The world Rejoices in Jesus’ death

This is out and out prophecy for the Disciples then, and for us, in these troubled times:

Matthew 24:3-8 While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? ”

Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the * Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines1 and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains…”

Jesus also makes clear the diametric opposition that is occurring between the value system of the world and that of “the Way.” This signals the time of the end, but it is not the end. I am convinced that in our lifetime we will suffer outward persecution, and that we will be in much the same position that Christians were in during the first 300 years prior to Constantine’s “rescue” of the faith. This time, however, there will be no rescue by worldly powers, but by Jesus Himself.

This is what we refer to as the rapture … and yes, it is pre-tribulation.

Jesus spoke in figurative language, metaphor and parable, but His plain words are His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection.

And, when we ask for things, ask in the currency of the spirit, and not for the things the world values. Those treasures will be of no value in heaven.

In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 16:29-33[HCSB])

29 “Ah! ” His disciples said. “Now You’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that You know everything and don’t need anyone to question You. By this we believe that You came from God.”

31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe?

32 Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Speaking in plain Language

Nothing could be more plain, or to the point, than Jesus’ declaration that He has conquered the world! He is, as prophesied, the Warrior King, the Messiah, the Lion of Judah, the Heir of David’s bloodline! He is Emmanuel, God with us!

It is clear that, in retrospect, Jesus not only conquered Rome, He transformed it!

Oh, but that’s not all: He says that while we will have peace in His words, we, like Him, will suffer in this world. He tells us to be courageous: remember, small flock, He has left with us a Spirit of council, of truth, and of infallible guidance, in His absence.

Jesus was not alone at the end of His earthly ministry and neither are we. We, as Christ followers, are always in the presence of the Father because the Holy Spirit is with us and lives within us. If there is a Christmas message worth sending this year, it is this:

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous!

I have conquered the world.”

The Disciples did not fully understand what Jesus was referring to in His “plain speaking” because they thought they would be strong enough to weather any storm of persecution. However, they, like ourselves, could not fully appreciate what it meant to be scattered until they were scattered and under true persecution. That time of persecution is now upon us. We know which way the wind blows.

The trial of true believers has already begun in the coliseum of public opinion. We are considered, once again, a sect that is beyond the pale, outside the norm … judgmental and intolerant. While we cannot change perception we must not provide cause to support it.

Let the Spirit speak.

In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 17:1-5[HCSB])

1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,

2 for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.

3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent — Jesus Christ.

4 I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.

5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

Jesus prays for Himself

This is the beginning of a 3 part prayer, a poetic tryptic, in which Jesus prays for Himself, His Disciples and for All Believers.

In this prayer for Himself He speaks as the man, Jesus, but also as God praying for the man, Jesus. It is yet another confirmation of the triune nature of our God.

These prayers are beautiful in their language and message. Jesus remains consistent in His desire to honor and glorify the Father; He also intercedes with the Father on behalf of the Twelve, and for all believers then, now and forever.

In this prayer set we are all justified as disciples and believers. However, there is not a segment for those who have rejected Him. In this way it is clear that acceptance and rejection have their price.

Verse 5 echoes John 1:1-2 which identifies Jesus as the Logos, the preexistent One who was with God in the beginning before time was time. In this way there is also an echo we hear emanating from Genesis 1:26 in which the Trinity commits Itself to “making man in Our image.”

In the Book of John the author takes particular care to lift up Jesus as Messiah and Lord while keeping Him very real and ever-present to each believer. He does this by recounting consistently, and believably, the words and character of our Savior.