Jesus has spoken to His disciples at length on the necessity and results of their abiding love in the Father and for one another. He is creating and calling out a new Family and Brotherhood institution of heavenly origin and destination, to which the old will become its antagonist. Satan, the prince of the old household, will not sit idly by and watch his domain be challenged. Truth has risen up against hypocrisy, Holiness against sin, and the war will be waged by principalities and powers in higher places than mortal man's eye may see. It will not be a war of flesh against flesh, blood against blood (though humans will fall its victim when evil prevails), but Spirit against spirit. Therefore, the disciple must be equipped with the Spirit for this warfare of the spirit. Carnal man is unqualified and inexperienced for this conflict! Like Pharaoh and the Amalekites who resisted and pursued that first chosen group in Israel's exodus, Satan will unleash his armies of hell against these new chosen ones. As then, God's Strength must be relied upon now in this new attempt to defeat an emerging New Kingdom. ( Ex.14:5, Deu.25:17)

The world's love for these will remain only if they remain as them, but ceases when they become different, and will then turn against them -- brother against brother, father against son, mother against daughter. Satan's house will become divided. Christ will separate unto Himself all those who will escape evil's clutches, fleeing to Him for security -- eternal life. (Study the story of Rahab here, Jos.2; 6:17-25;Heb.11:31.)

Jesus has become the Lighting Rod around which all evil forces will strike. To align with the Rod is to place one's self at the center of Satan's focus. As Jesus was hated, so too will be His disciples. If He was not spared, His lessors will not escape the world's wrath either; it is a guarantee. However, He says: "Be not afraid, for I have overcome the world." John says one that is in Him has already overcome (past tense). It's a done deal! The victory was won at the cross, now waiting to be claimed. Satan cannot stand against Christ who lives in us; so when he comes calling, retreat in Christ and let Him set him to flight.

John has previously declared that this dark world did not overcome the Light ("COMPREHEND" = katelaben, meaning to receive fully, or to be completely overtaken), dark as the world was and try as it did. Jesus even said that evil-doers who dwell in the darkness hate the Light, which in the Greek is more than an emotion, but also an attack against it. (See above notes on Ch.3.) He also assured them that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (this new family). It is no wonder then that Jesus says to let this light so shine that men may see your good works; as with His death on the cross, it may appear to be extinguished, but all the while working beyond the eye to again explode in brilliance, displaying the fruit of its secret work.

Therefore, Paul admonishes the disciples who have taken up the battle to no longer entangle themselves with the affairs of this life. John later warns that those who love this world do not have the love of the Father in them. James says that any friend of this world is the enemy of God. ( Js.4:4)

So, the choice is clear: A chosen friend of Christ and hated by this world, or loved of this world and an enemy of God. There are no gray areas, my friend. Jesus said Himself, one cannot serve two masters.

See Paul's writing to the Philippians on the enemies of the cross of Christ who mind earthly things.

The world has not only denied Jesus, but worse still, has denied His works. Denial of Him (His words) and denial of His works clearly puts one at enmity with God, for He is simply executing His will and works on Earth. This is His Son doing His works. Indeed, more than the question: what will one do with Jesus? is the question that comes to one after rejecting Him: what then will you do with His works? People may question Jesus, but His works are irrefutable witnesses to the power and witness of the Father done by and seen in His Son. To deny Him is one thing, however, to deny His works is to deny the Father and His power they were performed in. If Jesus' power and authority is not recognized, and God is not seen as the source of power for these works, then who must they attribute them? Attributing His works to the power of Satan, therefore, places one in the realm of The Unpardonable Sin. This is their only alternate explanation. To deny His Power is to dishonor Him, subsequently to dishonor the Son is to dishonor the Father. Finally, one must know: since Jesus did come from the Father, to deny Him will cause one to be denied by Jesus to the Father.

This denial, the Holy Spirit will refute when He comes, giving clear testimony to the authenticity of Christ and bringing judgment upon the already self-condemned non-believers. Because of Christ's life and works performed in the power of the Spirit, all will stand naked, their sin -- self-righteousness (and superior attitude) -- exposed without excuse by the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit's coming is the fulfilling and conclusive evidence of Jesus' genuineness in His life, works, and words, thus confirming everything He taught and did while on Earth. He must have been the One! He undoubtedly ascended again to the Father, as He stated, or else the Father would not have sent the validation of His Spirit, thus exposing Jesus to be the Pretender they claimed Him to be. But the Spirit did come, exactly as He promised, in both time and manner, performing to this day the identical ministry prophesied. Therefore, with His final closing argument complete, He sat down upon His Throne, seated at last by the Father's right side, sending the Comforter here, while interceding as promised for us there. So, deliberation began and continues to this day: Is He the One? I believe so.

His disciples are His living witnesses. Call them to the stand in your questioning mind. Begin with the Shepherds, then the wise men, next the two Jewish witnesses (Simeon & Anna), John the Baptist, the many recipients of His miracles, witnesses to the fulfillment to His prophecies, and finally to His chosen disciples. Let them speak one by one. Hear their convincing testimony in word and finally with their own healed bodies, changed lives, and commitment to death. Who among us would give their own life for a charlatan? Not I, nor I dare say you, nor anyone of sound mind! Yet the pages of history are dripping with the blood of those over whom Satan could no longer hold sway, men and women from all walks in life, from every manner of background, culture, social standing, economic condition, vocation, profession, intellectual aptitude, age, and physical health.

No, the evidence of the roll of believers, like those before He came, is too overwhelming to be ignored, discounted, or dismissed out of hand. As long as Christ lives, His Church will remain Triumphant, regardless whether all believe. There has not been, nor will there be, anyone who has been like Christ, no matter how many false ones offered by "enlightened" men. As with Dagon, when all others are stripped and fallen away, there will remain only One, still standing strong and shining as bright as the beginning; He is the Morning Star.

Therefore, rejoice, O Chosen One, not because you have the power within you to do battle against Satan without, but because you are no longer a citizen of this world, but the one to come!