Standard Jet DBnb` Ugr@?~1y0̝cßFNl7ӜO(!`{6|߱cCF83y["|*|Ks?^ςf_Љ$g'DeFx -bT4.0 dv Y wS  Y   Y Y  Y Y  Y  Y  Y  r Y s Y E Y a Y d Y 2Y  Y   Y  jY ConnectDatabaseDateCreateDateUpdate FlagsForeignNameIdLvLvExtraLvModule LvPropName OwnerParentIdRmtInfoLongRmtInfoShortTypeniYYIdParentIdName        OYS Y Y Y  Y 2ACMFInheritableObjectIdSID YObjectId YwSY  Y Y Y  Y  Y Y  Y AttributeExpressionFlagLvExtra Name1 Name2ObjectId Ordernzf edY"ObjectIdAttribute -YwSY Y Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y ccolumn grbiticolumnszColumnszObject$szReferencedColumn$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipn DtrtD pdgFenm LYYYszObject$szReferencedObjectszRelationshipYv1b N  : k & W  C t/ @@X  @@OJmJLJkQkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmJL^Qk`kvkJMQk`kvkdL[QMmk`kvkhoQiYQk`kvkiQ^JmYdbkWYfkmdfYMbdmQk`kvkOL  @~  @ @           d k f  } :2@I:2@Topic Notes6@DDD88888886 @Y92@Y92@MSysRelationships4DDDDDDDDDDB Y92@Y92@MSysQueries488888888886 Y92@Y92@MSysACEs422222222220 Y92@Y92@MSysObjects488888888886 Y92@Y92@MSysDb6.........., Y92@Y92@Relationships4<<<<<<<<<<: Y92@Y92@Databases444444444442 Y92@Y92@Tables4.........., x{hUB/ 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 3 6 3 6 6 6 6 jYȕNY Y d YID TitleCommentsYYIDPrimaryKeyHv1b XLVALnMR28AllowZeroLengthRequired( Title  .Comments MR28AllowZeroLengthRequired( Title  .Comments  John 3 16.$ʖ$LVALn{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Gideon;}{\f2\froman\fprq2\fcharset2 Symbol;}{\f3\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Koine;}{\f4\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Koine-Medium;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang1033\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 JOHN 3:16\kerning0\b0\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\qc\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760 By John W. White\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb120\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone\b0 "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." The first half of John 3:16 is very plain. It tells us what God has done for the all of mankind. He gave His only begotten Son as a lamb to be slain for the sins of the whole world. This verse is misunderstood when the context and words like \b believeth\b0 , \b not, perish\b0 , and\b everlasting life\b0 are overlooked. The purpose of this tract is to look at the context and these words to try to grasp an understanding what the Lord was trying to teach Nicodemus. \par \pard\keepn\s2\sb240\qc\b CONTEXT OF VERSE 16\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of Israel. He had a better understanding of the Word of God than the Sadducees because of the position of the Pharisees in \cf1\ul Act_23:8\cf0\ulnone "For the Sadducees say that there is no \b resurrection, neither\b0 angel, nor \b spirit\b0 : but the \b Pharisees \b0 confess both." Nicodemus believed in the resurrection of the dead, therefore, Jesus would be able to take him from his knowledge of the earthly things pertaining to the law to an understanding of heavenly things in the coming resurrection of the saved dead. Nicodemus struggled with what the Lord was trying to teach him even though he was a master LVAL(teacher) of Israel. \cf1\ul Joh_3:10\cf0\ulnone "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone\b0 "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." The phrase \ldblquote kingdom of God\rdblquote is used in verse 3 and in verse 5. Jesus was trying to teach Nicodemus about heavenly things therefore the kingdom of God is a reference to the kingdom of the heavens. The kingdom of God is synonymous with the kingdom of the heavens and this is substantiated by many parallel passages in the Gospels. One example is in the following two passages: \cf1\ul Mat_13:11\cf0\ulnone "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the \b mysteries \b0 of the \b kingdom of\b0 \b heaven\b0 , but to them it is not given." and \cf1\ul Mar_4:11\cf0\ulnone "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the \b mystery \b0 of the \b kingdom of\b0 \b God\b0 : . . ." Jesus told Nicodemus in \cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone ". . . Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be \b born\b0 \b again\b0 , he cannot \b see\b0 the kingdom of God." If you are not part of the family of God you will not \b see\b0 the kingdom of God that Jesus Christ will establish during His 1,000 year reign.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Jesus did not respond directly to his question but adds further light on being part of the family. \cf1\ul Joh_3:5\cf0\ulnone "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be \b born\b0 of \b water\b0 and \i of \i0 the \b Spirit\b0 , he cannot \b enter\b0 into the kingdom of God." (The manuscript \f1 a\f0 does have "heaven" rather than "God" in verse 5.) Verse 5 tells us that as a child of God there is a blessing beyond just \b seeing\b0 the Kingdom of heaven and thatLVAL is \b entering\b0 into the kingdom of heaven. The word \ldblquote and\rdblquote dictates that both, being born of water and being born of spirit, are required to enter the kingdom of the heaven. Part of the context of \cf1\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone is verse \cf1\ul Joh_3:5\cf0\ulnone which speaks of entering into the kingdom of God or of heaven. Entering into the kingdom of God is to participate as a king or as a lord in the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ASCENSION OF JESUS\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Another part of the context is that of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, ascending to the right hand of the Father as our high priest. You find His ascension referred to in \cf1\ul Joh_3:13\cf0\ulnone "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, \i even \i0 the Son of man which is in heaven."\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b AS MOSES LIFTED UP\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 The conjunctive phase "and as" ties us back to verse 13. Just as Jesus ascended up to heaven so did Moses lift the brass serpent up in \cf1\ul Joh_3:14\cf0\ulnone "\b And as\b0 Moses \b lifted\b0 up the \b serpent\b0 in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:" Because verse 13 is in the context of verse 14 the lifting up of the brass serpent is not a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Only saved people are in the context of Moses and the serpents in the wilderness. This is confirmed in \cf1\ul 1Co_10:9\cf0\ulnone "Neither let us tempt Christ, as \b some\b0 \b of\b0 \b them\b0 (\ul the fathers in verse 1 and not the mixed multitude. They are not mentioned\ulnone ) also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents." Who were these that tempted Christ and were destroyed by serpents in the wilderness? The answer to this is found in \cf1\ul 1Co_10:1-4\cf0\ulnone "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that \b all our fathers\b0 were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;\i 2. \i0 And were \b all\b0 baptizedLVAL unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;\i 3. \i0 And did \b all\b0 eat the same spiritual meat;\i 4. \i0 And did \b all\b0 drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." All of these under the cloud included the children of the children of Israel that were given jewels and raiments. This incident of the serpents was with saved people and not lost people needing to be saved. \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b THE SERPENTS\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\cf1\ul Num_21:5-6\cf0\ulnone\b0 "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for \i there is \b\i0 no\b0 \b bread\b0 , neither \i is there any \b\i0 water\b0 ; and our soul \b loatheth\b0 this light \b bread\b0 .