In this issue:
Did Jesus Die the Second Death?
Clarkes Commentary on 1 John 5:7
Did Jesus die the second death?
David Clayton
In the “Open Face” of December
2004 I published an article entitled, “Thoughts on Christ’s
Divinity”. In this article I stated that Jesus did not die the second
death and that what He experienced was the pangs of the second death
(the anticipation, the expectation of eternal death) but that He never
actually had the experience.
This position has disturbed some of our readers and a few have
contacted me objecting to this idea. I must admit that some of the
comments and arguments which were presented needed consideration and
have caused me to assess my position more carefully. One of the
objections which seemed to me to carry some weight was the suggestion
that if we say that Jesus suffered the second death, then we would be
supporting Catholic theology which teaches that the wages of sin is
suffering rather than death. So I gave the matter more careful thought
and as a consequence, I have here revisited the subject, taking what I
hope is a more systematic approach.
What is the Second Death?
There are only two places in the Bible where we are told what the
second death is. These are found in Revelation 20:14 and Revelation
21:8.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14)
“But the fearful, and unbelieving and the abominable, and murders, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have
their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is
the second death.” (Revelation 21:8.)
Both these verses tell us very clearly and unmistakably what the
second death is. The second death is the Lake of fire. There is no
second death outside of the lake of fire. Whatever or whoever dies the
second death goes into the lake of fire. If we accept the Bible as our
teacher we cannot successfully deny this fact. Therefore, we must
conclude that if Jesus died the second death then He must have gone into
the lake of fire. Did Jesus go into the lake of fire? Before we answer
this question we must ask ourselves another.
What is the Lake of Fire?
Most people assume that the lake of fire is a literal molten lake
where sinners will be destroyed at the end of the millennium. They
conclude that this lake of fire is created by the fire which comes down
from heaven (Rev. 20:4) and destroys the wicked. However, this is also
an idea which needs to be reconsidered.
Revelation 20:14 tells us that “death” and “hell” are cast into the
lake of fire. But death and hell are not tangible things, they are not
physical things which may be moved around. Death is the absence of life
and hell is simply the grave, the place of the dead (Greek –
Hades). What is God telling us when He says that they are cast into the
“lake of fire?” He is simply saying that they cease to exist. That they
will be no more, never ever again for all eternity . When they cease to
exist then they are said to be in the lake of fire. In other words, “the
lake of fire” is not a literal burning place. It is simply a term which
is used to describe a condition where things no longer exist. It is
true that fire will come down “from God out of heaven,” to destroy the
wicked (Rev. 20:9), but this fire is not the lake of fire. While this
fire which devours the wicked is real, the lake of fire is a figurative
place, which describes a condition, rather than a literal place. This is
similar to the “smoke of their torment” in Revelation 14:11 which we
are told ascends up “forever and ever.” It is not literal smoke, but
refers to a condition. So, fire comes down from God out of heaven and
destroys the wicked and when they are destroyed, they are said to be in
the lake of fire because they cease to exist. Let us examine another
verse which reinforces the fact that the lake of fire is not a literal
place, but is simply a term which describes the end of existence
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the
mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were
cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev 19:20)
The events of this verse take place at the beginning of the
millennium. Read carefully from verse 11 and you will see that this is
describing the second coming of Jesus. Yet it says clearly that at this
time, the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of
fire! So, one thousand years before fire comes down from God out of
heaven, the lake of fire already exists!. If we understood this lake of
fire to be a literal place, then we would have to accept the Catholic
teaching that there is a present burning place of torment called,
“hell,” where sinners are constantly tormented, because one thousand
years later, when the dragon (Satan) is finally cast into the lake of
fire, it says he is cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the
false prophet are.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be
tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev 20:10)
However, since we understand that this lake of fire is not a literal
place, we understand that God is simply telling us that the beast and
the false prophet die the second death – that is, they cease to exist at
the second coming of Jesus. At the end of the thousand years, all the
wicked, including those who made up the beast and the false prophet
organizations will return to face judgment and final
destruction. However, the organizations called, “the beast,” and, “the
false prophet,” will never return. These systems cease to exist when
Jesus returns the second time so they are said to be in the lake of
fire.
Again we must conclude, the second death is the lake of fire, and the
lake of fire is the end of existence. So we ask, did Jesus die the
second death? Did Jesus cease to exist?
If Jesus died the second death (eternal extinction), then how is He
alive today? This is an impossible contradiction. A couple of people
have tried to explain it to me by saying that although He died eternally
(forever) He had no sin in Himself and so God was able to bring Him
back to life. I am sorry but I cannot see this as an acceptable
explanation. All it says is that Jesus died forever, but He really
didn’t!
What Are the Wages of Sin?
