Blessed Are They That Mourn

 

    Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3996

MOURN: properly, grieve over a death; (figuratively) to grieve over a personal hope (relationship) that dies, i.e. comes to divine closure ("ends"). ("Mourn over a death") refers to "manifested grief" so severe it takes possession of a person and cannot be hid.

   In John 16:16-33 Jesus is speaking to His disciples regarding His imminent death, resurrection, ascension, and return. Which, of course, they understood none of. 

    Many would rejoice over Christ's murder. For murder it was. He was too controversial to be allowed to live, so the local religious higher-ups conspired to kill Him. Matthew 26:2-3. 

    Then His disciples, His followers, would be mourning their loss while they who had conspired to kill Jesus would be rejoicing in His death, believing their problems to be over. 

    Upon Christ's resurrection, the disciples would rejoice; the murderers and they that condoned the mock trial and crucifixion would fear. When Christ left Earth to return to His Father, the disciples again rejoiced. 

    The Jewish religious leaders spread lies about Jesus while the disciples spread the Truth. As it was then so it is today. 

    For nearly 2000 years the faithful followers of Christ have preached the return of the King of Kings. The closer the time for His return the louder the earth groans and the world endeavors to destroy those who speak the Truth of the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ. 

    We read in Revelation that when the two witnesses are killed, the people partied for three days. But then. Revelation 11:1-14. 

    When all is said and done as The Word has revealed it to us, they who came against God and His Son and His people will be no more. The world will no longer exist and a new earth will take its place. Revelation 21. 

    Until that time happens we who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior will continue to proclaim the Good, Good News. Come to Jesus. Come and be filled with The Bread of Life. Come and quench your thirst with the Living Water. Come and be empowered with The Holy Spirit, for The Spirit calls to you, too. Come and be loved by God. 

    Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

LEARNING TO BE LOVED BY YOU

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- The Spirit

 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quench not the Spirit.

*Strong's Ex. Con. No. 4570

Quench: extinguish, suppress, thwart

To put out the fire.

It is impossible to accomplish the task(s) which God has given us without the guidance of His Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12 "We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." In Revelation 22:17 the Spirit and the Bride are calling the lost souls to repentance together, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." 

No one can give us what only God can give us. And that includes His Holy Spirit. Matthew 25:8 "And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." The oil is the Holy Spirit. We must have Him with us when Christ returns for His church. We cannot share Him, the anointing which God gives each of us individually, with each other. Acts 2:3 "And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them." He will leave this earth, when we leave this earth. 

Who is the Holy Spirit? 

He is the Spirit who helped create the world from the beginning. Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

He is the Spirit which guided the hearts, the mouths and the hands of the men who wrote, put into print, the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Peter 1:20, 21 "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

He is the Interpreter. 1 Corinthians 2:13 "And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

He is the Comforter. {*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3875 Consoler, Helper.}

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and will bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you." John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you."

He is the baptism of Godly power. Acts 1:5, 8 "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” "But you will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and you will be witnesses for Me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth."

He is the convictor of sin. John 16:8-11 "And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned." 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3076

Grieve: distress, vex, cause to sorrow, to experience deep emotional pain, 

How do we quench the Holy Spirit? By not listening to Him. Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Isaiah 63:10 "But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them." By insulting Him. Hebrews 10:29 "How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"

Don't put out the Holy Spirit of God. Listen to Him and follow His lead. Let Him lead us to the cross, to the garden and into the eternal presence of God.