\i 6. \i0 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died." These people who were perishing were sinners in need of a \ldblquote daysman\rdblquote as in \cf1\ul Job_9:33\cf0\ulnone "Neither is there any \b daysman \b0 betwixt us, \i that \i0 might lay his hand upon us both." Serpents were causing them to die and therefore serpents were their enemy. The serpent made out of brass, in type, indicated that their enemy had been judged. The Lord provided the brass serpent, in type, as their daysman in \cf1\ul Num_21:8-9\cf0\ulnone "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.\i 9. \i0 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld [\ul look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care\ulnone ] the serpent of brass, he lived." Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father to day so that we do not have to perish because of our sin. Just as we struggle with sin so did the children of Israel in the wildernessLVAL. One snake bite and one look at the brass serpent did not make them immune to further snake bites. They had to continue to look up to be healed. \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH, VERSE 15\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 The way to be born into the family of God is simply presented in \cf1\ul Act_16:31\cf0\ulnone "And they said, \b Believe\b0 on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The aorist tense of the verb is used to be saved and not the present tense of the verb. If the present tense of the verb had of been used, then as long as we believed we would be saved and part of the family. Using the aorist tense of the verb means that salvation is an event based upon an act of our volition to believe what Jesus Christ did for us upon the cross. In \cf1\ul Joh_3:15\cf0\ulnone and 16 the word \i believeth\i0 is in the present tense \cf1\ul Joh_3:15\cf0\ulnone "That whosoever \b believeth\b0 [\ul present active participle\ulnone ] in him should not perish, but have \b eternal\b0 [age, an adjective] \b life\b0 ." The present active participle of \i believe\i0 indicates faithfulness. The present active of \i believe\i0 is equivalent to faith. Faithfulness in looking at the brazen serpent insured life. The one looking at the brazen serpent had to have faith that he would be healed by looking. If they did not believe that the brazen serpent would save them from perishing they would perish in the wilderness losing their present life but also a life of plenty in the land flowing with milk and honey.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ETERNAL LIFE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Be warned! Trying to associate \i eternal life\i0 with salvation will create un-resolvable theological problems unless you believe you can work for your salvation. Our salvation is based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross where \i eternal life\i0 , better translated \i age\i0 \i life\i0 , is based upon our works. By being faithful in well doing we are seeking agelasting lifeLVAL in \cf1\ul Rom_2:6-7\cf0\ulnone "Who will \b render\b0 to every man according to his \b deeds\b0 :\i 7. \i0 To them who by patient continuance in \b well\b0 \b doing\b0 seek for glory and honour and immortality, \b eternal\b0 \b life\b0 :" Reaping agelasting life is based upon our continuing in well doing in \cf1\ul Gal_6:8-9\cf0\ulnone "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that \b soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting\b0 [\ul age, an adjective\ulnone ].\i 9. \i0 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap (eternal life), if we faint not." The Lord will render to every child of God according to his well doing at the judgement seat of Christ. Those who do not faint in well doing will receive the desired life in the coming kingdom of Christ.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb240\qc\b JOHN 3:16 WORD STUDY\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 "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."\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b GOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 Who is the God that so loved the world? He is the God of \cf1\ul Gen_1:1\cf0\ulnone "\b In the beginning God....\b0 ". He is the "....\b God\b0 , that \b raised him\b0 up from the\b dead\b0 , and\b gave him glory\b0 ; that your faith and hope might be in God." \cf1\ul 1Pe_1:21\cf0\ulnone . \i "Is he \i0 the \b God of the Jews\b0 only? \i is he \i0 not \b also of the Gentiles\b0 ? Yes, of the Gentiles also:" \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b SO LOVED THE WORLD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The adverb "so" could be translated \b\i In this way\b0\i0 . The first phrase would be translated: "For in this way God loved the world". What a way to express that love in His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The parsing of the verb "Loved" is aorist, active, indicative. The action of the aorist tense is punctiliar orLVAL action that occurs at a point. The aorist tense is usually translated in the past tense \b\i God loved\b0\i0 . The active voice tells us that God did this on purpose. God did not just love the world with words only, but with a wonderful deed of the giving of His Son. \cf1\ul Eph_2:4\cf0\ulnone "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his \b great love \b0 wherewith he loved us,"\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AS A SAVIOUR\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 God \b\i gave\i0 \b0 (aorist, active, indicative) punctiliar action, Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world. To graph the action of the aorist tense you use a dot (\f2\'b7\f0 ). \cf1\ul Heb_9:26\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "...But now \b once \b0 in the end of the world (\f3\fs26 aiwn\f0\fs24 , age) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." \cf1\ul Rom_5:8\cf0\ulnone "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."\b \cf1\ul\b0 Joh_1:29\cf0\ulnone "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus Christ saves those who believe or receive him as their personal saviour as in the case of Nicodemus. \cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be \b born again\b0 , he cannot \b see \b0 the kingdom of God." The phrase \b "born again"\b0 would be better translated \b\i may be begotten from above\i0 .