John 7:31-34
7:31 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?
7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.


The Holy Spirit was working. People were believing on Him. Jesus had done ALL the miracles foretold in prophecy.
Isaiah 35:5-6, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing:" He fulfilled all and more!
Jesus healed all sickness (Luke 5:15-26), fed thousands of people (Luke 9:12-17), nature was obedient to His commands (Luke 8:22-25), cast out demons (Luke 4:33-37), raised the dead (Luke 7:11-16), lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22), He sacrificed His life for humanity (1 John 3:16), and then was resurrected from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

John 21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

No other man on earth ever did such mighty works. All these supernatural acts testify that He was indeed the Son of God.

Many people were beginning to believe.
This alerted the Pharisees.

But how did they react? The Holy Spirit was tugging at their hearts, they were aware that this was no ordinary man. But love of their supremacy, won in the battle in the heart.
They must stop this Man, at all costs. Steeped in their rejection the Pharisees and chief priests finally make their move to "to take" Him. Silence Him! They wanted to get the attention of the people back upon themselves.

But Jesus time was not yet. The Pharisees had yet another sign given to them, as Jesus simply walked away in spite of the fact that the temple solders were moving in on Him

John 7:33 -36
33Then 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, there you cannot come.
35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Where 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, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, there you cannot come?

Yet a little while....
We have this moment -- yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.

Today is the day of salvation, choose ye this day whom you will serve.
The door of mercy is still open. Yet a little while....

It was open for Jerusalem, when Jesus had this discourse
He had come to confirm the covenant and offer them peace and salvation.
He had come to make them a city of light (not military power which they wanted) but a light of truth flowing out to the whole world. But that could take place only if they accepted Him as Savior from sin.
All their services and ceremonies pointed to Him -- He was the fulfilment of all their hopes and future. This was their day--
But they were rejecting Him.
For Jerusalem their door was closing for them as a nation.


Matt. 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who that kill the prophets, and stones them which are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you refused, you would not come!
23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till you shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Someday soon Probation for the world will close.
Now is the time to seek HIM , accept Him, put your whole faith and trust in Him.
Earth's probation will soon be over.

There is another promise. While the door closed for the nation, and its dreams of national/spiritual greatness, it's still wide open for all who will come to Jesus.
Yes, the gospel of Christ did go forth to the Gentiles (and many individual Jews also believed)

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for all who accept Him.
And since He's gone to prepare a place for us
He will come again and receive us to Himself
That where HE is we will be also. (See John 14:1-3)

Today, seek Him,
so when He comes again, we can be in that glorious company of believers going home with Jesus.

John 7:37 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.

This was at the feast of tabernacles, which was meant for the Israelites to recall the 40 years that their ancestors spent in the wilderness and how God had led and cared for them. The Feast of Tabernacles is also about the future, looking forward to the second coming of Jesus to end humanities wandering in the wilderness of this earth.

One of the rituals that formed part of the days activities was a "water outpouring ritual".

Several priests make their way down from the Temple to the pool of Siloam with a large jar that they will fill with water. There are trumpets blowing and people singing as the procession returns to the temple, carrying this filled, pitcher of water.
The priests mount the ramp and carry the jar full of water up to the altar of sacrifice. And, with great ceremony pour out the water on the altar.

This was to remind the people of the water, gushing out from the rock. God supplying their needs.

Jesus is watching the ritual of bringing water from the rock in the wilderness and it moves the heart of the Son of God to tenderest compassion and pity for their darkened understanding; for they will not see the light which he has brought to them. Christ tells them that he is that rock. I am that living water. Your fathers drank of that spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was myself. It was through Christ alone that the Hebrews were favored with the especial blessings which they were continually receiving, notwithstanding their sinful murmurings and rebellion.

We too, need to remember for "He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy I will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

John 7:38 He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [poured out]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Jesus spoke these words at the feast of Tabernacles when Israel celebrated God's leading in the wilderness.
They were remembering that day when the recently liberated Israelites were thirsty and there was no water. Moses was instructed to smite the rock and rivers of water flowed out, enough to supply a camp of a million people with life giving water.

That rock is Jesus
1 Cor. 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

When Jesus spoke, He was not yet "glorified". The crucifixion had not yet taken place. The "Rock" was to be "smitten" and then He would return to heaven and be declared to be worthy to redeem all who would believe on Him. (Rev. 5) He would be inaugurated as our High Priest.

During the patriarchal age the influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fullness.
But after Christ was "smitten", after Christ had won the victory and by His death and resurrection wrested the dominion of this sin filled earth out of Satan's hands, the Holy Spirit would be poured out in full power upon His waiting, praying followers.

"For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven's communication that the Redeemer's inauguration was accomplished." (AA 39)

It was as if for ages the Holy Spirit had been held in restraint, but now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church the riches of the Spirit's grace.

The apostles went forth, with power and courage, filled with the Holy Spirit. They spoke with power proclaiming the truth of their Saviour and the plan of salvation, and thousands were convicted and convinced.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for all Christ's followers:
"He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
The believer himself sends forth streams of living water of spiritual truth. He is filled with a power and life changing convict which, as it is quickened by faith, flows forth as a river, carrying life and refreshment to others.

John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
7:44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
7:45 Then came the officers(who had been sent out to arrest Jesus) to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
7:47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived?

Never man spake like this man.

On the last day of the feast, the officers sent out by the priests and rulers to arrest Jesus, returned without Him. They were angrily questioned, "Why have ye not brought Him?" With solemn countenance they answered, "Never man spake like this Man."

Hardened as were their hearts, they were melted by His words. While He was speaking in the temple court, they had lingered near, to catch something that might be turned against Him. But as they listened, the purpose for which they had been sent was forgotten. They stood as men entranced. Christ revealed Himself to their souls. They saw that which priests and rulers would not see,--humanity flooded with the glory of divinity. They returned, so filled with this thought, so impressed by His words, that to the inquiry, "Why have ye not brought Him?" they could only reply, "Never man spake like this Man."

The priests and rulers, on first coming into the presence of Christ, had felt the same conviction. Their hearts were deeply moved, and the thought was forced upon them, "Never man spake like this Man." But they had stifled the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Now, enraged that even the instruments of the law should be influenced by the hated Galilean, they cried, "Are ye also deceived? (Desire of Ages, p.460)