Requirements for Remembrance
These words were recounted by John, a disciple of the Lord, but they were written for us all. There are two concepts at work here: God's speaking to us and the Holy Ghost bringing remembrance of His Words to us.
I've always found it intriguing how many people quote Luke 12:10-11 as assurance against the persecution to come in the Endtime: "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." Yet, many of those same people have yet to put the Word to memory so that it can be brought to their mind.
Notice, the first concept in John 14 is about God speaking to us. No longer does Jesus walk about the earth in the flesh and seldom do we hear His voice audibly, so how do we hear His words? Several ways.
* First, we hear from God through reading His Word. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
* Secondly, we hear from God through ministers preaching or teaching the Word to us. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (I Corinthians 1:21). Furthermore, God's word proclaims that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).
* Third, we can indeed hear that still, small voice in our heart as we lift our voices in prayer; God still speaks to His people. However, understand that the Spirit of God will never lead you where the Word of God cannot take you! Make certain that what you think you've heard lines up with scripture!
The second concept is that God will bring His Word to our remembrance. Quite simply, you can't recall something you never knew! This is why it is so important to read your Bible, pray and seek God's face, and hear the Word of God preached into your life! There must be a well of information for Him to draw the words to the surface.
The best security against the Endtime? Know the Word and apply it!
