 |  |
We must however be careful to note the great difference between the second and
seventh signs as well as the correspondence that exists between them. In the case of the
nobleman's son healing is the word, whereas in the case of Lazarus resurrection is the
one essential. In the second sign the child is "at the point of death", dying of a "fever".
The verb "to heal" occurs but three times in John's Gospel (4: 47, 5: 13, and 12: 40).
The last reference is at a dispensational crisis, and is found in the quotation of
Isa. 6: 9, 10, a passage fraught with solemn importance. Healing in John's Gospel
means not only the physical cure, but the spiritual healing of the nation. Immediately
before this quotation is made, the seventh sign has been given. "Lazarus is DEAD." No
longer a nation "at the point of death" needing healing is set forth, but a nation dead and
buried, needing nothing less than resurrection. In Acts 3: 11 the word "to heal"
reappears, with the renewed preaching of repentance. Once more Isa. 6: 6, 10 are
quoted in Acts 28: 27, this time finally. The time for healing is past, death has come,
and Israel must await the hour when it shall hear the voice of the Son of God.
In five out of the eight signs the Lord speaks the word only, and does not touch the
subject. There is an emphasis on the power of His word. In the first sign He simply says,
"Fill the waterpots with water"; "Draw out now". In the second, "Go thy way, thy son
liveth"; and the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him. In the third, in
contrast to the complaint of the impotent man that he had no one to put him into the pool,
come the words, "Arise, take up thy bed and walk". This is followed by the wondrous
words:--
"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son
quickeneth whom He will.......He that heareth My word.......hath everlasting
life.......the hour is coming when all that are in their graves shall hear His voice, and
shall come forth."
This truth is fully set forth in the raising of Lazarus. Here again we see a second
setting forth of the Messiahship of Jesus, and perceive the power of life which abides in
His name and which is received by faith.
Readers will sympathetically bear in mind that this series, together with Fundamental
of Dispensational Truth, is written for those readers who have not as yet progressed far in
the study of these things.