\b0 The verb \b\i born\b0\i0 [\ul\f3\fs26 gennaw\ulnone\f0\fs24 ] is aorist, passive, subjunctive. To be born into the world is an event that can happen only once.\b \b0 To be born into the family of God is also an event that only happens one time. Paul used the aorist tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 when he told the Philippian jailer how to be saved. \cf1\ul Act_16:31\cf0\ulnone "And they said, \b Believe\b0 on the Lord Jesus Christ, \b and thou shalt be saved\b0 , and thy house." If Paul had used the present tense of the verb \b\iLVAL believe\b0\i0 then when one stopped believing, then he would be lost. The aorist tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 in Acts 16:31 is in agreement with the aorist tense of the verb \b\i born\i0 \b0 in \cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Joh_3:7\cf0\ulnone . \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AS A HIGH PRIEST\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 Not only did God give Jesus Christ to be the saviour of the world, but God gave Jesus Christ to be our high priest. \cf1\ul Heb_5:5-6\cf0\ulnone "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an \b high priest\b0 ; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, \b to day have I begotten thee\b0 .\i 6. \i0 As he saith also in another \i place, \i0 Thou \i art \b\i0 a priest\b0 for \b ever\b0 (\ul\f3\fs26 aiwn\f0\fs24 , an age\ulnone ) after the order of Melchisedec." Jesus Christ had a new beginning when he became our High Priest for this age of grace. \b Hebrews 9:11\b0 "But Christ being come \b an high priest\b0 of \b good things to come\b0 ..." \cf1\ul Rom_8:34\cf0\ulnone "... \i It is \i0 Christ \b that died\b0 , yea \b rather\b0 , that \b is risen \b0 again, who is even \b at the right hand\b0 of God, who also \b maketh intercession for us\b0 ."\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b THAT\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The word \b\i that\b0\i0 is from the Greek word \f3\fs26 i\{na\f0\fs24 and it could be translated \b\i in order that\i0 .\b0 In order that those who have been saved and who are being faithful to the Lord might hold fast to their profession.\b \cf1\ul\b0 Heb_4:14\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast \i our \i0 profession." \cf1\ul Heb_10:23\cf0\ulnone "Let us \b hold fast \b0 the profession of \i our \i0 faith without wavering; (for he \i is \i0 faithful that promised;)\rdblquote\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM\par \pard\LVALnowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The word \b\i believeth\b0\i0 is a present, active, participle. It is in the nominative case and has the definite article, so this participle is treated as a noun. The present tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 is used for those who are living by faith and are being faithful to the Lord. \cf1\ul Act_13:39\cf0\ulnone "And by him \b all that believe\b0 (\ul present active participle\ulnone\b ) are justified\b0 (\ul present passive indicative\ulnone ) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." \cf1\ul Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone "Therefore we conclude \b that a man is justified\b0 (\ul present passive infinitive\ulnone ) \b by faith\b0 without the deeds of the law\b ." To live by faith is to be believing\b0 and that can be stopped at any time, but the action of the aorist tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 can not be stopped or reversed once the action has been done.\b \cf1\ul\b0 Luk_8:13\cf0\ulnone "...When they hear, \b receive\b0 [\ul present, middle\ulnone ] the word with joy; and \b these have\b0 [\ul present, active\ulnone ] no root, which \b for a while believe\b0 [\ul present, active\ulnone ], and in time of temptation (adversity) \b fall away\b0 [present, active]." The ones believing are the ones \b who continue to hear\b0 and \b become rooted and grounded\b0 in the Word of God; therefore they \b do not faint\b0 when they are tried. When a child of God stops believing he then starts falling away and the process of justification also stops. To fall away is to become chargeable before God.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b NOT\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The Greek word for "not" is \f3\fs26 mh\fs24 .\f0 In the Greek there are two words for \b\i not\i0 .\b0 They are the words \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 and \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 . In \i Dana and Mantey's Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament\i0 , page 265 we find insight into the meaning of these two words. In paragraph LVAL 241 they say the word \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 ". . . is the weaker, milder negative, denying subjectively and with hesitancy. 'In a word, \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 is just the negative to use when one does \b not\b0 \b wish\b0 to be \b too\b0 \b positive\b0 . \f3\fs26 Mh\f0\fs24 leaves the question \b open\b0 for \b further\b0 \b remarks\b0 or entreaty. \f3\fs26 Ou\f0\fs24 closes the door abruptly." A summary is given at the bottom of page 265 and following: "The general distinction between \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 and \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 is that \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 is objective, dealing only with facts, while \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 is subjective, involving will and thought... In the NT \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 is almost entirely confined to the indicative, while \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 monopolizes the other moods." "Or, according to Dr. C. B. Williams..., "\f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 expresses a definite, emphatic negation; \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 an indefinite, doubtful negation. If a negation was to be asserted unequivocally, \f3\fs26 ou\expndtw5\f0\fs24 \expndtw0 was always used; if hypothetically, \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 was invariably used" All of the above information is given to show that the thought of not perishing is dependent upon the faithfulness of the one who is believing. If you stop believing, you can perish, but because the negative \f4 mh>\f0 is used that means you can start believing again.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b SHOULD PERISH\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The phrase \b\i should\i0 \i perish\b0\i0 is translated from the Greek verb \f3\fs26 apollumi\i\f0\fs24 .\i0 The parsing of \b "should perish" \b0 is aorist, active, subjunctive. \f3\fs26 Ajpollumi\f0\fs24 is translated \b destroy, die, lose, lost, marred\b0 and\b perish.