Servias Ministries Blog

Yesterday in our online Bible Study, we considered the parallel of the 8 signs in the Gospel of John relating to the 2nd eight miracles of Elisha.  After all, the 1st John was directly linked to the ministry of Elijah, which appeared to have been cut short:

Luke 1:17 “He (John, the Baptist) will also go before Him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

The Gospel of John has a theme of eight signs:

First Sign: John 2:1-12 Turning water into wine

Second Sign: 4:43-54 A Nobleman’s son is healed

Third Sign: 5:1-15 Impotent Man healed at the Pool of Bethesda

Fourth Sign: 6:5-13 Feeding of the 5,000

Fifth Sign: 6:16-25 Walking on water

Sixth Sign: 9:1-38 The man born blind is healed and receives his sight

Seventh Sign: 11:1-46 Raising of Lazarus from the dead

Eighth Sign: 21:1-14  The 153 fishes

The second 8 miracles of Elisha

9. Bread multiplied for 100 men. (4:43) correlates to the fourth sign feeding of the 5,000

10 Naaman healed. (5:10) correlates to the second sign of a Nobleman’s son being healed

11 Gehazi smitten. (5:27)

12 Caused the iron to swim. (6:6) correlates to the fifth sign of walking on water

13 Sight to the blind. (6:17) correlates to the sixth sign of opening eyes to see and the third sign of the impotent man

14 Smiting blindness to these men. (6:18)

15 Restoring sight to these men. (6:20) correlates to the sixth sign of opening eyes to see

16 Miracle after his death, man comes to life by touching Elisha’s bones. (13:21) correlates to the seventh sign of raising Lazarus from the dead

The two miracles of Elisha that had no apparent correlation to the signs in John both had to do with causing blindness or leprosy, both aspects of judgment.  On the other hand, the three signs of John with no Elisha correlation are all related to the Overcomers: water transformed into wine, being in command and superseding the natural (walking on water), and the 153 fishes (the sign of the Overcomers).

The eight signs of John have a further relationship with each other in four groups of two:

The signs of transformation:  The 1st sign: Marriage in Cana (2:1-11), and the 8th sign: 153 Fishes (21:1-14).  In the first sign, He manifested forth His glory (2:11); in the eighth sign He "manifested Himself" (21:14).  The first sign signified that need :  "they have no wine" (2:3), while the last signified that with all their time and energy, they had "caught nothing", and had "no meat"; but it signified also that Jesus could supply both: sustenance and joy.

The signs of overcoming death: The 2nd sign:The Ruler’s Son (4:46-50), and the 7th sign: Lazarus (11:1-44).  The "sign" in each case was connected with death:  the son being on the point of death (4:47), the Lazarus is actually dead and in the tomb. 

The signs dealing with sin: The The 3rd sign: Impotent Man (5:1-47), and The 6th sign: the Man born Blind (9:1-41).  In both these two "signs", the men are living in hopelessness (5:5;  9:1);  In both cases, Jesus was the initiator (5:6;  9:1), the men had no expectation that life would change.  They had no revelation of the Divine Intent of Love.  In both the preceding two groups of signs, He was the One Who was sought.  Sin had been the cause of both impotence and the blindness.  It was the cause of Israel’s 38 years in the wilderness.  The man born blind was born into sin but was restored by the Life Giver. 

The signs of power and authority over creation: The 4th sign: Feeding of the Five Thousand (6:1-14), and the 5th sign:the Walking on the Sea (6:15-21).  These are the only two "signs" which are recorded in the other three Gospels; thus implying their their significance.  Both "signs" focus on the fact these He is LORD over creation and that all particles are subject to HIM and HIS higher laws.

The eight "signs" are divided into seven and one; the seven taking place during the ministry of our Lord; and the one (8th sign) after His resurrection.  The 3rd, 4th, and 5th sign pointed to Jehovah-Ropheka, the Healer of His People; Jehovah-Ro’i, andJehovah-Jireh, the Supplier of all His People’s needs; and Jehovah the Creator of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them.  The 6th and 7th signs seventh) focus on restoration of mankind by restoring sight (eyes to see) and overcoming death.

The 8th sign eighth stands out alone.  It occurred after His resurrection.  It is the gathering of the Sons of GOD.  They will fully embrace and walk in the New Commandment:

John 13:31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This statement occurred after the first 7 signs and before the 8th sign.  Now is the time for this focus on Love for each other- the “horizontal” ministry.

Yesterday’s broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/39823840

Deuteronomy 28:1  “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

What a straightforward request!  To hear implies hearing and responding with action.  Jesus confirmed this when He said:

John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Judgment can only be righteous if it is submitted to the Heavenly Court for a verdict.  Why?  The pure Truth resides with Our Heavenly Father and HE knows the intents of men’s hearts.  No one else does.  We are told over and over to obey the voice of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, although most people do not have a clue of how to hear HIM.  Hearing is a real issue.  Men are heading in the opposite direction, away from the Throne of GOD.  Repent means to turn away from your current path.  I would suggest a 180 degree turn would be appropriate.  The Bible continues to be accurate in its Laws, Precepts, Values, etc.  If nothing else, you can “hear” Our Heavenly Father by reading the words of Jesus.  HE fulfilled the Will and Character of Our Heavenly Father.  If you are having a difficult time, quit taking in all of the world’s noise.  The world would fill you up with meaningless information and opinions that don’t amount to anything of value.  Turn off the radio, the talk shows, and other “time burners” in order to clear your mind and ears so that when HE speaks, you can hear.

