Page 50 - Gospel of John_teachers lesson_cp 1-10_Neat

He explains that He judges on earth in the same manner as the one (in heaven) that has sent
Him judges. The perplexity can be un-raveled if location of God’s work in earth and heaven are
understood. The reference to “the son of God”, is God visibly present of earth and He does not
make judgments, as if He were independent or separate from the Father which is God actively
present in Heaven. He does not and cannot seek His own will, because He and the Father are
one and the same. He sent Himself to make Himself known to His creation.
(John 5:31-32) – If the son bore witness of Himself, independent of the Father, it would make
Him separate and not the same as “God” making His witness un-true. There is “another” or
there is in another place, one that bears witness and His witness is true. As the visible God,
present of earth, Jesus the son of God is a “true” witness. In another place, the Father, God
actively present on heaven, is a His witness; in agreement with (Himself) the son of God on
earth.
(John 5:33-35) – The Pharisees heard the witness of John the Baptizer affirming the truth about
the Messiah. The Baptizer was a burning light, well received for a season, until they became
aware that his ministry was preparing the way for the Messiah. The son of God makes it clear,
that He is not reliant upon the testimony of man, including John the Baptist. The testimony of
John was to help bring them to salvation not to validate the son of God, -because His witness is
much greater!

John 5: 36- But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works
which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear
witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Lesson Notes:

(John 5:36) – In Jewish law, a person has the right to present a witnesses to settle a dispute for
an iniquity or injustice done against them. As a minimum, two witnesses are required, a
dispute cannot be legally settled by the mouth of a single witness. (Deuteronomy 19:11-21)
The witness of men possessed authority to rule over the matters of men but there also matters
of the heart and spirit that require a witness greater than a man. Job had such a case and made
the claim in self-defense combating with his accusers, that his witness was in heaven and his
record on high. (Job 16:19) God alone can judge matters of heart and spirit.
The son of God does not invoke the privilege of Job, He appeals to the highest witness available
to settle all disputes concerning the truth. Moses reviewed the laws and statues of God a
second time, just before the Hebrews would enter the land promised to them. He was aware
that He would not physically be present to witness if the people or their children would obey
the commandments of God, with that in mind Moses declared that heaven and earth will be
called as a witness against them. (Deuteronomy 4:26) Heaven and earth are the constant
witness of God reviewing all the works of man. (Psalms 89:37) The heavens declare the glorious
truth about God and His handiwork. (Psalms 19:1)

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