Signs in John's Gospel - The Lamp Broadcast

90 SIGNS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
becomes increasingly evident as one studies and understands the
Old Testament Scriptures to which Jesus alluded in His conversation
with Nicodemus. And, in line with Jesus’ rebuke of Nicodemus, a
person could only expect to find matters set forth in this manner
— a bringing forth from above, out of God — not only at the outset
of Scripture but continuing throughout, which is exactly what is
found in the Old Testament.
This is the way Scripture begins, establishing an unchangeable
pattern for the manner in which it must, and does, continue.
Note how this is seen in the opening thirty-four verses of
Genesis:
1) Genesis 1:1-2:3
This opening section of Scripture forms a skeletal framework
which sets forth, at the beginning, a pattern which all subsequent
Scripture must follow, a foundational framework upon which the whole
of subsequent Scripture rests. God set forth, at the beginning of His
Word, in skeletal form, that which He was about to open up and
reveal concerning His plans and purposes for man and the earth.
The remainder of Scripture is simply commentary, providing all
the sinews, flesh, and skin to cover the skeletal, foundational
framework set forth at the beginning.
The opening thirty-four verses of Genesis reveal:
a) A Creation (1:1)
b) A Ruin of the Creation (1:2a).
c) A Restoration of the Ruined Creation, occurring over
six days time (with the creation of man occurring on the
sixth day, following the completion of God’s restorative work
[1:2b-31]).
d) A Seventh Day of Rest (2:1-3).
Chapter two deals with details, commentary, pertaining to
man from chapter one; and the first part of chapter three deals
with the ruin of the new creation (man’s fall, his ruin). Then, the
remainder of Scripture covers God’s restorative work as it pertains
to man — restoring the ruined creation over six days, 6,000 years,