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Interestingly, the Bible says that the wages of sin is death. Nowhere
does it state that the wages are, “eternal death,” or, “the second
death.” Ultimately all the lost will die and will never be
resurrected. Effectively they will cease to exist, but is this what is
required to satisfy the penalty for sin?
These questions may seem irrelevant, or the answers may seem obvious,
but they need to be asked in order that we may clarify issues in our
minds. Many times our greatest obstacles to understanding are long-held
ideas which we have believed to be true without really examining the
foundations for, and the implications of such ideas.
In examining this issue we need to isolate the facts which are beyond
controversy, to look at each of these facts in the light of the other
and see how these facts can be made to harmonize with each other.
Undeniable Facts
1. The wages of sin is death.
2. All sinners are required to pay the wages of sin.
3. Jesus paid the wages of sin on our behalf.
4. The death Jesus died was the price we were required to pay.
5. The second death is the lake of fire.
6. Those who enter the lake of fire cease to exist.
7. Jesus exists today so is not in the lake of fire, therefore He did not die the second death.
In Revelation 1:18 Jesus makes an interesting statement. He says,
“I am He that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus says, “I was dead.” Here He is clearly referring to His
experience of death on the cross and His sojourn in the grave over three
days. But now He is alive, and it is in relation to these two facts,
Him being once dead and now alive, that He says, “I have the keys of
hell (the grave) and death.” How did he obtain these keys? By conquering
both death and hell, by triumphing over them He destroyed their power
and obtained the keys, that is, the authority, to set their captives
free. Notice, Jesus has the keys of death because He was death’s
prisoner, but escaped from death’s grasp. Jesus will one day use these
keys to liberate many who are presently prisoners in the cage of death
and hell.
But let us consider, to which death does Jesus have the keys? Is it
the first or the second death? Obviously Jesus will never release anyone
from the grasp of the second death. According to Rev. 20:14 death and
hell do not even exist after the second death, so there is no key for
them. Evidently, Jesus has the key to the first death. This is the only
death from which prisoners will be released and so, it is evident that
this is the death which Jesus conquered. This is the death which held
Jesus in its grip and which He defeated.
What we must focus on is one, or both of two questions.
1. What really are the wages of sin?
2. What really happened when Jesus died?
It seems evident that it cannot be true to say that Jesus did die the
second death. This does not harmonize with what the Bible says. In
seeking to understand how the price of our sin was paid we must look at
other questions.
The obvious question then is, if Jesus did not die the second death,
what was different about His death? In what way was it any different
from that of anyone else who has ever died from the time of Adam until
now? In what way did He take the penalty of sin on our behalf?
The Real Penalty
Those who die the second death will never come back to life. However,
although Jesus came back to life after His death, there is something
which He had in common with those who die the second death. There is
something which they have in common in terms of the circumstances
surrounding their death, which they have in common with no one else.
This is the critical element which is really the wages of sin. This is
the critical factor which was necessary in order that Jesus should take
the penalty for us, and it did not have to do with the duration of time
for which Jesus was dead.
There are three places in the Bible which describe death as the
ultimate penalty for sin. I do not mean as a consequence of sin, but as
the ultimate penalty. Two of these places are in prophecies which relate
to the future, while one is a prophecy which relates to a past event,
already fulfilled. The fulfilled prophecy, of course deals with the
death of Jesus. He is the only one in all existence who has ever, up to
this point, paid the penalty – the ultimate penalty of sin.
What Happened to Jesus?
This death of Jesus in payment of sin’s penalty is clearly described
in Isaiah 53. This chapter gives us a comprehensive commentary on the
background reasons for the death of Jesus.
In verse 4 it says that it was God who smote Him. He was “smitten of
God and afflicted.” This verse as well as several others gives us an
awe-inspiring view of what was happening on Calvary. Jesus was dying
under sentence of God. He was being deliberately executed by the
pre-determined decision of God, a sinner, judged and condemned by the
Almighty.
• God laid our iniquity on Him (v.6)
• He was smitten of God (v.4)
• The Lord bruised Him…put Him to grief (v.10)
Of course this was not because Jesus was in any way deserving of such a judgment, but,
• He was wounded for our transgression (v.5)
• He bore the sin of many (v.12)
• God laid our iniquity on Him (v.6)
So there can be no question that the death which Jesus died is the
death which sinners should die. He did take our place and as we examine
what happened to Him we may understand what really are the wages of sin.
