(John 3:3‑8, NIV & ESV)

John 3:3‑8 (NIV)
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

(ESV is very similar in these verses in its wording, especially in 5–6.)

Theological Insights

Here are some theological elements and clarifications that give deeper understanding to what being “born again” means, what “water and Spirit” possibly refer to, and how the imagery of wind (or the Spirit) functions in the Christian life.

1. “Born Again” / “Born from Above”

• The phrase translated “born again” is from the Greek anōthen, which can also mean “from above.” This dual meaning (again/from above) helps clarify that Jesus is talking not about a second physical birth, but a spiritual rebirth—something beyond human effort, a renewal from God.
• Nicodemus’s literal misunderstanding—thinking of physical birth (entering a mother’s womb a second time)—reveals how radically spiritual this teaching is.

2. Water and Spirit: What Do They Mean?

• When Jesus says “born of water and the Spirit,” scholars debate what “water” refers to. Several interpretations exist:
  1. Baptismal water — The idea that water baptism is involved in the new birth. Some traditions hold this as essential, others see baptism as a public symbol of an inward change.
  2. Cleansing by the Word or symbol of purification — Water as symbolic of cleansing from sin (cf. Old Testament sprinkling, ceremonial cleansings).
  3. Natural birth imagery — Some theologians suggest “water” refers to the amniotic fluid (natural birth), emphasizing that being born of the flesh is the first birth, then one must also be born of the Spirit.
• The “Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine agent who brings about regeneration, renewal, transformation. Without the Spirit, no true spiritual life or entrance into God’s kingdom is possible.
• Some theologians emphasize that “water and Spirit” are not two separate births, but a united act of rebirth. They belong together—the water being symbolic, the Spirit being active.

3. Nature of the Flesh & Nature of the Spirit

• Flesh (“that which is born of the flesh is flesh”) refers to human nature—our natural, sinful condition. Spirit refers to the new nature imparted by God’s Spirit. There is a contrast: the old nature vs the new.
• Regeneration (new birth) is seen in Christian theology as instantaneous, sovereign work of God (a person does not regenerate himself). It is the work of God in the heart by the Holy Spirit.

4. The Figurative Use of Wind / Spirit

• Jesus uses the image of the wind to describe the Spirit’s work: invisible, powerful, moving where it wills—unseen origin, unpredictable path—but its effects are felt, heard. This makes sense in light of the Holy Spirit’s activity: unseen, yet real.
• “You hear its sound…” implies spiritual perception—after regeneration one begins to perceive spiritual truths, desires, convictions; one is “awoken” in spiritual senses. But the Spirit’s full working remains mysterious—where He comes from, how He moves, who exactly He will lead is ultimately known only to God.

5. Old Testament Background

• There are several Old Testament passages that Jesus’ teaching draws from or echoes:
  • Ezekiel 36:25‑27: “I will sprinkle clean water on you … I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit … I will put my Spirit in you …” This shows the combined work of cleansing (water) and Spirit.
  • The prophetic promises of Spirit outpouring (e.g. Isaiah, Joel) tie in with what Jesus proclaims—that with the coming of Christ, the age of salvation has broken into history with the Spirit.

6. The Kingdom of God / Entrance Conditions

• Jesus says you must be born again, born of water and Spirit, to see or enter the kingdom. This isn’t optional; it defines what it means to be a true citizen of God’s kingdom.
• “Enter” vs “see” the kingdom: verse 3 says see, verse 5 says enter. Theologically, seeing is understanding / perceiving spiritually; entering is living within its reality. Both require new birth.

Application in Natural Speech (Revised Message + Theological Detail)

Here is an updated version of the message, integrating these theological nuances, as if written by a native speaker of English:

The Wind of the Spirit

Jesus declared in John 3 (NIV/ESV) that a person must be born again—born of water and of the Spirit—in order to see and enter the Kingdom of God. Unless one undergoes this spiritual rebirth, the Kingdom remains invisible and inaccessible.

