i regard the Ruh of Allah to be the third most important article on Islam

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

If you google " Ruh of Allah " you will find that www.al-qiyamah.org

and www.adishakti.org hold the #1 and #2 positions.

 

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,720,000 for ruh of allah. (0.28 seconds)

1) http://www.al-qiyamah.org/ruh_of_allah.htm

2) http://www.adishakti.org/text_files/ruh_of_allah.htm

 

Actually i had just finished editing/updating the " Ruh " and wanted to

see what its google ranks were. It could not have been better.

 

i regard the " Ruh of Allah " (Spirit of God) to be the third most

important Islamic topic after " Qiyamah " (The Resurrection) and " Al-

Qadr " (Night of Power and Fate). All three are absolutely essential

to comprehend Al-Qiyamah, and none can be left out. In fact the

thorough comprehension and experience of the Ruh of Allah is pivitol

in participating in this life-long Great Event!

 

We must stand and declare and invite others to experience that same

faith in the Great Event, a faith collectively based on the heart and

soul of all religions and Holy Scriptures. It is a most powerful and

comforting faith to daily experience His Ruh during Al Qadr while

participating in Al-Qiyamah.

 

regards to all,

 

 

jagbir

 

Note: Since many Muslims are fluent in French i hope Nicole will one day

translate the " Ruh of Allah " too.

 

 

, " jagbir singh " <adishakti_org

wrote:

>

> July 27, 2009

> Alexa traffic rank for sahajayoga.org: 405,233

>

> 7 day avg 478,583

> 1 month avg 433,743

> 3 month avg 405,233

> 3 month change + 86,564 (i.e., going down the rankings)

>

> (Sahajayoga.org rank was 338,470 on 03-20-2009, and 226,170 before

> that. So it is a steady downhill demise!)

>

> Sahajayoga.org users come from these countries:

> 54.2% India

> 10.8% United States

> 3.8% United Kingdom

> 3.7% Dominican Republic

> 27.4% OTHER

>

> July 27, 2009

> Alexa traffic rank for adishakti.org: 255,704

>

> 7 day avg 194,049

> 1 month avg 226,738

> 3 month avg 255,704

> 3 month change -16,341 (i.e., going up in rankings)

>

> Adishakti.org users come from these countries:

> 27.2% United States

> 22.9% India

> 9.0% Pakistan

> 6.1% South Africa

> 3.7% Canada

>

> Note: May the latest figures inspire, and give us the faith and

> confidence that we will pesevere against all the odds. A decade from

> today www.adishakti.org will be second to none. Maybe by then we will

> get more people to help translate it in other languages.

>

> i also want to point out that there are constant edits, additions and

> refinements to not only raise the bar of excellence, but also bring

> about greater _comfort_ and conformity to Shri Mataji's Advent and

> Message. i emphasized " comfort " because She reveals the most sacred

> knowledge of all religions and their founders, unprecedented

> knowledge that enlightens us to easily embrace them.

>

> Just yesterday i met a Muslim and told her that i believe in the

> Koran, and that Prophet Muhammad is indeed the messenger of God. But

> my faith and confidence flowed from Shri Mataji's sacred knowledge of

> Al-Qiyamah, not the petty Islam that so many Muslims pride themselves

> in. She is indeed the Comforter sent by God Almighty in the name of

> Jesus. Or, in case you only follow the Qur'an, She is the Spirit sent

> by Allah to declare the Message of the Resurrection during Al-Qadr!

>

> We have indeed revealed this (Message of the Resurrection) in the

> night of Power: (1)

> And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? (2)

> The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. (3)

> Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on

> every errand: (4)

> Peace!... This until the rise of Morn! (5)

>

> surah 97:1-5 Al Qadr (The Night of Power and Honour)

>

> In case you are a Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist or Jew Shri Mataji's sacred

> knowledge of your religion will comfort you. (Within a decade we

> should be able to complete the task of supporting and spreading Her

> sacred knowledge of all religions and their founders.)

>

> jai Shri Mataji!

>

> jagbir

>

>

> --

>

> Dear Jagbir and all,

>

> That is wonderful news! The years of dedicated work are paying off

> and it is great that Nicole and R. are working on the French

> translations. Like you say: " I do not want to speculate what will be

> our strength when translations in other languages are added in the

> future " . That is so true! The www.adishakti.org is just going from

> strength to strength. i believe this is because we are giving the

> full message of Shri Mataji as She gave it to us. We are not afraid

> to do so and it is the greatest privilege ever. i am sure that

> everyone who is a part of this great work will agree.

>

> warmest regards,

>

> violet

>

>

>

> , " jagbir singh " <adishakti_org@>

> wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > Last, but not the least, the ever expanding base and top positions

> > > of www.adishakti.org will always power the French links upwards. (i

> > > do not want to speculate what will be our strength when

> > > translations in other languages are added in the future.)

> > >

> >

> > Google July 26, 2009

> > Results 1 - 10 of about 72,100,000 for kingdom of god. (0.38 seconds)

> >

> > 1) Kingdom of God - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

> > The Kingdom of God or Reign of God (Greek: - Basileia tou Theou translates

to

> the " reign of the God " ) is a foundational concept in the ...

> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_God - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 2) The Present and Future Kingdom of God "

> > Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. " John the Baptist and Jesus

> proclaimed the nearness of God's kingdom (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15). ...

> > www.wcg.org/lit/gospel/kingdom.htm - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 3) The Kingdom of God

> > Contrary to popular " Dominion Theology " and " Christian " visions of an

earthly

> kingdom, God's word points to His holy, unworldly -- and far less popular ...

> > www.crossroad.to/HisWord/verses/topics/kingdom.htm - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 4) News results for kingdom of god

> > Beliefnet.com Seek first the Kingdom of God; - 2 days ago

> > God holds the riches of the world. He is richer than any kingdom or country.

> We were the richest and have the most things of the world individually but we

> ...Marion Star - 75 related articles »

> > Understanding the Kingdom of GodThere are two approaches to what the Kingdom

> of God is. One of them is through form criticism. The other is by formulated

> composite impressions arrived at ...

> > www.religion-online.org/showbook.asp?title=577 - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 5) JESUS' PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

> > Central to the synoptic gospels is Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of

God.

> Jesus' primary mission to his people was to offer them the possibility of ...

> > www.abu.nb.ca/Courses/NTIntro/KingdGod2.htm - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 6) Divine Feminine (Adi Shakti): The Kingdom Of God

> > The Grail of the Feminine is urging us to open our minds to a new vision of

> reality, a revelation of all cosmic life as a divine unity.

> > www.adishakti.org/ - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 7) Leo Tolstoy - The Kingdom of God is Within You

> > The Kingdom of God is Within You, by Leo Tolstoy, a classic text of

Christian

> Anarchism.

> > www.kingdomnow.org/withinyou.html - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 8) Kingdom of God (Christianity) -- Britannica Online EncyclopediaBritannica

> online encyclopedia article on Kingdom of God (Christianity), in Christianity,

> the spiritual realm over which God reigns as king, ...

> > www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/.../Kingdom-of-God - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 9) The Embassy of the Kingdom of God

> > The Embassy | A growing vibrant church located in Oshawa - Whitby, ON intent

> on seeing the Kingdom of God shared and demonstrated in the Durham Region.

> > www.theembassyofgod.com/ - Cached - Similar

> >

> > 10) Kingdom of God Media

> > Matthew also requested a visitation, which, in God's kingdom, carries a lot

of

> weight in itself. The parents did not request a visitation from Sister Helen.

> ...

> > www.kogmedia.com/ - Cached - Similar

> >

> > Searches related to: kingdom of god kingdom of heaven kingdom of god movie

> kingdom of god is within you

> >

> >

>

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=navclient & ie=UTF-8 & rlz=1T4GGLL_enCA333CA333\

\

> & q=kingdom+of+god

> >

> >

> > , " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org@>

> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear Nicole, R. and all,

> > >

> > > The French translations look really good. i believe Nicole is a sort

> > > of perfectionist and puts great pride in her work. So we are assured

> > > of excellent translations.

> > >

> > > i think we need to have the following in French too:

> > >

> > > <title>.......</title>

> > > <META NAME= " KEYWORDS " CONTENT= " ......... " >

> > > <META NAME= " DESCRIPTION " CONTENT= " ........ " >

> > >

> > > That will help drive up the articles to better rankings. If you want

> > > to go a few steps higher you may want to translate the links into

> > > French too - that would surely secure many top positions. And once

> > > you have these top search engine rankings they will stay there for a

> > > very long time. And since they are interlinked by " Related Articles "

> > > you will be building a formidable chain of top-position French links.

