John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The conditional action required on the part of a person to prevent him or her soul from perishing, is that his or her soul must "believeth in Him". The one that you believe in is Jesus Christ. All those that believe in Jesus Christ shall not be turned to ashes at judgment day, but shall have everlasting life. The word "everlasting" is better translated from the Greek text, "eternal", because eternal means "from the very beginning of creation of that soul, into the eons of infinity of time, there is no break".

What this is saying then, is that the person's soul would not die, but will live from the time that their soul was created in that first earth age, in the distant past, through this earth age, and right into eternity. There would never be any spots of void in the life of that soul. This eliminates the pagan worship of "soul sleep", such as those that teach that when you die, your soul stays in the ground until a so-called rapture. Their very tradition will lead them to the Antichrist in a short time ahead.

When you take the word "everlasting" as used in John 3:16, and go to Strong's Greek dictionary, # 166, we find, "Aion", "Perpetual, of past time, present and future, eternal, from beginning without end." If you believe on Christ, then you will never see nor taste of death, even when your soul sheds this decaying flesh body. There will be no soul sleep.

The serpent that Moses placed on the pole was an example to the Israelites to obey God, and they would be given life by their believing and obeying, and there were no side trips to perform. Jesus is telling us that this is exactly as it is with eternal life. The pole that we look to is the cross that Jesus Christ shed His blood on, and when we look to Him and accept that shed blood for our forgiveness, through repentance, then we have eternal life. When Nicodemus was talking with Jesus here, the crucifixion had not taken place, but Nicodemus would be one of the men that would prepare Christ's body for burial.

It is nice to be baptized because Christ was, but that is not what gives the eternal life. There is membership in the church, with all the other dos and don'ts it sets forth, but they have nothing to do with your eternal salvation. What is important is that you look to the cross that God's only begotten Son died upon, and believe on His only begotten Son, and friend, that is where eternal life comes from; believing in Jesus Christ the only begotten Son.

Don't let people rob you of the simplicity of God's Word, it is simply those that believe in Him and repented in Jesus name that shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:17 "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

God sent His Son into the world for the sole purpose of being crucified, in fulfillment of His Word. When He did this, He did not condemn the world for the actions taken against His Son. Why? Because this was the only way that God could draw you and I back to Himself. Christ's death on the cross paid the full price for every sin that you could ever commit, and by His death the Father is offering you eternal life for your soul, and an inheritance shared with His Son, Jesus Christ. Friend, that is something all the wealth of this world can not buy, and it is offered to you, but it is up to you to accept it.

God loves you, and you can come to Him by repenting and believing on Jesus Christ.

John 3:18 "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Why? If you don't have eternal life, then you are already condemn and sentenced to perish. It is cut and dry, you either believe or you do not believe. There is only one "only begotten Son of God" and His name is Jesus Christ.

John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

John 3:20 "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

What this is saying is that if you are going to be a thief, a murderer, or do any of the other acts of darkness, you will flee to the darkness. You will not seek the light, but you will seek to operate in the darkness, and keep your wicked deeds hidden.

John 3:21 "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God."

When you believe in Jesus Christ, you become a member of the body of Christ. As a member of the body of Christ, God will give you gifts to serve Him, and those gifts are to be used in the light. You are to use those gifts to draw others to the light, and the more you use them, the more the world can see God in you. God's Word is simple and it is truth, and our message to the world is that God loves you and sent His only Son to die for you. When you believe on Jesus Christ you are brought into the light, and given eternal life.

Once you understand what happens at death, then the fear of death is removed, and God's will is done. We know then that our eternal home is with Him, and this life of the flesh age is but a vapor in time and any pleasure can not be compared to what our heavenly Father has in store for each of us.

John 3:22 "After these things came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judaea; and there He tarried with them, and baptized."

The translation here is off a little, for Christ never helped baptize anyone. The way that He becomes part in ones baptism is that He paid the price, and it is in His name that you are baptized in. Jesus Christ took away the sins of the world for only those that would repent, and believe upon Him. So when we are submerged in baptism, it is in His name. He is the Messiah and Savior. "He took the stripes and we get the healing".

