Cees and Anneke Noordzij — Eschatology
b8 — Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John
Parousia and Future Glory as Fulfillment of Types
The authors interpret the eight signs in John typologically as expressions of eschatological fulfillment. The first sign at Cana is presented as a harbinger of future fullness:
“When the wine failed, Jesus performed His first sign and revealed His glory (John 2:11)… This is no longer a Pentecost experience, but the coming of the full glory of the Feast of Tabernacles, of the full harvest. Then that ‘water’ (=Word) will be changed into ‘wine’ (=Life)!”
Source: Noordzij, Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John, The Wedding at Cana (Sign 1)
Interpretation: The waterpots filled to the brim (six pots = fullness of the new man) point to the future fullness of the Feast of Tabernacles — the moment when Christ will reveal His complete glory.
Resurrection and Redemption of the Body
The sign of the official’s son (John 4:46-54) is connected to Rom. 8:23 and eschatological hope for complete bodily redemption:
“We groan inwardly as we await the adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23). There comes healing of all inward conflict! There comes complete redemption! (Rev. 14:3-4, Isa. 62:12).
Source: Noordzij, Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John, The Official’s Son (Sign 2)
Interpretation: The healing of the official’s son at the seventh hour points toward the future redemption and complete healing of the body of Christ.
Two Resurrections: Judgment and Life
The sign of the healing at Bethesda introduces two distinct resurrections — a central eschatological doctrine:
“A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out — those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned”
Source: Noordzij, Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John, The Healing at Bethesda (Sign 3), citation from John 5:28-29
Interpretation: This points to two forms of resurrection — unto life (salvation) and unto judgment (condemnation) — which comprise the essential eschatological meaning of resurrection.
Resurrection Life as New Life
The eighth sign (Jesus’ appearance at the Sea of Tiberias) is connected to new life and resurrection life:
“The eighth and final sign. The number eight points to new life, resurrection life. During the flood, there were eight souls in the ark (Gen. 6, 1Pet. 3:10-22). In Israel, all that was male had to be circumcised on the eighth day (Ex. 22:29-31).”
Source: Noordzij, Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John, Jesus Appears at the Sea of Tiberias (Sign 8)
Interpretation: The number eight symbolizes resurrection life — a new kind of existence outside the seven-day cycle. This points to the future resurrection in which “eight souls in the ark” and the “eighth day” prefigure.
Body of Christ and Universal Liberation
The raising of Lazarus (Sign 7) is interpreted as a sign of the body of Christ undergoing complete liberation:
“Lazarus is an image of the ‘fullness of Christ,’ of His Body of many sons… ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ ‘And he came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen’ (John 11:44). Jesus is ‘the firstborn among many brothers’ (Rom. 8:29). Yes, the whole ‘body of Christ’ will be completely freed from all the bonds of ‘death.‘”
Source: Noordzij, Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John, The Raising of Lazarus (Sign 7)
Interpretation: Just as Lazarus, the entire body of Christ (many brothers) will be raised from death and undergo complete liberation from all bonds — an expression of universal redemption and resurrection.
New Day and Future Meal
The eighth sign culminates in eschatological hope for the morning meal (new day) after the evening meal:
“After the evening meal comes a morning meal on the ‘new day.’ ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me’ (Rev. 3:20).”
Source: Noordzij, Jesus’ Signs in the Gospel of John, Jesus Appears at the Sea of Tiberias (Sign 8), citation from Rev. 3:20
Interpretation: This points toward the future communion with Christ — after the current (evening) meal, comes the full day of fellowship and intimate communion (morning and midday meals).