1 JOHN - Chapter 5 - THE THREE WITNESSES
1 JOHN – Chapter 5 – THE THREE WITNESSES
The Spirit, the Water and the Blood
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
November 27, 2018, the Year of Our Lord
1 John 5:6-8: This is He who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ, not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven; the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. There are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
I am of the persuasion that the Blood of Jesus still speaks with supernatural power on earth and in heaven. I am of the persuasion that the Water of the Word of God, the Baptism by Water, and the Water and Blood which flowed from Jesus’ side at the crucifixion still speaks with supernatural power on earth and in heaven. I am of the persuasion that the Holy Spirit continually speaks in supernatural power on earth and in heaven.
Verse 7 is controversial. Some of the newer translations do not agree that it was not in the original manuscript. Others believe the witness of the Blood, the Water and the Spirit is symbolic through communion.
Abel’s righteous blood still speaks. Heb. 12:24: To Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Heb. 11:4: By faith Abel offered to give a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
Three witnesses of Christ’s Humanity, Sonship and Divinity:
- The Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at His water baptism (Mt. 3: 13-17)
- The Water – threefold witness:
(a) Water baptism symbolizing His own death, burial and resurrection.
(b) Water of the Word bearing witness to the incarnation.
(c) Water and blood at the crucifixion testifying of His humanity.
- The Blood testifying not only the humanity and Sonship of Jesus Christ, but guaranteeing redemption from sin.
I am going with Finis J. Dake on this one. He wrote: “What is written from V. 7 to “in earth” in V. 8 is not in some early MSS, but this is not proof that it was not in the original book. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 200-258 A.D., quotes this as being written by John (vol. V. 418, 423, Ante-Nicene Fathers). Vigilius of Thapsus quotes it in the 5th century. The Codex Monfortii and the Vulgate contain it.
I choose to believe it is in the original manuscript because my Spirit bears witnesses to it. Not only does my Spirit witness to it; but leaps with joy knowing that the supernatural power of the Blood, the Water and the Spirit continues to speak in Heaven and on earth bearing witness that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (Vs. 11)
When I see the Blood, I will pass over you. Honoring the Blood of the Lamb that was slain and knowing that Blood still speaks on earth and in Heaven is the key to our Redemption and the power of the Church.
George H. Warnock: “This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: and the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet and hyssop. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water (Or, in a clay vessel that contains fresh spring water) As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy…” (Leviticus 14: 2-7) The Blood is mingled with the Living Water!
We know what Jesus accomplished at the Cross, because we believe His Word. But only His Spirit can make it vital and real in our lives. Every believer has first-hand experience of this threefold testimony within himself. It is the Spirit who works within us faith, and enables us to make the good confession that Jesus is the Son of God.
For just as a bird was slain for the cleansing of the leper, and its blood mingled with pure, running water in an earthen vessel (and this became a cleansing stream for the leper in Israel)---so when the blood of the Lord Jesus was shed, there issued forth from His sacrifice a cleansing stream of BLOOD AND WATER.
John 19: 34-35: One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and there came forth blood and water. He that saw it bare record and his record is true; and He knows that He said truth, that you might believe.
BLOOD AND WATER! This is the stream that cleanses---Only the presence of the Spirit of God can make our baptism in water effectual and meaningful. That elevates the importance of water baptism as a sealing of the Holy Spirit.
Whatever we do in obedience to the Lord must be accompanied by His Presence and Spirit if it is going to be effectual. The water that the children of Israel drank in the wilderness was “spiritual,” because it was impregnated with the Life of Christ ( 1Cor. 10:4). The bread they ate in the wilderness was “spiritual” because it was prepared in Heaven and endued with the Life of Christ (1 Cor. 10:3). The Water of the Word is “spiritual” when it is endued, impregnated, and anointed with the Holy Spirit. It becomes a living, flowing stream. The water of purification that God ordained for the cleansing of the leper had to be “running” water, or “living” water. It was effectual because the living bird was dipped in the water and in the blood, and released to soar into the heavens and over the fields (Lev. 14: 4-7).
Our baptism in water is a testimony to all…that we are washed in the blood, and are committed to walk in the way of the Cross. The Holy Spirit is the faithful witness, as He soars in the heavens… with Blood and Water dripping from His wings. Hear Him, as we soar with Him in heavenly places. “There is cleansing, perfect cleansing from all sin and defilement! His blood has made us clean! The water of truth applies the blood to our hearts! The Spirit is witness to the truth, for He was there when Jesus died. He bears witness, That the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. There is nothing more pure in Heaven or in earth, than the sinner who is washed in the water and the blood of the Lord Jesus.