The next place which describes the ultimate penalty of sin is
Revelation 20:11-15. Here we have a description of the final destruction
of the wicked. But as we read carefully we notice that this destruction
is as a result of the express sentence of God. The dead stand before
God, are judged out of the books and are sentenced “according to their
works.” Only then are they destroyed. Their death is simply an execution
as a consequence of God’s sentence. (Romans 1:32)
The third place where we find a description of an entity suffering the
ultimate penalty of sin is Revelation 19:20. Here we are told that the
beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. This final
destruction of the beast is also described in Daniel 7:11 where we are
given an interesting background to his execution. We are told in verses
9, 10 that the judgment sits and the beast is finally destroyed
forever. He is judged and condemned by God and heaven and finally
executed, that is, he is “given to the burning flame.”
So then, what is the common element in the deaths of, (a) the beast,
(b) the sinners who are lost and (c) Jesus? Obviously, it is the fact
that all were judged, and died under direct condemnation and sentencing
of God. None of them had a death which was simply a consequential result
of sin. All died as an act of execution, decreed by the judgment of God
and heaven.
Conclusion
We must conclude then that the wages of sin, or the penalty of sin is
to die, condemned of God and separated from Him. The question of a
resurrection from that death is irrelevant to the sentence. The issue is
that this is what justice requires – death, totally separated from God,
His grace and His mercy, with the mind under the weight of the
conviction of sin and judgment. This is what Jesus alone has
experienced, and what the finally impenitent will also experience.
This helps us to grasp a little more fully the concept of the “death
of the cross.” This is a term which is used to describe the kind of
death which Christ died (Phil. 2:8) and it suggests the death of a
condemned, disgraced criminal, exposed laid out to the view of the
world.
This is the way Jesus died and when we understand this, it helps us to
understand a little better the nature of the sacrifice which both God
and His Son made. I have often heard it asked, “where was the greatness
of God’s sacrifice when He full well knew that He would have His Son
restored to Him within forty hours?” But the truth is, the suffering of
both Christ and the Father – the horror which they suffered, the price
which they paid – was surely not in the approximately 39 hours during
which Jesus slept the sleep of death in the grave. No, it was the agony
of the separation, the pain of rejection, the awful sense of God’s
condemnation which preceded His death which was the real suffering of
Jesus, and which broke both His, and the Father’s hearts.
These are some of the facts which become evident as we examine this
question of which death Jesus died. Hopefully, these thoughts will help
us to better assess the question of whether or not Jesus died the second
death.
What is Truth?
Howard Williams
The word, “truth” is used to
establish the certainty of fact. The speaking of truth is regarded as a
necessary anchor to the moral foundation of society.
According to the dictionary, truth is:
“that which is true; statement, etc. that accords with fact or reality”
While the Bible defines truth in a similar way, it does carry another
definition of truth, and this definition is what we want to look at.
Truth that saves
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Jn1: 17 (RSV)
This verse seems to be expressing a startling reality which is worth
considering, and that is, that before Jesus, there was no truth! While
there was a theoretical conformity to that which is true, or to that,
which is fact or reality, the truth which came through Jesus, was never
before properly understood or experienced before the time of Christ.
Before His incarnation Jesus was the fountain of this truth; by His
inspiration the prophets spoke of it, and by him this truth was
communicated to men, but in a concealed way. Upon His arrival on earth,
Jesus declares concerning himself!
“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
Truth about the Father
Jesus says, He is “the way,” but the question that follows is, “the
way to who, what or where?” If we can understand just where this way
leads, then we can also understand about, “the truth” and “the life”
that Jesus is.
According to the verse, Jesus is “the way” to “the Father” because he
says, “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Now if Jesus is the
way to the Father, then it follows that he must be the truth about the
Father, and that he brings the life of the Father to us.
Therefore, in this context, Truth is not an abstract word, but has
reference to a specific person, the one who is the medium, “…truth came
through Jesus Christ.” Truth was not something Jesus simply carried. It
was embodied in him, and flowed through him, and thus Jesus himself is
Truth!! (see Acts 10:38)
During the last few hours before He died, while standing before Pilate
and answering to the question of whether or not He was a king, Jesus
said,
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I
should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth
heareth my voice.” (Jn 18:37)
Though Himself the truth, Jesus came to witness, or to speak, to
manifest the truth in a particular area, and as we read the Scriptures
carefully it becomes evident that the truth which Jesus came to make
known was primarily the truth concerning the Father.
What is this truth about the Father that Jesus brought, that before him were only shadows or symbols?
The truth Jesus brought was:
1. The truth concerning the greatness of God’s love for us. (John 3:16)
2. The truth that this love was manifested in the gift of the Father’s only begotten Son. (1 John 4:9)
3. The truth about the indwelling of the Father. (John 14:23)
These truths were never before opened to man as plainly as Jesus
revealed them. As the medium of truth, He is the one who communicates
truth for the salvation of men. The life and the teachings of Jesus
Christ were the most complete and perfect representation of the Father’s
life, that has been or can be presented to man, so Jesus told Phillip,
“…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9)
The greatest blessing that Jesus brings to this world, is that the
life of the father flows through him to us. (John 17:21-22; 6:63)
Therefore the only hope for fallen humanity to be brought back into
harmony with God and righteousness is wrapped up in Jesus. For us to
experience this truth that is offered in Jesus, we must accept him as
the Scriptures reveal him.
