WATER AND BLOOD:
LIVING WATERS OF ETERNAL LIFE


Mike Blume
September 11, 2005 pm

  Scripture Text:

 
John 19:31-35  The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.  (32)  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.  (33)  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:  (34)  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.  (35) And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

1John 5:7-12  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  (8)  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  (9)  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.  (10)  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
 

  Message:


Notice both accounts in our text, of water and blood, were written by John, and John remarked about the record being true.
  • And 1 John adds the thought of LIFE in the SON.

John 19:34-35  ...forthwith came there out blood and water.  (35) And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

1 John 5:8... the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one
(10)  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  


The WITNESSES of Spirit, water and blood are on the earth.
  • And if you believe you HAVE THIS WITNESS IN YOURSELF!

Lev 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Blood is "life of the flesh".
  • Jesus' blood was his life.
  • And when the soldier pierced his side we distinctly are told Jesus was already dead.
  • Instead of breaking his legs the soldier pierced his side.
  • The jews desired his legs be broken to hasten his death, but they found Jesus already dead.

Jesus sheds out of his crucified body WATER AND BLOOD.

At any rate there is a connection with WATER AND BLOOD being connected with LIFE in Jesus.
  • Water with blood in it would be representative of LIVING WATER.

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.

Believing on Jesus is accepting the fact that Christ's death on the cross was accomplished to pay the price for OUR sins.
  • HE was wounded for OUR transgressions.
  • HE was bruised for OUR iniquities.

Isa 53:4-5  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

And so belief is represented by coming to the cross.
  • And when we come to the cross we see Jesus hanging dead with living water coming out of his side.
  • John said if we believe we have EVERLASTING LIFE.
  • 1 John said water and blood were two witnesses of which John bore record.
  • And the record was that God gave those who believe eternal life.
  • It's like coming to the cross and DRINKING the living water flowing from His side.

This is found everywhere in the bible.

Exo 17:5-6  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.  (6)  Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Verse 5 says he smote the river.
  • The NILE RIVER.
  • When he smote the Nile, their source of fresh water became a place of DEATH.
  • In Egypt, where there was plenty of water for life, it was made into death.
  • Now he smites the rock in the wilderness.
  • Water for life is not found in the wilderness, just a realm of death.
  • But God gives water for life to Israel in a place of death while Egypt's place of life and water for life sees death replace it -- blood of a dead man.
  • He smote the river Nile to turn life into death, and smote the rock to turn death into life.
In this message, we will rely heavily upon the original plan of God for Adam and Eve, the first human beings who fell into sin and were cast away from God's presence.
  • God has never changed from his plan for mankind.
  • Salvation through Jesus Christ is based totally upon the pattern of God's will for Adam and Eve and their descendents.

God was said to have made animals from the dust of the ground in Genesis 2 after He said it was not good for man to be alone.

Gen 2:18-23  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  (19)  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.  (20)  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.  (21)  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;  (22)  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  (23)  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

We distinctly read that God made them from the ground and then watched intently to see what Adam would call them as he passed them before Adam.
  • He wanted to hear man's reaction to indicate whether or not there would be a help amongst the creatures.
  • And when none are found, and nothing he calls them indicates he found a help, God takes a rib from his side and makes the woman.
  • Then we read Adam finally calls something by such a name that it indicates he found his help!

It was as though God was watching like a joyful Father to hear Adam's words about the animals and the woman.
  • Like  a Father waiting to see Adam REALIZE SOMETHING very important.

So the help Adam needed was someone made from his own life.
  • And the church likewise came from the LIFE provided from Jesus Christ's side.
  • Adam's deep sleep was indiciative of Christ's death on the cross.

The beginning point of receiving LIFE from God is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
  • And the picture of Him pouroing forth rivers of life from his side depicts this need to come to the cross.
  • We come into UNION with His life and Himself through the cross.

Act 2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

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.)

Compare Rev 22:17 with John 7:37-39.
  • The Spirit is the River of life.
  • We come and drink and receive eternal life.

This is why the SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME.
  • The Spirit is what made us part of the bride.
  • The bride is comprised of all who are born of the Spirit and who received eternal life of the Spirit.
  • And the idea of the BRIDE is associated with the LIFE from Adam from which EVE was made.

What is interesting as well is the river is also seen in Ezekiel 47 and comes from the same location by the temple as the "molten sea" in th etemple:

1Ki 7:23  And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

1Ki 7:39  And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

Eze 47:1  Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

>From the location of the SEA we read about the RIVER OF LIFE flowing from the temple.

Revelation 4 shows a crystal sea before the throne, and Revelation 21 says there is no more sea, and Rev 22 says the river flows like crystal from the throne.

Rev 4:6  And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.



Something cut loose!

Jesus was said to go to the throne and the Spirit was SHED FORTH!

Rivers of Life!