\b0 Only those who have life can die or perish Only those who are whole can be destroyed or marred. not those who are dead in their trespasses and sins. Only those who that belong can be lost. Those who are not saved are already dead LVAL!in their trespasses and sins and cannot perish. As already referred to above, in the \b context\b0 of \cf1\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone , is \cf1\ul Joh_3:14-15\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:\i \i0 That whosoever \b believeth \b0 in him \b should not perish\b0 , but \b have eternal life\b0 ." Those who perished in the wilderness failed to enter into the choice inheritance in the land flowing with milk and honey. All of this happened unto them to teach us that we also can lose our reward or a better inheritance by the way we live. The following passages clearly indicate that our inheritance is based upon our faithfulness and service. "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the \b reward of the inheritance\b0 : for ye\b serve\b0 the Lord Christ." \cf1\ul Col_3:24\cf0\ulnone "Look to yourselves, that we \b lose\b0 (\f3\fs26 apollumi\f0\fs24 )\b\i not\b0\i0 those things which \b we have wrought\b0 (\f3\fs26 ergazomai\f0\fs24 \par labor for, trade, work, do), but that we receive a full reward."\b 2 John 1:8 \b0 Those that perished in the wilderness did not lose their salvation, just their inheritance. We are exhorted as disciples to \b perish\b0 \b now\b0 , to die to self, in this age so that we can enjoy our inheritance, reward, in the coming millennial age. \b Matthew 16:24-27\b0 "Then said Jesus unto his \b disciples\b0 , If any \i man \i0 will come after me, let him \b deny himself\b0 , and take up his cross, and follow me.\i \i0 For whosoever will \b save his life\b0 (\f4 yuch\f0 , soul) shall\b lose\b0 (\f3\fs26 apollumi\f0\fs24 ) it: and whosoever will \b lose\b0 (\ul\f3\fs26 apollumi\ulnone\f0\fs24 )\b his life\b0 (\ul\f3\fs26 yuch\f0\fs24 , soul\ulnone )\b for my sake\b0 shall find it.\i \i0 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and \b lose\b0 (\f3\fs26 apollumi\f0\fs24 ) his own\b soul\b0 (\ul\f4 yuch\ulnone\f0 )? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soulLVAL" (\ul\f3\fs26 yuch\ulnone\f0\fs24 )?\b\i \i0 For\b0 the Son of man shall come \b in the glory of his Father with his angels\b0 ; and then he shall \b reward every man according to his works."\b0 We shall receive the reward of our inheritance when Jesus Christ comes in the glory of the Father with his angels. If we do not perish now, then we will not have any rewards then, and the life we could of had will not be enjoyed because it will perish. \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b HAVE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The parsing of the verb \b\i have\b0\i0 [\f3\fs26 ecw\b\f0\fs24 , \b0 to have] is present, active, subjunctive and should be translated "he may have". The verb \b\i have\b0\i0 implies that we have, at the present time, agelasting life. \b\i Agelasting life\b0\i0 is not a present possession, but something we will receive in the age to come according to \cf1\ul Mar_10:30\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "But he shall receive... in the \b world \b0 [\f3\fs26 aiwn\f0\fs24 , age]\b to come\b0 [present participle, \b the one coming\b0 ]\b eternal \b0 [\ul\f3\fs26 aiwniov\i\f0\fs24 ,\i0 agelasting\ulnone ]\b life."\b0 The verb \b\i have\b0\i0 [\ul\f3\fs26 ecw\ulnone\f0\fs24 ] in this context could be better translated \b\i esteem\b0\i0 or \b\i regard\b0\i0 . King Herod wanted to execute John the Baptist but could not because the people \b\i counted\b0\i0 , \b\i esteemed\b0\i0 or \b\i regarded\b0\i0 John as a prophet .\cf1\ul Mat_14:5\cf0\ulnone "\'85he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet." (\ul See tract \f3\fs26 ecw\fs24 ,\f0 to have, to hold, to esteem\ulnone ) If we continue believing we will continue to \b\i esteem\b0\i0 or \b\i regard\b0\i0 life for the age and do what ever is required to one day receive agelasting life. The present tense of the verb "have" means action of esteeming should be continuous. If we continue to \b regard\b0 and \b esteem\b0 life for the coming kingdom age, we will be faithful to sow "\'85 to the Spirit (\iLVAL# and\i0 ) shall of the Spirit \b reap\b0 \b life\b0 \b everlasting\b0 .\i 9. \i0 And \b let us not be weary in well doing\b0 : for in due season \b we shall reap\b0 , if we \b faint\b0 \b not\b0 ." \cf1\ul Gal_6:8-9\cf0\ulnone When we stop believing, in the present tense, and stop esteeming, in the present tense, we are growing weary in well doing and are in danger of fainting. If we faint we will perish and forfeit an inheritance with those of the seed of Isaac in the heavenlies.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ETERNAL LIFE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 What is the meaning of \b\i have eternal life\b0\i0 ? (\ul See tract Eternal Life\ulnone ) Eternal life is the opposite of perishing or the losing of one's inheritance. The word \b\i eternal\b0\i0 is translated from the Greek word \f3\fs26 aijw>niov\f0\fs24 and is an adjective describing \b\i life\b0\i0 . \f3\fs26 Aiwniov\b\i\f0\fs24 \b0\i0 comes from the noun \f3\fs26 aiwn\b\i\f0\fs24 \b0\i0 which is translated or interpreted many ways, but it should be translated \b\i age\i0 .\b0 Translating \f3\fs26 aijw>niov\b\f0\fs24 \b0 as \b\i eternal\i0 \b0 is interpretation and not translation. \f3\fs26 aiwniov\f0\fs24 is an adjective that describes a person, place, or a thing. \cf1\ul Mar_10:30\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "But he shall receive.. in the \b world \b0 [\ul age\ulnone ]\b to come\b0 [\ul the one coming\ulnone ]\b eternal \b0 [\ul agelasting\ulnone ]\b life."\b0 The parallel passage to \cf1\ul Mar_10:30\cf0\ulnone is \cf1\ul Mat_19:28-29\cf0\ulnone "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.\i \i0 And ... shall inherit everlasting life." The time that the Apostles will inherit agelasting life is when they will be ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel. Christ will be sitting upon the throne of his glory. That timLVALe is known as the 1,000 year reign of Christ which is also called the\b millennial\b0 \b age. \b0 Our inheritance is dependent upon what we do now in this life. Do we perish in this age and live in the age to come or do we live in this age and perish in the \b millennium\b0 , the age to come? \cf1\ul Rom_2:6-7\cf0\ulnone "Who will render to every man \b according to his deeds\b0 :\i \i0 To them who by patient continuance in \b well doing \b0 seek for glory and honour and immortality,\b eternal \b0 [agelasting]\b life\b0 :" It is through \b well doing \b0 that we are rewarded agelasting life. \cf1\ul Gal_6:7-8\cf0\ulnone "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for \b whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap\b0 .\i \i0 For he that \b soweth to his flesh \b0 shall of the flesh \b reap corruption\b0 ; but he that \b soweth to the Spirit \b0 shall of the Spirit \b reap life everlasting\b0 .