When He says “born of water and the Spirit,” He isn’t speaking of two separate, sequential births, but of one unified work of God:

• The water symbolizes cleansing—Old Testament imagery of purification, God’s Word, or baptism—all pointing toward inner transformation.
• The Spirit is the divine agent, the Holy Spirit, who regenerates the heart, giving new life and enabling one to live a life aligned with God.

We are born once physically (of flesh), but that alone leaves us spiritually dead. We need the new birth—God’s supernatural work. It’s not human effort; we can’t renew ourselves. We must receive God’s Spirit. This is regeneration.

Jesus uses the image of wind to help Nicodemus—and us—grasp how the Spirit’s work is both mysterious and real: you hear it, sense it, but don’t position it or direct it. It comes from God and leads where He wills.

This explains radical changes in a believer’s life. When someone truly meets Christ, their desires, values, behaviors change—not primarily by will-power, but by the Spirit working within: hatred for sin, hunger for God’s Word, new compassion, moral transformation. External demonstrations follow the inner reality.

Ezekiel 36 and other Old Testament passages promised this. Jesus is saying: “That promise is here. The Kingdom is breaking in.”

If you haven’t yet made that decision—turn from sin, receive Christ—you’re not missing a ritual. You’re missing the life-transforming power of the Spirit. The Christian life without the Spirit’s new birth is like hearing wind’s sound, but not knowing where it comes from or where it goes—you sense something, but you lack substance and power.

Be baptized (in accordance with your understanding and conviction), repent sincerely, invite the Holy Spirit—you’ll find that inner transformation. And you’ll recognize that the Spirit’s wind is real, unseen but mighty, pushing you into God’s purpose for your life.

After the fall of Adam and Eve, God not only drove them from the Garden of Eden but also cursed the ground because of their sin:

Genesis 3:17–19 (NKJV)
“Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you… In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.'”

This curse signified more than just agricultural hardship. It was a cosmic consequence of sin (cf. Romans 8:20–22), affecting all creation. Man, formed from the dust (Genesis 2:7), would now return to it, and all creatures—also formed from the ground—were subjected to this futility.

This illustrates an essential theological truth: sin never only affects the sinner; it defiles the environment, relationships, and all creation. The fall disrupted not only fellowship with God but harmony with the entire created order.

Escalation of the Curse: Cain’s Example

The curse intensified with Cain’s sin of murder:

Genesis 4:10–12 (NKJV)
“And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth… When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.’”

Here, the curse evolves from general hardship to personal divine judgment, suggesting that human wickedness amplifies the brokenness of creation.

This progressive curse reveals a pattern: increased sin invites increased divine response—not always through immediate destruction, but through the deepening groan of creation (Romans 8:22).

Hope Through Noah: The Comforter Prophesied

Then comes a prophetic moment:

Genesis 5:29 (NKJV)
“And he called his name Noah, saying, ‘This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.’”

The name Noah (נֹחַ – Noach) means “rest” or “comfort.” Lamech, Noah’s father, speaks prophetically, hinting at a messianic typology—a theme fulfilled ultimately in Christ.

Noah, a Type of Christ

Theologically, Noah is seen as a type (foreshadowing) of Christ:

• He found grace in God’s eyes (Genesis 6:8)
• He obeyed God in building an ark (Genesis 6:22)
• He became the savior of his family through that ark (Hebrews 11:7)
• He emerged from the flood into a new world, as Christ emerged from death into new life (Romans 6:4)

This typology is crucial: Noah’s ark points forward to Christ, who is our Ark of Salvation. Just as Noah saved a remnant from God’s judgment through obedience, so Christ saves us from God’s wrath through His obedience (Romans 5:19).

