It is now appropriate to isolate the five stages of faith and ascertain, first of all, whether these characterize the traditional catalog. The five stages are: (1) a predisposition to believe that Jesus possesses extraordinary powers, (2) a person or group of strong faith providing a catalyst, (3) the sign, involving both event and contextual interpretation, (4) an openness to perceive the transcendent dimension to which the sign points, and (5) a profound conviction that Jesus is Son of God, was sent to reveal God, and to die for the sins of humankind. Examining the other six traditional signs with the five stages in mind, these difficulties accrue: no predisposition on the part of the man born blind is suggested in the text; no catalyst is identified in the healing of the lame man and the feeding of the five thousand, though the disciples presumed to be present likely serve this function; in the case of Jesus walking on the water stages 1 and 2 are obscure, and 4 and 5 missing; 39 and finally, it is not clear in the case of the lame man that he came to faith. Despite these few difficulties, however, the succeeding six traditional signs confirm, in an amazing manner, the stages of faith in our paradigm – the water changed to wine at Cana. Fourth, God promised to bless those who blessed Israel and curse those who cursed her. He has kept that promise faithfully. I believe one of the reasons America has been blessed as a nation is that she has become a homeland for the Jewish people. Here Jews can retain their religion. Here they have economic, social, and educational opportunities. Today, the Christian church in America stands firmly between the Jewish people and the repetition of any further anti-Semitism. ⁶ Many of the signs posted along our modern roads are informational; they tell us what we need to know. Interstate 5 San Diego, for example. Or Exit 74, 5 Miles. Other signs are invitational; they seek to capture our attention and pique our interest. Think of signs such as Welcome to Texas or Great Food This Exit! Some of the most important signs we encounter on our highways are warning signs; they alert us to possible dangers on the road ahead. I pay attention whenever I see a sign marked Detour, for example, or Right Lane Closed.

This drive to understand has been a major foundation of my ministry for decades—including the drive to understand and apply the truths communicated through biblical prophecy. My interest in that subject as a preacher and a writer has always been anchored in my love for the Bible, which I believe to be the inspired Word of God. I find it fascinating that the Bible dedicates more space to the subject of prophecy than almost any other. There are over eighteen hundred prophecies in God’s Word concerning the first and second coming of Jesus Christ alone!

The return of Jews to the re-founded nation of Israel is the first stage of that regathering, but it certainly does not fulfill the requirements of a spiritual return to the Lord. But we can be assured that it will happen, just as God promised: In John, the divinely empowered actions of Jesus are normally called “works” or “signs.” 26“Works” as a description of Jesus’ activities, equates what Jesus did with the prior work of God. “My Father is working still, and I am working,” (5:17). “Works” has a larger field of meaning than either sign or miracle, but it includes both. Jesus’ work encompasses his words as well as his action. “The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works,” (14:10). The manner in which the works of Jesus are paralleled with those of God make it clear that his works identify him as sent from God. “The works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me,” (5:36). The purpose for the signs was either to bring people to belief, to confirm beliefs already held, or both. 19 We are inclined to think John had in mind first of all deepening the faith of believers, but he was also concerned with bringing others to faith, aroused by those who single mindedly believed in Jesus. The signs lead to a faith which specifically affirms Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of God.” 20 In the language of the gospel this means concretely that Jesus was sent from God (John 5:36) and therefore possessed the very nature of God (1:1-3). 21 This faith results in life for the believer. In the context of the gospel, “life” no doubt connotes “eternal life” (John 3:15-16; 4:13-14) which begins here and now, though death occurs even for the believer. 22 Note the confession of Nathanael which has early import in the gospel. “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King [messiah?] of Israel!” (1:49). Daniel described the king’s vision: You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest a