Truth about Jesus’ identity
According to the Scriptures, who is Jesus Christ?
“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.” John 3:16-17
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in
the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18)
The Scriptures declare Jesus to be, “the only begotten Son of God.”
There is no mistaking the emphasis on that fact in the Bible. Jesus’
mission to the world is to reveal to us the Father, and what better
person to reveal him than He who understands him best, and this is
implied in the phrase, “which is in the bosom of the Father.” This tells
of the vantage point from which the Son speaks, and shows the bond that
exists, between the Father and his Son.
So the Scripture invites us, to experience Him who sent, through Him who was sent.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that
is true, even in (by being in) his Son Jesus Christ. This (the one who
is true) is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
Believing God’s truth
The majority of Christians today, confess with the mouth that Jesus is
the Son of God, and even that He is the only begotten Son, but when
asked the real meaning of their confession, they declare, “He is not
really the Son but just acting or playing the role of the Son.” Others
say He is God himself!
Can the scriptures be trusted to declare what is true, or even more
importantly can God’s own voice be trusted? It was He who spoke from
heaven in a thunderous voice and declared, “…this is my beloved son in
whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17
Christians today say, “no, we can’t trust God, and in fact we won’t
believe him either. In spite of what God says we will teach that he is
not the actual literal begotten Son of God!!”
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. He that
believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that
believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the
record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:9-10)
Accordingly then, the large majority who refuse to accept Jesus as the literal only born Son of God have made God a liar!!
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that
acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (1 Jn 2:23)
Jesus the “Word.”
In John 1:1, Jesus is represented as the, “Word.” Jesus is primarily
the Word of God, the expression of God’s thought: and the Scriptures
being the word of God fulfill the same purpose. So as we study the words
of scripture, it is Jesus that we are getting acquainted with, and
through Jesus, we are led to the Father.
Jesus encourages us to, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John
5:39)
Even though we search the scriptures we often miss the greatest
benefit of this search, and fail to find the reality of Him whom the
scriptures reveal. So Jesus says that although you search, “…ye will not
come to me, that ye might have life.” (v.40)
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” 1 Jn 5:11
The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy tells of some
devastating times that would exist in the Church in the last days, and
he goes on to show the reason why this would happen, he says people will
be,
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:7)
Inside the church the believers would be studying the scriptures
daily, but would never find Jesus and come into an experience with him.
Have you found Jesus to be the truth as the scriptures reveal Him?
The truth about fellowship
Jesus told his disciples that he had to go away, and great sadness
came upon them, but he cheered them up by telling them that while he was
gone, his spirit would live in their hearts and so they would still
have Him with them. Notice what he promised that his spirit would do for
them,
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” John 16:13
Even when his body was absent his Spirit would continue to lead the
disciples into all truth. All true Christians still have Jesus in their
hearts just as if he were right here on earth with them physically.
Jesus promised this before he left and it has been fulfilled just as he
promised. He said,
“…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him,
and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23)
Not only is Jesus Himself here with us, but His Father dwells with us as well.
Rejecting truth
There is a passage of scripture, which I think, is the most fearsome part of scripture and we are going to look at it now.
“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thes 2:11-12)
Why would God allow strong delusion to overtake Christians?
“…Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thes 2:10)
What does it mean to not receive the love of the truth?
Denying the truth
Although receiving the love of the truth is our only guarantee to
salvation, these people did not receive the love of God which came
through Jesus. Like the Christians of the twenty-first century, they are
deluded and deceived, they do not accept Jesus as the only begotten Son
of God, and for this cause they cannot receive the Love of God in their
hearts.
“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that
acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” (1 John 2:23)
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)
To accept the truth that Jesus is the only born child of God the
Father, brings us saving knowledge about God, thus enabling us to
receive Jesus and the Father into our hearts.
There is a popular phrase which goes something like this, “If you
don’t have something to stand for, then you’ll fall for anything.” This
is true in Christianity too, “if you have not found Jesus who is the way
to the Father, then you will fall for all the falsehoods and delusions
that Satan will bring in, and in the end lose eternal life.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth
on him.” John 3:36
The reason for ungodliness and unrighteousness in the church, is the
fact that men embrace the name of Jesus, but have a wrong conception of
who He really is. For this reason the wrath of God will be revealed
against them.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” (Rom
1:18)
Overcoming sin
As Christians we should all have one great desire, and that is to
overcome sin. It is impossible for us to be like our father in heaven if
we still have sin in our lives.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)
“…for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1Jn 3:8
One of the main purposes for which God sent his only begotten Son was
that he should conquer and destroy sin. but sin can only be conquered
and destroyed in those who truly desire to be free from its power.
