John 6:59-71, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Will you believe if you see Jesus ascend up to heaven?

In the last lesson, we saw that Jesus told the Jews that he was the bread; we must eat his flesh and drink his blood; and we must be in him and he must be in us. He gives the holy spirit to us. Then, his spirit unites with our spirit and thus God abides with us. If so, we will be raised on the last day, we will have eternal life, and we inherit his kingdom. Now, let us study the next portion, verse 59 to the end of the chapter. "John 6:59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" This refers to his preaching to eat his flesh and to drink his blood. It was a figure of speech, not cannibalism, and people did not understand them. So, they murmured. Previous lesson was about the common Jews, but this is about his disciples. "61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?" He asked them that if they see the manifestation of his ascension, will they believe what he says. Later, his disciple saw him ascending to heaven. "Acts 1:9 says, And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Then he told them that everything is spirit. "63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." He says that the flesh was figure of speech, but it is spirit; his words are also not just statements, but they are spirit, supernatural, invisible, as clouds surrounding them and doing what he says, and it will give them eternal life. "64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him." In the last lesson we saw that those who do not have the spirit in them will not understand. So, the Jews did not believe what he was saying. How about the disciples? Even among the group of disciples also, there were fakes. Let us see another scripture.

Rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

"Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come..." As he sends them, he gave them gifts and power to do the ministry, and they were sent in his place. "9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." Lord Jesus Christ picked up seventy disciples and sent them to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God with power. If anyone despises such a disciple, it will be as he despises Jesus Christ as well as God the Father. They will have no hope of eternal life if they despise them. "17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name..." They all returned after successful ministry. However, notice how Jesus Christ responds. "20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Please notice the two things. One is success in the ministry. The second is that their name entered in heaven. Jesus tell them to rejoice for their eternal life. "21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." Jesus also rejoiced with the Father, since the wise and prudent were made blind, and his humble disciples came to know the truth, and had good ministry. Let us look at the other side also.

God gives spiritual gifts to the rebellious also for ministry

Many preachers boast and advertise about their gifts. They think that God is in their pocket, and heaven is guaranteed. "Psalm 68:18 says, thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, ..." See, God has given spiritual gifts even to the rebellious sinners. "Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." They call Jesus as Lord, and manifested the gifts of the Holy Ghost. But God sends them to hell. So, even if we manifest the gifts of God, that is not in our favor. But, if we abide in God with the spirit of God, we will inherit his kingdom. So, please notice this important factor. Our eternal life is according to what we do with the holy spirit in our life, but not according to the manifestation of our ministry gifts. It is sad that so many Christian celebrity miracle workers will face torment in the lake of fire.

Whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.

So, there are distinctly two different phenomena. One is the holy spirit which is given to us, then we will be born of the spirit, the holy spirit will lead our life in godliness, and it is required for eternal life. The other is the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is given to us to do the ministry of Jesus Christ, which also gives us the gifts of the spirit. The baptism and the gifts are given even to rebellious people, if they are enthusiastic, and it is not required for eternal life. Both are from God. "65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." In the last lesson we saw that if someone does not have the holy spirit, God cannot teach him and so God will not send him to Jesus. But, if they come to Jesus by themselves with some other motives, they will go back when the test comes. "66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" Jesus asked other disciples, whether they want to go away also. Notice the reply! "68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." There focus was on eternal life, that is proof that they were guided by the holy spirit, and that is why they did not go back. The baptism with gifts is great, if we have the holy spirit in us. If not, the gifts will not profit our soul. "69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." At that time, it was a mystery whether is he the Christ and is he the begotten Son of God. But Simon Peter knew it by revelation, and it was a proof that they were taught by the holy spirit. "70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve." This is an extreme case that he chose a devil. So also, God gives gifts of the Holy Ghost to rebellious sinners also. Such an extreme case is that God allows the devil, to sit in the places of worship, which are our churches, showing himself that he is God or as Jesus Christ, and is worshipped. "2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." So, Judas Iscariot was included among the disciples; God gives ministry gifts to the rebellious that are sinners; and God allows Satan in the churches to show himself as Jesus Christ and God keeps it as a secret. The deception of Satan has started as the scripture is being written; since it says in verse 7 that the mystery of iniquity doth already work, and it will be revealed only at the end time. However, with all deceptions and the activities of the devil, God is very successfully doing his ministry through holy spirit.

Jesus Christ says that God the Father is above all.

God the Father is all in all and he is behind everything. Every move of Jesus Christ was by the will of God the Father. Let us see a few verses from this chapter. "27 ... which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 32 ... but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;  38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, ... 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: 45 ... they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: 65 Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." So, it is the Father who is doing all things and Jesus Christ acknowledges this all the time. Let us ask ourselves, do we ever seek God the Father, or give glory to the Father? No. We may ceremonially, for name sake, mention the word Father, and that is it. If Christians change our religiosity to spirituality, we will do a lot of things with God the father, with the true Lord Jesus Christ, who is in omnipotent Spirit, and with the Holy Ghost. We will follow the guidance of the holy spirit in life. Then, our spirit will unite with the Spirit of God. So, we will abide with God, as we live in this world. This abiding will continue and will take us to everlasting life. We will become sons or bride of Christ, in new heaven. It will be the greatest reward. This is the spiritual truth. So, please stop being religious and become spiritual. The manifestation of the spirit is that we do the Will of God. Shall we do God's Will?