God’s Covenant and the Suspension of the Curse

After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered burnt offerings, and God responded with a covenant:

Genesis 8:20–21 (NKJV)
“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord… and offered burnt offerings… And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth…'”

Here, we witness the power of substitutionary atonement. Noah’s offering pointed ahead to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Genesis 9:11–13 (NKJV)
“Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood… I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”

The rainbow becomes a symbol of mercy, yet it does not mean the curse was fully lifted. Suffering and death continued (cf. Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel). The earth remained under judgment, awaiting a more perfect Redeemer.

The Earth Still Groans – Awaiting Full Redemption

The apostle Paul speaks directly to this:

Romans 8:20–22 (NKJV)
“For the creation was subjected to futility… because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

The curse was paused, not removed. The final removal will come not through water, but fire:

2 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)
“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

Jesus Christ – The Greater Noah

Just as Noah was a righteous man in a corrupt world, so Christ was the sinless man in a sinful world. Just as Noah offered a pleasing sacrifice, so Christ offered Himself (Hebrews 9:14). Just as Noah saved a few, Christ offers salvation to all who enter His “ark”—the Gospel.

1 Peter 3:20–21 (NKJV)
“…eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

The flood prefigured baptism—the judgment of the old and the birth of the new.

The Coming Judgment and Restoration

Jesus Himself declared:

Matthew 24:37 (NKJV)
“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Just like in Noah’s time, people today are indifferent to divine warnings. They live in sin, pleasure, and rebellion, unaware that judgment is coming—not by flood, but by fire.

Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…”

Just as the earth was once renewed after the flood, it will one day be fully renewed in righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).

The Call to Repentance

God delays judgment not out of negligence but out of mercy:

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Repentance is not mere remorse—it’s a complete turning away from sin, followed by baptism:

Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…’”

🌈 Final Thoughts: Enter the Ark Today

Jesus Christ is our Noah. The time to enter His ark—His Word, His body, His salvation—is now. Once the door is shut (Luke 13:25), judgment will fall.

He will soon return, destroy the present world system, and restore the earth. A new Eden is coming—a paradise without pain, death, or sin (Revelation 21:4).

Isaiah 65:17 (NKJV)
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.”

📖 Summary Points

• The curse began with Adam and intensified through sin.
• Noah paused the curse; Jesus will remove it fully.
• God’s covenant with Noah was temporary; Christ’s covenant is eternal.
• Baptism is the ark of salvation, just as Noah’s ark was.
• Jesus is the greater Noah—our rest, our comfort, and our Redeemer.

May the Lord bless you.

The dictionary defines “inheritance” as receiving property after the death of its owner. In Scripture, too, inheritance often rests on the principle that ownership transfers only after death, either literally or symbolically (as in a covenant or will). Thus, an heir may manage or steward an inheritance ahead of time, but only after the “testator” (the one giving) dies does the inheritance legally (and fully) become theirs.

In a spiritual sense, this parallels what the Bible teaches: God made a covenant with His people, promising them an inheritance that becomes theirs through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Biblical Foundation: Death, Covenant, and Final Inheritance

Hebrews 9:16‑17 (NIV) says:

“In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.”

Here the author of Hebrews is arguing that the New Covenant—the inheritance God promises us—could not take effect until Christ died. Without the death, there is no legal transfer of what is promised. In theological terms, Christ’s death is the “price” or the “guarantee” (KJV: “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins,” Hebrews 9:22) for the inheritance.

What Is the Inheritance? Who Are the Heirs?

The Inheritance

In Hebrews 9:15 (NIV) the inheritance promised under the New Covenant is described as “eternal redemption” and a “promised eternal inheritance” for those called and cleansed by Christ’s blood.

When Paul prays in Ephesians 1:18 (NIV), he asks that believers might know “the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

• The “hope” is confident expectation built on what Christ has done (His resurrection, ascension, the giving of the Spirit).
• The “riches of his glorious inheritance” speaks not just of material things, but spiritual realities: forgiveness, adoption, resurrection, fellowship with God, eternal life, and glorification. The inheritance includes all spiritual blessings in heavenly realms as earlier in Ephesians 1.18

The Heirs: The Saints

The heirs are those who are in Christ, those who have trusted in Him, been regenerated by the Spirit, and live in covenant relationship with God. Paul refers to them variously as saints, God’s children, co-heirs with Christ. The promise of inheritance is tied to faith and to Christ’s finished work.