THE THREE WITNESSES:
The blood and the water flowed from His side,
And sprinkled the earth below,
For earth was the vessel that God did provide
To receive this cleansing flow.
And the Spirit of truth was there on that day,
God’s Witness, so faithful and sure,
That our sins are removed and taken away,
And the heart of the leper made pure.
His pinions are stained with the blood of the Son,
As He soars o’er the hills and the fields,
O hear His clear witness. “The work has been done,
You are cleansed in the stream that heals!”
For the Spirit is witness that water and blood
Flowed from His wounded side,
That we might be cleansed in the streams of God,
Ever with Him to abide.
There is nothing more clean on the earth below,
Nor in Heaven’s pure realms above,
Than the children of men who abide in the flow
Of the streams of His mercy and love.
O plunge and be clean in the River of God,
And soar on the wings of the Dove,
Immersed in the Fountain of Water and Blood,
Redeemed by the Son of His love! (George H. Warnock)
1 John 5:1-6: Passion Translation: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is God’s spiritual child and has been fathered by God himself. Everyone who loves Father God loves his children as well. This is how we can be sure that we love the children of God; by having a passionate love for God and by obedience to His commands. True love for God means obeying his commands. His commands don’t weigh us down in heavy burdens. You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world. So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
John has revealed in this epistle 8 blessings of the New Birth:
- Power to do righteousness (2:29)
- Actual Sonship (3: 1-3)
- Freedom from sin (2:9; 5:18).
- Love for the brethren (4: 7-8; 3:14-18; 5:1).
- Love for God (4:19; 5: 1-3)
- Power to keep the N. T. commandments. (5: 2-3)
- Power to overcome the world (5:4-5)
- Freedom from Satan (5:18).
In 2016, the Lord called our conference The Victory of Faith: 1 John 5:4: Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world (kosmos); and this is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith.”
Sunday evening we were studying from the book, Every Day Angels, on a chapter by Joe Brock. The Lord sent him on a prayer assignment to Washington, D.C. to pray over the city. At a large government building, he saw numerous men and women entering and exiting the building. God began to reveal to him the real nature and reality of politics. The significant buildings, government agencies, and political hob-knobbing, all boil down to one simple word---thoughts.
People believe certain things to be true, and when they feel their view is vital, they seek to influence others to that same perception. They want others to believe as they do. This is how politics work. God began allowing him to see there were demons on the backs of many people. The Lord was also showing him that single agency represented politics as a whole. This particular agency was one of the hundreds throughout D.C.
This is a demonic attempt to plant evil thoughts in people and see them grow into full belief system…Each time this seed of darkness is sown into another’s mind, this idea potentially spreads. As the idea spreads, and more people accept it, it gains more cultural credibility. Eventually, enough people believe it, and through the political spirit, it is introduced as a potential law. If the law is voted on and becomes established, this law then as jurisdiction over people.
This is how evil propagates: a single, evil thought planted in people grows and deceives until it becomes established law. There are people the demonic has targeted in every sector of life to use them as carriers of evil thoughts. The demonic will also give these people great prestige and authority and make them seem larger than life for the sole purpose of winning over the masses. This in turn creates a strong hold.
Pastor Brock returned from that trip only to be sent back with another assignment in a few days. The LORD identified a specific institution in D.C. that carried some of the vilest ideas ever to enter our nation. He was sent to pray, repent for the nation, and pour anointing oil as inconspicuously as possible.
While praying, he had an open eye vision of a large, older looking brick building. An angel appeared and handed him a plunger-type square box with a handle on top. He was directed to push the plunger and when he did there was an explosion and the building he saw in the spirit blew up. Angels came and cleaned up all the rubble.
His summation of the vision was that God taught him the power of how a single thought can grow into an actually, manifested reality. The single thought of abortion has grown to the point it has become law. Some of the most evil and grotesque thoughts have originated in the building to which he was sent. The orange brick building he saw in the spirit was a demonic stronghold that has systematically grown over the years. According to Scripture a stronghold is a fortified place in the spiritual realm where evil thoughts have evolved into an established belief system. When we are called to destroy a stronghold, we are being invited to terminate a demonic-based thinking patterm that exists in the first and second heavens. Paul says it like this.
2 Cor. 10: 3-6 ESV: For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments, and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
The demonic is bound to darkness. The way to remove the darkness is by confessing sin to the Lord Jesus and allowing the power of His cleansing Blood to remove the sin. As the sin is being eliminated, the power the enemy derives from the darkness becomes smaller until the enemy has no power or legal right to remain.
