Angelic Conflict part 314: Current work of Christ – Joh; 1Th 5:1-8; Heb 10:10-14; Rom 3:24; 1Pe 2:21; Eph 3:10.

Title: Angelic Conflict part 314: Current work of Christ - Joh; 1TH 5:1-8; HEB 10:10-14; ROM 3:24; 1PE 2:21; EPH 3:10.

 

 

In a radical distinction from the synoptic gospels, John records no exorcisms by the Lord. The only case of demonization he speaks of is that of Judas being possessed by satan and even that is of a different character than the demon possessions we see in the other gospels. John's was the last gospel to be written so it may be that John didn't seek to repeat what was already known by the Christian community at large and wanted to, under the guidance of G/HS, relate certain themes that were not yet fully expressed about the incarnation.

 

John introduces the theme of light for God's kingdom and darkness for satan's cosmic kingdom right at the start.

 

JOH 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

 

JOH 9:5 "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

 

JOH 11:7 Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 

 

JOH 11:8 The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"

 

JOH 11:9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

 

JOH 11:10 "But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

 

The same exhortation is given in the first epistle to the Thessalonians.

 

1TH 5:1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

 

1TH 5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

 

1TH 5:3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

 

1TH 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief;

 

1TH 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

 

1TH 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

 

1TH 5:7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.

 

1TH 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

 

JOH 12:35 Jesus therefore said to them, "For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

 

JOH 12:36 "While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light."

 

EPH 5:7-10

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [dokimazo: putting to the test and then approving] what is pleasing to the Lord.

 

JOH 12:46 "I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.

 

John also refers to satan as the ruler [archon] of the world, but does so where Christ's victory over him is in view.

 

Satan did not create anything, but to John he was certainly the evil controller of the world system.

 

JOH 12:31 "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out.

 

JOH 16:11  and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

 

JOH 14:30 "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;

 

The only one in the world whom the devil did not have a hold of is Jesus Himself, for He alone had not sinned and had always done the will of His Father. Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ was able to bind him and set the captives free.

 

The devil did not have a hold on Christ, but the rest of the world is under his power.

 

1JO 5:19

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

 

Because we are all born into this world under the reign of sin we are all a part of that kingdom of this world.

 

However, every person becomes a part of a kingdom that is not of this world when we believe in Him.

 

JOH 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

 

John refers to Jesus as "from above" in contrast to unbelievers who are "from below."

 

A third distinctive feature of Jesus' warfare teaching in John is that our Lord in divinity is described as coming from above and that they who believe in Him are born from above.

 

By contrast, those who choose not to put their trust in Him are said to be from below and that they do not belong to the Father but to the world.

 

JOH 3:31 "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

 

JOH 6:33 "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."

 

JOH 8:23 And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

 

Darkness, light; ruler of this world, defeated by King; from below, from above; death, life; sin, grace; slavery, freedom.

 

So far we have developed this study from a courtroom outline of an appeals trial, the essence of God, the essence of angels, the essence of man, the history of Israel from the Exodus to the Incarnation and finally the incarnation itself in view of Christ's bringing the kingdom of heaven to the earth with miracles that displayed absolute power over all of God’s opposition as well as His teaching that emphasizes a warfare worldview.

 

Next we will briefly look at His death and resurrection. I can say briefly because we will return to the gospel of John and study it in detail.

 

As we finish this doctrine we will focus on the current and future work of our Lord who in resurrection body sits at the right hand of God.

 

The New Testament speaks about the significance of the cross in a variety of ways.

 

The cross was the atoning sacrifice for our sins, HEB 10:10-14.

 

HEB 10:10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

HEB 10:11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;

 

HEB 10:12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,

 

HEB 10:13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.

 

HEB 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

 

The cross satisfied God's justice, ROM 3:24.

 

ROM 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

 

ROM 3:22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

 

ROM 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

ROM 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

 

ROM 3:25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

 

ROM 3:26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

 

The cross provided an example for believers, PHI 2:5-11; 1PE 2:21.

 

PHI 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

 

PHI 2:6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

 

PHI 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

 

PHI 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

PHI 2:9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

 

PHI 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth,

 

PHI 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.