Theological Richness: Covenant, Predestination, Redemption

To understand why Christ’s death is central to inheritance, it helps to consider:

• Covenant Theology: God’s promises (the Old Covenant and the New Covenant) have been made and ratified through blood (sacrificial system in the Old Testament; Christ’s sacrifice in the New). The covenant promise of inheritance requires the shedding of blood.
• Predestination and Election: In Ephesians 1 Paul writes, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”
  This suggests that the inheritance was planned by God before time (i.e. before the foundation of the world), and believers are brought into it by grace.
• Redemption and Christ’s Sacrifice: Christ’s death is the means by which the old covenant (with its shadows and temporary aspects) is replaced by the New—where believers can receive the inheritance permanently, with forgiveness and purification. Hebrews 9 is clear that the first covenant could not make perfect, but Christ’s once-for-all offering makes possible the “eternal inheritance.”

Eschatological (End Times) Fulfillment

This inheritance is both already and not yet:

• Already in the sense that believers possess certain spiritual blessings now: adoption, the Holy Spirit as a “seal” or guarantee (Ephesians 1:13‑14, NIV).
• Not yet in the sense that the full manifestation (resurrection, renewal of the earth, new heaven and new earth) is still to come—when Christ returns and establishes his eternal kingdom. The inheritance will be revealed fully then.

Version Notes & Translation Variations

Because wording sometimes affects nuance, here are a few version-related notes:

• NIV is used throughout for clarity and contemporary language. It emphasizes “his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
• In the Revised English Version (REV) commentary on Ephesians 1:18, scholars note that “his inheritance” may mean the inheritance God gives to believers, rather than something God receives.
• The King James Version (KJV) or NKJV often use more formal/archaic language (“heirs,” “inheritance,” “sealed with the Holy Spirit, which is the earnest of our inheritance”). Differences in phrasing don’t usually change the core meaning but sometimes obscure clarity for modern readers.

Application

• Recognize that Christ’s death was essential—not optional—for the inheritance God promises. Without it, the covenant could not be ratified.
• Be assured that you are an heir—not by your merit, but by faith in Christ and by God’s choice.
• Live in the light of what is to come—cultivate hope, patience, and holiness, knowing the inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and everlasting.
• Share the message: inheritance in Christ is more than an idea; it’s a promise grounded in Scripture, secured by Christ, and will be revealed in full at the end of the age.

Understanding Christ’s Role in Revealing God’s Perfect Will

Introduction: The Incomplete Picture of the Old Covenant

When we study the Old Testament, we find the stories of faithful men and women—patriarchs, prophets, kings, and servants of God. They were chosen, used mightily, and blessed by the Lord, yet many of their lives were marked by imperfection. Why?

Because the Mosaic Law, though holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), was never meant to perfect mankind—it served as a temporary guide, a shadow of the reality that was to come in Christ (Hebrews 10:1).

Romans 8:3 (NKJV)
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son…”

Old Testament Saints and the Limits of the Law

Let’s consider King David. The Bible calls him “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), yet he committed acts that today would be considered sinful—he married many wives (2 Samuel 5:13), and he orchestrated the death of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11). His son Solomon took it further with 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3).

Despite these, God still used David and blessed him—but we must understand this was not a license for sin, nor was it a pattern for us to follow today. These actions were tolerated under the Old Covenant due to the hardness of human hearts, not because they aligned with God’s perfect will.

Acts 17:30 (NKJV)
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent…”

Matthew 19:8 (NKJV)
“He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.’”

Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law

Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it—to complete, embody, and clarify it. He showed us the spiritual depth behind the commandments, which were often misunderstood or reduced to external observances.

