The Coat
Part 12
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher’s coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (John 21:7)
—–◆—–
INTRODUCTION
We have been following the word coat for almost a year. Don’t click off now. This article will tackle the last mention of the word coat in the New Testament. Can anything more be written about the word coat that has not already been written? Don’t ask me . . . I don’t know because I have never been here before. To be totally honest about these articles, they are meant neither for the fearful nor for the weak. These posts come from the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, and where He leads and to whom He finds to read these posts are beyond my understanding. But if this is your first article about the word coat . . . CLICK HERE and you will be safely redirected to the first post. Happy trails and see you on the other side.
—–◆—–
GOD’S PERFECT DIVINE ORDER and PLACEMENT
We are following Christ’s last hours and minutes on His earth among His disciples and followers seen through the four gospels and the book of Acts. Why follow His last hours on earth? Each gospel disclosed a final specific message, and each message disclosed an additional truth to the previous truth. This is called progressive revelation.
◆
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
● All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
● teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
● I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
In the gospel of Matthew, the last scene in the last Chapter there is the directive to the remaining eleven disciples to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost and to teach them (all nations) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (Matthew 28:16)
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
This directive by the Lord Jesus Christ ended without any mention of His ascension into the heavens. His directive gave His disciples their primary purpose as disciples: TO TEACH ALL NATIONS, and to BAPTIZE in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to TEACH others to observe all things and to teach His commandments. Then lastly Christ stated that All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth, and that He would always be with them alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Christ gave them their PRIMARY PURPOSE and DIRECTION, and the knowledge of HIS PRESENCE ALWAYS.
◆
THE GOSPEL OF MARK
● Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
● And these signs shall follow them that believe
● he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
● the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
In the gospel of Mark, in the last Chapter, the Holy Spirit led Mark to write MORE about the last moments with Christ than what Matthew wrote. This section is ADDED information. It does not contradict Matthew.
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. (Mark 16:14)
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mark 16:17)
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:18)
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)
Matthew set the PURPOSE, and Mark sets their SERVICE with SIGNS to His dictates. This second book of the gospels not only contains Christ’s movement into the heaven, but it reveals that He sat on the right hand of God. Mark ends with CHRIST ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD on the SEAT Of POWER with AUTHORITY and SOVEREIGNTY. There is also another great truth in Mark and that is, although He had ascended into the heavens, He, the Lord, was working with them and He was confirming the word with signs. Although He was UNSEEN, He was with them.
◆
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
● And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
● And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven
The third gospel has fifty-three verses and the apostle Luke ADDED MUCH MORE than Matthew or Mark. This appears to be the divine ENDING to the Lord’s final moments with His disciples. However, notice that before Christ ascended, He LED them out as far as to Bethany. Bethany means ‘house of affliction.’ This is what ALL of His disciples faced . . . THE HOUSE OF AFFLICTION.
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (Luke 24:50)
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:51)
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (Luke 24:52)
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:53)
First, Christ gave them a PURPOSE, then He prepared them to SERVE, and thirdly, He will lead THEM OUT (of this world) through AFFLICTION. But also notice that there was a DOUBLE BLESSING. Christ was PARTED from them, and He was CARRIED up into heaven. The words PARTED and CARRIED imply the work of the Spirit of God. In being PARTED from the disciples, a NEW WORK was being prepared for the disciples outside of the physical presence of their LORD. In being CARRIED up into heaven, Christ can be seen as the divine Ruler being carried by a great and mighty FORCE as a Monarch of great position and power.
One of the many interesting things about the Old Testament is that it repeatedly presented examples of what would occur in the future through Supernatural events. For example: miracle (Supernatural) births, and miracle (Supernatural) translations. The prophet Elijah was parted from Elisha by the Holy Spirit of God through a visible chariot of fire, and horses of fire. Then through a visible whirlwind he entered into heaven carried by the Spirit of God.
