When He Is Come - Media Sabda Org

WHEN HE IS COME
by
Joshua Stauffer
Chapter 1
WHEN HE IS COME
The Holy Spirit did not come into the world to dwell in believers until after Christ had died, been
resurrected, ascended, and was glorified. The connection between the promise and the coming of the
Holy Spirit to Christians was the death, resurrection, ascension, and glorification of Christ. The first
period of the incarnation of Christ, the Head of the church, extended from His leaving the bosom of
the Father until He returned to the bosom of the Father, or from His birth as a Man to His
glorification. The second period of the incarnation of Christ, that is, the formation of His Body, the
church, extends from Pentecost (the day in which the Holy Spirit descended to become incorporated
in the church) to the Rapture, when the church will be completed and caught up to be united with
Christ the Head.
The Holy Spirit was of superlative value to Christ while He labored on earth, and He is of
superlative value to the church while she labors on earth. Even as the Holy Spirit dwelt in Christ and
made effective His ministry in Palestine, so He may now dwell in every Christian, which makes
possible a world-wide, Spirit-filled ministry. Before Christ left He arranged for another One, even
the Holy Spirit to come and take His place. He said, "I will not leave you comfortless," and "I will
pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." There
is great comfort and hope in these words for all Christians. The Comforter means, "The alongside
One," or "One called to be aside another." In the Greek and Roman courts of law it was the custom
for an accused person to be accompanied by influential friends. These were not paid, nor professional
advocates, but men who out of friendship came to stand by a friend in time of need to help him by
encouragement, suggestions, and if need be, to take his place. The visible and bodily presence of
Christ was a great comfort to the disciples. It brought sorrow to them when He spoke of leaving.
However, He promised to send them another Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in the believer
cheers, encourages, and helps him. He is not left alone, or comfortless. Christ said, "He shall abide
with you for ever." Abide means to dwell, to make His home with, and to remain. Many blessings
have resulted from the fulfillment of the words of Christ, "When He is come."
I. "When He Is Come" He Will Be Our Comforter
"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter.
1. will not leave you comfortless" (John 14:16-18).
The Holy Spirit is well qualified to take the place of Christ, for He possesses all the attributes of
Deity. His great ministry to believers is that of a Comforter, One Who is with and in believers
continually to help them at all times.