Of all God’s covenant promises to Abraham, I believe the most amazing is His promise concerning the land. God told Abraham to leave his country, his family, and his father’s house and go to a land that I will show you (Gen. 12:1). God then led Abraham to the land that would belong to his descendants forever. But here’s the rest of the story. Later, when the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Isaac Halevi Herzog, called the White House, he told Truman, God put you in your mother’s womb so that you would be the instrument to bring about the rebirth of Israel after two thousand years. One of Truman’s men reported that when he looked at Truman after the rabbi’s statement, tears were running down his cheeks. ¹⁷ But what is the faith of the disciples when they believed in him? It was, of course, commitment to Jesus as a person. 38 The sign was not the reality. It pointed to the reality – Jesus sent from God – and demanded faith.The crucial criterion for interpreting the Qur'an is history. In a historical context the Qur'an becomes A Book of Signs, multilayered in its meanings, continuously reinterpreted by successive generations and diverse audiences. Detached from history the Qur'an becomes the Book of Signs, singular in its meaning, applicable across time and place, unchanging, univocal. Despite the fact that they had experienced the multiplication of the loaves and fishes they did not perceive the power of God. They were so closed off, they unwittingly proposed as an example of a sign Moses’ manna, oblivious to the food Jesus miraculously supplied. Jesus pointed out that it was God who supplied the bread; furthermore, he provides the true bread which is Jesus himself (6:35). Belief, a human manifestation of the work of God (6:29), results in believers who are given the Son by God (6:37). Those who believe in the Son will have eternal life and will be raised up in the last day (6:40). 48 Contrariwise, those who fail to believe are condemned now and forever (3:18). Clearly, therefore, when the signs become an end in themselves and do not point to the reality, that is, the power of God in Jesus, they fail. Signs produce genuine faith when they bring those observing them to a single-hearted conviction that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,” (20:31).

The promise to Abraham is an everlasting promise because it is an unconditional covenant based on the grace and sovereignty of almighty God. There may be delays, postponements, and chastisements, but an eternal covenant cannot be abrogated by a God who cannot deny Himself. WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ISRAEL? The sign commences with a common, ordinary physical entity. But something occurs to that entity as the result of Jesus’ word, which points beyond the physical, demanding explanation. The sign therefore elicits wonder, a puzzle, and to some looking on a misapprehension. The steward could not fathom the quality of the wine. 32 The revision in the physical entity itself points to a caring, helping God. A crisis was averted at the wedding by the abundant supply of wine. 33 The sign is not a marvel for its own sake. In the words of Barrett, it is “. . . a symbolic anticipation or showing forth of a greater reality of which the semeion is nevertheless itself a part.” 34 An explanation for a sign is more often than not endemic to the context, rather than an overt verbal explication. In this case the water turned to wine not only demands powers from beyond, but also prefigures a radical change in the grounds of purification for all humankind. 35 The sign therefore points beyond itself with twofold or even multifold meanings. 36 Karl Heinrich Rengstorf, “Semeion” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich, eds., trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1971) VI, p. 230. It is instructive that while dynamis occurs 38 times in the synoptics it does not appear in John.The result is a truly epic and authoritative guide to biblical prophecy—a must-have resource for Christians seeking to navigate the uncertainties of the present and embrace God’s promises for the future. Varying views exist as to which events qualify in the seven. Smalley, “The Sign in John XXI,” New Testament Studies 20 (1974), 275-288, argues that the catch of 153 fish is the seventh sign, and thus chapter 21 is not an appendix; Marc Girad, “La Composition structurelle des sept ‘signes’ dans le quartieme evangil,” Studies in Religion 9 (1980), 315-324, followed by Joseph A. Grassi, “Eating Jesus’ Flesh and Drinking his Blood: The Centrality and Meaning of John 6:51-58.” Biblical Theology Bulletin 17 (1987), 24-30, argue for the blood and water upon Jesus’ death as a sign. Isa 35:6 LXX J 9 A Second Galilean Sign: The Healing of a Royal Official’s Son (John 4:43-54; Aland # 32, 85) Obviously, prophecy is important to God, and He desires for us to understand His plans. He has given us His signs for a reason.

Through Abraham, God gave His written Word to the world. With the possible exceptions of Luke and Acts, every book of the Bible was authored by a Jewish writer. ¹³ And through Abraham, God gave His Son to the world, blessing all humanity with the means of escaping the grip of sin and death, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal. 3:14). All the other promises in God’s covenant with Abraham are in support of this one universal promise that affects every person who has ever lived. AN ETERNAL COVENANT

Devotionals

The fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham greatly affects every one of us. We have shown why it’s important for our nation to continue to support and protect Israel. Nations that befriend Israel will be blessed; those that do not will be cursed. An epic and authoritative guide to biblical prophecy, The Book of Signs is a must-have resource for Christians seeking to navigate the uncertainties of the present and embrace God’s promises for the future with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Mekilta Exodus on 20:18 (78 b) J 19 Healing of the Man Born Blind- Jesus, the Light of the World (John 9:1-41; Aland # 248)