I

When the Lord Jesus did things like bringing Lazarus back from the dead, His goal was to give proof for humans and for Satan to see, and to let humans and Satan know that everything about mankind, the life and death of mankind are determined by God, and that even though He had become flesh, He remained in command of the material world which can be seen as well as the spiritual realm which humans cannot see. This was so that mankind and Satan would know that everything about mankind is not under the command of Satan. This was a revelation and demonstration of God’s authority, and it was also a way for God to send a message to all things, that the life and death of mankind are in the hands of God.

II

When the Lord Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead, He used only these few words: “Lazarus, come forth.” He said nothing aside from this. So, what do these words demonstrate? They demonstrate that God can accomplish anything by speaking, including resurrecting a dead man. When God created all things, when He created the world, He did so with words, which were spoken commands, words with authority, and in this way all things were created, and thus, it was accomplished.

III

These few words spoken by the Lord Jesus were just like the words spoken by God when He created the heavens and earth and all things; in the same way, they held God’s authority and power. All things were formed and stood fast because of words from God’s mouth, and in the same way, Lazarus walked out from his tomb because of the Lord Jesus’ words. This was the authority of God, demonstrated and realized in His incarnate flesh. This type of authority and ability belonged to the Creator, and to the Son of man in whom the Creator was realized. This is the understanding taught to mankind by God bringing Lazarus back from the dead.

from The Word, Vol. 2. On Knowing God. God’s Work, God’s Disposition, and God Himself III