The First Epistle of John - Selected Studies

[nChrist]

First Epistle of
-- John --
selected studies
(originally written in 1998 )

Hate from the world: abiding in death - (1Jn3:13-15)

"Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death."(vs13-14)

The word "marvel" invokes a sense of "surprise, astonishment or wonder" and a person so engaged may feel "amazement or bewilderment."

Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (1Pt4:12) However, while we might expect persecution from the primative "heathen" world, we would not expect it from the "church" would we. After all, lip service is paid to the "Bible" and the claim is to the "name of Jesus Christ." If persecution came from a "brother" it would cause surprise and dismay wouldn't it.

Well, that is PRECISELY what we are to expect. There are forces in the world uniting into a religion claiming the "name of Christ." But they are not of Him. Jesus does not know them.(Mt7:23) They claim to be "seeking Christ." But a True Believer is not "seek[ING]" because he ALREADY HAS Christ in him. (Col1:27) They claim to be seeking to unite their "brothers" in love; essentially admitting they don't presently have it. According to John, they "abide in death."(vs14) They are not True Christians.

So, John says, "do not marvel." Don't be surprised. When it happens, it is precisely what to expect. They will claim to be seeking that ever-elusive "love" ...all the while gnashing their teeth at the True Believers who already possess it. While claiming to seek love, they will be hating, and "revil[ing] and persecut[ing] you, and say[ing] all kinds of evil against you falsely for [Christ's] sake."(Mt5:11) So, rather than marvel at it, Jesus says, "rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."(vs12)

The True Believer has passed from "death to life."(vs14) The one who doesn't have this love "abides in death." He is a "murderer." He does not have "eternal life abiding in him."(vs15)

"..knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep;
for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Let us
walk decently, as in the day...putting on the Lord Jesus Christ..
...redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Romans 13:11-14~ Ephesians 5:16

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From A Voice In The Wilderness

[Barbara]

This is so true, Brother Tom!!

And yet it is heart breaking. So many people have blind eyes these days. But I love the encouraging words of our LORD from vs. 12.

I always need to remember to "Rejoice and be glad"!!!!!!

Thank you so much for that reminder!

[nChrist]

This is so true, Brother Tom!!

And yet it is heart breaking. So many people have blind eyes these days. But I love the encouraging words of our LORD from vs. 12.

I always need to remember to "Rejoice and be glad"!!!!!!

Thank you so much for that reminder!

You're most welcome Sister Barbara. I get Voice In The Wilderness by email, and this article struck me as particularly appropriate and TRUE for this day and time. I honestly believe that we are watching the stage being set for the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy. Evil is ripening as we speak, and so must God's Wrath. I must add that God's Wrath is Just after lengthy patience from the KING OF KINGS.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Barbara]

Amen, Brother Tom!

You're reminding me of Genesis 15:16 when you say "evil is ripening".

"...for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full."

I know God is slow to anger, but there comes a time when there's no turning back and He pours out His righteous wrath in order to get His people to turn back to Him. These are terrible, shameful days we're living in. This country, for the most part, has turned away from God and immersed themselves in 'posessions'. Even thinking they don't need God, because they're comfortable and love their sin. I also, believe it's time and we're seeing the beginning of His lifting His hand of protection from a country whose leaders lead the march to out and out evil.

"...the world's greatest civilizations...have progressed through this sequence: from bondage to Spiritual faith; from Spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back again to bondage."   (Alexander Tytler)

I think the US is moving away from God and into darkness. It's like the woman riding the Beast in Babylon and her cup is filled with her sins!!!

[nChrist]

Hello Sister Barbara,

I'm sad to see all that is happening, and I honestly didn't think I would see these things in my lifetime. Yes, our country is turning away from God, but I know in my heart that many sweet Christians still live here. I know that our numbers aren't as great as they were just decades ago. I also don't think that we'll be here that much longer. What has been written in God's Word will most certainly be fulfilled.

Isaiah 2:1-5  The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.  2  And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  3  And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.  4  And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  5  O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.


Isaiah 9:2-7  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  3  Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.  4  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.  5  For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire.  6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.