From John's Gospel

We are going to look at a few verses of Scripture from the first chapter of John beginning with verse one. John was very mystical, and that is clearly seen in his writings of the Book of Revelation, but he is probably not thought of in that way in the writings of his Gospel.

We need to understand that all Scripture is mystical. The Word of God is hidden within them. You can learn Scripture, memorize them, and thoroughly understand them historically and still miss the Word of God. The Word of God is hidden within them. Let me give you an example using a freight train. You can learn all there is to know about trains – how to operate them and repair them, but until you open up those box cars you will not know what is in them. That is where the treasure lies. The Apostle Paul said, The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (II Corinthians 3:6). The letter, that is, the natural understanding of the Scriptures deadens a person’s spirit so he cannot receive the spiritual voice of the Lord in them. In other words, in order to hear the voice of the Lord traveling through the Scriptures, you must hear them with your spirit. That is why Jesus would say, Who has ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 13:9). You must have the capacity to hear with your spirit. God is Spirit, the Word is Spirit, and the real you is spirit. Therefore, you must receive the Word with your spirit. You must hear the still small voice of the Lord with your spirit that is within you. Now let’s look at a few verses in the first chapter of John. Ask the Lord to enable you to hear His voice.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When we read the phrase “in the beginning,” we naturally think of the beginning of time of this world as it is in the first verse of Genesis. As you know the New Testament was originally written in Greek, and the most accurate translation into English would be word for word, which is not the case. Bible publishers will make changes for greater readability, but when they do there is something lost in the Word of God. Even though the Bible clearly says we should not add or take away from the Scriptures (Rev. 22:18-19) it is often done. And such is the case in this first verse of John chapter one. The definite article “the” in the phrase “in the beginning” is not in the Greek and should be eliminated. It should read, “In beginning was the Word”. It becomes plain that this is a beginning that takes place many times, for Christ is the beginning of everyone who is brought forth in the image of Christ. When you received Christ as your Savior, it was your beginning into a new world. Every time you moved into a higher relationship with the Lord, it was another new beginning. That is brought out most clearly in this chapter. Listen to what John says in the verse 12, But as many as received Him, to then gave He power (the right) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Our salvation is expandable, and we should continue to grow and mature in the Lord.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Again, the definite article “the” should be omitted. It is not in the Greek. God and the Word are involved in all of your beginnings, and this is true for every Christian who never stops growing and changing. Too many Christians reach a place and do not advance any further. It is very dangerous to stop growing in the Lord for that is when deception creeps in.

John 1:3-4 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The life of the Lord Jesus Christ is the light of men; that is, the men who are experiencing His life. We are in darkness until we experience His life. This is a difficult truth for many to receive because they think of Him only as Jesus the Nazarene still in the same physical body as He was on earth. In reality, He is Spirit (II Cor. 3:17) and omnipresent. That means He can live in us now if we believe. Speaking of His disciples He said, “I am glorified in them” (John 17:10). Then in II Thessalonians 1:10 the Apostle Paul says that the coming of the Lord takes place in His saints. His life is the light of men!

John 1:5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The Greek word translated “shines” is phaino, and it is a present tense active verb. That means that the light (life) of the Lord is presently shining and will continue to shine and be available for all who will receive His life. Do you see the importance of this? While many are waiting for Him to appear sometime in the future His life is available now.

John 1:6-8 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of the Light.

John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness of Jesus Christ. John’s ministry preceded the ministry of Jesus. In the same way there is a John the Baptist Company that prepares the way for Christ in this day. Who are they? They are hidden within the Body of Christ. They are the voice of One crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord (John 1:23).

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.

The Greek word for “comes” is erchomai and is used only in present and imperfect tenses. Thus, the light or life of the Lord is constantly shining, and it enlightens every man coming into the world of Christ.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.

The world was created by Him, and He was in the world, but the world knew Him not. Do not only see this in past tense. He is available in our world now, but our world is the darkness that comprehends Him not. He is Spirit and His world and habitation is the realm of Spirit, and the realm of Spirit is all around us. If we would open up our hearts and receive the Light that is shining, the darkness would disappear. The Apostle Paul explained this very well when he spoke to the Athenians of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with the inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: for in Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:22-28.

John 1:11 He came unto His own and His own received Him not.

This is usually thought of as His first coming to the Jews, but it is taking place today also. His life is available now but even many Christians are not receiving Him. They place Him far away in the heavens and speak of His return one day in the far future. The way we think of His life and presence makes a difference. It is impossible to experience anything in the future. We must be aware of His presence now!

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (exousia = authority or the right) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on (eis = into) His name.

Notice that it is after you receive Him that you have the right to become the sons of God. The Greek word for “sons” is huios, which means a full-grown mature son. Many repent of their sins and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and say, “I am born again.” However, that is not completely true. The born-again experience is ongoing. The truth is we are being born again. To be born again means to become as He is and we are not as He is when we are still babes in Christ. But after receiving Him we have the right to grow and mature and to become as He is.

Also notice that believing on His name and believing into His name is not the same thing. You can believe on Him when He is separate from you. But to believe into Him means that you are entering His life and He is entering your life. Prepositions are very important. The preposition into means motion from the outside to the inside. The coming of the Lord is to take place within us. When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. II Thessalonians 1:10.