The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
John
Chapter 16

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it?  Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 
published at http://www.theseason.org/

You can view it at the season`s web site (address above) as originally published
or here, as now edited by people at
 
The American Wisdom Series  

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

JOHN

Chapter 16

"Hatred Christians foretold; Christ's return to the Father foretold."

 
John 16:1 "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended."

Jesus is now going to prepare His disciples, as well as us living today for what is to come when He leaves the world to be with the Father. Like we discussed in the last chapter, when you teach what Jesus taught, the world will hate you just like they hated Christ, and crucified Him.

Don't let it offend you, it is just a common fact that you can count on. When you plant the seeds of truth, it will be refused by most people, for Satan is the prince of this world age, and that is why the world flocks to him. The real truth offends most people today, because in most cases the truth of the Scriptures does not back up their theories and traditions. It is hard to learn what they told you was a truth from your parents, or a Sunday school teacher, as a child, and then later find out that what they taught you was nothing but a fairy-tale. When the attack comes on any false doctrine or tradition it then becomes a personal attack on the parents or teacher of the person, who in ignorance accepted the tradition as truth and passed it on to your generation.

Traditions are established through many generations, and it is no difference today then how it was in Jesus day. When the Kenites twisted the Scriptures to where the people accepted their traditions in ignorance, they were unable to separate truth from a lie. Jesus is telling you here to remember this, the next time you plant a seed of the truth and it is rejected, and don't be offended by what they might say.

John 16:2 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."

The "synagogues" are suppose to be the houses of God. Jesus is telling His disciples that the world is going to become so twisted, especially when the false Christ returns, that the conditions that are in the world will make a person that is doing wrong believe that he is doing right. Today in these latter days, we can see many calling themselves Christians slipping so far out of God's Word and commandments, and yet they still believe they are doing right. We can see the people within our nation, as in many other nations of the world catering to a new religious order. The things of God's Word are being changed in their minds to conform to the new order of Satan. This is done in preparation for a one world religious system that will rise out of the political system that will soon collapse when it receives it's mortal head would.

Even the Churches of our generation are moving to a position of allowing the Kenites to rule over them, and set the acceptable doctrine for that church. In the seven types of church that Jesus told us about in Revelation 2 and 3, there were only two that were acceptable, because they know who those who claim to be Jews, and of God, but are not. Jesus called them of "the synagogues of Satan." Those two churches were the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. Those Kenites that ruled the temple in Jesus day, are the forefathers of those that are in the controlling positions of the churches, government and the education and money world of today. They are the sons of Cain, and the church world on the whole is ignorant of them, and what they stand for.

In the end, if you buck the one world religious order, you will either be put out of the system, or called to account because of your beliefs. This is the time that Jesus spoke of in Mark 13:11;"But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit."

Even though it is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better, when we are in Christ and have the Holy Spirit as our guide, you should not worry. When the Antichrist, who is Satan is ruling on the earth from Jerusalem, during that five month period prior to the real Christ's return, the entire world will think that He is the Messiah. When you cross him, even your relatives will think they are doing God a favor when they betray you to the him.

John 16:3 "And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me."

This is leading to the things that will be done to Christ when they deliver Him up to be murdered on to cross. Every last thing that will be done, will be in accordance as it was prophesied by the prophets of the Old Testament, and recorded by them. The Christians of today are so turned to accept the traditions of men that they don't know the prophecies that pertain to our generation were put their to let us know what to expect from a spiritual stand point.

John 16:4 "But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you."

Jesus is explaining that He did not go into the detail of how His end would come, or His death on the cross, because there was other teaching necessary. He would be with them and teach them then. This also applies to the end times, when the Holy Spirit of God will witness to our spirit as He calls the prophecies to remembrance, and the events come to pass.

John 16:5 "But now I go My way to Him That sent Me; and none of you asketh Me, Whither goest Thou?"

The disciples were holding back on their questions as to where Jesus was going. They had an idea because of Jesus teachings, but they wanted it spelled out in detail.

John 16:6 "But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart."

Jesus is indicating that their feelings should be the other way around. Instead of a heavy heart, they should have a joyful heart. Jesus Christ's journey to the cross was the full purpose of His coming to earth in the flesh body as man, in the first place. He pointed this out many times from the Old Testament.

John 16:7 "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."

It wasn't expedient for Jesus nor the Father that He go away to the cross for their own benefit, but it was important for us, because we are the sinners. This was a promise that Jesus made to the disciples that when He ascended into Heaven on the day of Pentecost. The Comforter will come to fill the hearts and minds of all that believed on His name, and repented of their sins.

Acts 2:1 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

Acts 2:2 "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and if filled all the house where they were sitting."

Acts 2:3 "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."

When one man or woman spoke, all that heard them, heard in their own tongue with understanding. There was no confusion nor need of an interpreter.

Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Jesus gave His Word, and the Comforter did come and He is here today as He was then. The Holy Spirit will lead us in all matters, and give us understand when we apply ourselves to His Word.

John 16:8 "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"

It is the Holy Spirit that convicts the sinner of his sin, and that is the way that we can tell right from wrong. He corrects us when we fall short of His Word, and He directs us in all righteousness and judgment. We will now see what the duties are of the Comforter, and then what the Comforter meant to the disciples, [those that discipline themselves in all generations].

John 16:9 "Of sin, because they believe not on Me;"

John 16:10 "Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more;"

Don't be sorrowful because of His absence. Why did He go to the Father? He went to the father to sit on the right hand of the Father, and to send the Comforter. Physically and spiritually Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father as our advocate. He is our lawyer before the throne of God. When we are accused before the throne of the Father of those sins that we have repented of, they will not be held against us. With Christ representing you before the Father, what are you worried about.

This gets to another point, the devil, Satan our accuser is there. When we have repented a sin to the Father, they are blotted out forever. So if someone accuses your consciences, or someone tries to hold it against you with the fear of God, that accuser possesses not the Spirit of God, but a spirit of the devil, for the Holy Spirit will not go against what God's Word states. Stop listen to the devil putting a guilt trip on you, if there is a sin in your life, confess that sin, and release yourself from all guilt trips.

That is the whole purpose of the Holy Spirit coming to earth, and helping Christians as they try to live by the Word, He call to remembrance the word that we have stored in our heart.

John 16:11 "Of Judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

The prince of this world is Satan, and he has been judged already, and he has been judged to death. Though that judgment will not be carried out till after the Great white throne judgment, he is sentenced to death. That is why Satan is called the "son of perdition", for perdition is death. We saw in Ezekiel 28 that Satan, the king of Tyre, was sentenced to death in the world that was, in the first earth age. This followed his rebellion, and overthrow.

And in II Thessalonians 2:3 that Satan, the "son of perdition" will come to earth to deceive the entire world, before Jesus Christ returns at the seventh trumpet. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the day of the Lord] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,"

We must understand this judgment of Satan and why he was judged then, because it gets into why this earth age even exists. The whole purpose of the flesh age is to bring those who desire the right to chose to come back to the Father in Repentance.

When we start to see the events marking the end of this flesh age, the Holy Spirit will touch you, and open your mind to understanding and the events of the last days will go by very quickly. We are now being prepared mentally, by the sealing of His Word in our minds, and that is our protection from the deceptions of Satan and his realm that will cover the entire earth. The key is that when it all comes to pass, we are not to become offended.

John 16:12 "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."

Jesus is saying that at that time, they simply could not handle the thought of His suffering and death..

John 16:13 "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come."

This is something that we must be careful of, for we have those way out spiritual people that use this verse as their excuse for not studying God's Word, and knowing the truth. They say that the Spirit of God will speak through them, and He will place the words in their mouths. As a student of God's word, it becomes a little hard to take. We are to study the Word, to place it in our mind, not to memorizing, but reading to understand. Then in those times where the Holy Spirit wants to use you, you are ready to be of service to Him.

Remember in John 14:26; "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have taught you." We are taught from His Word, and the Holy Spirit gives us the understanding.

The Word of God is complete, and when you study it, the Spirit of God reveals to you what He would have you understand. He will give you that ability to separate the truth of God's word, from the lies of the devil. That is Why Jesus spoke in parables when the Kenites were around. Jesus told His disciples directly in Matthew 13:10-13 of this.

Matthew 13:10 "And the disciples came, and said unto Him "Why speakest Thou unto them [these Kenites] in parables?"

Matthew 13:11 "He answered and said unto them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."

Matthew 13:12 "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."

Matthew 13:13 "Therefore speak I to them in parables because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."

It may be hard to comprehend, but there are some people that Jesus just doesn't want to understand. If they did understand they in turn would repent and believe on Jesus.

Matthew 13:15 "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

I hope you are starting to catch on that it is no accident that you understand the Scriptures, when you do, for the understanding comes from and through the Holy Spirit. This is why you should pray that the Holy Spirit open your spiritual eyes, before you start your studies, and He will. It was no accident that the religious Kenite leaders never understood in Jesus day, nor why their offspring of today simply don't understand. The Spirit of God simply will not open their eyes and ears to understanding.

The Holy Spirit will reveal to you what you should know as you mature in His Word, and He will reveal the understanding of His Word on the level that you are in at that point in time. As we enter into Christian adulthood, especially in this final generation, it is time to get off the milk in into the meat of the Word, for there is a difference. The Spirit of God withheld much of the Word so it would not be confusing to His own, but in the time of the end, He said it would all be revealed, and it is all becoming known.

After Daniel had his vision and the vision became very troubling to him, God spoke to him and told him: "And He said, 'Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Daniel 12:9

We are in the time of the end, and that is why the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit is revealing His Word like it has never been taught before. The wise shall understand all truths, and the wise are those who diligently study His Word. All wisdom comes from God because He created all things.

John 16:14 "He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you."

With Jesus sitting on the right hand of God, it will be His Comforter, or Spirit that shall be the one to show you all things. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son of God, for it is only through the Son of God, and His shed blood on the cross that anyone can approach the throne of God, and have eternal life. There is only one door to enter for eternal life. If you are to see that door [Jesus Christ], and hear and understand the directions to that door, it will all be by the help of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:15 "All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine and shall shew it unto you."

The Father created all things and has given it all to His Son. When we come through that door, Jesus Christ, He in turn will share it equally with you. Romans 8:16-17; "The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" [16] "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." [17]

John 16:16 "A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me, because I go to the Father."

This will confuse some people, so we will continue a few verses before discussing the meaning.

John 16:17 "Then said some of His disciples among them selves, "What is this that He saith unto us, ' A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me: because I go to the Father?"

John 16:18 "They said therefore, "What is this that He saith, "A little while?" We cannot tell what He saith."

Understand that the disciples had observed Lazarus being raised from the dead, and they knew that Lazarus was with the Father when his body was decaying in the grave. They knew that to be absent for the flesh body was to be present with the Lord, and that was the reason Jesus waited the four days. Kenite tradition taught that the soul had not departed the flesh body until the third day, and this became the restatement of the new priesthood.

The disciples still did not catch on what Jesus was talking about when He said, "A little while."This gives us a double emphasis that we need the Comforter. The disciples had witness the miracles, and heard taught the fact that Jesus was going to the cross. They knew that Jesus would be raised from the dead after three days, and that He would go to the Father.

Yet, they continually forgot and were confused on most matters that we would consider critical. This all stresses the point these disciples of Christ needed the Comforter. The needed the Holy Spirit to call to their remembrance matters that they should know to avoid confusion and deception. You can not understand the Word of God without the indwelling and direction of the Comforter.

John 16:19 "Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask Him, and said unto them, "Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, "A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me?"

Jesus is asking the disciples if this phrase is stirring them up a little bit?

John 16:20 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but you sorrow shall be turned into joy."

Why would this be? Before Jesus ascended into heaven He talked to them and told them to wait right here in Jerusalem, and He would send the Comforter, the "promise of the Father". Then on the fiftieth day, the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit of God came and filled all of the followers of Christ with His Spirit. They all poured out into the streets and spoke in the language of the Spirit of God.

There were people in Jerusalem from all over the world, devout Jews and they came for the Pentecost feast celebration. When those Christians spoke, every person heard the words given with understanding by the Holy Spirit. The words they heard were in their own native language, and even neighborhood dialect. The Comforter speaks what the Father tells Him to speak, and that is what He will speak through you.

There was sorrow when Jesus Christ ascended to the Father, but ten days later on that day of Pentecost what great joy came over Jesus' disciples and followers. When the Holy Spirit of God filled that room, He came into the souls of everyone present. Peter tells us that this is exactly as it will be in those very last days, when the Antichrist is on the earth, and the seal of God is in our minds. The Spirit of God will then come forth and speak through us when we allow Him to have control of our hearts, minds, and mouths.

John 16:21 "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."

Here in verse twenty one, we come to the birth of a new age. That is what Christ is prophetically speaking of. All of the disciples are very sad when Jesus spoke of the fact that He is about to be crucified. Jesus was preparing the disciples for is the next step in the Father's overall plan. Satan has already been sentenced to death, and now to seal that sentence upon Satan, Jesus must go to the cross for many purposes, but the foremost is that it opens the way so that all His children can return back to Him. It is through Jesus death and resurrection that salvation can come to all those that repent and believe on the name of Jesus.

You believe on the name of Jesus when you repent to the Father in Jesus name, and by faith accept the promises that are written in His Word. Faith is not just a thing that you say and it is done, faith is something that you would stake your entire life on. Faith is an action that you take that is based on what you believe in your mind to be true. Then you act on that belief with the confidence that your belief will sustain you. It is like a crutch that you put your entire weight on, and you have the confidence to know that you will not fall flat on our face. Faith is also like that rock solid place that you run to when the storms, hurricanes and tornadoes are heading your way.

This hour that comes, is the very last hour of this dispensation. It is the time just prior to our entering into the Millennium age of Christ's kingdom. That hour starts at the sixth trumpet when Satan is caste out onto the earth by Michael, to play the role of the Antichrist [the "instead of Christ"]. Throughout both the Old and New Testament this hour is stressed many times, such as in Revelation 17:12 where it is called; "one hour with the beast." In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 this hour is called the "hour of temptation", when Satan the Antichrist is here on earth. That hour is the birth of a new age for the children of God.

Throughout Bible prophecies it states that this hour shall come to pass, and now Jesus is stating how it will come to pass. Jesus is stating that there is an hour coming before this new age of the Millennium comes that there will be an "hour of travail" upon the whole earth. We will not see the "birth of this age" until we have witnessed this "birth of travail" first. Though there is much pain and anguish just before the birth of the child, once the child is born the joy of the new baby far outweighs the travail that came just before.

Isaiah wrote of this travail in Isaiah 66:6.

Isaiah 66:6 "A voice of noise form the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord That rendereeth recompense to His enemies."

This is the time that God takes vengeance on those that are in that city of Jerusalem. The time is just prior to the start of the Millennium age.

Isaiah 66:7 "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child."

Before the labor pains started, she was given a man child.

Isaiah 66:8 "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."

The birth of this new age will come forth at the end of that one hour. This new nation is the kingdom of Jesus Christ that will be establish on earth at the final day of the five month period called "one hour", that we also call the great tribulation.

As soon as Zion, or Jerusalem goes through this travail, spoken of through out the Scriptures as the time that the Antichrist rules from Jerusalem. She brought forth her children.

Isaiah 66:9 "Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: "shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb?" saith thy God."

It simply can't be done, because it is unnatural. When a woman goes through the birthing process, and the travail of the final moments before the birth takes place, the birth of the child must follow. Then comes the joy of the birth of the child.

Isaiah 66:10 "Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:"

We rejoice because the new age shall come forth, and all of God's children shall be delivered.

The hour that Jesus speaks of here in John 16 is none other then His second advent. He will return then with His vengeance to conquer the world, and eliminate Satan and all evil from the face of the earth. He will come as King of Kings and not to be crucified, but in complete victory. The pains that are part of the travail, are the prophesied events that shall come to pass before Christ's return, and just as the birth pains grow closer and closer together before birth, so also will the prophesied events grow closer together before His return.

We are moving very fast today into the One World Order, and the establishment of first the political beast that will shortly fall, and out of that beast will rise a one world religious beast that Satan the Antichrist shall rule over. The events of the final days are passing by us on almost a daily basis, as the One World political beast is almost fifty years old [it's teeth are falling out, so to speak], and many nations simply don't trust that old system anymore. The member nations are refusing to pay their dues to the system, and very few countries respect her Satanic orders, and and have given up on the many false hopes this system is built around.

I believe The United Nations is going to recieve a deadly wound to one of it's agencies and would die and fall apart except Satan will show up and heal this wound. That is the time for all Christians, sealed of God to wake up, for what follows will be rapid, just as that woman about to give birth. The religious beast, who is Satan will come and heal this wound to THE NEW WORLD ORDER.

John 16:22 "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."

Between the time of Jesus speaking this, and His resurrection, all of these disciples would scatter and run. Peter himself would deny Christ three times before Jesus crucifixion would have taken place. However, when Jesus does return they will all rejoice to see Him.

This is also exactly how it will be concerning the birth of a new age. He shall return later, and that looks forward to even us today. There will be travail before His second advent, and scattering before that final day, but Jesus will come to set up His new kingdom on earth. What ever the travail is, when we have the Spirit of God within us, we can overcome whatever lays in our path. That is the time to dig out the promises of God and stand upon each of them. Christ has not left us alone, He has given us His Spirit.

John 16:23 "And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name He will give it you."

In other words; I walk with you today and you ask me all your questions, and I give you the answer to them. However, there is a day coming when you will not be able to ask me anything, for I will not be here. Jesus is telling them that when He is gone, then you pray to the Father. But when you will ask anything of the Father, you ask it in Jesus name, which is giving your credentials to the Father that you are a believer. Jesus is telling the Disciples how to pray, which is how we should pray to the Father.

John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

Do you understand that Jesus wants you to be happy, and not confused over things concern your standing of Him. If you understand His Word there is no confusion, and you will have much joy, for you have something to look forward to. That day of Christ's return is not far away, and most of the people living on the earth today will witness His return, and the start of the Millennium age.

When you are in the Word then He is in you, for Christ is the Word. Every day in the Word becomes a good day and full of joy.

John 16:25 "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."

We have seen this all come to pass and it is history to us. However, for these disciples of Jesus it was hard to understand, for Jesus had not gone to the cross, and the Holy Spirit had not come upon them yet. However they would shortly experience everything that Jesus had told them in proverbs and teaching.

Jesus is telling them that there are some events that would happen very shortly that would make everything He had told them very easy to understand. They would then see the sorrow that they had in the travailing, and rejoice all the more with the joy of their reward. Not only the death of Jesus, but in the risen Christ.

John 16:26 "At that day ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:"

Up until this time, you prayed to the Lord God Almighty and followed the ordinances and rituals that God laid down in His holy Word. However, Jesus is telling us and His disciples that from this point on we are to pray then to the Father, but ask it in "My Name". We ask of the Almighty Father in Jesus name, for He is the door and the only credentials that the Father will listen to. Jesus paid the price to take the barrier away that was between you and the Father, and without your accepting and using that paid price of the blood of Christ, the barrier is still there between you and the Father. That is why you ask "in Jesus name".

John 16:27 "For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God."

Because you believe that Jesus was sent from the Father and have loved Jesus, the Father also will love you. The Father does love you, and that is why He created you. He takes pleasure when you show that you love Him by reading and studying His Word, and telling Him you love Him in your prayers. Even though God created billions of Children, God still knows each of us personally, and He cares for you, and all those matters that are important to you.

Jesus Christ is at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf, and when you ask in Jesus name, then Jesus takes on the duties of serving you before the Father. When you ask for tools, or memory, or even the changing of another persons mind, that matter become the request of Jesus our advocate [lawyer] at the right hand of the Father. Remember the purpose of our asking as the vine of Christ [the Branch], was to bear fruit, and our request when given in that light, is then within the will of the Father.

John 16:28 "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."

They hadn't asked their questions of Jesus, but He has just given the answers to all their question before they asked.

John 16:29: "His disciples said unto Him, "Lo, now speakest Thou plainly, and speakest no proverb."

The disciples finally understood that Jesus was not speaking in a parable, but telling it just as it is.

John 16:30 "Now are we sure that Thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask Thee: by this we believe that Thou camest forth from God."

The disciples were questioning between themselves of this fact, then wham, all of a sudden it hit them, Jesus really is the Son of God. Jesus really did come from the Father. Jesus usually asked them a question before He gave them answers, however here Jesus just gave them the answer outright, and they understood. They told Jesus that because you could read our minds and know what we were thinking, you have to be the sent one, for only God could read one's mind.

The parable was not what amazed the disciples, but the fact that Jesus knew what they were thinking as they were thinking it.

John 16:31 "Jesus answered them, "Do ye now believe?"

Jesus question is whether His disciples understood the parable of the birth of a nation, the second advent. That was the subject of the parable, and what Jesus was talking about. But the main thing that Jesus wants them to start doing, is to pray to the Father in Jesus name, they hadn't done that before, but now is the time to start.

John 16:32 "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

Just as the disciples are reaching a new high, Jesus has just popped their balloon. They were just starting to understand, and now Jesus is telling them that they will now all be scattered. The time is come when what Jesus has to do, He can only do alone. Every part of the next few days are detailed in prophecy, and must come to pass exactly as prophesied. Jesus is the only one that can endure the cross, and the suffering and humility in His death, and pay the price for each of our sins, and only the Father will be with Him.

Regardless of what the disciples stated to Jesus, they will all leave and scatter as sheep without a shepherd. Their hearts may be willing and believing, but their flesh is weak without the Spirit of God.

The most important part of this verse is where Jesus states; "..I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." Remember Christ's Words on the cross and what so many teachers teach, bless their uninformed hearts. In Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Number one, Christ never called Father, "God". Jesus always called Him Father when addressing Him. The correct translation of Matthew 27:46 for "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" is "My God, My God for this I am come." It is a statement of fact, not a question.

Remember what Jesus said, "Because the Father is with Me." The Father never forsook Christ on the Cross as is stated in the mistranslation, you see Jesus was quoting from Psalm 22, because the Father was with Him. Over and over Jesus has stated, "when you have seen the Father you have seen me". "I and My Father are one." "If you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father." Are you starting to catch on Who Jesus is, and who the Father is, if you do you will see why the Father did not leave the Son hanging on the Cross, and why Jesus stated here, "I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."

There is only One God, but we must divide the offices of God. The God head is very difficult to explain, and there are as many opinions, as there are people thinking on the subject of the Godhead. The point here that we are discussing is the fact that when Jesus went to the cross, "The Father is with me." He did not depart, or turn His back on His son hanging on the cross. Jesus stated it, and it is written in God's Word, and prophesied to that matter.

It is not a point of argument, for to doubt Jesus statement here is disbelief. What is given in Psalm 22 is every word spoken by Christ, including the words spoken by the chief priests. To expand on this go to the study of Matthew 27. Just like the Father would never leave the Son alone during those critical times, He also will never leave you, His child alone in the critical times ahead when Satan the Antichrist rules the entire earth. Accept it as a fact, because it is.

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

The only true peace is the peace that comes when we have repented to the Father in Jesus name, and become a child of the Living God. When Jesus Christ was crucified and placed in the tomb, He acted in obedience to the Father, to fulfill the sacrifices necessary to be the covering for sin. Then when Jesus came out of that tomb, He conquered the sting of the death of the soul, where by we have eternal life.

However we are living in our flesh bodies, and in the world that is now governed by men and women also in the flesh. With it come the mistakes and the suffering that comes by error and sin that exists in the flesh world. The prince of this world age is the devil Satan, who now is living under his death penalty. When Jesus came out of the tomb and ascended to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to us, and under the power and authority of the Holy Spirit we have the authority over Satan, as well as his entire satanic realm.

Though we be in this world, we still have a good reason to be of "good cheer", because when Christ overcame the world, so did you. Our peace is not hinged on some piece of paper signed in a foreign land, by a bunch of old greedy men that lie through their teeth, and denounce the very God of heaven. Our hope is in Jesus Christ who will return very shortly at the appointed time. Praise God for all of His promises.

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: Now that we've completed this 2015 study of the  "BOOK OF JOHN chapter 16" we have placed a earlier 2002 John chapter 16 study to follow for your comparison. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of John

  Pamphlet 1516
John chapter16

Do you realize that when Satan shows up in the temple, performing miracles, and claiming to the world that he is Jesus, that many of our loved ones will believe he is in fact Jesus?

If you have been plugged into the True Vine long enough to have received nutrition from most of the other books of Bible, then you will be able to easily see the parallels between "then and now" when Jesus is talking to His disciples. In other words His teaching was not only directly to them, but directly to you and me, if we be His disciples.  Even the sending of the Comforter to speak in the multi-cloven tongue that needs no interpreter back then, will be sent again in these last days to speak that which is recorded in Joel.

So as Jesus is about to warn the disciples to be mentally and spiritually prepared for the trying times just ahead, He is at the same time warning us to be ready for hour of temptation just ahead of us.

That's why He has taught us these things. Here are His own words:

John 16:1
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
These things have I spoken unto you that you should not be "tripped up" or "enticed", i.e. fall away as in the great apostasy (II Thes. 2:3).  He wanted them then, and He wants us now, to BE PREPARED. Here's what the word "offended" means:
skandalizo, skan-dal-id'-zo, Greek 4624; ("scandalize"); from Greek 4625 (skandalon); to entrap, i.e. trip up (figurative stumble [transitive] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) :- (make to) offend.
Satan is the master of scandal. (I know what that word makes you think of. Yes, he and his own are heavily into Politics. He and his own are the devisors of the New World Order scandal. And don't forget the other three hidden dynasties: (2) Economics: he and his own are the devisors of the debt system, central bank, scandal. (3) Education: He and his own control curriculum texts, publishing, entertainment and main stream media. Talk about scandalous! And of course (4) Religion:He and own now sit not only in the seat of Moses, but on the boards of most major religions. They control the puppets in the pulpits. Scandal indeed!)
[2]They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
God is talking spiritually killing here, not physically killing you. And the time is just ahead when His disciples will be delivered up, for His name sake.
Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Do you realize that when Satan shows up in the temple, performing miracles, and claiming to the world that he is Jesus, that many of our loved ones will believe he is in fact Jesus? Therefore, because they love him (though they know not who they worship) and their families too, they will deliver their loved ones to him, to be saved (remember his name is death) believing that they do a good thing, "that they doeth God service". see next verse.
Mark 13:12
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
They do these things because they don't know the True Vine. They have been scandalized by Satan, believing he is Christ.
John 16:3
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
They don't have the spirit of truth because again, they have never been fed His nourishment, for they are hanging on a dead vine. They have never studied the Bible for themselves. They won't be able to tell the difference between what is holy and what is profane; therefore, they will try to convince their loved one that Christ has returned when Satan comes to earth claiming he is Christ.
John 16:4
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Not only would they not have understood at the beginning of His ministry, before the miracles, etc., but He wants to tell them now, just before He goes away.  And be sure "the time shall come" for His elect of this day, the end times, had better remember what He has said.
John 16:5
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
[6] But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
They didn't get the big picture. If they truly had known Him, as He said before, they would not have been so sorrowful, for they would know that the "I AM" cannot be killed. He IS Life!
John 16:7
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.
Again, it is a good thing that He goes away. He must pay the price else there would be no Comforter.
[8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Reprove means to convince or convict. Notice the three parts of this verse: sin, righteousness, and judgment. Here then are "becauses" of each conviction:
John 16:9
Of sin, because they believe not on me;

John 16:10
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

John 16:11
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

The prince of this world (Satan) has been judged. He was judged in the "world that then was" (II Pet. 3) and sentenced to die (Ezek. 28). But though he has been judged, his death sentence isn't carried out until after the judgment of everyone else, even after the great white throne judgment. Meanwhile, he is the "messiah" of this world.
[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Yes, He will pour out His Spirit on his servants and handmaidens and they will "see visions", better translated "see the visions", i.e. He will cause you to understand [see] the prophecies [visions], THINGS TO COME. It is so written in Daniel 12 that Daniel's "sealed" words would be understood in these last days, by the wise, those who will have the spirit poured out on them. How does it feel? Do you SEE?

And the time is coming when He will once again send the Comforter to speak through His elect, as was done on that 1st Pentecost Day. Has that happened yet. No it has not, for you see it was a sample of the time that the prophecy of Joel pertained to, and that was not Pentecost Day. It is the time of the Locust Army and the reign of Instead-of-Jesus, Satan. What a time that will be. Can you imagine it?

And since the Comforter will do all the speaking, there's no need, in fact DON'T worry or premeditate about you're going to say.

Mark 13:11
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Back to John and the words of Jesus concerning the Comforter.
John 16:14
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
[15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
This is a phenomenal statement. Remember John 3:35?
John 3:35
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Therefore what the Father reveals unto them, even us, through the Comforter, is of Christ.

Now this next statement that Jesus makes to His disciples, which causes a private "what the..." discussion amongst themselves, and then Jesus' subsequent address to them, has quite an element of humor in it. (Or maybe I stand alone in how I picture this occurring, but you know some of these disciples were "characters", like Peter. And even in the face of the momentous events about to occur, even in the face of His own crucifixion and death, Jesus tried to comfort these men and even, shall we say, get them to lighten-up a little, for though this is all very serious, He wants them to see the positive aspect of it.)

When we get to verse 19, it will document that Jesus knows exactly "How" He is wording what He is about to say. In other words, He KNOWS that this statement will "torque" these "geniuses" and they will huddle together with all the wisdom they can "muster up" and try to figure out what He just said. Don't forget, we know He was crucified and rose again and appeared unto the disciples. They don't know all that yet. Here' Jesus giving a little "double-talk" to His friends:

John 16:16
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
"What? Huh?" This will confuse the disciples. Of course they did see the miracle of the raising up of Lazarus, who died, and they saw him no more, and then He came back to life, and they saw him again.

OK, conference time!

John 16:17
Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

[18] They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

You read this next verse at what ever level of sobriety you wish. Here's how I see it:

"Now Jesus KNEW they were "just dying" to ask Him what He meant." (You have to ask yourself why they didn't come right out and ask Him, huh?)

"Are you guys trying to figure out among yourselves what I said...?" (Now you know He KNOWS what they are talking about, we just read He knew they wanted to ask Him.) So why the question? It is a most effective way to get one's attention, because as it is written they are now "desirous", i.e. they REALLY want to know, and that's good, because He wants them to pay real close attention to what He has to say!

John 16:19
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
Verily, verily is like saying "Truly, truly" or "Now listen carefully".
[20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
The world, which crucified Him, will rejoice at His death, while the disciples will be sorrowful, until they see Him again. What a thrill that will be!

Hey, wait a minute! We are in the generation of the fig tree, the Baby Boomer generation! That's the generation that will see His return.

What a thrill that will be!

Next in chapter 16 Jesus will give us an in-depth illustration of how severe pain and anguish is turned almost instantly into joy. And mothers know best!

Jesus has told His disciples that in a little while they would not see Him, and in a little while they would see Him, but they didn't quite understand what He was talking about.  Now, if it weren't for the fact that in the next few verses He begins to teach them from Isa. 66, you would just say that He was talking about His death and His resurrection, i.e. now you don't see Him, now you do. And certainly He did appear to them again shortly after the resurrection and they were joyful, but the "lasting" fruit, the fruit that should remain (remember), and the lasting joy comes when Jesus returns at the 2nd advent. And what He is explaining to the disciples is that in order for that to occur He must pay the price and return to the Father.

The best teacher who ever lived is now going to instruct them so that they might believe and understand this; that this MUST HAPPEN to bring everlasting joy into the world.

Also, verse 25 documents that what Christ is going to speak to them is a proverb. So Jesus begins to teach them from the 66th chapter of Isaiah concerning the birth of a "new age", which would begin when He returns at His 2nd advent, at the 7th Trump, "at that day" (see verses 23 and 26). He likens the joy (of that day) to that of a woman's travail, which is soon forgotten at the appearance of her Son! So it shall be.

John 16:21
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
The "hour" of temptation, tribulation, "travail" (Mat. 24:8) is soon upon us. In fact, the contractions have started.
[22] And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
He has already given us warning to stay attached to the True Vine, for there is one who would steal your joy, and he looks just like Jesus. It's Satan,  and he comes as a "thief" you know, because he is one.

Let's read the detailed account in Isaiah concerning the birth of the new age.

Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
When Jesus appears, those who are His at His coming will sing for joy, but as it is written in the Revelation, those who have been deceived by Satan apearing as the false-christ will wish the mountains to fall on them, for they shall be so ashamed. Rev. 6:16 "And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:"
[6] A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
You can read of this in Zech. 12:3-6 & 14:3. It is a day of vengeance to His enemies.
[7] Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
"This is the birth of the new nation. These are the "birth pangs" (or "sorrows") of Matt. 24:8. In Rev. 12:1,2 we have one part of the type in the Messiah. Here is the other part of the type." (Companion Bible, note on Isa. 66:7)
[8] Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
This is the restoration of the kingdom, which shall be born that day, the day He arrives.
[9] Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
You don't carry a child to term and then stop the birth. God will deliver as He promised.
[10]  Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

[11] That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

Consider the natural, warm and tender love being spoken of here between a mother and her suckling child.
[12] For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
The nations (Gentiles) shall also be there and rejoice in His love for them.
[13] As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
There is no more tender love than a mother who comforts her child.
[14] And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
This is how He comes at the 2nd advent, the 7th Trump. Notice the two parties awaiting Him; His servants (who receive His love), and His enemies (who receive His wrath).
[15] For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. His chariots-Log unto #8001 and #8010
Will He be angry with His servants, his children? No, we just read in verse 5 that His own will be joyful, but His enemies shall receive His indignation!

We now return to John 16 verse 23.

John 16:23
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
"In that day" there will be no question about it, when every eye shall see Him. Meanwhile there's fruit to produce, and He will give us the help we need to produce it, when we ask.
[24] Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
The Comforter will soon come and they will begin to ask, "In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."  Joy is not something you can go out and get. Real joy comes as a "result" of keeping His commandments and producing lasting fruit. That's want He wants us to do, because He wants us to be happy and joyful.
John 16:25
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
At that day, the 2nd advent.
[26] At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
[27] For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

[28] I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

And He would send the Comforter until that great day of the Lord.
John 16:29
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Jesus had just said that He came forth from the Father, into the world, and He is about to leave the world and return to the Father.
[30] Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
This is a remarkable statement given that they have now been with Jesus a considerable length of time and witnessed many miracles, even participating in them!
[31] Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
If you have understood the deeper meaning of what He has taught them then you would not say that He is asking a mirror question about the statement they just made, i.e. that they believe Him to be of God. He is asking them if they "now believe" what He has told them, because He now tells them what is about to befall them. You see, they will all desert Him (except the disciple whom Jesus loved, whom He will send home with His mother) and none shall be there when He cries out, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
John 16:32
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
And the Father will not desert Jesus, because the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. We've read that many times from His own words. No, as He hung on the cross He quoted and taught the entire 22nd Psalm, which we will discuss later in this gospel. Jesus never called His Father "God", no not once. Meanwhile, turn to Psalm 22 and read the 1st verse. (Then read the whole chapter.)
[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
We SHALL have tribulation! Big deal! We're not afraid of Satan, for we have power over him (Luke 10:18-19). Besides, we have peace of mind knowing that we are exempt from the wrath of God, because He loves His children, even like a mother nursing her baby. And since the price has already been paid, it's a "done deal".  We have the victory. Christ did it! Now THAT is something to cheer about!            

                                                          

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.  We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


The American Wisdom Series

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Here at the American Wisdom Series our goal is to make you think about and question the wisdom of the current:
doctrine of many of our Christian churches, (The Man on a White Horse)
political direction of our country, (The Man on a Red Horse)
economic direction our country has taken, (The Man on a Black Horse)
 and teaching of our schools and media, (The Man on a Pale Horse)

The Four Hidden Dynasties of the New World Order Revelation 6:1-8
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?