Those Living In Obedience Will Know

Many Christians today are worried . . . afraid that they may be deceived when The Antichrist arrives. They look at a passage from 2 Thessalonians 2 that talks about the great delusion in the end times:

‘ . . . And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie . . . ‘

But let’s look at the verse in context:

‘ . . . them that perish; because they received not the LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.’  (2 Thess. 2:10-12)

What is truth?

‘Sanctify them through thy truth: THY WORD is truth.’  (John 17:17)

This passage echoes Hosea 4 . . .

‘Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD HATH A CONTROVERSY with the inhabitants of the land, BECAUSE [there is] no truth, nor mercy, nor KNOWLEDGE OF GOD in the land.

By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. . . My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing THOU HAST FORGOTTEN THE LAW OF THY GOD, I will also forget thy children.’  (Hosea 4:1-2, 6)

The problem then, and now, is that people reject the knowledge of God and pursue the ways of wickedness instead. This is even true in mainstream ‘Christianity’ today, where lying, stealing, adultery, fornication, and all manner of indulging the flesh, is widely accepted.

By the grace of God, as Gentiles, even though we have never kept The Law, are admitted into the family of God, and our sins forgiven via Jesus’ death on the cross. But we are expected to CONTINUE in Him, by devoting ourselves to a life of obedience to God’s ways.

‘As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . . .Verily, verily, I say unto you, IF A MAN KEEP MY SAYING, he shall never see death.’  (John 8:30-32, 51)

Ultimately, His death is only going to cover those who do what He commands.

‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are MY friends, IF YE DO WHATSOEVER I COMMAND YOU.’  (John 15:13-14)

The Lord has impressed on my heart, that His children who follow Him, who devote themselves to studying HIS WORD and living by it, WILL BE PROTECTED by Him. They do not need to be afraid.

You can have all the knowledge in the world about the devil’s schemes, but if you have not turned away from sin . . .if you do not live in obedience to His Word . . . if you do not have a love for the truth contained in His Word . . . then YOU WILL succumb to the strong delusion, because HE is sending it, to all who don’t love the truth (His Word) and who take pleasure in unrighteousness (not obeying His Word).

This protection DOESN’T mean that you may not physically suffer and die. It is a protection of your heart and mind. It is a promise that He will keep you IN THE TRUTH.

Who does the Bible show will be the little flock that endures to the end?

‘Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and THE FAITH OF JESUS.’  (Revelation 14:12)

Filthy Rags

Lets knock down another ‘sacred cow’ . . .

‘ . . . all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags . . .’

We are told that we can have no righteousness, in ourselves, because that’s what this verse says. But is that really the meaning the verse conveys? NO!! Lets look at the verse IN CONTEXT:

‘Thou MEETEST HIM that rejoiceth and WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS, [those that] REMEMBER THEE IN THY WAYS:

behold, thou art wroth; FOR WE HAVE SINNED:

in those* is continuance, and we shall be saved.

BUT WE** are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.’ (Isaiah 64:5-6)

(*in ‘Thy ways’ is continuance, and we shall be saved.)

(** because ‘we have sinned’)

Isaiah is lamenting that Israel is no longer continuing in the ways of the Lord, and for this the Lord is wroth. Because they have sinned, because they have turned away from the Lord, they are all as an unclean thing, and all their righteousness has become as filthy rags. They all fade as a leaf, and their iniquities have taken them away from God.

I urge you to read the passage in Isaiah 64, and pray about this. From what I can see, this is a verse that has been taken out of context, and doctrines have been built around it!

No, our righteous works cannot buy our salvation. But God does NOT look on our righteous acts as filthy rags. We are TOLD to be righteous. Noah was righteous. Job was righteous. Daniel was righteous. Lot was righteous. Psalms speaks often of ‘the righteous’. So do Proverbs, Isaiah, and Ezekiel. There HAVE been righteous men. That is the standard God has for us. We can be righteous too.

‘And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is RIGHTEOUS, let him be righteous still: and he that is HOLY, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.’ (Revelation 22:10-12)

Sacred Name, Keeping Torah (The Law), etc.

If you are getting involved with the Sacred Name movement, you should be aware where that road leads.  It directs you into the Hebrew Roots movement, and the Hebrew Roots movement teaches that you should be under The Law.  From what I’ve seen, they also deny the Trinity.  And they lead you to submit to the rabbis who adhere, not to the Old Testament as you would suppose but, to the (occult) Talmud/the ‘oral tradition’/the interpretation of the rabbis, etc.  Some even go so far as to throw out the books written by Paul, and to declare him a false apostle!

If you wish to try to live by The Law, that’s your choice, but understand this:

‘We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is NOT JUSTIFIED by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the FAITH of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall NO flesh be justified. . . .  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.‘ (Galatians 2:15-16, 21)

Your justification can never come by the law, but only by your faith in Jesus Christ.  Furthermore:

‘For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in ALL things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that NO man is justified by the LAW in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by FAITH.  And the LAW IS NOT OF FAITH . . . Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through FAITH.’  (Galatians 3:10-14)

It’s a VERY good thing that Jesus Christ died to redeem us from that curse of The Law, because NO ONE is able to keep all things which are written in the book of the law (Law of Moses).  If you doubt me, read the book of Leviticus and see what you are signing up for.  The Apostles rightly characterized The Law as being ‘a yoke . . . which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear‘.  Beyond that, there are things which the Law of Moses was not able to justify!

‘ . . . through this man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by him all that believe are justified from ALL things, from which ye could NOT be justified by the law of Moses.’  (Acts 13:38-39)

You may TRY to keep The Law–but no one can.  And if you don’t keep EVERYTHING written in it, you’re under a curse.  And even if you COULD keep it, it wouldn’t justify everything! Only Jesus Christ can justify us in ALL things.

Now, if you wish to live by The Law as a matter of lifestyle preference, that’s your choice.  While I DO believe that most of the early Jewish believers still did their best to live according to The Law, they trusted in Jesus’ sacrifice to cover them when they fell short.  I suspect they kept The Law as a matter of CUSTOM, and as a witness of their continued commitment to righteousness, for their Jewish family and friends.

But, it is clear that GENTILE believers are definitely NOT required to keep the Law of Moses.  Notice the wording of the decision made by the (Jewish) Apostles, in regards to whether the Gentiles should keep The Law:

‘Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have TROUBLED YOU with words, SUBVERTING YOUR SOULS, saying, [Ye must] BE CIRCUMCISED, AND KEEP THE LAW: TO WHOM WE GAVE NO [SUCH] COMMANDMENT . . .it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

(1) That ye abstain from meats offered to idols,

(2) and from blood,

(3) and from things strangled,

(4) and from fornication:

from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.’

(Acts 15:24, 28-29)

We are told, throughout the Scriptures, both old and new testaments, to keep God’s (ten) Commandments.  Other than that, the above four things are all that is binding upon Gentile believers.

And, since I started out with a mention of the Sacred Name movement, you should know that nowhere in Scripture is there any sort of fuss made as to how we address our Father in Heaven.  This is the same sort of silly superstition that leads Kabbalistic (occult-involved) Jews to not speak the name of God.  (Or perhaps that is merely their excuse, because they do not wish to use the name of God, since those in the Kabbalistic/occult ‘Synagogue of Satan’  are actually worshiping Satan/Lucifer.)  Look deeper into who is leading the Sacred Name and Hebrew Roots movements, because I suspect that is who you will find working behind the scenes.

The Lord knows our heart, and He knows when we are calling out to Him.

‘All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.’  (Jesus–John 6:37)

(Not even if you are mistaken about His name.)

‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his . . . ‘  (2 Timothy 2:19)

‘But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.’  (John 4:23-24)

In spirit and in truth–not in form and ritual (which are hallmarks of the occult).  Jesus went all the way to the cross, and gave His life for you– He wouldn’t turn you away for something so small as if you were in error about His name!!

‘Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’  (Luke 12:32)

Naked Christians

‘The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings [are] killed, and all things [are] ready: come unto the marriage.  But they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them].  But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.’   (Matthew 22:2-7)

This is a quick summary of the history of Israel, through AD 70.

 

‘Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.’  (Matthew 22:8-10)

This summarizes taking the gospel to all the world.

 

‘And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man WHICH HAD NOT ON A WEDDING GARMENT: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few [are] chosen.‘  (Matthew 22:11-14)

 

This is a warning for today.  It is not enough just to answer the gospel invitation.  We must be clothed in a proper wedding garment!  And what is that garment?

 

‘ . . . as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, or any such thing; but that it should be HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.’  (Ephesians 5:25-27)

 

‘For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE, MEEKNESS.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called . . . That thou keep [this] commandment WITHOUT SPOT, UNREBUKEABLE, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:’  (1 Timothy 6:10-14)

 

‘ . . . be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, WITHOUT SPOT, and BLAMELESS.’  (2 Peter 3:14)

(If it depended only on Jesus Christ’s righteousness, we would not be told to BE DILIGENT.)

 

Our wedding garment is the spiritual fruit we bear, the faith we live by, and the holiness of our lifestyle.

‘ . . . that they should repent and turn to God, and DO WORKS MEET FOR REPENTANCE.’  (Acts 26:20)

 

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS.’  (Galatians 5:22-24)

 

‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.’  (Ephesians 2:10)

 

‘By FAITH Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that HE PLEASED GOD.’  (Hebrews 11:5)

 

‘And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; FOR THEE HAVE I SEEN RIGHTEOUS before me in this generation.’  (Genesis 7:1)

 

‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, PERFECTING HOLINESS in the FEAR OF GOD.’  (2 Corinthians 7:1)

 

‘ . . . for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now YIELD YOUR MEMBERS servants to RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO HOLINESS . . . But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, YE HAVE YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, and the end everlasting life.’  (Romans 6:19, 22)

 

In verse thirteen, we saw what happened to the guest who had come to the wedding feast without a garment:

‘Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and TAKE HIM AWAY, and CAST [HIM] INTO OUTER DARKNESS; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

 

Jesus repeats this teaching again . . .

‘Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles TO BURN THEM: but gather the wheat into my barn.’

(Matthew 13:30)

 

And again . . .

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit HE TAKETH AWAY: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.   Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  If a man abide not in me, he is CAST FORTH as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and CAST [THEM] INTO THE FIRE, and they are burned.’  (John 15:1-6)

 

Paul teaches with this same spiritual understanding:

‘For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:  But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] REJECTED, and [is] nigh unto cursing; WHOSE END [IS] TO BE BURNED.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. . . And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. . . And so, after [Abraham] had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’  (Hebrews 6:7-15)

 

Salvation does not come at our profession of faith.  We receive salvation if we endure to the end and produce the spiritual fruit that comes from a life of holiness and sanctification.

‘And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth TO THE END shall be saved.’  (Matthew 10:22)

 

‘But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, IF WE HOLD FAST the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope FIRM UNTO THE END.’  (Hebrews 3:6)

 

The key to bearing spiritual fruit is to abide in Jesus.

‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: for without me ye can do nothing.’  (John 15:4-5)

 

Hear two final warnings, for our generation:

** ‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and KEEPETH HIS GARMENTS, LEST HE WALK NAKED, and they see his shame.’  (Revelation 16:15)

 

**’ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art LUKEWARM, and neither cold nor hot, I WILL SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH.

BECAUSE THOU SAYEST, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and KNOWEST NOT THAT THOU ART WRETCHED, and MISERABLE, and POOR, and BLIND, and NAKED: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and WHITE RAIMENT, THAT THOU MAYEST BE CLOTHED, and [that] the SHAME OF THY NAKEDNESS do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, THAT THOU MAYEST SEE.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: BE ZEALOUS therefore, and REPENT.’  (Revelation 3:14-19)

Don’t Be Misled

Those who teach that any effort on the part of a Christian is ‘works’, and that ‘works’ void our salvation, are misleading people. Here are some passages from Scripture that should demonstrate that self-will and effort ARE required, on our part:

‘ . . . that they should repent and turn to God, and DO WORKS MEET FOR REPENTANCE.’ (Acts 26:20)

‘ . . . BE DILIGENT that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.’ (2 Peter 3:14)

‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, PERFECTING HOLINESS in the fear of God.’ (2 Corinthians 7:1)

‘ . . . WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling.’ (Philippians 2:12)

‘ . . . for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now YIELD YOUR MEMBERS servants to righteousness unto holiness.’ (Romans 6:19)

‘ . . . PUT OFF concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And BE RENEWED in the spirit of your mind; And that ye PUT ON the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.’ (Ephesians 4:22-24–and more in verses 25-32)

‘[This] I say then, WALK in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.’ (Galatians 5:16)

‘But thou, O man of God, FLEE these things; and FOLLOW AFTER righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. FIGHT the good fight of faith, LAY HOLD ON eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.’ (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

A correct interpretation of Ephesians 2:8-9 . . .

‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’

. . . is that none of us can stand before God as righteous, based on our works. Yet, in the VERY NEXT VERSE (!) we are told that:

‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ (Ephesians 2:10)

A Word To Christians In The Military

Now is the time for courageous men to stand firm.  Your country is intentionally being destroyed from within.  The military is being co-opted to assist in the process.  Your Commander-In-Chief is a man who not only does not defend The Constitution, but seeks to nullify it.

Undeniably, those of you in the military are in a difficult and confusing position.  It is important to reaffirm your priorities:

1. God
2. Country

Historically, there was no conflict between doing what you were commanded, and maintaining those priorities.  Today however, everything has been turned upside down.

Contrary to what  you are hearing, homosexuality is NOT an alternative lifestyle that is acceptable to God.

Since World War II, the wealthy, influential American ‘elite’ have co-opted the military and used it to further their personal economic agendas.  Our servicemen have been used as pawns in their game of global domination.  (I believe that this has been a factor in some of the recent suicides among military personnel.)

Now, our government has been given into the hands of a new ‘elite’–a group of very radical anti-American individuals who have been at work since the 1960s, with the backing of a few wealthy men.  Their aim is to overthrow America.

I believe they intend to destroy the existing military–both by exhausting them, leaving them in indefensible positions, and now: causing them to abandon their posts.  Simultaneously, they are sending signals to America’s enemies, that America is ripe for plundering.

It is essential to see the bigger picture.  We are all involved in a much greater war–a war between good and evil, between God and Satan.  We are in the final days of this battle, as Satan now has the means to consolidate his power over mankind.

It is imperative that each of us seek God as to what He would have us to do.  I will offer  no advice in this respect.  Each man has a different path to walk.

I imagine that some will be called to stay in the military and fight, first for righteousness, secondly for our Constitution and the protection of the American people. With the current political climate, I firmly believe that each of you that stay are going to be called on to make a stand in defense of righteousness.  That stand may very well endanger your political career and pension.

I also believe that others will be called to leave the military.  God’s judgment is upon America.  Defending a nation of unrepentant sinners with a grossly immoral national lifestyle is an indefensible position.  God may very well call some of you out, so that you do not ‘partake of the sins of,’ or suffer the judgment that is poured out on, the ungodly.  It will be vital that you seek God as to how he would lead  you to live, as you see our Constitutional freedoms being taken away.

Our president is making war upon the military.  Simultaneously, I believe that he is putting together his own army–one made up of men that will not serve God, nor uphold the Constitution, but rather, will be intensely loyal to him and do his bidding.  We have seen this happen before.  Those who ignore history do so at their own peril.

Uncle Sam Wants You . . . ?

Please, seek God’s direction for your life TODAY!

THE GAYING OF AMERICA
Officer won’t sign order for troop indoctrination
Asks to be relieved of command over repeal of ‘gay’ ban in military

Answer To Islam #3: John 16

I was sent a link, as part of a comment to a previous post. In that link, passages from the Bible and the Koran are twisted together to make a case for the opinion that Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad.  One of the passages quoted from is John 14, another is John 16.

(When Jesus spoke of ‘The Counselor’, He was referring to the Holy Spirit of God that He promised would indwell Christians.  He was not referring to Muhammad, or to any other human being.)

In previous posts, I explained the interpretations of John 14 and John 15. To continue with the teaching, here is John 16, in its entirety, along with its interpretation:

1 “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

5 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

31 “You believe at last!”  Jesus answered. 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In this chapter, Jesus is simultaneously teaching truths about five basic subjects.  The subjects are braided together, as a cord.  Let us tease the strands (subjects) apart by color coding them.  Passages speaking of the same thing are coded the same color.  The subjects will be explained at the end of the chapter.

Now that you have read the chapter as it was written (above), read one color-coded section at a time, and compare it with the explanation at the end of the chapter.

1 “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

5 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

31 “You believe at last!”  Jesus answered. 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Color code and subjects

Jesus speaks of His impending death and resurrection, and comforts His disciples.

Jesus explains that He and the Father and the Holy Spirit are one.

Jesus explains that:

• after He goes to The Father, He will send the Counselor (The Holy Spirit)
• The Holy Spirit will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment
• The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth
• The Holy Spirit will teach us the meaning of the parables that Jesus spoke
• The Holy Spirit will tell us of things that are to come
• Because the disciples love and believe Jesus, The Father loves them
  

Jesus warns the disciples that they will face persecution in this life, but eternal joy.  He encourages them to keep their faith in Him.

Jesus teaches the disciples what will be the nature of their/our relationship with God after Jesus’ resurrection:

• They/we will pray directly to The Father, in Jesus’ name
• The Father will answer their/our prayers, because He loves those who love and trust in Jesus
• After His resurrection He will teach the disciples, in plain language, about The Father
  

If you go back, and reread the entire chapter as it was written, it should make more sense to you now.

Was Jesus A Prophet?

Answer To Islam #1: John 14

Answer to Islam #2: John 15

Answer To Islam #4

Lets See What You’re Made Of

God created everything from ‘nothing’, yet it was formed of some substance.  That substance was not pure.  It was seeded with corruption.  Everything created from that substance had the ability to either mature into evil–which would eventually consume all good within it–or to mature into good.

When God created darkness and light, He ‘saw that the light was good.’  When he created the land and the seas; the plants; the stars, the sun and the moon; the birds and the animals; He ‘saw that [His creation] was good’.  And when He created man He ‘saw that [His creation] was very good’

Mankind has always interpreted that as ‘perfect’.  God’s creation was not perfect, because the substance from which He formed it was not perfect.  Neither was the Garden of Eden perfect.  But it was a place of protection.  A place of God’s absolute provision, peace, and safety.  Similarly, God’s promise to the Israelites was protection, provision, peace, and safety.

God’s hope for mankind was that they would choose Him, and be content with that–that they would not even learn about evil, much less experience it.  But, through disobedience, sin entered the world.

By the time of Noah, sin had become so rampant that only eight souls could be spared.  By the time of Abraham, only one man sought Him.  Years later, when God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He hoped they had seen enough evil that they would leave it behind and let Him lead them in the paths of righteousness.  But that was not to be.  Most of them died in the wilderness.

The real promise of the ‘Promised Land’ was that it would be a place set apart, a land of abundance, protection, peace, safety, and the presence of God–but first, evil had to be conquered.

The land itself was filled with evil–evil brought about by its inhabitants worshiping the spirit beings (principalities) that God had appointed to oversee the different areas of the earth.  Along with man, angels fell.

It was God’s plan to carve out a small place on the earth, for Himself and His people–a place to which others could come, who wanted to know Him.  God directed His people to purge the land of its inhabitants, because they were consumed with evil, and His angels did war in the spiritual realm, binding the principalities of darkness and preparing a place where He could reside.

There He lived among them.  The land flourished and the people became prosperous.  He gave them guidelines to live by, so that evil could not gain a foothold in their hearts.  He promised His protection, whenever evil would come against them.  But He could not abide evil within them.  God’s war has always been a war against evil, in whatever form it takes.  Woe to him who harbors evil inside himself, for he has made himself an enemy of God.

And there He lived among them–those whom  He had chosen to protect from the evil outside their borders, those whom He would teach to overcome the evil within themselves.

He allowed the light that emanated from that place to provoke the forces of darkness and evil to wrath.  Driven mad by their rage, they would come against the place of light, and the people of God, and He would execute judgment against them.  This is how He continually purged the land of evil.

Yet, even His people continued to gravitate towards sin, so He let them go into captivity.  They preferred evil, so He gave them over to it.  Too few chose righteousness, and they invited the gods of the surrounding nations into their land.  Eventually He withdrew His presence.

Eventually people covered the face of the earth, and sin abounded.  The time had come to send His son–as savior, and ambassador of the good news about Him.  Jesus came and sought out eleven men in whom He saw the desire for righteousness–and one more, who was locked in a life and death struggle with the powers of darkness, and needed His personal intervention.  He would teach them to overcome the evil within, and to battle the evil without.

He would not promise them His abundance and protection in the earthly realm, because shielding men from evil had only caused them to become complacent and proud.  He would not promise them peace, because it would be their duty to confront evil and battle it head on.  He would not promise them safety, because their motivations in serving Him must be pure. But He would promise them His presence, and power to overcome.

It would be their task to seek out others and teach them, and those would eventually go on to do the same.  He told them to go to the four corners of the earth to share the truth about good and evil, and how to be reconciled to Him.  And He postponed judgment on those who persecuted them, because He wanted to sift the souls and intentions of all men.

Again, as He had done with the nation of Israel, He used the light that emanated from them (‘the Church’ aka ‘Christians’) to provoke the forces of  evil to wrath.  Driven mad by their rage, they would come against the ambassadors of truth,  the people of God, and He would store up judgment against them.  This is how He would finally purge the earth of evil.

We are living in the final days of this part of God’s plan.  The forces of evil are rising up once again, to come against all of God’s people, in the hopes of erasing His presence, His name, and His people from the earth forever.

And, as He always has, God will let His light shine forth to infuriate the forces of darkness into attacking.  This will bring judgment upon them–but this time, judgment will be quick in coming!

Testing And Purging

How Can You Say Your Way Is The Only Way?