When you hear from HIM, observe carefully to do HIS commandments.  Our Heavenly Father’s Divine Intent is the source of all the universe, and this universe is operating properly, without issue.  On the other hand, mankind is in a mess.  Wars, scarcity, hatred, insecurity, and division are all indications that men are listening to their own ego rather than the voice of Our Heavenly Father.  We are to keep HIS Words before our consciousness, not forgetting the revelations HE has bestowed on each of us.  We must not let men convince us of alternative paths, tickling our ears.  We must not look to signs as our primary guidance but only has confirmations of HIS Word to us.  We must keep Love in the center of our walk.  Jesus said the whole Law is fulfilled by Love thus in order to be set “high above all nations of the earth”, Love must be our primary motivation.  Otherwise, we will be swept into judgment associated with alternative thinking.

As we hear, keep, watch, and guard, we mature as sons and daughters.  As we submit to the Truth and stand on it, we will be given greater responsibility and authority.  There is so much disinformation out there, how can you expect to build a solid foundation of knowledge?  How can you apply your skills to situations where lies are being spread like wildfire?  Who can know the intent of men who promote their agenda?  What path are they trying to take us down?  What is the solution?  Focusing on the one reliable source of the Truth.  Until then, it is better to do nothing than to do something that will have to be reversed later.

Are you part of the problem?  Are you trying to fulfill your ego’s agenda by manipulating others by your words and your actions?  If so, stop it.  Repent.  Go to your brother and ask for forgiveness.  Your ego would have you justify your selfish motives of insecurity in an attempt to exalt yourself above others.  Instead, you should learn to serve.  That is best accomplished by first hearing Our Heavenly Father’s voice and responding with action.  You will then be a blessing to others and minister life instead of promoting death and destruction.  Our Heavenly Father supports life!

You have choices.  It is your right and freedom to ask before selecting a choice.  However, Our Heavenly Father will provide HIS Wisdom from Above if you want it.  What is your track record of success in your choices?  Some have miserably failed.  Others appear to be lucky.  Yet others make just enough right choices to offset the bad.  How many bad choices did Jesus make?  I would say “zero”, yet He was subject to circumstances just like we are.  How was He able to make the right choices?  By seeking the Wisdom from Above.

There are many attributes of Wisdom.  In Kemper’s book “Raising the Remnant” (www.unity153.net) , he provides excellent revelation on wisdom and many of its attributes.  Wisdom is the foundation, understanding makes up the walls.  What is the “end game” of his book?  It is to reveal, prepare, and instruct us to ultimately walk in Love, access Divine Intent, and be fruitful.  This is what Servias Ministries’ goal is as well.  The economic blogs on this website are written to reveal, prepare, instruct and protect us as we pursue the fullness of being mature sons and daughters of Our Heavenly  Father.

The prodigal son was given the choice of remaining with his Father or to go out and do his own thing.  He left the love of his Father and ended up with the pigs.  After he came to the end of himself, returned to the love of his Father.  He finally realized his mistake in the choice he made.  The revelation did not occur until he had spiraled down to the point he was eating with the swine.  Let’s look at the spiral:

1. He wanted to leave the instruction and service to his Father. (The older brother stated that he have been serving the Father for many years)

2. He asked for his inheritance to take with him.

3. He gathered together all his belongings, not expecting to return… ever.

4. He journeyed to a far country, a great distance from his Father: His ways, laws, values, blessings, fruitfulness, instruction, etc.

5. He was profligate in his spending. (carelessly and foolishly wasting money, materials, etc. : very wasteful)

6. He lost everything

7. A severe famine occurred in the land (of course)

8. He began to be in want (desperate)

9. He joined himself to a foreign citizen who put him to work feeding swine (unclean animals)

10. He was now willing to eat the pods he was feeding the swine.

When could he have returned to his Father?  At any time.  Why didn’t he return when he lost everything in #6?  Was his ego or misperception of his Father keeping him from returning?  Our egos have a subtle way of preventing us from seeking Wisdom from Above.  Our ego would blind us from such a simple act.  Let’s face it, our earthly wisdom is a poor substitute for the wisdom from Our Father.

It seems that the United States is following the same path as the prodigal son.  It would appear that we are at #5 as a nation.  That does not mean that every inhabitant must endure the same level of pain as those who are under judgment.  After all, the Father and the older brother were not hurting.

As this nation continues its profligate spending, it is determined to suffer a famine.  Those of us who are residing in the country need not be unprepared.  However, we must seek Wisdom from Above.  It is there for the asking:

James 1:5 NKJV – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

This is what you should expect when you ask:

James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

There is no need to stay in the mud with the swine.