Matthew 5:17–18 (NKJV)
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

Examples of Jesus Clarifying the Law’s Deeper Meaning:

• Murder is not only the physical act, but also hatred and anger (Matthew 5:21–22).
• Adultery is not just a physical act, but also lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27–28).
• Oaths and vows, which were common under the Old Covenant, are now replaced with simple, honest speech (Matthew 5:33–37).
• Vengeance, once allowed (“an eye for an eye”), is now forbidden—replaced with grace, forgiveness, and love for enemies (Matthew 5:38–48).

The Law Was a Shadow; Christ Is the Reality

Colossians 2:17 (NKJV)
“…which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

The Old Covenant—including its priesthood, sacrifices, temple rituals, and moral regulations—pointed forward to Christ. They were incomplete without Him.

Hebrews 10:1 (NKJV)
“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never… make those who approach perfect.”

Salvation Now Requires the New Birth

It’s a dangerous misinterpretation to say, “David wasn’t baptized, so I don’t need to be” or “David had many wives, so polygamy must be acceptable.” This thinking ignores the progressive revelation of God’s will, which was fully revealed in Christ.

Jesus said:

John 3:3 (NKJV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

And again:

Mark 16:16 (NKJV)
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Baptism is not optional—it is an act of obedience and the public testimony of our new life in Christ (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38).

Jesus Sets the New Standard for Marriage and Morality

Jesus restored God’s original design for marriage—one man, one woman, united for life (Genesis 2:24).

Matthew 19:9 (NKJV)
“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery…”

While Moses permitted divorce due to human weakness, Jesus affirms that God’s original design never included divorce or polygamy.

There Is No Purgatory—Only Judgment After Death

Many false doctrines have arisen—such as purgatory, or the idea that the dead can be prayed into heaven. But Scripture is clear:

Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…”

There is no “second chance” after death. Once a person dies, their eternal destiny is sealed—either with Christ in paradise or separated from Him in eternal judgment (Luke 16:19–31; Revelation 20:11–15).

We Must Follow Jesus—Not Old Testament Examples Alone

David was a great man of faith, but he is not our final example. Jesus is. David sinned and needed God’s mercy just like the rest of us. But Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15) and is the only perfect standard we are called to follow.

John 14:6 (NKJV)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”

Matthew 17:5 (NKJV)
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

Final Call: Believe in Christ and Be Saved

Acts 4:12 (NKJV)
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Do not rely on traditions, partial truths, or the examples of Old Testament saints. Christ is the fulfillment of all things. Trust in Him, obey His words, and receive the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 1:1–4 (NKJV)
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
has in these last days spoken to us by His Son… who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person… sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels…”

Share This Truth

These are the final hours of mercy. Share this message with others so they too can come to know the full truth of the gospel and be saved.

Be blessed—and may you walk in the fullness of God’s revealed will through Christ Jesus.

Are You Spiritually Hungry? Then Don’t Stop Eating Honey.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
— Matthew 5:6, ESV

Hunger Changes How We Taste Everything

Hunger has the power to change perception. When someone is hungry, even bitter food can seem sweet. But when a person is full, even the richest meal loses its appeal. The book of Proverbs puts it this way:

“One who is full loathes honey,
but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.”
(Proverbs 27:7, ESV)

This is not just about physical hunger—it’s a reflection of the spiritual condition of the soul. A soul that hungers for God is willing to embrace even the hard truths of Scripture with joy. But a soul that is self-satisfied—filled with pride, tradition, or spiritual complacency—will reject even the sweetest parts of God’s Word.

Why is God’s Word Compared to Honey?

Scripture frequently compares the Word of God to honey, highlighting not just its sweetness, but also its eternal value and life-giving nature.

“My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.”
(Proverbs 24:13–14, ESV)

Honey in the Bible symbolizes:

1. Sweetness and delight – representing the soul’s satisfaction in God’s truth (Psalm 19:10).
2. Purity and incorruptibility – like honey, God’s Word endures forever and never spoils (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35).
3. Spiritual nourishment – it feeds and sustains the soul (Jeremiah 15:16).