As the world with its attractions, temptations and allurements seem to
be overwhelming us, what can we do, where can we turn for strength to
overcome?
“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)
This verse is an amazing one. Surely, it promises a great deal and
every struggling sinner should regard this text as a critical key in the
search for victory over self and sin. But someone may ask, “How does
believing that Jesus is the Son of God give me strength to conquer the
world?”
The answer to that question lies in an understanding of who Jesus
really is, and the love that exists in the Fathers heart for us, which
led to such a sacrifice on our behalf.
When this love has filled our hearts, then we will understand that
willfully doing what we know to be wrong would actually be hurting our
Father and his Son. The motivation which comes with true love will make
it impossible for us to do anything to hurt the ones we genuinely love!!
Truth about freedom
Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
The reality is that sin has us in bondage, and we are all by nature,
slaves to sin, but Jesus made it clear, “If the Son therefore shall make
you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (v.36) Freedom from sin comes only
through Jesus!
A Banner of love
How does accepting Jesus as the only begotten Son help us?
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. (PS. 60:4)
A banner is an open and visible sign that is seen and understood by
everyone around. What then is the banner that Christians have that is
displayed because of Jesus?
The recognition that God loves us so much that he gave his only
begotten son to die to pay the penalty for sin, and that the son loves
us so much that he agreed to give his life as a ransom for us, will give
us an understanding of how much we mean to the Father and his Son. When
we recognize this, it will cause us to live in a different way. The
banner of love will be displayed to the world because of Jesus living in
the hearts of the Christian. (Col 1:27)
The Bible says, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.” (Jn 13:35) But this love, this
“banner,” will only be displayed, will only become a reality when we
first of all recognize and accept the greatness of the love which God
and His Son exercised on our behalf, when God gave His Son for sinful
man. (1 John 4:11)
Love is the reason
Understanding and experiencing this love impels us to love him in
return and naturally to love one another too. The truth is that when we
are truly in love, we will do all that the one we love requires of us.
This is the effect that love has on the one who experiences it.
“For the love of Christ constraineth us…” (2 Cor 5:14)
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for
us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through
him.” (1 John 4:9)
“We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:15)
The true revelation of how much we love God and his Son is the testimony of love in our lives.
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5)
When our love begins to increase for the poor sinners in the world, then we may know with assurance that we are in him.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another
with a pure heart fervently: (1 Pet 1:22)
Let us seek constantly to abide in Christ by daily studying his word
with the one desire of meeting the living word, Jesus the Christ the Son
of the living God, who was anointed and sent for the sole purpose of
bringing us back into harmony with God and heaven.
When we shall have met him let us invite him to come and live inside
of us daily, and then and only then can we truly experience the truth as
it is in Jesus.
Clarke’s Commentary on 1 John 5:7
Verse 7. There are three that
bear record) The FATHER, who bears testimony to His Son; the WORD or
Logos, who bears testimony to the Father; and the HOLY GHOST, which
bears testimony to the Father and the Son. And these three are one in
essence, and agree in the one testimony, that Jesus came to die for, and
give life to, the world.
But it is likely that this verse is not genuine. It is wanting
(missing) in every MS. Of this epistle written before the invention of
printing, one excepted, the Codex Montfortii, in trinity College,
Dublin: the others which omit this verse amount to one hundred and
twelve.
It is wanting (missing) in both the Syriac, all the Arabic,
Ethiopic, the Coptic, Sahidic, Armenian, Slavonian, & c., in a word,
in all the ancient versions but the Vulgate; and even of this version
many of the most ancient and correct MSS. Have it not. It is wanting
also in all the ancient Greek fathers; and in most even of the Latin.
The words, as they exist in all the Greek MSS with the exception of the Codex Montfortii, are the following: –
“6. This is he that came by water and blood, 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 witness,
the Spirit, the water, and the blood; these three agree in one. 9. If we
receive the witness of man, the witness of God is greater, &c.”
The words that are omitted by all the MSS., the above excepted, and all the versions, the Vulgate excepted, are these:-
[In heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three
are one: and there are three which bear witness in earth.]
To make the whole more clear, that every reader may see what has been
added, I shall set down these verses, with the inserted words in
brackets.