> > >

> > > Last, but not the least, the ever expanding base and top positions of

> > > www.adishakti.org will always power the French links upwards. (i do

> > > not want to speculate what will be our strength when translations in

> > > other languages are added in the future.)

> > >

> > > So if both of you do decide to use French links i would suggest to

> > > use the underscore_ eg. _shri_mataji_nirmala_devi_are_two_.

> > >

> > > i envision that within a decade the Divine Feminine's websites will

> > > tower over all spiritual and religious sites. i believe the growing

> > > worldwide interest in 12-21-2012 will significantly work in our favor.

> > >

> > > i again assure you that the SYSSR camel is dying of thirst .......

> > > the thirst of Truth! So only a few of us are sufficient to complete

> > > the very task given decades ago to SY leaders and thousands of SYs.

> > >

> > > i also want to thank all who are quietly spreading the Advent and

> > > Message of Shri Mataji based on the Divine Feminine's websites - that

> > > is a most important job!

> > >

> > > warmest regards,

> > >

> > > jagbir

> > >

> > >

> > > , " sahaja_joga "

<pure.faith108@>

> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > JSM! Jagbir.

> > > > Those are ready too.

> > > >

> > > >

>

http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/forum/devi_and_her_incarnation_shri_\

\

> mataji_nirmala_devi_are_two_different_personalities_10-18-2007.htm

> > > >

> http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/forum/guru_puja_2008_7-20-2008.htm

> > > > http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/divine_message.htm

> > > > http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/self-realization.htm

> > > >

>

http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/divine_message/shakti_last_judgment_\

\

> & _qiyamah.htm

> > > >

> > > > with love

> > > > r

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , " jagbir singh "

> <adishakti_org@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > But unlike WCASY and their SY organization peddling the SYSSR, we

> > > > > > have all the eschatological evidence of Jesus and the Paraclete to

> > > > > > openly declare Her Advent and Divine Message to humanity. " Who is

> > > > > > the Counselor? " is but one of the many pieces of eschatological

> > > > > > evidence. That is why only a few of us are sufficient to complete

> > > > > > the very task given decades ago to SY leaders and tens of thousands

> > > > > > SYs who had been telling Shri Mataji, " Mother, You must say that

> > > > > > once. "

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > http://adishakti.org/french_translation/index.htm

> > > > >

>

http://adishakti.org/french_translation/forum/a_neuroscientists_case_for_the_exi\

\

> stence_of_the_soul_9-09-2007.htm

> > > > >

>

http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/_/divine_feminine_the_great_mother.h\

\

> tm

> > > > >

>

http://adishakti.org/french_translation/forum/comforter_will_recall_to_their_min\

\

> ds_jesus_teachings.htm

> > > > >

>

http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/_/awakening_to_evolution_by_andrew_c\

\

> ohen.htm

> > > > >

>

http://adishakti.org/french_translation/_/realization_of_god_starts_with_cosmic_\

\

> vision.htm

> > > > >

>

http://www.adishakti.org/french_translation/forum/quotes_of_shri_mataji_6-20-200\

\

> 7.htm

> > > > >

> > > > > Note: The above are the present translations of http://adishakti.org,

> > > > > a work in progress by Bougantouche Nicole.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > , Bertrand Tietcheu

> <btietcheu@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks Jagbir for this enlightened reflexion. I am practicing Sahaja

> > > > > Yoga since 4 years now. After 3 months of meditation I got to know

> > > > > who Shri Mataji is exactly. It is really spoiling the name of Sahaja

> > > > > Yoga and lacking respect to Shri Mataji, just to reduce the all

> > > > > system to another recipe for stress management among many others. We

> > > > > have to go straight forward and announce the real message and develop

> > > > > intelligence and wisdom to respond to any attack, instead of trying

> > > > > some camouflage.

> > > > >

> > > > > Regards

> > > > >

> > > > > Bertrand

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > -------------

> > > > >

> > > > > " ...very small and humble, and yet encompassing the world with

> > > > > divinity, was the quiet figure of the great mother. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Ben Okri, Astonishing the Gods

> > > > >

> > > > > Nigerian Writer

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > , " Violet " <violetubb@>

> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear All,

> > > > >

> > > > > It is because of Shri Mataji that we have been able to have our Self-

> > > > > realization en-masse. This is the time that many seekers of the truth

> > > > > were to come to Sahaja Yoga, which is your Union with the Divine that

> > > > > is within you. It is only when we have that union, that we can

> > > > > blossom. This is the time that the flowers become the fruit. It is an

> > > > > evolutionary process.