It is not important which man performs the baptism, for the baptism is strictly between the person being baptized, and his [her] looking to the throne of God, with Christ there.

John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

Jesus along with His disciples came to this place Aenon where John the Baptist was baptizing, and many were baptized there by John. "Disciple" means "one disciplined", and that is why we must be baptized, because it is part of the discipline a Christian and all follower of the Lord must obey.

John 3:24 "For John was not yet cast into prison."

So we see that the disciples were being baptized in one place in Judaea, and just a little ways away down stream at Aenon John was baptizing. While this is going on, we will see these Kenites, scribes and Pharisees came to John and tried to pit John against Jesus' disciples. This is how the Kenites work and it is very similar to how they work today, by pitting one ministry against another, and trying to set up conflicts within the Christian community. However, there is no difference between those of the elect, regardless what the different groups call themselves.

When you truly accept Jesus from the heart and believe on Jesus name, and have repented of your sins, there is no difference regardless of the physical world around you. You all must be saved the same way, your inheritance is laid out the same, and both Christians love the same Lord. Friend you are both of the same family of God, and that family tie is eternal, so it is time to get that in your mind.

John 3:25 "Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying."

Here John's followers are met and challenged by men sent from the religious leaders about purifying. These Jews were sent there for the purpose of arguing, and creating conflict. John has not been put in prison yet.

John 3:26 "And they came unto John, and said unto him "Rabbi, He That was with thee beyond Jordan, to Whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to Him."

This Kenite tribe of religious misfits are calling attention to John, that Jesus, the one that he had baptized in the Jordan, had a much bigger crowd down the river a ways. Do you see the trouble that these men are trying to make? They are comparing one ministry with another, and the comparison is on the basis of numbers.

This can cause jealousy and strife in some people, and discourage a ministry that is not geared to numbers. Some ministries are for evangelism of large numbers, while others are for teaching and pastoral work. When you set forth to use the gifts that God has given you, each gift is to fill the part that God has equipped you to perform for Him. When this fact came to John's attention it did not disturb him a bit, for he knew that he had a mission, and a duty to perform his service for God, and he knew where all gifts came from.

Friend, if God has given you a great gift, then He expects a great service from you. He expects you to develop the gifts and talents that you have, and for you to give one hundred percent of that talent to Him. We should each thank the Lord for what we have, and pray for our fellow Christians as they strive to use their talents for the glory of God.

When John baptized Jesus, he saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and landing on Jesus, and then John heard God speaking from heaven. Lets go to Matthew 3.

Matthew 3:16, 17; "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:" [16] "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." [17]

John knew that Jesus was the very Son of God, so these Kenites could never cause a conflict between Jesus and his disciples, and John and his followers.

John 3:27 "John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."

Friend, we must be on guard when we see a power play such as this, to identify it for what it is. Remember earlier in this chapter when Jesus told Nicodemus that every man must be born from above? Everything that comes to this earth comes from God, and that includes your soul and spirit, as well as your gifts and all blessings and wealth that you enjoy. John is telling these Jews that there is no exception to this rule, for a man can receive nothing except it be given by God from heaven.

You receive your heavenly rewards from the works and services that you give to Him, according to your ability. God even places those souls before you to witness to, and help, when they are in need. Then He watches to see how you use the gifts that He has given you, and rewards you when you do. God knows the thoughts and intents of your heart and mind, and that is what the rewards are based on what you do with what you have.

John 3:28 "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him."

John is calling attention again to these same men, when he told them that he was not the Christ. This was recorded back in John 1.

John 3:29 "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."

John is telling these Pharisees that it is for this reason that I was sent, to prepare the way for the one that would come later. John is telling them, don't try to make me jealous of Jesus, for that is why I was sent in the first place.

