Jesus
Foretells His Death
By
The Twelve Apostles
Judas Iscariot
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the
twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon
Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was to betray him. John 6:70,71
Apostle Matthew: Son of man, it was true that we were twelve.
But what happened?
The Head: One person was a son of perdition.
Apostle Matthew: It was here that Jesus spoke about His death.
But it was not when He was inside the synagogue.
He Foreknew About His Death
Again He said to them, “I go away, and you will
seek me and die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” Then said the Jews, “Will He kill himself,
since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below, I am
from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins,
for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am the Lord and Saviour.”
They said to him, “Who are you?”
Jesus said to them, “Even what I have told you
from the beginning. I have much to say
about you and much to judge; but He who sent me is true, and I declare to the
world what I have heard from Him.” They
did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the
Son of man, then you will know that I am He, and that I speak as God the
Father. The Most High God has triple mode of existence and manifestation, as
God the Almighty Father; as God the Almighty Love who is appearing in the midst
of humanity as myself, Jesus Christ; and as God the Almighty Presence, the Holy
Spirit.” As He spoke thus, many believed
in him. John 8:21-30
Explanations
Jesus spoke
about His death, so that humanity should know that His arrest, judgment,
crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension are God’s plan for the salvation
of humanity. His death was not by chance and not by misfortune.
Not At The Beginning
Of His Ministry
Apostle Matthew: It is true, son of man, that people were
seeking for Jesus, to kill Him. But that was not at the beginning of His
ministry.
The Head: Yes.
Apostle Matthew: Son of man, God the Father ordered all things
in sequence, with set time for everything.
The Head: Yes.
Apostle Matthew: Son of man, it was not when Jesus just started His
works that people started to oppose Him.
Apostle Matthew: Son of man … Jesus Himself knew all of them… Themselves did not know that they shall be among those to
kill Jesus. But Jesus knew all of them, one by one.
Apostle Matthew: Why did they see Jesus, whom they wanted to
kill, and did not kill Him?
The Head: It was not yet time. But, it was not when He
started work that people began to oppose Him, and it was not when He started
work that people wanted to kill Him. It was at the end of His works.
Apostle Matthew: But, He knew them.
The Head: He knew them all – He knew all the things about
His death.
Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross
"Therefore My Father loves
Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it
again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My
Father." John 10:17-18
"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father,
save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came
to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying,
"I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."
Therefore the people who stood by and heard
it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to
Him." John 12:27-29
Jesus answered and
said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but
for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world
will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all
peoples to Myself." This He said, signifying by
what death He would die.
The people answered Him,
“We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son
of Man?"
Then Jesus said to
them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have
the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know
where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may
become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was
hidden from them.
Apostle Philip: Son
of man, a mighty wind was blowing, rushing, in our midst. As the mighty wind
was blowing, rushing and reverberating, ourselves were
hearing sounds, noisy sounds, in the wind, and we were hearing various voices.
But what the voices were saying, ourselves could not understand. We stood
there, saw the mighty wind, before it eventually subsided.
Apostle Philip: Which
spirit spoke this word, "I have both glorified it and will
glorify it again."?
The Head: It should
be God the Father, God the FirstSon or God the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Philip: Son
of man, it was the Holy Spirit that spoke.
Son of man, the Holy Spirit uses thunder and lightning to do
work. All the people who had not yet grown in spirit heard voice. Some people
did not understand. Some heard the thunder and lightning only, while some
others heard the sound of the mighty rushing wind. Later, the wind subsided.
Everybody looked around, looked at each other and kept silent, but we knew that
something great and special happened at that time.
Apostle Philip: It
was Jesus Christ speaking, showing that the time has come when the kingdom of
darkness, forces of darkness and powers of darkness shall be made powerless, or
keep themselves away from the children of God. Son of man,
that was when their powers, the powers of darkness, were taken away from
them in spirit, taken from the forces of darkness. The event was to show that
the powers had already being taken away in spirit, but the manifestation was
taking place at that time.
Do you children of God not know that Jesus Christ was
speaking about what was going to happen?
Son of man, before Jesus Christ says something, that thing
has already happened in spirit. What remains is the manifestation.
