XXXVII. Final Admonitions and Warnings
143. Last Words of Peace and Comfort
27“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28You heard me say to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' 29And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.”a32“The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
(Jn. 14:27–29; 16:32–33)
a “You heard me say to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.”—Here Jesus once again prophesies his own death. What is the purpose of this prophecy? It is to enable the apostles not to be dismayed, but rather to grow stronger in their faith when they witness its fulfillment (Jesus' crucifixion). And it is to enable them to know peace, the peace of Jesus, in the midst of their coming tribulation. (“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace.”) (Jn. 16:33 above)
Prophecy strengthens our faith and prepares us for the future. It enables us to face even great tribulation with faith, peace, and assurance.)
(181:1/1953–4)
144. Warning the Apostles and Peter
33Peter declared to him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. 35Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.”
34Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”
26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
(Mt. 26:31–33, 35, 34; Mk. 14:26)
Mt. 26:31 Zechariah 13:7 • it / for it (RSV) • Smite the Zh.13:7 (KJV) / I will strike the (RSV)
Mt. 26:35 Even / Peter said to him, “Even (RSV) (181:2/1962)
