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At the close of John 3: the great and solemn alternatives of John 3: 16 are brought
forward. This time, however, the wording is changed. Instead of reading "shall not
perish but have everlasting life", we read
"He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son,
shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3: 36).
This abiding of the wrath of God is consonant with the parallel statement of verse 18,
"He that believeth not is condemned already".
In blessed contrast with the fate of the unbeliever, the Saviour places "Everlasting
life", and as this is as important, if not more important, to us than the fate from which, by
grace, we have been delivered, let us reserve the consideration of this gift of God for the
ampler space of a separate article.
#22. The Testimony in Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria (2: 13-4: 42).
Jerusalem.
Aionian Life (3: 13 - 21).
pp. 227 - 230
We turn from the dread result of sin, "perishing", to the blessed gift of
"everlasting life", to those who believe in the only-begotten Son of God. The goal of the
Gospel according to John is "life", life from the dead; life unqualified by dispensational
distinctions.
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
and that believing ye might have life through His name" (John 20: 31).
Here is the simple issue of this record, "Life through His name". This question of
"life" runs through the Gospel of John from chapter 1: to chapter 20:, and it is helpful to
observe the way in which "life" alternates with "eternal life". As there are thirty-six
references involved we will not set them out in detail, but the following presentation may
be of service to those who will but "search and see".