The miracle of the fishes in John 21 is the eighth sign in John's Gospel, symbolizing God's gathering of the remnant of Israel and His promise not to lose even one of them.
Les Feldick teaches that this is the eighth sign, following the seven signs before the crucifixion. The unbroken net, filled with 153 great fish, illustrates that in the kingdom, every Jew who is supposed to be there will be there, and none will be lost. This contrasts with the earlier net-breaking catch in Luke 5, which represented Israel's history of unfulfilled promises.
John 21:11 — This verse records the unbroken net with 153 fish, the key detail of the sign.
The account in John 21 describes how the disciples, after fishing all night and catching nothing, saw Jesus on the shore. He told them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and they caught a great multitude. Simon Peter drew the net to land, full of 153 great fish, and despite the number, the net was not broken.
Les Feldick explains that this is the eighth sign in John's Gospel, emphasizing "new beginnings" because eight represents new beginnings. He teaches that the sign is a picture of Israel coming back into the kingdom, with every Jew that should be there present. The fact that the net did not break shows that God will not lose a single one of the remnant. He contrasts this with Luke 5 where the net broke, symbolizing Israel's history of unfulfilled promises. Les also notes that the number 153 signifies that not one Jew will miss the end gathering for the Kingdom. He teaches that this sign, like all signs, was for Israel to prove Jesus' power and identity.
Les Feldick teaches that the unbroken net symbolizes God's final gathering of Israel's remnant. When God puts out that final net, He will not lose even one of them. This is in contrast to an earlier occasion (Luke 5) when the net broke, which represented Israel's history where they never enjoyed all the promises God had given.
Les Feldick admits he cannot find a specific significance for the number 153, but he believes the Lord included it to show that not one single Jew will miss the end gathering for the Kingdom. The numbering emphasizes God's care in preserving every individual of the remnant.
Les Feldick explains that the Gospel of John contains eight signs: seven before the crucifixion and one after the resurrection. The number seven signifies completion, while eight represents new beginnings. The eighth sign, the catch of fish, points to the new beginning of Israel in the kingdom.
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from, and He's going to set them apart and send them out. So the supernatural becomes commonplace. Now the same way here, supernaturally, this remnant of the Jews that are going to survive that last three and a half years, will unbeknown to them, knowing why, they're going to make their way out of Jerusalem.
Eighth Sign and New Beginnings
Les teaches that the catch of fish is the eighth sign, symbolizing new beginnings, and that every Jew meant for the kingdom will be there, not lost.
Power Over Fish
Les uses the miracle to demonstrate that Jesus had power over creation, even the fish of the Sea of Galilee, affirming His divine power.
Eight Signs in John
Les explains that the Gospel of John has eight signs total, with seven before the crucifixion and the eighth after, each with an intrinsic lesson for Israel.
The Unbroken Net
Les highlights the detail that the net did not break despite the large catch, which is central to the sign's meaning.
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Same thing. You throw your rod down on the ground, and it will become a serpent. And all these signs were not so much for Pharaoh's benefit, but for Moses and Aaron. To prove to those two men that God was going to do the supernatural. He's going to bring Israel out of Egypt. And so all the way up through Israel's history you have the supernatural. And you come into Christ's earthly ministry.
153 Fish and No Loss
Les teaches that the number 153 signifies that not one Jew will miss the final gathering for the Kingdom, contrasting with the earlier broken net.
The 8 Signs in John's Gospel — What They Mean for Israel
Now then we saw in John chapter 2, in the last part of our last program, the first of these signs or miracles when He turned the water into wine and filled the water pots to the brim, which was to indicate that when He brings joy to the nation of Israel, it's going to be full. And then when you come down, if you will, in chapter 2, down to verse 11. John 2, verse 11.
John 21:11: Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
This is the key verse showing the large catch and the unbroken net, which Les interprets as the gathering of Israel's remnant.
Luke 5:6: And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
This earlier catch where the net broke is contrasted by Les to show Israel's history of unfulfilled promises.
John 2:11: This beginning of signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Les references this to show that signs in John are meant to reveal glory and build faith, similar to the eighth sign.
No, they are different events. Les Feldick points out that in Luke 5 the net broke, symbolizing Israel's history of unfulfilled promises, while in John 21 the net did not break, symbolizing God's perfect gathering of the remnant.
Les Feldick admits he cannot find a specific significance, but he believes it shows that not one Jew will miss the final gathering for the Kingdom.
Les Feldick teaches that signs have an intrinsic lesson for Israel, and this catch of fish is the eighth sign in John's Gospel, representing a new beginning for Israel.
Watch the Teaching: All Israel Shall Be Saved — What Romans 11:26 Really Means