John 10:10 promises an abundant life, despite the activities of the thief. Who is this thief? Who is it who has come to give us an abundant life? These are the questions that I will answer in this post.

Specifically, John 10:10 is reference to a Bible quotation which states: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

Bible Notation

Now you may be asking, What does the phrase “John 10:10” mean? The actual phrase John 10:10 is an example of what is known as Bible notation and it is a reference to a Bible quotation as we have seen.

For as it is, the Bible is a collection of books. And each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. So, the Bible notation “John 10:10” refers to the book of John, the 10^th chapter, and the 10^th verse of Chapter 10.

Who is God?

Since John 10:10 is a Bible quotation and when we read the Bible we are reading “the word of God” (1 Samuel 9:27), the question arises, Who is God?

It turns out that on reading the Bible, you will find that “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family made up of three Persons. So, God is indeed a Person or, rather, Persons, and not a thing or things.

And God describes Himself in the Bible by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. That is to say, each of the three members of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others. In fact, the love in God’s heart is the only definition of true love in the universe.

And, No, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. For there has never been nor ever will be any disagreement or contention among them. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

Furthermore, each Person in the Godhead, the divine Family, is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

And the names of these three Persons in the Godhead are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 51:11.

Therefore, with this understanding of who God is, a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,023 years ago. So, Jesus and Christ are one and the same divine Person.

John 10:10 and God as the Creator

John 10:10 speaks about a thief, But what is it that is of value to the thief that he wants to steal it?

Well, God is He “who maketh his [God’s] angels [in heaven to be] spirits.” Psalm 104:4. Also, God “he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2) and populated them with other intelligent beings.

In other words, “God the LORD [is] he that created the heavens…stretched them out [and populated them with intelligent beings]; [and God] he [also]…spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he…giveth breath unto the people [the human beings] upon it, and spirit [a mind] to them [the human beings] that walk therein.” Isaiah 42:5.

And God says of His created intelligent beings, “Ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:31. Thus, as John 10:10 implies, God has possessions that are valuable to Him.

John 10:10 and God’s Government

Now, John 10:10 implies that there was a happy state before the thief came to overturn things.

So, we can understand then that “the LORD [God] hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all [in the universe].” Psalm 103:19.

Therefore, God is known as “the LORD of hosts” (1 Samuel 1:3), that is, as the Lord of the various kinds of intelligent beings.

What is God’s government like? The answer is that God who is love, speaking of Himself, says, “He that ruleth over…[His creation] must be just [be righteous].” 2 Samuel 23:3.

Likewise, God’s law for all His created intelligent beings is, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “thou shalt love thy neighbour [your fellow created intelligent being] as thyself: I am the LORD [God].” Leviticus 19:18.

Here we see the happy state of things to which John 10:10 refers. For if everyone in the universe, including God Himself, lives according to God’s law of love, then there can be no evil in the universe to cause any unhappiness.

That is, John 10:10 implies that God’s law of love ensures that only love, joy, peace, and harmony reign in the universe.

“The Thief Cometh Not, But for To Steal” John 10:10

John 10:10 states that there arises a thief in the universe. Who is this thief? How is it that there arises a thief in a universe of perfect love and harmony? These are the questions to which we now seek an answer.

John 10:10 and Understanding the Heart of the Thief

For there to be a thief in the universe as John 10:10 says there must be a change of heart in the universe.

Who changed in character? Was it God? No! For God who cannot lie says, “I am the LORD [God], I change not.” Malachi 3:6. Well then, Who is the thief to whom John 10:10 refers?

The answer is that God says, “O Lucifer…thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars [the angels] of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north [where God’s throne is]: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High [God who receives worship from all the created intelligent beings in the universe].” Isaiah 14:12-14.

Here we find a motive for the thief to whom John 10:10 refers, and that motive is pride. For the angel, Lucifer, “he coveteth greedily all the day long” (Proverbs 21:26), “and covetousness…is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5.

That is to say that Lucifer became filled with pride, and because of this he fell into self-idolatry which is self-love and self-worship.

Therefore, Lucifer desired to overthrow God’s rule and to set himself up as the ruler of the universe. In essence, Lucifer desired to steal God’s kingdom from Him. So, now we have identified the thief to which John 10:10 refers.

John 10:10 and the Deeds of the Thief in Heaven

“Thus saith the Lord GOD [of the thief of John 10:10, who is an angel named Lucifer,] “Thou [Lucifer] sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty…Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created [by me, God], till iniquity [wickedness] was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:12-15.

Lucifer, in accordance with John 10:10,  is “a violent man [in that he] enticeth his neighbour [his fellow angels], and leadeth…[some of the angels] into the way that is not good.” Proverbs 16:29.

For Lucifer, as the thief of John 10:10,  “stole the hearts of…[some] of [the angels]” (2 Samuel 15:6) and has, therefore, “put his hand unto …[God’s] goods [to steal them].” Exodus 22:8.

That is, God says, Lucifer and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49), “they are all grievous revolters [against God], walking with slanders…they are all corrupters.” Jeremiah 6:28.

Therefore, “there was war in heaven: Michael [Christ] and his angels fought against the dragon [Lucifer]; and the dragon [Lucifer] fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Revelation 12:7, 8.

“And the great dragon [Lucifer] was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan…he was cast out…and his [evil] angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9.

This then is how the love, joy, peace, and harmony, of the universe to which John 10:10 refers was broken.

John 10:10 and God’s Response to the Thief in Heaven

Let us now look at God’s response to Lucifer (now called Satan) as the thief of John 10:10.

God says, “I [God] will destroy thee…therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth…and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:16-19.

“For…God spared not the angels that sinned [that did evil], but cast them down [figuratively] to hell, and delivered them into [the] chains of darkness [of their wicked minds], to be reserved unto [God’s] judgment [Day].” 2 Peter 2:4.

John 10:10—The Thief Comes to the Earth to Steal

Satan, the thief to whom John 10:10 refers, not only caused rebellion against God in heaven, but he also came to the earth.

Now, God had created the first human pair, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, with a character of perfect love just like God’s character.

However, both Adam and Eve yielded to the temptations of Satan to do evil, which is to sin. Hence, their character was changed from one of love to a character of selfishness.

Not only that, but all of Adam and Eve’s descendants, that is, the whole human race, have inherited their disposition to sin. So, every human being is a sinner. This is how Satan, as the thief of John 10:10, has stolen God’s human family from God.

And “the wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God [to those human beings who allow God to give them a change of heart from selfishness to perfect love] is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

Sadly though, in accordance with John 10:10, some human beings “are false apostles [false disciples of Christ], deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles [disciples] of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of [the] light [of love]. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be [to be annihilated by God] according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

In other words, Satan has enrolled some human beings into his wicked schemes to steal the human race from God by stealing the affections of human beings. Such people, as John 10:10 implies, have disobeyed God’s command, “My son [and daughter], if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Proverbs 1:10.

“The Thief Cometh Not, But for…To Kill” John 10:10

John 10:10 states that Satan, the thief, seeks to kill. How? Satan “cause[s] that as many as would not worship…[him, Satan,] should be killed.” Revelation 13:15.

But God says, in accordance with John 10:10, “all that dwell upon the earth [that] shall worship him, Satan, are they] whose names are not written in [God’s]…book of [eternal] life.” Revelation 13:8.

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD [God] of hosts, that it shall leave them neither [Satan the] root nor [Satan’s followers the] branch.” Malachi 4:1.

Thus, this is how, as John 10:10 states, that Satan seeks to kill the entire human race by involving them in his own doom.

“The Thief Cometh Not, But for…To Destroy” John 10:10

John 10:10 states that Satan as the thief comes to destroy. What does he seek to destroy?

Well, God says to all His created intelligent beings, “My son [and daughter], if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins [heart] shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.” Proverbs 23:15, 16.

But Satan’s work in the universe has been to make God “grieved…at his heart.” Genesis 6:6. For “a foolish son [or daughter] is a grief to [God] his father, and bitterness to …[Him, God,] that bare [bore] him [or her].” Proverbs 17:25.

Thus, God says, “Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 7:11. And, so, in accordance with John 10:10, God says of Satan, “Me have ye bereaved of my children: all these things are against me [God].” Genesis 42:36.

