Paper 181 Overview: Final Admonitions and Warnings

Following his comprehensive farewell discourse to the eleven apostles, Jesus engaged in informal conversation with them, recounting shared experiences that concerned them both collectively and individually. The apostles were beginning to comprehend that their Master was departing, yet they clung tenaciously to his promise of return after a brief interim. This temporal statement was profoundly misinterpreted by the apostles, who construed it as indicating a short sojourn with the Father followed by an immediate return to establish the kingdom on earth. Their longstanding messianic expectations and ardent hopes for a literal kingdom predisposed them to interpret Jesus' words in a manner that validated their preconceived beliefs, a natural process shaped by the convergence of their lifelong religious assumptions and their deep desire for those hopes to be fulfilled.

After this period of reflective discourse and misapprehension had somewhat settled into the apostles' consciousness, Jesus reassembled them to impart his final admonitions and warnings. He articulated the transformative nature of his impending departure, explaining that his physical absence would enable his spiritual omnipresence as an indweller within each believer's soul. Through this spiritual incarnation, Jesus would guide his followers more effectively through their temporal existence and escort them through the progressive stages of eternal life in the Father's universe. He urged them to emulate the spirit of his teachings rather than the literal patterns of his mortal life, promising his peace, not the limited peace of stoic resignation or optimistic hope, but the profound tranquility born of absolute human faith in divine sovereignty. This peace transcends material understanding, rooted in the triumph of having learned to fulfill the Father's will amidst mortal challenges and sorrows.

Following the conclusion of the farewell discourse to the eleven apostles, Jesus engaged in informal conversation with them, recounting numerous experiences that concerned them both collectively and as individuals. The apostles were gradually awakening to the realization that their Master intended to depart, yet they anchored their hopes in his promise that after a brief interval, he would again be present among them. This statement was fundamentally misinterpreted by the apostles, who construed it as indicating a short visit to the Father followed by an immediate return to establish the long-anticipated kingdom on earth. Such an interpretation aligned perfectly with their preexisting messianic expectations and their profound hope for the imminent manifestation of the kingdom in temporal power and glory.

Given that their lifelong theological assumptions and their fervent hopes for wish fulfillment were in such perfect concordance, it proved remarkably effortless for them to interpret Jesus' words in a manner that validated their preconceived notions about the nature of his mission. This natural human tendency to hear what one desires to hear, coupled with their deeply ingrained religious beliefs about the Messiah's role, created a cognitive framework that made it nearly impossible for them to grasp the true implications of Jesus' imminent departure and the spiritual nature of his promised return. After this period of reflective discourse had begun to settle into the apostles' consciousness, Jesus called them back to order and proceeded to impart his final admonitions and warnings, attempting once more to prepare them for the trauma of separation and the challenges that would follow in his physical absence.

When the eleven had taken their seats, Jesus stood and addressed them, revealing that while physically present, he was limited to being a single individual in their midst, but after his liberation from mortal nature, he would return as a spirit indweller within each believer's soul. This spiritual incarnation would enable him to lead them more effectively through their temporal existence and guide them through the manifold abodes of their future eternal progression. He explained that life in the Father's eternal creation was not an endless rest of idleness but rather a ceaseless progression in grace, truth, and glory, advancing from station to station until they attained the divine estate wherein they would be spiritually perfected as the Father is perfect in all things.

Jesus exhorted them to earnestly live in accordance with the spirit of his teachings and the ideal of his life, the fulfillment of the Father's will, rather than attempting to imitate his earthly existence with its necessary material adaptations. He declared that he would pour out his Spirit of Truth upon all flesh, though not all would choose to receive this new teacher as their soul's guide and counselor. Those who did receive this spirit would be enlightened, cleansed, and comforted, finding within themselves a well of living water springing up into eternal life. Jesus promised peace as his parting gift, not the measured peace of the world but a complete peace available to each according to their capacity to receive it, and urged them not to be troubled or fearful, assuring them of his triumph over the world and their eventual victory through faith.

The Master clarified that the peace he bestowed was fundamentally different from the limited consolations available to unbelieving materialists and fatalists. While stoics might face the inevitable with steadfast determination and optimists might cling to hope that springs eternal in the human breast, the superb peace of Jesus derived from the joy and satisfaction of a God-knowing individual who had achieved the triumph of learning to do the Father's will while living as a mortal. His peace was founded on an absolute human faith in the divine Father's wise and sympathetic overcare, allowing him to proceed with his life purpose in full assurance despite being called the "man of sorrows" and experiencing profound challenges. This peace, which passes the understanding of mortal mind, can be enjoyed fully by the believing human heart that places its temporal and eternal career wholly in the care of an all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful spirit Father.

Having completed his group instructions, Jesus turned to the intimate task of bidding farewell to each apostle individually, providing personalized counsel and a parting blessing as they remained seated around the Last Supper table. Beginning with John Zebedee, Jesus acknowledged him as the youngest of his brethren and reminded him that Andrew had designated him as one of the three who should always remain near Jesus. He entrusted John with the pivotal responsibility of watching over his earthly family, expressing confidence in John's ability to extend sympathy, counsel, and assistance during their confusion regarding Jesus' mission. Jesus instructed John to remain close during his final hours, as he would need to depend on him to act in his stead regarding the responsibilities left by his earthly father, Joseph. Jesus reminded John of his transformation from a "son of thunder" to an apostle of love, charging him with the sacred duty of teaching his brethren how to love one another as Jesus had loved them.