\i \i0 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season \b we shall reap, if we faint not\b0 ." If we faint we will perish but if we remain faithful, continue to believe, we will reap life for the coming age. \cf1\ul 2Ti_2:12-13\cf0\ulnone "If we \b suffer\b0 [present, active of \f3\fs26 upomew\f0\fs24 , endure], we shall also reign with \i him: \i0 if we deny \i him, \i0 he also will deny us:\i \i0 If we \b believe not\b0 [one word \f3\fs26 apistew\v\f0\fs24 aa\v0 , present active], \i yet \i0 he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." We will reign if we continue to believe, else we will perish!\fs22 \fs24\par \pard\cf2\kerning28\f5\fs23\par } LVALʖ%{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Gideon;}{\f2\froman\fprq2\fcharset2 Symbol;}{\f3\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Koine;}{\f4\fnil\fprq2\fcharset0 Koine-Medium;}{\f5\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\stylesheet{ Normal;}{\s1 heading 1;}{\s2 heading 2;}{\s3 heading 3;}} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\keepn\s1\sb240\sa60\qc\lang1033\kerning28\b\f0\fs28 JOHN 3:16\kerning0\b0\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb60\qc\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760 By John W. White\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\sb120\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\cf1\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone\b0 "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." The first half of John 3:16 is very plain. It tells us what God has done for the all of mankind. He gave His only begotten Son as a lamb to be slain for the sins of the whole world. This verse is misunderstood when the context and words like \b believeth\b0 , \b not, perish\b0 , and\b everlasting life\b0 are overlooked. The purpose of this tract is to look at the context and these words to try to grasp an understanding what the Lord was trying to teach Nicodemus. \par \pard\keepn\s2\sb240\qc\b CONTEXT OF VERSE 16\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of Israel. He had a better understanding of the Word of God than the Sadducees because of the position of the Pharisees in \cf1\ul Act_23:8\cf0\ulnone "For the Sadducees say that there is no \b resurrection, neither\b0 angel, nor \b spirit\b0 : but the \b Pharisees \b0 confess both." Nicodemus believed in the resurrection of the dead, therefore, Jesus would be able to take him from his knowledge of the earthly things pertaining to the law to an understanding of heavenly things in the coming resurrection of the saved dead. Nicodemus struggled with what the Lord was trying to teach him even though he was a master LVAL&(teacher) of Israel. \cf1\ul Joh_3:10\cf0\ulnone "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone\b0 "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." The phrase \ldblquote kingdom of God\rdblquote is used in verse 3 and in verse 5. Jesus was trying to teach Nicodemus about heavenly things therefore the kingdom of God is a reference to the kingdom of the heavens. The kingdom of God is synonymous with the kingdom of the heavens and this is substantiated by many parallel passages in the Gospels. One example is in the following two passages: \cf1\ul Mat_13:11\cf0\ulnone "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the \b mysteries \b0 of the \b kingdom of\b0 \b heaven\b0 , but to them it is not given." and \cf1\ul Mar_4:11\cf0\ulnone "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the \b mystery \b0 of the \b kingdom of\b0 \b God\b0 : . . ." Jesus told Nicodemus in \cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone ". . . Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be \b born\b0 \b again\b0 , he cannot \b see\b0 the kingdom of God." If you are not part of the family of God you will not \b see\b0 the kingdom of God that Jesus Christ will establish during His 1,000 year reign.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Jesus did not respond directly to his question but adds further light on being part of the family. \cf1\ul Joh_3:5\cf0\ulnone "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be \b born\b0 of \b water\b0 and \i of \i0 the \b Spirit\b0 , he cannot \b enter\b0 into the kingdom of God." (The manuscript \f1 a\f0 does have "heaven" rather than "God" in verse 5.) Verse 5 tells us that as a child of God there is a blessing beyond just \b seeing\b0 the Kingdom of heaven and thatLVAL' is \b entering\b0 into the kingdom of heaven. The word \ldblquote and\rdblquote dictates that both, being born of water and being born of spirit, are required to enter the kingdom of the heaven. Part of the context of \cf1\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone is verse \cf1\ul Joh_3:5\cf0\ulnone which speaks of entering into the kingdom of God or of heaven. Entering into the kingdom of God is to participate as a king or as a lord in the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ASCENSION OF JESUS\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Another part of the context is that of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, ascending to the right hand of the Father as our high priest. You find His ascension referred to in \cf1\ul Joh_3:13\cf0\ulnone "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, \i even \i0 the Son of man which is in heaven."\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b AS MOSES LIFTED UP\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 The conjunctive phase "and as" ties us back to verse 13. Just as Jesus ascended up to heaven so did Moses lift the brass serpent up in \cf1\ul Joh_3:14\cf0\ulnone "\b And as\b0 Moses \b lifted\b0 up the \b serpent\b0 in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:" Because verse 13 is in the context of verse 14 the lifting up of the brass serpent is not a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Only saved people are in the context of Moses and the serpents in the wilderness. This is confirmed in \cf1\ul 1Co_10:9\cf0\ulnone "Neither let us tempt Christ, as \b some\b0 \b of\b0 \b them\b0 (\ul the fathers in verse 1 and not the mixed multitude. They are not mentioned\ulnone ) also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents." Who were these that tempted Christ and were destroyed by serpents in the wilderness? The answer to this is found in \cf1\ul 1Co_10:1-4\cf0\ulnone "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that \b all our fathers\b0 were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;\i 2. \i0 And were \b all\b0 baptizedLVAL( unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;\i 3. \i0 And did \b all\b0 eat the same spiritual meat;\i 4. \i0 And did \b all\b0 drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." All of these under the cloud included the children of the children of Israel that were given jewels and raiments. This incident of the serpents was with saved people and not lost people needing to be saved. \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b THE SERPENTS\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\cf1\ul Num_21:5-6\cf0\ulnone\b0 "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for \i there is \b\i0 no\b0 \b bread\b0 , neither \i is there any \b\i0 water\b0 ; and our soul \b loatheth\b0 this light \b bread\b0 .