• These things = Comforter (read previous chapter)
• With their lives about to be involved in serious persecution and challenge, the Holy Ghost would keep them from being offended.
• Old Testament - Psalm 119:165 - Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
• But Paul sure did offend them when he preached what the Risen Christ did what He did about the law!
• The King James Bible should keep us from being offended today!
• Following Paul's pattern would prevent us being offended!
• I Timothy 1:16 - Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
• Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 4:9 -  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
• I Thessalonians 5:11,12-13 - Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
• And when the offence keeps coming and coming, then Paul tells us to avoid, have no company with, reject, from such turn away, etc. then do so - and NOT to feel guilty!
• Unless, of course, if you are the one who is wrong in that particular offensive situation!
• Grace & truth; mercy; longsuffering; patience; prayer; tears; avoid, etc.; reject and turn them over to Satan, etc.

• Hard times were coming - the Great Commission and the Tribulation 'if.'
• Do we have hard times coming?
• We don't have to be in the synagogues, etc.!
• Purpose of the local church today
• Ephesians 4:11-16
• Not Acts 2:38-47
• Remember - God is no longer in the building!
• Acts 2:24,25 - God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
• Universal / Invisible Church is not the local church!
• Ephesians 5:30-32 - For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones... ... This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
• Today - we are to do the work of an evangelist, and evangelists do not stick around to build churches buildings.
• II Timothy 4:5 - But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
• Some of Paul's people met within their own homes!
• Romans 16:5 - Likewise greet the church that is in their house
• I Corinthians 16:19 - The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
• Colossians 4:15 - Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
• Philemon 1:2 - And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
• At least it won't be God's wrath that we have to worry about.
• Romans 4:15 - Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
• Romans 5:9 - Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
• I Thessalonians 5:9 - For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
• I Thessalonians 1:10 - And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
• Could it all just be our nation reaping what it has sowed!
• Proverbs 1:23-33 - Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:   I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;  When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.   Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:   For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:  They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.  For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
• Is the Tribulation / Revelation, etc. of our concern?
• No - however... for other's sakes!
• Warn of the terror - II Corinthians 5:11 - Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
• Paul warns
• Acts 20:31 - Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
• I Corinthians 4:14 - I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
• Convince the gainsayers
• Titus 1:9 - Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
• It is all sealed, anyway!
• Daniel 12:4 - But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
• Daniel 12:9 - And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
• It is not our problem - so not to let it consume us!
• II Timothy 2:4 - No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

• Another deity reference!
• They don't want to know God!
• Romans 1:21-23 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
• Today, people don't want to know the Risen Christ, nor Paul, nor a rightly divided KJB and yet it all means knowing God!
• Suffering & persecution is coming to the disciples - Acts 1-8
• Thus we hear from Peter, James & John, not Paul when it comes to the serious persecution that Jesus was warning about!
• Great Commission was to be the beginning of their own persecution and it all would have carried right through into the Tribulation, after which Christ would have returned, just as He stated!

• We have the King James Bible now - and if rightly divided, we can also know what is coming - and we will be without excuse!
• Others will be without excuse too, but will it be our fault for not even trying to talk with them?
• Romans 10:13-15 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
• II Timothy 4:2-5 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
• II Thessalonians 2:11,12 - And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
• Tribulation information is available now!
• But it won't be forever
• Amos 8:11-13

• Today, it appears that nobody really wants to hear from Him now that He is risen!
• On the right hand of God
• Ephesians 1:20 - Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
• Colossians 3:1 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
• Just like He said He would!
• Luke 22:69 - Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
• After the Great Commission, etc. the Risen Christ went on to Paul!
• Acts 26:6 - But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
• Galatians 1:12 - For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• Romans 16:25 - Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
• Ephesians 3:2 - If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
• II Corinthians 12:1-4 - 1: It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

• The KJB rightly divided causes so much sorrow - but not because of the Book itself, IF it was rightly divided!.
• It is the truth - it is truth - real truth, plain and simple!
• People WILL not handle truth.
•  That means it is their choice!
• II Timothy 4:3-4 - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
• Acts 7:54 - When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
• Acts 17:32a - And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked...
• Acts 21:30,31a - And all the city was moved, and thepeople ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.  And as they went about to kill him...
• Trusting in riches?
• Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; I Timothy 6:17
• Beguiled
• Befuddled
• Bewitched
• Becharmed
• Hoodwinked
• Cheated
• Lied to
• Enamoured
• Flattered
• Fooled
• Entertained
• Diverted
• Distracted
• Cheated
• Taken in
• Mislead
• Deceived
• Dupped
• Bamboozled
• Taken for a ride
• Befooled

• For us today, we can have him NOW!
• Romans 8:9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
• I Corinthians 6:19 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
• And can not lose Him!
• Ephesians 1:13 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
• Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

• No wonder there is sorrow and hatred towards that Book today!
• II Timothy 3:16 -All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
• I Corinthians 13:10 -  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
• I Thessalonians 2:13 -  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
• Hebrews 4:12,13 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
• II Corinthians 11:3 - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

(Review verses 6 & 7 about the things he said about what is coming causes them sorrow...)

8.  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

• No wonder there is sorrow and hatred towards that Book today.
• I Corinthians 13:10
• I Thessalonians 2:13
• Hebrews 4:12,13
• II Corinthians 11:3

• This reminds us of the purpose of the Law!
• Galatians 3:23-25 - But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
• Romans 7:6-9 - What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
• The world today doesn't hear their need for Christ.
• Judgment - based on truth and a Holy God!
• Goodness of God based on the law, showing His goodness of what He did on the cross and the importance of it all.

• He was "that" righteousness!
• Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
• II Timothy 3:16 -All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
• Instruction in the way of the Risen Christ - through Paul's teachings to us!

• By Jesus Christ, but with Paul's gospel!
• Romans 2:16 - In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

• Will not endure sound doctrine!
• II Timothy 4:3,4
• Itching ears?
• Paul's doctrine, then the walk!
• Build the foundation before the walls, etc.
• I Corinthians 3:10
• According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
• II Timothy 4:10 - For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.
• Grace, truth, mercy, longsuffering, patience, prayer, tears, avoid, etc.; reject and send to the world!

• Today - Will it be the (1) KJB, (2) preaching or (3) our heart that will guide us into all truth?
• I Corinthians 13:10 -  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away... For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
• We can know that Book as well as we can know Paul!
• The more we 'read' Paul and get to know him, we can know the truth!
• Read his life in Acts 9-28
• Get to know not only his doctrine and deeds, we can learn what he did - his affairs of life and manner of life!
• Ephesians 6:21 - But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
• II Timothy 3:10 - But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
• or Titus 1:3 - But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
• or Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
• It all comes down to the KJB, not just preaching and not the heart!

• Pentecostals glorify the Spirit - or the Jesus of the gospels - with their flesh!
• American Christians glorify themselves and what their magic Jesus will do for them, etc. and to their flesh!
• That KJB tells us what the Gospel Jesus did on the earth AND what the Risen Christ did to us and for us - AND then what we can for him in return in our flesh.

16: A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17: Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18: They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

• They didn't understand his words - as simple as they were.

• Jesus knew already they were having problems with what He said to them.

• We forget or have not been taught this, but we must include the Great Commission as well as the Tribulation coming to them in the near future.
• Acts 1-8 shows how much those disciples were hated by the world before the Tribulation!
• Revelation 11:10 shows the rejoicing of the world when they see the persecution of Moses and Elijah - that is Tribulation!

21: A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22: And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23: And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25: These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

26: At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

27: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

28: I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29: His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30: Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31: Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

32: Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.