King David echoed this when he wrote:

“How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
(Psalm 119:103, ESV)

Religious Pride Blocks Spiritual Hunger

One of the greatest dangers to the Christian walk is spiritual complacency. When we believe we’ve “arrived,” when we view our denomination, knowledge, or religious status as enough, we lose our hunger—and with it, our capacity to taste the sweetness of truth.

This was the problem of the Pharisees. They had the law, tradition, and status, but they had no hunger for righteousness. When Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), stood before them, they rejected Him.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
(John 5:39–40, ESV)

Like the Pharisees, we too can become so “full” of religious activity that we stop seeking the living Word.

The Hungry Obey Even the Hardest Truths

A soul that hungers for righteousness will obey the Word, even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or countercultural.

Consider the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. After hearing the gospel from Philip, he didn’t wait for a religious service or a ceremony—he acted immediately.

“And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said,
‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ …
And they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
(Acts 8:36–38, ESV)

This kind of instant obedience is the mark of spiritual hunger.

Hard Teachings Become Sweet to the Hungry

When the Bible gives hard instructions, such as:

• Modesty and gender distinction in dress (Deuteronomy 22:5),
• Rejecting idolatry and image worship (Exodus 20:4–5),
• Following Christ in baptism by immersion (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38),

The “full” person makes excuses. They say:

• “God looks at the heart, not the outside.”
• “We are under grace, not law.”
• “That was for Old Testament times.”

But the hungry person sees even these commands as sweet. They don’t argue with Scripture—they submit to it.

Paul warned Timothy about this attitude in the last days:

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
(2 Timothy 4:3, ESV)

Don’t Let Religious Tradition Replace the Word

When God’s Word says one thing and your tradition says another, whom will you follow?

Jesus confronted this issue head-on:

“And he said to them,
‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!’”
(Mark 7:9, ESV)

Let us be people who hunger for God’s truth more than we cling to denominational labels, cultural habits, or religious customs. If God’s Word says to abandon image worship, we must obey—even if it offends our upbringing. If it says to dress with modesty and purity, we obey—even if it costs us popularity.

Why? Because we want heaven, not just religion.

Only the Hungry Will Be Satisfied

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
(Matthew 5:6, ESV)

God doesn’t fill those who are full of themselves—He fills those who hunger for Him. The question is: Are you hungry?

Don’t Stop Eating Honey

As long as you are hungry, keep eating honey—keep consuming the Word. But if you find yourself losing that hunger, be careful: nothing else will satisfy your soul.

“The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.”
(Isaiah 40:8, ESV)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35, ESV)

Final Encouragement

Remain rooted in the Word. Stay hungry for truth. Don’t settle for tradition, popularity, or religious status—press in for righteousness.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near.”
(Isaiah 55:6, ESV)

May you always be blessed, you who earnestly seek the Lord.

DO YOU KNOW THE TRUE GOD?

When the Lord first brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not find them perfect as He desired. This was because during their time in Egypt, there was no proper system for worshiping the true God (Yahweh). The Israelites had only a shallow knowledge of the God of Abraham. They carried vague traditions — that long ago, God appeared to their father Abraham and made many promises (Genesis 12:1-3). They had heard how God brought famine on the land and revealed future events to Joseph (Genesis 41), but they didn’t fully understand the nature or holiness of God. They only knew He was powerful and would rescue them from trouble.

As the Israelites lived for generations in Egypt without fresh revelation, their understanding blurred. They began to think of the God of Jacob as one of many gods, like the Egyptian pantheon (Exodus 32:1-4). They assumed that God could be represented by idols, as the Egyptians did. Observing that Egyptians sacrificed to their idols yet prospered, they wrongly concluded the God of Israel was similar — sacrifices could be offered without personal holiness or moral transformation.

