JOHN 3

In today’s study our titles are; Verses 1-13 Jesus and the Two Births. Verses 14-15 The New Birth, what it Means. Verses 16-21 It is a Fact that God Loves You. Verses 22-36 John the Baptist testifies of Jesus. John 3 and verse 1 reads.

John 3:1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (Jesus’s uncle) were friends, that being said, I have done some home-work on the Pharisees and Sadducees. I have found that they never existed until Judah came out of captivity from Babylon, they were self-imposed on the population through the synagogue. The synagogue is run by the chief priest (appointed by the Roman government) and the Sanhedrin, which were the elites. Both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were members of the Sanhedrin. Both were very rich, but did not come out publicly that they were disciples of Christ for fear of getting kicked out of the club.

John 3:2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

He had seen the miracles that Jesus had done, and was a believer.

John 3:3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Most bibles have made this correction from the translators that Again should have been translated as From Above. Again G509 anōthen pronounced an’-o-then and means; from above; by analogy from the first; by implication anew. 1. from above, from a higher place. a. of things which come from heaven or God. What is this saying then? Here is the law, that all must come through the flesh in this second earth age. But some did not obey this law, the fallen angels from Genesis 6. They refused to be born of women and instead came to seduce women and giants were born. They will have three influxes. The first in Genesis 6 where they tried to destroy the seed line that Christ would come through. God destroyed their children with the flood of Noah. The second influx they went into the land of Canaan to disrupt the promised land of Israel. God destroyed them with the sword, David and Goliath. The third influx will happen when Satan and these angels are kicked out of heaven by Michael and his angels at the sixth trump. Let’s first see their judgement in Jude 1 and verse 6 reads.

Jude 1:6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Now let’s go to Revelation 12 and verse 7 reads.

Rev.12:7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
[9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Now the final judgment for these angels is seen in Revelation 11 and verse 11 reads.

Rev.11:11] And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

These are the two witnesses that were killed and laid in the streets for three days. Moses and Elijah.

Rev.11:12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
[13] And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
[14] The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

The seven thousand that die in the streets immediately at the seventh trump are the fallen angels. They will not have the millennium, they will die instantly at the seventh trump. They broke the law of being born from above. Back to John 3 and verse 4 reads.

John 3:4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Here is where some pastor’s go just a little bit wrong. Born of water is of the woman’s womb. The first thing that happens when a child is born is the woman’s water breaks then the child is born. This is not talking about baptism, though Jesus immediately speaks of the Holy Spirit, here is where baptism comes in. Without overcoming the flesh and by repentance having the salvation of Jesus Christ, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. Let’s go to Acts 2 and verse 38 reads.

Acts 2:38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Baptizing is not the through the waters, that is your mother’s womb, but for the repentance of sins then and only then can we receive the Holy Spirit. Now, let’s go to Titus 3 and verse 5 reads.

Titus 3:5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

While in the flesh we must receive him of the Spirit, this is the regeneration and renewing of ourselves through the Holy Spirit which is baptism. Back to John 3 and verse 6 reads.

John 3:6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

We must be born from above, meaning of the flesh. But don’t overlook that we also must be born of the Holy Spirit, Baptized. See my study titled Baptism and to be Baptized in Topical Teaching. Jesus just said we must have both flesh by law and the Holy Spirit by Salvation.

John 3:8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

What Jesus has established is there is a law that all must come through the flesh and be born of the Holy Spirit. Let’s go to 1Corinthians 15 and verse 49 reads.

1Cor.15:49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

We must die and be in spiritual body to enter into heaven. All will go to paradise, one side of the gulf or the other. Luke 16.

1Cor.15:51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

This is speaking of those who are in the flesh at the sixth trump, when Satan is here. Even they must be changed into spiritual bodies at the seventh trump.

1Cor.15:52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The difference between the corruptible and the incorruption is one is of flesh and the other is of spirit. Now, he mentions mortal (liable to die) and immortality (deathlessness). This is speaking about your souls.

1Cor.15:54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s go to Ecclesiastes 11 and verse 5 reads.

Ecc.11:5] As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

And Ecclesiastes 12 and verse 6 reads.

Ecc.12:6] Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
[7] Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

When we die, the flesh returns to the dust from whence it came and the spirit goes back to the Father who gave it. Back to John 3, Nicodemus is still having a little trouble understanding, and verse 9 reads.

John 3:9] Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
[10] Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Haven’t you read the scriptures with understanding? Nicodemus claimed to be master of Israel, self-appointed with the Sanhedrin in the temple of God, and Jesus asked if he didn’t know Genesis 6. Those who denied the law that all should be born of water, and came instead to seduce women.

John 3:11] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

This has to do with whom the Lord will reveal it to. Let’s go to Matthew 11 and verse 25 reads.

Mat.11:25] At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
[26] Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
[27] All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Back to John 3 and verse 12 reads.

John 3:12] If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
[13] And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

We must descend from heaven (born from above) before we can ascend up to heaven by the Spirit. Nicodemus didn’t have the luxury of having the New Testament like we do, but he did have the Psalms. Let’s go to Acts 2 and verse 32 reads.