"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom;" many teach that the bride is Israel, and the bridegroom is Jesus. However Revelation 19:6-9 tells us that Jesus, the Lamb of the world had both a wife and a bride, and this has to do election and free will. It has to do with what happened in that first earth age, and the judgment that took place then, as recorded in Ephesians 1:4-5.

Jesus is the bridegroom, and those in the service of Christ are not in competition with each other. Those that hear and preach the Word of God are not all on the same level of understanding, and any person who is a friend of the bridegroom can only find joy for himself [herself], when the bridegrooms finds joy.

John is saying, I am the bridegroom's friend. I announced that He [Jesus Christ] is coming to the bride, and how can I be jealous when His bride is going to Him in multitudes and are being baptized by His disciples. I see this happening and I rejoice, and my joy is fulfilled. John accomplished a good work, and he paid quite a price for his work, and seeing the success of that work gave John much joy.

There are many that will try this on you, and the work you do for the Lord. They will pit your work with another work drawing many more souls, and by this try to downgrade you because of numbers. Friend, all the work is important. If you reach but one soul and that requires 100% of your talents, then you are just a successful as as the ministry that has reached thousands. God requires you to take the responsibility for what He has given you, and you are not required to give answer for another person's talents. When God's work succeeds anywhere, that is cause for all Christians to rejoice.

John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."

How do you determine if your ministry is successful? If Christ is increased in that ministry, and the focus by the outsider is drawn to Christ, then your ministry is of God and the ministry is fulfilled. If your ministry is focused on the person preaching, or the size and reputation of the ministry rather then on Jesus Christ, then Christ is decreased, and it is time to look at the purpose of the work you are trying to do.

John 3:31 "He That cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He That cometh from heaven is above all."

Christ is the anointed one that comes from above, and is above all men. The thing to consider here is that all flesh men [women] that come through the womb are earthly, and their physical end will be their physical decay back to the elements. Those demonics and angels, or "sons of God", as spoken of in Jude 6, refuse to come through woman, and are judged and condemned already.

However, Jesus Christ did not come as all other men came to this earth, by flesh man, for The Spirit of God conceived the Christ child in the virgin Mary's womb, and this was the fulfillment of the promises of God, for all ages. Jesus Christ was above all for He was conceived from above, from God, and not as all other men are conceived.

John is telling them that He that came from above [Jesus] could never compare with earthly man, for God is the Father and creator of all. The creation can never be above the creator of it. Even Satan is a created being, and as such can never be compared to the one that created him. Jesus is God, and we will get into this in John 10. Jesus told this to the Jews in John 10:30; "I and My Father are one." When the Jews heard Him they took up stones to kill Him.

There is no way that any human being can understand the total revelation that Christ would bring in the New Testament. And naturally, the more man knows of Christ, all the more John will decrease as Christ is increased through heavenly revelations.

John 3:32 "And what He hath seen and heard, that He testifieth; and no man receiveth His testimony."

A human being can only testify as to what he has seen and heard, and this is why it is not possible to understand the mind of God.

John 3:33 "He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."

If you can understand the testimony or teachings of Christ, then you have set God's seal in your mind. Not only is that seal in your mind, but you know that the Word that Jesus brought is true. This isn't a theory but it becomes reality to the believer. Religion is formed by man for man; however the truths that Jesus Christ spoke are reality.

Religion today is no different then it was in Athens when Paul stood there on Mars hill. The people didn't know who to worship so they built a statute to all the gods, and because none of them satisfied, they though that their must be an unknown god, so they built a statute to the unknown god.

Acts 17:22-26; "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious." [22] "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you.." [23]

Acts 17:25, 26 is Paul's declaration. "God That made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;" [25] "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [26]

God has total control over all events of history, and happenings on earth, as well as the universe.

These men in Athens were as the "higher critics" of God Word are today. They claim to know all about God's Word, but yet they are nonbelievers, however there are some exceptions to this rule. The "higher critics" is one who makes an effort to study the ancient manuscripts for the sole purpose of destroying them. Some who do so are even converted to become believers. In there striving to disprove truths, God allows the light of His word to shine on their hearts [minds], and they no longer continue as "higher critics", but believers.

