JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

August 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning John 9:3 and whether or not the man mentioned here was predestined to be blind.

This man was blind from birth so that "the works of God should be revealed in him" (John 9:3, RAV). Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me" (verse 4). In other words, God provided certain deeds for Jesus to fulfill, and this was one of them.

The answer is, then, that this man was predestined to be blind from birth. This event was carefully planned by God to be a witness to the world that Jesus Christ is His Son.

Giving this man sight was one of the greatest miracles Jesus performed during His ministry on earth. The man himself said, "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind" (John 9:32, RAV). And no one contradicted him. No human being could perform such a miracle without the power of God.

Your interest is appreciated. Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible, please let us know.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT