The American Wisdom Series

Presents
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!


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We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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