> > > > >

> > > > > Happy Blossom Day to All!

> > > > >

> > > > > love from violet

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > , " krishna_volk "

> <krishna.deha@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear all,

> > > > >

> > > > > This is great. Speaking of the Blossom Times, I would like to ask if

> > > > > there are any links that you can direct me to that give a great and

> > > > > detailed over view of what the Blossom Times are etc? The reason I

> > > > > ask is because I have started a class downtown Vancouver you could

> > > > > say, and my co-worker who I mentioned about giving realization a few

> > > > > weeks back has been continuing to meditate on his own ever since,

> > > > > showing great interest in the Blossom Times. He is very interested

> > > > > in knowing more about them beyond what I can quote from memory, so I

> > > > > was hoping to have some information regarding that which I could

> > > > > print out as a lesson or for quote unquote course material.

> > > > >

> > > > > Any help would be great, as I also am working with another friend of

> > > > > mine who got realization nearly a year ago and has come back to learn

> > > > > more. So it looks like this could possibly become bigger as time

> > > > > progresses and I want to start collecting, arranging and creating new

> > > > > course materials you could say, using the upfront and honest approach

> > > > > about Shri Mataji and The Last Judgement via the info on this

> > > > > website. If anyone would like to help me create concepts and build

> > > > > loosely structured course materials, or rather reading material that

> > > > > can be given to newcomers as " homework " and throughout the teaching

> > > > > part of it so to speak, please also let me know. I will post what I

> > > > > have been using in the next few days on here so you can all see it,

> > > > > and I really hope to create real course materials and new, extremely

> > > > > detailed pamphlets out of what I have been using so far ( the

> > > > > Religious chart is such an important pamphlet on its own) so any help

> > > > > would be cool.

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks again

> > > > >

> > > > > JSM

> > > > >

> > > > > Krishna

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > , " jagbir singh "

> <adishakti_org@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear devotees of the Comforter,

> > > > >

> > > > > Namaste � I bow to the Paraclete who resides in you!

> > > > >

> > > > > After more than 15 years of examining hundreds of Shri Mataji's

> > > > > quotes/lectures, i have finally found a priceless pearl:

> > > > >

> > > > > " Normally I don't tell about Myself but today he exposed me. As soon

> > > > > as I came I had to tell because it's not tactful. It's not tactful to

> > > > > say anything. It's better that you discover Me than I tell you

> > > > > because Christ was crucified, everybody was tortured. I do not want

> > > > > to hamper My work because it makes no difference by telling you

> > > > > anything before Realization. It's better to tell you after

> > > > > Realization that I am the Holy Ghost � no doubt. I am the one about

> > > > > which Christ has talked.

> > > > >

> > > > > I have told them. I had never said this on from a platform and I

> > > > > told. They have been telling Me, " Mother, You must say that once. " I

> > > > > said, " In America I'll declare it. " So today I declare that: " I am the

> > > > > Holy Ghost. I am the Holy Spirit who has incarnated on this Earth for

> > > > > your realization. " "

> > > > >

> > > > > Shri Mataji

> > > > > New York, USA 30 September 1980

> > > > >

> > > > > i consider this post " I am the one about which Christ has talked " to

> > > > > be one of the most important ever written. The reason is that it is

> > > > > the very ground on which Shri Mataji stood for nearly four decades,

> > > > > exalting and glorifying Christ, and never budged an inch. It takes

> > > > > immense courage, fortitude and faith to state and defend a most

> > > > > audacious claim that must be backed by the Holy Scriptures; one of

> > > > > the many truths She has publicly declared loud and clear since the

> > > > > 70s. So please read it with full attention and deep introspection.

> > > > >

> > > > > Of even greater significance is the fact that this claim is the

> > > > > culmination of eschatology, fulfillment of salvation and entry into

> > > > > the Kingdom of God, the very ground on which Jesus also stood.

> > > > > Without question Jesus has now fulfilled the promise made 2,000 years

> > > > > ago that He will send the Comforter (Paraclete) in the name of God

> > > > > Almighty; one of the many truths He publicly declared loud and clear

> > > > > 2000 years ago. Again, please read it with full attention and deep

> > > > > introspection.

