The New World Order

In re: John 3:16, I have a couple comments.

Jhn 3:16-17 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Consider firstly our context: John 3 opens with Nicodemus coming to Christ at night, so as not to be seen with this “heretic”. He seeks to compliment him in a fishing sort of way. “We know you come from God, because there is no way you can be doing these miracles if He were not with you”. In other words, “Are you claiming to be the Messiah that will usher in the Kingdom of God for Jerusalem, or not?”

It appears that Nicodemus is just another Jewish racist. Yes, racist - believing his race was superior to all other races. The Jews were waiting for a kingly earthly Messiah that would vindicate Israel against all her oppressive enemies, namely the other pagan (Gentile) nations.

Jesus first response is very telling. He tells Nicodemus that he is not to trust in his ethnicity, for it does not matter what nation you have been born into. Being a Jew was not going to save you, nor give you "Kingdom of God privileges" – which the Pharisees were fully expecting; after all they were the Holy of Holies.

No, rather you must be born again. Not a popular message; and Nicodemus quickly seeks to be contentious with Jesus’ words. “You can’t crawl back in your mother’s womb!” Jesus further clarifies. (This by the way does teach the Doctrine of Election because you can’t see the Kingdom unless you first are regenerate – see no one seeks the Kingdom nor the righteousness found therein prior to regeneration.)

Jesus is talking about a spiritual birth, regeneration, but Nicodemus is confused, because of his presuppositions – to be born a Jew is to see and enter the Kingdom of God. But Christ seeks to tell him of heavenly things. He is to be lifted up and seen by all so that they may have eternal life.

Who? – enter the text.

Consider secondly that the word “Cosmos” can have multiple meanings: While it certainly can mean the Created Universe (Mt 13:35), it can also mean the Gentile world (Rom 11:12, 15) and even I think in this context a little broader both Jew and Gentile – or “the Nations”.

It seems to fit well. Nicodemus is rebuked, being taught that Christ came for the world. This is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant:

Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Gen 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Reading “the Nations” in the place of Cosmos it reads:

Jhn 3:16-17 For God so loved the Nations, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the Nations to condemn the Nations; but that the Nations through him might be saved.

That’s how I would best understand this passage, given its context. This is also how I would understand passages like - Jhn 1:29; 4:42; 2Cr 5:18-21; 1Jhn 2:2; 4:10, 14

Thanks for the opportunity to put my thoughts into words.