That is, Satan seeks to destroy God’s kingdom and, hence, take away God’s happiness in His created children.

“I Am Come” John 10:10

John 10:10 states that “I am come.” Who is it that comes? Where does this person come to?

Well, here is the answer to the John 10:10 declaration. “In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him [Christ]; and without him [Christ] was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3.

“And the Word [Christ] was made [in human] flesh, and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we [human beings] beheld his [Christ’s] glory [beheld Christ’s character of perfect love]).” John 1:14.

So, now we know to whom John 10:10 refers. It refers to the birth of Christ, who is God, as a baby boy named Jesus on earth.

As John 10:10 implies, “when he [Christ] cometh into the world, he [Christ] saith, Sacrifice and offering [that was made by humans for sin] thou [God] wouldest not [you did not desire], but a [human] body hast thou [God] prepared [for] me [Christ]: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou [God] hast had no pleasure. Then said I [Christ], Lo, I [Christ] come (in the volume of the book [the Bible] it is written of me [Christ],) to do thy will, O God.” Hebrews 10:5-7.

That is, in accordance with John 10:10, “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his [God’s] Son, made of a [virgin] woman, made [born] under the [condemnation of God’s] law [of love].” Galatians 4:4.

Thus, John 10:10 which records the words of Jesus Christ Himself, announces one of the greatest events to occur on earth—God Himself being born as a man. And Christ also announces in the words of John 10:10 the second greatest event to occur on earth as I will now explain.

“That They Might Have Life, and That They Might Have It More Abundantly” John 10:10

John 10:10 refers to having life and having it abundantly. But what does this mean? How does Christ give life and, moreover, give abundant life? Who are the they to whom John 10:10 refers?

John 10:10 and Some of the Reasons Why Christ Came to the Earth

First, let’s be clear about the they to whom John 10:10 refers. The they is the human race.

So, John 10:10 promises that Christ will not only give life to humanity, but abundant life. And, as John 10:10 states, this is a result of the fact that Christ came to the earth. Let us examine then some of the reasons why Christ came to the earth.

As John 10:10 implies, “He [Anyone] that committeth sin is of the devil [Satan]; for the devil [Satan] sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose [Christ] the Son of God was manifested [was born as a man], that he [Christ] might destroy the works of the devil [Satan].” 1 John 3:8.

Again, as John 10:10 implies, Christ said of Himself, “Think not that I [Christ] am come to destroy the law [God’s law of love], or [what] the prophets [wrote in the Bible]: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil [God’s law of love]. For verily [truly] I [Christ] say unto you [to all created intelligent beings], Till heaven and earth pass [away], one jot or one tittle [that is to say, neither the smallest letter nor the things that differentiate one letter from another] shall in no wise [in no instance] pass [away] from the law, till [even up to and after] all [of God’s plans] be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17, 18.

That is, as John 10:10 implies, Christ came “to redeem them [all humanity] that were under the [condemnation of God’s] law [of love], that we [human beings] might receive the adoption of [as] sons [and daughters by God]. And because ye [human beings who respond positively to God’s correction] are sons [and daughters of God], God hath sent forth the [Holy] Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying [affectionately to God], Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:5, 6.

For, in accordance with John 10:10, God is He “who will have all men [all humanity] to be saved [from annihilation by God because of their sins], and to come unto the knowledge of the truth [from God].” 1 Timothy 2:4.

In other words than those of John 10:10, Christ who is God says, “I [Christ] will ransom them [the human race] from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance [a change of my, God’s, mind] shall be hid from mine eyes.” Hosea 13:14.

Thus, as John 10:10 implies, Christ, “the Son of man came [to the earth] not to be ministered unto, but to minister [to humanity], and to give his [Christ’s] life a ransom for many [for the whole human race].” Matthew 20:28.

So then, as John 10:10 implies, “ye [human beings] shall know the truth [from God], and the truth shall make you free [from sin and Satan].” John 8:32. “If [Christ] the Son therefore shall make you free [from sin and Satan], ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. Thus, “they [as human beings] may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil [Satan], who are taken captive by him [Satan] at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26.