● And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2nd Kings 2:11
● The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones, (Ezekiel 37:1)
● So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)
● And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10)
Through the words parted and carried the work of the Holy Spirit of God, although UNSEEN is implied. One of the many teaching methods that God the Holy Spirit used to connect spiritual themes together besides the Law of First Mention and Progressive Revelation is the teaching method that I call Spiritual Bridging. God builds a towering spiritual bridge over the elements of time and timelessness allowing the child of God and the seeker of truth to get a better and higher view of the spiritual environment. This is what God the Holy Spirit did when He wrote about the time period when Christ was preparing to leave the world behind and to return to His place at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Although Christ had promised a Comforter who would come to teach, to testify of Christ, and to bring to memory the works and acts of Christ Jesus, there would be a small span of time between Christ being parted and carried into the heavens and the appearance of the Comforter, a BRIDGE, a span of time. This article on the fisher’s coat is about this transition period of time, it is about the spiritual bridge and the NEW environment, it is about the introduction of the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD and THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
● And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)
● But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)
● But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)
● Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)
—–◆—–
THE THREE GREATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS
to the WORLD and to MAN
1. THERE IS A GOD
2. GOD VISIBLY CAME TO EARTH
3. GOD CAME TO DWELL WITHIN MAN
1.
THERE IS A GOD
When GOD, the ALMIGHTY GOD <‘elohiym> introduced Himself to the earth, to the world and to man, it was THE GREATEST, and THE MOST SUPREME ANNOUNCEMENT that had ever sounded through the universe of sight and sound.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)
2.
GOD VISIBLY CAME TO EARTH
Then the next GREATEST, and MOST SUPREME ANNOUNCEMENT that had ever sounded through the universe of sight and sound was the pronouncement of the appearance of THE SON OF GOD. The invisible God came to earth in the visible form of Jesus the Christ.
● And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
● And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12)
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (Luke 2:13)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)
● God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (Hebrews 1:1)
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
3.
GOD CAME TO DWELL WITHIN MAN
As there was a small span of time among the first announcement of a coming Savior to the actual appearance. There was also a small span of time between the Lord’s being parted and carried into heaven, and the fulfillment of His promise of a coming Comforter.
Then the third GREATEST, and MOST SUPREME ANNOUNCEMENT that had ever sounded through the universe of sight and sound was when the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD made His visible appearance to man through the powerful elements of the sound of a rushing mighty wind and flames of fire.
● But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
● And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1)
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2)
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:3)
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
—–◆—–
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
This gospel is not like the other previous gospels. From the very first Chapter of John, it is obvious that the primary theme would be the focus of ‘THE EAGLE.’ To recap: Matthew, the book of the King; Mark, the book of the servant, Luke, the book of the Son of man; and in the gospel of John, we have the WORD, the Creator God, through the gospel of the Spirit.
Chapter 21 is the last Chapter in the last gospel. This Chapter has 25 verses so it is neither a long, nor a difficult read for the young Christian or for the curious searcher for truth. What do we see in the last Chapter of the fourth and last gospel? What did the Holy Spirit of God leave for us in the last day, the last hours and the last minutes of Christ’s presence on earth? In all the three previous gospels, in the last chapters, Christ gave His farewell words to the men who had walked with Him.
CHAPTER 21
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. (John 21:1)
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. (John 21:2)
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. (John 21:3)
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. (John 21:4)
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. (John 21:5)
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. (John 21:6)
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (John 21:7)
And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. (John 21:8)
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. (John 21:9)
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. (John 21:10)
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. (John 21:11)
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. (John 21:12)
Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. (John 21:13)
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. (John 21:14)
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (John 21:15)
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:16)
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (John 21:18)
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:19)
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? (John 21:20)
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? (John 21:21)
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22)
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (John 21:23)
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)
—–◆—–
THE WORDS OF CHRIST
TO THOSE CLOTHED IN A FISHER’S COAT
A NEW thing happened in the third greatest announcement that the world and man had ever received and that was the ANNOUNCEMENT of the coming of GOD through the Holy Spirit of God to DWELL and to LIVE FOREVER WITHIN A NEW MAN.
There is an amazing shift of what appears to be an orderly farewell address to those of the earth from a departing invisible GOD in visible form to His disciples until we get to the fourth and last gospel of John.
The entire last Chapter of the gospel of John appears to flow around Peter’s fisher’s coat and the conversation between Peter and the Lord Jesus Christ. This last Chapter is a bridge over the fisher’s coat that reaches into the first Chapter of the book of Acts. This first Chapter of Acts then opens with the connection to the last Chapters of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is fitting that the Lord’s last words should follow the gospel of Luke since it was Luke who penned the book of Acts. (Do you see how the Spirit of God jumps over the last Chapter of John AND from the gospel of Luke and the last Chapter in Luke a spiritual BRIDGE spans over the last Chapter of John flowing into the book of Acts?)
The book of Acts begins with the memory of the last moments of Christ on earth and His last words. If man was writing the Lord’s last words on earth, Acts Chapter 1 and verses 1 – 11 would have been placed at the end of the gospel of John. BUT man did NOT write the Bible. Although the fingers of man grasped pens made from fauna and fowls and scribed the words, it was the Holy Spirit of God who placed the thoughts and words of God into the willing minds and opened hearts of FAITHFUL and rejected servants. So and therefore, ALL Chapters have been properly set. We, those of FAITH, accept God’s perfect order in Chapter placement, in His word selections, and in His teaching methods to instruct those of FAITH and those of unbelief.
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (Acts 1:1)
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: (Acts 1:2)
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (Acts 1:3)
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (Acts 1:4)
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6)
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Acts 1:7)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (Acts 1:10)
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
Following God’s instruction to the Lord’s followers in PURPOSE, IN SERVICE and through AFFLICTION, Christ also directed them to REMAIN in Jerusalem, and to WAIT for the promise of God through an event yet to happen to them all. They were being prepared for the THIRD GREATEST ANNOUNCEMENT to the world and to men of the world, the coming of the INDWELLING POWER OF GOD.
After the Lord’s resurrection, He remained on earth for forty days, working and performing miracles of the which it is written: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (Acts 1:3)
● This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. (John 21:14)
● And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)
● And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: (John 20:30)
Have patience, my dear readers, as God will assuredly connect the fisher’s coat to whatever is ahead of us in this article. The book of Acts is often spoken as the book of the beginning of the Church, and it can be considered as such, however, it is MUCH MORE, it is the gospel of the Spirit of God. It is the revealing and the PROCLAMATION of God’s INDWELLING within man through the POWER of His Spirit.
—-◆—–
THE ADVERSARY of THOSE CLOTHED
IN A FISHER’S COAT
As many read the book of Acts and are drawn into the development of the Church of God, they become so engrossed with the Church that they too often lose understanding of the POWER that formed the UNSEEN Church. It is the UNSEEN POWER of God who worked to form the UNSEEN Church of God.
Man takes pride in the SEEN Church through the SEEN works, thus negating the UNSEEN. The question, Where do you go to church? shows a complete lack of appreciation for the work of the Spirit of God. I could better understand a question in this form, Where do you gather with others to worship the Lord Jesus Christ? But, ‘where do you go to church? is beyond my scope of understanding. This may seem a bit of nonsense on my part, or an unimportant detail, but it is extremely important. Selecting the proper word or phrase can cause immense spiritual damage.
There is an UNSEEN spiritual Church and there is a physical SEEN place or building erroneously called ‘a church.’ They are NOT the same. They were both formed by two distinct power sources. The UNSEEN CHURCH was formed by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. However, through man’s vanity and pride to SEE the works of his hands the UNSEEN church slowly became second to the SEEN church. The SEEN church became the primary source of so-called ‘truth’ while the UNSEEN church became secondary in all things connected to truth and worship. Slowly, seductively, the SEEN became more powerful than the UNSEEN. The UNSEEN was seized and carried away by FALSE Christs, FALSE apostles, FALSE brethren, FALSE prophets and FALSE teachers.
● For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)
● For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (2nd Corinthians 11:13)
● [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; (2nd Corinthians 11:26)
● And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (Galatians 2:4)
● But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2nd Peter 2:1)
Although politicians have made deception, debauchery and lies a protected art form, the word of God clearly ascribes FALSENESS and deception to those of religion. It is the religious who have perfected deception beyond man’s imagination. In the Old Testament in the book of Jeremiah, the LORD superbly defined FALSE PROPHETS.
● Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14:14)
● Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:32)
Why would the Holy Spirit of God allow HIS UNSEEN power to be overcome and overtaken by the UNSEEN power of the adversary of man and of God? Have you forgotten about the WAR in heaven? Have you forgotten about Lucifer’s attempt to dethrone GOD? Lucifer attempted to take over the worship center in God’s governmental realm, he attempted to replace Melchisedec, the High Priest of God, with himself, BUT he also attempted to become the CENTER of ALL worship in God’s realm. Worship was and IS Lucifer’s MAIN avenue to overcome GOD in GOD’s realm, thus, WORSHIP is Satan MAIN and primary route to overcome GOD in the natural and material realm of mankind. All the other avenues to destroy mankind are but dark alleys, side streets and busy thoroughfares in Lucifer/Satan’s grand plan. It is WORSHIP that Lucifer/Satan desires. It is WORSHIP that he is the strongest at accomplishing. Everything else is just for his fun and enjoyment, but it is WORSHIP that has been the center of his focus for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. From the very FIRST RELIGION, the religion of Cain, in the antediluvian period to the following time frame of the new world in the religion of Nimrod, the collective worship of man and nature, Lucifer/Satan has always been successful in diverting mankind from the knowledge of God to the WORSHIP of himself.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Romans 1:19)
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:22)
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:23)
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:24)
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:26)
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:27)
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28)
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (Romans 1:29)
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (Romans 1:30)
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:31)
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:32)
● Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (Romans 2:1)
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (Romans 2:2)
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (Romans 2:3)
Since nonreligious man and religious man cannot separate themselves from that which is SEEN and that which is UNSEEN, how then can they understand the difference between the natural man and the spiritual man? There is an immense difference between individuals coming together to worship GOD only, and those who gather together to worship their religion and its history, to commit their works and acts to various social-political agendas, and to pay others to perform in a proxy mission work, thus, relieving ALL mission responsibilities to others, forgetting that the needs of their neighbors is a mission work.
The INFANT church originally consisted of a dedicated faithful group of believers until it relinquished its purpose, its form, and its belief over to professional Nicolaitans, (professional worshipers, professional priesthood) also recognized as the more polished and scholarly priestly fiefdoms known as religion. This take over wasn’t sudden. It was a gradual act of sedition against the Holy Spirit of God, and therefore, against Christ.
—-◆—–
THE BATTLE OF
THE FISHER’S COAT
As Christ, in His last moments, taught of things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3) His disciples and followers were more intent on knowing when the kingdom of Israel would be restored. (Acts 1:6) Christ was preparing them for a GREAT EVENT never to be again experienced by man. A one-time and only one-time earthly event of such magnitude that man (millenniums later) can still not fully grasp its ETERNAL significance. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
Simple men and women not of the aristocratic system of elitism, but fishermen, tent makers, weavers, sellers of fabrics and merchandise, farmers, and from what was considered to be base occupations would soon RECEIVE SUPERNATURAL POWER from the Spirit of God. The SUPERNATURAL REALM of God is beyond the natural hopes and minds of mere man, for we (mankind) are but DUST. Not only did God reach down and drew dust from the earth and made man, but He breathed His Spirit into this dust and gave man LIVING SOUL. And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7) When through time, this dust rebelled against its Creator, God AGAIN CREATED ANOTHER NEW MAN and restored his soul from this dust through His Holy Spirit. Twice born for many: once from dust, then dust renewed and reborn from the Spirit of Life, however for others there will be only judgment. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Man doesn’t have any comprehension or appreciation for what God has created for him, with him, through him and to him.
● For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust. (Psalm 103:14)
● In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:19)
● Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
Peter was the first person recorded as wearing a fisher’s coat, but ALL who cast their gospel nets into the sea of fishes of corrupted souls and deceitful hearts wear a fisher’s coat. The sea represents wicked troubled souls who cannot rest. The fish within this troubled ever-changing environment typify individuals who have taken on the very nature of their troubled and restless habitat. But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. (Isaiah 57:20)
● And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? (Habakkuk 1:14)
● Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jude 1:11)
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (Jude 1:12)
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 1:13)
● And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1) The last mention of the word sea in Scripture discloses that sin and death WAS NO MORE that sinful man WAS NO MORE, that the RAGING WAVES of the sea WAS NO MORE, that natural man in ADAM WAS NO MORE and that ALL was MADE NEW. God IN Christ made a new heaven and a new earth for a NEW MAN. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
Christ FIRST CALLED out to fishermen to follow Him. These men were of the waters of turmoil and trouble. Their calloused hands had been scarred from handling water-soaked rugged fibrous nets, and their bodies burned by both sun and sea. They KNEW physical and emotional toil, but they did not yet KNOW the spiritual toil of being fishers of men. TWICE it is recorded that Christ CALLED these men of the sea from the battle of the sea to a greater BATTLE of the sea of souls.