Peter preached in Acts 2 that Jesus was crucified and then raised up by God to the throne and shed forth the Spirit.
  • John said the same thing about Jesus' words in John 7.
  • The river was the Spirit which could not come until Jesus was glorified.
  • He had to make atonement and sit on the throne as Lord and Christ.

John 7 said Jesus could not send the Holy GHost because He was not yet glorified.

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Because of this, we read

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

The Father and the Son was where the RIVER originated because we see the idea of the Son having to go to the Father in order to send the Spirit.
  • When we see the picture in Revelation, we see the whole concept.
  • The Lamb came to the throne in Revelation 5.
  • And then in Rev 22, the throne of God and the Lamb is where the river issues forth from.

Jesus' death on the cross would pay for our sins.

Isa 59:1-2  Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:  (2)  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Adam was cast from the Garden away from God's presence due to sin.
  • So the sacrifice.

Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

So the LAMB speaks of sacrifice of Jesus.
  • And the sacrifice is given to God to pay for the sin.
  • And that allows the LIFE in Heaven to come forth to the world!

1Co 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

We require righteousness to enter heaven.

1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

And the bible speaks of a blessing for people:

Not for people who desire miracles and even healings.
  • Not for people who seek wisdom.

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

And God made Jesus righteousness unto us.

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Jesus Christ is considered the NEW or LAST ADAM.

Gen 1:27-28  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  (28)  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

God wanted Adam to multiply...
  • Eve came from Adam and one became two.
  • And this would continue.
  • And multiplying would then FILL the earth.

When Jesus gave the last supper, he always used bread in a particular manner.
  • He took it, blessed it, broke it and then gave it.

Mat 26:26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

And the way he did those four things with the bread, is what He also did one earlier day:

Mat 15:32-37  Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.  (33)  And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?  (34)  And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.  (35)  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.  (36)  And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.  (37)  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

The multitude were people who continued with Him for three days.
  • And they were soon to experience a miracle and receive multiplied food.

There days depicts the time span from the death on the cross to the resurrection when salvation was acquired for us by Jesus.
  • The term CONTINUED in this thought of continuing with Him for three days speaks a hint of dedication.
  • And their dedication would be rewarded.
  • There are some people not dedicated.
  • They experienced salvation, but their dedication is not towards Jesus, Himself.
  • They only have Acts 2:38 and are not interested in going all the way from a newborn baby and infant to a mature spiritual person who wants to KNOW JESUS fully.
  • They do not want to WALK like Jesus nor LIVE like Him.
  • They do not want to experience a true resurrection lifestyle.
  • A newness of life.
  • So they do not continue to the resurrection level which occurred with Jesus on the third day.
  • But there are those who CONTINUED WITH HIM FOR THREE DAYS.
  • And these would be BLESSED.
  • They HUNGER and thirst FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THEIR LIVES.
  • They are conscientious of every normal minute of their time being righteous before God.

Phi 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

They want to experience His suffering and resurrection power and really know God.
  • Since Jesus was MADE righteousness for us, these people SEEK MORE OF JESUS.
  • They HUNGER and thirst for Jesus, if they hunger and thirst for righteousness.

And so Jesus symbolically MULTIPLIES HIMSELF for the people who hunger for righteousness to INGEST righteousness.


He took the bread and fishes and did the same four things with them.
  • The bread in the last supper represented His body.
  • And so we see a connection with the bread and fishes representing His body here as well.
  • HE MULTIPLIED HIS BODY, after He took it, blessed  it, broke and gave it.

AND THESE PEOPLE WERE filled.

Luk 9:16-17  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.  (17)  And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

He had so multiplied Himself that they were filled to overflowing!
  • Twelve baskets full of crumbs AND LEFTOVER PIECES!

We receive more and more of His life!
  • Eve was made from Adam's life.
  • So were we.
  • But we want more and more of Him.
  • We want to be FILLED with His Spirit.

Like water and blood coming from His crucified side...
  • His broken body multiplied to feed us...
  • Living water from the throne of God and the lamb...
  • We receive HIS LIFE.
  • HE SHARES HIS LIFE WITH US as Adam did in order to have a BRIDE.

Adam would multiply and fill the earth.
  • Jesus multiplied and FILLS OUR EARTH of our lives with His LIFE.
  • HIS GLORY.
  • And together we literally do fill the face of the earth with His glory the more people all over the world receive His LIFE.

Joe 2:23-29  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.  (24)  And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.  (25)  And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.  (26)  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (27)  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.  (28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  (29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Overlfowing wine and oil, pouring out His Spirit to His people!

FULL -- OVERFLOW -- POUR OUT -- RESTORE...

Like a Garden, there was restored LIFE to man and fellowship With God!

Bread is made from WHEAT, and there is WINE mentioned as well.

  • BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS.
  • ETERNAL LIFE!