The Head: In
other words, the things happening now – natural disasters, man-made calamities
and strange incidents – are just like scratches on the bodies of humanity, and they
are crying and weeping. The real natural disasters, man-made calamities and
strange incidents, and their intensities and severities – have being taken away
from humanity.
Apostle Philip: Son
of man, humanity shall be scratched on their bodies, butt mercy shall be
granted to the children of God.
Who Has Believed Our Report?
But although He had
done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of
Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
"Lord, who has
believed our report?
And to whom has the
arm of the Lord been revealed?"
Therefore they could
not believe, because Isaiah said again:
"He has blinded
their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see
with their eyes,
Lest they should
understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal
them."
These things Isaiah said
when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
Apostle Philip: Some
of the multitude uttered rebukes and murmured. Some kept this word aside. Some
people did not even understand what was said, while some did not believe it. Other
people said that Jesus Christ liked to say words that make the heart fret and
tremble. Some said such is the character of Jesus Christ, by which character He
was known. They commented that Jesus Christ said words that went out of line – words
that are irrelevant. “Sometimes, He would just say one thing.” People said the
word was for the Apostles and steadfast ones, and those people who care to
listen to Him.
According To God’s Will And
Plan
1.
Jesus
came to the world for the salvation of humanity through His crucifixion and
death.
2.
The time
to go to Calvary was fast drawing near, and both body and spirit were tensed
up, expectant of hours of sufferings.
3.
A coward
would hide or run away from the untold sufferings, but Jesus was determined to
go to Calvary, to complete His work of salvation in obedience to the God the
Father. Himself went to Jerusalem, for His crucifixion
and death, whereas a coward would have fled away.
4.
This
bible portion shows that His death by crucifixion was a work destined by God.
5.
The
crucifixion was not by chance, accident, coincidence or mistake.
6.
God
glorified His name when Jesus was equal with God in the Holy Trinity, before
Jesus came to the world.
7.
And here
and then, God gave assurance that Jesus shall be restored to His glorious
position in the Holy Trinity after the crucifixion.
8.
The
crucifixion and death were humiliating experiences.
9.
And God
fulfilled His promise, because all power and authority were given to Jesus,
after His resurrection, before ascension.
Walk In The Light
Nevertheless even
among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did
not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved
the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Then Jesus cried out
and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in
Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him
who sent Me – myself is the Lord Almighty.
“I have come as a
light into the world, that whoever believes in Me
should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My
words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the
world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and
does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have
spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own
authority; but the Father who (sent me) has come in my personality gave Me a
command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command
is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."
The Light Is With You
For A While
Apostle Philip: A
statement was removed from here, before this expression. This is because Jesus
Christ was asked a question.
Was Jesus Christ hiding Himself?
Jesus Christ told them that He was not hiding Himself, that He was speaking about His death. Before this
statement, “I have come as a light into
the world,” was said. But the statement was removed. Son of man, it was
when Jesus Christ said it that there was more confusion, and ignorance abounded.
The crowd asked, who is this man?
And Jesus Christ answered. He did not change His word. He came
perfect, in spirit and from the Father, and as God. What God has said is
automatically irreversible.
Son of man, it was of no use Jesus Christ hiding Himself,
because all things shall still become manifest.
Is it true or false?
The Head: It is
true.
Apostle Philip: Son
of man, when Jesus Christ was asked, He said it was Himself. That was before He
spoke about the light.
Jesus Christ, Himself is the light,
in addition to the Holy Spirit inside Him. Jesus Christ told them that people
should not be looking at the flesh. The flesh is not the son of God. It is the
Holy Spirit inside the body that is the son of God. It was this statement and
explanation that were removed.
Which light was that?
The Head: It was
Jesus Christ.
Walking In The Light
Apostle Philip: Why
did Jesus Christ tell them, walk now that you are in light?
The Head: Let
them listen and do what He was saying, while He is still with them, for the
journey to be easy for them, and for them to get salvation very fast. As many
as shall miss this opportunity at that time, shall reincarnate again here on
earth, even so several times, before they can meet up. Some may even miss the
opportunity of entering heaven, even so forever.
