Category Archives: Textual study

The Seven Signs: Sight to the Blind (John 9)

Miraculous signs confirmed the New Testament message.   Jesus worked miracles.  Jimmy Jividen lists 35 specific miracles performed by Jesus, not counting the miracles connected with the cross, resurrection, and ascension (Jimmy Jividen, Miracles from God or Man, p. 17-18).  These could … Continue reading

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The Seven Signs: Walking On Water (John 6:15-21)

More than 1200 species of animals have the ability to walk on water (lifeslittlemysteries.com). Some are classified as “gliders.” These are tiny creatures (such as: water striders, fisher spiders and mosquitoes.) Their bodies can be supported by the surface tension … Continue reading

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The Seven Signs: Feeding Over 5,000 (John 6:1-14)

Jesus once said, “The very works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me” (John 5:36).  The “works” of which he spoke included miraculous signs (cf. 10:19-21, 24-25, 37-38).  This is the only miracle which … Continue reading

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The Seven Signs: Healing After Thirty-eight Years (John 5:1-15)

There are different words used to describe the miracles of the Bible: (1) “Miracle” (e.g. Luke 23:8, Acts 2:22). This word is from the Greek “dunamis” (it is from this word we derive our word dynamite). The word refers to … Continue reading

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The Seven Signs: Healing from Afar (John 4:46-54)

The number seven plays a prominent part in John’s writings. In the book of Revelation there are: seven churches (2:1; 2:8; 2:12; 2:18; 3:1, 3:7; 3:14), seven seals (6:1; 6:3; 6:5; 6:7; 6:9; 6:12; 8:1), seven trumpets (8:6-7; 8:8; 8:10; … Continue reading

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The Seven Signs: Water to Wine (John 2:1-11)

The number seven was a significant number to the Jews.  The Hebrew term for seven “comes from the Hebrew SHEVAH which means ‘to be full, satisfied, or enough’… Perfection and fullness are… symbolized in this number.” The book of John … Continue reading

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A Time to Every Purpose

“To everything – turn, turn, turn; There is a season – turn, turn, turn; And a time to every purpose under heaven.” Such are the words of a popular song from 1965 by the Byrds. Yet, these words are sourced … Continue reading

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The Whole of Man

“We go to bed late, we get up early, we go to work, we drive home, eat and go to bed, to get up early, to go to work, to come home ad nausea. And as if that were not … Continue reading

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He Emptied Himself

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). These words closely connect in thought with the previous verse: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests … Continue reading

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Eight Enabling Traits (Matthew 5:3-12)

Those who will be spiritually blessed possess eight traits in common. 1. They depend upon God: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). The word translated ‘poor’ indicates dependency. The word was used of beggars who depended on society … Continue reading

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