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“However, whenever that [Helper] arrives – the Truthful Pneuma – he will guide you [apostles] into all the Truth,1 for he will not speak from himself,2 but everything he hears he will speak. Also, he will proclaim to you [apostles] future things.”3
| 1 | He will guide you [apostles] into all the Truth: Or, everything that is true, the whole truth. Jesus does not speak to all future Christians, but only to his apostles. The Helper will guide these and a handful of other pre-selected men who will be inspired to write the Christian Bible. Paul will yet be one of these major instruments. See notes on John 16:7. All truth will be revealed with the close of the Christian canon and John’s final writings. Truths will not thereafter be progressively revealed as though there will be “new light.” |
| 2 | For he will not speak from himself: Or, his own accord, his own initiative, his own authority, his own originality. Like Christ, the personification of the holy Pneuma originates nothing from itself. |
| 3 | Proclaim to you [apostles] future things: Or, things to come. The greatest example of this is the Book of Revelation, recorded by the apostle John. Those who claim to rely on the spirit Helper for their understanding will comprehend Biblical prophecies. [1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 1:1] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose John 16:13 as the theme verse of chapter sixteen – The Future. Jesus continues in his Last Passover speech by predicting the persecution to befall the apostles. [1-4] They will be “unchurched” and killed. The foretold Helper will give witness regarding four main subjects: sin, righteousness, judgment and the future. [5-11] The spirit-helper will guide the apostles in all the truth. [12-16]
Though the apostles will be temporarily saddened it will turn into joy. [17-24] Jesus states that he has spoken here in metaphors but will in time speak in plain language. [25-28] The Master predicts that all of his apostles will scatter, alluding to Zechariah 13:7. [29-33] He encourages his apostles to “remain courageous.”
Abba our Father bless those who have received Christ’s peace.
[14 December 2002]
He is about to go away and his own personal teachings will be ended, but those things that he desires them to know will be taught them still. The Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth.
