Jesus said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me ..." (John 15:26)
In this same teaching, Jesus continues, saying, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." (John 16:7)
Herein, note that Jesus begins speaking to His disciples in the latter part of John 13 and continues through to the end of John 17 -- almost four chapters in our Bible. The timing is immediately after Judas had left to betray Him. It is at this point that Jesus begins to reveal to the remaining disciples His identity, and that He had "came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (John 16:28)
Herein, note that Jesus begins speaking to His disciples in the latter part of John 13 and continues through to the end of John 17 -- almost four chapters in our Bible. The timing is immediately after Judas had left to betray Him. It is at this point that Jesus begins to reveal to the remaining disciples His identity, and that He had "came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (John 16:28)
This is a pivotal point to understand because it marks the changing of the dispensations from the old covenant and the law to this current new dispensation of grace -- the time when Jesus ushers in the new testament, wherein the Kingdom of God is preached and every man can press into it. (Hebrews 9:8, 15-18) "Since that time the Kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it." (Luke 16:16; Matthew 3:1-12; Matthew 11:12-13)
In another place, "From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 10:7) And yet in another, Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15; Galatians 4:4; Matthew 3:2)
A changing of the guard, if you will, wherein the Word made flesh and dwelt among us extends peace and good will to all men, having torn the veil that prevented us from knowing God from top to bottom, from heaven to earth. The Lord from heaven, the dayspring from on high hath visited His people. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; John 1-18; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16)
But there is more. The scripture declares -- "Until the day in which He was taken up, after that HE THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen; to whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God ..." (Acts 1:2-3)
But I am getting ahead of myself. Consider John 16:29-30. The disciples had been listening intently to Jesus for what must have been some time, and said unto Him, "Lo, now speak plainly, and speak no proverb. Now are we sure that Thou knows all things, and need not that any man should ask Thee; by this we believe that Thou came forth from God." (John 16:29-30)
How did Jesus respond? Interestingly, He asks them, "Do ye now believe?"
On the face of it, this is an interesting question. For a span of three years, these same disciples had followed Jesus everywhere He went. Every day, these disciples walked with Jesus. In fact, these had witnessed the many miracles, the signs and wonders, the healing of people lame from birth, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and His wisdom and knowledge that could only come from God Himself (because He discerned the hearts of those around Him), and yet here was Jesus asking them, "Do ye now believe?" (John 16:31)
As an fyi, the comparison scriptures for this verse include the risen Jesus saying unto Mary Magdalene who had come to the sepulchre where Jesus' body had been placed after He had shed His holy precious blood on the cross -- "Touch Me not: for I am not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren, and say unto them, "I ascend unto My Father, and your Father: and to My God, and your God." (John 21:17) As we know, this precipitated Mary going and telling these same disciples that she had seen the Lord Jesus, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
In another place, Jesus lifts up His eyes to heaven, and said, "For I have given unto them the words which Thou gave Me, and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world but for them which Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine: and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee, Holy Father, keep through THINE OWN NAME those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be ONE as we are." (John 17:8-11)
Remember, Jesus had told His disciples earlier -- "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) And that if ye have seen Jesus, ye have seen the Father. (John 14:6-12) But for some reason, Jesus still had to ask them at this very end point of His ministry -- "Do you now believe?"
As in, do you yet believe who I am? Do you understand the price that is about to be paid for your salvation? The true cost of that crown of thorns that will be placed on Jesus' head? Or the spear through His side? The nails that would pierce His hands, so that Thomas later could declare to the risen Jesus, "my Lord and my God!"
Throughout Jesus' ministry, He identified Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) Jesus told the multitudes that He was the Bread of life. Jesus told the woman at the well that if ye drink of the living water that Jesus offers, ye will never thirst again. The son of man being still the Lord of the sabbath. This same Jesus, who stated, "I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33)
In another place, when Jesus was alone with His disciples, and they had asked about the parable of the sower which He taught to the multitudes by the sea side, Jesus said unto them, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing that they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mark 4:11-12; Isaiah 6:9-10; Isaiah 43:8)
But thankfully, those who seek the Lord Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, will find in Him the peace that surpasses all human understanding, and everlasting life. (John 3:16; Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) But I digress.
