In Scripture, Jesus encourages His followers to draw nearer to His Father. He graciously extends His Sonship to all, so that we may address the Almighty God as our Abba, our Father. God sent His Son to be our elder brother, sharing with us all that He knows about His Father and His glorious Kingdom. It is interesting to note that even as some preachers and prophets claim to possess knowledge of the precise hour of Jesus’ second coming, Jesus, Himself assures us that only the Father knows this sacred hour, and it remains hidden from all others. Moreover, when it comes to our place in heaven, Jesus affirms that His Father’s dwelling has many splendid abodes, assuring that He goes ahead of us to prepare a place specifically tailored for each of His cherished followers. Jesus readily imparts His understanding of His Father, while honestly acknowledging that there are certain aspects of His Father’s plan that are not known to Him.
Misinterpretation
Numerous individuals who confidently assert their comprehension of the second coming of Jesus, at times, have misconstrued the figurative expressions employed by Jesus to convey the rewards that await Him after His selfless act of bearing the sins of the world. The prophet Isaiah accurately prophesied both the sufferings of Jesus and the glorious blessings that await Him upon fulfilling the will of His Father on the cross.
After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
Isaiah 53:11-12 (NIV)
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
The lack of comprehension regarding the prophetic nature of Jesus’ sacrifice was evident among His disciples. Their unawareness of God’s intent to offer His Son as a propitiation for the sins of all people on this earth hindered their understanding of Jesus’ predictions concerning His own death. The high priest Caiaphas unintentionally articulated the purpose that Jesus’ death could serve as salvation for others. Providentially, God directed the utterance of the high priest, using it as a proclamation of prophecy to illuminate the purpose behind His Son’s sacrificial death.
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
John 11:49-52 (NIV)
He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
Jesus imparted an intense teaching to His disciples, unveiling the significance of His imminent crucifixion: through His selfless sacrifice, eternal life would be bestowed upon all who wholeheartedly believed in Him. To clarify the significance of bearing the sins of the world and dying on the cross, Jesus employed a metaphor. Regrettably, misinterpretation arose among the people, as they erroneously attributed the enlightening verse to the demise of righteous individuals and devoted servants of God. The adversary cunningly veiled their spiritual discernment, leading them astray by nurturing an excessive reverence and adoration for the saints and servants of God, overshadowing the primacy of their devotion to God Himself.
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:24 (NIV)
Interpretation
The Psalm written by the Sons of Korah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, bears testament to their constant reverence for the King of Kings. Psalm 45, although not specifically attributed to any earthly rulers, exalts the majestic qualities of the Heavenly King. It is important to note that certain verses, such as John 12:24, hold significance in the context of Jesus and His ultimate purpose, rather than pertaining to a mortal being. Mortals are bound by a single earthly life, and through belief in Jesus and His resurrection, one may attain eternal life for oneself, rather than determining the fate of others. The truth elucidated in Psalm 49 serves to reinforce this understanding with great clarity.
No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—
Psalm 49:7-8 (NIV)
the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough.
In the following lines, the Psalmist eloquently captures the existential predicament of a mortal being. Once life draws to a close, the ephemeral nature of our existence becomes apparent. In death’s embrace, our capabilities fade away, leaving us powerless. The Psalmist, with poignant imagery, illustrates the despair of a soul consigned to the depths of hell, where eternal torment is accompanied by ceaseless anguish. Conversely, for those graced with passage to heaven, there remains only the eternal hymn of praise to God, devoid of any other pursuits or endeavours.
“What is gained if I am silenced,
Psalm 30:9 (NIV)
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
Psalm 146:3-4 (NIV)
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Scrutiny
The passage from 1 Corinthians 12 sheds light on the gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, this has led some individuals to mistakenly claim these gifts as their personal achievements. However, it is essential to understand that it is not our possession of these gifts, but rather the Holy Spirit working through us that brings about His manifestation. We are mere vessels utilized by God to fulfil His purpose, both in our own lives and in the lives of others, depending on the specific needs of the moment. Therefore, it is crucial to remember that one person can be utilized for a variety of tasks, as guided by the Holy Spirit.
Salvation, a unique work accomplished by God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, stands apart from the nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. It is not within the authority of any individual to bestow this act of deliverance. However, through the manifestation of the Spirit of God, we are granted the gift of faith, which allows us to embrace and personally experience salvation. The faith we receive can give someone physical healing, but our faith can not save any other soul. This transformative gift opens the door for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, guiding us on the path towards eternal life.
The human body is often likened to a temporary dwelling, housing the essence within. Once the spirit departs, it is commonly perceived that the body is left abandoned. In practical terms, an abandoned dwelling is one that is dilapidated and bereft of any occupants. However, if the salvation received is not safeguarded with the aid of the Holy Spirit, there is a possibility that when the Spirit departs, other malevolent spirits may take up residence in the body, along with additional menacing forces. These forces may inflict torment upon those who have not embraced salvation. Hence, it is essential to secure our Salvation with the help of the Holy Spirit, till our body and soul embrace eternity.
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:53 (NIV)
A Thing To Remember
By receiving our salvation, God bestows upon us the honour of hosting His presence within our physical beings. This sacred union is manifested through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who serves as a seal, safeguarding our salvation until the fulfilment of the promised eternal life. In our mortality, we are graciously preserved to partake in immortality, offering perpetual praise in the unending presence of our Father God.
Therefore, it is important for us to recognize that the promises are exclusively reserved for our mediator, Jesus Christ. Jesus selflessly sacrificed himself for the sins of all humanity, offering them the gift of eternal life. Consequently, we should acknowledge that John 12:24 pertains solely to Jesus and refrain from attributing glory to anyone else, as God explicitly states, “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8). Interestingly, despite this admonition, God has bestowed His glory upon His Son, who, in turn, shares it with us to unite us with the Father. Let us therefore approach this truth with reverence and refrain from distorting its significance.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
John 17:22-24 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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