When Jesus addressed Simon Zelotes, he recognized him as a true son of Abraham while acknowledging the challenge of transforming him into a son of the heavenly kingdom. Jesus expressed his concern about Simon's reaction after his departure, anticipating his potential disillusionment when faced with the reality that the kingdom would not manifest according to Simon's nationalistic expectations. While affirming Simon's loyalty and devotion, Jesus cautioned that Simon still failed to grasp the spiritual nature of the mission, warning that the greatest trial would come when Simon finally awakened to the realization that he had misunderstood the purpose of Jesus' teaching. Jesus instructed Simon to dedicate his life to demonstrating how mortal man could fulfill the dual injunction of rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar while giving to God what belongs to God. He assured Simon that despite his upcoming period of disillusionment, he would eventually return to proclaim the gospel with power, ultimately sitting down with Jesus in his kingdom.

To Matthew Levi, Jesus explained that his responsibilities as treasurer would soon end as the apostles would be scattered, each going out alone to the ends of the earth. Jesus reminded Matthew of the significant transformation in his life since his days as a tax collector, noting that while he had once sent them out in pairs during their training, they would now proceed individually, proclaiming the gospel that faith-quickened mortals are the sons of God. He encouraged Matthew to focus first on winning his Jewish brethren until satisfied, then to turn with power to the gentiles, always remembering that neither the Father nor the Son shows respect of persons. Jesus charged Matthew to dedicate his future ministry to demonstrating that God is no respecter of persons, and that in the sight of God and in the fellowship of the kingdom, all believers are equal as sons of God.

Addressing James Zebedee, Jesus recalled when James and his brother had sought preferment in the kingdom, desiring honor and asking if they could drink from Jesus' cup. He warned that James would soon be prepared for such service through the experiences he was about to endure, and that while one of the brothers might join Jesus in the eternal kingdom long before the other, both would eventually sit with him. Jesus counseled James to cultivate the poise of compassion and sympathetic tolerance born of sublime confidence in Jesus and perfect submission to the Father's will. He urged James to learn that true wisdom embraces discretion as well as courage, noting that in ordinary circumstances it would be better to placate the wrath of unbelievers than to risk death, so that James might live long on earth and win many souls for the heavenly kingdom.

To Andrew, Jesus acknowledged his faithful service as the acting head of the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom, noting that despite occasional doubts and timidity, Andrew had been sincerely just and eminently fair in dealing with his associates. Jesus formally released Andrew from all administrative responsibility as the group's leader, explaining that such authority was only necessary while Jesus was physically present among them. He clarified the cosmic principle that in spiritual matters, beings are dealt with as individuals, but in group relationships, leadership authority is always provided. Jesus charged Andrew with holding his brethren together with a firm and loving hand during the trying time ahead, between Jesus' departure and the arrival of the Spirit of Truth. He instructed Andrew to promote peace and harmony among the various groups of gospel believers, devoting the remainder of his life to fostering the practical aspects of brotherly love among his brethren.

To the Alpheus twins, Jesus acknowledged their faithful work in peace with their own flesh and blood, noting that none had done better than they. He warned of hard times ahead but encouraged them not to become discouraged when there were no multitudes to manage. Jesus affirmed that when their life's work was finished, he would receive them on high where they would tell of their salvation to seraphic hosts and multitudes of high Sons of God. He urged them to dedicate their lives to enhancing commonplace toil, showing how mortal man can cheerfully return to former labors after being called to special service, understanding that to the God-knowing person, there is no such thing as common labor or secular toil. To Philip, Jesus addressed his tendency to ask questions and his material-mindedness, acknowledging both his failures and his steadfast stewardship. He assured Philip that he would soon more fully engage in his true calling, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and promised that though Philip had always wanted to be shown material proof, he would soon see great things through the eye of spiritual faith.

In his concluding individual addresses, Jesus spoke to Nathaniel about his growth in tolerance and his consistent sincerity, cautioning that his frankness might interfere with his relationships with both old and new brothers after Jesus' departure. He advised Nathaniel that sincerity is most serviceable when wedded to discretion and that the expression of even good thoughts must be modulated according to the intellectual status and spiritual development of the hearer. To Thomas, Jesus affirmed his critical approach and courage, predicting that his brothers would appreciate his careful evaluation of new teachings after Jesus was gone. Jesus expressed confidence that after a brief period of perplexity, Thomas would continue in kingdom service, demonstrating how the critical material mind can triumph over intellectual doubting when faced with the manifestation of living truth. Finally, to Simon Peter, Jesus acknowledged Peter's love and commitment to proclaim the gospel while warning about his tendency to speak before thinking and his presumptuous self-confidence. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three or four times that very night before the cock crowed, but assured him that after learning this needful lesson, he should strengthen his brethren and continue living a life dedicated to preaching the gospel, even if it meant following Jesus in paying the supreme price of loving service in building the Father's kingdom.