(Gen. 3:1-5) Though Jehovah permitted Satan to try to prove his side of the issue, such permission was temporary. Verse 17 . What great act of love has Jehovah performed in behalf of sinners? Would you like to read this article in %%? In him — Or, through him, as Beza understands it; was life — He was the living and powerful Word, which was the source of life to every living creature, as well as of being to all that exists. 4. Both characteristics of God stand always in total agreement to each other. Chapter 4 . 4:4; 1 John 5:19; read Revelation 12:9, 12.) Thus this epistle has rightly been called a continuation of the gospel of John (of chapters 1 to 19) especially. Grace corresponds with the idea of revelation of God as love (1 John 4:8,16) by him who is Life; and TRUTH with that of the revelation of God as light (1 John 1:5) by … Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Tons more resources, better tools, NIV84 and easier navigation. Home > Study Desk. 2 The warm, benevolent affection that God has for his creatures assures us that all his purposes for the human family will be fulfilled in the best possible way and will result in the greatest benefit to all who come under his rulership. His love is everlasting. 3 John. He could use what has happened in mankind’s history as the just reason to remove such rebels quickly, not allowing them to establish wickedness once again. 3:9). The apostle does not mean to say that it has been manifested in no other way, but that this was so prominent an instance of his love, that all the other manifestations of it seemed absorbed and lost in this. For it is not sufficient to give a lip-service only. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 2:18-23), the incarnation of the Eternal Son (chap. 1:20. (a) What has God’s Kingdom been doing since its establishment? 15 Regarding God’s love for humankind, Jesus said: “God loved the world [of redeemable mankind] so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) God’s love for humans is so great that he does not withhold good from them regardless of the cost to himself. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/2015841/univ/art/2015841_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION November 2015, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/w/E/20151115/wpub/w_E_20151115_lg.jpg, Share Bookmarks. 21:4) What a marvelous future awaits all of us who truly appreciate Jehovah’s love and obey him as our Ruler! The author calls himself an eyewitness of Jesus' life (chapter 1:1-3) and expresses himself with the authority of a respected, elder spiritual leader. Sepia. By the epistle we learn that towards the end of the first century heretics arose among the Christians who denied the divine sonship of Christ (chap. As a student, graduate or team member of MIUD you have at your disposal a large collection of online Bible study tools and resources. Theme. It provides permanent testimony that only God’s rule can be successful. 13 Although we are imperfect, we can ‘follow Jehovah’s way.’ We can also have a close personal relationship with Jehovah because of his great act of love. With his epistle John wants to strengthen the simplest believer in his faith and to give him a divinely sure foundation and an effective weapon for the battle against false doctrine. For humans, he made a beautiful paradise garden and gave them perfect minds and bodies capable of living forever. 17 What a contrast there is between Jesus’ loving heavenly kingship and the rulership by humans who have led many millions of people to their death in warfare! 6 In addition to showing how futile human rule is, God’s temporary permission of wickedness serves another long-range purpose. The frequent address "children" (chap. 37:37, 38) “The blameless one” comes to know Jehovah and his Son and obediently does God’s will. 1. Thus only will the genuineness of our confession be seen. Sometimes it masquerades as wholesome and clean. The former things have passed away.” (Rev. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. 8:31) At their resurrection, Jesus’ 144,000 heavenly joint heirs take with them the experience of human life. Home > Commentaries > Coffman Commentaries > 1 John. 8 On earth, Jehovah created everything for the benefit of his creatures designed for earthly life. 17. How wonderful it is to know that the Creator of the universe and of all living things is a God of love! 14:1) The Kingdom was the main theme of Jesus’ teaching, and he taught his disciples to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. 37:11) This will come to pass because our loving God always does what is in the best interests of his faithful servants. A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855. (Prov. 1:1; 2:7.13.14.24; 3:11; compare with 2 John 1:5-6). on StudyLight.org (Rev. 3:6). As applied to the Lord, the phrase marks him as the author of perfect Redemption and perfect Revelation. The next article will examine such questions. The First Epistle does not bear any indication of an author nor of an addressee. What has the Messianic Kingdom been doing that convinces you that it is God’s loving arrangement for mankind? This brief sentence imparted to John, even during the mere time which he took in writing it, more delight than the whole world can impart. (Read Revelation 4:11.) 1 John 2. 3 Imagine what life would be like if God did not have love for mankind. (b) What will we consider in the next article? For rightly disposed and obedient humans, favorable judgment will result in a truly blessed future that will go on and on throughout all eternity. 3:2.21; 4:1.7.11) testify the affection connecting the author with the recipients of the epistle. 1:4; 2:1.7.8.12.13.14.21.26; 5:13). 8:38, 39. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. 2 John. The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. Default. This is just what God’s Word foretold would happen in “the last days” of the present system of things when “wicked men and impostors [would] advance from bad to worse.” (2 Tim. 12. Who can be viewed as “the blameless one”? Recipients, Author and Time of Writing. The following statements we find in First John only: "God is light" (chap. The absolute statements of this epistle cause many a difficulty to the reader. The exhortation contained in this verse is, on the one hand, a deduction from the foregoing (especially from 1 John 3:16-17); but, on the other hand, it forms the basis of the further development. The first verses of the Epistle show a certain parallelism with the opening statements of John's gospel. God lovingly sent his willing Son to earth (See paragraph 13). As the epistle of Jude so John's First Epistle address all believers. (a) How will Jehovah deal with wicked people? (Read Romans 5:12; 6:23.) In effect, Satan claimed that his rule would be better than that of the Creator. (b) How will Jehovah reward rightly disposed people? (Psalms 85:10), 1 John 1:1-4 Introduction: The Word of Life, 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:1-12 Characteristics of True Fellowship with God, 1 John 2:28-29; 1 John 3; 1 John 4:1-6 Characteristics of the Children of God, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Although the First Epistle of John does not bear any author's name it was never seriously doubted that the apostle John is the author of this epistle as well as of the fourth gospel. Died for us. ” ( Rom possible to state whether the Epistle of James this Epistle has rightly called! Beloved '' ( chap creations give evidence of Jehovah will possess the earth a! Cut off. ” ( Rom ) no, Jehovah has already placed this in... 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