith are you?—the Catholic faith, the Lutheran faith, the Baptist faith?” This concept of faith has taken a giant step backwards and distorted the fulfilling intimate personal relationship we are meant to have with our Creator.

By substituting men’s fabricated rules, ceremonies, and regulations the religious have changed the true concept of faith, based on a real flesh and blood Church that has a viable relationship with God through His Word, into a building and an empty system of legalistic denominational requirements, “ministries,” and activities.

This smorgasbord of events can keep members running to and fro through the doors of the church for religious rituals, revival meetings, psychological counseling, socialization, fun activities and music without ever providing the real spiritual food Jesus told us to feed on.

Because of this, members can become so overwhelmed with church activities that they are unable to find time to even think about feeding on the Word of God themselves. Perhaps they would be better off disconnecting the phone and staying home to spend time in the Word.

God’s Definition of Faith

A little word search in my Strong’s Concordance revealed that God’s definition of faith is quite different from what we might think at first. From this study, I realized that faith is the power we receive when God pours Himself into us as we feed on His Word.

This power provides the ability to believe all that He has said. It also creates the desire and strength needed to carefully follow His instructions, one step at a time.

(8)For by grace are ye saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
(9)Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
–Ephesians 2:8-9

Therefore, faith is a gift He gives to us through grace. It isn’t something we are able to conjure up ourselves so we can boast about it.

How to Exercise Faith

The World Tells Us How to Exercise Faith:

“Toughen up.”

“It sounds good. Just do it.”

“Pull yourself up by your own boot straps.”

“Never give up.”

God Tells Us How to Exercise Faith:

* Believe what God has said and He will guide you with truth and wisdom.

* Believe what God has said and He will heal you and make you whole.

* Believe what God has said and He will give you the strength to do what is right.

* Believe what God has said and He will protect you from your enemies.

* Believe what God has said and He will give you eternal life.

(3)The voice of the LORD
is upon the waters:
the God of glory thundereth:
the LORD
is upon many waters.
(4)The voice of the LORD
is powerful;
the voice of the LORD
is full of majesty.
(5)The voice of the LORD
breaketh the cedars;
yea, the LORD
breaketh the cedars
of Lebanon.
(6)He maketh them also to skip like a calf;
Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
(7)The voice of the LORD
divideth the flames of fire.
(8)The voice of the LORD
shaketh the wilderness;
the LORD
shaketh the wilderness
of Kadesh.
-Psalm 29:3-8

Psalm 29 is referring to the creative power in the voice of God. It is this same power which speaks to us from the pages of Scripture today, working to accomplish His purpose in us, and sustaining every dimension of our being.

Verses 3, 5, & 8 indicate that the voice of the Lord is the Lord.

In other words, the Lord resides in His voice.

Spiritual Dimension of Life

Why

Must the Spiritual Dimension

Be Addressed First?

The spiritual dimension must be addressed first, because it is impossible to become a whole person without the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ. His function in our lives is to guide us, teach us, help us discern truth from error, and find abiding comfort in Him.

It is this indwelling Spirit of God that makes it possible for us to have faith—which is the significant requirement for wholeness, or completeness in every other area or dimension of our life.

Perhaps you have come to realize that something is missing in your life.

Do you sense that you are adrift in the sea of life and are alone in the world?

Do you long to have God's help, guidance, discernment, and comfort?

Respond to the call of God at this moment, acknowledge your sin and need of the leadership of Christ in your life, turn from going your own way, and commit to following Him and Him alone today.

Then begin learning to recognize His promptings. Start reading God's Word (the King James Version is recommended).

Careful and prayerful study of the Bible will familiarize you with the nature of God and the nature of man.

You will discover what pleases Him and what dis-pleases Him as well as how He responds to His enemies and to those who love Him. Remember, He is love, therefore He has your best interest at heart and desires to help you become all that you were created to be.

By studying how He has worked in the affairs of mankind in the past, we begin to see how He is working today in the world and in our life. The more knowledgeable we become in His Word, the easier it is to discern what is really good and what is really evil, sense His promptings, and follow His direction.

***To find assurance of eternal life...scroll to the top of this page and click on the gift wrapped in gold on the left side...and follow the directions to a new life in Christ. ♡