Truth Exposed 58 Warning, Oppression Comes from Within, John 16:1-4. (460)

We start a new chapter today, but only have time to look at the first few verses. Open your Bibles and follow along as Keith and Nathan lead the way in our expository look at John.

John 16:1-4 (NASB)

1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.

“These things

What are these things? Jesus spoke them so that his disciples would remember. John 16:4
he did it so that they will have his joy and, and half it completely. John 15:11
he did it to promise a blessing for those who are not offended by him. Matthew 11:6
Jesus claims that it’s the shallow believer who falls away, and you won’t withstand persecution. Matthew 13:21
the point is proved out, when people of Jesus own hometown are offended by him, and reject him. Matthew 13:57
Jesus also warns that at the time of persecution, many will betray, hate each other as they fall away. Matthew 24:10
he warns that shortly, at his crucifixion, all his disciples would fall away. However, he offers hope that he will rise again. Matthew 26:31-33
in Paul’s writings he adds the importance of not causing your brothers to stumble. Romans 14:21
we are to strive to be excellent, sincere and blameless as we wait for Christ’s return. Philippians 1:10
Peter associates stumbling with disobedience. 1 Peter 2:8

2 “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.

They will make you outcasts from the synagogue…

who do “they” represent? It’s not the outsiders, or unbelievers, it’s the fellow countrymen in the faith. The synagogue was the focal point in a community, and we find out who was doing the casting out in the story of a blind man who had his sight restored. John 9:22
as it turns out, it’s the religious leaders at the highest levels who do the most to reject believers. John 9:34
there is still hope for those in high places in faith. The question remains, will they be willing to stand up for Christ, or face rejection themselves? John 12:42
Jesus encourages his followers that they are blessed when they suffer for his name. Again, those doing the oppression our fellow believers. Luke 6:22
Paul puts it eloquently when he states:

when we are slandered, we reply as friends; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

1 Corinthians 4:13 (NASB)

but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.

Even Isaiah foretold of the competition of being holier than thou as the downfall. Also, that something that God hates. Isaiah 65:5
Jesus offers the advice to not fear those who kill the body, but to fear God who can condemn the soul. Matthew 10:28
of course, the hatred will come from more than fellow believers. It will reach to all nations who will set out to kill the believer. Matthew 24:9; Acts 5:33
the hatred towards Christian believers will run so deep that false witnesses will be resorted to. Jesus will be belittled, and claims will be made to suggest he is destructive to the faith. Acts 6:13,14
believers will be killed, as defined in the example of Stephen being martyred. Acts 7:56- 60
The persecution and killing will be widespread and accepted by religious leaders. Acts 8:1-3
there still hope to the heat of persecution, when someone as fervent as Saul can be converted. It will be a misguided zeal, one built on false righteousness, but not one that God cannot change. Acts 9:1-2; Romans 10:2 3; Galatians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:6

3 “These things they will do because they have not known the father or Me.

the oppression and persecution will be out of ignorance, because they do not know who Jesus is. He has always been emphatic, and public about the nature of his relationship to God. John 8:19; John 8:55
the persecutors do it out of hatred for Jesus’ name, even because they secretly hate God as well. John 15:21,23
the only hope to attain eternal life is in knowing who God the father is, in the relationship that Jesus has to him. John 17:3,25
only Jesus Christ has all authority, and in him alone he chooses to reveal himself to his believers. Luke 10:22
Paul continues this line of teaching by claiming that even the rulers of the world would not have crucified him, if they knew who he was. 1 Corinthians 2:8
the Enlightenment to understand who Christ is, can never come under the authority of a human being. It must be initiated from Christ himself. There is no other way to lift the veil of mystery surrounding the gospel. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

God is not unaware, and will deal out retribution. 2 Thessalonians 1:8
those who continue with the pressing, do so in a diluted state sent on them by God himself. They believe in a false truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
remember, there still hope. Even Paul changed from blaspheming the faith. 1 Timothy 1:13
Christians are given a simple command. Love one another. Love in the way that God does the way that the world does not know. 1 John 3:1
it’s not only that we love, it’s the measure in degree of how we love that identifies us as Christians. 1 John 4:8; 1 John 5:20

4 “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

“But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them…

Jesus again restates his purpose, that he wants them to remember his teaching. This has not been the first time he is told them. John 13:19; John 14:29
Isaiah declares to read what has been written in the past, and understand what the outcome of those prophecies in Scriptures apply today. Isaiah 41:22-23
in short, we don’t need a new revelation, but are to preach what has been written in Scriptures. Matthew 10:7; Matthew 24:25; Mark 13:23
Jesus’ time was running short, and he knew he wouldn’t be with the disciples much longer. Luke 21:12; 2 Peter 1:14

” These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

We find out how Jesus protected and guarded his flock while he was on earth, but his days are drawing short. John 17:12-13
he compares his presence to the joy when a groom is present, in the morning while he is away. Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19

To summarize, in the time where Jesus is not physically with us, we can be assured that we can know all things he wants us to know through Scriptures that have been written in the past. His followers are called to proclaim his word, even when it means being persecuted by our fellow believers. Not to mention being falsely represented to others, and even other nations. We can know the truth, because when we pray for the Holy Spirit to illumine us, he will do it. We can take assurance that we have eternal hope, and God will defend his own.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:03 — 32.1MB)