> > > > >

> > > > > By bearing witness and defending the claims of both Jesus and the

> > > > > Comforter, we are also standing on the same ground. Jesus never

> > > > > budged. Shri Mataji never budged. Under no circumstance whatsoever

> > > > > will we budge even though the entire SY organization of 80,000 so-

> > > > > called Self-realized souls have long abandoned and fled those sacred

> > > > > ground. We must unconditionally discharge our duty to both the

> > > > > Saviour and the Holy Spirit, and defend the ground they stood on. Few

> > > > > are willing to join us because it takes immense courage, fortitude

> > > > > and faith to state and defend Shri Mataji's declaration that " I am

> > > > > the one about which Christ has talked " .

> > > > >

> > > > > But unlike WCASY and their SY organization peddling the SYSSR, we

> > > > > have all the eschatological evidence of Jesus and the Paraclete to

> > > > > openly declare Her Advent and Divine Message to humanity. " Who is the

> > > > > Counselor? " is but one of the many pieces of eschatological evidence.

> > > > > That is why only a few of us are sufficient to complete the very task

> > > > > given decades ago to SY leaders and tens of thousands SYs who had been

> > > > > telling Shri Mataji, " Mother, You must say that once. "

> > > > >

> > > > > And when She finally declared that in 1980 they just fled in droves.

> > > > > The SYSSR (Sahaja Yoga Subtle System Religion) was invented by these

> > > > > cowards, a blatant corruption to replace a most sacred declaration by

> > > > > Shri Mataji that She is " the one about which Christ has talked. "

> > > > >

> > > > > But we will triumph over these cowards, liars, hypocrites and their

> > > > > SYSSR. It is only a matter of time now. Everything else is in place.

> > > > >

> > > > > Regards to all,

> > > > >

> > > > > jagbir

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > " Who is the Counselor?

> > > > >

> > > > > Ar 7.45 a.m. on May 23, 1995, Kash was told to ask Shri

> > > > > Adhiparasakthi Shri Nirmala Devi's permission to see Shri Jesus in

> > > > > order to inquire about the Counselor which He had promised to send.

> > > > > One and one half years had passed and his father knew without doubt

> > > > > that Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi was the Comforter. He thought that by

> > > > > getting another confirmation from Shri Jesus, it would lend

> > > > > additional weight to Her Revelations.

> > > > >

> > > > > Kash agreed and went into his room to meditate. He found the Divine

> > > > > Unity already sitting in a circle, ready for meditation. He then

> > > > > bowed to the Great Universal Mother and inquired whether he could ask

> > > > > Shri Jesus a question.

> > > > >

> > > > > Without even asking what was it, the Great Holy Spirit told him that

> > > > > it would not be proper to ask that question. She had already heard

> > > > > what his father had told him to enquire about. He had put forward a

> > > > > superficial question that lowered the dignity of the Celestial Court,

> > > > > and did not deserve an answer � even at the expense of Truth coming

> > > > > forth directly from Shri Jesus Himself for the benefit of humanity,

> > > > > which was the intent of his father in the first place.

> > > > >

> > > > > It was about proper protocol. After all, he knew very well that Shri

> > > > > Mataji Nirmala Devi was the Redeemer, a fact firmly established after

> > > > > hundreds of daily encounters of his son with Her and the Heavenly

> > > > > Hosts. Kash had seen Shri Jesus and other Messengers of God

> > > > > meditating on the Spirit of the Living God every day. On Earth his

> > > > > family had heard Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi proclaiming that She was

> > > > > the Comforter. To deliberately ask a well-known fact from such a

> > > > > divine personality as Shri Jesus would be frivolous and belittling,

> > > > > to say the least. Why enquire about a fact firmly established and

> > > > > absolutely believed through sustained Revelation? Why pretend to be

> > > > > ignorant of Absolute Truth?

> > > > >

> > > > > Kash thanked Her and walked toward his spiritual body meditating

> > > > > beside the Eternal Throne, and sat into it. All the Spirit People

> > > > > then raised their Kundalinis in unison and started meditating. When

> > > > > it was over, he paid his respects to all of them and bowed to the

> > > > > Great Holy Spirit again. He then descended through the clouds of

> > > > > Heaven, returning to this sick world of Jonestowns* and Littletons.** "

> > > > >

> > > > > Shri Adi Shakti: The Kingdom Of God, 1999, page 1554

> > > > >

> > > > > * Thirty years ago, 909 Americans were led to their death by the Rev.