“6. 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 which 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, &c.” Any man may see on
examining the words, that if those included in brackets, which are
wanting in the MSS. And versions, be omitted, there is no want of
connection; and as to the sense, it is complete and perfect without
them; and, indeed much more so than with them. I shall conclude this
part of the note by observing, with Dr. Dodd, “that there are some
internal and accidental marks which may render the passage suspected;
for the sense is complete, and indeed more clear and better preserved,
without it. Besides, the Spirit is mentioned, both as a witness in
heaven and on earth; so that the six witnesses are thereby reduced to
five, and the equality of number, or antithesis between the witnesses in
heaven and on earth, is quite taken away. Besides, what need of
witnesses in heaven? No one there doubts that Jesus is the Messiah; and
if it be said that Father, Son, and Spirit are witnesses on earth, then
there are five witnesses on earth, and none in heaven; not to say that
there is a little difficulty in interpreting how the Word or the Son can
be a witness to himself.”
It may be necessary to inquire how this verse stood in our earliest
English Bibles. In COVERDALE’S Bible, printed about 1535, for it bears
no date, the seventh verse is put in brackets thus:-
And it is the Sprete that beareth wyness; for the Sprete is the
trueth. (For there are thre which beare recorde in heaven; the Father,
the Woorde, and the Holy Ghost, and these thre are one.) And there are
thre which beare record in earth: the Sprete, water and bloude and these
thre are one. If we receyve, &c.
Tindal was as critical as he was conscientious; and though he admitted
the words into the text of the first edition of his New Testament
printed in 1526, yet he distinguished them by a different letter, and
put them in brackets, as Coverdale had done; and also the words in
earth, which stand in verse 8. without proper authority, and which being
excluded make the text the same as in the MSS., &c.
Two editions of this version are now before me; one printed in English and Latin, quarto, with the following title:-
The Newe Testament, both in Englyshe and Laten, of Mayster Eramus
translation – and imprinted by William Powell – the yere of our Lorde
M.CCCCC.XLVll. And the first yere of the kinges (Edw. Vl.) moste
gracious reygve.
In this edition the text stands thus:-
And it is the Spirite that beareth wytnes, because the Spirite is
truth (for there are thre whiche beare recorde in heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these thre are one.) For there are
thre which beare recorde, (in earth,) the Spirite, water, and blode, and
these thre are one. If we receive, &c.
The other, printed in London “by William Tylle, 4to, without the Latin
of Erasmus in M.CCCCC.XLIX. “the thyrde yere of the reigne of our moost
dreade Soverayne Lorde Kynge Edwarde the Syxte.” Has, with a small
variety of spelling, the text in the same order, and the same words
included in brackets as above.
The English Bible, with the book of Common Prayer, printed by Richard
Cardmarden, at Rouen in Normandy, fol. 1566, exhibits the text
faithfully, but in the following singular manner:-
And it is the Spyryte that beareth witnesse, because the Spyryte is
truthe. (for there are three which beare recorde in heaven. the Father,
the Woorde, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are One) And three which
beare recorde* (in earth) the Spirite, and water, and bloode; and these
three are one.
The first English Bible which I have seen, where these distinctions
were omitted, is that called The Bishop’s Bible, printed by Jugge, fol.
1568. Since that time, all such distinctions have been generally
disregarded.
Though a conscientious believer in the doctrine of the ever blessed,
holy and undivided Trinity, and in the proper and essential Divinity of
our Lord Jesus Christ, which doctrines I have defended by many, and even
new, arguments in the course of this work, I cannot help doubting the
authenticity of the text in question; and, for farther particulars,
refer to the observations at the end of this chapter.
Observations on the three Heavenly Witnesses
SUMMARY of the whole evidence relative to the THREE HEAVENLY WITNESSES, 1 John v.7.
1. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTHEEN Greek MSS. Are extant, containing the
First Epistle of John, and the text in question is wanting in 112. It
only exists in the Codex Montfortii, (a comparatively recent MS.,)
already described. The Codex Ravianus, in the Royal Library at Berlin,
is a transcript taken from the Complutensian Polygot.
2. All the GREEK fathers omit the verse, though may of them quote both
verse 6 and verse 8, applying them to the Trinity, and the Divinity of
Christ and the Holy Spirit; yea, and endeavor to prove the doctrine of
the Trinity from verse 6 and verse 8 without referring to any such verse
as the 7th, which, had it existed, would have been a more positive
proof, and one that could not have been overlooked.
3. The first place in which the verse appears in Greek is the Greek
translation of the Acts of the Council of Lateran, held A.D. 1215.
4. Though it is found in many Latin copies, yet does not appear that any written previously to the TENTH CENTURY contains it.
5. The LATIN fathers did not quote it, even where it would have
greatly strengthened their arguments; and where, had it existed, it
might have been most naturally expected.
6. Vigilius, bishop of Tapsum, at the conclusion of the fifth century,
it the first who seems to have referred expressly to the three heavenly
witnesses; but his quotation does not agree with the present text
either in words or in sense; and besides, he is a writer of very little
credit, nor does the place alleged appear to learned men to be genuine.