This misunderstanding was common in ancient times. People often interpret God according to their cultural surroundings. For example, a visitor might expect a family to behave like their own but be surprised when customs differ. The Israelites’ mindset was similarly shaped by Egyptian culture and false religious practices.

God knew their hearts were not yet ready. This is why He led them through the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34). The wilderness was a place of testing, teaching, and revelation (Deuteronomy 8:2). It was there God gave the Law — the Ten Commandments and other instructions — to reveal His holiness and character (Exodus 20).

After their miraculous deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12), the Israelites quickly began to complain (Exodus 15-17). Why? Because they did not yet understand that God is holy and hates rebellion and grumbling (Isaiah 1:13-17). They treated Him like Egyptian gods — distant and powerless to respond to complaints.

They even made a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32), an act of idolatry showing their failure to grasp God’s holiness and exclusivity. They thought God could fail them, so they sought alternatives.

Their sins angered God because they showed ignorance of His true nature. They misunderstood that God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not just another god, but the one true, sovereign, holy God (Deuteronomy 6:4).

It took a long time for Israel to learn this. When God gave them the Law, He declared Himself to be the only God worthy of worship and called His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, ESV: “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”). This call to holiness is central to the covenant relationship — God’s people must reflect His character.

Israel’s gradual understanding shows us how important revelation and obedience are in truly knowing God.

Understanding God in the New Testament

The New Testament continues this call to holiness. Believers are urged to prepare their minds, be self-controlled, and set their hope fully on Christ’s grace (1 Peter 1:13-17, ESV). They must not return to former ignorance or worldly desires but be holy in all conduct, because God who calls is holy.

Paul also warns in Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) to offer ourselves as living sacrifices and not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewal of our minds, that we may discern God’s will.

Practical Application

You cannot say you are delivered from sin yet continue in idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, or blasphemy (Galatians 5:19-21, ESV). True conversion involves repentance and holiness (Hebrews 12:14, ESV: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”).

Worldly customs like immodest dress, obsession with appearance, and behaviors rooted in pagan or worldly culture contradict the holiness God requires (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

A Call to Repentance and Faith

If you want to walk with God, repent and seek true understanding. God cares about both spirit and conduct (James 2:14-26). Holiness is not optional for His followers.

Baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name is essential as a public declaration of your faith and part of your salvation journey (Acts 2:38, ESV).

In Summary

• God is the one true, holy God, distinct from all false gods.
• His people must reflect His holiness.
• Knowing God requires both faith and obedience.
• The Christian life is a journey of transformation toward holiness.

Prayer

May you come to truly know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the Holy One who calls you to holiness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Imagine, for a moment, Adolf Hitler—the German dictator who sparked the Second World War and orchestrated the deaths of millions of innocent civilians worldwide. If he were alive today, what do you think his fate would be? What kind of punishment would the whole world demand he receive?

It’s clear: most would call for a punishment marked by severe suffering, one that could begin to repay the evil he inflicted. The victims of the gas chambers, the innocent lives brutally cut short, the war itself—the injustice cries out for justice. People would want to see him pay for these crimes. And rightly so.

Now, imagine a shocking alternative: what if Hitler were captured, secretly held somewhere, but then released a few days later without trial or punishment—simply returned to freedom as an ordinary citizen? It sounds impossible. But with God, the impossible becomes possible.

Jesus said in John 5:24 (ESV):

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN IMPERFECTION AND GOD’S JUSTICE

My friend, no one is perfect. Our conscience bears witness to this every day. The Apostle Paul affirms this truth in Romans 3:23 (ESV):

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Because of this universal sinfulness, the just requirement of God’s law is judgment. The consequence of sin is death, as Paul explains in Romans 6:23 (ESV):

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Bible is clear: everyone deserves judgment. But God, in His mercy, offers salvation through Jesus Christ. He promises eternal life to all who believe in Him—a life that begins now and continues forever, free from condemnation.

