I am late today posting these comments! Simply being exhausted from preaching twice in succession last night, I suppose. (Recording an Evening Meditation and preaching in the Revival Service.)

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Our Text …

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

I meant to mention this …

Today numerous individuals make their money “predicting” the future; ironically, they are called “futurists.” But only One knows the future in detail!

Isaiah 46:9-10 … I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure …

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The Revelation … “of Jesus Christ” … the Gospels present Jesus as their Central Character too, but in His First Coming. But Revelation presents Him … in His Second coming!

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The world has seen Him in His Shame … but will some day see Him in His Glory!

Revelation 1:7 … Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Daniel 7:13-14 … I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

The Book of Revelation is, in ways, an exposition of Philippians 2:9-11 …

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Look at the “balance” in the Book of Revelation …

The Lamb slain (5:6) … the Wrath of the Lamb (6:16)!

Grace … Judgment!

River of Life … Lake of Fire!

Innumerable angels … innumerable demons!

Blessings … Woes!

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I’ve learned that 3 more times in Revelation Jesus says, “I am coming quickly!” (After verse 1 here!)

Revelation 22:7 and 22:12 and again in 22:20!

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Now, if possible, watch the whole Class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Here is the list I used in class today …

JESUS’ GREAT “I AM” STATEMENTS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN!

WITH PREDICATES …

John 6:35 … And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (Repeated at John 6:41 and 48 and 51!)

John 8:12 … Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (Repeated at John 9:5!)

John 10:7 … Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (Repeated at John 10:9!)

John 10:11 … I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (Repeated at John 10:14!)

John 11:25 … Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

John 14:6 … Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 15:1 … I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (Repeated at John 15:5!)

“I AM” WITHOUT PREDICATES …

John 8:24 … I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 8:28 … Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

John 8:58 … Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 18:4-6 … Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

In the Old Testament …

Exodus 3:14 … And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Psalm 22:6 … But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalm 109:4 … For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. (In Hebrew, “I AM PRAYER!”)

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I forgot to say very little in this current Lesson!

But do note this, please. It’s an Omission …

Jesus did NOT say, “I am the Water!”

Probably because He portrays the Holy Spirit to be the “Water” in Scripture. Let me show you what I mean.

John 7:37-39 … In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Holy Spirit is that River of Water flowing in our lives! And Jesus will not encroach upon the Spirit’s Domain, Ministry!

What a Saviour!

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If you care to see our last John Lesson …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Our Text, King James Version …

“20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

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Notice that the verb “to follow” is used twice with Peter, going back to verse 19. (What Peter is to do!)

Then see that the verb “abiding” is used twice describing John! (What John has been doing all along!)

Hence, I say that among the Disciples, Peter is NOT the more powerful one! NOT the one with more honor, either! In fact, God is no Respecter of persons, period! See Acts 10:34 for Bible proof.

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I thought this fact was worth reporting …

Jesus’ last Words in John … “Until I come!”

The very first Words in this Gospel, about Jesus … “In the Beginning!”

Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, that’s our dear Saviour!

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Jesus’ Words to Peter … “What is that to thee?”  In essence … Peter, mind your own business! Other Verses agree …

2 Corinthians 10:12 … For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Philippians 2:4 … Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5 … But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come …

1 Timothy 4:16 … Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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If I have counted correctly, Jesus spoke to Peter seven times in this dialogue! One might call these “Jesus’ Seven Last Sayings to Peter!”

Three times about feeding God’s sheep, once about Peter’s some-day martyrdom, then the first command to follow, then the “Mind your own business” admonition, then the last “Follow Me” Invitation!

A seed thought for a Sermon or Sunday School lesson!

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There’s more, but it’s best to learn from the video!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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In tonight’s video class I discussed the differences between several important Greek words that have similar meanings, but quite different emphases! Different “shades of meaning,” one professor says.

Be sure to watch for those sections of the session. This truth would be hard of express simply on paper.

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Notice in chapter 21 that the initial fish metaphor yields to the sheep metaphor. Just as soul-winning (catching men for Jesus) yields to soul-building, discipleship (teaching men for Jesus) in Christian experience. We are to win them and then disciple them, for the Glory of God.

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Jesus’ questioning Peter helped the repenting disciple to overcome his past pride and learn more about humility.

Pride in Peter’s life? Two examples …

John 13:37 … “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

Matthew 26:33 … “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.”

Pride offends our dear Lord!

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I love this quote …

In the Christian life, we grow by shrinking!  (John 3:30)

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Note that Jesus did not tell Peter to feed “his own” sheep! But Jesus carefully said to Peter, “FEED MY SHEEP!” We need to remember that the flock belongs to our Lord, the real Shepherd!

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Some lessons I seem to cover my study material better than at other times!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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The Psalm 22 verse I mentioned in class about “eating” and “worship” is as follows: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.” (Psalm 22:26)

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An abundance of fish, 153 of them! Sounds just like our Lord! Back in John chapter 2 He made around 155 gallons of wine from water, abundance! In John chapter 6 He fed thousands and had 12 baskets (all full) left over! Abundance for sure! No wonder He is said to give Life more abundantly! (John 10:10 … “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”)

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JESUS’ FOUR “WORDS” IN THIS AMAZING “MIRACULOUS CATCH OF FISH” EVENT …

John 21:5 … Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

(How are you doing?)

John 21:6 … And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.

(Godly advice!)

John 21:10 … Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

(May I see your fruit?)

John 21:12 … Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.

(Let’s eat together!)

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This John 21 Miracle of fish compares and contrasts dramatically with another fish miracle of Jesus, that one recorded back in Luke’s Gospel, chapter 5 …

Both occurred at the Sea of Galilee!

Both included a night of fruitless toil!

But … in Luke Jesus is aboard the ship. In John Jesus is on the shore!

During His public Ministry He directs right beside His disciples! After His Resurrection He direct from the (heavenly) shore!

The earthly catch in Luke is unnumbered! The catch at the end of time (Jesus in Heaven) is carefully numbered! “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

Early on (in Luke) Peter is taught through the miracle to catch fish (men) … a picture of soul winning. Once on the shore (John 21) Peter is taught to “feed the sheep!”

Win them … but then disciple them!

In Luke 5 the net breaks! In John 21, no matter how heavy the catch, the net does not break!

In our time there are many defections, backslidings, departures from the faith. Nets do break! But the Resurrected Jesus can solve that problem. Of those who are His, He has lost none, in fact!

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And as I usually say, it is best to watch the whole class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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