> > > > > Jim Jones in a mass murder-suicide pact in a South American jungle,

> > > > > shortly after Jones' gunmen killed a visiting U.S. congressman and

> > > > > four others at a nearby airstrip.

> > > > > ** On April 20, 1999, in the small, suburban town of Littleton,

> > > > > Colorado, two high-school seniors, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris,

> > > > > enacted an all-out assault on Columbine High School during the middle

> > > > > of the school day. The boys' plan was to kill hundreds of their

> > > > > peers. With guns, knives, and a multitude of bombs, the two boys

> > > > > walked the hallways and killed. When the day was done, twelve

> > > > > students, one teacher, and the two murderers were dead.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > " It states that the Fourth Gospel does not narrate Jesus' baptism but

> > > > > explains its significance. Since the Holy Spirit descended and

> > > > > remained on Him, He is singled out as the Son of God who will baptize

> > > > > with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34.) His teachings direct to rebirth

> > > > > through the Spirit where a new state of being is attained by the

> > > > > grace of the Spirit � this is the only way of entering the Kingdom

of

> > > > > the Spirit. Water is associated with the Spirit (John 3:5-8; cf

> > > > > 1:13.) However, this salvation of humankind through rebirth can only

> > > > > take place after His death and exaltation (cf 3:14.) Therefore this

> > > > > promise of the coming Spirit points to the future: " Now this he said

> > > > > about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive;

> > > > > for as yet the Spirit had not been given [or, Spirit was not yet],

> > > > > because Jesus was not yet glorified " (7:39.) The discourses following

> > > > > Last Supper hold the key to the narration of the Spirit. It is

> > > > > referred to as the " paraclete " (Counselor) or " advocate " ,

> > > > > " intercessor " or more appropriately the Spirit of paraclesis i.e. the

> > > > > declaration of the comfort and encouragement of the gospel in the

> > > > > coming age that would fulfill this promise. With these terms and the

> > > > > use of masculine instead of neuter pronouns, the concept of the

> > > > > Spirit attains a more personal nature than at any other point in the

> > > > > Bible. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Dictionary of the Bible, [Edited by James Hastings],

> > > > > Charles Scribner's Sons, 1963, p. 393.)

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Jesus didn't leave his disciples on their own

> > > > > By Robert Creech

> > > > > University Baptist Church-Clearlake, Houston

> > > > >

> > > > > " How will Jesus' disciples survive in his absence?

> > > > >

> > > > > That question troubled them as Jesus announced his imminent

> > > > > departure. Their anxious glances and serious expressions conveyed the

> > > > > emotional darkness engulfing them. Jesus countered that gloomy

> > > > > atmosphere with his teaching. He left them with a legacy of

> > > > > instruction that would enable them to live successfully as his

> > > > > followers, even after his departure.

> > > > >

> > > > > This legacy included teaching about prayer, obedience, peace,

> > > > > experiencing the Father's love, abiding in Christ and living in

> > > > > community with other believers. In addition, he taught them about

> > > > > living in relationship with the Holy Spirit, who would continue to

> > > > > provide an experience of Jesus' own presence with his friends.

> > > > >

> > > > > He described the Spirit with three titles. In 14:26, Jesus simply

> > > > > calls � " the Holy Sprit. " This title appears again in 20:22. Three

> > > > > times in Jesus' final discourse he identifies � as " the Spirit of

> > > > > Truth " (14:17; 15:26; 16:13), a title that occurs outside the fourth

> > > > > gospel only in 1 John 4:6. Four times Jesus uses the distinctive

> > > > > title " parakletos " to describe the Spirit (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7).

> > > > > This word also occurs elsewhere only in 1 John (2:1), where it refers

> > > > > to Jesus.