\i 6. \i0 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died." These people who were perishing were sinners in need of a \ldblquote daysman\rdblquote as in \cf1\ul Job_9:33\cf0\ulnone "Neither is there any \b daysman \b0 betwixt us, \i that \i0 might lay his hand upon us both." Serpents were causing them to die and therefore serpents were their enemy. The serpent made out of brass, in type, indicated that their enemy had been judged. The Lord provided the brass serpent, in type, as their daysman in \cf1\ul Num_21:8-9\cf0\ulnone "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.\i 9. \i0 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld [\ul look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care\ulnone ] the serpent of brass, he lived." Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father to day so that we do not have to perish because of our sin. Just as we struggle with sin so did the children of Israel in the wildernessLVAL). One snake bite and one look at the brass serpent did not make them immune to further snake bites. They had to continue to look up to be healed. \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH, VERSE 15\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 The way to be born into the family of God is simply presented in \cf1\ul Act_16:31\cf0\ulnone "And they said, \b Believe\b0 on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The aorist tense of the verb is used to be saved and not the present tense of the verb. If the present tense of the verb had of been used, then as long as we believed we would be saved and part of the family. Using the aorist tense of the verb means that salvation is an event based upon an act of our volition to believe what Jesus Christ did for us upon the cross. In \cf1\ul Joh_3:15\cf0\ulnone and 16 the word \i believeth\i0 is in the present tense \cf1\ul Joh_3:15\cf0\ulnone "That whosoever \b believeth\b0 [\ul present active participle\ulnone ] in him should not perish, but have \b eternal\b0 [age, an adjective] \b life\b0 ." The present active participle of \i believe\i0 indicates faithfulness. The present active of \i believe\i0 is equivalent to faith. Faithfulness in looking at the brazen serpent insured life. The one looking at the brazen serpent had to have faith that he would be healed by looking. If they did not believe that the brazen serpent would save them from perishing they would perish in the wilderness losing their present life but also a life of plenty in the land flowing with milk and honey.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ETERNAL LIFE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 Be warned! Trying to associate \i eternal life\i0 with salvation will create un-resolvable theological problems unless you believe you can work for your salvation. Our salvation is based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross where \i eternal life\i0 , better translated \i age\i0 \i life\i0 , is based upon our works. By being faithful in well doing we are seeking agelasting lifeLVAL* in \cf1\ul Rom_2:6-7\cf0\ulnone "Who will \b render\b0 to every man according to his \b deeds\b0 :\i 7. \i0 To them who by patient continuance in \b well\b0 \b doing\b0 seek for glory and honour and immortality, \b eternal\b0 \b life\b0 :" Reaping agelasting life is based upon our continuing in well doing in \cf1\ul Gal_6:8-9\cf0\ulnone "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that \b soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting\b0 [\ul age, an adjective\ulnone ].\i 9. \i0 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap (eternal life), if we faint not." The Lord will render to every child of God according to his well doing at the judgement seat of Christ. Those who do not faint in well doing will receive the desired life in the coming kingdom of Christ.\par \pard\keepn\s2\sb240\qc\b JOHN 3:16 WORD STUDY\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\b0 "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."\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b GOD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 Who is the God that so loved the world? He is the God of \cf1\ul Gen_1:1\cf0\ulnone "\b In the beginning God....\b0 ". He is the "....\b God\b0 , that \b raised him\b0 up from the\b dead\b0 , and\b gave him glory\b0 ; that your faith and hope might be in God." \cf1\ul 1Pe_1:21\cf0\ulnone . \i "Is he \i0 the \b God of the Jews\b0 only? \i is he \i0 not \b also of the Gentiles\b0 ? Yes, of the Gentiles also:" \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b SO LOVED THE WORLD\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The adverb "so" could be translated \b\i In this way\b0\i0 . The first phrase would be translated: "For in this way God loved the world". What a way to express that love in His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The parsing of the verb "Loved" is aorist, active, indicative. The action of the aorist tense is punctiliar orLVAL+ action that occurs at a point. The aorist tense is usually translated in the past tense \b\i God loved\b0\i0 . The active voice tells us that God did this on purpose. God did not just love the world with words only, but with a wonderful deed of the giving of His Son. \cf1\ul Eph_2:4\cf0\ulnone "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his \b great love \b0 wherewith he loved us,"\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AS A SAVIOUR\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 God \b\i gave\i0 \b0 (aorist, active, indicative) punctiliar action, Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world. To graph the action of the aorist tense you use a dot (\f2\'b7\f0 ). \cf1\ul Heb_9:26\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "...But now \b once \b0 in the end of the world (\f3\fs26 aiwn\f0\fs24 , age) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." \cf1\ul Rom_5:8\cf0\ulnone "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."\b \cf1\ul\b0 Joh_1:29\cf0\ulnone "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus Christ saves those who believe or receive him as their personal saviour as in the case of Nicodemus. \cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be \b born again\b0 , he cannot \b see \b0 the kingdom of God." The phrase \b "born again"\b0 would be better translated \b\i may be begotten from above\i0 .\b0 The verb \b\i born\b0\i0 [\ul\f3\fs26 gennaw\ulnone\f0\fs24 ] is aorist, passive, subjunctive. To be born into the world is an event that can happen only once.\b \b0 To be born into the family of God is also an event that only happens one time. Paul used the aorist tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 when he told the Philippian jailer how to be saved. \cf1\ul Act_16:31\cf0\ulnone "And they said, \b Believe\b0 on the Lord Jesus Christ, \b and thou shalt be saved\b0 , and thy house." If Paul had used the present tense of the verb \b\iLVAL, believe\b0\i0 then when one stopped believing, then he would be lost. The aorist tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 in Acts 16:31 is in agreement with the aorist tense of the verb \b\i born\i0 \b0 in \cf1\ul Joh_3:3\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Joh_3:7\cf0\ulnone . \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AS A HIGH PRIEST\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 Not only did God give Jesus Christ to be the saviour of the world, but God gave Jesus Christ to be our high priest. \cf1\ul Heb_5:5-6\cf0\ulnone "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an \b high priest\b0 ; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, \b to day have I begotten thee\b0 .\i 6. \i0 As he saith also in another \i place, \i0 Thou \i art \b\i0 a priest\b0 for \b ever\b0 (\ul\f3\fs26 aiwn\f0\fs24 , an age\ulnone ) after the order of Melchisedec." Jesus Christ had a new beginning when he became our High Priest for this age of grace. \b Hebrews 9:11\b0 "But Christ being come \b an high priest\b0 of \b good things to come\b0 ..." \cf1\ul Rom_8:34\cf0\ulnone "... \i It is \i0 Christ \b that died\b0 , yea \b rather\b0 , that \b is risen \b0 again, who is even \b at the right hand\b0 of God, who also \b maketh intercession for us\b0 ."\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b THAT\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The word \b\i that\b0\i0 is from the Greek word \f3\fs26 i\{na\f0\fs24 and it could be translated \b\i in order that\i0 .\b0 In order that those who have been saved and who are being faithful to the Lord might hold fast to their profession.\b \cf1\ul\b0 Heb_4:14\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast \i our \i0 profession." \cf1\ul Heb_10:23\cf0\ulnone "Let us \b hold fast \b0 the profession of \i our \i0 faith without wavering; (for he \i is \i0 faithful that promised;)\rdblquote\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM\par \pard\LVAL-nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The word \b\i believeth\b0\i0 is a present, active, participle. It is in the nominative case and has the definite article, so this participle is treated as a noun. The present tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 is used for those who are living by faith and are being faithful to the Lord. \cf1\ul Act_13:39\cf0\ulnone "And by him \b all that believe\b0 (\ul present active participle\ulnone\b ) are justified\b0 (\ul present passive indicative\ulnone ) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." \cf1\ul Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone "Therefore we conclude \b that a man is justified\b0 (\ul present passive infinitive\ulnone ) \b by faith\b0 without the deeds of the law\b ." To live by faith is to be believing\b0 and that can be stopped at any time, but the action of the aorist tense of the verb \b\i believe\b0\i0 can not be stopped or reversed once the action has been done.\b \cf1\ul\b0 Luk_8:13\cf0\ulnone "...When they hear, \b receive\b0 [\ul present, middle\ulnone ] the word with joy; and \b these have\b0 [\ul present, active\ulnone ] no root, which \b for a while believe\b0 [\ul present, active\ulnone ], and in time of temptation (adversity) \b fall away\b0 [present, active]." The ones believing are the ones \b who continue to hear\b0 and \b become rooted and grounded\b0 in the Word of God; therefore they \b do not faint\b0 when they are tried. When a child of God stops believing he then starts falling away and the process of justification also stops. To fall away is to become chargeable before God.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b NOT\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The Greek word for "not" is \f3\fs26 mh\fs24 .\f0 In the Greek there are two words for \b\i not\i0 .\b0 They are the words \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 and \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 . In \i Dana and Mantey's Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament\i0 , page 265 we find insight into the meaning of these two words. In paragraph LVAL.241 they say the word \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 ". . . is the weaker, milder negative, denying subjectively and with hesitancy. 'In a word, \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 is just the negative to use when one does \b not\b0 \b wish\b0 to be \b too\b0 \b positive\b0 . \f3\fs26 Mh\f0\fs24 leaves the question \b open\b0 for \b further\b0 \b remarks\b0 or entreaty. \f3\fs26 Ou\f0\fs24 closes the door abruptly." A summary is given at the bottom of page 265 and following: "The general distinction between \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 and \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 is that \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 is objective, dealing only with facts, while \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 is subjective, involving will and thought... In the NT \f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 is almost entirely confined to the indicative, while \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 monopolizes the other moods." "Or, according to Dr. C. B. Williams..., "\f3\fs26 ou\f0\fs24 expresses a definite, emphatic negation; \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 an indefinite, doubtful negation. If a negation was to be asserted unequivocally, \f3\fs26 ou\expndtw5\f0\fs24 \expndtw0 was always used; if hypothetically, \f3\fs26 mh\f0\fs24 was invariably used" All of the above information is given to show that the thought of not perishing is dependent upon the faithfulness of the one who is believing. If you stop believing, you can perish, but because the negative \f4 mh>\f0 is used that means you can start believing again.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b SHOULD PERISH\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The phrase \b\i should\i0 \i perish\b0\i0 is translated from the Greek verb \f3\fs26 apollumi\i\f0\fs24 .\i0 The parsing of \b "should perish" \b0 is aorist, active, subjunctive. \f3\fs26 Ajpollumi\f0\fs24 is translated \b destroy, die, lose, lost, marred\b0 and\b perish.\b0 Only those who have life can die or perish Only those who are whole can be destroyed or marred. not those who are dead in their trespasses and sins. Only those who that belong can be lost. Those who are not saved are already dead LVAL/in their trespasses and sins and cannot perish. As already referred to above, in the \b context\b0 of \cf1\ul Joh_3:16\cf0\ulnone , is \cf1\ul Joh_3:14-15\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:\i \i0 That whosoever \b believeth \b0 in him \b should not perish\b0 , but \b have eternal life\b0 ." Those who perished in the wilderness failed to enter into the choice inheritance in the land flowing with milk and honey. All of this happened unto them to teach us that we also can lose our reward or a better inheritance by the way we live. The following passages clearly indicate that our inheritance is based upon our faithfulness and service. "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the \b reward of the inheritance\b0 : for ye\b serve\b0 the Lord Christ." \cf1\ul Col_3:24\cf0\ulnone "Look to yourselves, that we \b lose\b0 (\f3\fs26 apollumi\f0\fs24 )\b\i not\b0\i0 those things which \b we have wrought\b0 (\f3\fs26 ergazomai\f0\fs24 \par labor for, trade, work, do), but that we receive a full reward."