THE GOSPEL OF JOHN - CHAPTER 3: THE MEETING WITH NICODEMUS 1

There is probably not a better known narrative in biblical scripture than the meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus was an important man, a ruler of Israel. In this meeting and conversation, Jesus reveals to Nicodemus that one must be "born again" to inherit eternal life. Jesus revealed the stunning truth that no amount of good works or right living will save one from eternal damnation. Only when one personally receives Christ as savior through belief on who he is can one become "born again" and avoid this horrible fate of eternal condemnation. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?    • Video   THE MESSAGE OF THE RESURRECTION: MAKING HEAVEN AND AVOIDING HELL AFTER DEATH    • Video   It is quite interesting to know that this meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus took place on the Feast of Pentecost. What most Christians do not realize is that the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in the bodies of believers, i.e. born again believers, was an event predicted in the Jewish ritual of Pentecost - still observed until this day. This is the express reason why Jews stay up all night awaiting the daybreak of Pentecost. It should not be surprising to us that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of Acts was a fulfillment of the Pentecost ritual of the Jews. To this day, Jews observe the ritual, we observe the fact. It has been often noted by J.R. and Gary that the meaning of each of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet follow and correspond with the subject matter of each chapter of the book of John respectively in their order according to the number of the corresponding chapter. This bears the mark of not only a supernatural and divine origin of the entire book of John, but also bears a divine fingerprint in it's very structure. This being the case, it is remarkable that the theme encountered in chapter three of John alludes to the meaning of the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet - "Gimmel." "Gimmel" is the symbol of "kindness and culmination." The term "gamol," a derivative of this letter, means: "to nourish until completely ripe." The subject of the new "birth" through being "born again" discussed between Jesus and Nicodemus follows this concept precisely. Here, we can see the seed of the Gospel planted and nourished until it produces the prescribed fruit. It refers to the "development of an infant." The letter "gimmel" introduces the concept of spiritual birth - as seen here in the third chapter of John's Gospel - for the first time in the bible. Until now, the bible has not discussed the spiritual experience of being "born again." We are told that Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness, but the spiritual aspects of that faith were not discussed. Because of his faith, Abraham became the overseer of Paradise - known as Abraham's Bosom." Until now, the Mosaic Law was applied for the purpose of condemning transgressors - not for the endowment of eternal life. The process of a spiritual birth was foreign to Judaism. Even to this very day, Jews do not see themselves in need of regeneration. To them, one is born with a "clean slate" upon which to build his life. Only deliberate sins committed after maturity can condemn the Jew. The Jews do not recognize the universal inheritance of Adam's sin. Beginning here, however, we are told that man is born a sinner and cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven without the spiritual experience of a new birth through personally receiving Jesus Christ, which results in the physical indwelling of the Holy Spirit in one's body, thus recreating or regenerating the spirit of the person from it's state of death into a state of life again. This is what is meant by being "born again" as revealed by Jesus in his discussion with Nicodemus. It is an interesting fact that the books of John and Revelation have a duplication of design in how they are scripturally structured. When analyzed, one will discover that every chapter in the two books correspond perfectly with each other. John used a duplication of design as he composed the two books - the seven lights in chapter one of both books; the resurrections in chapter eleven of both books; the Antichrist in chapters 6, 12, 13 and 17; even a remarkable view of Christ in chapter 19 of both books. Every chapter in each book develops the same subject matter. It is remarkable that no one has ever seen this before. It is as plain as the nose on one's face. This is a duplication of design that could only have come from the supernatural inspiration of God. With that said, chapter 3 of John corresponds with the subject matter and theme of chapter 3 of the book of Revelation.