Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Cheryl1655 on John 3 - 11 months ago
    John 3 verse 13, explain ?
  • Chris - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Hi Cheryl1655. Just to add to these other good comments, in reference to "...even the Son of man which is in heaven", I agree that it should be left to how one chooses to read & understand that statement in John 3:13. To help me with this, I consider John 3:11, 12 as well: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"

    I note that Jesus is stating, "WE speak...WE have seen...OUR witness". Who are the WE/OUR here? Surely it can't be anyone on Earth, as none present with Jesus or even seen in the Old Testament have ever spoken of or seen those mysterious things of Heaven. But 'in very Truth', Jesus states that there is a Divine Presence both in Heaven & now on Earth that has made such mysteries & Truths known to man.

    So when Jesus states, "...even the Son of Man which is in heaven", the already perplexed Nicodemus is hit with an almost uncomprehendable Character of God & this Man before him stating that He was in Heaven, now here as a Son of man, who still has a Presence in Heaven. Even though there is insufficient Scripture to state precisely what Jesus was trying to indicate to Nicodemus, it seems that we won't be far from the Truth, that Jesus by coming to Earth, laid aside His Glory (see John 17:5; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:9), so that He could take on flesh & live as a Man. But where did He leave His Glory, that He take on a position beneath God's Holy angels? I feel that this Divine Person of the Godhead left that part of His Majesty in Heaven, while He walked this Earth as the humble Servant of men. To Nicodemus this would have been inconceivable, but Jesus' always held His Presence in Heaven as on Earth - His contact with His Father & His angels were separated only by position, not by relationship & possession. Likewise, our relationship to the Godhead must also be.
  • S Spencer - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Well Stated Brother Chris.

    "His contact with His Father & His angels were separated only by position, not by relationship & possession."

    God bless.
  • GIGI - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Hello Cheryl,,

    This verse in John 3 is telling us that no mere human can ascend up to heaven. None of us is able to do so nor are any of us worthy to do so. But the Son of the Father, who resided in heaven for all eternity was worthy and able to descend from heaven to become a fleshly man for the sake of mankind-to bring to to humans salvation from our sins and restore our fellowship with the Godhead. Only Jesus could bring from heaven the glories of God's grace, mercy, and blessings to those who believe in Him. Only Jesus can bring to earth anything that is needed for mankind's redemption, being that He was first in heaven and at the right hand of the Father as King and Lord forever. Even the angels could not descend to bring what Jesus did and only Jesus can bring to mankind the words of life, having come from within the God. He alone knows the fullness of the mind of God the Father and the Holy Spirit since they together are one in unity and deity.

    The Tower of Babel was designed for a man to ascend up to heaven to bring down to earth what is legitimately only God's to send forth. We know what God thought of that. He stopped this effort in its tracks and the tower was never completed.

    So, please be warned about receiving from any man any supposed information from heaven or anyone who reports having gone to heaven and returned back. Jesus says that this will not happen.
  • Jesse A - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    With much love . I would ask on your last statement , just for clarification.

    You do not believe that some of Gods children have died and seen heaven or some have even spoke with Jesus and returned?

    To minister and share the love of god they experienced and their life changing testimony .

    To bear witness to our savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father?

    May gods grace and peace be upon you.

    Love you all.
  • GIGI - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Jesse,

    In my first post, I was referring to that which Jesus brought from heaven, is deity made flesh, His perfect life, His sacrifice for sins, His resurrection from death and ascension to heave. Jesus did that in His own divine power. No man can do that. That is my main point.

    Perhaps this clarifies your question about my post.
  • Jesse - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    GiGi,

    Did you mean to send this to me?
  • GIGI - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Yes, I was responding to the post from Jesse A.

    Am I mistaken on who sent the response to my post?
  • Jesse - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Good morning, GiGi,

    My apologies. I should have opened up the thread first. I just saw that you were posting to Jesse and thought that you were posting to me but I wasn't sure what it was about.

    I see now that there is someone else posting with my name, except this person's user name is Jesse A. All my posts will always just say Jesse.

    Anyway, have a blessed day!
  • GIGI - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    No Problem Jesse.
  • GIGI - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Jesse, I can see your point on this. My uncle had such an experience when he had a heart attack and then was revived. He said he saw Jesus who was reaching His hand out to him. I know things like this occur to people at times, but not very often. I cannot vouch for any such experience of another person. They may be genuine or not. But I take the Lord's words seriously, therefore, as I said, we should beware of those who report such experiences. I did not say to dismiss such claims. We should test all things, especially anything to seems to contradict the Lord's words.
  • Jesse A - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    GIGI

    Thank you for your responses, and I hope you are having a wonderfully blessed day. Yes ma'am, I agree with you. We must hold fast to Gods truth and test all things spiritual and backed scripturally.

    To answer your question, yes I did mean to send that message to you. As I myself , Did have an amazing and tremendously blessed experience . In which i was not worthy of. But through Gods ever abounding mercy , grace and infinite love he allowed me to experience it.

    I try always to share my testimony, as I desire with all my heart that everyone know the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . And How much he really loves us.

    I know with all my heart, mind ,body and spirit,

    Jesus is the way the truth and the life.

    I pray the lord bless you tremendously,

    And keep up the good fight.

    I love you all.
  • GIGI - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Thank you for your response Jesse A.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply on John 3 - 11 months ago
    Hi Cheryl1655,

    This is a tough verse to fully understand. First, in the context, of the conversation Jesus is having with Nicodemus it would seem that Jesus was telling him no man had ascended to heaven to get the knowledge of heavenly things and returned to teach it to men on earth, similar to Proverbs 30:4. So, no man is qualified to speak of them but He/Jesus who came down from heaven.

    John 3:13 No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

    One thing that makes this difficult is the ending, it is like Jesus said this after He had ascended to heaven after His resurrection. "Which is in heaven" Some translations leave this ending out where it ends with man, which would involve other topics I will not add to this, hope this helps.

    God bless,

    RLW



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