\b 2 John 1:8 \b0 Those that perished in the wilderness did not lose their salvation, just their inheritance. We are exhorted as disciples to \b perish\b0 \b now\b0 , to die to self, in this age so that we can enjoy our inheritance, reward, in the coming millennial age. \b Matthew 16:24-27\b0 "Then said Jesus unto his \b disciples\b0 , If any \i man \i0 will come after me, let him \b deny himself\b0 , and take up his cross, and follow me.\i \i0 For whosoever will \b save his life\b0 (\f4 yuch\f0 , soul) shall\b lose\b0 (\f3\fs26 apollumi\f0\fs24 ) it: and whosoever will \b lose\b0 (\ul\f3\fs26 apollumi\ulnone\f0\fs24 )\b his life\b0 (\ul\f3\fs26 yuch\f0\fs24 , soul\ulnone )\b for my sake\b0 shall find it.\i \i0 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and \b lose\b0 (\f3\fs26 apollumi\f0\fs24 ) his own\b soul\b0 (\ul\f4 yuch\ulnone\f0 )? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soulLVAL0 (\ul\f3\fs26 yuch\ulnone\f0\fs24 )?\b\i \i0 For\b0 the Son of man shall come \b in the glory of his Father with his angels\b0 ; and then he shall \b reward every man according to his works."\b0 We shall receive the reward of our inheritance when Jesus Christ comes in the glory of the Father with his angels. If we do not perish now, then we will not have any rewards then, and the life we could of had will not be enjoyed because it will perish. \par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b HAVE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 The parsing of the verb \b\i have\b0\i0 [\f3\fs26 ecw\b\f0\fs24 , \b0 to have] is present, active, subjunctive and should be translated "he may have". The verb \b\i have\b0\i0 implies that we have, at the present time, agelasting life. \b\i Agelasting life\b0\i0 is not a present possession, but something we will receive in the age to come according to \cf1\ul Mar_10:30\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "But he shall receive... in the \b world \b0 [\f3\fs26 aiwn\f0\fs24 , age]\b to come\b0 [present participle, \b the one coming\b0 ]\b eternal \b0 [\ul\f3\fs26 aiwniov\i\f0\fs24 ,\i0 agelasting\ulnone ]\b life."\b0 The verb \b\i have\b0\i0 [\ul\f3\fs26 ecw\ulnone\f0\fs24 ] in this context could be better translated \b\i esteem\b0\i0 or \b\i regard\b0\i0 . King Herod wanted to execute John the Baptist but could not because the people \b\i counted\b0\i0 , \b\i esteemed\b0\i0 or \b\i regarded\b0\i0 John as a prophet .\cf1\ul Mat_14:5\cf0\ulnone "\'85he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet." (\ul See tract \f3\fs26 ecw\fs24 ,\f0 to have, to hold, to esteem\ulnone ) If we continue believing we will continue to \b\i esteem\b0\i0 or \b\i regard\b0\i0 life for the age and do what ever is required to one day receive agelasting life. The present tense of the verb "have" means action of esteeming should be continuous. If we continue to \b regard\b0 and \b esteem\b0 life for the coming kingdom age, we will be faithful to sow "\'85 to the Spirit (\iLVAL1 and\i0 ) shall of the Spirit \b reap\b0 \b life\b0 \b everlasting\b0 .\i 9. \i0 And \b let us not be weary in well doing\b0 : for in due season \b we shall reap\b0 , if we \b faint\b0 \b not\b0 ." \cf1\ul Gal_6:8-9\cf0\ulnone When we stop believing, in the present tense, and stop esteeming, in the present tense, we are growing weary in well doing and are in danger of fainting. If we faint we will perish and forfeit an inheritance with those of the seed of Isaac in the heavenlies.\par \pard\keepn\s3\sb120\qc\b ETERNAL LIFE\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qj\tx720\tx1440\tx2880\tx4320\tx5760\b0 What is the meaning of \b\i have eternal life\b0\i0 ? (\ul See tract Eternal Life\ulnone ) Eternal life is the opposite of perishing or the losing of one's inheritance. The word \b\i eternal\b0\i0 is translated from the Greek word \f3\fs26 aijw>niov\f0\fs24 and is an adjective describing \b\i life\b0\i0 . \f3\fs26 Aiwniov\b\i\f0\fs24 \b0\i0 comes from the noun \f3\fs26 aiwn\b\i\f0\fs24 \b0\i0 which is translated or interpreted many ways, but it should be translated \b\i age\i0 .\b0 Translating \f3\fs26 aijw>niov\b\f0\fs24 \b0 as \b\i eternal\i0 \b0 is interpretation and not translation. \f3\fs26 aiwniov\f0\fs24 is an adjective that describes a person, place, or a thing. \cf1\ul Mar_10:30\cf0\ulnone\b \b0 "But he shall receive.. in the \b world \b0 [\ul age\ulnone ]\b to come\b0 [\ul the one coming\ulnone ]\b eternal \b0 [\ul agelasting\ulnone ]\b life."\b0 The parallel passage to \cf1\ul Mar_10:30\cf0\ulnone is \cf1\ul Mat_19:28-29\cf0\ulnone "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.\i \i0 And ... shall inherit everlasting life." The time that the Apostles will inherit agelasting life is when they will be ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel. Christ will be sitting upon the throne of his glory. That timLVALe is known as the 1,000 year reign of Christ which is also called the\b millennial\b0 \b age. \b0 Our inheritance is dependent upon what we do now in this life. Do we perish in this age and live in the age to come or do we live in this age and perish in the \b millennium\b0 , the age to come? \cf1\ul Rom_2:6-7\cf0\ulnone "Who will render to every man \b according to his deeds\b0 :\i \i0 To them who by patient continuance in \b well doing \b0 seek for glory and honour and immortality,\b eternal \b0 [agelasting]\b life\b0 :" It is through \b well doing \b0 that we are rewarded agelasting life. \cf1\ul Gal_6:7-8\cf0\ulnone "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for \b whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap\b0 .\i \i0 For he that \b soweth to his flesh \b0 shall of the flesh \b reap corruption\b0 ; but he that \b soweth to the Spirit \b0 shall of the Spirit \b reap life everlasting\b0 .\i \i0 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season \b we shall reap, if we faint not\b0 ." If we faint we will perish but if we remain faithful, continue to believe, we will reap life for the coming age. \cf1\ul 2Ti_2:12-13\cf0\ulnone "If we \b suffer\b0 [present, active of \f3\fs26 upomew\f0\fs24 , endure], we shall also reign with \i him: \i0 if we deny \i him, \i0 he also will deny us:\i \i0 If we \b believe not\b0 [one word \f3\fs26 apistew\v\f0\fs24 aa\v0 , present active], \i yet \i0 he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." We will reign if we continue to believe, else we will perish!\fs22 \fs24\par \pard\cf2\kerning28\f5\fs23\par }