Acts 2:32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

And 1Corinthians 15 and verse 45 reads.

1Cor.15:45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
[46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

Jesus was telling Nicodemus he should have known scriptures. Psalms 110 and verse 1 reads.

Psa.110:1] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Back to John 3, Jesus is still speaking to Nicodemus, and verse 14 reads.

John 3:14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

The serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness represented Jesus Christ being crucified. Let’s go to Numbers 21 and see the compassion of Moses for the people, and verse 5 reads.

Num.21:5] And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
[6] And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
[7] Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
[8] And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Jesus is telling us here that he will be lifted up on the cross. This serpent on the pole was finally destroyed by Hezekiah because the children began to worship it instead of God, let’s go to 2Kings 18 and verse 4 reads.

2Kings 18:4] He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

Nehushtan H5180 Nᵉchushtân pronounced nekh-oosh-tawn’ and means; a thing of brass. 1. name by which the brazen serpent made by Moses in the wilderness was worshipped in the time of king Hezekiah of Judah before he destroyed it. Back to John 3 and verse 15 reads.

John 3:15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Let’s go to Romans 5 and verse 6 reads.

Rom.5:6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Let’s go to Isaiah 9 and verse 6 reads.

Isa.9:6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John also spoke of this in his epistles, let’s go to 1John 4 and verse 9 reads.

1John 4:9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Back to John 3 and verse 17 reads.

John 3:17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jesus came into this world for Salvation. Back to 1John 4 and verse 13 reads.

1John 4:13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Back to John 3 and verse 18 reads.

John 3:18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Let’s go to Romans 8 and verse 1 reads.

Rom.8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
[2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
[4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now we understand the whole of being born from above, flesh, and being born of the Spirit, which comes from baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit. Back to John 3 and verse 19 reads.

John 3:19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Here we can understand that we have three earth ages (Ion) meaning lengths of time. Genesis 1 and verse 3 reads.

Gen.1:3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
[4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
[5] And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

The first day of this second earth age. Light is Jesus Christ, his plan from the beginning was for Salvation through his self-sacrifice of his only begotten Son. The darkness is Satan, that old serpent. Let’s see our blessings, let’s go to Revelation 14 and verse 12 reads.

Rev.14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
[13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Unlike those who hate the LORD, our works are righteous and do follow us to heaven. These are what we are judged on. Rewards for some, and condemnation for others. Back to John 3 and verse 20 reads.

John 3:20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

He is judged on his works, which are evil. He will be cast into the lake of fire.

John 3:21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Manifest is made known, wrought are our works and are shown to be righteous. As we learned in Rev.14:13 our works are the only thing we take with us to heaven. Therefore, we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. This is the baptism, that we receive through the Holy Spirit. Repentance and Salvation.

John 3:22] After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

Let’s skip ahead to John 4 and verse 1 reads.

John 4:1] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
[2] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
[3] He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

We see here that Jesus himself never baptized anyone, but it was his disciples who baptized. Back to John 3 and verse 23 reads.

John 3:23] And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

We know of this place today, it is simply a ford in the river where the water is shallow enough to cross on foot or in this case deep enough to baptize. This is the place where King Saul lost his asses. 1Sam.9:4.

John 3:24] For John was not yet cast into prison.
[25] Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
[26] And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

Leave it to those who hate Christ to try and put enmity between Jesus and John. Let’s go to Proverbs 6 and verse 16 reads.

Prov.6:16] These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

I hope our mainstream media is listening.

Prov.6:17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
[18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
[19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

He that soweth discord among our brethren is the abomination to the LORD. Is this not our media today, I digress, back to John 3 and verse 27 reads.

John 3:27] John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Let’s go to James 1 and verse 17 reads.

James 1:17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Back to John 3 and verse 28 reads.

John 3:28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

John covered this in John 1:19-27. Let’s go to Malachi 3 and verse 1 reads.

Mal.3:1] Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Back to John 3 and verse 29 reads.

John 3:29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

I love how John the Baptist brings up our marriage to the Lamb. Let’s go to Ephesians 5 and verse 25 reads.

Eph.5:25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
[27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Now let’s go to Revelation 21 and verse 9 reads.

Rev.21:9] And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Let’s drop down to verse 22 and it reads.

Rev.21:22] And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
[23] And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Back to John 3 and verse 30 reads.

John 3:30] He must increase, but I must decrease.

Let’s go to Isaiah 9 and verse 7 reads.

Isa.9:7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Back to John 3 and verse 31 reads.

John 3:31] He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Now John the Baptist brings up what Jesus was teaching above, how we are in the flesh. And because we are in the flesh, we need baptism, we need Salvation.

John 3:32] And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
[33] He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

Let this remind you of the Elect having the Seal of God in their foreheads. But of this testimony we find in Revelation 19:10 The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

John 3:34] For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
[35] The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
[36] 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.

Let’s go to 1John 5 and verse 10 reads.

1John 5:10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Another great study today, let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible