Volume XIV, Page III
Tuesday November 7, 2006 16 Cheshvan 5767
"Covenant, Prophecy and Promise!"
The Apostle John records Jesus' WORDs revealing to HIS disciples the Truth of their choice of believing in HIM as Messiah, Savior and Lord.
The prophesied forthcoming of HIS persecution, crucifixion and death had yet to be fulfilled, but that it was God's plan that these things must happen.
Christ knew that HIS resurrection from the grave would be crucial to their Faith in HIM, and HE was preparing them for what was yet to come as HIS followers would also personally bear persecution because of their testimony to HIS name.
From all evidence in scripture, Jesus' revelation of these things DID came to pass, just as HIS coming was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets.
Continuing in the following verses;
John 15:26-27 (Jesus speaking)"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
The Promise of a Counselor and Comforter, Holy Spirit, would also then be a Confirmation of Truth from the mouth of our Lord.
The majority of those disciples who heard these WORDs directly from Jesus, would soon suffer persecution and even death as Jesus prophetically said they would.
Where the Apostle Paul, who by his own account received revelation of Christ and these same WORDs, he TESTIFIES that those same sufferings were part of his choice of following Christ as Savior and Lord and testifying of HIS resurrection.
Writing later, Paul reminds believers of God's purpose for Holy Spirit being given as our Comforter;
1 Thessalonians 1:6
Placing the TRUTH of our Victory in Christ in proper perspective, then the Prize that is worth the Pain, God fulfills our HOPE in Christ who was resurrected by the Power of Holy Spirit, and ascended to the Throne of God and sits at HIS Right Hand, where HE continually intercedes on behalf of believers.
The Apostle Paul testified to his receiveing the complete revelation of Christ, enduring the persecution and sufferings, as prophesied by Christ, bearing each of them with great JOY, having received Holy Spirit, the Counsel(or)and Comforter, who strengthened him for the remainder of his life.
As Christ never defined Victory as a temporal or physical manifestation, but as Eternal Life through HIS resurrection, a spiritual manifestation where Holy Spirit provides the Power and Authority of God forever, seen and understood only by Believers filled with HIS Spirit and who faithfully complete the course set before them.
Where teaching that Faith in Christ is HOPE, WAS confusing and unbelievable to the Pharisees and religious others who are knowledgeable of both the Law and prophesy, it WAS and STILL IS God's WORD and the TRUTH!
Christ knew that satan, who as a continual liar and a deceiver, would misrepresent the CROSS as a symbol of defeat, it was the Revelation of Christ to John that described the death of the beheaded martyred saints, Believers in Christ by Faith, as the severing or separation of the HEAD from the BODY that would be the devil's choice of placing fear in the hearts of Believers in Christ during the end of days.
John writes in Revelation 20:4
It was earlier with these WORDs of immortality spoken by the Apostle Paul under the Power and Anointing of Holy Spirit, which clearly and TRUTHfully remind believers of the Eternal Promise for our enduring Faith in Christ through whatever hardship or persecution we may face in this mortal life, even death;
Romans 8:34-39
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I CHOOSE the road less traveled, the one Christ said would lead to me into HIS righteousness, running and finishing the course which Paul mentioned would end in Victory, receiving a Crown of Eternal Life from my Lord.
Having a Covenant with God, requires obedience to HIS WILL, a plan and purpose outlined for my life throughout HIS WORD from Genesis to Revelation.
It is HIS Promise that I will be raised up with Christ in HIS Majesty and Glory on that beautiful day, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ Jesus is Lord!
Then eternity will be as HE revealed to John in Revelation 2:10;
....Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rejoice, count it all joy and remain faithful in suffering for the Name of Christ, believing that HIS Resurrection is Victory for the UNDefeated, an eternal reward worth pursuing!