Four Categories And Their Blessings
Son of man, humanity were divided into three groups. One
group is the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the FirstSon and God the Holy
Spirit.
What did Jesus Christ said?
Some people saw Jesus Christ and also saw signs and wonders.
But they did not believe. Some people loved Jesus Christ and saw the various
works which He was doing. It was such people that the blessings of God are for.
Son of man, what of those who saw Jesus Christ, saw His
works and were following?
The Head: Their blessings
shall be double or more.
Apostle Philip: Son
of man, do you know the greatest blessing?
It is for all those people who have not seen Jesus Christ or
His works and still believe and follow. They did not see Jesus Christ. They
have not seen the various signs and wonders. Yet, they believe in the FirstSon
of God, Jesus Christ. Their blessings are the greatest.
It is hard now, it is hard nowadays, and it is hard in these
present and modern generations, to see any person with such believing heart.
Have you ever seen such?
The Head: None. It
is very hard to see.
Apostle Philip: Son
of man, you congregation read about Jesus Christ and the multitudes. And you
read that ourselves, the Twelve Apostles, were staying in their midst.
The Head: Yes.
Apostle Philip: That
means Jesus Christ, the Twelve Apostles and the crowd.
Son of man, do you people think it was only these three sets
of people that were present?
The fourth set of beings, the Angels, Hosts of Angels, were
coming down from heaven, as well as the Hosts of the Saints. Son of man, truly,
truly and truly, myself tells you the truth. There were many things that the Saints
of heaven learnt from Jesus Christ, when He was teaching and working here in
the world.
Son of man, Jesus Christ was revealing all the hidden things
and explaining mysteries. It was only Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that can
explain the thoughts of God the Father. They can explain, and also explain the
direction of God’s move.
Promotions
Apostle Philip: But
son of man, as Jesus Christ was in the world, promotions were taking place,
steadily, from time to time, for the people who believed.
About His
Disappearances
Apostle Philip: Also,
you read that Jesus Christ disappeared from the crowd. It was not easy doing
so.
Son of man, when Jesus Christ finished speaking, the Angels were
moving in the midst of the multitudes, doing various works and setting people
free from bondages and captivities.
You read that before Jesus Christ raised His hand, the water
changed?
The Head: Yes.
Apostle Philip: It
was the Angels that were performing the miracles, signs and wonders.
Son of man, many signs and wonders before Jesus Christ
spoke, they have already happened. It was the Hosts of Angels, the ministering
spirits that were at work. They first prepare all things on time, and whichever
one is needed, happens immediately – without delays, without shortages, without
lacking, and without inadequacies. Even so shall the ministers of God do their works.
Another thing is this, you see the bouncers who protect the
presidents and superstars?
The Head: Yes.
Apostle Philip: When
the president or superstar finishes work, the bouncers come in immediately. And
123, very fast, before you know it, they have gone.
The bouncers, the Brigade Of Guards,
fiam! They leave with the president or superstar.
Even so it was. When Jesus Christ finished teaching, the Angels take Him away,
if it was necessary to do so. That is why the crowd are usually surprised at
how Jesus Christ disappeared from their midst. And it seemed to them that Jesus
Christ left them suddenly. It was worthwhile.
Jesus Foretells His Death And
Resurrection
And he
began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed,
and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him,
and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked
Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but
of men.” Mark 8:31-33
This narrative
is evidence that the death and crucifixion of Jesus did not come to Him as a
surprise or sudden event.
He foreknew
about His crucifixion and permitted it for the salvation of all.
The Will Of God Is Righteousness
From that time Jesus began to show to His
disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders
and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him,
saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
But He
turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the
things of men." Matthew 16:21-23
The ways of God are different from the ways of man.
The things of spirit are in many places different from the things of the
earth, and many misunderstand these things because they are spiritually blind
and ignorant.
Again Jesus Foretells His Death And Resurrection
They
went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one
know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man
will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is
killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to ask him. Mark 9:30-32
A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and
Resurrection
And they
were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them;
and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve
again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “Behold, we are
going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief
priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to
the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and
kill him; and after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:32-34