Is John 3:16 Only About Life In The Hereafter?

The small blue dot in space we get to inhabit inhabit is a part of the vast cosmos God loves.

"Christ is the perfect teacher, and his sacrifice is the perfect sacrifice."    

- Menno Simons 

One of the most quoted texts in the Christian Bible is John 3:16, often referred to as "the gospel in a nutshell." It is part of a response to Nicodemus, a noted religious leader who came late one night to learn more about Jesus, whom he addressed as "Rabbi" and as "a teacher sent from God." 

Here's the key verse from that conversation (King James Version):

For God so loved the world (the cosmos, a word used to describe the complete, orderly and harmonious universe)

that he gave his only begotten Son (God in human form, incarnate as a human being)

that whosoever believeth in him (all new-born people everywhere who embrace and live by his life-giving message)

should not perish (come to an end or be destroyed)

but have everlasting life (a life that will be forever secure and lasting)."

Jesus goes on to say, in the next verse "For God sent not his Son into the world (again the cosmos) to condemn the world (cosmos), but that the world (cosmos) might be saved."

We have typically interpreted these words to apply only to how each of us can receive assurance of living forever in a far off heaven, based on the sacrificial death, by crucifixion, Jesus was later to suffer. 

But is it only that, or is Jesus' redeeming work even more consequential that just that?

In other words, is God, through the Word made flesh, intending to salvage and restore all of creation to its original state of shalom, where "nothing is marred and nothing is missing?"

I'm beginning to see it as both, as later affirmed by the apostle Paul: 

"God was pleased to have his whole nature living in Christ. God was pleased to bring all things back to himself. That’s because of what Christ has done. These things include everything on earth and in heaven. God made peace (Greek word is eirene, Hebrew is shalom) through Christ’s blood, by his death on the cross."   - Colossians 1:19-20 (NIRV)

Two More Deaths At Deerfield Prison Last Week

Deerfield Correctional Center houses over 1000 men, many with serious medical conditions requiring costly tax funded medical care. According to someone there I regularly correspond with they currently have no full time MD on staff. 

Last week's deaths were not untypical, with one person dying of cancer who had just been put on chemo, and the other with severe heart disease.

 Here are the names of some persons who have agreed to meet with Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections Chadwick Dotson at an upcoming visit of the facility. 

1) Charles Zellers, 1036758

Born: 04/10/68 (Age 57)

COMPAS Score: LOW RISK for General or Violent Recidivism
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Long COVID, severe sleep apnea, severe Peripheral Neuropathy, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Dupuytren's Contracture (both hands), and he must be on 2 Liters of continuous supplemental oxygen.
Home Plan: 1/3 ownership of home at 723 East 6th Avenue, Kenbridge, VA, with his two sisters
Financial Goal: To be on Full Disability
Mandatory Release Date: N/A
Infraction free over 25 years
First time in prison.
January 2026, would have served 33 consecutive years.

2) John Thomas Carter, 1419465
Born: 06/04/56
COMPAS Score: ?
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Legally blind, had reconstructive surgery to face, has a tube in his trachea to breathe, severe headaches, intestinal issues, and etc.
Home Plan: Live with son and daughter-in-law in Farmville, VA
Financial Goal: Social Security
Mandatory Release Date: 10/??/42

3) Denny Coggin Melton, 1177600
Born: 03/05/1954
COMPAS Score: ?
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Black lung, Cancer, Diabetic, COPD, etc.
Home Plan: To Brother Allen Thomason @ 28 Clover Hill Drive, Stafford, VA 22554 (540) 846-1550
Financial Goal: Social Security
Mandatory Release Date: N/A

4).Jackson Puckett, 1456242
Born: 10/19/51
COMPAS Score: LOW
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Stage 4 Kidney Disease, broken screw in neck (makes him shake), needs pacemaker, needs cataract surgery, type 1 diabetic, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hiatus hernia, acid reflux disease, and etc.
Home Plan: Own home at 403 Fields Avenue, Blue Ridge, VA 24064
Financial Goal: Social Security
Mandatory Release Date: 08/11/31

5) Linwood T. James, #1095666
Born: (Age 67)
COMPAS Score: Low/Low
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Back issues, disabled veteran
Home Plan: Live with sister
Financial Goal: Social Security, Veterans Administration
Mandatory Release Date: N/A
Infraction free 20 years
Served 37 years

6) Troy L. Weeks, 1037843
Born: (Age 58)
COMPAS Score: Medium/Low
Chronic Medical Condition(s): Crohns Disease, Hypoglycemic, Pancreas problems
Home Plan: with brother in Vinton, VA
Financial Goal: Working with DOC or P&P as a Peer Recovery Specialist
Mandatory Release Date: Single Life (Fishback)
Infraction free 17 years
Served 29 years

Some others willing to meet:
1) Dennis Ray Graves, 1176500 - Legally blind
2) Minor Junior Smith, 1158588 - Legally blind
3) Richard Palmer, 1092784 - Legally blind, Diabetic, Diabetic Neuropathy, Lower Back issues, Circulation issues, etc.
4) George Edward Cooley, 1135561 - Dementia
5) Oscar Lee Robbins, 1119888
6) John Bennie Williams, 1091323 - Legally blind