THE FINAL JUDGMENT AND THE GREAT WHITE THRONE

On the day of judgment, Christ will sit on the great white throne to judge all the nations. But those who have trusted in Him will not be there to face condemnation. Instead, they will stand with Him to judge the world.

This is described in Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV):

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Today, you might be struggling with addictions, sins, or guilt—maybe you feel hopeless or condemned. The truth is, without Jesus, everyone faces the terrifying reality of judgment and eternal separation from God.

Why continue risking your life by living carelessly? Why reject the amazing grace offered by Jesus—the grace that delivers us from judgment and grants us eternal life?

Jesus invites you:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)

WHAT MUST YOU DO?

1. Repent — Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus (Acts 3:19).
2. Believe — Trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior (John 3:16).
3. Be baptized — The Bible commands baptism by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, as an outward sign of your inward faith and cleansing from sin (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4).
4. Receive the Holy Spirit — Upon true faith and baptism, God gives His Spirit as a guarantee of your new life (Ephesians 1:13-14).

If you haven’t taken these steps, you have not truly passed from death into life. You remain under judgment.

A FINAL WORD

No one wants to stand trial—especially before God, the righteous Judge. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Repent now while there is still time. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ today.

May God bless you richly.

When our Lord Jesus Christ was on the earth, His ministry unfolded in three distinct phases, each revealing a deeper dimension of God’s plan for salvation and the calling of His elect.

1. The First Pull – Healing, Signs, and Miracles

Jesus began His ministry with a demonstration of divine power—healing the sick, casting out demons, and performing miracles.

“And Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”
— Matthew 4:23, ESV

These miracles were signs to attract attention and show that God was among them, just as bait attracts fish. But just like in fishing, the big fish (true believers) only come close—they don’t commit immediately. This was the first pull: drawing interest through outward manifestations.

2. The Second Pull – Discerning the Hearts of Men

In the second phase, Jesus began to reveal the secrets of people’s hearts, showing that He was not just a prophet, but the Word made flesh.

“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
— John 4:29, ESV (The Samaritan woman)

“But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them… for he himself knew what was in man.”
— John 2:24–25, ESV

This deeper revelation caught the attention of the more sincere seekers—those “big fish” who were not moved by emotion or miracles alone, but by the supernatural discernment of the Word.

3. The Third Pull – The Revealed Word

The final phase of Jesus’ ministry was the pure preaching of the Word of God—calling His disciples into maturity and preparing them for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
— John 17:17, ESV

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
— Matthew 24:35, ESV

Today, the Church is in the Third Pull, a prophetic time where the revealed Word—not signs and wonders—is what prepares the Bride for the Rapture.

A Prophetic Pattern Revealed to William Branham

Brother William Branham, a prophet to this generation, was visited by the Angel of the Lord and shown a vision of catching big fish. The angel taught him that the same pattern Jesus used is what God is using again in this last day:

• First Pull – Healing and miracles: attracts the crowd
• Second Pull – Prophetic discernment: reveals hearts, draws true seekers
• Third Pull – The Spoken Word: a return to the pure Word that calls out the Bride

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
— Matthew 4:4, ESV

The Third Pull is not just another revival or movement—it is God’s final move before the Rapture. It is the call to the Bride of Christ to come out of religious systems and be sanctified by the Word.

Why Signs and Miracles Are Not Enough

Signs are not the goal—they are the invitation. Many were healed by Jesus, but few followed Him to the cross. The true elect are not just looking for miracles—they are looking for truth.

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”
— Matthew 16:4, ESV

In this day, the message is the sign.

Final Word to Believers

We are no longer in the days of only signs and wonders—we are in the hour of the revealed Word, the Third Pull. This is the final preparation of the Bride of Christ before the catching away.

“Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:17, ESV

We urge every believer: Press beyond the outer court. Go deeper than emotions and experiences. Hear what the Spirit is saying through the Word today.

God bless you richly as you walk in the Light of the Third Pull.