“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).
The Word references the Son of God. One of three in the beginning, with the Father and the Holy Spirit. John here affirms the place God’s Son had in creation. As He and the Father are One, God’s Son can truly and fully be referred to as the Creator of all things. He is described as “the light of men” (5).
After the first 5 verses, there is an ellipsis dealing the John the Baptist. John was the one who came to “bear witness of the Light” (6). Notice the word “Light” here is capitalized, emphasizing our point that the “light” is another designation for the “Word”, signifying God’s Son. Hence the capitalized word indicating deity. John the Baptist is not God’s Son. He is the forerunner of the “Light.” “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.’ ” (Matthew 3:1-3).
It is a typical practice to travel from verses 1-4 in John immediately down to John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten Father, full of grace and truth.” This direct tie in of the “Word” clearly establishes the incarnation of God, the man Jesus Christ. However, the thought actually occurs earlier in the discussion of the “Light” in John 1:9-13.
Consider the following. John the Baptist was announced as the one who would bear witness (6-7). This was a prophecy well known to the Jews, regarding the one who would precede the coming of the Messiah. The “Light” was described as One who was “coming into the world” (9). Verse 10 states, “He was in the world.” Verse 11, “He came to His own.” Verse 12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
This whole context was John’s way of describing the incarnation. It differs greatly from the declaration of Christ’s birth in Matthew 1 or Luke 2, but the significance is the same. Matthew records the prophet’s words before the birth of Jesus, “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ which is translated, ‘God with Us’” (Matthew 1:23).
John further explained in his narrative the purpose of the Son of God’s incarnation. “The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (29). “He [Andrew] found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ)’” (41). “Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (45). “Nathaniel answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel’” (49).
Now, knowing the purpose of Jesus’ coming, consider what the Hebrew writer shared, “…Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).
Jesus has already come once. God in the flesh. His purpose for coming was to save the souls of men. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death. He was raised from the dead on the third day, gaining victory over death and securing our hope for eternity in His life. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
1 Corinthians 15:24 continues Paul’s thread with these words, “Then comes the end…” These words describe that eventual second coming when Jesus will return to the earth, not to save but to judge. This second coming (in judgment) will result in the eternal salvation of those who have faith, and eternal judgment to the ungodly.
Here we supply the testimony of angels, recorded by Luke. “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:10-11).
Jesus will come again. When He comes, the heavens and the earth will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10). Since this is the case, consider Peter’s question in the next verse, “Therefore since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” Prepare for Christ’s second coming!