> > > > >

> > > > > " Parakletos, " often printed in English as " Paraclete, " challenges the

> > > > > translator of John's gospel. Major translations render it

> > > > > as " Comforter " (KJV), " Helper " (NASB), " Advocate " (NRSV)

> > > > > and " Counselor " (NIV). The Greek word itself contains all those

> > > > > meanings, describing one who is summoned to the aid of

> > > > > another. " Helper " may be the better translation, allowing the context

> > > > > to describe the specific kind of help being offered (advocacy,

> > > > > comfort or counsel). Some commentators do not translate the word at

> > > > > all, simply bringing it into English as Paraclete, as we do with

> > > > > other Greek words like " baptism " or " deacon. "

> > > > >

> > > > > In many ways, the role of the Paraclete is to continue the ministry

> > > > > of Jesus to his disciples. Jesus introduces the Spirit as " another "

> > > > > Paraclete, implying he himself had been the first (14:16). As Jesus

> > > > > is the Truth (14:6) and bears witness to the Truth (18:37), the

> > > > > Paraclete is " the Spirit of Truth " (14:17) who testifies as well

> > > > > (15:26-27). Just as Jesus is " the Holy One of God " (6:69), the Spirit

> > > > > is " the Holy Spirit " (14:26).

> > > > >

> > > > > Jesus has " come into the world " (5:43), and now promises the

> > > > > Paraclete will come as well (16:8). The Spirit " comes forth " from the

> > > > > Father (15:26), just as Jesus has come forth from the Father. The

> > > > > Father gives the Paraclete at Jesus' request (14:16), just as the

> > > > > Father has given his Son (3:16). The Father who sent Jesus (3:17)

> > > > > will send the Spirit as well (14:26). Jesus came in the Father's name

> > > > > (5:43) and the Paraclete comes in Jesus' name (14:26). As Jesus spoke

> > > > > only what the Father told him (14:10), so the Spirit would reveal

> > > > > Jesus' words (16:13). Jesus glorified the Father (14:13; 17:4), and

> > > > > the Paraclete will glorify Jesus (16:14). In many ways, the Paraclete

> > > > > is to Jesus as Jesus is to the Father.

> > > > >

> > > > > The Paraclete will play a significant role in the lives of Jesus'

> > > > > followers. They will be privileged to know the Paraclete, as they

> > > > > have known Jesus (14:7, 9, 17). The Spirit will be within the

> > > > > disciples and will remain with them, as Jesus remains in and with his

> > > > > friends (14:20, 23; 15:4-5; 17:23, 26). The Spirit will guide the

> > > > > disciples along the way of truth (16:13), even as Jesus is the Way

> > > > > and the Truth (14:6). Jesus has taught those who would listen (6:59;

> > > > > 7:14, 18; 8:20), and now the Paraclete will do the teaching (16:12-

> > > > > 15). The Spirit will empower disciples to testify to Jesus (15:26-27;

> > > > > 20:21-23).

> > > > >

> > > > > The Spirit also has an important role to play in relation to the

> > > > > world. The world that did not accept Jesus will not accept the

> > > > > Paraclete (5:43; 12:48; 14:17). The world that did not recognize

> > > > > Jesus (7:28; 8:14, 19; 14:7; 16:3) will not recognize his Spirit

> > > > > either (14:17). Like Jesus, the Paraclete will bear witness in the

> > > > > context of the world's hatred (7:7; 15:26-27). And the Paraclete

> > > > > ultimately proves the world wrong concerning its verdict on Jesus

> > > > > (16:8-11). Jesus' " advocate " will become the prosecuting attorney

> > > > > bringing the world to trial before the bar of Truth.

> > > > >

> > > > > Living as Jesus' disciple while he was on earth required knowing him,

> > > > > loving him, trusting him, obeying him and learning from him. We now

> > > > > experience his presence with us through knowing, loving, trusting,

> > > > > obeying, and learning from the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth.

> > > > >

> > > > > Jesus describes the Paraclete almost entirely in functional terms. He

> > > > > tells us what the Spirit will do with and for us�; is God's presence

> > > > > among us (14:16-17)�; is our personal teacher (14:26; 15:13)�;

> brings

> > > > > thing to our minds and helps us understand them (14:26)�; is the

> > > > > source of our peace (14:27)�; empowers our ministry and witness

> > > > > (15:26-27)�; comes to us in our sorrow (16:5-7)�; convicts the

world

> > > > > of sin (16:8-11)�; focuses our attention on Jesus, glorifying him

> > > > > (16:13-14)�; makes spiritual truth clear to us (16:13-15). "

> > > > >

> > > > > Robert Creech

> > > > > University Baptist Church-Clearlake, Houston, Texas, USA

> > > > > December 16, 2002

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>