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HOW MUCH DOES GOD LOVE US?

10-17-10

THE SIGN OF HIS LOVE IN US IS:

IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER

(1 John 4:12-16)  No man hath seen God [“the invisible God” Col 1:15] at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth [Gk: stays: abides, is present] in us, and his love is perfected [Gk: made perfect] in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen [through the Spirit, i.e. our spiritual eyes] and do testify [Gk: witness: bear record] that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love [Gk: agape] that God hath to us. God is love [Gk: agape]; and he that dwelleth [Gk: stays: abides, is present] in love [Gk: agape] dwelleth [Gk: stays: abides, is present] in God, and God in him.

(1 John 4:17-19)  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness [Gk: confidence] in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world [“because in this world we are like him” NIV]. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth [drives] out fear: because fear hath torment [Gk: involves punishment]. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love [Gk: agapao] him, because he first loved [Gk: agapao] us.

HE IS MARRYING US

(John 2:1-5)  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine [i.e., symbolically, the Holy Spirit], the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? [spoken as the Son of God rather than as the Son of man, thereby establishing His complete separation from under her authority] mine hour is not yet come [the hour of His death and glorification: John 17:1]. His mother saith unto the servants [her last words, representing 1. the Old Testament; 2. all of humanity as Mary (Heb: rebellious: bitter); 3. her personal thoughts as His “Mother”], Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. [This is the final command of all that collective authority issued forth through Mary to all the world (Gk: kosmos (universe)].

1.      wine & dove = Heb: yayin; to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by impl. intoxication:--banqueting, wine, wine-bibber. [effervesce = Dict: to exhibit fervor, excitement, liveliness, etc.]

WE ARE THE SIX WATERPOTS OF STONE

(John 2:6)  And there were set there six waterpots of stone [Gk: stony, i.e. made of stone], after the manner of the purifying of the Jews [for frequent use in the OT ceremonial laws of cleanliness], containing two or three firkins apiece.

1.      Commentary: “six” is the first allusion to these waterpots being representative of people. These six waterpots were originally made of solid stone, but the core or “heart” of each stone had been slowly cut and chipped out so that they were now filled by Jesus Christ with the water of the word (Eph 5:26) “up to the brim” rather than with hard stone; “waterpots of stone” is the second allusion to the waterpots being representative of people.

a.       (Ezek 11:19,20)  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart [of hardness] out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh [of softness]: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

a.       (Ezek 36:25-27)  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

2.      Commentary: “containing two or three firkins apiece” A firkin equals 9 gallons, therefore each of the six waterpots of stone contained either “two” firkins x 9 gallons = 18 gallons of water, or “three firkins” x 9 gallons = 27 gallons of water. A gallon of water weights just over 7 pounds. So now we not only have the quantity of water in each waterpot, but also the weight. As we look for the symbolism, the quantity is not telling us a lot, so let us figure the weight. 7 pounds x 18 gallons = 126 lbs; 7 pounds x 27 gallons = 189 lbs. What is the average weight of a woman? What is the average weight of a man? This is the third allusion to the waterpots being representative of people. 

3.      “the purifying of the Jews” = Gk: a washing off, (mor.) expiation [Dict: the means by which atonement or reparation is made]:--cleansing, + purge, purification.

FILL THE WATERPOTS OF MEN AND WOMEN WITH WATER

(John 2:7-11)  Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots [of men and women] with water [of the Word of God, i.e., repentance; THE LOGOS WORD]. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it [who bare it?]. When the ruler of the feast [Gk: the director of entertainment] had tasted the water that was made wine [THE RHEMA WORD], and knew not whence it was [from what origin, from where it came]: (but the servants which drew the water [who did the work: James 2:20,26] knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom [a type of Jesus Christ], And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine [speaking now of the Old Testament]; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine [“a better testament” (Heb: 7:22), “a better covenant” (Heb 8:6)] until now [i.e., the New Testament]. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

1.      Commentary: “the water that was made wine” was perhaps “made” from minuscule remnants of wine still resident in the waterpots vs. “created.” In form, this was exactly like the bread that Jesus multiplied for the 5,000 and the 4,000. May we entertain the hypothesis that: Father God “creates,” His Son Jesus “multiplies.”

2.      Commentary: The cleansing agent for our sins was the water of the Old Testament Word that cleaned THE OUTSIDE of our bodies, for example, let us look at the brazen laver wherein the priests washed their hands, their work, and their feet, their walk – but only symbolically, ceremoniously, and that repetitively and endlessly done. Now, according to Jesus Christ, the cleansing agent is “This cup [of wine] is the new testament in my blood” (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25), and that wine actually cleanses us FROM THE INSIDE of our bodies outwardly – once and for all eternity. Hallelujah!

3.      Commentary: The first overriding miracle of changing, “transforming” (Romans 12:2), the water of the Word into the wine of the Word INSIDE US is the prophetic banner of His entire ministry on this earth.

4.      (John 2:11)  This beginning of miracles [and we have not yet seen the ending, nor shall we ever] did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory [from that point, like a blazing beam of light, on into the vast infinite future]; and his disciples [Gk: learners, pupils (students)] believed on him” [and so they ever shall].

Amen