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Signs in John's Gospel - The Lamp Broadcast

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A Nobleman’s Son Healed 113<br />

(<strong>The</strong> k<strong>in</strong>gdom which was taken from Israel [Matt. 21:43], the<br />

heavenly sphere of the k<strong>in</strong>gdom [not the earthly, which can never be<br />

taken from Israel] is presently be<strong>in</strong>g offered to Christians. And, with<br />

this <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d, note a parallel between the offer of the k<strong>in</strong>gdom to Israel<br />

two millenniums ago and the offer of the k<strong>in</strong>gdom to Christians today.<br />

Unsaved <strong>in</strong>dividuals today, whether Jew or Gentile, are estranged<br />

from this offer. <strong>The</strong> offer of the k<strong>in</strong>gdom can come <strong>in</strong>to view only after<br />

a person has been saved.<br />

And exactly the same situation existed <strong>in</strong> Israel 2,000 years ago.<br />

Christ came to a saved people, manifest<strong>in</strong>g signs. And these signs were<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g manifested for two <strong>in</strong>separable reasons: ISRAEL was be<strong>in</strong>g dealt<br />

with, and THE KINGDOM was <strong>in</strong> view.<br />

Israel was dealt with <strong>in</strong> relation to the k<strong>in</strong>gdom dur<strong>in</strong>g both the offer<br />

and the reoffer of the k<strong>in</strong>gdom, dur<strong>in</strong>g time covered by the gospel<br />

accounts [the offer] and the Book of Acts [the reoffer].<br />

<strong>The</strong>n, beyond the reoffer [end<strong>in</strong>g about 62 A.D.], God, relative to<br />

the proffered k<strong>in</strong>gdom, dealt solely with a new nation separate from<br />

Israel, comprised of the one new man “<strong>in</strong> Christ.”<br />

And the one new man “<strong>in</strong> Christ” did not/does not require signs.<br />

In fact, signs, after the manner <strong>in</strong> which they are <strong>in</strong>troduced <strong>in</strong> the Old<br />

Testament and cont<strong>in</strong>ued <strong>in</strong> the New Testament, would be completely<br />

out of place with this new man, who is neither Jew nor Gentile.<br />

In the preced<strong>in</strong>g respect, signs of a nature seen throughout the gospel<br />

accounts and the Book of Acts existed as long as God dealt with Israel <strong>in</strong><br />

relation to the k<strong>in</strong>gdom. But beyond this time, throughout the rema<strong>in</strong>der<br />

of the dispensation, from a Biblical standpo<strong>in</strong>t, signs could no longer exist.<br />

For more <strong>in</strong>formation on the preced<strong>in</strong>g, refer to Ch. III <strong>in</strong> this<br />

book, along with the author’s book FROM ACTS TO THE EPISTLES<br />

[much of this book deals with this overall subject, particularly the first<br />

four chapters].)<br />

Two Days <strong>in</strong> Samaria<br />

In the account at hand — events surround<strong>in</strong>g the second sign<br />

<strong>in</strong> John’s gospel — signs were <strong>in</strong> evidence only dur<strong>in</strong>g time cover<strong>in</strong>g<br />

part of the overall account seen <strong>in</strong> the text and context. <strong>Signs</strong> were<br />

<strong>in</strong> evidence before Christ went to Samaria (John 2:11, 23; 3:2; 4:45),<br />

they were not <strong>in</strong> evidence dur<strong>in</strong>g the time Christ was <strong>in</strong> Samaria

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