7. The Latin writers who do refer to the three heavenly witnesses vary
greatly in their quotations, the more ancient placing the eighth verse
before the seventh, and very many omitting, after the earthly witnesses,
the clause these three are one. Others who insert these three are one
add in Christ Jesus; others use different terms.
8. It is wanting in all the ancient VERSIONS, THE Vulgate excepted;
but the more ancient copies of this have it not; and those which have it
vary greatly among themselves, as may be seen in the specimens already
produced.
9. It is wanting in the first edition of Erasmus, A.D. 1516, which is properly the editio princeps of the Greek text.
It is wanting also in his second edition 1519, but he added it in the third from the Codex Montfortii.
It is wanting in the editions of Aldus, Gerbelius, Cephalaeus, &c.
It is wanting in the German translation of LUTHER, and in all the editions of it published during his lifetime.
It is inserted in our early English translations, but with marks of doubtfulness, as has already been shown.
10. In short, it stands on no authority sufficient to authenticate any part of a revelation professing to have come from God.
See Griesbach’s Dissertation on this verse at the end of the second volume of his Greek text. Halae et Londini, 1806.
In defense of this verse see “Archdeacon Travis’ Letters to Gibbon;”
and on the other side, “Professor Porson’s Answers to Travis.” The
latter left nothing farther to be said on the subject either in
vindication or reply.
Taken from Clarke’ Commentary, by Adam Clarke, LL. D., F.S.A., &c., 1874 edition
Romanian Report
Vlad & Andi Ardeias
This report came to us a couple of months ago but we were unable to publish it before now. We hope that it will still prove to be a blessing. (ed.)
……………………………………………….
My dear brothers and sisters,
Here I am with more news about the Work of God from Romania! The reasons for me writing the following lines are
(a) because I always enjoy reading news about God’s way of dealing with the people all around the world;
(b) because God is praised by all these experiences;
(c) because your faith is strengthened!
Two days ago, my dear wife Andi and I, got back home from a week
long missionary trip to the centre and south part of the country! We
have been abundantly blessed by the presence of our God, and He gave us
wonderful experiences!
Before we left our home, the weather was like in the spring time,
and all our country enjoyed temperatures between + 5 to + 24 degrees
Celsius! We didn’t have snow at all, and we were happy for this gift!
But two days before we left, the temperature got low and in the centre
and south part of the country the snow blocked some of the roads! We
knew that Satan would do everything in his power to hinder us! We could
have easily cancelled the trip, but we knew that God wanted us to be in
the SDARM (Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement) church from the city
of Ploiesti on the following Sabbath, and I will tell you why!
The Sabbath lessons of the SDARM church are now dealing AGAIN in the
past year, with the doctrine if the Trinity! They reserved five lessons
for this subject, lessons entitled:
1. “Jesus Christ – fully God”
2. “The divinity of Christ – Confessions”
3. “The Word became flesh”
4. “The Holy Ghost”
5. “The heavenly trio”
When I first saw these lessons, I knew that God had a plan for us,
and we understood that He wanted us to send the Truth everywhere! So, I
started to write commentaries to every lesson, and to send them all
around the world to all the addresses that I had! The people seemed to
be interested, and so I went on till the last lesson! But: while I was
writing the commentaries to lesson 4, “The Holy Ghost”, I observed
something very interesting: for the first time (as much as I know) the
SDARM church edited an Ellen White text! It is the well known and the
precious text that says:
“Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally;
therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave
them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on
earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of
humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present
in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent. “But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My
name, He shall (although unseen by you), [THIS PHRASE WAS ADDED BY ELLEN
WHITE.] teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you” [John 14:26]. “Nevertheless I tell you
the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not
away, the Comforter will come not unto you; but if I depart, I will send
Him unto you” [John 16:7].” {14MR 23.3}
The way that they printed it is:
“… with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally;
therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave
them, go to His father, and send the Holy Ghost to be His successor on
earth. The Holy Ghost is divested of the personality of humanity and
independent thereof. He (Christ –translator’s note) would represent
Himself as present in all places by His Holy Ghost, as the omnipresent.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in My name, He shall (although unseen by you), [THIS PHRASE WAS ADDED BY
ELLEN WHITE.] teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” [John 14:26].
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will come not unto you; but if
I depart, I will send Him unto you” [John 16:7].” {14MR 23.3}
So, they took away the first word “cumbered”, the word “Himself” from
the proposition “The Holy Spirit is HIMSELF divested of the personality
of humanity and independent thereof,” they added a note and they wrote
the word “Omnipresent” without the capital letter! Interestingly, when I
checked out the English version of the lessons on the SDARM website, I
noticed that they published the text as it stands in the Ellen White
manuscript, and so in the French edition! But only in the Romanian and
the Hungarian editions the text was edited. (the lessons in the
Hungarian language are also printed in Romania!)