John 3:34 "For He Whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him."

John is comparing the Messiah with an earthly born man, himself. He said that God sent this one [himself] with the Word of God, for God giveth the Spirit by full measure to any human being. The reason for this is that it would be impossible for any human being to receive the full measure of understanding, as Jesus had. Jesus is God, and man is limited by his created body, and limited understanding. Jesus Christ was very special, for in the flesh body, he experienced the emotions, experiences and temptations that we have, yet He was God. He remained perfect and innocent to stand in our place, and pay the price on the cross.

Keep in mind that the subject that is running through these chapters, is the wedge that the Jews are trying to drive between John the Baptist, and Jesus and His disciples. The Jews were telling John that he was the one that started the ministry, and Jesus and His disciples are the ones that are getting the crowds.

John in turn is telling them that that is what I came for, I'm happy, and I can't even be compared to Jesus.

John 3:35 "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand."

God did not give man the full measure and He did not give John the full measure, but God gave His Son, Jesus Christ the full measure of all authority into His hand. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father until all things are put under His feet.

John 3:36 "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."

Don't make this confusing because it is the simplicity of the Gospel. "He that Believeth on the Son [Jesus Christ] hath everlasting life." Even a small child can understand this statement. He that believeth not [in] the Son [of God], shall not see [everlasting] life. You either do see, or you do not see; and if you do, eternal life is given to you, and if you do not, then then your soul is under the condemnation of judgment.

There are no qualifications to this statement, or requirements of things to be preformed, for the price has already been paid for the eternal life, and all the inheritance that you will receive is set. So what do you do to receive the gift? You reach out and take it, by your repentance in Jesus name for all your sins. By doing so means that you are not going to hell, and your soul will be destroyed and turned to ashes in hell fire. That time of judgment is after the great white throne judgment, for only then will come the time of destruction. This is given to us in Revelation 20:11-15.

Revelation 20:11; "And I saw a great white throne, and Him That sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."

Revelation 20:12; "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

Friend, the "book of life", is "the Lamb's book of life", listing all those that "believe on the Son of God, Jesus Christ", and their name is there because they will not be judged by their works, for all their evil deed and the rejections of Christ before repentance are blotted out by the blood of Christ. Their name simply doesn't exist in the books that list every man, whereby they are judged according to their works.

Revelation 20:13; "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

Revelation 20:14; "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

This judgment of hell, and the lake of fire will happen at the end of the Millennium age of Christ's kingdom. In that thousand year period there will be no grace offered to men, for grace is of this period of the flesh age, where we accept Christ by faith. We have His word and believe Him sight unseen. In the Millennium age, Christ kingdom will here on earth and all will see him and bow to Him, and be taught and disciplined. If you are saved out of the Millennium age, at the end of the Millennium it will be by your works only.

In Ezekiel 40-44 we are told exactly how the Millennium age will be, and on the first day of that age, God's elect, and all those that have been sealed in their minds through the great tribulation will receive their inheritance, their incorruptible bodies and immortality, and will rule throughout the Millennium age as the Zadok, the teachers and joint heirs with Christ. The Millennium age is the time of teaching, discipline and works.

Revelation 20:15; "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

God's wrath at the end of the flesh age is to correct His children, and bring them back into His fold of love and understanding. God doesn't chose to correct anyone, for that is why He gave each of us free will. Even though we all fall short, IF; that is a qualification, upon repentance to God in Jesus name, it is though we were perfect as Jesus was perfect, for our sins are removed from us, and our names are written in that "Lamb's book of life", of Revelations 20:12.

There is no church to join or oath to take, and there is no money to pay or even a ridged guideline to follow. There is only to believe on Jesus name, and we do that by confessing our sins to Him, and telling Him that we love Him. We express our love to Him in the studying of His Word, and allowing His Spirit to work in our lives. The Bible reveals the Will and Testament of God, so as we study His word, God's Holy Spirit will open our minds to what we should know so our spirit or conscience will guide us in all matters of our lives.