The point I want to make is that after Jesus went up in a glorified body, the Holy Ghost was poured out upon His disciples on the day of Pentecost, and the world forever would never be the same. (Acts 2:1-47) The beginning of the New Testament church was firmly established, and the first 3,000 souls saved, having repented, and been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day that He was taken from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection. (Acts 1:22) All prophecy fulfilled so that there would be no mistaking who Jesus was, knowing that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
Yes, as Peter (standing with the eleven) stated, "This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36-47)
It is no wonder those who were present were convicted. The Acts 2 message is still being preached to the world today. Jesus' message for those who are athirst to "Come" and take the water of life freely is still being extended. (Revelation 22:17)
For those who did not know Jesus in their heart, or believed that their earthly position was threatened by the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords in their midst (the Word made flesh and dwelt among us), there were always questions, and more questions asked, as these continually attempted to discredit and bring into disrepute His authority on this earth. These did not understand that the son of man was still Lord of the sabbath, even though His miracles, His signs and wonders everywhere He went should have been sufficient evidence.
And this is the issue we are faced with today. The modern day religious culture does not want us to understand that (as Jesus said) -- "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. " (Matthew 28:18)
That He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He who was and is and is to come -- the one and only Almighty God who willingly robed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we might have abundant life in Him. This is why we are instructed to repent, and be water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and then shall we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
The scripture states -- "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin ... for he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with Him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him ... " (Romans 6:3-9; Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 15:29; Colossians 2:11-15; I Corinthians 6:14; John 2:11; Galatians 6:15; Philippians 3:10; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14; I Peter 4:1; II Timothy 2:11; Revelation 1:18)
His identity should have been evident from that very first miracle -- the beginning of miracles at a marriage in Cana of Galilee when Jesus turned the water into wine. That miracle alone should have been sufficient for everyone to understand that the Lord God Almighty was manifesting forth His glory to one and all. His invitation to the most elaborate wedding feast ever being extended to you and I, who are least deserving of any forgiveness, given that we are all sinners, each and every one of us having fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) No exceptions.
Still, because of His love for His beloved creation, He Himself made a way of salvation on a cross that He Himself created. He knew that His precious holy blood had to be shed if we were to freely receive His gift of salvation. Hebrews 9 and 10 elaborate but in particular Hebrews 9:8 which signifies the turning point.
That is, "the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8)
For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 10:26-28)
Don't let today pass by without understanding that for this cause, He is the mediator of the New Testament, and that the God of this universe loves you beyond measure. His call is to come unto Him, and He will carry your burdens and bring you out from the enslavement and entanglements of this world. Indeed, Jesus has a purpose and a plan for your life. Get to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ today. Repent in your heart of your sins against Him, and ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in your heart.
And in answer of a good conscience toward God, be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as did everyone in the scriptures who truly believed, and become clothed in His righteousness, putting on His garment that sets you apart from the world. (I Peter 3:21-22) Receive His gift of the Holy Ghost that will lead and guide you into all truth. The Comforter. Desire spiritual gifts. And whatsoever you do, don't let the religious culture render you an ineffective believer.
Instead, study the Word so that you are fully attached to the Rock, which is and was (and always has been) Christ Jesus, who said, "And behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:12-13)
Stand in the offering plate.
In another place, "From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 10:7) And yet in another, Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15; Galatians 4:4; Matthew 3:2)
A changing of the guard, if you will, wherein the Word made flesh and dwelt among us extends peace and good will to all men, having torn the veil that prevented us from knowing God from top to bottom, from heaven to earth. The Lord from heaven, the dayspring from on high hath visited His people. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; John 1-18; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16)
But there is more. The scripture declares -- "Until the day in which He was taken up, after that HE THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen; to whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God ..." (Acts 1:2-3)
But I am getting ahead of myself. Consider John 16:29-30. The disciples had been listening intently to Jesus for what must have been some time, and said unto Him, "Lo, now speak plainly, and speak no proverb. Now are we sure that Thou knows all things, and need not that any man should ask Thee; by this we believe that Thou came forth from God." (John 16:29-30)
How did Jesus respond? Interestingly, He asks them, "Do ye now believe?"
On the face of it, this is an interesting question. For a span of three years, these same disciples had followed Jesus everywhere He went. Every day, these disciples walked with Jesus. In fact, these had witnessed the many miracles, the signs and wonders, the healing of people lame from birth, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and His wisdom and knowledge that could only come from God Himself (because He discerned the hearts of those around Him), and yet here was Jesus asking them, "Do ye now believe?" (John 16:31)
As an fyi, the comparison scriptures for this verse include the risen Jesus saying unto Mary Magdalene who had come to the sepulchre where Jesus' body had been placed after He had shed His holy precious blood on the cross -- "Touch Me not: for I am not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren, and say unto them, "I ascend unto My Father, and your Father: and to My God, and your God." (John 21:17) As we know, this precipitated Mary going and telling these same disciples that she had seen the Lord Jesus, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
In another place, Jesus lifts up His eyes to heaven, and said, "For I have given unto them the words which Thou gave Me, and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world but for them which Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine: and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee, Holy Father, keep through THINE OWN NAME those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be ONE as we are." (John 17:8-11)
Remember, Jesus had told His disciples earlier -- "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) And that if ye have seen Jesus, ye have seen the Father. (John 14:6-12) But for some reason, Jesus still had to ask them at this very end point of His ministry -- "Do you now believe?"
As in, do you yet believe who I am? Do you understand the price that is about to be paid for your salvation? The true cost of that crown of thorns that will be placed on Jesus' head? Or the spear through His side? The nails that would pierce His hands, so that Thomas later could declare to the risen Jesus, "my Lord and my God!"
Throughout Jesus' ministry, He identified Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) Jesus told the multitudes that He was the Bread of life. Jesus told the woman at the well that if ye drink of the living water that Jesus offers, ye will never thirst again. The son of man being still the Lord of the sabbath. This same Jesus, who stated, "I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33)
In another place, when Jesus was alone with His disciples, and they had asked about the parable of the sower which He taught to the multitudes by the sea side, Jesus said unto them, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing that they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mark 4:11-12; Isaiah 6:9-10; Isaiah 43:8)
But thankfully, those who seek the Lord Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, will find in Him the peace that surpasses all human understanding, and everlasting life. (John 3:16; Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) But I digress.
The point I want to make is that after Jesus went up in a glorified body, the Holy Ghost was poured out upon His disciples on the day of Pentecost, and the world forever would never be the same. (Acts 2:1-47) The beginning of the New Testament church was firmly established, and the first 3,000 souls saved, having repented, and been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day that He was taken from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection. (Acts 1:22) All prophecy fulfilled so that there would be no mistaking who Jesus was, knowing that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
Yes, as Peter (standing with the eleven) stated, "This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36-47)
It is no wonder those who were present were convicted. The Acts 2 message is still being preached to the world today. Jesus' message for those who are athirst to "Come" and take the water of life freely is still being extended. (Revelation 22:17)
For those who did not know Jesus in their heart, or believed that their earthly position was threatened by the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords in their midst (the Word made flesh and dwelt among us), there were always questions, and more questions asked, as these continually attempted to discredit and bring into disrepute His authority on this earth. These did not understand that the son of man was still Lord of the sabbath, even though His miracles, His signs and wonders everywhere He went should have been sufficient evidence.
And this is the issue we are faced with today. The modern day religious culture does not want us to understand that (as Jesus said) -- "ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. " (Matthew 28:18)
That He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He who was and is and is to come -- the one and only Almighty God who willingly robed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we might have abundant life in Him. This is why we are instructed to repent, and be water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and then shall we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
The scripture states -- "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin ... for he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with Him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him ... " (Romans 6:3-9; Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 15:29; Colossians 2:11-15; I Corinthians 6:14; John 2:11; Galatians 6:15; Philippians 3:10; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14; I Peter 4:1; II Timothy 2:11; Revelation 1:18)
His identity should have been evident from that very first miracle -- the beginning of miracles at a marriage in Cana of Galilee when Jesus turned the water into wine. That miracle alone should have been sufficient for everyone to understand that the Lord God Almighty was manifesting forth His glory to one and all. His invitation to the most elaborate wedding feast ever being extended to you and I, who are least deserving of any forgiveness, given that we are all sinners, each and every one of us having fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) No exceptions.
Still, because of His love for His beloved creation, He Himself made a way of salvation on a cross that He Himself created. He knew that His precious holy blood had to be shed if we were to freely receive His gift of salvation. Hebrews 9 and 10 elaborate but in particular Hebrews 9:8 which signifies the turning point.
That is, "the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8)
For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 10:26-28)
Don't let today pass by without understanding that for this cause, He is the mediator of the New Testament, and that the God of this universe loves you beyond measure. His call is to come unto Him, and He will carry your burdens and bring you out from the enslavement and entanglements of this world. Indeed, Jesus has a purpose and a plan for your life. Get to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ today. Repent in your heart of your sins against Him, and ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in your heart.
And in answer of a good conscience toward God, be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as did everyone in the scriptures who truly believed, and become clothed in His righteousness, putting on His garment that sets you apart from the world. (I Peter 3:21-22) Receive His gift of the Holy Ghost that will lead and guide you into all truth. The Comforter. Desire spiritual gifts. And whatsoever you do, don't let the religious culture render you an ineffective believer.
Instead, study the Word so that you are fully attached to the Rock, which is and was (and always has been) Christ Jesus, who said, "And behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:12-13)
Stand in the offering plate.
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