THE COMFORTER

Please see our PDF version of the Comforter study HERE and a Bible only version HERE

Nearly all denominations teach only the first part of the promise of the Comforter, which is John 14:16-17. But what does the full promise of John 14:16-23 say about who our Comforter is? Our Lord Jesus Christ expressly said that He Himself would come to us (John 14:18) and be in us (John 14:20), for He would manifest Himself to us (John 14:21-22). See the full promise for yourself:

John 14:16-23 ..."And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

Did Christ proclaim that He Himself is our Comforter? Any Biblical question must be answered with Biblical definitions, not human traditions. See for yourself the Biblical definitions for all of the Comforter passages from John chapter 14 to chapter 16:

(Question) - John 14:16 - Who is the "Comforter" (Greek: parakletos)?

(Answer) - 1 John 2:1 ..'My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (Greek: parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:'

"Let them link up with one another and with Christ. Let them study the seventeenth of John, and learn how to pray and how to live the prayer of Christ. He is the Comforter. He will abide in their hearts, making their joy full. His words will be to them as the bread of life." (RH, Jan 27, 1903)

(Question) - John 14:16 - What did Christ mean by 'another?'

(Answer) - Mark 16:12 ..'After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.'

"Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent." (14MR 23.3)

(Question) - John 14:16 - Who will 'abide with you forever'

(Answer) - Matthew 28:20 ...'Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.'

"While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' Matthew 28:20. While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, His energizing presence is still with His church." (DA 166.2)

(Question) - John 14:17 - Who is 'truth?'

(Answer) - John 14:6 ..' Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'

(Question) - John 14:17 - Who is the 'Spirit of truth?'

(Answer) - Galatians 4:6-7 ..'And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.'

"The only safeguard against his power is found in the presence of Jesus. Before men and angels Satan has been revealed as man's enemy and destroyer; Christ, as man's friend and deliverer. His Spirit will develop in man all that will ennoble the character and dignify the nature. It will build man up for the glory of God in body and soul and spirit." (DA 341)

(Question) - John 14:17 - Did Christ ever refer to Himself as 'He?'

(Answer) - John 10:2-4, 16-18..'But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. ... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.'

"But little did they yet suspect who their traveling companion was. They did not think that the subject of their conversation was walking by their side; for Christ referred to Himself as though He were another person." (DA, 800)

(Question) - John 14:18 - Does Christ 'come to you?'

(Answer) - Revelation 3:20 ...'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.'

"Only Christ can cleanse the soul temple. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.' Revelation 3:20. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, 'I will dwell in them, and walk in them; ... and they shall be My people.' 'He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.' 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and 'an habitation of God through the Spirit.' Ephesians 2:21, 22." (DA, 161)

(Question) - John 14:20 - What does 'in my Father' mean?

(Answer) - John 14:10 ..'Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.'

"The Father himself suffered with the Son; for 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.' Man, with his human, finite judgment, cannot safely question the wisdom of God." (ST December 30, 1889, par. 2)

(Question) - John 14:20 - Is Christ 'in you?'

(Answer) - Galatians 2:20 ..'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'

"When God's people take the position that they are the temple of the Holy Ghost, Christ Himself abiding within, they will so clearly reveal Him in spirit, words and actions, that there will be an unmistakable distinction between them and Satan's followers." (Ms100, July 14, 1902)

(Question) - John 14:21-22 - Does Christ 'manifest Himself?'

(Answer) - 2 Corinthians 3:14-17 ..'But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'

"He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.' Jesus read the future of His disciples. He saw one brought to the scaffold, one to the cross, one to exile among the lonely rocks of the sea, others to persecution and death. He encouraged them with the promise that in every trial He would be with them. That promise has lost none of its force. The Lord knows all about His faithful servants who for His sake are lying in prison or who are banished to lonely islands. He comforts them with His own presence. When for the truth's sake the believer stands at the bar of unrighteous tribunals, Christ stands by his side. All the reproaches that fall upon him, fall upon Christ. Christ is condemned over again in the person of His disciple. When one is incarcerated in prison walls, Christ ravishes the heart with His love." (DA 669)

(Question) - John 14:23 - Christ said "we will come" - Who comes with Christ?

(Answer) - John 17:20-23 ...'Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.'

"If you continue to believe and obey the truths you first embraced regarding the personality of the Father and the Son, you will be joined together with Him in love. There will be seen that union for which Christ prayed just before his trial and crucifixion: 'That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (RH, Mar. 8, 1906, par. 18-19)

(Question) - John 14:23 - Who made "our abode" with us?

(Answer) - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ..'Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.'

"By the Spirit the Father and the Son will come and make their abode with you." (BEcho, Jan 15, 1893)

(Question) - John 14:26-28 - Who teaches us all things?

(Answer) - 1 John 2:27 ..."But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."

"The Holy Spirit is constantly at work, teaching, reminding, testifying, coming to the soul as a divine Comforter, convincing of sin as an appointed judge and guide. Christ was the spirit of truth. The world will not listen to His pleadings. They would not accept Him as their guide. They could not discern unseen things; spiritual things were unknown to them. But His disciples see in Him the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And they shall have His abiding presence. They shall have an experimental knowledge of the only true God and of Jesus Christ whom He hath sent." (SW, Oct 25, 1898)

(Question) - John 15:26 - Who testifies of Christ?

(Answer) - 1 Peter 1:11 ..."Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."

"The Saviour had spoken through all the prophets. "The Spirit of Christ which was in them" "testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter 1:11" (DA 234.1)

(Question) - John 16:7 - Why could the Comforter not come until Christ left?

(Answer) - Acts 2:32-33 ..."This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."

"Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne." (E.White, Early Writings, p.55)

(Question) - John 16:8-16 - How does the Spirit of truth not speak of Himself?

(Answer) - John 12:49 ..."For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak."

"There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart. Circumstances may separate us from our friends; the broad, restless ocean may roll between us and them. Though their sincere friendship may still exist, they may be unable to demonstrate it by doing for us that which would be gratefully received. But no circumstances, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, he is always there, one given in Christ's place, to act in his stead. He is always at our right hand, to speak soothing, gentle words; to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. This Spirit works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of this Spirit reveal its fruit, -love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." (RH, Oct. 26, 1897)

(Question) - Did Christ talk about the Comforter in proverbs?

(Answer) - John 16:25 ..."These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."

"The thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John need careful study and earnest practice if we honor God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent." (Lt16j-1892.3)

(Question) Who is the Third Person of the Godhead?

(Answer) - "It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself. In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church." (DA, 671)

"Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls. Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence." (DA 827)

(Question) - Why do we need to know that Jesus Christ is the Comforter?

(Answer) - Revelation 3:18 ..."I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

"The reason why the churches are weak and sickly and ready to die, is that the enemy has brought influences of a discouraging nature to bear upon trembling souls. He has sought to shut Jesus from their view as the Comforter, as one who reproves, who warns, who admonishes them, saying, 'This is the way, walk ye in it.' Christ has all power in heaven and in earth, and he can strengthen the wavering, and set right the erring." (RH, August 26, 1890)

(Question) - Finally, is this an eternal life issue?

(Answer) - John 17:3 ..."And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

"My brethren and sisters, study the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John. The words of these chapters explain themselves. 'This is life eternal,' Christ declared, 'that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.' In these words the personality of God and of His Son is clearly spoken of. The personality of the one does not do away with the necessity for the personality of the other." (Lt232-1903.48)

"Let the brightest example the world has yet seen be your example, rather than the greatest and most learned men of the age, who know not God, nor Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted." (The Youth's Instructor, July 7, 1898, par. 2)

Our church pioneers knew this truth. So what happened? See our page - THE DECEPTION THAT CHANGED THE ADVENTIST CHURCH