That Which Was From the Beginning

That Which Was From the Beginning

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:1-4.

Many Christians in these days are expecting the apostolic times to return. As a rule, they are thinking of the use of the gifts to perform awe-inspiring healings, signs, and wonders.

We can presume that no one living in these days has seen as many signs and wonders as the apostles did, but they did not fill their epistles with these experiences, even though they were great and wonderful. It was all a glory that vanished with the corruption of the body. 2 Cor. 3:11; 5:1.

When John wrote about what the apostles had seen with their eyes and had heard with their ears when they walked together with Jesus, he did not write about any of these external things, but he wrote about life itself. They could see and handle the Word of life in everything Jesus did. It was the same life that was with the Father, and the apostles saw the Father’s glory because the Word had become flesh in Jesus. The apostles did not have fellowship with each other because of healing meetings, but because of the life that was in the Father and in the Son—an eternal and glorious life-fellowship. The apostles’ lives were genuine and true through and through, and no one could have fellowship with the Father and the Son without having fellowship with them.

The apostles declared that which was from the beginning: the eternal life that was with the Father that was manifested to them. And as it began, so it will continue until Jesus’ return. Those who do not live the life of the Father and the Son, but who expect some extraordinary things to happen, are not ready and will be put to shame and remain behind when Jesus returns.

Jesus’ true disciples have always been occupied with loving and obeying His commandments, which are eternal life, and they have always taught others to observe what Jesus has commanded. To all these people Jesus says, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20.

In Galatians 1:15 and 16, Paul writes: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood.” Paul’s entire interest was that the glory of the Son might be revealed in himself in his daily life, and in all those with whom he was working. “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you . . . .” Gal. 4:19. The great mystery that has been hidden from ages and from generations, and which is so rich and glorious, is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:26-28. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me . . . .” Gal. 2:20. “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Col. 3:4.

The light from heaven is to shine in us and radiate from us. 2 Cor. 4:6. Many people think that these glorious scriptures will be fulfilled in us once we get to heaven. But if they are not fulfilled in us now, we will never get to heaven. We are called to be light and salt in an evil and unbelieving world and to reveal God’s glory.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . .” 1 Pet. 2:9. This is the message that was from the beginning, and any divergence from this message will not be tolerated. The apostles’ preaching was based on their own life, just as their Master’s was, who began by doing and teaching. There are more than enough orators, but there is little to be seen of a God-fearing and overcoming life that backs up their words. However, this is the only thing Jesus is looking for, and in all the seven churches in Revelation, He judges them according to their works and absolutely not according to their oratorical skills.

Paul did not consult with flesh and blood when it concerned this life. If he had done that, he would have deviated from God’s revelation and would have lost that inner peace and joy. If you were to consult with the average priest or preacher these days, you would hear that Jesus lived this life for us and that it is sufficient if you pray for the forgiveness of your sins every day and rest in what He has done. This is a false doctrine that lulls people to sleep so that they can continue in their sins, and it leads them away from the fear to sin. James says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Jas. 1:22. They jump over such scriptures without the least compunction, even though this is the spirit in the entire Scriptures.

Jesus came to give us life, and life in abundance; and only in this life can our joy be complete. 1 John 1:4.

In these days, may the only great thing for us be that we hold fast to that which was from the beginning.