These then, as John 10:10 implies, are some of the reasons why Christ came to the earth.

John 10:10 and What Christ Accomplished on Behalf of Humanity

Now, as John 10:10 implies, “all we [human beings] like sheep have gone astray [from God]; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD [God] hath laid on him [Christ] the iniquity [the sins] of us all.” Isaiah 53:6.

Therefore, in accordance with John 10:10, “He [Christ] was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation [His posterity]? for he [Christ] was cut off out of the land of the living [was killed]: for the transgression [wickedness] of my people [the human race] was he [Christ] stricken.” Isaiah 53:8.

That is, as John 10:10 implies, “Christ died for our [humanity’s] sins according to the scriptures [the Bible]; and…he [Christ] was buried, and…he [Christ] rose [from the dead to live] again [on] the third day [after His death] according to the scriptures [the Bible].” 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4.

In so doing, Christ is He “who gave himself a ransom for all [humanity].” 1 Timothy 2:6. “For the LORD [God] hath redeemed…[bought back humanity from their captor, Satan], and ransomed…[them] from the hand of him [Satan] that was stronger than…[them].” Jeremiah 31:11.

Thus, the triumph of Christ’s words recorded in John 10:10 is that, figuratively, “when a strong man [Satan] armed keepeth his palace, his goods [the captive human race] are in peace [are held by Satan securely]: But when [Christ] a stronger than he [Satan] shall come upon him [Satan], and overcome him [Satan], he [Christ] taketh from him [Satan] all his armour wherein he [Satan] trusted, and divideth [takes away] his [Satan’s] spoils [plunder].” Luke 11:21, 22.

“For as [descendants of]…Adam all [humanity are destined to] die [an eternal death (to be annihilated by God)], even so [those human beings who are] in [a spiritual connection with] Christ shall all be made alive [eternally by God].” 1 Corinthians 15:22.

John 10:10 and the Everlasting Blessing on Humanity from God

As promised by John 10:10, “He [God] looketh upon men [upon the human race], and if any [human being] say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He [God] will deliver his [or her] soul from going into the pit [deliver them from annihilation by God], and his [or her eternal] life shall see [shall dwell with] the light [of God’s perfect character of love].” Job 33:27, 28.

In other words, John 10:10 refers to a person’s transformation by God where “if any man be in [a spiritual connection with] Christ, he [the individual] is a new creature: old things [the old sinful character] are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

That is to say, in accordance with John 10:10, God says of such people, “Ye [have] put off concerning the former conversation the old man [the old sinful character], which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and [have been]…renewed in the spirit of your mind [by God]; and [have]…put on the new man, which after [according to the character of] God is created [by God] in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24.

Thus, as John 10:10 implies, God says of such people, “They shall be mine, saith the LORD [God] of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them [from annihilation by God], as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Malachi 3:17.

Then it is that just as John 10:10 promises, those human beings who are “the ransomed of the LORD [God from Satan] shall return [to a loving relationship with God], and come to Zion [God’s heavenly dwelling place] with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away [forever].” Isaiah 35:10.

This then is the abundant life that John 10:10 promises.

Conclusion

Note too that John 10:10 also implies that if “thou hast fulfilled the judgment [the ways] of the wicked: judgment and justice [from God shall] take hold on thee. [That is,] because there is wrath [God’s fierce anger because of your sins], beware lest he [God] take thee away [from being alive] with his [God’s] stroke: then…[Christ the] great ransom cannot deliver thee [from annihilation by God].” Job 36:17, 18.

In other words, “How shall we [human beings] escape, if we neglect so great salvation [which is the saving by God from annihilation to instead give us eternal life]; which at the first began to be spoken by [Christ] the Lord [to Adam and Eve], and was confirmed unto us by them [by Adam and Eve and their holy descendants] that heard [of] him [Christ].” Hebrew 2:3.

Related Blog Posts

The Ongoing War to Overthrow God
The Hidden Reality
Disputed Ownership
Your Spiritual Journey with God
One Thing Sure to Make Us Rejoice

For Further Study

• Bible Study Principles
• Victory in Christian Warfare
• Know Your Bible in 50 Days: A Guide to All 66 Books

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