● And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (Matthew 4:18)
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (Matthew 4:21)
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. (Matthew 4:22)
● Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (Mark 1:16)
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:17)
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. (Mark 1:18)
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. (Mark 1:19)
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:20)
—-◆—–
THE UNCONQUERABLE POWER
OF THE FISHER’S COAT
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (John 21:7)
This last mention of the word coat connects to the word fisher’s, one who fishes. Verse 7 is both prophetic and historical. Prophetically, Peter whose name means a stone, wrapped his naked body with his fisher’s coat and CAST himself into the sea. The sea symbolically represents a world in raging turmoil, a restless world, always moving and always changing, never the same, this symbolism of the sea is a perfect description of man and his ever-changing world.
● Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. (Psalm 65:7)
● Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 98:7)
● Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 1:13)
Peter’s impetuous nature disclosed a man of passion, a man most often (but not always) fearless in action, without hesitation he threw (cast) himself into the work of the gospel, into the raging sea of the discontented, into the angry sea of conflict, and into the tumultuous sea of religious and political confusion. Prophetically, Peter clothed himself with a coat, the cloak of the Holy Spirit of God. No servant can be fishers of men without the Spirit of God leading. No servant of God can be fishers of men in his natural naked state of being, but a servant MUST be born again, a servant MUST be girted and strengthened by the skins of sacrifice, by the blood of the Lamb. The fisher’s coat IS symbolic of the Holy Spirit of God, and how fitting that the Holy Spirit of God is seen as a fisher’s coat.
Fishing is considered by many as a sport, and by many a rigorous and tedious and dangerous occupation especially to those who venture into the deep. Patience is a necessary requirement and knowledge of the ways and circuits of water is also a necessary requirement. But, sometimes, the fisher of fish needs to understand the ways and traits that mark their prey. This patience and knowledge also relate to fishers of men. First must come knowledge of the holy, and the ways of the Holy Spirit. Fishers of men should always remember that men, like fish, desperately fight to remain in their airless environment, in their world of constant conflict without a righteous ruler, and blind to the world above them.
● Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. (Job 21:14)
● Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2nd Corinthians 10:5)
● O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)
Since fishers of men bring the knowledge of God to a world fighting against God, their nets must be launched by the POWER of the word of God. The following event recorded in the gospel of Luke is NOT the same event that is recorded in the gospel of John. In Luke, their net broke, and both ships began to sink with the overabundance of fishes. It was at their obedience of THY WORD that they had a great multitude of fishes.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (Luke 5:4)
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:5)
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (Luke 5:6)
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:7)
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (Luke 5:8)
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: (Luke 5:9)
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (Luke 5:10)
From this early scene in the ministry of Christ in the gospel of Luke to the scene in the gospel of John at the end of the ministry of Christ there are many spiritual lessons and messages. In Luke 5:5 (the number five doubled, grace doubled) toiling without the POWER of the word of God will bear nothing of value. Also notice, that their net brake with the increase of fishes, however, the increase was much more than what they had anticipated. The POWER of the Holy Spirit of God in His work is outside of man’s understanding. Luke 5, the chapter of double grace: the POWER of the word of God to gather man to the knowledge of God, and the POWER to cleanse and to heal man from SIN.
