JOHN 16:5–16
“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you”
(John 16:7).
Our study of the events prior to a.d. 70 and the second coming of our Lord leads us to an excursion into eschatology, the study of the last things. As we enter this study, the first thing we need to understand is that we are already living in “eschatological” times. This is because the kingdom has come, even though it has not yet come in all its fullness.
One night while I was studying in the Netherlands, I wrestled with John 16:7. I thought to myself, “I don’t really believe what Jesus is saying here, and I don’t think the church believes it. How can it be better for Jesus to be gone away from us?”
Why is it better, for now, that Jesus is gone? Surely it is because Jesus has ascended into heaven and has been invested with kingship over the universe. Had He remained, He would not have been King; He needed to ascend to the Father and sit at His right hand. Moreover, before the ascension the Holy Spirit had not been poured out in power. Now, because Jesus has been enthroned, the Holy Spirit has been publically given to His people and church.
Our current situation is better now than when John the Baptist was preaching the nearness of the kingdom. We have more to sustain us as we face our enemies than did anyone under the old covenant. We live on this side of the triumph of Christ over death, His investiture as King, and His empowering of His church with the Holy Spirit.
But there is also a “not yet.” There is another chapter to come, and frankly in one sense I’m glad that Jesus has delayed His coming, because if He hadn’t, some of us would not have been saved. Part of me yearns for His return, but another part of me rejoices in His delay, in that it displays the patience and mercy of God.
CORAM DEO
Jeremiah 51–52
Hebrews 5
WEEKEND
Lamentations 1–5
Hebrews 6–7
R. C. gives two arguments in this lesson that may be new to you. First, he gives a reason why it was better for Jesus to go away. Second, he reasons why it is better for Jesus to stay away until in His timing He is ready to return. In light of R. C.’s comments, study 2 Peter 3:1–10, an often misunderstood passage.
For further study: Acts 2:1–47; The Last Days series
WEEKEND