Of course, you may easily understand the implications! And I knew that
God wanted everybody to know that, and that’s why we thought of
spending the Sabbath in the SDARM church in Ploiesti, which is a big
one, and also, that’s why Satan wanted us so badly home, and not in any
of the churches! So, we left, although the weather forecast sounded very
bad! The night before, trucks and cars were blocked in several parts of
the country, including some of those where we were supposed to pass!
But, although we have a light 2×4 car with old tires, the Lord was
beside us all the time, and we didn’t have any problem at all!
Our first stop was in Topoloveni with an eighteen year old sister that
we met on the internet and who accepted the truth about God not long
ago, and the 1888 message two years ago. We had a blessed correspondence
and when we arrived at her place, we found her, her mother and sister,
all three happy to meet us. We had a blessed few hours of talking about
the truth about God and about the true Church of God! The eighteen year
old sister (Gabriela) had always been excellent at English in school,
and she thought of going to the university this year to become an
English teacher, but after discovering all those truths, she wanted
badly to work for God! We have been talking about that during our
correspondence, and she said that she is seriously thinking of starting
the work of translating books from English to Romanian, but her main
problem is that she doesn’t have any computer! I thought of giving her
my first one, but the CD-Rom is dead, and it is almost impossible to
work without it! We concluded that we will pray for that, and she
expressed her faith in God’s guidance, and in His plans! Now, she is
seriously thinking of not going to the university at all, but to engage
in God’s work full time! Of course, she would be of a great help here in
Romania, and we remembered Jesus’ words: “The harvest truly is great,
but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2. We ask
you to pray also for the Romanian field, for more consecrated workers;
we badly need more!
After this short but extremely blessed visit, we went to a brother in
Olt, one of the most influential in the SDARM church in Romania, a
brother that recently went out (resigned) from the “organized work of
the church” because of his conscience. He is a strong believer and
preacher of the truth about God and of the 1888 message, and we spent
wonderful, blessed moments with his family. He told me of several ideas
that he had concerning the work of God in Romania, and we concluded that
we should earnestly pray for God’s guidance for the next step in this
country! He recently wrote a letter to all the employed workers of the
SDARM church in Romania, in which he denounced the abuses of the leaders
and their satanic way of dealing with the people in general, and with
their sheep in particular! The letter was very strong, and it had a very
large influence in the field!
After that, we spent a couple of days at my mother’s place, and then
we finally went to Ploiesti! There we spent the two nights at our
friends, Alexander and Diana, a faithful couple that is doing a
wonderful work in that area! After he told me about the situation in the
local church and after I earnestly prayed for God’s guidance, I
concluded that it would be best if next morning, in the Sabbath school, I
would not say anything except concerning the edited text!
Next morning we went to the church and during the Sabbath school I
didn’t say a word, although all of them (including the pastor) were
astonished because of my silence. But when the question with the edited
text came, then I got up and I told them that I would not comment on the
Bible verses and the paragraphs that were misused, but I would only
call their attention to this grave action! All of a sudden, many of them
started to defend the editor and the translator, and a sister said that
I went there to shake their faith! Then I turned to her and asked, “Do
you understand what you are saying? Do you understand that this means
that I have a pact with the devil to lead you to eternal death?” And she
answered “Yes!” Then I said that I had nothing more to say, I sat and
we waited until the end of the program. At the very end, the pastor read
the well known text:
“The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it,
because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views
may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on
them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church.
Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding,
silence is golden.” {AA 52.1}
Of course I got the point, and so, in the pause till the sermon time,
we left the building! After that, the elder and the sister that told me
the words came to me and apologize. We accepted them, and had a long
conversation! They tried to defend the editor again, saying “This is
something small; let us stick to the essentials, to the points that we
agree on!” I told them that if they don’t care that they have poison in
their soup, they will not get to the cake!
We left the very next day, knowing that now all the country (and more
than that) will find out what had happened there, and what I said! In
our way back home, we also visited a brother that I met on the internet,
a brother who was glad to read my commentaries on those Sabbath school
lessons! He is employed in a firm, but wants to get in the lines of
God’s workers!
Seven days: a whole week lasted our trip, and we were so happy for all
that God could do in this time! When we got home, we found the water
pipes for the bathroom frozen! So, pray for us! My dear brothers and
sisters, I hope and pray that our Heavenly Father may give you wonderful
experiences with Him!
With all our love,
Vlad & Andi Ardeias.
Open Face is published bi-monthly and is sent free to all who desire to receive it.
David Clayton: Editor and Publisher
P. O. Box 23 Knockpatrick
Manchester, Jamaica W.I.
Phone: (876) 904-7392
email: david@restorationministry.com