—–◆—–
THE LITTLE SHIP
THE FALLING AWAY
THE TWO HUNDRED CUBITS
In the last scene and in the last mention of coat in the gospel of John (our study section) the Holy Spirit of God places two numbers into the Chapter. Whenever this happens, always ask yourself, WHY did the Holy Spirit want the reader to know that detail? In John 21:8, the disciples were two hundred cubits from land. Why should that be important to the reader? And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. (John 21:8) As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. (John 21:9) Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. (John 21:10)
Let us, by the Spirit of God, find spiritual treasures in the sea of sadness and sorrow where the fish of self-despair swims in the great deep slough of despond of the sea of sin. From the waters of suffering to a land of rest and peace is the hope of those who hide among the sharp coral reefs of survival while waiting for the realization of a NEW LAND, a NEW HOME, a NEW resting place.
In verses 8 – 10 of Chapter 21 of the gospel of John, the Spirit of God records a futuristic supernatural event yet to come. Notice there is a change in His narrative . . . other disciples came in a little ship. The Spirit of God is revealing another time period yet to happen . . . other disciples . . . future disciples . . . will come in a little ship . . . a time period where the gospel ship has diminished in strength and has become of LITTLE STRENGTH. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8) This is the church in Philadelphia. The 6th church, the last church that KEPT and KEEPS His word, and DID NOT and DOES NOT deny His name. However, living actively alongside this church in Philadelphia we have the powerful worldly seventh church that belongs NOT to Christ but belongs to the Laodiceans. For the Laodiceans, which means people’s rights, have taken over ownership of the church. This is the failed church, the lukewarm church, the rich church, the wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked church. This IS the church of the Laodiceans. (Revelation 3:14) We are in the age of the little ship with little strength. Although many believe that we are in the age of the restoration of the church, and in the era of a worldwide revival, we are NOT, what you see and what you hear is pure emotionalism without truth. Salvation is not without emotion, being born again is not without emotion, BUT the Spirit of Truth TESTIFIES OF CHRIST, the Spirit of Truth DOES NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF, the Spirit of Truth DOES NOT GLORIFY HIMSELF, for He dwells within the new man to separate the new man from the world, to separate the new man from error, and to TEACH Jesus Christ. We are in the age of the great falling away. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2nd Thessalonians 2:3) What are people falling away from? They are not falling away from church attendance. They are not falling away from religion and acts of piety. They are not falling away from ‘walking in the spirit,’ as they rhythmically stamp their feet and dance in the aisles. They are not falling away from faithfully following religious television, internet and TikTok celebrities advocating for more subscribers, and followers and pleading for more funds. Man has been falling away from the knowledge of the holy since the very first man-made religion. The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) Mankind refuses to retain the knowledge of God. This is the great falling away . . . falling away from CHRIST, as the Living Word and written word of God, and as the FULLNESS of the GODHEAD BODILY.
● [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)
● But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)
● Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
● We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1st John 4:6)
Now back to (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits). We are not far from land, the land of rest, How far are we (those of the UNSEEN church) from the land of the city of God? Two hundred cubits . . . what is the lesson and message in the number two hundred? Why was this number important to the Holy Spirit of God to relate the distance from the land? They were two hundred cubits from land . . . this was a point of measurement of distance from one point to another point; from the point of being on a changing sea to the point of arriving at a safe stable haven. Why this number . . . two hundred (200)? If you have been following this site then you are familiar with The Law of First Mention. How a word, phrase, number or thought is FIRST used by the Holy Spirit is a message in itself. The first time that this number appears in the New Testament is in Mark 6:37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? This was the feeding of five thousand men. The disciples knew that two hundred pennyworth of bread would NEVER feed five thousand men. Now let’s read about the same event in the gospel of John, Chapter 6, verse 7. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. The number two hundred without any other number attached to it is mentioned four times (the number of the world) in the New Testament.
● He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? (Mark 6:37)
● Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. (John 6:7)
● And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. (John 21:8)
● And he called unto [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; (Acts 23:23)
Without venturing into the Old Testament, the first mention of the phrase two hundred in the New Testament sets the meaning and message of the number two hundred speak of man’s SUFFICIENCY. The two hundred pennyworth of bread to feed five thousand was NOT SUFFICIENT enough. Man’s ability to get to the safe haven of land was NOT SUFFICIENT enough. (John 21:8) Two hundred soldiers and two hundred spearman were NOT SUFFICIENT to guard Paul in Acts 23:23 EXCEPT it was ALL provided by GOD’s WILL and by HIS POWER.
