BEARING WITNESS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH

Bearing witness in heaven and on earth

In most cases I normally do a general analysis of the passage that I am going over but due to the complication of these verses it would be much better if I just let you read the words of the Apostle John penned by the Holy Spirit and then break it down in a very simple way for your understanding and edification.

(6) "This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is truth. (7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (9) If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." 1 John 5: 6-9. 

A Christian especially in this time period of history has to have strong faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle John starts out by listing the credentials of the Son of God. How did Jesus Christ come to earth? According to verse six He came by water and blood. I think we need to ask a fundamental question in that apart from Jesus Christ are we defiled both inwardly and outwardly? The answer is yes.

Inside of us we have a sin nature. For our cleansing from this we need spiritual water. We are defiled on the outside from the guilt of our sin so we need to be purged by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Both ways of cleansing were shown to us in the ceremonial institutions of God. Both people and things had to be purified by water and blood. This just goes to show us that we do sin and need to take repentance very serious before God.

When Jesus Christ died on the cross his side was pierced with a soldier's spear and out of His wound came water and blood. The Apostle John saw this with his own eyes. The water and blood are comprehensive of all that is essential to our redemption through Jesus Christ. By the water our souls are washed and purified. By the blood God gets the glory and His law is honored. We are justified, reconciled and presented righteous to God. Even on my very best day in my life my righteousness would be seen as filthy rags before God. The water and blood encompass all things required for our true salvation in Jesus Christ.

If you will notice the last part of verse six the Bible talks about a witness. He is the Holy Spirit who can not lie. He is perfect truth and a heavenly witness.

The Bible clearly tells us we are to overcome the world through Jesus Christ. As the Apostle John bore witness of the Son of God who is Jesus Christ verse seven says," For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." This verse is describing the Trinity in heaven.

As we can see there are several witnesses supporting the truth of Jesus Christ being the Son of the Living God. The Apostle John already told us that the Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ who is the truth. He shows us that He is the great, "I AM" and assures us the Lamb of God died for our sins and now resides in heaven. A Trinity of heavenly witnesses that are testifying to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and all His claims.

The first is God The Father because He was the One who sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to die on the cross for our sins. The second witness is the Word. Jesus Christ is referred to this title in the Bible. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1. Remember the Son of God who is Jesus Christ came to earth as a man but He never sinned even one time. The third witness is the Holy Ghost. He sets His seal from heaven as a witness in heaven. Verse seven ends ..." And these three are one."

I just explained the threefold witness in heaven to the best of my ability but this passage in Scripture also says with the Triune Godhead in heaven there is a threefold witness on earth working in connection with God The Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Bible says ... "The Spirit, and the water, and the blood and these agree in one." John 5:8.

The first is the spirit. If you see people that are regenerated through the Person of Jesus Christ and then observe their souls renovated this is a testimony to the Son of God. This testimony happens on earth but to see ongoing sanctification (the Holy Spirit working through a Christian) this is victory over the world. This is the first witness.

The second is the water. This is a testimony to Jesus Christ Himself. This is a witness to His purifying power. When Christians get baptized it is supposed to be a testimony to their souls being purified and washed through the Person of Jesus Christ.

The third witness is the blood. Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross for our sins and this was the ransom for our transgressions. The love that God has for us must be incomprehensible to send His only Son to die on a cross for us so we could be redeemed through Jesus Christ. These three witnesses on earth and agree in one.

You can read verse nine at the top of this article if you want but in essence, the Bible says God The Father has testified of His Son Jesus Christ. This truth is of the highest authority with unquestionable infallibility.

If you are one that has never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life then by all means now would be a good time to make that all-important eternal
decision.

Do not get to upset if you do not understand everything I wrote in this article. God is very much looking at your heart and if you were truly sincere and earnest regarding your decision in accepting Jesus Christ into your heart that is what God is looking at so rejoice in the Lamb of God who died for your sins. For those that made this choice your name is now in The Lamb's book of Life. Rejoice because this is wonderful news. There could be nothing more important than this reality that just happened to you. To have eternal life through Jesus Christ is the greatest news in this worn down world.

God Bless you,

Bob