Understanding
What makes the Bible difficult to understand? Some see it as a collection of individual books written by various authors. Others see it as a marvelous interwoven spiritual literature of timeless wisdom. The entire Bible must be considered in order to be understood. The various books of the Bible explain each other. Humans with their wisdom look at the Bible with a microscope and miss it's significance. The approach to the Bible should be with a telescope such that it can be tied together. People looking for contradictions find them. People looking for harmony find it. The Bible must be desired such that the Holy Spirit can make it real, real enough to have a profound influence on ones spirituality.
The books of the Old Testament were written by Prophets and inspired by God. The authors of the New Testament books were students of God's son, Jesus Christ. They knew Him, lived and studied under Him for several years. Each of the writers had a specific purpose and group of readers in mind when they wrote. The four books of the one gospel were written by four different disciples. The book of John was written last. It was probably written at the request of the church which already had the first three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The church wanted something more spiritual and deep to enable them to grow spiritually.
The book of John requires knowledge of the other books of the Bible to be appreciated. Also John is considered to be the author of the Book of Revelation. The deep spiritual understanding provided by John's Gospel is a requirement for understanding the spiritual lessons contained in Revelation. The importance of this book is that it bridges the past to the future; the entire Bible from the pages of the Old Testament through to the book of Revelation. The gospel of John is both simple and deep.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
(KJV)
"The Word" is one of the highest and most profound titles of the Lord Jesus Christ. To determine the exact meaning is not easy. Obviously the Lord Jesus Christ is not the logos of Greek philosophy; rather He is the memra of the Hebrew Scriptures. Notice how important the Word is in the Old Testament. The name for Jehovah was never pronounced. It was such a holy word that they never used it at all. But this is the One who is the Word and, gathering up everything that was said of Him in the Old Testament, He is now presented as the One "In the beginning." This beginning antedates the very first words of the Bible.[1]
Gen 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (KJV)
"The Word", the Lord Jesus Christ, was with God both before and during the creation. He is still alive and with God today. He was resurrected and sits at God's right hand to judge the quick and the dead. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us and help to understand His words that He left with us during His very brief stay on earth.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
(KJV)
"And the Word was made flesh,"
"And the Word dwelt among us,"
"He was full of grace and truth."
Have you beheld His glory, studied His
words? If you have, you have experienced His grace and truth. You
will have a personal relationship with Him. You will know Him and He will
know you. You can be assured of your eternal salvation. Jesus Christ
came to reveal God because He is God.
John 3:34-36
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:
for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)
References:
[1] "Thru
the Bible with J. Vernon McGee"; Thru
The Bible Radio, Pasadena, California; Vol. 4, page
369.
[2] "Thru
the Bible with J. Vernon McGee"; Pasadena, California; Vol. 4, page3
362-409.
This page was created on 3/14/02.
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