Through the number two hundred alone without other numbers attached, the Old Testament also provides examples of man’s sufficiency: for example, Achan’s greed in attempting to hide two hundred shekels of silver was NOT SUFFICIENT enough for his greed nor was it sufficient enough to stop God’s judgment. (Joshua 7) Then you have Micah’s mother in Judges 17. Her use of two hundred shekels of silver in forging silver idols was NOT SUFFICIENT enough to gain her special religious privileges. Then in 2nd Samuel Chapter 14, the weight of Absalom’s hair at two hundred shekels also disclosed that his beauty was NOT SUFFICIENT enough to gain God’s approval. Do not forget that Solomon’s two hundred targets of gold in 1st Kings Chapter 10 were NOT SUFFICIENT enough to stop Egypt from taking those golden targets from king Rehoboam in 1st Kings Chapter 14. Whether man’s greed, man’s excessive false religious fervor, man’s pride in his beauty or even man’s military strength centered around golden targets (false righteousness) NOTHING of MAN is SUFFICIENT enough for God’s standard of approval and acceptance.
—–◆—–
THE GREAT FISHES
and
THE GREAT FISHER OF MEN
Then the next number that is recorded is the number an hundred and fifty and three. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. (John 21:11) Really . . . why a hundred and fifty and three? Why not a hundred and fifty and four? Why not a hundred and forty-two and six? Every word, every number, and yes, even every space is for a specific purpose. Counting fish? . . . for what purpose? Who cares if its 153 or 137? The Holy Spirit of God cared enough about the number of GREAT fishes to write a specific number. (It’s little details like this that causes me to lose sleep.)
There have been many who have attempted to tackle the meaning behind this number of 153. Let’s look at the number of fish first: 153. Now let us break this number down into three numbers: 100 + 50 +3. One hundred (100) . . . 10 is the number of God’s perfect order and 10 x 10 would be God’s perfect order multiplied by God’s divine perfection . . . through God’s DIVINE AUTHORITY and SOVEREIGNTY, HE ALONE SAVES. Then let’s move onto the number fifty (50), here is the number of God’s REST, His Jubilee, His Deliverance, which also takes in PENTECOST. Do you see a theme beginning to take place in the number 153. Now on to the last number of a single digit. Single (ONE DIGIT) the number three (3), this is the number of the GODHEAD. The theme of the number 153, or the number of the saved fishes is really NOT about the GREAT fishes, but it is about the ONE who SAVES the GREAT fishes. This is not about how many will be saved, but it is about the ONE who SAVES. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit in FULL DIVINE AUTHORITY and SOVEREIGNTY ALONE as ONE POWER SOURCE saves repentant sinners to DELIVER them into His REST . . . and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Yet was not the net broken.
● And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:29)
● Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
The last mention of the word coat although it was worn by Peter is really NOT about Peter. The fisher’s coat is about the POWER of the Holy Spirit. The GREAT FISHERMAN is not Peter. THE GREAT FISHERMAN IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. The last scene on the seashore in John Chapter 21 is about the source of POWER to draw a certain number of GREAT fishes out of a sea of conflict. It is the GODHEAD in full POWER over the elements of nature. It is nothing for the GODHEAD in complete POWER, through His determinate counsels, to SAVE those HE WILLS and to DESTROY sin, death, and the works of the devil.
Can more be written about the fisher’s coat? Of course, there are tons more to be written about the last Chapter of the gospel of John. Maybe it’s time for you to find what the Holy Spirit of God has for YOU in this Chapter. Yes, you are in a little ship, and the fishing can be hazardous and there are GREAT FISH to be caught, but the Captain is GOD HIMSELF, you have nothing to fear, and nothing to lose, therefore, CAST YOURSELF fearlessly into the gospel sea. Wrap yourself in GOD’s COAT of many colors: the many glories of Christ: HEIRSHIP, SONSHIP, KINGSHIP, and PRIESTHOOD and FOLLOW HIM.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
Copyright 2025, Mary Haigh
Posted on November 9, 2025 @ 1:40 PM (EST)
This article may be used, but not for gain.
Freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8e)
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJV)