Feast of Tabernacles & Others

The Word “Believe” in the Gospel of John - Part 18:

The Feast of Tabernacles:

The backdrop event in our text today, John 7:1 - 531 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.

9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

37 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.)

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

53 And every man went unto his own house.

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.

9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

37 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.)

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

53 And every man went unto his own house.

is the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. Three groups or categories of people are referenced in this passage: 1) Jesus’ brothers, 2) rulers of Israel referred to as the Jews, and 3) ordinary citizens of Israel referred to as the people. (Jesus’ Apostles/Disciples are not mentioned.) The word “believe” occurs 5 times in our text in reference to:

•Jesus own brothers, i.e., Mary’s other sons, who did not believe in Him at the time of this incident, John 7:55 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

,

•Not all, but many of the people believed on Jesus because of the signs He showed, John 7:33 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

131 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

,

•Those who did believe on Him were promised the gift of the Holy Ghost after Jesus was glorified (ascended into heaven), John 7:38 & 3938 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.)

,

•The Pharisees (the Jews) reasoned that since none of their group believed on Jesus they rejected Him as their Messiah and cursed people who believed He was the Messiah, claiming they didn’t know the Law, John 7:4747 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

-49.

The Feast of Tabernacles was the last of seven “Feasts of Jehovah” given to His people Israel, Leviticus 23, but by the time of His incarnation as Jesus Christ, Israel had corrupted them into “Feasts of the Jews,” John 7:22 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

. The Feasts were types, each representing and pointing to something Jesus Christ, the anti-type, came to fulfill. He fulfilled the first three: Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits by His death, burial and resurrection. He partially fulfilled the Feast of Pentecost after He ascended into heaven when He sent the Holy Spirit to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 2. Sometime in the future He will finish fulfilling Pentecost as well as the last 3 Feasts: Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles when He returns to earth and establishes His Kingdom. Our text, John 7:1 - 53 is the only place in the New Testament where the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned.

After Jesus fed the 5000+, walked on the Sea of Galilee and addressed the Jews in Capernaum as recorded in the sixth chapter of John, He remained in Galilee when the Feast of Tabernacles was at hand, refraining from travel to Judea (Jerusalem) where the Jews sought to kill Him, John 7:1 & 21 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

. The first time the word believe is used in this text is where we learn His own brothers did not believe in Him, John 7:5. (Their unbelief was prophesied in Psalms 69:88 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

.) They told Jesus He should go to Jerusalem to openly show His works (deeds) for His disciples to witness because, His brothers said, no one does their works in private but displays them to the world, John 7:3-4. The fact they didn’t believe in Him but told Him to go to Jerusalem and show His works appears to be sarcastic taunting and brings to mind Joseph in the Old Testament, who was a type of Jesus, whose brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery to Egypt, falsely reporting to their father he was dead.

Jesus was not yet ready to be taken and killed; the time to do so was appointed by His Father and it had not as yet come. He told His brothers to go ahead to the Feast because the world did not hate them. He said it hated Him because He showed its works were evil, John 7:66 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

-9. Then sometime after His brothers left for the Feast He went there secretly, John 7:1010 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

. At the Feast there was a great deal of speculation and anticipation about His appearance and the Jews (Israel’s leaders) were looking for Him. As to the people, some said He was a good man while others said He deceived them. It appears from this that the people were not debating whether or not He was their Messiah but only whether He was a good man or a deceiver. At any rate, the people kept their discussion about Him to themselves because they feared the Jews (Israel’s leaders), John 7:1111 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

-13.

About midway through the weeklong Feast, Jesus appeared and spoke in the Temple. The Jews (Israel’s leaders) marveled at His teaching, wondering how He came by His knowledge without being taught, John 7:14 & 1514 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

. (They had attended schools and knew Jesus was not among them.) Neither the Jews nor the people understood Jesus was the Word of God before His incarnation and as such had inspired the authors of the Old Testament books, which they studied. Jesus told them His teaching was not His own; it was of God Who sent Him and if anyone did God’s will they would know whether His teaching was of God. He said that anyone talking about himself seeks his own glory (honor, praise, worship) but one who seeks the glory of the person who sent him is true and totally righteous. In this, Jesus was saying that the Jews (Israel’s leaders) were seeking their own glory (honor, praise, worship) but He was seeking God’s and therefore He was totally righteous in his person as a Man, John 7:1616 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

-18.

Jesus said: “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?” John 7:1919 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

. This must have infuriated the self-righteous Jews but we read it was the people who responded that He must have a devil when He said they were going about to kill Him, John 7:2020 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

. Jesus knew the Jews wanted to kill Him, not because an informant told Him but because He was God in the flesh and knew their thoughts and deeds. (Whatever the people, not the leaders, thought at this time, it was not long after this incident that most of them followed their leaders by calling on Pilot to crucify Him.) Jesus didn’t respond directly to the accusation He had a devil. Instead, He pointed out that the Jews had condemned Him because He healed someone on the Sabbath, John 7:2323 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

. There is nothing in the immediate context about Jesus healing anyone, however there were several prior instances when the Jews condemned Him for doing so. Two chapters back in John He healed a man at the Pool of Bethesda who had been infirm for 38 years. The Jews sought to kill Him then because it was the Sabbath and Jesus had made Himself equal with God, John 5:1 - 181 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

.

The Jews were self-righteous, that is, they went through the motions of following the Law of Moses in a prideful appearance and thus they were un-righteous before God. On the other hand, Jesus was righteous, He went about doing His Father’s will. After saying none of them kept the law, John 7:19, Jesus pointed out that the Jews circumcised their males on the 8th day, even when it fell on the Sabbath, in order to keep the law of circumcision. Yet, they were angry at Him because He healed a man on the Sabbath, John 7:2222 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

-23. He told them: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:2424 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

. The covenant of circumcision was made with Abraham and his seed forever, Genesis 17:1 - 141 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

, before God gave the Law to Moses, so it was logical for the Jews to circumcise their boys on the 8th day, regardless of whether it was the Sabbath. The Jews were judging Jesus by “appearance;” their outward show of self-righteousness by condemning Him for healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus told them they should judge as He judged, “by righteous judgment,” because He did the will of God the Father, John 7:21 - 2521 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

. God rested from creation on the 7th day and ordained in the Law of Moses that Israel was to rest that day. The Feast of Tabernacles was the 7th and last Feast of the year. It pictured God’s final Sabbath, when the Lord Jesus Christ fulfills Israel’s Sabbath during the 1000-year millennial period. Then He will rule the earth through His Nation Israel in justice, peace and rest. His act of healing people on the Sabbath portended or looked to that promised millennial period.

Some knew the Jews were trying to kill Jesus but since Jesus was talking boldly they wondered why the Jews were not responding to what He was saying, making them think the leaders actually knew Jesus was the Messiah, John 7:25 & 2625 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

. The people reasoned that they knew where Jesus came from (Nazareth) but it was their understanding that no one would know where the Messiah would come from, John 7:2727 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

. (Micah prophesied the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, Micah 5:22 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

, where King David was from, 1 Samuel 20:66 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

, but the people talking apparently were not aware that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem. According to Lightfoot, Vol 12, http://preteristarchive.com/Books/pdf/1684_lightfoot_works_12_1823.pdf pgs 303-304, the Rabbis taught that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem and then be hid, but no one knew where.)

Jesus responded: “... Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.” John 7:28 & 2928 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

. Here, Jesus was claiming to be equal with God, having come from God and this raised the ire of the unbelieving Jews who tried to take Him, but it was not yet His time to die, John 7:3030 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

. We learn that many of the people believed in Jesus because of the signs He had done, John 7:3131 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

and when the leaders heard about this they sent to have Him seized, John 7:3232 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

. Jesus said He would only be with them for a little while longer and then go back to Him who sent Him at which time they would not be able to find Him and they would not be able to go where He had gone, John 7:33 & 3433 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

. The leaders had no idea what He was talking about, John 7:35 & 3635 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

. They only saw Him as a man claiming to be their Messiah, equal with God. This was hypocrisy to them.

On the last day Tabernacles, the Great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37 & 3837 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.

37 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.

. John then explains Jesus’ statement: “(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.)” John 7:3939 (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.)

. So, in His statement “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” Jesus was referring to Himself from which the water would flow. The water is put for the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus Himself was the giver of the gift of the Holy Spirit. (There are many references in Scripture to the living water Jesus referenced, John 4:1010 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

; Isaiah 12:33 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

, 55:1, 58:11; Ezekiel 47:11 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.

; Joel 3:1818 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

; Zechariah 13:11 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

, 14:8; Numbers 20:1111 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

and 1 Corinthians 10:44 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

.) Jesus said that any who believed on Him would receive the Holy Spirit and He fulfilled this promise on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after His ascension into heaven when He sent the Holy Spirit to the people who believed on Him, Acts 2.

The Old Testament prophesies of life-giving water (which stood for the Holy Spirit) and Jesus’ prophecy in John 7:37 & 38 will be completely fulfilled when the Lord Jesus Christ returns and establishes His Millennial Kingdom. There is a picture of this in Revelation: “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. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:1 - 51 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.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

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