These Children of John's Gospel Knew About All Things

 1 John 2:18-21, 24-27; 1 Corinthians 8:2 

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would have CONTINUED WITH US, but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us."  (Us: John, Paul, Peter etc...)

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One (Jesus Christ) and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth." These had an understanding from/of the Holy One which empowered them to continue with what John, Paul, Peter...etc. were teaching and doing.

"Therefore, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

Paul admonished the Corinthian church: "if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know."  Paul could be saying that unless one knows "all things", the things that they think they know will be as good as nothing; that what we think we know could cause us to be puffed up (the leaven of the Pharisee) making no room for the anointing of the Holy One; that knowing "all things" from the Holy One, who is love, will edify (build up) us and others for eternal life. 

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not, with Him, freely give us ALL THINGS?" (Romans 8:32)

Our Master, who sits at the right hand of God, will reveal this to you by the Holy Spirit, making what is written alive and eternal!

Irreconcilable

 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 10-12; Corinthians 5:12-21, 6:1

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come (times of stress); for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving (irreconcilable), slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a FORM OF GODLINESS but denying its power

(denying the power of godliness). And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, SO DO THESE ALSO RESIST THE TRUTH, men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs (Jannes/Jambres) also was."

irreconcilable - incapable (unwilling) of being brought into harmony or adjustment; implacably opposed (Webster's)

"For we do not commend ourselves again to you but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God, or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, AND HAS GIVEN US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, AND HAS COMMITTED TO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you (the Corinthian church) on Christ's behalf, BE RECONCILED TO GOD!  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain......."

"But you (Timothy) have carefully followed my (Paul's) doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra - what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.....

reconcile - to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent; to restore to communion in a (the) church (Webster's)

Paul taught the Corinthian church that they must allow themselves to be brought into agreement; they must allow themselves to be made compatible and consistent on Christ's behalf so they may be ambassadors for Him as Paul had become; to be brought into communion with Jesus Christ. We are charged the same way!

"This is The True Grace of God"

1 Peter 5:1-12

"The elders who are among you I exhort. I who am a fellow elder and A WITNESS OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND ALSO A PARTAKER OF THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED; Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords those entrusted to you, but BEING EXAMPLES to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourself to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed by humility for....'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'."

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the GOD OF ALL GRACE, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN and SETTLE you." 

"By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that THIS IS THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IN WHICH YOU STAND. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Greet one another with a holy kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

God cares for you the way a devoted gardener cares for their growings: He removes the deadness of your works so that the works of faith in Jesus Christ, with pruning, may develop, testifying of Him! I am convinced that the "elder(s)" in this passage understand this true grace of God and are willing to persevere with Him in it. Their example assists the younger ones to persevere in the "TRUE GRACE OF GOD". 

The Gospel According to Mark, Chapter 11:20-26

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away'. So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God, for assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea", and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things that he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

We should remember that Jesus said, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me."(John 5:30) We should remember that whatever Jesus said came to pass!

Now, an amplification of what Jesus said to Peter and those who were (are) inclining themselves to follow Him for discipleship:

"You will need to hold fast to this revelation from God. For assuredly Jesus Christ says (to all those who are inclining themselves to follow Him for discipleship) whoever says to the this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea', and does not doubt in his heart, but believes, recognizing and receiving the grace of God which makes him strong to stand in this matter so the removal of this mountain will be complete, he will have whatever he says because he will clearly understand and act upon only those things that the Father, in the name of the Son, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit are inspiring him to say and do. Therefore, Jesus Christ says to you, no matter what you think to ask for when you are praying, pray this that you have received from Me and you will have it."

It seems clear to me that Jesus' is teaching here the process by which "this mountain" will be removed so that His Way can be made straight.  "This mountain" impedes us from receiving Him as He comes (Mark 11:18), from submitting to and persevering with Him! (John 6:53-67) 

Life in God's Son Delivers Us From Idolatry

1 John 5:11-13, 18-21

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life(or, the life); he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (or, the life). These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

"We know that whoever is born (made again, being made) of God does not sin; but he who has been born (made again, being made) of God keeps himself (or, this guards him), and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding (so) that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourself (guarded in His making) from idols. Amen."

Idolatry could be defined as the action given to a desire for something, even apparently a good thing or a "God thing" in the perception of the idolater, that supercedes the true and eternal life in Jesus Christ toward God. We recognize this when Jesus' gospel and the New Testament teachings are discussed; and our response to those.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding (knowing what is the hope of His calling) (so) that we may know Him who is true..."  What understanding? There has to be a transfer of what man thinks about, which often sways him to destinations apart from God, to that which guards him and keeps him, untouched by the wicked one.  

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also (continuing to believe) count(ing) all things loss (here is the transfer) for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things (things that lead to unfruitful destinations) and COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him....(Paul speaking in Philippians 3:7-9)

Where I Am Going You Cannot Follow Me...Now

John 13:36-38

"Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are You going?' (Jesus had informed them that He was about to be glorified, and the Father glorified in Him; v.31) Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you CANNOT follow Me NOW, but you shall follow Me AFTERWARD.'  Peter said to Him, 'Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.' Jesus answered Him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have DENIED Me three times.' "

We know that Jesus was about to be glorified through the cross. We know that Jesus "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). He was made ready to go to the cross for the sake of mankind. Just as 'His wife has made (is making) herself ready' (Revelation 19:7,8), so was Peter 'being made ready' (as well as the majority of the original twelve disciples). Peter needed to hear that his own soul would keep him from following Jesus to the cross "to lay his (Peter's) life down for Jesus' sake". Later, Peter, in repentance, was forgiven and told: 'if you love Me, feed/tend My lambs/sheep', and Peter was well able, his own apparent strength brought low, to persevere. He was made ready to follow Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father!

Now Jesus Loved Martha and Her Sister and Lazarus

(John 11:1-7)

"Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it'. 

"NOW JESUS LOVED MARTHA AND HER SISTER AND LAZARUS. So (because He loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus), when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."

Why did Jesus not immediately make His was back to Bethany to heal Lazarus whom He ultimately raised from the dead? He wanted those He loved to understand that He had whatever He said because He was one with the Father! Interestingly, the centurion approached Jesus to heal his servant and said "only say the word, and my servant shall be healed". Jesus informed the centurion that He had not seen such faith, not even in Israel. In this portion of scripture, we see Jesus teaching those He loved, in a time of high concern and emotion, this very principle: whatever I (Jesus) say comes to pass! Those He loved knew He was able to perform miraculous signs and would have appreciated immediate action! What Jesus told them came to fruition - they needed to know that more than any perception they might have!

"Whom the Lord LOVES He chastens (disciplines), and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:6) 

"As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten (bring discipline). Therefore, be zealous and repent." Be eager and enthusiatic in your turning to Him as you are corrected/directed. They were/we are disciplined in trusting His living words to us even as He bears long with us!