As Bro. Brock confessed on behalf of the people who were in the building, God removed the enemy’s right to be there. This he states is what ultimately gave him the right to push the plunger and destroy the stronghold that was there. The detonation was actually blowing up the spiritual building of demonic thoughts.
As we studied this last night, the light bulb of truth opened our eyes that this scripture gives us (the Church) authority to pull down strongholds, destroy arguments, and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God over this nation and we have the authority to take very thought captive to obey Christ; and be ready to punish every disobedience. The key to this authority is when our obedience is complete. As we quickly obey Christ, then He will move His will and purpose through us.
The Victory of Faith: 1 John 5:4: Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world (kosmos); and this is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith.”
1 John 5: 9-13: Passion Translation: If we accept the testimony of men, how much more should we accept the more authoritative testimony of God that he has testified concerning his Son? Those who believe in the Son of God have the living testimony in their hearts. Those who don’t believe have made God out to be a liar by not believing the testimony God has confirmed about his Son. This is the true testimony; that God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son. Whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son does not possess eternal life. I have written this letter to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you will be assured and know without a doubt that you have eternal life.
John again states the intent and purpose of this letter which is to enable Christians to know with assurance that they have eternal life. How then shall the Christian employ himself in his glad confidence---by bringing the lost into the same state. The purpose of the letter is declared at its commencement and it conclusion. He again affirms the joyful fellowship with the Father and the Son and with the people of God is one and the same thing as the assurance of eternal life. This confidence brings childlike frankness and assurance in prayer.
1 John 5:14-15: Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Let us not excuse our feeble prayers with the “if” of this verse. Let us focus on the “Now.” In this epistle, John has challenged us to true fellowship with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Body of Christ. In that fellowship, we have this confidence that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. If we are in this fellowship, we will only ask what His will is. Breathing the “rarified air” surrounding this fellowship is not an elitist honor, but a purchased privilege through the blood and water of Jesus Christ. It is the heart of the Song of Solomon and has been the intent of the Father from the beginning. Adam and Eve experienced a daily fellowship, which was broken by sin.
He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. The fellowship transcends what the first humans experienced and is the meat of a communion which “angels desire to look into.”
1 John 5: 16-17: If anyone observes a fellow believer sinning in a way that doesn’t lead to death, you should keep interceding in prayer that God will give that person life., Now, there is a sin that leads to death, and I’m not encouraging you to pray for those who commit. All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin that does not result in death. (Passion Translation)
1 John 5: 16-17: If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not
Leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that we should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. (N.K.J.V.)
After preparing this last night, I took a break and a deep breath before addressing this scripture.
Note, a brother sinning a sin unto death---that would mean a Christian could sin a sin unto death. Greater scholars than me are still debating whether a fellow believer can commit a sin unto death. In this case, I will simply state, It is written.
The only thought that I might inject is if the sinning is persisted in, it may lead to death as in drugs, alcohol, prostitution, adultery, etc. The Bible does say that fornication and adultery are both sins against the body. In the Old Testament adultery was punishable by death. However, those sins are forgivable in the New Testament and we continue to intercede for people who have committed those sins. So again, I must state I am not qualified to interpret verse 16.
What is the sin unto death?
Some believe this may refer to the unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 12: 31-32).
Or possibly the sin that brings death in taking communion “unworthily.” (1 Cor. 11: 27-30).
We might also consider John wrote this letter about the gross apostasy of those who turn away from the truth and depart from the fellowship of believers and follow the teaching of antichrist.
But, that too is forgiven and we continue to pray for the backslider. The LORD is married to the backslider.
1 John 5: 18-19: We are convinced that everyone fathered by God does not make sinning a way of life, because the Son of God protects the child of God, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are God’s children and that the whole world lies under the misery and influence of the Evil One. (Passion Translation).
I believe in the keeping power of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1 Pe. 1:5: who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Satan not only lays hold upon the whole world; it is wholly within his grasp. The world is still the world that crucified Christ, and we are decisively with Him in the fellowship of the life of God.
1 John 5:20: We know that the Son of God has made our understanding come alive so that we can know by experience the one who is true. And we are in him who is true. God’s son, Jesus Christ---the true God and eternal life!
Spiritual intelligence, revelation, and the capacity to receive divine knowledge are in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are in him who is true---the real and living God.
If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5).
Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights. (James 1:17).
Now is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 13:11).
You have an unction from the Holy One (1 John 2:20)
1 John 5:21: So little children, keep yourselves from worshipping idols.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
I entered into the labors of “The Hyssop that Springs out of the Wall by George H. Warnock as indicated by quotes.; Everyday Angels, Pastor Joe Brock; Scripture from Passion Translation and N.K.J.V. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.